I would say our bill has gone down. There's only my husband and I and one son left at home so I usually make a good meat and potatoes meal with a salad in the evening (I don't get any potatoes though ) and I'm always eating the leftover meat and vegetables for lunch the next day. In addition, I've stopped buying chips, sodas, candy, etc. which can really add up. I know my fridge is a lot cleaner these days because I'm always using up the leftovers!

Mine has gone up a bit. But I use coupons creatively hehe. We have a double coupon store (up to .99) and if I see a coupon I can use such as for cheese (usually Kraft) or tuna or whatever I get multiples of them. I know this sounds crazy but we have a dumpster for recycling newspapers here and I'll go early Tues am and pull out the coupon inserts that other people tossed out. Then I'll have like 20 coupons for stuff I can use. The other week I just bought 20 packages of 8oz Kraft cheeses for $1.25 each (that's $2.50#..cheap) and stuck most of them in the freezer. Cheese freezes fine.
Anyway that's what I do lol.

I posted here back in early Feb. We are spending less, not only did we cut out the restraunts, but we seem to enjoy our limited menus so buying in bulk works great and saves money. I will say that it's just me and DH and we're both doing this WOE.

I think I'm spending less. I used to drop 50-60 a week at Trader Joe's, now I'm down to 30-40. I buy the occassional marked down meat at the grocery stores that is nearing its sell by date, then I freeze it and cook it later. I don't buy a lot of processed foods, so I think that keeps things cheaper too.

I really haven't noticed any difference. I have always kept the freezer stocked with meat (buy cheap in bulk) and we always have had salad fixings and tons of frozen veggies in the house.

I usually always kept real butter on hand for baking - I think the only real change has been from buying half and half to buying cream.

I bought a bottle of vitamins when I started this but they'll last me six months.

I don't buy any of the frankenfoods, maybe that makes a difference - I don't want to replace things and end up 'missing' them - I don't miss them, so why substitute?

Pam

ours has stayed about the same, we were low fat before and most low fat items are expensive and never go on sale, so it evens out i think.... we stick to whole foods now so it's about the same... well worth the expense that's for sure =0)

I used to buy a lot of veggies and make my own salads when I first started. And a lot of it went to waste. Now I buy salads at Wendys or McD's and use my own dressing. It's much less of a pain in the butt (I hate chopping veggies).

Sometimes when things are out of season its cheaper to buy the salad bar veggies that most groceries have now then the bags .Bags of lettuce were up over $5.00 a lb.(they are 8-10oz bags but the salad bar stayed at 3.49.

Considering that I don't go out to eat out very often and don't bring take out home for dinner, I spend about the same as before and that includes Atkins supplements. I also throw away a lot less food now.

I spend a ton more at the grocery store! However, that is merely a trade-off, since my husband & I usually at out for dinner.

I am quite pleased with the change, though - I have always liked to cook

I break about even since I don't eat out nearly as often. Marty

Woo! I made out at the grocery store today. I got:

2 rump roasts (B1G1 FREE) $1.99#
4 packages reduced green onions (8 bunches) $.50 each
3 packages reduced green beans (about 1# each) $.50 each
1 package reduced brussel sprouts $.45
4 1# packages reduced cooked ham $.99 each
4 1# packages reduced bulk sausage $.99 each
4 large heads broccoli $.68 each

Meat goin right in freezer. Will blanch and freeze most of the produce and eat the brussel sprouts for dinner with leftover ham tonight.

I get so darn excited when I get deals like this lol.

Ummmm.... brussel sprouts. *slurp* I forgot about brussel sprouts.

I don't think it makes an impact on my grocery bill as much as it makes an impact on eating out for lunch. Before, I could just go and grab a sandwich, chineese, or a burger value meal. Now I feel like choices are limited and I end up at a restaurant or ordering takeout from a restaurant. That has had a major impact on the budget.

I think that buying whole foods and good meats has really increased my bill...I am finding now, however that it isn't as bad as before because I have a stock of stuff to cook with and am learning what to buy and not to buy.