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Community Chat: Price of Groceries
Bonaire Talk: Community Chat: Archives: Archives 2008: Archive- 2008-03-01 to 2008-03-31: Price of Groceries
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4654) on Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 5:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi all, I want to take sort of a poll. I know that it depends on what part of the country you live, but, we are going on a "budget" and are trying to figure out if what we spend a month on groceries is about average...what do you spend a month on groceries?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tribs, Bonaire Bound in May (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5564) on Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 6:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wish I could help out, but we are at the point where we don't "grocery shop" any more. We only buy what we need, when we need it. We used to go once a week and walk up and down all of the aisles and just buy what looks good, but we cannot do that any more. I am interested to see budgets though, especially the differences between those who have kids and those who don't.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ModJerr (I got moved to the dark side) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9621) on Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 6:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde, I buy when on sale. We stay away from brand names when we can. Buy in bulk. (BJ's)

I buy wine when there is a 20% off sale.

Here is "about" what we spend per week. Have someone over for diner, toss another $100 - $200.00 in the bucket. (wines from the cellar extra)
Wine.....$84.00
Food.....$140.00
Extras...$45.00 (Spices / Fresh Veggies)

Just serve SPAM.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donna in PA (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1521) on Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 8:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hmmm...what's a budget!?? Something I cannot stick to, I tell you that!

I probably spend about $200/week on a combination of food/health and beauty aids/paper products...that's without eating out and I buy ALOT of generic stuff...no alcohol and this is for 4-5 people depending on whether Amanda is home.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By marge karalis (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #750) on Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 8:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We spend whatever is left. Eat accordingly.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail T. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2797) on Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 8:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

OMG! What a timely thread. I went to Publix's yesterday with 4 things on my list, and got out for $78 and change. I said - What did I buy? and the very nice clerk started to renumerate what was on my checkout list. If it's - Buy one get one - and it's something I'll use, I'll get it even if it's just to pass on to the kids. (OK that didn't mean "if it's something I'll use"!) The price at the grocery and gas station are out of control..... :-( Try and buy fresh and healthy = and reasonably priced - NOT!)

I've not kept tracked, especially now that Danielle is home for a couple of weeks, plus it being Holy week, but might be a good time to start after we get back to normal! (As if we ever were! :-) )

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Alex* (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #518) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 4:49 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

About $120 a week, half supermarket, half natural foods store. Glad I'm not a "wino" like Jerry!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bob...no april showers) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2621) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 5:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

about $125 a week for beer, coffee, and cigarettes...



 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eileen - Fam Down South Trip - Nov '08!! (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #12319) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tribs, we shop like you! Our wine bill has gone up though since Dec LOL!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kathy Hall - Bonaire in September 08 (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10383) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I buy a month at a time, so it's normally $400 including the wine. I buy my cigs separately, and of course have to pick up other things during the month like more bread/milk, etc. BUT we are lucky enough to be able to shop on base at the commissary, so even the tax savings is significant.

We also "brownbag" breakfast and lunch, so that helps alot.

(Message edited by recdivers on March 17, 2008)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom WOO-HOO I am going to Secaucus! (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #6569) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 7:04 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I used to enjoy a good brown bag liquid lunch in Battery Park. Mmmmmmmm-mmmmmmmm, two beers and a dog from the Sabrett cart. Drink the beers while throwing the "dog" to the gulls and pigeons.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6930) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 8:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

It sort of varies, for three of us, it ranges from $150-$180 per week. I must also note that hubby eats enough for 2 at each meal. So, I guess that would really be the rate for feeding 4 people. LOL!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By LRAZ (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #741) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 8:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Okay - I must be the cheap skate of the group. Yesterday I spent $68 on groceries - mostly on fruits and fresh veggies, then other staples like soups, dressing, meats. We are lucky in that we are not big eaters, but we do like our D n D coffee. ($$) I'll be spending more during the week on more fresh veggies-probably $20 more. We both brown bad it for breakfast and lunch.

