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I find that, including non-foods like cleaning and paper products, I average about $20 a grocery bag. I only buy meat when it's on sale, unless it's something for a specific company meal; thank goodness for the freezer. I do the same with staples like canned tomatoes and butter. I find myself buying less and less in the center of the store (canned, boxed and bagged goods) and more and more on the periphery (produce, dairy, fresh meat/poultry). We have a great fish store, but prices there have doubled in the last 6 months because of the increase in fuel prices. (This is the Midwest; is it happening everywhere?) And our grocery prices in general have suddenly risen over the last 8-10 weeks.

I spend $100-$125 a week on groceries for two vegetarian adults. That includes one weekly trip to the greenmarket for fruits, vegetables, eggs, and millk, and one trip to Trader Joe's (filling in when needed elsewhere) for things like coffee, dried pasta, tofu, cheese, nuts, and grains. This covers three meals a day (we pack lunches), excepting the at most once a week that we eat dinner out.

The weekly total stays about the same year-round, but in the summer the greenmarket edges over 50% of our budget, since we can rely more on fresh fruits and vegetables for our meals, while during the winter months the Trader Joe's total is more, since there are fewer fresh things available and we rely more heavily on packaged goods. Considering this is for almost all meals, and we live in New York City, I think $60 a week is quite reasonable.

Tough not to drop a bunch of money at Wegmans. But the only stuff we buy there is Herdez salsa, since we can't seem to buy it anywhere locally. Otherwise, Trader Joe's is definitely an option.

I have to revise my numbers. Last night I stopped by Trader Joe's and spent $20 on nuts, bread and tuna. However, I didn't actually "need" these items. Just wanted them.

OK, two-part, third question: Do you ever use coupons? I try to, but I find that most of the companies I use don't offer discounts. Do you change brands to save money and take advantage of discounts?

We spend tons of money on food. I have no idea how much. Part of the problem is that food is very expensive in Minnesota. Part of the problem is all our meat is local/organic which equals expensive. Another issue is that I forget stuff all the time, so run down to the local store. That equals ghetto tax. And then we eat out a lot. I bet we spend $150 a week on average for two adults. Very sad.

I seldom use coupons because I cook from scratch, and don't buy much in the way of processed, gimmicky, trendy, brand-name, etc., so it's not generally worth my time to hunt them down and clip them (and then forget to bring them anyway). Club Cards and Costco are my savings routes. I think I'm personally responsible for keeping Costco in business. Yes, teenagers are food vacuum cleaners.

Like a lot of you, I buy whatever I want when I want it, because we are "recreational eaters" and we like what we like. Most of our entertainment is eating out, in fact. But, I do seek out sale pricing, and if it will keep, I definitely stock up, which is why my bill comes out fairly low. And I'm not a brand-devotee overall, just with a few things. So I buy a lot of private label (store brands) to offset the expense of good meat, seafood, produce, bread. And, of course, the necessary, very decent, under-$15 wines so we can splurge on the "good" stuff a couple times a month, or when we dine out.

Trader Joe's. Started shopping there at least 25 years ago when it was just a funky little bargain hole in the wall. Used to do the bulk of my shopping there, but now pretty much refuse to go. It's ruined.

Our food budget is probably shocking to many, but we rarely eat out. We focus on local and organic foods, which tend to cost more. We are two adults and two dogs (61 & 70 pounds who get an organic home prepared diet). I shop at a few farms, small organic markets, a grocery store that can be best described as a smaller version of Whole Foods, and a regular grocery store for a few things. On a monthly basis....it averages about $90 per week each (4 in total/$360). This includes bottled water. I tend to splurge on groceries because we eat at home the majority of the time and we lead a fairly simple lifestyle. We eat fish/seafood on average twice a week (including the dogs) Friends regulary drop by for supper..so on average two nights a week we have another adult or two. I don't often find coupons that work for me because I don't buy popular brands. So, $60 doesn't go to far for us. When a friend commented on how much we spend...I pointed out that if he included eating/drinking out, that his total would surpass ours...to which he replied that he easily spends $300 a week on alcohol.....I guess it depends on one's priorities/interests. Ours appears to be about eating well (our definition of eating well).

Thanks for your responses, folks.

We generally don't eat out much, and I work (and eat lunch) at home. Additionally, I pack my husband's lunch every day as well (turkey and swiss sandwich, organic carrots, organic apple and some snack). We had to cut a lot of expenses when I was on a hiatus, so I guess we just stuck with it.

However, when John's (who eats meat, I don't) supplies dwindle, the costs rise a bit. We did find that buying some things at costco cut the costs, but not for a lot of things.

Another question: have you ever participated in a co-op or a collective food/cooking program (formal or informal)?