Free tool · runs in your browser
Grocery and Food Budget
Food scales sublinearly with household size and changes sharply with how often you cook. Set both explicitly.
The additional-person share reflects shared staples and cooking. One person eating alone does not cost half of two people cooking the same meals.
Cooking is the big lever
Two households with the same income can differ by hundreds a month based on how often they cook. Delivery adds a fee, a markup and a tip to food you could have bought at the shop. If the budget is tight, price the delivery line honestly before cutting groceries.
Prices move after arrival
The first shop is not representative: you buy staples, spices and cleaning products all at once. Track the second and third month before setting a permanent number.
Frequently asked questions
Why 4.33 weeks?
A month averages about 4.33 weeks (52 weeks ÷ 12 months). Using 4 understates the monthly cost.
Should I include alcohol?
Include it if you drink, in the line where you would actually spend it. Excluding it makes the budget look better than reality.
Is eating out cheaper abroad?
It depends on the market and the restaurant tier. In some cities restaurant food is relatively cheap; in others it is the fastest way to blow a budget.