Monday, October 6, 2008

Cost of Living

A while back I posted about cutting grocery costs for Works for Me Wednesday. Some of the comments were (to put it mildly) shocked at the amount I spend on food each month. Sure, I definitely spend on some pre-made, processed, instant things that cost me more than making them from scratch. But my mind couldn't wrap around Judith spending about $400-500 per month for a family of seven, and Mary spending only $200 last month for her family of ten! Seriously, I just can't be over-spending by THAT much!

On request of my BFF, Christine (who, might I mention, is a thrifty shopper and makes everything from scratch for her family of six), and our incredulity at what some people in the blogosphere spend on food, I will be putting up a blog carnival for INFORMATION. Because we can't live with ourselves spending so much more than you without some understanding! Please, do tell!

Starting tomorrow, and over the weekend, I'll put up a Mr. Linky so a whole bunch of you can join in. I might even email and harass you to join in if you're one of those peeps who spends so much less than I!

Here's some of what we want to know (feel free to add items, share shopping tips, bargains, etc.):
4L milk (or a gallon)
5lbs potatoes
price per lb for fruit - apples, oranges, bananas
average price for produce - lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots
price per lb of ground beef, chicken, pork chops
price per lb/gms of cold cuts like ham or roast beef
block of cheese (put in size)
lb of butter or margarine
box of mac and cheese like KD
pkg of cookies like Oreos
can of beans
can of tomatoes
pkg of pasta (put in size)
pkg of frozen veggies like peas or corn (put in size)
tin of coffee (put in size)
12 double roll toilet paper

5 comments:

  1. I just want to say that my friend Peggy who grew up in America, but has lived in Canada for the past few years, has set me straight. She told me food costs SO much more in Canada!!! I can't wait to see the results of your Bloggy Carnival!! This will be a lot of fun!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have a post half written and plan on participating in your carnival. But just wanted to reassure you regarding my $200 month in September. I was working from a full pantry of food, and I am sure that the dollar value for food actually consumed that month was probably more like $500 or more. I WAS really pleased to have only bought $200 of new food that month, but am quite certain I could not do that even 2 months in a row. I do, however, think I could feed my family of 12 on $600-$700 a month if I needed to.
    Looking forward to seeing prices in other areas!
    Mary, mom to 10

    ReplyDelete
  3. 4L milk (or a gallon)$3.45 gal
    5lbs potatoes
    price per lb for fruit - apples, oranges, bananas..I bought fruit yesturday and the strawberries/fruit bowl were about $6.50
    average price for produce - lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots
    price per lb of ground beef, chicken, pork chops/ we buy from a local butcher a full or 1/2 pig every year it is about $300.00
    price per lb/gms of cold cuts like ham or roast beef
    block of cheese (put in size)
    lb of butter or margarine $2.54
    box of mac and cheese like KD $1.16
    pkg of cookies like Oreos $2.50
    can of beans
    can of tomatoes
    pkg of pasta (put in size)
    pkg of frozen veggies like peas or corn (put in size)
    tin of coffee (put in size)
    12 double roll toilet paper $4.99
    I live in SLC Utah. Gas is about $3.79 gallon. Milk feels like it is almost just as much. I watched a good living show a few weeks ago and they talke about ways to save money. All of them I have been doing. I plan meals,cook at home often,everything. So I thought I am screwed!!! I am doing everything I can and still cant afford the grocery bill!

    ReplyDelete
  4. 4L milk (or a gallon)$3 (and buy 10 get one free)
    5lbs potatoes about $2.50
    price per lb for fruit -
    apples in season now--last week i saw them for 69 a lb but this week I couldn't find them for less than 1.29,
    bananas $.69 a lb
    average price for produce -
    lettuce on sale a bag for $3
    cucumber $.89
    price per lb of
    ground beef 90%--$3.50,
    chicken skinless boneless on sale $1.99,
    price per lb/gms of cold cuts like
    ham $5.99-on sale
    turkey $6.99
    block of cheese (put in size)$5 lbs about $15
    lb margarine $.89

    pkg of cookies like Oreos 2 for $5 on sale

    can of tomatoes Can find it for $1
    pkg of pasta (put in size) 12 oz of healthy pasta whole wheat or similar $2.50
    pkg of frozen veggies like peas $1.39 per pound

    In upstate New York

    ReplyDelete
  5. I live in west Texas and, while I don't buy all on your list, I thought I'd let you know what I pay for what I do buy.

    4L milk (or a gallon): $3.76
    price per lb for fruit - apples ($1.72), bananas ($0.48)
    price per lb of ground beef ($3.64)
    price per lb/gms of cold cuts like ham or roast beef: $1.96/12 oz variety pack
    block of cheese (put in size): $4.24/lb sharp cheddar
    lb of butter or margarine: $2.44 butter
    box of mac and cheese like KD: $0.50
    can of tomatoes: $0.74/28 oz.
    pkg of frozen broccoli: $0.73/lb

    ReplyDelete

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