I'm also a stick in the mud - we don't drink. I've never liked the taste, and would rather have chocolate instead of beer or wine.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By PegiSue (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3802) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 9:23 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

George usually does our shopping, which means whatever is on sale, we get LOTS of!!! Right now I have so much soup and Rice-a-roni, I don't know what to do!!! Anyone got a good recipe?LOL
If I go, I only get what we NEED!! But there's not room for that, if George has gone...
He did just get an extra fridge for the laundry room...I'm afraid he'll fill it up!!:-)
I like Bob's shopping list!!!:-):-):-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4656) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 10:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks folks, it seems we spend about what Jerry and Donna spend. I guess I was shocked as we really haven't been on a "budget" since Sarah was in grade school...lol!

Gail, I'm with you, the price of gas and groceries are out of control! Michael did a run down of what we spent on gas too, I said 'we can't do anything about that'...dang...

Jerry, we also talked about going to Costco WITH A LIST...dang, every time I go there I don't do so well. Last November, I went in for my "free flu shot" and came home with $500 worth of groceries!

Anyway, thanks, like it just seemed like so much, but it appears we are in like with others...we do have grocery "cards" and buy stuff that is on "sale" or so they say "sale"...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BOOM! and then there was Tara (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6367) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 10:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

It's the Economy Stupid -- haha!

We're trying to do the budget thing too, although I haven't narrowed down what we actually spend on groceries it's definitely around $120/wk or so. We haven't been drinking as much lately (due to cutting our spending).

Last time I bought gas it was up to $3.89/gal --- there will be a lot of walking and biking to work this summer. I have to fill up about every 3-4 weeks (only 4 miles each way to work) but Guy has to fill up about every 2 weeks (depending on his shift).

I'm trying a gas additive called CA40 that is supposed to help increase fuel efficiency. more info
I've just started so I can't give testimony yet.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Liz .... back to Bon 5/10 (BonaireTalker - Post #73) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 11:10 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hmmm...I think we average about $150-175/week for food for the three of us, but I buy a lot of organic stuff and fresh (relatively speaking) fish. Our weekly costs would likely be less w/o a teenage boy in the house who lives on pop-tarts (yuck), flaming hot cheetos (double yuck) and G2 (jury is still out on that one)!

Wine is a separate budget line item for us :-)

Good luck with your budgeting. I've never done well with that!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yo MO (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3295) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 11:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Liz - I think your teenage boy and mine should just share a house. Although mine wouldn't go for the flaming hot cheetos he's all about the Pop-tarts. Though he seems to like toaster scrambles and toaster strudels better and we have been buying him breakfast bowls too.

He's a hefty eater for such a toned kid.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Liz .... back to Bon 5/10 (BonaireTalker - Post #75) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 11:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yo MO....when can I send him over? They'd probably be fighting over the toaster strudels, though :-)

Just so no one thinks I'm nurturing an overweight child with such nutritious offerings, I should mention that he is about 6' tall and has, perhaps 4% body fat.....the kid is like a beanpole with muscles. It kills me, watching him scarf down that junk and stay so lean....I'm not even sure age will catch up with him down the road.....his dad is built exactly the same way at 42....life is NOT fair!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dark Side of the moon for RosAnne (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2207) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 12:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I spend quite a bit since I buy almost all organic. On average I spend 600.00 a month just for groceries, no wine, beer or other assorted goodies. I am not a budgeter, I could not tell you the price of a gallon of milk even though I buy one every other day. We need it, I buy it. I only know how much I spend because I see the POS deductions on my bank statement. Good Luck!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yo MO (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3298) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 1:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Liz - then they are separated at birth. Boy is 6' 2" and also about 4% body fat. Beanpole with muscles. He's a swimmer so he's got that broad shoulder tiny waist thing going on. I keep telling him - it's gonna catch up to you someday. He can and does eat more healthfully at times, especially when he's in HS swim season and mostly when it's a month before conference and state. He actually commented that he liked eating healthy as it made him feel better. hmmm - imagine that....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lisa Barclay (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1929) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 3:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I really noticed our budget that we set for food from last year wasn't working this year. We are spending around $170 - $180 a week on food. If Ken wants beer, that comes out of his weekly allowance not grocery money. I pack Ashley's lunch everyday and we don't eat out much. Our kids are both big breakfast eaters. They always want either bacon, sausage or ham with eggs, pancakes or french toast every morning. So a lot of our grocery money is spend on breakfast stuff. That also is why I have to get up at 5:30 every morning! lol Before I know it they wont be here to cook for so I like doing it while I can.

