The NatWest Child Cost Calculator (http://personal.natwest.com/personal/savings/tools-for-savings/cost-of-raising-achildcalculator.html) is an interactive tool with collective data revealing the cost of raising a child from the when they are born right up totheir late teens.
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For a child between 4-12 the expected cost of weekly food shop is £40.
Hmmm. It sounds high to me ..what do you think?
So how do I match up to that?
Well I tried to work it out and couldnt do it very easily. There are just so many variables. Items like butter and bread etc. are shared between us and lasts as long as they lasts. If I bake a cake our butter can be gone in one go or if I don’t bake it could last several weeks. Not an easy calculation to make.
Most weeks I buy lots of fresh fruit if I buy locally (which I prefer) it is dearer and if I go the supermarket it is cheaper but often doesn’t last as long.
Some weeks I buy the children a meal out at our local teashop (usually if I have a lot of work on) some weeks they go to their Grans so I skip cooking a meal one night.
If it hot we tend to eat more salads and we grown a lot so f salad so this can be a cheaper optiontoo.
Despite meal planning and best intention no week is the same and some weeks I need to push for convenience and some weeks I cook more from scratch.
Cost varies form week to week.
As a monthly round up I would say i spend abut £400 on food with some months closer to £500. There are 4 of us in our familyso this work out at about £25 -£30 a week each.
It probably helps that I know a fair few foodies budgeting tips
* I know a lot of great food storage tips
*I meal plan so we buy in only what we need and avoid waste
* I can do a lot with leftovers (again to avoid waste and save money)
*I shop without the kids which saves me being badgered into buying stuff
*We are all vegetraian which I am sure is a cheaper option
*I don’t give the kids big portions I would rather they ask for mere than leave a mountain of wasted food on theior plate
*We grow our own
*I look out for bargains
Is this what keeps the cost down? Being a bit budget food savvy? I would be interested to know what you think.
Do check out the calculator is t is interesting to see how your own spending compares and it covers lots of other areas too like books and school fees, toys and pocket money.
*The kids carry water bottle as and I take out snacks so we very rarely have to buy food/drinks out.
I am sure all these tips help to keep the cost down.
Dislciamer: I was sent some Morrison food vouchers to try and help me work out our costs
I don’t think I do as there’s 6 of us and it would mean shopping of around £240 a week not including non food stuff! Interesting post.
You’re right, it’s not easy to calculate, there’s just so many variables.
I spend a lot on food, it’s a huge expense for us.
I’m trying to persuade Ruby to take the free school lunch option which will be offered to her from september, but I think I’ve spoilt her with her lunchboxes!
We spend about £80 a week on food / household shopping for the 4 of us, but I know that will grow as they do. I find that cooking things from scratch often works out cheaper than ready-meals 🙂
Food is more expensive than ever at the moment and it cost my my country as much as it costs in UK although the salaries are way smaller. I try and always cook from scratch and if i buy too many veggies i always chop them and freeze to use at another time. I wish I had a huge garden so i can grow my own always. maybe in future x
I think food is our largest bill! Having children and myself (my husband goes along with it!) loving healthier options and lots of fresh stuff I think our bill is high! We don’t have space to grow your own which would make a difference! An allotment is a possible once you get to the top of the list then I think the hours you need to spend then that means less time to work….
I do need to go back to meal planning through, I slipped as I was getting bored of doing it (I know!) and with my two getting older at least 2 nights a week it is tea tiered super times *groan but know for sure that cuts the food bill down!