Quoted from Victoria

Since this is conveniently the first of the month, I'm going to start tracking my food expenses.  I've never been sure what my food costs are because so many things are mixed on the same receipts:  food, herbal supplements, body care products, and cleaning supplies.  I'll know more by the end of this month.  

I'm doing the same thing starting the first of November. It's good information to have.

Quoted from BTypeAUS

Great food list
Do organic eggs taste better than the usual ones? Ive always wondered..maybe I should buy some and see

YEP-at least mine do
Eggs are very much a matter of HOW you treat the animal
IF the animal is kept in a cage/battery and fed conventional feed with lots of additives eggs are rather boring and I can often taste some fishysnes from soy/canola/fish meal.
If the animal is running outdoor eating a pure diet of grain, grass, sluggs the eggs are sooo mcuh better

Henriette, yes I can always taste the fishiness in the eggs I buy !
I will defintely try organic eggs now

OOooooohh:  On an "Lidia's Italy" episode I watched yesterday--don't worry, I NEVER actually make her recipes, as virtually all of them are wheat-centric, but I love to watch cooking shows, even the ones that I just sit there smugly doing my little internal "superior dance" (remember Dana Carvey's "Church Lady"?) about, such as all the wheat Lidia uses, or how singularly AWFUL that supposed "health oriented" Christina of "Christina Cooks" is, nutrition-wise (she has GOT to be Type A to even be alive, given her diet--she lives on a vegan diet that is very heavy on rice syrup and soy products and VERY low on protein).  Anyway, where was I?  Oh yeah, so I'm watching Lidia and it was the first episode I've ever seen, btw, in which she does an entire meal WITHOUT a speck of wheat, ...but that isn't the point of my post.     The point is:  she showed how chickens are raised on one particular farm in Italy and, oh my, they looked so happy and healthy, with the free range of the beautiful area they were given outside, and all these different bowls of grains, herbs, fruits and goodness knows what all to choose to nibble on.  Lidia talked about how raising organic, happy animals with respect (I love that she used that word, as this is my philosophy, too) is how you end up with an animal that is better for US to eat, too, and happier and better for the earth.

Go, Lidia!  Now, if we could just get her to stop centering EVERYTHING she makes around FLOUR!  I think she's an O, as she has a lot of edema in her body, from her hands to her face, and I maintain it is from subsisting on a diet heavy on wheat lectins.

P.S.  And the eggs they opened up to show us from several varieties of those chickens were beautiful.

Quoted from Victoria

Since this is conveniently the first of the month, I'm going to start tracking my food expenses.  I've never been sure what my food costs are because so many things are mixed on the same receipts:  food, herbal supplements, body care products, and cleaning supplies.  I'll know more by the end of this month.  

You should do it for several months Victoria to get an accurate average.  I've been saving receipts since July and am surprised at how much variance there is from one month to the next.  

Quoted from MileHighRob

You should do it for several months Victoria to get an accurate average.  I've been saving receipts since July and am surprised at how much variance there is from one month to the next.  

Really. If you do a lot of storage or bargain buying it can be a little difficult to untangle and would take quite a period of time. When I buy stuff this way I don't usually consider how long it will last just that I have a supply of whatever to last 'awhile'. My post on the poll was an educated guess really.

One of our local Natural Grocers offers these month long sales they call "hotline specials".  They are significant savings.  Whenever there's anything on sale which I frequently use, I purchase extra throughout the month.  This way, I rarely have to purchase for full price again as it will usually hit the hotline before I've depleted my stock.  

Quoted from MileHighRob

Whenever there's anything on sale which I frequently use, I purchase extra throughout the month.  This way, I rarely have to purchase for full price again as it will usually hit the hotline before I've depleted my stock.  

That is certainly the way to go. Lucrative but not easy to fit into a $/ per month model. Thankfully many retail outlets put certain items on sale on a regular basis so you can predict how much to buy to tide you over.

Eerie thing just happened. I calculated out how much I spent on food in October, it came out to be exactly $666 US dollars!

Quoted from Jared

Eerie thing just happened. I calculated out how much I spent on food in October, it came out to be exactly $666 US dollars!

This is very interesting.  I try to keep ours to $250 per person, but it is difficult.  Hubby likes a lot of 'treats' as he calls them.  He doesn't follow any protocol, just wants what he wants.  I usually cut back on my meat to make up the difference.  Of course, my supplements are about $120 a month, and his meds are the same.  Those are not included in the $250.  I do cook from scratch, with the exception of hubby's treats.  If I started baking those, I would have to indulge myself!

Hi,

No vote

I spend less than 250$, about 150$... but it is difficult... vegetables, fruits (if not grown in my tiny garden) and meat are not organic...

I spend more money to comply the diet than before...

Next spring, I increase the size of the garden.  

Is that in francs, euros, or converted to U.S. dollars? This poll may not be as valid for international members.

BTW, is France using euros now or are they still using francs?  The last time I was there (19 years ago) they were using francs, but that was before the euro was introduced.

hi Ruthiegirl

I converted to US dollars ($) for common understanding.

No more francs in France ; we have used Euros since january 2002.

OK, I was there in January of 92. No euros yet.

I tracked my food spending for the month of November and came up to $368 (I realize Nov isn't quite over, but I don't plan on spending before the 1st of Dec). This includes eating out (twice) and alcohol (red wine). Not bad. Since I gave up wheat and sugar, I've not been buying processed/commercially prepared foods (except for WF deli a couple of times), and I think this is helping to keep my costs down. I know I used to budget $450-$500 on food just for myself.

