What is YOUR grocery bill?? [Archive]

eachpeachpearplum

11-02-2005, 11:08 PM

janine

11-03-2005, 03:47 AM

Trader Joes (for nuts) Costco (nuts, veggies-some even organic, fruit, and dates) Whole Foods (bulk section for dehydrated tomatoes, flax, etc) and Central Market (decent priced Organic food). I think we may join a CSA next year as well. They have a lot in the Seattle area.

Rawmommie

11-03-2005, 04:24 AM

Well, right now my budget is 125$ a week(family of 5), but I STRUGGLE to do this. I buy once big(at the cheap discount store) and then go to the regular or healthfood store over and over to get fresh produce throughout the week. My dh and I were just talking about bumping it up to 150$ a week. My whole family doesn't eat raw though, if they did the bill would be even higher I suspect.

sweetgoddess

11-03-2005, 07:27 AM

I spend about $250 a month, sometimes less for 2 adults and a child.

I do this by using sunflower seeds to replace nuts in a lot of recipes, and walnuts to replace white nuts. I know which recipes are less expensive also, after experimenting. We drink a lot of smoothies, eat a lot of salads and fruit, and then balance that out with recipes to give us variety. I buy organic raisins and walnuts and seeds in bulk so they last.
My husband and daughter do not eat all raw, so some processed food comes out of that figure also.

I would love to spend $1000 on groceries!

If you dont wish to, there are many ways you can cut that bill down.

Blessings~

Secret Heart

11-03-2005, 07:40 AM

I spend about $350 a month just me. It is expensive, and I buy as much organic as I can but yes, I do spend (for me) a lot. It's worth every penny though!

Heather

Ariannah

11-03-2005, 07:41 AM

I am currently spending about $800-ish (Canadian dollars) - for 4 children and 2 adults. (Then a bit extra to accomodate for company) I've ordered a dehydrator for the purpose of cutting down on the bill quite a bit (flax crackers, chips, wraps, cookies, etc), hoping to get down to between $600 and $700. Coming from the USA to Canada the dehydrator is taking its sweet time coming through customs, so hoping it comes soon). Currently the family eats some cooked food and pads it out with fresh fruits and veggies, smoothies but it comes to a lot when I insist that most things be organic.

twinee1

11-03-2005, 07:44 AM

My Grocery Bill Plummeted since I stopped Organic and Free Range beef & game meats like venison, ostritch, meat, eggs and all that cuz I ate organic free range eggs and the highest quality protein powders which are pricey too. I was spend about $1000 a month , now I am spending about 150 a week (still buying almost all organic and hemp powders are pricey) so I am saving about 100 a week !!

RawMomma

11-03-2005, 10:00 AM

We spend a lot!!!! My husband loves fruit smoothies and I mean fruit. We're talking fresh squeezed oj, organic cherries, organic bananas, organic blueberries and organic peaches & raspberries. That is a very expensive smoothie but I must say it is GOOD! :p We ordered through Sun Organics bulk amounts of walnuts, almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds and a bunch of other things in 25 lb. quanities. It lowered the price per ound considerably from the health food store. You should check it out. www.sunorganic.com
I am finding it a challenge with the fresh produce. It is obscene what they want for organic food. We live in Michigan so alot of times it isn't even that fresh. ugh!!!

:mad:

Annie

truthseeker

11-03-2005, 10:09 AM

For our family of 5 here on the East Coast in NewEngland, I spend anywhere from $600 to $800 depending if I'm restocking supplements/oils/super powders or not. But the month of October has been REALLY cheap, don't know why, I think we've just all eaten a little less this past month (just looked in my check book) $536.15 I really don't know how that happened. We also ate out 2 times.

Revvell

11-03-2005, 10:27 AM

Yanno? I haven't the foggiest idea. We purchase food as we need it; eat it as needed. Food to me is an essential and the cost of it is not something I look at. Neither of us has "health" insurance and our health is top priority. We'd rather be circulating our funds on what's going to keep us healthy than what's cheap.

We shop at farmers' markets mostly ~ for freshness and quality; TJ's secondly for organics; WF for oranges and things like agave, nuts, etc.

R.

