Food Prices

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2CentsWorth

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I did a list in a different thread to prove it is possible to buy food for under R1000 p.m for one person and not just live off bread. I think it worthwhile reposting in this sub forum:

Assumptions: Single person, fast metabolism, 3 meals a day, prices based on Gauteng retail prices
For reference, I've used the promotional prices as advertised by the leading retailers (retailer in brackets)
Note: fruit & veg prices are not the cheapest on the market - fruit & veg city doesn't have specials & prices on their website.
Also, I haven't included sauces, condiments and cooking oils. But given that the total came in at well under the R1000 budget, it is possible to include these inside the budget as well.



Code: 
Staple Foods
=======================================================================
Item:					Qty:	Subtotal

Tastic Rice 2kg (Checkers)			1	24.95
	min 18 servings

Maize Meal 1Kg (Pick 'n Pay)			1	4.69
	min 8 servings

Macaroni 500g (Pick 'n Pay)			1	7.99
	min 2 servings

Couscous 500g (Pick 'n Pay)			1	15.39
	min 7 servings

White Bread Sliced				8	72.00
	min 32 servings
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal						125.02


Meat & Poultry
=======================================================================

Chicken mixed portions 2Kg (Checkers)		3	89.97
	min servings: 7

Frozen Fish Fillets (Checkers)			2	59.98
	min servings: 5

Stewing Beef hindquarter 2.5Kg (P 'n P)		1	R74.98
	min servings: 5

Beef Mince 2kg (Checkers)			1	R62.98
	min servings: 4

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal						287.91


Dairy & Eggs, etc
=======================================================================
Milk 1 liter sachet (P 'n P)			15	97.35
Cheddar Cheese 400g (Checkers)			2	36.00
Eggs 18 XL Free Range (P 'n P)			2	59.98
Margerine 1Kg Flora				1	38.99

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal						232.32


Breakfast Cereals
=======================================================================
Corn Flakes 1Kg (P 'n P)			1	28.99
Muesli 1Kg (P 'n P)				2	35.69
Oats 1Kg (Checkers)				1	13.99

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal						78.67


Fruit & Veg
=======================================================================
Bananas 1.5Kg (P 'n P)			1	12.99
Apples 1.5 Kg (P 'n P)			2	33.98
Papaya per pack of 2 (P 'n P)			1	11.99
Pineapples per pack of 2 (P 'n P)		1	9.99
Cabbage fresh whole head (P 'n P)		1	6.99
Carrots 2.5Kg (P 'n P)			1	15.49
Spinach 300gr Washed/cut (P 'n P)		2	13.98
Sweetcorn pack of 4 (P 'n P)			1	15.99
Onions 2Kg (P 'n P)				1	11.99
Sweet Potatoes 1Kg (P 'n P)			1	11.99
Potatoes 4kg (P 'n P)				1	35.99
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal						181.37


[SIZE="2"]Total: 125.02 + 287.91 + 232.32 + 78.67 + 181.37 = [B][COLOR="Red"]905.29[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE]


From this it is clear that it is possible to buy a month's groceries for 1 with a R1000 budget, and still eat relatively well. You may need to learn how to cook though :)
 
From your example it actually looks like you can do it on a R412 budget :D

Where are the expenses for milk, oil, butter, seasoning, cheese, and veg?

EDIT: Nevermind, I forgot to scroll down he he he !
 
Cool Cool - I needed this - moving in all on my lonesome at the end of Feb...

Thanks
J

2CentsWorth said:
I did a list in a different thread to prove it is possible to buy food for under R1000 p.m for one person and not just live off bread. I think it worthwhile reposting in this sub forum:

Assumptions: Single person, fast metabolism, 3 meals a day, prices based on Gauteng retail prices
For reference, I've used the promotional prices as advertised by the leading retailers (retailer in brackets)
Note: fruit & veg prices are not the cheapest on the market - fruit & veg city doesn't have specials & prices on their website.
Also, I haven't included sauces, condiments and cooking oils. But given that the total came in at well under the R1000 budget, it is possible to include these inside the budget as well.



Code: 
Staple Foods
=======================================================================
Item:					Qty:	Subtotal

Tastic Rice 2kg (Checkers)			1	24.95
	min 18 servings

Maize Meal 1Kg (Pick 'n Pay)			1	4.69
	min 8 servings

Macaroni 500g (Pick 'n Pay)			1	7.99
	min 2 servings

Couscous 500g (Pick 'n Pay)			1	15.39
	min 7 servings

White Bread Sliced				8	72.00
	min 32 servings
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal						125.02


Meat & Poultry
=======================================================================

Chicken mixed portions 2Kg (Checkers)		3	89.97
	min servings: 7

Frozen Fish Fillets (Checkers)			2	59.98
	min servings: 5

Stewing Beef hindquarter 2.5Kg (P 'n P)		1	R74.98
	min servings: 5

Beef Mince 2kg (Checkers)			1	R62.98
	min servings: 4

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal						287.91


Dairy & Eggs, etc
=======================================================================
Milk 1 liter sachet (P 'n P)			15	97.35
Cheddar Cheese 400g (Checkers)			2	36.00
Eggs 18 XL Free Range (P 'n P)			2	59.98
Margerine 1Kg Flora				1	38.99

