JONTILLMAN.COM | part of the problem since 1976

I consider myself reasonably frugal when it comes to food, though I am nowhere near as penny-pinching as some people in this category. As I have said before, I do not believe that lower grocery bills are the point of living deliberately and frugally.

However, I am aware that the grocery bill is, by far, the easiest place to pinch pennies (or dollars) when needed. A perfect example is this $45 weekly menu for 4 people or this slightly less frugal $70 weekly menu for 4 people. These menus are particularly striking in light of the USDA considering the thrifty food plan for a family of four to be $120 per week.

Looking at that list, I also discovered that while I feel as if we spend a good bit more on groceries than we must, our $200 a month grocery budget is well below the “thrifty” level for a married couple, which is pegged at $71 a week. Interesting stuff.