Kris

11-03-2005, 11:25 AM

My hubby has just informed me that the two of us spend around $800 Canadian per month on groceries. I'm 100% raw, and he's vegan but still eats lots of cooked, but nothing is processed, everything is fresh, and it's all organic. Plus, we live on an island, so we pay a premium for everything, as most everything has to be shipped here. It is quite a bit cheaper for us in the summer to go to local farmers' markets, but still that's only for veggies, and we have to buy most fruits (which we love) at the store. It did used to be a LOT less when we were both cooked vegan because I did a lot of meal planning and we weren't all organic. It's much harder now with us eating different things...I can't organize my shopping as well as I would like.

truthseeker

11-03-2005, 11:44 AM

YES Revvell I agree, we do have health insurance but with a $50 co-pay per visit and no dental insurance. Not one of us has been sick or needed a "doctor".....just my son's broken arm this past summer....for just about 2 years !!!!!! My hubby was shocked the first year I told him we had no receipts to summit to our insurance co. But I do have to remind him of that when he looks at our grocery bill :rolleyes:

I've asked other families (SAD) how much they spend and it's always just below or right at what we spend.

blessed

11-03-2005, 12:55 PM

I shop around and go where the bargains are. I watch the sale papers that come out each month at my healthfood store and the things that I use most If I can afford it I stock up, like on spices,soy sauce and raw sugar.
Then I watch the sale papers at fruit markets and grocery stores and go there for my fruit and veggies. This pays off believe me I also compare prices at the health food stores where I shop if something is priced cheaper at one I go there if it's cheaper at the other I go to that store. When you are trying to save money I have no loyalty to a certain store.

Ann

tglasco4

11-03-2005, 01:41 PM

My wife and I were also discussing this recently. We figured our bill is about $1200-1500 per month. We are a family of 5 and everyone is at least 50% raw. Its definitely more expensive, but I figure people will pay for what they really want. We really want good health and so I think its cheap when compared to getting sick and hospitals and drugs.....etc.

Todd

Punky

11-03-2005, 01:58 PM

My husband and I were having the age old discussion of why our food bill is sooo much more than everyone else. We live just outside of Seattle feeding two adults and two small children.

Before I discovered RAW we were spending about $1000+ :o a month on food. So I asked my friends and neighbors what they spend and I was STUNNED at what they told me. The range was between $300-$500 :eek: !! So I dug a bit deeper and found they lived on the SAD which as it turns out is cheap - PB&J sandwiches, pasta take-out ect. Because we have many food intollerances in our family we never ate the SAD so our bill was always large - for fresh foods no less, go figure.

So now that I am trying to incorporate Raw my bill is even more. HELP, how does everyone keep their food bill down. What are good shopping resorces?

Thanks everyone!

My groceries run along the same price range($1,000ish) as yours for a family of 4 in the Dallas area.
I am the only raw-er; everyone else eats organic and whole foods and a little processed but all from Whole Foods mainly. My oldest son has a lot of food allergies and his gluten free bread is $5 a small loaf. Plus organic free range meats and eggs add up. $2.25 for a small thing of rice milk both boys drink regularly. Need to find ways to save too, while not having to go against my beliefs.
So I'm not much help to you, but hear where your coming from!

Sasha1200

11-03-2005, 02:08 PM

i spend about $400-500 month on just me. it was more expensive in the beginning because i bought a lot of bulk nuts and seeds but things are starting to level off a bit more. whenever i start thinking how much i'm spending on RAW i counter it with the fact that i'm saving money on not eating out (because there aren't too many raw friendly restaurants) and not to mention coffee...i use to spend $2/day at starbucks! all of that adds up...

Sillybloss

11-03-2005, 02:19 PM

Careful when you compare, too. I have several friends who brag about how low their grocery bill is, but don't figure in how they go to dinner 2 - 3 nights a week and hubby eats at the work cafeteria every day. That has to be counted, too! If they add all that up, it's not more than what I spend. I eat lots of salads, buy my organic produce where I know it's the cheapest, and cook from scratch for the rest of the family. Lots of SAD eaters think my spending $20 a week on fruit at the farmer's market for the WHOLE family is ridiculous, but they spend probably 3 times that just on one dinner out!

theresaann

11-03-2005, 02:23 PM

EEEKK! last week I spent $170 on LOTS of organic produce and nuts and seeds, plus family's non-raw supplies at the local whole foods. Still have some produce left from that, but today needed more, plus bought organic almonds and macadamia nuts and they were frickin' $25 EACH for 2 pounds. Yikes!! THat's FIFTY DOLLARS FOR TWO NUTS. I am SO checking out sunorganics. Had to buy other stuff also,(produce at whole foods is really expensive) and I spent $255 today!!! My hubby is not going to appreciate this perhaps.... anyway, I need to find more economical ways of doing this.....