Good luck with your budget Cynde. I had to adjust everything this year cause I think just about everything went up. Ken even got rid of his F-250 Ford Truck because the gas was killing us. He was very sad to see it go.....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (unblocked) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9627) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Went shopping for a diner we are having next Sat night. Foie Gras, $32.00 1/2 lb. Old school cheese $24.00. Slab of aged beef for eight, $128.00. All the other stuff, $65.00. THIS IS NUTS! What's in hot dogs again?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BOOM! and then there was Tara (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6378) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

And that doesn't count the gas to get the groceries.... tsk, tsk

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (unblocked) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9629) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I can't afford to by gas, we had to walk, up hill both ways.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By PegiSue (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3809) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

It's still less than taking eight people to a restaurant for the same thing...and somehow I KNOW yours is gonna be better!!!:-)
See, you are saving on gas!! And with eight people you will need two cars....:-)
Tara, we will get our invite soon, I just know it!!!!:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Liz .... back to Bon 5/10 (BonaireTalker - Post #77) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jerry - why tease us so if we all aren't invited?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (unblocked) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9630) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hot dogs for everyone.
p

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By **Patrick who herds sharks on Bonaire** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2692) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jerry, I hope when I get to eat we have stuff that I know what it is. Us people from Kentuck don't know about that high fluten food!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BOOM! and then there was Tara (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6379) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well lookey thar, thars my Shoutin' Brother :-) :-)
we're fluten free :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By PegiSue (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3810) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

SPAM!! Patrick wants SPAM and Green Beer, 'cause it's HIS day!!!:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (unblocked) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9631) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 6:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Patrick, what ever you want my friend.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (unblocked) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9632) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 7:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wonder if Cynde fell of the back of Tuffy?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By BOOM! and then there was Tara (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6380) on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 7:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hopefully she was able to sneak out of work a few minutes early and she's headed there with a nice bottle of wine, some stinky cheese, a comfy blanket and Michael to snuggle up to.... hard day me thinks

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Alex* (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #521) on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 4:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey Jerry, you getting lazy? There's hardly anything to cook on that menu!

And you people shouldn't complain too much about gas prices: in Holland, and most of Western Europe, these days we pay almost $10 a gallon...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4659) on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 10:23 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jerry, Boom, after yesterday moderating I needed a "time out"...so chose not to play.

Alex, you're right. It's almost up to $4.00 a gallon here. I think that a lot of folks may be driving hybrids soon. I've been looking at another vehichle myself. I don't have far to drive to work every day, but have to fill up once a week, and that's about $60.00 and going up!

I told Michael what we are spending is about right on, he was shocked...maybe we'll both loose some weight...lol...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (unblocked) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9639) on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 10:49 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

" Yesterday moderating "

Moderating what?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #6577) on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 11:05 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

So Cynde, when are you installing masts on Tuffy.

For sale: One Wellcraft 192 will trade for four sit on top kayaks. Can't wait to pull Benny and Katie on tubes/skis behind a "sit on top".

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4664) on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 12:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tom, it's got a mast, but the sail is so tiny it doesn't do much...lol...Tuffy is desil, so it costs us around $30 bucks round trip to go to Catalina and back...she "sips gas" of which we are VERY happy. We may not be fast, but we get there and it's cheap...lol!

Jerry, don't tell me you missed all the excitement on the main cam thread yesterday? And you are supposed to be a mod intraining????

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (unblocked) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #9641) on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 12:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I new I was going to miss something if I left the house.
Louise wanted to go to lunch at a sea food dump on the beach, drink wine and watch the birds returning north. What went on, give me all the details, any SLAPS?

(Message edited by bonaire9 on March 18, 2008)

 


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