I pretty much only buy what's on sale, but enough of it to last until the next sale or that we will use before it goes off if it can't be preserved. I use coupons when they are for stuff i'd be buying anyway, but as I almost always buy store brand, that's not often.

We spend $600-$700 a month for 5. This does not include most toiletries and most alcohol.

We do have a great lifestyle over here, but it's getting harder and harder. Along with high grocery prices, real estate and fuel are high also. I'm sure we've covered those two things enough over the time though. lol

I have a metabolic inferno too. lol @ that ! :)

I have a college kid who pays for the food at about $400 a month.

and even with that he is skinny. I try to buy wholesome healthy things...mostly.

I should say that includes paper items, toiletries,cat food litter.

Just happened upon this today...

http://www.bundle.com/everybodysmoney

It's an interactive tool that breaks down how people spend their money in every major city. It happens to include monthly spending on groceries at various income levels in each city--as well as shopping, transportation, health, home, etc. The amount of data here is astounding.

They've compiled the food/drink spending into one large chart here, claiming that Austin is #1 in the country for amount of money spent on both groceries and dining out.

Probably much of the "dining out" money in Austin, can be attributed to tourists and the music scene.

That is a cool tool!

I spend about $150/month in the grocery store whether I need to or not. I probably should have included the money I spend on delivery at work, too, but I forgot. Well, maybe I can make that up out of the non-food purchases at the market, things like paper plates, napkins, toilet paper, and Cheetos.

$200 a week here for me and the 2 littleuns, plus an add on here or there.

The boys and I take all our food every day, I cook muffins and treats every week, and my parents supply a lot of meat.

My killer is a $1000 power bill per quarter and mortgage on a single wage.

That's brutal Nuts.
Of course BP is sending us all a power bill we can't afford right now...