ReneeSC

11-03-2005, 03:30 PM

Theresaann, :eek: :eek: :eek: 50.00 for 4lbs of nuts? THAT'S NUTS!

It might cost me 18.00 for 2lbs of macadamias and 14.00 for 2lbs of almonds.

My goodness, where are these located?

We spent about 100.00 on nuts 0ur first round - which was necessary for us. We don't spend maybe half of that now since we're not needing ( I'm not needing ) so many. I love macadamias... what smoothies they are, but our whole foods hasn't had them in for a month or so. I miss 'em :p

As for our bill: I don't know. We pacted between myself and husband not to obsess because that would cause us to question this - and we could have no question. We just eat. We do try other sources, but we're finding that our whole foods is sometimes more cheap than the local buying coop. It's such a learning curve.

The farmer's market is a help, but it's hit or miss now that much is out of season. They're importing themselves to keep their businesses open. I can't wait until next year when Bryan and I can build our own garden again. It's hard work, but if we can get it "right", it's worth it.

Aasyah

11-03-2005, 05:28 PM

I spend $175-$200 per month (depending on what is needed for SAD and RAW)

Husband and son eat SAD I buy small portions of meat (ground beef, chicken, fish, shell fish) and prepare various meals/dishes from these meats sometimes their meat last more than a month. They do eat fruits and veggies :D , dairy/cheese, wheat/pita bread, etc....

I do have my raw :D , which my husband though was weird :eek: ,until i showed him Alissa's book and they raw foods, he was very supportive and is willing to try some of the dishes

I shop at various stores for cutting down on the grocery bill:
co-op,Aldi's, save-a-lot, kroger's.

Amberly

11-03-2005, 06:16 PM

I am going to FAST to keep my bill down, lol.

twinyoga

11-03-2005, 07:25 PM

I spend about $130 per week for two adults and two children. Between my twins and myself, we can easily go through 5 bananas by 10am! I buy mostly organic but will be non-organic if it's the only thing available.

I ask my friends what they spend (meat eaters) and we all spend about the same amount. So I figure what I spend on nuts and such is what they spend on meat.

dreamrawalwz

11-03-2005, 07:37 PM

After reading this I don't feel weird. My dad and I have this routine of us going grocery shopping just for me on Saturday/Sunday mornings. it's about $130-150 a week if I do all organic, and around $100 if I don't do organic. I feel like a pig and that I eat soo much and I'm wasting my fathers money. Now I'm glad to see others spend around the same.

rawpriestess

11-03-2005, 08:22 PM

I had no idea how much we spent on food, until a previous thread, where we were asked how much we spend, because we eat so much of our own grown.

Ours averages to $100 per month for two people, because we grow almost all of our own food in the summer, and we buy expensive nuts very little, we also have nut trees, almonds and hazelnuts, so we don't buy too much, plus we don't eat alot of expensive exotic fruits and things.

We also dehydrate all of our own crackers, and things, never once have we bought any fancy raw things from the store, or already prepared stuff.

We make everything ourselves. so that really cuts down on the cost.

We also, buy macademias NOW, because they are in season, and are less expensive, then we freeze them for use all year long. We buy our nuts and things in bulk and freeze them.

We only buy the best olive oil, and use it sparingly, not because it's expensive, but you only need a little in recipes, if you are using the best quality.

We don't buy suppliments, or shampoos, or paper towels, or any of those non-food items at the store, so that really cuts down too.

We usually graze in our gardens to eat in the summer and fall, and right now, we still have squash, herbs, strawberries, apples, and hazelnuts growing.

We have savory herbs and wild greens that grow all year long, and camomile and mint for tea also grows all year long here.

