What is reasonable food expense

[cachase]

Hi Moe,

We are a family of 4. I am filling in the Financial information sheet and I would like to find from all the experts and the successful modification people in this forum - about what is the highest amount that we could fill for food expense...

THanks to all.

[Evan Bedard]

Hi cachase,

We are a family of 4. I am filling in the Financial information sheet and I would like to find from all the experts and the successful modification people in this forum - about what is the highest amount that we could fill for food expense...

It depends, do you have little kids or teenagers? How much do you believe you spend a month on food?

[Riley18]

I was told that $100 per person each month was a reasonable amount.

[rachel_p]

I also think that $100 a person per month is reasonable.

We are a family of 6, and we put $600/month - which also includes things like cleaning supplies and diapers.

Supposedly, we have been approved for a permanent (so they keep saying), so I guess they didn't think that was too unreasonable.

[cachase]

Evan - I have kids 10&13y olds.

Is this true that i need to balance the budget such a way that gross - total exp should be little deficit before mod?

Since the gross is arround 13600 and my expenses including the pre mod mortgages I am coming up with 1300 surplus after mod it will 3600 surplus.

Is that fine?

[cachase]

Evan - if the bank consider the taxes and look into net then the upfront number will turn into deficit than surplus. Do they ever consider any taxes we need to pay that too especially for people with higher loan bracket we are into?

[cachase]

Hi All when I doing some web searching I found this document from USDA about food costs. It is good to check this out as a reference point.

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publication...fFoodAug09.pdf

[diana0806]

Hey cachase, i have 2 adults and 3 young children ages 4-5-9. They eat like horses. I put down 900.00 . They never questioned it. The way my kids eat it could be more. We food shop at wal mart. Best deals. In my case 100 bucks a person would not last 2 weeks. Snacks, lunch for school. With my wife being sick. We also have take out alot. If i tried to cook it would be a disaster. Hang in there. We will prevail!!!!!!!!!!!

[snapple candy]

diana,
I too have 3 teens and I sure could not feed them on $100 a month unless it was rice and beans.
cachase,
I think the IRS and or BK Courts have guidelines to calculate what is reasonable to expect to pay per person. I suggest looking there. US Dept. Health and Human services also has poverty guidelines you might be able to glean that from.

[wanttokeepit]

In my case we are also a family of four (with two kids, ages 7 & 3) We put down 950 a month for groceries (this includes cleaning supplies, paper supplies, etc...), considering during and after school snacks, buying lunch @ work, plus trying to keep a healthy diet at home I think 100 doesn't even come close to covering it. In our case we discovered we were actually spending more than the 950 we put down, and that was also because we mismanaged (not looking for better deals, not using coupons, buying everything in one place) we now look for deals and shop around and use all coupons available, and have somewhat controlled those expenses, but it's still not too far off the stated $950

[OH-WAMU]

Same here, Family of 4, kids ages 6 and 8. We were spending $300 every two weeks, so I thought $600/mo. was WAY OUT OF LINE until I saw that document cachase posted above! Now I know we are on target with that cost.

[diana0806]

Hey snapple, that was a good one. I just got out of bk 13 this month . 3 years ago they had me down for 750.00 for food which was crazy. Now with prices going up and living in nj ,the tax capitol of usa, i need at least 900-1,000 a month. Also my kids do not like rice and beans. Ha ha. Hang in there ca chase. We will prevail!!!!!!

[lnguyen]

hi all

reasonable food cost per month per person is $150. this information is from bank that i deal with for the loan mod

[wanttokeepit]

I guess it all depends on where you live. in NJ $150 per person per month will be way short of what's needed to cover food costs.

[THANKS2U]

Originally Posted by wanttokeepit

I guess it all depends on where you live. in NJ $150 per person per month will be way short of what's needed to cover food costs.

I am so Frickin pissed off at many of the food cost statements - 100 per month per person ?? that is POVERTY & very poor eating.

On average a HEALTHY ADULT will eat on average for 1 single meal a cost of approximately $5.50 to $8.50 per each individual meal - This easily adds up to say $7.00 per meal x 3 meals per day - So 7 x 3 = 21 / about 20 dollars per day per adult person = So $20 x 30 days easily equals AT LEAST $600 per month per person...

This $600 per person, per month, includes meat / or any good quality Protein source per each meal. High quality, high fiber carbs per each meal. Goverment recommended servings of Fruits and vegetable per each meal and Liquids, including cows milk or other fortified calcium sources such as Rice milk, soy milk, hemp milk, almond milk etc.

