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A review of last month's check register shows we spent about $1,000 on groceries. It's a pretty loose estimation because we have two in diapers and I had to subtract out formula/diapers. Also, we split shopping between Trader Joe's (sort of high end with a healthy/organic bent), Albertson's (Local standard grocer with 'everyday savings' automatically applied to any purchases. I generally save about 15-20% a trip.), and the local Farmer's Markets (for cheap, fresh produce). We like to cook, so we don't pick up a lot of processed or pre-prepared stuff that can also jack up your bill. One nice thing is that you're not taxed on groceries. Anyway, hope that gives you an idea for your planning.
My wife and I spent $1,648.58 on groceries from Dec 24 through March 24 with a mix of Whole Foods, Trader Joes, The Co-op, Smith's, and Albertson's.
That averages $18.12 per day. If you extend that out to Sept 24, we averaged $18.48 per day, so that's six months of data.
That includes about one bottle of wine per day - maybe $6 for some decent Australian.
Any one wanting to make fun of me for being anal-retentive is wasting their time.
As long as we are talking about expenses, last month's PNM bill was $32.03 elec and $91.74 gas.
Satellite (TV) service is just under $84 ($30 for an international dish and channel).
Telephone and internet $70 for a land line and $58 for cable modem internet.
For a family of six (2 adults, kids ages 9,6,5,and a baby - who eats about $40/mo in baby food), we spend anywhere from $500 to $800 per month.
The low end is if we buy most of our groceries at the commissary - we are military. The high end is if we shop mostly at Smiths.
I get my bread from the Sara Lee bread outlet. Good prices, a little inconvenient. Can't beat $1.09 for a loaf of 100% whole wheat bread.
I used to get produce from Los Poblanos but I had to drive 30 miles round trip to pick it up so it became not worth the gas and time, but if you are going to live in town, they will deliver. I suggest giving their service a try.
I spend about $150 - 200 a month on groceries at Whole Foods, Co-op, and Smiths. I make most everything by scratch though. For example, I never buy chicken parts, just whole chickens. I also make about half the bread I eat. I try to avoid buying things with more than one ingredient. I do spend a bit more on food in general though because I like to eat out.
I shop for one, usually what's on sale, and my groceries run $40-$50/week. If you go to the grocery store websites, you can see the current sales circulars - that might give you a better idea of pricing, since everyone cooks and eats differently. Main grocery stores here are Albertsons, Smiths, Whole Foods, Wild Oats and Trader Joes (did I leave anyone out?). Most will show you the circular by city, some want a zip code for the closest store. Zip 87111 is a NE zip; 87121 is a SW zip.
hmm...well we (by this I mean my wife) use a huge combination of Smiths, Costco, Walmart (regular and supercenter), Sams Club, and trader joes with products and prices particular to each.
Is this an appropriate spot for the out-of-town wannabe to give a quick RIP to that which was Raley's in ABQ?
I used to live virtually across a street from Raley's, and while it was a hare more expensive in general than Smith's / Alberton's (and certainly more so than Wal Mart, Costco, etc.), I always just loved it, the friendliness / service, etc.
True story: A new geographically-local mega-grocery store (with a discount bent) opened recently in the Milwaukee metro area about 10 miles from my house. I went there to give 'er a whirl. It sells the SURE FINE "store brand"...the first (and only) store I ever have seen that sold in since ol' Raley's. Now I will only go there, just so I can buy Sure Fine products because it gives me a sliver of memory lane of being in Albuquerque.
Too rich for my blood. John Brooks sells the Shur Fine and Shur Savings Generic Brands..
"When Shur Fine is too fine, Shur Savings."
Wish I could collect some royalties for that jingle, but given the bottom-feeder status of the latter brand, I doubt they have an ad budget to pay royalties from.
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