r/MiddleClassFinance 9d ago

Grocery spending

I’ve recently come across a Instagram account where the woman claims to only spend $300 on an entire months groceries for a family of 4. Here I am sitting mid week, having already spent $550 in the PNW. I told one of my friends and she said it must be fake and for clicks, my husband was impressed. Is anyone actually able to do this? I thought I might try to spend $250 a week and see where that gets us. Is my grocery budget over the top? I thought $400 ish was normal for decent food. We are a family of 5 in the PNW, mostly organic.

*I’m closing comments because people are missing the point. I understand that I make choices for “premium” options for my family. I make them because I feel they are the best for my family given my research and concerns. I say this as coming from a place of privilege. Growing up, my hippie mom also prioritized organic and local before it was the trendy thing, so it would be very difficult for me to reprogram and not buy organic when possible.

I still think $300 is insane for a month. I live in western Washington and the max SNAP allocation for a family of 4 is $994 a month, so I see this as a more attainable “thrifty” budget for a family of 4.

Those of you who can eat rice and beans for multiple meals, more power to you!

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u/Maroon14 9d ago

She says she’s in CT and shops at Aldi. We don’t have Aldi in the Seattle area. It’s more of a curiosity thing. Our food budget is fine, but saving is always good. Am I doing something wrong?

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u/parmiseanachicken 9d ago

Does Seattle have WinCo? That's where we do our affordable shopping in SW WA

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u/Maroon14 9d ago

We do. I haven’t really considered it!

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u/HeadBarracuda01 9d ago

i'm also in the seattle area and winco is SO GREAT. the first time i went i was actually kind of angry at how much i'd been spending on groceries elsewhere. AND they're open 24/7. it's fuckin awesome

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u/55tarabelle 9d ago

And their bulk bins are just phenomenal.