DO NOT BE BRAINWASHED AND LIVE IN DENIAL ABOUT HOW MUCH HIGH QUALITY FOOD COSTS AND HOW MUCH IT ACTUALLY COSTS TO FEED YOUR FAMILY

Now, on the FLIP SIDE OF THE COIN. if you need to lower your expenses to pass into the bull-crap banks MANIPULATING Modification BS, lower your food bills to Qualify -

However, as far as i am concerned PRESIDENT OBAMA SHOULD HAVE MADE THE P I T I A INTO THE P I T I A F The F is for Food and the cost allowed should be at least 20 per day for adults or really for people 13 and above, as teenagers eat a lot and then say 10 per day for those who are 12 and below...

First they STARVE US FINANCIALLY AND NOW THEY ARE LITERALLY STARVING US OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME !

Sadly, at this point, food costs must be manipulated inot whatever will get you qualified for a loan Restructuring, Modification or Refi, so the banks will properly allow you a new loan and not ddeny you

SO SAD SO SICK - A CURSE ON ALL THESE CORRUPT BANKS !

[jakelabry]

Originally Posted by THANKS2U

I am so Frickin pissed off at many of the food cost statements - 100 per month per person ?? that is POVERTY & very poor eating.

On average a HEALTHY ADULT will eat on average for 1 single meal a cost of approximately $5.50 to $8.50 per each individual meal - This easily adds up to say $7.00 per meal x 3 meals per day - So 7 x 3 = 21 / about 20 dollars per day per adult person = So $20 x 30 days easily equals AT LEAST $600 per month per person...

This $600 per person, per month, includes meat / or any good quality Protein source per each meal. High quality, high fiber carbs per each meal. Goverment recommended servings of Fruits and vegetable per each meal and Liquids, including cows milk or other fortified calcium sources such as Rice milk, soy milk, hemp milk, almond milk etc.

DO NOT BE BRAINWASHED AND LIVE IN DENIAL ABOUT HOW MUCH HIGH QUALITY FOOD COSTS AND HOW MUCH IT ACTUALLY COSTS TO FEED YOUR FAMILY

Now, on the FLIP SIDE OF THE COIN. if you need to lower your expenses to pass into the bull-crap banks MANIPULATING Modification BS, lower your food bills to Qualify -

However, as far as i am concerned PRESIDENT OBAMA SHOULD HAVE MADE THE P I T I A INTO THE P I T I A F The F is for Food and the cost allowed should be at least 20 per day for adults or really for people 13 and above, as teenagers eat a lot and then say 10 per day for those who are 12 and below...

First they STARVE US FINANCIALLY AND NOW THEY ARE LITERALLY STARVING US OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME !

Sadly, at this point, food costs must be manipulated inot whatever will get you qualified for a loan Restructuring, Modification or Refi, so the banks will properly allow you a new loan and not ddeny you

SO SAD SO SICK - A CURSE ON ALL THESE CORRUPT BANKS !

Wow, by your calculations, a family of four would spend $28,800.00 per year (4x600=2400x12) on food! I think that's a little extreme.

[THANKS2U]

Originally Posted by cachase

Hi All when I doing some web searching I found this document from USDA about food costs. It is good to check this out as a reference point.

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publication...fFoodAug09.pdf

This is the problem with banks and politicians, they both have NO SENSE OF TRUE FINANCIAL REALITY !

The cost indicated on that goverment site ? are if you eat crap -

Maybe this is why healthcare is such a big expense..

People are not properly informed on how to eat well and so it goes, poor eating equals high healthcare costs

AGAIN THE PRESIDENT SHOULD MAKE THE P I T I A into the PITIA F

Food is needed, or else we will die and purchasing high quality food, at TRUTHFUL PRICE INDEXES, should be made part of the PITIA equation

[wanttokeepit]

I agree with Thanks2u, I don't know about spending 28k per year on food, but do realize that food costs can get out of hand specially if you just get what you need without paying close attention to prices. If you only get the "good stuff" low-sodium, low sugar, high in fiber, etc... you will be paying a huge premium and before you know it you'll be spending easily 16,000/year for a family of four at least around the NY metropolitan area. In order for us to eat well and maintain food costs manageable, we have to put in "preparation time" before we go out food shopping. Looking for specials(buy two get one free, etc..), items of the week, clipping coupons from the Sunday paper, visiting more than one supermarket, etc.. Don't let anyone tell you, you are expected to live on $100 per month, you'll be going to bed hungry and clog your arteries with crap, I mean anybody could get 75% lean ground beef for $1.79/lb, but would you really want to eat the 25% of junk that's grounded in there?

[wanttokeepit]

Perfect example:
1 gallon of grade A maple syrup: $55.00
1 gallon of (corn syrup based) pancake syrup (plus a bunch of ingredients I can't even spell or pronounce): $ 17.49
Not that most of us would buy a gallon, but the same price difference exist on smaller containers.