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal						232.32


Breakfast Cereals
=======================================================================
Corn Flakes 1Kg (P 'n P)			1	28.99
Muesli 1Kg (P 'n P)				2	35.69
Oats 1Kg (Checkers)				1	13.99

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal						78.67


Fruit & Veg
=======================================================================
Bananas 1.5Kg (P 'n P)			1	12.99
Apples 1.5 Kg (P 'n P)			2	33.98
Papaya per pack of 2 (P 'n P)			1	11.99
Pineapples per pack of 2 (P 'n P)		1	9.99
Cabbage fresh whole head (P 'n P)		1	6.99
Carrots 2.5Kg (P 'n P)			1	15.49
Spinach 300gr Washed/cut (P 'n P)		2	13.98
Sweetcorn pack of 4 (P 'n P)			1	15.99
Onions 2Kg (P 'n P)				1	11.99
Sweet Potatoes 1Kg (P 'n P)			1	11.99
Potatoes 4kg (P 'n P)				1	35.99
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal						181.37


[SIZE="2"]Total: 125.02 + 287.91 + 232.32 + 78.67 + 181.37 = [B][COLOR="Red"]905.29[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE]


From this it is clear that it is possible to buy a month's groceries for 1 with a R1000 budget, and still eat relatively well. You may need to learn how to cook though :)
Click to expand...
 
Last month I spend a total of R800,80 on food, well I spent about R150 on centrum multi-vitamin tablets (60) which is also included on the R800,80. :D

I ate mostly fruits and vegies last month, didn't eat out at all and no junk food whatsoever.
 
Why am I not able to save on my groceries? One person and a small dog and never less than R4,000 (including my smokes).
 
Jewelbox said:
Why am I not able to save on my groceries? One person and a small dog and never less than R4,000 (including my smokes).
Click to expand...

"One person and a small dog" - sounds like the title of a movie :)

Do you eat a lot of meat?
Do you shop at Woolworths?
Do you throw away the leftovers or re-use them a 2nd time?
 
Jewelbox said:
Why am I not able to save on my groceries? One person and a small dog and never less than R4,000 (including my smokes).
Click to expand...

I agree, I also spend a hell of alot during the month! Thing is, I cant cook, so I buy prepared meals or take outs :( If i do cook, its steak and chips, or veg curry - lol!
 
Niccia said:
I agree, I also spend a hell of alot during the month! Thing is, I cant cook, so I buy prepared meals or take outs :( If i do cook, its steak and chips, or veg curry - lol!
Click to expand...

Anyone can cook!
 
Jewelbox said:
Why am I not able to save on my groceries? One person and a small dog and never less than R4,000 (including my smokes).
Click to expand...

Smokes is a killer (both financially and obviously literally!)

1 pack of smokes is what? R15? So, this month you're gonna fork out R420 on those alone? What dog food do you buy? We buy dog food from a Vet and spend R800 a month on 3 dogs - one requires a very special diet though. So, that explains say 1.2k of your 4k food bill... What are you buying with the other 2.8k?? We throw a weekly dinner party and I cook extravagantly and I certainly do not come even close to 2.8k...

When buying food for one, often the problem lies in how much is wasted (i.e, you make enough to feed 2 or 3, but only eat enough for you, the rest goes to waste).

I suggest you invest in some cookbooks that caters for everyday cooking on a budget: simple is great, and learn to only make and prepare exactly what you need. An when deciding what to cook, take out a few ingredients that you have already and work around those.
 
I dont pay for red meat, eggs and chicken (basically have has much as I want).. but even with those costs removed, my food bill is over R1500.
 
very intresting and insightful post ...... thanks
 
w1z4rd said:
I dont pay for red meat, eggs and chicken (basically have has much as I want).. but even with those costs removed, my food bill is over R1500.
Click to expand...
Are you a hunter gatherer?;)

I don't dare add up my bills. I shop fresh and frequently. I never see much change from R100 - R150.
 
blunomore said:
"One person and a small dog" - sounds like the title of a movie :)

Do you eat a lot of meat?
Do you shop at Woolworths?
Do you throw away the leftovers or re-use them a 2nd time?
Click to expand...

You ask that, but I spend a lot of time comparing Woolworths/Spar/PnP Hyper prices and a lot of the time Woolworths comes out cheaper for non-prepared food. Milk can sometimes be substantially cheaper, as can your higher cost meats and fish.
 
Jewelbox said:
Why am I not able to save on my groceries? One person and a small dog and never less than R4,000 (including my smokes).
Click to expand...

Sweet Jesus, stop shopping at Anglo Plat for your milk and bread. A family could live off that easily...

Waste not want not and all of that.

J
 
4k a month is seriously seriously insane. I think i could eat takeaways every day and come out quite a bit less than that.
 
timgaul said:
You ask that, but I spend a lot of time comparing Woolworths/Spar/PnP Hyper prices and a lot of the time Woolworths comes out cheaper for non-prepared food. Milk can sometimes be substantially cheaper, as can your higher cost meats and fish.
Click to expand...

You sure? We moved across the road from a relatively cheap woollies, and their prices are still marginally more expensive across the board. Sure, not everything is extremely expensive, but it's definitely more costly.

I don't handle the food + groceries though, so I'm not 100% on the prices.
 
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