February marked month two of the year and another chance to sit down with the calculator and see how our family food budget really held up.
Last year, I set myself the goal of sticking to a £150 per week food budget. Reviewing the full year took some effort, but overall, we managed well — proof that budgeting doesn’t mean sacrificing good food or memorable moments.
That said, there are still months where I wonder how we keep it going, especially when family events and unexpected plans creep in.
How Did We Do on Our February Food Budget?
February started with confidence. I remember thinking, “This should be a simple month — nothing major planned.” As it turns out, February had other ideas.
Valentine’s Day was the first surprise. After my mum saw cupcakes we’d made for our nieces, she asked if we could make Valentine’s cupcakes for the residents at the care home where she works. It was an instant yes. For people who can’t always spend special days with loved ones, something as simple as a cupcake can mean a lot.
With help from my fiancée, we got baking. While the cupcakes were lovely, the real stars were my mum’s handmade red roses — a reminder that small, thoughtful gestures often leave the biggest impression.
Meals, Experiments, and Family Time
We leaned heavily on home‑cooked meals this month, including Spaghetti Carbonara, Salmon Risotto, and a new favourite — BBQ Korean Beef Bowls. We also experimented a little, most memorably with Takis Chicken Tacos, which were as bright as they were bold.
Dessert didn’t disappoint either, with gooey chocolate fondants and vanilla ice cream making more than one appearance.
February also included the school holidays and two weekends of family visits. One particularly expensive day involved crazy golf, Starbucks (I’d forgotten how pricey coffee is), and dinner at Wings — an all‑you‑can‑eat world buffet. Costly, yes, but the memories made it worth every penny.
February Weekly Food Spend
Our food shopping follows payday and is done weekly on Saturdays. Figures below include household toiletries.
- Week 7 (7th): £181.08
- Week 8 (14th): £174.08
- Week 9 (21st): £178.63
- Week 10 (28th): £161.12
👉 Total February food shop: £694.91
👉 Weekly average: £173.73
For transparency, we also spent £237.64 on treats and takeaways, averaging £59.41 per week.
Yes, this pushed us over budget, but most of that overspend came during family visits — something I’m comfortable justifying.
How Do We Compare to the UK Average?
The average UK family spends around £44 per person per week on food. For a family of five, that’s roughly £220 per week or £880 per month.
Our total February food spend, including treats and takeaways, came to £932.55. Higher than planned, but still reasonable — and more importantly, flexible. Months like this remind me why budgeting works long‑term: it allows space for life to happen without stress.
February Food Budget Highlights
The standout memory this month was the crazy golf and family meal out. Close runners‑up include the Valentine’s cupcakes, chocolate fondants, and the unforgettable Takis tacos.
What’s Coming in March?
March is shaping up to be cosy and comforting, with meals like:
- Creamy Leek Mash
- Fajita Traybake
- Sausage and Apple Traybake
- Chocolate Fondants
If there’s a budget‑friendly recipe you’d love me to try, let me know in the comments.
And before you go — what’s your favourite low‑cost family meal? I’d love to feature reader suggestions in a future post.
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