How Much Money Do You Spend on Food Each Month?
Food is one of our biggest recurring expenses , but it also has the most wiggle room. Let’s talk about spending on food.
We have seen quite a few people cut or stretch their food budget , even to feed large families for a small fee per meal . While each family is different, it is helpful to know what other expenses are like when determining your budget and the amount to set aside for food .
The table below shows USDA monthly meal plans for various household sizes. They are based on the food you eat at home, with food cost estimates for nutritious diets based on MyPyramid guidelines and USDA dietary guidelines. BLS has a more detailed breakdown of food costs, including an average of $ 2,625 per year or $ 219 per month for food away from home.
But let’s listen to you. To share, please use the following format for consistency:
% of your total monthly food budget : you can include the dollar amount, but since food prices vary widely by region, a direct% will make comparison easier
How much do you spend on groceries versus food to go : Again, you can say that something like 10% of your budget goes to eating out or you are saving $ 200 a month for dining out.
Your family size
Other qualifying notes: For example, you buy mostly organic products, or cut coupons, or buy mostly from Costco.
What’s your food budget?
Photo by Nomad_Soul (Shutterstock).