Originally Posted by ridge (Post 2442263)

Think you need to check the math. $350 per week X 52 weeks is $18,200 not $35,000.

Originally Posted by ron32162 (Post 2442319)

350.00 a week x52 weeks in a year is 18,200 not 35k

Originally Posted by richhaller (Post 2442331)

I believe $350 per week for 52 weeks is $18,200 per year, not $35,000.

Originally Posted by MrLonzo (Post 2442307)

$350/week per consumer = $700 per couple as stated.

Originally Posted by ron32162 (Post 2442319)

350.00 a week x52 weeks in a year is 18,200 not 35k

Originally Posted by MrLonzo (Post 2442309)

But you can't turn your assumptions into facts. What is the 'marketing agenda'?
I did contact Popmenu and asked them about their survey methodology. I'm waiting a response.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2442232)

The fact that they didn't define their terms is how I know it. It's one of those dubious "surveys" that companies pay other companies to design for them, to help them spin a marketing agenda.

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2442187)

I doubt if anyone in the bottom half spends more than 50% of their income on food.

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2442196)

Some people criticize AI but this is a weekly budget that AI did in 10 seconds. Most of the items are from Aldi or Walmart so if you shop Publix or if you only eat prime steak it will be a little bit higher. But not 3.5 times higher!

Sample Grocery List for The Villages, FL ($100/week)
**Produce ($26)**
- Bananas (5 lbs): $2.95 ($0.59/lb, ALDI)
- Apples (3 lbs): $4.50 ($1.50/lb, Walmart)
- Carrots (2 lbs): $1.78 ($0.89/lb, ALDI)
- Potatoes (5 lbs): $3.45 ($0.69/lb, Walmart)
- Spinach (1 lb, fresh): $2.20 (ALDI)
- Onions (2 lbs): $2.00 ($1.00/lb, Walmart)
- Tomatoes (2 lbs): $2.80 ($1.40/lb, slightly above national average)
- Bell peppers (2): $2.10 ($1.05 each, ALDI)
- Frozen mixed vegetables (2 lbs): $3.20 ($1.60/lb, Walmart)
- Avocados (2): $2.00 ($1.00 each, ALDI seasonal)

Proteins (~$32)
- Chicken breast (3 lbs, boneless): $9.90 ($3.30/lb, Walmart, reflecting 2024 meat price hikes)
- Ground beef (1 lb, 80/20): $5.00 (up 5.4% from 2024, Walmart)
- Eggs (1 dozen, large): $3.00 (reflecting 57.6% projected increase for 2025)
- Canned tuna (4 cans, 5 oz each): $4.40 ($1.10/can, ALDI store brand)
- Black beans (2 cans, 15 oz each): $1.80 ($0.90/can, ALDI)
- Peanut butter (16 oz jar): $2.70 (ALDI store brand)
- Greek yogurt (32 oz tub, plain): $4.00 (Walmart store brand)

Grains & Pantry (~$23)
- Rice (2 lbs, white): $2.20 ($1.10/lb, ALDI)
- Pasta (2 lbs, spaghetti): $2.00 ($1.00/lb, ALDI)
- Bread (1 loaf, whole wheat): $2.50 (Walmart)
- Tortillas (10-count, flour): $2.00 (ALDI)
- Oats (18 oz, rolled): $2.70 (ALDI)
- Canned tomatoes (2 cans, 15 oz each): $2.20 ($1.10/can, ALDI)
- Olive oil (16 oz bottle): $5.50 (ALDI, reflecting import cost increases)
- Spaghetti sauce (24 oz jar): $2.10 (ALDI store brand)
- Flour (2 lbs, all-purpose): $1.80 (up 36% since 2020, Walmart)

Dairy (~$10)
- Milk (1 gallon, 2%): $3.70 (Walmart, stable pricing)
- Cheddar cheese (8 oz block): $2.60 (ALDI store brand)
- Butter (1 lb): $4.00 (Walmart)

Snacks & Misc (~$9)
- Popcorn kernels (1 lb): $1.50 (ALDI)
- Crackers (16 oz box): $2.80 (Walmart store brand)
- Applesauce (24 oz jar): $2.20 (ALDI)
- Coffee (12 oz ground): $2.50 (ALDI, lower-end price due to import cost concerns)

Total Estimated Cost: $100.23

Originally Posted by manaboutown (Post 2442203)

a glass or two of Bordeaux now and then which probably runs another $400/mo. Life is too short to drink cheap wine.

