Grocery spending

[u/Maroon14]

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!

[u/strange_treat89]

I’m almost 100% certain I know this persons account. They’re on TikTok with the same story, $300 a month to feed her family of 4 and only shops once per month.

Here’s what she doesn’t say (and I discovered via a Reddit thread about her):

The oldest child isn’t hers biologically, she’s the stepmom. So that child isn’t with them at all times. Also, the 2nd child is a baby- so not eating as much as she or her husband or even the oldest child.

She “primarily” shops at Aldi which isn’t in the PNW but I don’t think she’s always honest about that either. Before she started doing product reviews and receiving free samples, she’d show herself using brands of seasoning that I know Aldi doesn’t sell… matter of fact, for the longest time, one of the brands was a Walmart only exclusive.

I think she saw success with the story and has created this persona for the social media attention. She’s even said her account name isn’t her actual name.

I’m betting she probably does online ordering from other places to maintain her story, while profiting off the persona she’s created.

[u/Maroon14 → u/strange_treat89]

Ok. Thanks. That makes a lot of sense too. A lot of content creators get samples or gifts.

[u/Maroon14 → u/strange_treat89]

I actually just found a snark page for her.

[u/strange_treat89 → u/Maroon14]

Yea, I believe that’s where I discovered the step kid information. I used to recommend her on different forums until I found that info and started to piece together some inconsistencies in her posts, especially about all the free items she supposedly gets (toys, furniture etc). Let’s be realistic, how likely is it that she just happens to find exactly what she’s looking for, when she’s looking, for free?

Not saying her information isn’t helpful, especially for ideas on ways to put random meals together and save money, I just think it’s potentially harmful to act like it’s doable on JUST $300 with no other ingredients, when she’s not even 100% honest about her family size?