Grocery Budget Calculator
Plan and optimize your grocery spending with our comprehensive budget calculator. Whether you're feeding a family, living solo, or managing special dietary needs, this tool helps you understand your current spending and identify opportunities to save. Get detailed breakdowns of weekly, monthly, and yearly food costs, plus personalized recommendations for achieving your savings goals.
Enter the total number of people you shop for
Your typical weekly grocery expenses
Average weekly spending on restaurants and takeout
How much should I budget for groceries per person?
The USDA suggests $50-$100 per person per week depending on age and dietary needs. A moderate budget for a family of 4 typically ranges from $800-$1,000 per month. Your actual needs may vary based on location, dietary preferences, and shopping habits.
How can I reduce my grocery budget?
Key strategies include meal planning, buying in bulk, using store brands, shopping sales, avoiding impulse purchases, reducing food waste, cooking from scratch, and limiting dining out. Even small changes can save 15-20% on your grocery bill.
Should dining out be part of my grocery budget?
While technically separate, combining grocery and dining expenses gives you a complete "food budget" picture. This helps you see opportunities to shift spending from restaurants to home cooking, which typically saves 60-70% per meal.
How does household size affect grocery costs?
Larger households often benefit from economies of scale - buying in bulk and cooking larger portions is more cost-efficient per person. However, special dietary needs, ages of family members, and food preferences can significantly impact the total budget.
What percentage of income should go to groceries?
Financial experts recommend spending 10-15% of your net income on food (groceries and dining out combined). Lower-income households may spend 15-20%, while higher-income households might spend 8-12%. Track your spending to find what works for your situation.