My wife and I average $800-$1000 monthly on groceries for just us. Live in metro ATL. We cook a lot and mostly go organic on produce and certified humane on proteins, which is worth the extra cost to us. That said though, is this an insane amount to spend on groceries?! What do you spend?

likehelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

We average $500/month on groceries and $400/month on eating out. Family of 3. We cook about 80-90% of all meals. We eat like kings. All kinds of meat, all kinds of veggies, different types of cuisines. So, even $800/month on just groceries for two people sounds a lot for Atlanta. We're in a similar sized city so don't know how we can spend 300 more on top of our current spend. Unless I'm buying lobster and crabs and steaks for most meals.

like

This isn’t crazy. 2 adults + a toddler here in Boston suburbs. We do one grocery trip a week that usually runs us ~$125, then we’ll order in a couple times each week which tacks on another $100 or so.
Total spend in Jan for all groceries, takeout, fast food, coffee, etc. was around $1,150.
Almost all of our dinners we make also turn into leftovers for lunch a day or two later (for us and the little one)

uplifting

Woah… i spend 250 a month just for myself . I scan NON organic bar codes for my organic fruit… lol

funnylikesmarthelpful

The funny thing is the user said they spend 250 per person. OP said 400 per person on the low end. Which makes sense if they’re buying all organic and healthy. An extra 150 per month isn’t that insane

like
Recent IconRecent

What’s your monthly household income?

like

If you don’t eat out at all then that sounds reasonable overall. We have a teen daughter and spend about $200/week on groceries with instacart delivery and maybe $150/week on restaurant delivery. Im in Los Angeles.

like

I live in metro atl and only spend like $100 a wk/$400 a month…sometimes that fluctuates if we buy in bulk at Costco but the savings are better. Where do you shop?

like

This is where I'm at. In fact, my groceries end up being $60ish and the rest ($40ish) is usually me grabbing a few lunches from somewhere like chipotle or ordering $13-$15 take out for dinner on a Saturday/Sunday maybe.

I don't think it's really that hard either to not go over. Wondering what people are actually buying, lol.

I live in Dallas and spend $400-$450 a month on food - just me. And maybe $150 eating out 2-3x in the month. I eat pretty clean, protein and basic carbs and veggies - I’ll have prime rib steak 1-2x a week that I cook myself (air fryer). I don’t drink so I save a ton and enjoy my semi expensive coffee 3-4x a week.

likesmart

Ooo coffee brand recommendations?

Live your own lifestyle. As long as you don't spend more than what you can make, you are good. Don't set a lower limit just to reach a standard, enjoy your life.

like

Wow. So impressive. I think I average 3500/mo for food incl going out and minimal groceries... Amazing how you all are able to keep the costs so low...

funny

Chime, not cooking. If I go out and pick up a salad or order in a protein bowl or something.

Groceries is just for breakfast

I live greater atl area. Spend about 130-160 on weekly publix run. Me+spouse+toddler.

like

Y’all out here making me feel REAL GOOD (for the first time on this bowl considering my investments are shit and I’m still learning)

$250 a month for both people. Cook all our meals while eating out a couple times a month. Chicago

likeuplifting

I judge more by are we eating them all vs wasting / throwing excessive food away.

like

I spend a lot on organic as well which balances out with not buying meat (we are vegetarian). Lately something that has helped me is not going back to the store until I’ve used everything in the fridge. This helps me get creative and really make use of what I have.

like

Atlanta has the one of the highest inflation rates in the country… I’m also in Atlanta & I do meats/seafood at Whole Foods bc it truly is higher quality but everything else I get at Publix, organic on most veggies. Splitting it up like that saves 10-15% instead of everything at Whole Foods.

Also highly recommend shopping publix sales. The app is easy & you just type in your number at check out. I typically save about 30% if I plan my meals to what’s on sale and in season.

like

2 people in Austin … ~1000 on groceries (incl household goods) and ~500 on restaurants. Restaurants are usually $100 per meal; we eat most meals at home. The groceries are all vegan but mostly higher end items at Whole Foods, expensive craft items, etc.

like

We spend almost similar amount but only buy organic and healthy food. It’s worth an investment on one’s health for long term if one could afford it

like

I honestly spend $800 a month on groceries for just myself… nothing super fancy, but I really like to eat 🤷🏻‍♀️

like

That’s what my SO and I average in chicago

like

In Chicago with a toddler that’s what we average as well! Shop Whole Foods and costco, do tons of meal prep and almost 0 wastage.

Inflation

like

This makes me concerned about your food waste. In NYC my husband and I spend 120/week on groceries. We cook 3 meals a day and eat clean, with a priority on meat, veg and basic grains.

like

Do you eat out often? How much do you spend on that in a month? Your budget is amazing, would love to get to that number

I spend around $250 per month on groceries, and about $100 each month on eating out… in NJ

like

Yup

like

I spend probably close to $800-1000/ month for 1 person in Dallas. I rarely cook and prefer to eat out mostly. When I do go to the grocery and cook, it's still maybe $150 for the week (e.g. $50 on a few pounds of meat or fish, $30 on sparkling water or other drinks, $70 on fruits/veggies/chips/yogurt/etc.)