When the blackberries are in season in August, we make tons of fruit leather, and use it in salads and raw cakes, and drinks and snacks and things, we just keep those dehydrators going 24/7 and we have plenty.

We also don't do alot of entertaining and we've gotten pretty simple with our foods, mostly we just pick and eat, but we do love making all the fancy raw gourmet foods a fewtimes a month.

My bf goes wild crafting every day on his bike ride, and he is just now, starting to come home with a few less greens.

CAdreamer

11-03-2005, 08:40 PM

I never keep track of what we spend ...not that I have oodles of money, but because I choose not to. We don't drink, smoke, go to the theater, or spend money on other pricey items. Our clothing (wonderful, brand labels, well made and designer) is purchased carefully at thrift stores. Saving in so many other important ways makes more available for our RAW diet. We also don't eat out.

While we're not rearing children anymore, it was the same way when they were home. Good food is more important than seeing the latest movie, or having the newest fad gimmick. My kids have great jobs, and still shop this way. Unfortunately, they're all SAD. :(

eachpeachpearplum

11-03-2005, 10:50 PM

A BIG :p thank you to everyone for your insiteful responses. I think I need to take advantage of buying in bulk (I just spent $10 on one handful of Macadamia nuts) and also the more I can get toward an all raw household the better - as it is it's still a part cooked one.

I also wonder if where you live has an impact; I was born in So. Cal where the fruit & veg prices were negligable but now living here in Wa. state there is a huge price difference; $1 for a lemon here vs. 5 for $1 down south!

I also think part of my problem is I like to "make recipies" which can add up, I need to try more simple cooking. I will also try the suggestion of replacing pricey nuts with cheaper versions. :rolleyes:

Thanks again everyone! :D

Sharon in Colorado

11-03-2005, 10:58 PM

Our monthly bills are waaay out there. I'm buying for a mixed household. I buy a lot of produce, plus health-food type things, plus some convenience foods here and there. They'll eat what I eat half the time, and the other half they just want to eat what they are already accustomed to.

I know if I spent more time in the kitchen making things from scratch, the bills would be less. But when I have to cook for people, sometimes I'd rather not mess with a dead carcass, lol.

Beanie

11-03-2005, 10:59 PM

I'm fasting too to cut my bills, lol! :eek: :eek: My bunny and piggies eat me out of house and home.....then there's me.... :o I like blueberries, red raspberries and cacao drinks at times.......

rawpriestess

11-04-2005, 01:58 AM

eatpeachpearplum,

since you live near Seattle, you can buy a ton of veggies and fruit and nuts at Costco, also Pike Place Market has super wonderful fresh organic produce.

Also, Trader Joes, has wonderful things, there are many Asian markets that carry really super great exotics

You can get fresh durian, for under $3.00 per pound, and frozen for about $.39 per pound, the last time I checked in the Seattle markets.

Costco has pineapples for $3.99 each all year long, and 4 pounds of bananas for only $1.29, 3 pounds of almonds $15, 3 pounds of walnuts, $7, 3 pounds of pecans $9, 2 pounds of pinenuts $9, we buy practically all our food that we buy, at Costco.

We just bought a huge box of kiwis for $6, and mangos for $7

romaine is 6 hearts for $2.67, and bags of greens for $3

I have never spent $1 on a lemon, always buy them 3 to 5 for $1, depending on the season, 4 to 5 limes for $1, tomatoes are usually $1 to $2 per pound, although we grow our own, and make sun dried, so we don't really buy any.

macademia nuts are right now $12 per pound at Marlene's Market and Deli, there is one in Federal Way on 320th, almost everything is organic. There is also one in Tacoma.

In Olympia is the co-op east side and west side, we buy produce there too, very very reasonable for local organic produce.

rawjojo

11-04-2005, 07:59 AM

Rawprietess,

Is the produce that you are buying at Costco organic? We have a costco, but unfortunately the produce is conventional. SOMETIMES, and only sometimes, the bananas are organic. I am going to see if I can request more organic at our store. I say, if they can do it in WA., well then, they can do it in Ohio!