Wow. I must be doing something right!  I checked the lowest amount, $250, but only because there wasn't anything lower to check.     I only buy for myself, spending between $160-$200 per month. Eating minimal amounts of dairy and rarely eating desserts and snack food, I'm able to keep my food expense fairly low while having plenty to eat. Naturally, I cook from "scratch", and buy only fresh produce. I don't eat a lot of fruit, but will have a serving or two every day. Looking for the lowest prices and sticking to a diet of high protein and plenty of greens/oranges/reds (veggies) with a reasonable amount of dried beans and brown rice---and Ezekiel bread---does the trick for both me and my budget.  

I think between having money issues to consider and money for kids college bills.. I am certain that I spend 50 dollar a week or less...

I mean I eat:
meat  
vegetables kale, romaine, broccoli, occasional sweet potatoe, zuccini.
avocado, mango or prunes, pineapple chunks..

Drinks, sometimes grapefruit juice.
and cocoa in hot water..

going out is once a week for no more then 15.- with friends is extra.

OMG - We spend about £800 (min) or at the very top end of your scale in $/month  

Having said that, we are both 'O' Hunters and eat a lot of organic meat and veg.  Very scary actually when I put it on paper (metaphorically) like this!!

Must review to see if I can improve this.

Andy  

Quoted from BTypeAUS

Perfect touch, that little devil smiley.  

OMG, I was shopping at whole foods yesterday, and I was standing in line behind this 40ish year old woman who looked like a stripper. (fake boobs, make up...) She bought $615 worth of food! Now I know why she strips!!!

I would guess we spend $250+ per person... all I know is that it's a lot.  It's very expensive to eat healthy...worth it, sure, but I'm thinking I may have to go back to work to support our food habit.  

I can not say that I spend that much or anywhere near that.  

I spend on a steak, that lasts me days, I eat twice a day at least 3 if I had to or 4 -5 oz (so a pound lasts 2 lunches and dinners - 2 days of main meals) top round is what Dr D suggests and that is ok, so is sirloin.  When I wish to cheat I have a rib steak- those cost about ten dollars a piece, but I have seldom need for such a treat.

I live alone so I have no need for many choices others need, I do not cook burgers at home, but have them out in one place where they make good ones at about 10.- a meal with vegetables or salad. I find chop meat sort of waisting in terms of grease being drained out of the lesser quality meats.  I am fussy and cut of all visible fat, even when on rare occasions I make a stew or pot roast. The fat and grizzle goes to the dog.  Even there I think I stay within my budget - not when I have guest, then all bets are off.  

My cheapest food mainstay is eggs.. when I wish to be frugal, I make all kind of eggs.  with mayo as a treat, with Parmesan sprinkles as a treat, you name it - eggs go a hundred ways, omelet strips in soup, or dropped into broth from cooking some meat scraps and vegetable pieces (for the dog).

My vegetables are not massive, and since there is no dairy and no grains, that is what I spend money on - guessing at 100.- a month or much less...?  Cocoa powder is cheap by comparison of coffee.. instant coffee has dobbled... tea is expensive also when used as throw away.. I happen to like weak tea so a bag last me all day.. limes are reasonable, especially when I remember to cut and add them to whatever- even over meat.

To that I add nuts and fruit.  in moderation now... I used to eat much more.. but I am retraining myself to reduce intake, so as to keep my weight in check.. which is a long term plan.

People living alone can do much more with fewer choices.. Much shopping is done to please others, or to spoil or to impress or not to be boring.  I think IT REALLY helps if all in the family understand the restrictions within my diet.. then the sort of sameness of choices.. is understood much easier and so tolerated KNOWING that I am building HEALTH.

Now with kids and elderly I would add rice in many forms and grains and beans and dairy, oats and the like and with that create gravies and fill in requirements they have.  

I save money on not eating avoids, and hardly adding sugar to anything other then in coffee for guest.  I am able to save by being well (now) and not needing or buying sups all day. My meds are few, at about 120- a year.  add 200 for other health things Chiros here and there and I think I am done.  

I spend money instead on my car gas, I drive a big car, old and paid for.   I don't go to far for now, but still a trip to sis cost me 5.- , that is my biggest expense.  I lowered my car insurance by several hundreds just by asking my agent about such a thing.. same coverage.. I will do that from now on every year when I need to renew..  

My haircuts are few, I can do some trimming my self, but I found one cutter who is less expensive who - was better twice in a row - then all others throughout my life.. If her prices don't go up I will go to her twice as often..  and I had spent all sorts of money on that trying to get a good cut.
I do my own color and look better then sis. Time is my issue there, I can not sit around like that..

Now if I went to a bakery and saw pastries, then all money is off the table, I can't resist, and so I don't go.. I spend money on ice cream, more money by the cone, but having gallons in my house would not work..
  


  

i voted for $250 per person per month but i think it is actually less than this. My weekly regular grocery store budget is $200 per week for my family of 5. i buy a lot of organic but not exclusively and i do not buy grass fed beef, just the no-hormones stuff like Laura's Lean beef. i also shop Trader Joes for almond butter and a few other things but that is not weekly, probably bi-weekly spending about $50 each trip and i do a year-round organic food co-op which is $25 per week. so my total food bill is $1000 per month for 5 people (2 adults, 3 kids 6 and under)