I don't think that's an insane amount. I live in Seattle so HCOL but not VHCOL. My wife and I spend approximately $800-850 on groceries and $400-500 for bars/restaurants each month.

Related Posts

The tell all was very good! Wasn’t it??? What was your favorite scene??

like

The minute I land in Chicago I start dreaming about Naf Naf. That pita bread is my undoing.

like

Hi! I am looking for leather banquette like this but need a smaller size and ideally a bit less pricey. I have looked at places like crate and barrel, west elm, pottery barn, etc. Any other ideas?

Post Photo

How are guys watching big boss 4 ? I subscribed for Hotstar but it shows page not found error when clicked on big boss 4 thumbnail

like

If you must, dominos or Pizza Hut?!

like

Let the holidays commence!

Sweet nose, but then a hit of savory spice on the tongue with an insanely long finish that is all cigar.

I wouldn’t drink this with a cigar, because you wouldn’t notice it, but it’s insane how much that finish lingers and mimics the mouth tingle after smoking a cigar.

Post Photo
like

Any book recommendations about human psychology / thought processes?

like

Off topic Can anyone tell me what's the prises for food in TCS pune location veg thali non veg thali

like

A great one by iopsychmemes!

Post Photo
likefunnyuplifting

Who does the best NY style pizza in Chicago?

Evaluation Criteria:

Delicious pizza sauce
Cheese pull (cheese that melts when the pizza is pulled apart)
Crust crunchiness

like

Best halal food in Montreal?!

like

What’s is your favorite fast food chain and why? There is so many I don’t know which one to choose. Thank you.

like

Weekly Hot take, the lack of couch Co-op is the reason gaming doesn't feel like it hits the same. I miss the days of bringing over the crew to play a game that isn't smash bros. One of my best memories is playing Tower fall with my college friends in my dorm.

like

Best Chinese food in the Valley? My favorite place closed down during the pandemic. 😕

likehelpful

Seafood Ceviche recipe anyone? Appreciate it!

I see Uncommon saying the new Nic Cave doco is their first feature film but I can’t find their names on credits anywhere. What role did they play in it? Genuine question.

like

Finally got around to doing the gingerbread rugelach that was posted recently. Mine are vegan. Going in my gift packs with spiced nuts and rocky road (both also vegan). Happy Holidays and happy baking to all!

Post Photo
like

Rewatching Brokeback Mountain, which came out 15 years ago (hard to believe that). Anyway, it's still an outstanding, devastating film (and love story) that I think if had been released 10 years later would have easily won best picture and best actor for Heath Ledger.

like

Anyone at the Relient K show at House of Blues tonight?

like

Having a Seder for a group of friends (multiple faiths) with kids. Any recommendations on haggadahs that would be fun for a mixed group?

More Posts

like

Hi! I am looking for leather banquette like this but need a smaller size and ideally a bit less pricey. I have looked at places like crate and barrel, west elm, pottery barn, etc. Any other ideas?

Post Photo

Flat lay or lay flat?

likefunny

Desperately looking for a job in Organizational Development 😩 it’s been almost a year since I finished grad school and I’m so embarrassed I can’t land anything.

like

What will be the effect of US recession on KGS?
What should we be ideally prepared for in worst case scenario

like

Looking for guidance. I’ve been in people manager roles (in director/senior leader capacity) for the last 5 years now, and prior to that I was a “rockstar” Project Manager. I’ve worked really hard to get to the position I’m in today, but I’ve been recently asked to move from my current role to a senior IC role to take on a highly visible Program for the company, with some very senior stakeholders. I feel conflicted as it does feel like I would be backtracking in many ways. Thoughts?

like

Anyone here kindly help me put a referral at Google infrastructure team? Currently working as Lead Cyber Security Solution Engineer with experience in deploying network monitoring tools and engineering experience in transitioning from on premises to cloud environment.

like

New grad students have started asking about my experience in the program. Should I be honest and tell them how horrible it was? Or avoid the question and let them form their own opinion?

like

Hi,

Can someone help me with the inhand salary for the below mentioned.

Post Photo

Is it normal in Amex that managers (leaders) are arrogant and doesn’t give a damn? Or is it just me with a sheer bad luck!

like

KINDLY HELP!! 🙏🏻
Hello Amex Fishes, I have an offer from Amex. If I get a better offer from other companies, Can I re-negotiate here at Amex? ( I have received and accepted the OL, accepted LOI 2 weeks back, and BGV has also started)

like

Currently a post-MBA returning consultant at MBB. What firms should I target with significant Private Equity Ops groups or value teams? Have to leave after 2 years in consulting because I was sponsored but want to make sure that I understand the point at which I should be reaching out, etc.

like

@women in the ME, I’m moving from NYC to Dubai. Is there some things to consider for attire in a business environment or is it the same as in NA? I’m thinking about business travel to other countries like KSA 👀

like

Hello Fishes,
Thinking of applying to airbus
What is the approx package for a person with 4 to 6 YOE?
I come from mechanical background. Does Airbus consider that?

