How much $ do you need a week

we are spending about 200 a week on groceries and then have a bit left over for us...I would say we spend about $170 all up, this includes one in nappies (bout $15 a week) and about $40 in formula a month

We have a grocery budget of $150, which we stick to and never go over (apart from the Christmas grocery shop ). Basically, we write a list of all the essentials, do the shop (taking a calculator with us) and if there's a little left over, then we possibly get a treat, or something extra for dinner that week.

The other thing we try to do is buy meat in one week, and formula in the next, otherwise it ends up being a very expensive shopping trip! ETA: if we're WELL under the $150 limit, we'll buy an extra can of formula or pack of nappies.

Try to put as much as possible away before baby comes along or even during TTC! We saved lots, knowing that I would potentially have 12 months off (most of which is unpaid after that maternity pay runs out!). When Ashlee was about 8-9 months old, I was ready to start looking for a part-time job and just as well I guess, because the money was starting to dwindle by then. It's definitely more expensive when baby is younger. That's what I found anyway. They require more formula, and cans of food (if you don't make your own) than when they're older and can eat what you eat.

For spending, we budget on $50 each per week. And since doing WW, DH tends to make his own lunches and just buys coffees occasionally. I use my spending money to buy Ashlee the occasional item of clothing as I'm not out of the house as much as DH is. If we don't use up that spending money, we'll save it up and go out for dinner/lunch within the month.

Edited by baalamb

So if we budgeted for $250 a week and that is just for groceries and my spending ie going out for lunch, hair cuts etc that should be enough?

Provided you don't have expensive tastes and or hair cuts, that should be fine. We spend anywhere from $150 to about $200 a week on groceries. And I cook all bar one night a week.

$250 in my opinion is MORE than enough. There's so many ways to cut down on grocery bills. It just depends how organised you are and how expensive your tastes are.

Yeah that's what I tried to do, over budget, is better to have a little extra fun money each week than not have enough to even buy the groceries. And like Stacey says there are ways of saving money too. But I still go over, I don't know if we over spend or whether it is just cos I don't buy processed stuff but I can easily spend $200 a week on just groceries, and we rarely have expensive or luxury items and I stick to a list, perhaps we are just pigs... haha

We spend $70-100 p/w on shopping etc. Seb only goes through one bag of nappies a week now, and maybe a tin of formula a month... wipes last a couple of weeks for a $5 huggies pack. Am going to be very pleased with myself if I can get my next bubs to bf... formula price can be horrific when they're young.

Oh yes, and we don't drive - so we save a bit of money via petrol. Will occasionally take the bus to Lower Hutt, but we always walk to Petone, and parks/beaches etc.

also depenbds where you live. we found that in Gisborne, we spent $50 a week more for groceries.

And the other thing we have found really helps is meal plans, I never believed it until I tried it but if you can actually write down what you need to get and stick to it, it actually helps!

And there will be more expenses some weeks (ie when you need shampoo, tampons etc) but overall it seems to work out.

I also try and buy my veges from the vege markets in Otaki, its a bit of money on Petrol but the quality, size and price is soooooo worth it - and they taste HEAPS better!

lizzle wrote: also depenbds where you live. we found that in Gisborne, we spent $50 a week more for groceries.

Yep Im finding it more expensive in Gisborne too. Also petrol costs more here, and you have to pay for parking (which is mostly just annoying cos I have to rememebr to make sure I have coins!).