Thanks in advance for your reply!
rawjojo

rawmomto8

11-04-2005, 08:48 PM

Our clothing (wonderful, brand labels, well made and designer) is purchased carefully at thrift stores. Saving in so many other important ways makes more available for our RAW diet. We also don't eat out.

While we're not rearing children anymore, it was the same way when they were home. Good food is more important than seeing the latest movie, or having the newest fad gimmick.(

CAdreamer,

I had to take a moment before I tuck the rest of my babes in bed to let you know how great I thought your reply was! I am 100% in agreement with thrift store shopping, and not just because we have 8 kiddos. My children are always very well dressed, but what we don't sew, comes from the thrift store, unless it is undergarments. People actually have commented on how well my children are dressed for having "so many" and I just grin!

I agree with you that I am willing to make a few sacrifices in order to have a healthier, happier family! Oh, and trust me, those gimmicks that a lot of people spend money on are just not worth it in the end! :rolleyes:

Thank you,

Sarah

rawpriestess

11-05-2005, 02:21 AM

Some are organic, some are not.

I know the nuts are raw, as they sprout, and have that wonderful raw flavor. mmmmmm

As far as the produce, again, we eat all our own, so we only buy a very few things at Costco, but the things we buy we don't much care if they are organic, since about 85 % of all of our food is organic, as we grow it.

But often the Costco food is organic, and that is wonderful.

eachpeachpearplum

11-05-2005, 06:57 PM

tvillemom

11-05-2005, 07:17 PM

Glad to see this thread. I HAVE TO keep my spending on a budget. My family spends between $120-$150/week on groceries. (Family of 5 with 3 GROWING children! My boys are getting big!!) That is them eating SAD, and me eating RAW, and not buying organic unless the price is close to conventional produce. I will say, my DH has been watching what he eats and eating more produce also!! I have allowed myself to spend about $40/month on nuts, seeds and groceries at Whole Foods. I justify this because I am not eating meat. I look forward to growing my own sprouts and making more things that will take the place of some of those expensive nuts, and produce that will soon be out of season!!
Wendi

RawFoodieMom

11-05-2005, 10:22 PM

Great tips thanks - I did not realise they sold nuts I shall have a look, thanks! :p

I didn't realize they sold raw nuts either until RP mentioned it in another thread. I just bought a big bag of pine nuts and one of almonds, MUCH cheaper then the health food and grocery stores. I usually pay about 9.95 per lb for almonds, my 3 lb bag from Costco works out to 6.33 per lb (CDN $$) !! I'm happy. :)

Debra

eachpeachpearplum

11-06-2005, 12:00 AM

I didn't realize they sold raw nuts either until RP mentioned it in another thread. I just bought a big bag of pine nuts and one of almonds, MUCH cheaper then the health food and grocery stores. I usually pay about 9.95 per lb for almonds, my 3 lb bag from Costco works out to 6.33 per lb (CDN $$) !! I'm happy. :)

Debra

Yippee, OK OK I'm going to Costco on Monday! One of the things that is costing me big$$ is almond butter & honey. My almond butter at PCC is $14 a jar that's $56 a month!!! I am going to try making it myself now that I have my shiney new Vita Mix. I am also going to hunt around for local honey, again I am paying $4 for a very small container and I need one a week. I'm not sure where to inquire but I shall try! :o

Again thanks to everyone!! :p :p

Rawkinlocs

11-06-2005, 12:12 AM

Hey Each...,

Do you have Fred Meyer in your area? If so, the Marantha brand raw almond butter is only $7.99 as opposed to the $14 at PCC (or the Olympia Food Co-op in my case) and when I went there today, it was on sale for $6.99 (or something like that)

swiddweas

11-06-2005, 12:24 AM

I have been thinking about this....

For food we spend a total of about 900.00 per Month.Some months it may be less or more as I try to buy in quantity when I can. Fresh fruits and veggies are a big must have as my entire familly expects to have them as a snack. My hubby loves his smoothies in the morning now and has to have a huge dinner salad in the P.M.The children all like the dates and rasins for their snacks. So, my entire family eats mostly the raw stuff that I used to buy just for myself.

The raw foods are the big ticket items, I have noticed. The honey is 43.00 per jar and lasts about two weeks. Then the oils, olive and coconut another 45.oo every two weeks.. so on and so forth. It's not expensive to buy these foods as I consider it cheap health insurance .