Originally Posted by SaucyJim (Post 2442275)

Alcohol at home (discretionary)
Alcohol out (discretionary)

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2442335)

Yes, your calculator works correctly, but PLEASE read the entire thread before posting!

Originally Posted by Pugchief (Post 2442386)

I would pay money to watch you and one other person consume that entire pile of food in 30 days. That's an awful lot of food.

Originally Posted by margaretmattson (Post 2442392)

I may be wrong but I think the food is for one week? Looks pretty standard. Eggs, milk, bread, oats for breakfast. Tuna and peanut butter for lunch sandwiches with a piece of fruit. Meat and vegetables for dinner, plus a few snacks.

Originally Posted by Pugchief (Post 2442384)

So true.
@MrLonzo most (all?) of those surveys are agenda driven. Think "Best Places to Retire". Why do you think every single time the top 10 are different?

Originally Posted by Pugchief (Post 2442387)

Would love some recommendations.

Originally Posted by manaboutown (Post 2442408)

My personal favorite. I once enjoyed a vertical tasting at the winery, for free! Chateau Palmer | Time Always Tells

Chateau Margaux

Wines from chateaus in regions such as Margaux, Pauillac , Saint-Emilion, Pomerol, Graves and Haut-Medoc I usually enjoy, some more than others. Rhones, no!

Originally Posted by MrLonzo (Post 2442166)

As noted in today's "The Villages Daily Sun", Popmenu recently reported that the average consumer spends $350 per week on food ($115 on restaurants + $235 on groceries). That's the equivalent of $35,000/year, or close to $100/day per couple. My food expenses are about 1/3 of that, and more in line with other results I found online.

I challenged Popmenu on the results of their survey -- waiting to hear back. Meanwhile, how much do spend?

Originally Posted by Pugchief (Post 2442422)

Thanks! Will check it out.

Edit: At $250-$1000 per bottle, that's out of 99% of the TOTV price range. I can see spending $50, but not beyond that.

Originally Posted by manaboutown (Post 2442436)

Yes I know. Back in the 1990s I was buying Chateau Palmer at $90 - $130/bottle, depending on its vintage. Anymore I only drink it maybe once or twice a month and share a bottle with friends, or they split theirs with me. Since I am not King Charles or Jeff Bezos that will have to do!

A few years ago a long time wine tasting friend of mine died in his 90s. He had an amazing nose and could pretty well nail the mystery wine at the end of the night. On University of California staff member (he held a PhD in physics) salaries he and his wife assembled an amazing wine cellar. He installed a recycled bank vault door on it, no kidding. After he retired he established his own vineyard and winery in Northern New Mexico. It probably helped that they were a dual income childless couple. They took annual trips to France and indulged themselves in meals at the finest restaurants in France. She sold off just part of their cellar for about $2M. I doubt he had more than $100K to $200K in it as he knew how to buy at auctions and from collectors selling some of their wines.

Originally Posted by asianthree (Post 2442441)

Our 40yo wine club invests in new and old world wineries. One of our investments in 1992 was a new winery Screaming Eagle. Every year since 3 bottles of each variety released is signed and cataloged at the cellar. My wine budget is covered for the next 70 years and beyond. It was a lucky wise investment

Originally Posted by Pugchief (Post 2442386)

I would pay money to watch you and one other person consume that entire pile of food in 30 days. That's an awful lot of food.

Originally Posted by J1ceasar (Post 2442581)

I shop at aldis or Walmart, because we all know publix is 30% more

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2442456)

That is a weekly budget. Not a monthly budget.

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2442583)

If you buy BOGOS, Publix and Winn Dixie are cheaper than Aldi or Walmart.

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2442583)

If you buy BOGOS, Publix and Winn Dixie are cheaper than Aldi or Walmart.