What is the average food budget for a family of 5

Give us your best guess as to the average per person weekly food spending in your household, based on your food budget include both groceries, take aways and meals out. Once you enter your answer the results will show so you can compare your spending to what other people have said they spend on food.

Please keep in mind these are theoretical figures base on expected caloric intake, using average per person figures as a starting point. We provide them to give a rough idea of what people typically spend. Your budget might need to be different.

We love our processed meat, the category that takes the biggest bite out of our household food budget. The categories that make up the largest proportions of the typical UK food budget at home would be familiar to most households. Relative to average, lower earning households spend a significant amount more of their food budget on processed meats and milk. The highest earning households spend a significant amount less than average on processed meats and more on fresh vegetables. We all need to eat and this budget area can only be cut so much.

As a result, a higher percentage of disposable income must go towards the food budget for the lowest earners.

In terms of actual spending, you can see how weekly food and drink budgets increase as disposable incomes rise. The wealthier dine out more, the budget-constricted eat at home more. To calculate food costs per person and for different household sizes, we had to take into account the different caloric needs of people of different ages and genders.

For example, a young, active male would burn around 3, worth of food a day while a typical 5-year-old child would burn just 1, a day. And the more food you eat, the more it costs you.

To estimate these figures, we first calculated the weighted average caloric needs of the UK population, and divided the average spending for a household by the average number of people in a household 2. Then we tweaked this average 'per person' number to reflect the caloric needs of different ages and genders.

We multiplied these per-person figures by the relevant caloric needs and added up the people in a household to find the budget for different families. See below for an example of our calculations. Calorie need figures were sourced here. Answers to these questions will drive a big portion of your spending on food. If you cannot answer question 1, look at your spending for a couple of months and add up all the charges for grocery, eating out and coffee.

Take the average of those months and decide if that number feels comfortable for your family. If you want to know how you compare to your neighbor, here are averages to help you gauge whether you are overspending in this area.

According to Mint. These averages are not specifically for families, so it probably underestimates how much a family spends on food. For example, Kroger occasionally offers a larger mark-down on sale items if you buy a certain number of them. I love asparagus. The same goes for other fruits and vegetables.

Then, I use items from my stockpile — grains, pasta, frozen chicken that was bought on sale — to round out meals. If I were to create a menu based only on what I was in the mood to eat, rather than what was on sale, my weekly grocery bill would be twice as high. Those pre-made salads, sliced vegetables and prepared side dishes in the deli department are tempting because they make at-home meal prep faster. See more offers to help you save money and reach your financial goals in I would love to feed my family nothing but organic food.

When it goes on sale at Kroger — usually once a month — I stock up. For example, organic grapes were recently marked down to the same price as conventional grapes at one of the stores where I shop, so I opted for them. Strawberries and apples topped the most recent list, so you might want to opt for organic rather than conventional buys for these fruits.

When we buy beef, we tend to stick to less-expensive ground chuck or steaks that are on sale. Usually, we opt for chicken or other sources of protein, such as beans. Using these strategies has helped me keep the cost of feeding my family under control without sacrificing food quantity or quality. It is possible to eat plenty of fresh produce, and some organic items, without amassing an outrageous grocery bill.

Read More. Every day, get fresh ideas on how to save and make money and achieve your financial goals. Costs for food, education and other items changed a lot. I am starting with a meal planner to try and use up the huge quantities of food I seem to have accrued in my pantry and freezer from bulky buying when on special. This makes me feel better. I live in the Seattle area.

I thought I was doing really well and base on this I am….. We have been a thrifty family, but also a troubled one needing government assistance for survival.

Using the above figures, i calculated over 1k monthly to feed us, we receive and barely eke by. More often than not I fear our balanced nutrition is more balanced on if we want to eat every day… government for you- cheaper faster and for less than reality needs.

We do purchase meat and fish locally but still have steak when we want it. The kids need to learn to cook! Wow, I found this so interesting. I have a family of 6, with two girls and two boys ranging in ages 8 to I buy meats in bulk at a warehouse club and sides and veggies are canned, boxed or frozen, and in bulk usually. We have to rely on our summer garden for that.

Family of 4 ages 27,25,9,and 7. I spend from to on groceries every 2 weeks. We shop at our military commissary, Sams club, and Walmart. We all get fed well.

We live on e3 pay not much lol. This first year with my husband in the military was a learning experience financially. You learn how to shop or you starve.

We made things work with no noticeable sacrifices. This makes me feel pretty good about my shopping. The photos are my own. Some illustrate the post I welcome links to my blog or to any of my articles, but please do not copy my photos or content. A sincere thank you to everyone who supports this site by using my Amazon affiliate links and search box to purchase books and other items. Check out the hundreds of other articles in the Choosing Voluntary Simplicity article archives.

Choosing Voluntary Simplicity A blog about finding balance in your life, connecting with who you are, and creating a lifestyle where you wake up each morning eagerly anticipating the day ahead.

Want To Keep Reading? Lost On The Schoolbus. Cleaning With Vinegar. Where Did the Summer Months Go? Add Your Comment Cancel reply All comments are moderated Name Email Talk to me! Heather F I knew I was thrifty but… I can usually feed my family of 3. Phyllis I have 4 teenage sons and a husband who does hard physical labor. Susannah Thanks for this post.

Marina I have 3 kids under 8 and 2 over 12 plus my husband and me. SharleneT Interesting survey. Rhonda Wow! AJ Wow- I work full time, have a part time job about 10 hours a week in the evening, I figured by those charts- I should be at Belle Thank you for this.

Carolyn We spend much, much less than this. Laura Going by the Thrifty Plan for my husband Dan I have to do better. Kelly Well yes and no on it being high, it depends on how you cook and what you have avalible to cook. Just saying…. Linda Hi Shirley! B I make almost everything from scratch including condiments.

Nicki Wow…I am spending too much. Trish Thanks for this. Ali This is a great chart! Pam This website is full of interesting info. Barb The guidelines seem to be a little low according to todays economy. Suzanne I would guess that the government is basing these guidelines on mostly processed food.

Ginny L. Sky Prices in South Carolina have skyrocketed. Stana Thanks for posting these estimates. Georgina I followed your link and saw that one of the government suggestions for one of their meals was 4 oz of salmon. Cynthia California, maybe? Catherine Got to agree with narf7. And chocolate. Ohh we love our chocolate. Eileen I figured this last year to get my hubby to understand more should be budgeted for food.

Amanda We are spending less than the thrifty amount for our family of four.