Great tips so far.

Pattye

-------

Never give up. Never quit.

11-06-2005, 12:29 AM

I spend about $65 a week for the two of us. I do menus a week or two in advance and shop carefully between the HFS's and the farmer's markets on Fridays. We eat out usually at lunch on Saturday only and I make DH's breakfast and lunch everyday (green juice, fruit and a cobb salad). We also buy nuts bulk from Costco when they have them as they are really pricey at the farmer's markets.

DH asked me today not to prepare any more meat dishes for him as he doesn't feel the need to eat meat at the present time...totally blew me away. :D :eek: He really made my day with that comment!

Tricia

rawpriestess

11-06-2005, 12:53 AM

Costco also sells Sunmaid raisins in a two big bag pack they are sun dried, and are wonderful. They also sell various types of fresh dates, very inexpensive.

Bananas 4 pounds for $1.20, pineapple at $3.99 each, peaches in a big box, about 11 huge ones for $6.99, same with mangos, and 6 hearts of romain lettuce for only $2.67, they always have fresh produce and fruits, and dates, and nuts and raisins, and and and, I just love Costco,

Dragggon says I should buy stock LOL

Rawkinlocs

11-06-2005, 12:59 AM

RP, I don't know which Costco you shop at, but I'm surprised we haven't run into each other! We're there every week taking advantage of many of the items you listed (the bananas, nuts, raisins, and more!) :)

Autumn

11-06-2005, 01:46 AM

<<The honey is 43.00 per jar and lasts about two weeks>>

OMG is this a typo? $43 a jar for honey? What kind of honey are you buying? :eek:

sweetgoddess

11-06-2005, 06:56 AM

gasp! $43 for honey? Please tell us about this!

RP, a question-does Costco have raw almond butter, raw sunflower seeds or raw honey? And that box of peaches you mentioned (drool) , they dont have them now out of season do they? sigh....I miss peaches!
Oh, one more question about Costco......how does the produce, say peaches for example, how do they taste?

Costco curious....
Carmel

swiddweas

11-06-2005, 10:32 AM

Excuse me!!LOL!!

That WAS a typo, Autumn and Sweetgoddess! The honey is 40.00 per jar. The company that jars it is called Really Raw Honey in Baltimore, Maryland. It is straight from the hive with the honeycomb, pollen and propolis that all rise to the top of the jar which I scoop out and use in brownies for a crucnhy sweet taste. Raw honey that has been unstrained and unfiltered is always opaque. If the honey is even semi translucent, most likely it has been strained which means it's been heated. This is why I buy Really Raw Honey now. I used to buy the other "raw" honey literally by the gallons. Now I know the truth.It upset me at first that I had been "fooled", and so now I check out stuff before I buy anything.

Pattye

----------
Never give up, never quit.

Sharon in Colorado

11-06-2005, 10:40 AM

How big is the jar? I get raw honey here locally. However they put it in a jug and the stuff gets so thick and crystalized I can't get it out. Anyway, I got half-gallon for $9. I just realized that I need to put it in a jar so I can spoon it out. I am soaking it in hot water right now so I can transfer it to a wide mouth jar.

It should be raw if it says unheated on the label.

Rawkinlocs

11-06-2005, 10:42 AM

Seems the REALLY raw stuff always seems to cost up the butt compared to the raw stuff or the blatently non-raw stuff :rolleyes:

Imagine how much it would cost to buy 2 lbs. of REALLY raw cashews! :eek: That's why "I" personally am not such a purist about if it's raw or TRULY raw....with 4 kids to feed, I can't afford to be...I have to do the best I can where I am. But I've been fortunate enough to find "just raw" honey that wasn't translucent and still it didn't cost that much. But I usually try to just use dates or agave, though...it's cheaper :) :cool:

swiddweas

11-06-2005, 10:48 AM

The jar is 5 pounds. People can label the honey raw, but if it's been strained to where you can see thru it, I believe it has been heated. Maybe not so hot to kill enzymes, but I like the idea or having the pollen and stuff with it, less unadulterated, IMO.

I though of you, Rawkinlocks when I bought my cashews yesturday because Iknow they were ok to buy, if even they aren't raw.

