Weekly food costs and how to reduce them.

Independent Living Investigation

In our group of 4, we were given a task in which we had to investigate an issue relating to moving out of home or living away from home. We were given such examples as:

•Cost of putting on Utilities

•Cost of setting up a kitchen

•Weekly food Costs

•Internet shopping Vs supermarket shopping

Our group decided to investigate a form of one of the examples given, our main question was

"Can you afford your weekly food costs?"

We were then asked to divide this question up into three sub questions to aid us in answering it fully. Our group decided on the following three questions to help us answer it.

•What is the average food cost?

•What is the average wage?

•What can you do to lower the cost of food shopping?

In order to help us answer these questions we used a few sources.

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Firstly our group decided to go to the computer room in order to answer our first question.

We discovered that for an average twenty year old living six years ago in a similar country the price was about $90 a week (after currency change and inflation) thus giving us a close answer to our first question.

Secondly, we investigated the average wage. This time we took what we already knew about working and expanded it. On a 40 hour week on $15 dollars an hour, you would earn $600 before tax, so it became clear that after other expenses (such as rent which we found could be quite cheap if you shared with a few friends) that you could afford the food costs if you budgeted.

Finally, the question of what you can do to lower your food cost came to us. This section was quite large and we decided that we would break down this question to highlight some of the main things people can do, as there were just too many that were usually only slightly beneficial.

The following things can help you lower your food expenditure:

•Comparing prices from supermarket to supermarket can benefit you greatly, finding the cheapest store in which to shop.

•Buying non-perishable goods in bulk, for example buy a big pack or rice rather than small packets.

•Not shopping on an empty stomach, shopping without having had something to eat makes you subconsciously buy more than you actually need.

•Do not take children shopping with you; they can be a great hindrance when they insist on purchasing products that are overpriced and full of rubbish.

•Before you go shopping, write down a list of what you need to buy and stick to the list, budget what you need over that of what you would like to have.

In conclusion, it is quite easy to afford your weekly shopping costs if you follow a few simple guidelines which can help you not only save money, but also time and keep you healthier, happier and less stressed. It also allows you to spend more money on going out once a week in which to enjoy yourself as you saved money from budgeting food costs.

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Svenska: Självbetjäningsbutik i Svedmyra

English: Laneco – Food Lane Supermarkets logo.