Hey everyone, I’m curious about your food expenses in 2023. For our family of four, we averaged around $1,800 a month on groceries, restaurants, and alcohol. Here’s the breakdown:
Is this amount crazy high or about average? We do have food sensitivities (gluten, dairy) and try to economize by buying bulk meat from local farmers and venison from a friend who hunts.
Here is a guide I personally use.
For 2 adults and a cat in a very high cost of living city, our monthly averages were:
Others shared their spending too, if you’re curious. Your expenses seem to match the USDA moderate spending plan. It’s not perfect, but I like to check it periodically to compare.
Spending $650 a month on eating out and drinks seems high to me, but it depends on your income and goals. That’s a significant amount that could be invested instead. Personally, I aim for $400 a month for two adults, but I’m very budget-conscious and currently have a tight budget.
Agreed. We’re planning to cut back on alcohol spending, starting with Dry January. Some of the money saved from eating out will likely be redirected to groceries.
Restaurants are significantly pricier than groceries, so you’d save most of that money. Spending over $1k on groceries alone is quite high. You might be buying all organic, grass-fed products, or lots of treats. Without knowing your exact situation, there’s definitely room to cut back if you’re looking to save more.
$1800/month for a family of 4 on food sounds similar to us! We manage with meal planning, price comparisons, and cooking at home more.
Food sensitivities can raise grocery costs, but bulk buying meat and getting venison are smart ways you save!
Maybe we can share more specific grocery tips later? Also, how do you manage restaurant and alcohol spending? We’re looking to cut back there!