Pattye

--------

Never give up, never quit

Sharon in Colorado

11-06-2005, 10:56 AM

I agree with you hence the label should say "unheated" instead of "raw".

eachpeachpearplum

11-06-2005, 11:53 AM

rawpriestess

11-06-2005, 02:38 PM

Rawkie,

I shop at the Tacoma Costco off 38th street, although we usually only go about once a month or so, but in the winter, we do go more often.

SG, the peaches are not in season now, but they were huge and gorgeous and the best I've ever eaten, The honey is NOT raw, but I don't use it in my foods, Dragggon loves it, and I use it to wash with, I usually use dates (that I buy at Costco) in my dishes. They do not have sunflower seeds or almond butter, although, if there is enough demand, I'm sure they will. There is 4 Costcos within 1 hour of me, Olympia, Tacoma, Puyallup and Fife, so I can get something at one store, and get something entirely different at another Costco, I usually just call them up, and ask what they have as far as fresh fruits and veggies, and organics etc. They are very helpful with finding things in another store too for me.

When I was out of sundried tomatoes, (gasp) this past winter, I called the Tacoma one, who found some in the Fife, one, so drove a couple more minutes up the road, and viola' I had them.(unfortunately they have sulfites, so Dragggon couldn't eat them, so this year, we have plent of our own)

There is also a baby fruit stand run by a couple of ladies, just around the bend, that have the best and least expensive produce available, they drive to Yakima, and bring it over the mountain. You can get a 25 pound box of peaches picked that morning for about $7 to $10

And in McKenna, is the biggest outdoor fruit stand, and also the spooner's farm has their berries for sale just up that road, strawberries, (we grow our own) and raspberries and marion berries, a flat is only about $4 to $7, or so, depending on when you go.

Rawkie, if you are interested in them, I'll let you know how to find them, they are in Lakewood. Probably too far out of your way, but great food and good prices.

Cinnamon

11-06-2005, 03:00 PM

I would say for the 2 of us that $500.00 to $600.00 per month would be accurate. You know how I eat and as for my hubby he is a meat eating SAD kinda guy! Bless his heart, he is eating a lot more of my raw foods and enjoying most of them, I will convert this born and raised Cajun meat eater yet! Ha!

Our local Central Market is wonderful for fresh produce and a lot of organics too. I get most of my nuts and seeds at Costco as Rawpriestess mentioned above, although not organic the freshness and price can't be beat.

In the summer we have many Farmer's Markets plus our own large garden so our monthly bill is less but I seem to make up for that when fall arrives and I am back at the grocery store for everything.

I am a fairly frugal person but this is one area that I do spend a lot, I enjoy making wonderful foods for the both of us and family and friends too and guess if I have to splurge on something then food it is!

Secret Heart

01-10-2006, 09:25 AM

Wow, I saw my last post regarding how much I spend on groceries....i now spend probably $500 a month compared to $350 before! I guess it's partially that it's cold here now and things are more expensive..plus I just eat a lot! I'm going to have to eat more conventional and less organic unfortunately as being an artist is not the most lucrative career!

Heather

heather

01-10-2006, 09:42 AM

we have a family of 5 and we spend about 400-600/month, depending on our nut consumption and if we ne to restock expensive items like coconut butter and nutbutters.

our bill went WAY DOWN when we became vegetarian and stopped buying meats. going raw vegan increased our bill some, but we are still saving money compared to our SAD days :D

elise

01-10-2006, 10:09 AM

I spend about 700-800 per month on food. We eat tons of organic fruits and veggies. Organic nuts are what really get us in the pocket book. They are like 8-15 dollars per pound.
It does cost more to eat healthy but well worth it..
We have just two of us now.

Purl

01-10-2006, 11:17 AM

well we aren't totally raw (yet- ;) ) but we spend around $750-800/mo for a family of 2 adults and 4 children. The first couple of weeks it was ALOT more. I usu. spend $180-200/wk but the first 2 weeks I spent about $250 stocking up on nuts, nut butters, and a seed grinder (SAD's would knwo it as a coffee grinder :p ). I have a discount grocery place where produce is CHEAP-O, usu. not organic, but cheap cheap cheap. I buy some of our produce there. They have bananas for 33 cents a pound everyday! I buy our some of our fruit and fresh herbs there and frozen fruit, when they carry it. Then I shop the sales at the local brand name grocer, then I head off to whole foods, where I get everything else. I feel that I have a really good balance between organic and reasonable budget.