[snapple candy]

I had a friend of mine whom is disabled and has a hubby (also disabled) and two teen boys. She works at the food bank at a church to get extra food, as well as on food stamps. Food stamps are only considered "supplemental". She made this point to me about those on food stamps and others on welfare are overweight alot of the times (she is-was a former nurse) and due to the fact that the cheapest foods are high in calories and not necessarily great on nutritional value and additives. Such as pasta, rice, breads,etc.
Im a single parent of 3 teens and busy working 3 crap jobs and going to school. My biggest expense that I could use to cut back on is food costs. I am so busy working for peanuts that I dont have time to preparation time before I shop or for cooking a decent meals. Often I am so exhausted when I come home, I get something that is fast and not very good nutrition. Fast food often can add up to alot of $$$. Working 3-4 hours at close to min wage can be wiped out by a stop at the local restaurant for take out to feed my kids on the way home. I see the problem but struggling to figure out a way to change this. I posted an add for a cheap room at the local college in the culinary dept in hopes of getting a roomer that wants to cook for my family. So far no takers yet.

[Marie T]

I put down $600 for food for two adults and two kids and that is for cleaning supplies, paper products, etc...and I have heard both that it was too much...from the guy at Chase Homeownership and that it was too little....the foreclosure counselor and my attorney both thought it was too low. I agree it is really tight but I cook a lot from scratch and maybe like Snapple, I should be spending more time trying to earn money than cooking...it is a tough call.

We almost never eat out. I have gained some weight recently but can't really blame it on not spending enough money on food...I weighed a lot more when I was making lots of money, lost about fifty pounds and now I have gained about ten back from stress eating I think.

Snapple you might try putting dinner in the crock pot before you head out to work. I use it a lot because I love the idea of coming home and having dinner ready...almost makes me feel like someone else has cooked for me. One trick that I do at least every other week is buy two roasted chickens at Sam's Club at $4.99 each, we have roast chicken then I cut off some chicken and freeze for a future meal. I then make chicken noodle soup from the remaining chicken and bones and basically get about 4 or 5 meals out of two chickens. I use the egg noodles from Sam's and it is really thick so makes a hearty meal. I think my family likes the "homemade" soup better than the original chicken dinner!

[THANKS2U]

Originally Posted by jakelabry

Wow, by your calculations, a family of four would spend $28,800.00 per year (4x600=2400x12) on food! I think that's a little extreme.

I 100 % Agree with you !!!

$28,800 to feed a family of 4 adults, is not only, as you state, quote -" a little EXTREME," it is VERY EXTREME !!!

However, the very extreme TRUTH is that, if 4 adult people are eating healthy, high quality, non toxic foods and are ONLY eating just the bare bones minimum of the United States governments recommended daily allowances of protein, Calcium, High fiber carbs, fruits, vegetables etc, you will absolutley be spending at least $25,000 to $30,000 + a year on food and drink alone.

Or you can eat like crap for 12,000 and then feed the Healthcare system and the Drug companies the other 12,000 + for paying the price of not eating well....

I know your statement was meant to disagree with me and that is of course your right and if you can truthfully feed 4 people in a truly healthy, non-toxic way, for less than $30,000 a year - God Bless You...

But in my opinion, the food cost I stated is the sad truth of an economy that is way out of hand and way too GREEDY....

Remeber when 75 % of the farms in this country were taken over by corporate America - The F in Banks !!!

These F in BANKS did the same thing to Farm Owners then as they are doing to us Homeowners now -

The Banks Sucked the farmers dry then foreclosed on them and sold all their belongings and farm equipment for cash.

Then the banks sold the farms to corporations

How easily we ALL forget, including me..

The Banks are to blame for all our financial troubles and now we must be responsible for politically KILLING these Banking Beasts.

Focus on the Banking beasts, they are the TRUE ENEMY !

[darlyj]

My SIL has a good rule for food ingredients: If you have to sound it out, then it probably shouldn't go into your body. Most ingredients that you can pronounce your body actually knows what to do with in moderation - the other stuff just sits in your arteries.

We have three small but growing kids (5, 4, and 2) and my five year old eats more than I do when she's having a growth spurt (as she is now)...and no, she's not overweight. What I wouldn't give for HALF of THAT metabolism. Anyway, DH got the $100 per person per month figure from NACA and I laughed out loud. I think even DES allows more than that, and a DES diet is not necessarily the most healthy.

I was recently reminded of the fact that I was diagnosed with high cholesterol as a teenager (I'm 30 now) and we are pretty sure most of that had to do with all of the high sodium, high fat, high cholesterol, processed foods that my sister and I ate growing up (money was very tight). Admittedly DH and I were doing the same thing, but I just can't do that to my kids anymore. Luckily for me he whole-heartedly agrees. It does take more moneywise but it is money well spent.

[Jillian118]

I do maries trick too. I eat the one, but then I will make chicken enchiladas out of the second one and soup from all the bones. I also like dark meat, so I will buy the chicken thigh meat and barbeque that since is a fraction of the cost of breast meat, which I will buy only on sale. I only buy meats on sale anyway then sock it away in the freezer. I love my crockpot too....you can cook just about anything in there.