[serianna]

I am wondering what percentage you save compared to waht you spend.
How much on average do you save on groceries? Also what about HBA?
Just curious. I see all these people who save thousands all the time, but maybe they have a bigger family. It is just me and one more person. We only really buy food and HBA. We don't buy bigger ticket items unless we save and talk about it, and it is rare.
I just think percentages are a little more accurate than $$ amounts because everyones situation is different.
Thanks

[sweetpea101506]

HBA-I usually pay just tax or between 80-90% off retail
Groceries (food only)-About 50-75% off retail

Including just about everything (excluded are bills), it's about a 75% savings off of retail price. I have 4 people in my family (myself, my hubby, our 2 y/o daughter, and our 9 m/o son).

[travelingfool]

I looked at my database for 2008. I lump all items bought in the grocery store/mass merchandiser together -- I enter every store receipt each week and track amt spent, amt saved etc. My "grocery" total for the year was $3054 spent, $1378 saved which includes coupons, clearance differences, etc. (31% saved)

We do not eat many prepared foods and I have a TON of stuff stockpiled- we will probably not buy TP or shampoo for another couple of years unless they give it away. I donate a lot of stuff to my local food bank- which is not figured into my grocery totals for the year- so this total does not reflect all the free toothpaste, shampoos, deodorants, air fresheners, dog food we donated - that is in another category. HTH.

[slp2b]

Usually about 50%.

[xmaspickle]

I don't keep track because I don't think it's an accurate number...if I go to a higher priced store and pay 50 cents for an item..the percentage looks huge...if I go to a lower priced store and pay 50 cents for the item..then the percentage is smaller...

also, when I buy manager markdowns they already might be pennies on the dollar..and if I use a coupon too...do you count the percentage of the original price? the mark down price?...

what if I'm buying things I never in my life would pick up except now since they are free or nearly so I throw in my basket...that would skew my percentages as I don't need the item to survive..it's just a little bonus

ditto with things like household and clothing purchases..the stores inflate the regular retail as high as they can..so they can lower and have "special"..to give you the perception that they are on your side and saving you money...

I learned a long time ago..to not worry about all about the "savings" that can be one of those "lie with statistics" thing..but rather..how little can I spend overall...some weeks big spending..other weeks just ride with what you have...so I look over the course of a month/a year/a decade...how small can I make our expenses..while living an over the top full life??

that is the numbers I concern myself with...can I keep all my budget numbers the same or lower..can I clothe us, use electricity, feed us, entertain us..for less...and now, what kind of "big" thing can I do with the extra...like bulk up a rainy day fund, help out others in need, spend a month in France (yes, we did that for a family of 5 and paid cash)...

so it's not what I save (god knows I could make that any number you want to hear)...but what I SPEND...
that goes for all the household expenses....but quantify..with yes, we live in a gorgeous house on the river, yes, we go on vacations people envy, yes, my kids look well dressed (even though a lot are second hand, home made, etc)...yes, we have multiple cars so every teenager has vehicles (hubby buys older geos and keeps them maintained/never make a car payment), yes, even though he's laid off we have some $$ behind us and have a vast equity in the house we can pull from...etc...so any newbies..don't worry about comparing..that someone else gets xyz% off...they may of had a higher initial store price..they may be eating helper meals/processed foods that you can get free 100% off, etc...
each family is different and what we're willing to do or accept to make a goal is different...so if you're lowering what your outlay is from a previous point you're doing good..now, relook at everything again...learn something new...and relook again...until, the point you're giving up things that are important to your family..and then add a few things..as we don't deprive ourselves of the important stuff..we just strategize so we know what is important

[Mavourneen]

The spreadsheet I use has a running total of overall percentage saved, Right now, I'm at 45% overall.

Some weeks I go over 50%. Other weeks, lower. I do my best to buy the healthiest food I can for my family at the lowest price I can find.
I'm not worrying about comparing my % with someone else. I'm saving money. I'm working my coupon deals. I keep my eyes out for good meat and veg deals. I'm not filling my family up with junk food.

Things are good at 45%.

[saskpb]

Very well said xmaspickle!

I generally save aboue 40-50% at the grocery store. BUT- I do eat a lot of prepared/packaged foods, as I don't have much time for cooking.
For HBA, I usually save about 95%. Keep in mind, I work at Walgreens part time, so I get to save an additional 15% before coupons. Otherwise, it wouldn't be as great of a price.

Don't stress about percent saved, just try to keep track of what you were/are spending. Then, in a few months, you can say "Wow, our groceries have been cut from $xx/week to $xx/week"

Also, the important thing is to know what YOU are willing to pay for an item vs what I am willing to pay. Everyones needs are different. I may be willing to spend more/less on an item than you.

[lurkin1]

I can save between 50-70% on groceries per week but it really fluxuates because of store specials and available coupons. I only shop once a week at the store with the best deals that week and I really strive to have everything in my grocery cart matched to a coupon now. Only 3-4 items in a weekly trip are not "coupon" items. There aren't often good coupons for my diet coke and I am a confirmed addict.

[serianna]

Thanks everyone for taking time out to answer this.
It makes more sense now what yall are saying that it matters what you are spending, not so much on the savings amount.
We spend about $35 a week on groceries, and eat out once a week.
We budget for $50 a week on groceries and so I have about $15 a week I can use to stockpile.
I guess one of my reasons for asking this is because when I start to stockpile I want to get good deals on them and I am too new to this to really know what qualifies as a good deal. Because of everyone here I am learning and reading tons, it is really helping, and I have all you to thank. I figure with $50 a week, we spend 2/3 on food we need now, and 1/3 on food to stockpile, by doing this hopefully I will be able to start saving even more.

Another questions for all you pros,
Once you have built a bit of a stockpile, do you notice your weekly "need" grocery bill decrease? Do you spend more on stockpiling and eat more out of your stockpile?

Thanks Bunches!

[xmaspickle]

you bet...you will soon learn what you will pay for things..and the more you are willing to leave your favorite brand for whatever will fill the need..the cheaper things get and the more the deals on that item come around...there are just some things I won't pay any money on, things that I will only pick up at X price..and then the regular things that are important to my family that I will buy at any price (for us that's organic quinoa, whole grain cornmeal/whole wheat flours/brown rices/good spices/salmon fillets/the berry mix frozen at costco/good coffee, etc)

so once you build your stockpile I just stop looking at those things even if they are free..unless I'm scouting for a food bank or a friend...

so right now I need no more:

baby wipes
tp
paper towels
laundry soap
spaghetti sauce
manwich
taco seasoning
taco shells
refried beans
regular spices
jello
shampoo
conditioner
feminine products
toothpaste
dental floss
toothbrushes
floss
mouthrinse
aspirin type products
cold meds
vitamins
bandaids
first aid cremes
margarine
cheese
canned tomatos
crackers & snacks
diet lean burger
chicken breasts
turkey
frozen fish fillets
breakfast cereal
popcorn seeds
hand lotion
makeup
pasta
etc..I'm sure there's more..but right now, those things don't ever make it to the list..so then I have more (usually..we are currently unemployed and living on the stockpile) $$ for either savings or little splurges..like maybe those fresh berries or out of season food...I figure I only have to find 1 deal every week..or even every other week to keep the stock rotated

[Dianasaves$$]

I usually only have to buy either milk or eggs and that is it! I buy almost all my meat when I take back my cans for recycle unless there is a really great sale on it that week! Everything else is stockpiled and I never pay full price for anything.

[sweetpea101506]

I agree with PP, I usually don't have to buy much more than milk and eggs each week. I don't usually eat processed foods, unless we're sick and I really don't feel like cooking. I freeze a lot of foods, especially when I find meat cheap.

As far as spending goes, for this year (I just started couponing in October) I've spent a little under $100 a month on groceries and it used to be around $500 a month consistently. My numbers include formula/baby food/cereal for my son too.

[Babyboymommy]

I save on average 40% at the grocery store and 90% at drug stores. I spend a lot more at the grocery store so I'm at 60% overall savings this year so far. If only the grocery stores would take ECB's, then I'd be all set

[z'smom]

We aim to spend 50% or less on things except milk and fresh produce. We need those no matter what. Especially with little ones. We often do this and many times do better. On Holidays and when we entertain, not so much.

[danielephant]

these days at least 50%...i love it..it has become quite a hobby!