$40 Weekly Grocery Budget ... Part 2

So I spent the day at my local Aldi and Super Wal-Mart as those are the two cheapest places to shop around here. I used those two stores because unfortunately being without money doesn't wait for a sale to make it easier. Those two stores offer the lowest prices on a continual basis. The question: "Is a $40 weekly menu feasible today?" (10+ years after two of the articles were printed)

Yes ... sort of ... it depends.

First, the prices today as compared to the old prices.

Price List #1 from Cheap Eating


Price List #2 from Hillbilly Housewife
1.92 - 10 lbs all purpose flour @ 96¢ for 5lbs ($2.78 @ $1.39 for 5 lbs)
0.62 - 3 pack of yeast ($.93)
0.77 - Baking Powder ($.82)
1.77 - Oatmeal ($1.69)
0.99 - 3 lbs long grain white rice ($1.19)
0.88 - 2 lb bag of cornmeal ($1.00)
1.88 - 5 lbs sugar ($2.02)
1.50 - Vegetable Oil ($1.79)
1.76 - 2 cans frozen orange juice concentrate @ 88¢ each ($2.58 @ $1.29 each)
8.87 - 20 quart box of instant nonfat dry milk ($5.99)
1.20 - 2 pounds lentils @ 60¢ a lb ($1.24 @ $.62 a lb)
1.30 - 2 lbs pinto beans @ 65¢ a lb ($1.18 @$.59 a lb)
0.60 - 1 lb black beans ($.82)
0.60 - 1 lb lima beans ($.92)
1.00 - 3 boxes Macaroni & Cheese ($.99)
0.30 - 3 packs of Ramen Noodles ($.36)
1.38 - 2 dozen eggs @ 69¢a dz ($1.74 @ $.87 a dz)
0.96 - 2 lbs margarine @ 48¢ ea ($.98 @ $.49 ea)
0.89 - 1 lb hot dogs ($.65)
0.89 - 1 28-oz can tomatoes ($.97)
0.50 - 1 15-oz can tomatoes ($.49)
0.42 - 15-oz can green peas ($.38)
0.45 - 15-oz can corn ($.38)
0.40 - 15-oz can greens ($.52)
0.42 - 15 oz cans spinach ($.38)
2.00 - 5 lb bag carrots ($2.48 @ $.69 for 2 lbs)
2.00 - 3 lb bag onions ($.69)
1.20 - 1 bunch celery ($.99)
0.44 - 6-oz can tuna ($.54)
1.50 - 18-oz jar peanut butter ($1.29)
1.00 - Jelly ($.99)
1.00 - Pancake Syrup ($.99)
0.50 - Vinegar ($.59)
0.50 - Cinnamon ($.50)
0.50 - Garlic Powder ($.50)
0.50 - Chili Powder ($.50)
0.25 - Salt ($.33)
0.50 - Pepper ($.99)
1.00 - Bouillon Cubes ($.99)
1.00 - 100 Count Box of Tea Bags ($1.49)

Total: $45.16 (then) $46.65 (now)


Price List #3 from Heart4Home.net
5 lbs all purpose flour .89 --> 1.39
5 lbs sugar 1.89 --> 2.02
2 cartons eggs 1.78 --> 1.74
l lb cheddar cheese 3.00 --> 3.78
2 gallons milk 3.98 --> 4.60
2 lbs regular margarine 1.68 --> .98
2 lbs hamburger 1.98 --> 3.66
1 lb lunch meat 1.29 --> .99
3 28oz cans tomato sauce 2.67 --> 2.34
10 lbs potatoes 1.79 --> 1.89
5 lbs carrots 1.29 --> 1.73
5 lbs apples, medium size 3.00 --> 4.88
1 cabbage .60 --> .99
2 lbs dry navy beans .60 --> 1.29
2 lbs elbow macaroni 1.00 --> 1.29
1 lb spaghetti .50 --> .88
1 yeast 3 pack 1.29 --> .93
----
Total 29.23 --> 35.74

*Note: I can buy 8 ounce cans of tomato sauce cheaper for the same amount saving another 34 cents off and not getting Italian ones.


So yes, it is possible to feed a family for $40-$45 a week. You can feed your family for that price if ...

One, you live in central Illinois and shop where I do. I am fortunate that I live in an area with low cost of living. What I noticed is that wheat, dairy and produce are what increased the most. Although I might be Eric's personal dairy cow, that is one area that I make sure my children get enough servings. They are growing and growing and growing and growing .... Still even in this area the same chain store varies in price depending on location.

Two, you have four in your family, meaning two adults and two young children. Any teenagers automatically nulls and voids any attempt at a frugal grocery budget. My three teens/pre-teen can eat as much as the family of four. Since I have nine in my family, I can pat myself on the back if I can shop for $80 for the week (usually do it for $120 or so my budget hopes).

Three, you would need to make several items from scratch. Notice the absence of baked goods in the menus. Speaking of cooking and baking, the menus are also based on the recipes given not ones you might use. For example, I bake my muffins using fat-free yogurt. I also make my pancakes differently. So there is the time and preference factors.

Four, you would eat the food on the shopping list. My hubby doesn't care for tuna dishes much. He isn't a big pasta eater either but loves rice. He will not eat canned peas, and we agree to nix the canned spinach. So add taste to the reasons why these lists might not work for you.

Location, time, preferences and tastes let alone family size (& members' ages) can alter the total spent. Since I have seen it can be done though and because I like to show off, enjoy a good challenge and just don't like being told no ... I am going to make a $90 weekly grocery budget for my family. That would translate to $45 for a family half the size of mine. $40 Weekly Budget ... Part 3 will be coming soon (pardoning the excuses of more snow, sick kids, busy hubby and worn out mom).