robin1234

Just don't buy meat in Walmart, it's inedible. Fruit and veg is poor quality. Some of the prepackaged stuff is OK though.

dan_j

Correction I topped it up to 600.

Pulaski

Despite all the grocery bill "doom mongers", including me, I think we'd all agree that the best (lowest cost) possible outcome would be that you'd spend the same number of dollars as you currently spend pounds. And the would be a stretch. ..... $500? Not a hope in hell!
Agreed, the meat at Walmart is generally poor quality, we find the fruit and vegetable "variable", perhaps because it doesn't have to be transported all the way to New England or northern Upstate NY. In-season salad vegetables are generally OK at Walmart, as is sweet corn, down here at least.

N1cky

Still not enough.

With a family of 5, how many loaves of bread do you go through in 1 week?

HumphreyC

Ah - apologies I misunderstood

Maybe budget for $900-ish a month if you go for the low-end equivalent of what you are spending now. Sounds like a lot but you need to see it as a proportion of your likely household income in the US. Oh and make sure you get a bread-maker.

Not the worst idea. I've got a couple of acres of woods now and it's all a little overwhelming.

dan_j

point taken my wife is quite savvy in those matters, she makes her own bread
and this kind of stuff ... she has her own golden rule: "you can judge the store by its floor ..."

Pulaski

How many do you go through? The three of us get through most of a loaf most weeks, but never more than one. If I stopped eating bread a loaf would last us a month.

dan_j

3 home made ones:
Mama D's Italian Bread Recipe - Allrecipes.com

, depending on the week maybe + one from telcos as well:
Warburtons Toastie Sliced White Bread 800G - Groceries - Tesco Groceries

Like I said my wives reviewed the US market prices, we are comfortable with
$600.

Pulaski

How many do you have?

christmasoompa

Despite that fact that every single person that's actually living in the US (many in the area you're looking at) have said that it's unrealistic, and that you'll be eating rubbish if you try to stick to that budget?

HumphreyC

That's the equivalent of slashing your existing food budget to 400 quid.

To have the best chance of hitting that target aim to do your shopping at Market Basket. Avoid Price Chopper.

Ali M

I grew up in NH, and as a child there was not at all aware of costs.... But, we lived very comfortably, and we never had air conditioning in our house, nor did I ever know anyone who did. It's unusual there, although the summers are nicely hot. Also, you certainly will not need a 4x4, as someone mentioned. Roads are plowed very clear, and salted like crazy. You will just need a good shovel and a strong back for your own driveway. Summers are gorgeous there, but winters are fierce and long. I wouldn't move back because of the winters - I like to be outdoors too much and the winters can really make you feel cooped up. But there's a lot to love, too: mountains, coastline (a little), lakes, gorgeous summers...

dan_j

Quick summary:

- $ 600 groceries (possibly up to $900)
- $ 300 car insurance - 2 cars
- $ 20 Umbrella Insurance
- $ 120 internet, phone, TV
- $ 200 propane based heating / air conditioning(avg) 3 bedroom (~2000 sq./ft.)
{oil based NE - might be as much as about $600-800 per month from November-March, overall yearly 6K - 3,000 sq ft.}
- $ ___ electricity (avg / month) 5 people - 3 bedroom house (up to $200 - 250 month)
- $ ___ extra school spendings (after school activities including sport related)
- $ 150 3 cell plans
- $ 250 (70c / litre / on avg 3050 km shared by 2 cars per month with avg 10l / 100km)
- $ ___ water (avg / month)
- $2000 rent - 3 bedroom (~200 sq./ft.)
- $____ medical insurance - ($300 to $1500) family of 5 depending on work based benefits (if any) and an income
- $____ water (n/a if renting)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GT: $3640

Pointers:
- get a job with medical insurance included,
- rent a house, with efficient / modern heating system preferably propane based,
- rent a house in the within a (even small) city area, it would lower gas costs

Any other thoughts, especially on electricity (just have had one report so far), water, school and after school spendings

Pulaski

I think our work here is done.

Philk

but how much cake do you eat?