I’m looking for a quick pulse on my food budget for my family of four. I always feel like we spend so much, and I have a hard time figuring out how to cut back. I’ve been tracking our expenses this year, and food is still a huge drain on our finances. Here’s what we have:
Family of 4: Two full-time working parents, two kids (ages 7 and 4)
Groceries: $1000/month
Eating Out: $1000/month
Household Expenses: $400/month
Liquor Store: $60/month
Dog Food: $60/month
So we’re spending around $2000 on food alone. We don’t eat out at fancy places, but it feels like it costs nearly $100 for any meal out. We cook pretty modestly, mostly shopping at Walmart and Costco for bulk items.
The household category includes essentials like paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, diapers (going away soon), baby wipes, soap, etc.
I try to lower the eating out budget, but it spikes during travel and busy weeks when we end up ordering takeout. We also have date night twice a month. Our goal is to get down to $700/month on a regular month, but it’s still tough to stay under that.
Is this spending amount unreasonable? We live in Denver, CO, which has a high cost of living, and we have a combined salary of about $280k/year. I’d love to hear about other families’ spending habits and how you manage this. Thanks!
Wow, it sounds like you’re doing a lot of the right things, but food costs can really add up. In my family of four, we spend about $800 on groceries and try to keep eating out to a minimum. Meal planning has helped us a lot. Have you tried that?
We used to spend a lot on takeout too. Now we set a strict limit each month for dining out and stick to it. When we go out, we look for deals or use apps for discounts. It really helps!
Caden said:
We used to spend a lot on takeout too. Now we set a strict limit each month for dining out and stick to it. When we go out, we look for deals or use apps for discounts. It really helps!
That’s a good idea! I’ll definitely look into using apps for discounts. Thanks!
Living in a high cost of living area makes it tricky. Have you considered growing some of your own vegetables or herbs? It can save a bit on the grocery bill.
Emory said:
Living in a high cost of living area makes it tricky. Have you considered growing some of your own vegetables or herbs? It can save a bit on the grocery bill.
I haven’t thought about that! I might give it a shot this spring. Thanks for the suggestion!
You’re not alone! With kids, it’s so easy to let food costs spiral. We try to do a big grocery haul once a month and then fill in with smaller trips for fresh produce and essentials. It helps keep the budget in check.
Honestly, your spending doesn’t seem outrageous for a family of four in Denver. It can be tough to cut back, but maybe try to focus on one area at a time, like reducing takeout gradually.
Zane said:
Honestly, your spending doesn’t seem outrageous for a family of four in Denver. It can be tough to cut back, but maybe try to focus on one area at a time, like reducing takeout gradually.
That’s a good point! I’ll focus on one area at a time. Thanks for the encouragement!