like

Any McK fuel people in here? Kinda curious about this segment in reference to deal structure. Is it all commercial debt?

like

For those in corporate development, can you talk about the financial modeling aspect of the job? How detailed do you get? Full three-statement or something much simpler? 50 tabs or less? It would be helpful if you could say what size company and whether it’s public or private. Thanks!

like

Which university is good for MBA (Distance) and which specialization is best ? I am a computer science engineer and currently working for BFSI Projects. YOE 2.5 Tata Consultancy Infosys MBA Finance

like

Where’s everyone spending their Labor Day weekend?

like

How are guys watching big boss 4 ? I subscribed for Hotstar but it shows page not found error when clicked on big boss 4 thumbnail

like

Additional Posts in Personal Investment Chatter

What platform do you guys use for buying ETFs ? Can you recommend high fielding ETFs ?

like

How is everyone feeling about the market today? Buy? Sell? Wait?

like

Hello all!
I'm 26, I studied economics but I don't know why I'm not much into investing/trading. Someone else like this?
I recognize this is not a very good approach for someone with money "knowledge" and I would like to change this mindset. My main weakness is that I easily get bored of following the market and that I do not see big opportunities. Any advice?
Where to start learning, general advice for LT and ST investments, things you learnt, books that changed your pov on the topic etc.

Thx!

like

So student loans aren’t being forgiven this year…right? I think it’s time I open the flood gates and dump all I’ve been saving towards my loans. Or should I leave 10k in hopes of forgiveness later on?

likefunny

What finance podcast/show/guru do you prefer? Do you have go to finance books you recommend?

like

Hello I just started my first job (I’m 22) and I need to set up a 401k for matching with my company. I’m really confused how this works because I want to try to hit the IRS maximum of $19,500 for Roth contributions this year. Maybe it’s too late in the year now, but it’s asking me to pick my desired contribution % per pay period, but I’m not sure how much to do because it says it’ll kick in 1-2 pay cycles and I don’t even know when the next pay check comes yet. Any tips would be great

like

Is $250 (all in) for a bed and breakfast worth it? My GF seems think so but that’s a 3pm check in and 11am check out. Not sure the value is there?

funny

Can anyone explain to me how the price of btc/crypto is set? Is there a formula the prices follow, like all the btc that’s been mined, divided by the number of people who own them or whatever sets the price. Like what is the driving force that makes dogecoin $1 (or whatever it is now) and btc jump from $30k to $60k then back to $30k. When I go on Coinbase and I go to buy btc for $30k, who is the authority that says 1btc=$30k USD?

like

When determining your retirement spending, how much do you anticipate and budget for healthcare costs? This is for the US.

like

If you invest ur HSA funds into stocks, do they get taxed upon selling? I know they grow tax free. But if I sell them and not make any withdrawals, wud I be taxed?

like

What's the best airline stock to get into before the possible travel rebound next year? Do you also get in now or Q1/Q2?

like

Should I continue to live at my parents house in the Midwest as things start to open back up or move back to my assigned office city on the east coast? I’ve been saving a lot of money, but I don’t have any friends out here in suburbia. I’m only 25, no student loans, and kind of want to live the city life and make some friends, but I’m hesitant because this high savings rate is really nice and my project at work would be remote even without covid, so I don’t HAVE to move out anytime soon

like

I think living a frugal life and aiming to retire early makes a lot of sense.

Recently, some of my family members are diagnosed with a rare diseases. When you look at the statistics, these are so many of these ‘rare’ conditions and cumulatively they are not rare.

These family members conditions made me reevaluate how I want to spend my life. I am 35 this year and I can’t decide if I should take great vacations with my kids or keep living a frugal life. Do you have the same dilemma?

likehelpfulsmart

Big legends Guide to Three-Fund Portfolio. Yay or nay? Additionally, please share personal finance books that you recommend to newbies! Thank you and happy holidays!!✨

like

I’m gonna short the shit the out of Peloton, hopefully will get rich enough to buy one

likefunny

Is ARKK still a good ETF to invest in?

like

Is buying into the VIX the best way to hedge for a mkt downturn?

like

My org will be pausing the Employer match to 401k for a few months. What's the best strategy to optimize my investment at this time?
Ride along/increase or decrease my percentage?

like

My parents have very poor credit scores (<600). What’s a quick way to get this up? They recently paid back all debt but only have one credit card. Outside of paying back on time, should they open a new account to increase credit line / lower % of credit used? What options are best to quickly improve credit scores

like

I’m 25 and have found a duplex I’m considering purchasing as a rental property. Planning on renting both units and have the cash to make the down payment without an issue. My cash flow analysis has a payback period of 3 years for my down payment and a 13 year payback period for the whole investment. I think financially it makes sense. My question is, is it realistic for a 25 year old young professional to handle dealing with all the extra curricular’s that come with owning a rental property ?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal