The weekly grocery shop: a necessity that varies widely in cost. Recently, we surveyed our readers on their spending, revealing fascinating differences. With dozens of responses, I've compiled key insights here—starting with my own budget as a benchmark. (Expenses only, not the shopping list itself! 😊)
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I dread grocery shopping, and it adds up fast. Curious about my own habits, I reviewed two months of bank statements—thankfully, I use my debit card for everything. For my partner Emma, our two cats, and me, it's about €45 per week. This covers occasional snacks or station coffees, but excludes diapers (except emergency packs), shampoo, detergent, toothpaste, or similar—unless it's a great deal.
I expected higher, especially now pregnant and buying extras. In leaner times, I stretched €15-20 weekly for one person with smart choices. Today, I opt for value over luxury or the absolute cheapest. We skip meat for substitutes (similar pricing) and favor affordable recipes. These habits keep costs in check.
Now, your turns: Here's the data from our survey. Plus, budgeting tips ahead if you're looking to trim.
72 responses poured in (just one single-parent family), so we broke it down by kids.
| Children | Responses | Avg per Week | Most Common | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 72 | €117.20 | €51-75 | €40 – €400 |
| 0 | 2 | €113.75 | €77.50 – €150 | – |
| 1 | 17 | €93.38 | €51-75 | €50 – €175 |
| 2 | 27 | €93.70 | €51-75 | €40 – €190 |
| 3 | 16 | €145.67 | €101-125 | €70 – €400 |
| 4 | 7 | €167.14 | €101-125 | €70 – €300 |
| 5 | 2 | €222.50 | – | €120 – €325 |
| 7 | 1 | €175 | – | – |
Notably, one- and two-child families spend similarly—reassuring for parents. Our sample isn't scientific, but it suggests room for savings in many budgets.
Budgeting is a skill—and many readers want to master it for groceries.
One-third shop locally (bakers, butchers); two-thirds stick to supermarkets. Local shoppers average €134 vs. €107 for supermarket-only—worth weighing quality vs. cost.
Of 39 budgeting comments: 30% already do, 20% plan to, 50% don't (fair if funds allow flexibility).
Just 12.5% feel they're truly overspending—but others want tweaks. Tips below help.
One- or two-kid families spend least—but anyone can optimize. (Detailed guide coming soon.)
Set a realistic max spend, easing in gradually (e.g., from €250 to €100 stepwise).