Lay-Lay

08-17-2006, 12:44 AM

Naiad

08-17-2006, 12:54 AM

Every 1.5 weeks I go to Whole Foods and a place like Costco and get bulk stuff like coconut water, oils, purified water for the gym and dry goods.

I spend about $50-$75 a week for a single person buying fresh produce on top of that.

rawpriestess

08-17-2006, 01:46 AM

RawFoodieMom

08-17-2006, 08:37 AM

my bills have changed alot from the start of 100% raw until now. My husband and I are spend $40.00 a month on food (me raw and him about 50%). I was spending way more. Even with the garden. My garden is not producing much anymore with the hot weather.

How are you getting away with like $10.00 a week with a garden that isn't producing? :confused:

I'm looking for ways to get by with a lower grocery bill. :rolleyes:

RawFoodieMom

08-17-2006, 08:47 AM

since I am alone, I spent $16.50 for the last 3 weeks at the store, that is it.

I have been mostly eating berries out of the gardens, apples, and zucchinis.

As soon as the almonds and hazelnuts come in, I'll eat them, then the grapes, I'm eating a few tomatoes, although there aren't that many this year.

Wow, must be so nice to have such a big garden. We're already planning that our next house is going to be outside of the city and have much more land (and it's cheaper out there) so we can plant fruit and nut trees and plant a big garden.

One blessing is that I have an acquaintance who has 3 black walnut trees, and every year until now they've just let all the nuts that the squirrels don't get rot in garbage bags. :eek: Now that I know she has these trees, she has offered me (and 4 other people) to go and get as many as I want as soon as they're ready. Yessssss! :D

berrymarymac

08-17-2006, 08:57 AM

my bill for precut fruit, salad, carrots, celery and almond milk was like 65 bucks yesterday!! I was shocked! And I know many people can have a grocery bill of like 20 bucks and be eating for weeks!!!! Produce needs to be cheaper than processed crap!

Naiad

08-17-2006, 09:34 AM

Wow, must be so nice to have such a big garden. We're already planning that our next house is going to be outside of the city and have much more land (and it's cheaper out there) so we can plant fruit and nut trees and plant a big garden.

One blessing is that I have an acquaintance who has 3 black walnut trees, and every year until now they've just let all the nuts that the squirrels don't get rot in garbage bags. :eek: Now that I know she has these trees, she has offered me (and 4 other people) to go and get as many as I want as soon as they're ready. Yessssss! :D

How's this for horrible... I actually had some plants and herbs growing out on a roof my apartment is level with. One day, I came home and they were spraying/welding/something with an ungodly stench... all the plants wilted from it (lots of gratitude for my Austin air purifier!)

Now, I'm too scared to put anything else out there in case that should happen again :(

RawFoodieMom

08-17-2006, 10:26 AM

Now, I'm too scared to put anything else out there in case that should happen again :(

I SO know how you feel! I haven't planted anything edible at our current house because I live in a semi-detached, and the family who's house is attached to ours (and therefore backyard is attached to ours) has their lawn sprayed. There's no way some of that crap doesn't spread onto our lawn. It's sooooo frustrating. I had an acquainance who wanted to scale back her raspberry bushes that were overcrowding, and could have gotten some for my yard, but what's the point if the neighbour gets their lawn sprayed just so he can have a few less weeds and greener grass? I won't want to eat the raspberries after they've been exposed to that. :(

Sunshine9

08-17-2006, 02:07 PM

I don't know exactly how much, but I would estimate about $200 per week, mostly just one person and then some of it is eaten by other family members.. that is 100% organic, with definitely some items that could be eliminated if necessary. (You know.. almond butter, ect)

I think of it not only as investing in my health, but also.. what would I rather CONTRIBUTE my money and my wealth to than the organic food industry, and the small co-op where I shop? It's completely totally entirely worth it, and if I had to there would be a lot of things I would cut back in my life before I ever bought lower quality food.. and there are also ways to make raw really cost effective.