Does this seem reasonable? (Budget)

A question about : Does this seem reasonable? (Budget)

Been reading this forum for a while and finally decided to sign up and join in so here goes nothing...

I am trying to lower our food budget as much as possible without compromising on health or taste, for the 2 of us, 1 athlete and 1 with extra calorie needs I have spent Ј45 without meat/fish, expect with to be a max of Ј25-30, though hoping it won't be that high. So around Ј70-80 for one week, just food.

I think I may have bought a little too much, will review things again after this week and see if Ј5 or so could have been cut off, or if next week we could use up what is left. I buy loose wherever possible, use spices rather than buying packets, try to buy reduced food when I am in the shop, I also compare products by Ј/kg to find the best deals, for example some types of nuts can be found in 3 places in my local store all around 100-200g but the price can vary from Ј12/kg - Ј16/kg for the same product!

So what do you think? Does this sound ok for 2 people for 1 week considering we both need extra calories everyday?

Best answers:

• 70-80 quid does sound a bit steep. There are lots of threads on here that will give you recipes for cheap meals that don't cost the earth. Have you thought about meal planning and batch cooking? Saves time and money. I would say 40-50 quid is a more doable budget. Meals can be bulked out with cheap veggies they don't have to contain huge quantities of meat.
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  Check out the above link.
• One of the best ways of reducing costs is to make sure you are not eating any or hardy any convenience foods. Of course if you are using organic food that could bump your prices up by Ј5.00-Ј10.00.
• Hiya
  I was wondering if you might find it helpful to look at the following and maybe join in, as it sound like the kind of thread that you would find helpful. Don't know how to post a direct link but if you put the following into the Forum Search (on green bar) you should find us. Good luck
  February 2015 Grocery Challenge
  Lx
• I don't think there's one 'right' amount to spend. It will depend on what you like to eat and what is affordable for you.
  There are two adults in my house through the week (one is an athlete with a huge appetite) and usually at least 4 days per month where we have an extra 2. We eat meat at least once every day and I cook everything from scratch except that I will sometimes buy deli meats and bread for sandwiches (I prefer to do my own but I don't always have as much time as my partner has appetite!). I spend about Ј75 per week on average on groceries, which for me is affordable - if I was struggling for money I could cut back and suspect I could manage on about Ј50 per week without too much difficulty.
• Another way Omid. is to count your nutrition allowance. More protein than you need will turn into carbs anyway, so no point in buying/eating more. And if on a budget little point in buying expensive protein and carbs.
• Thanks everyone we got the meat today so our total for the week is Ј65 which is okay with me since I think we have some extras which will carry into the next week. Of course I will still be looking for ways to reduce it more hopefully MSE will give me some new ideas
• I think it's all down to how much you can afford and how much time you can afford to put in getting it cheaper. We are a 2 adult, one toddler family. We eat really well. No athletes but one of us needs alot of extra calories at the minute. We prepare everything from scratch and batch cook. We don't necessarily meal plan moreso plan our meals around what needs using up first. OUr freezer is our best friend, in fact we have two. I frequent the clearance section in our local supermarkets and go at the times I know them to mark down to silly money. I stretch out meals adding lentils and beans. I go to Aldi for all of our staples. I rely on own brand products. I shop around where has the best prices. I stock up when something is on offer. We spend around Ј20-Ј25 per week but it takes alot of time and effort. I have the time and willingness to do this. We don't need to scrimp and could afford more but I enjoy getting a bargain and we eat really well so wouldn't change the meals we eat regardless of how much we spend.
• I live on a lot less than this but I live alone and one night a week I get a meal with the quiz night I go to Sunday dinner is always at my DDs so I only have to sort out five dinners per week for myself.I have been cooking for over 60 years and know quite a good few ways to Streeetch the budget.But with folk with extra calorific needs probably you could get it down to between Ј50-60 per week.Its baby steps sometimes, and using up everything you can rather than throwing food away.If I make a chicken in my slow cooker it makes me lots of meals and when cold the breast is sliced and frozen for another dayI get roast,sandwiches,curry and soup from left over carcus,but then I was brought up by a canny scots Mum during rationing so can streetch a pound until it squeeks .Your freezer is your friend when it comes to batch cooking
• You should try mystery shopping. We have had 3 dinners and 3 lunches out in the past 10 days all paid for. Just a survey to complete afterwards to give feedback.