Wednesday, January 15, 2014

How much do you spend for groceries for a family of 4?

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what's up?


We are parents with two teens. I shop the sale items and sometimes travel between two stores - but still I'm spending about $150. per week. Just wondering if that's about normal - high or low?
Thanks!
sorry - American dollars - we are a midwestern family.



Answer
Well, we live in Texas & I spend about that much, however I try to get by Sams at the very least once every 2-3 months. I spend about $400 there though, but I get everything I like in bulk... dish soap, shampoo & conditioner, soaps, tissue, paper towels etc and because I don't go as often as I'd like so I stock up.

When you say groceries, do you mean all that stuff combined? I used to shop at more than one store, sometimes I still do. I'm in a very small town and have to travel out of this awful place in search of a real grocery store.

When I go into the one of the two close cities, I tend to head to Super Walmart too & spend a little more (between $200-250) but that's because I dread shopping local. Unfortunately I only get to the City once or twice a month. Coupons are my friends! It helps keep the cost down and more money in the bank!

My crew is my 17 yr old sports playin' son, my two daughters 13 & 10 yrs old and myself. My son often has a friend or three over and they tend to eat a lot as well. I try to keep things pretty well stocked. We also have two dogs, a doxen & a chi. I always get them treats (or each a toy) when I shop or make their treats from things I have on hand at home.

Is the any tapings i can take a 1 half yr old and 3 yr old with us to? Maybe even like a kids show taping?




Sienna


we will be going to all these places .. L.a, Anaheim, Burbank, Encino, beverly hills, Hollywood & West hollywood. What to do with our two little ones any suggestions?


Answer
Sorry, no tapings. Youngest age I've seen for show tapings is 12YO.

There are literally hundreds of things to do here in LA. Here is my list of âmust seesâ for families with kids. Visit as many as you have time for.:

Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth. Half a billion visitors canât be wrong. #1 Destination.
Universal Studios: A theme park that grew out of a studio tour. #2 Destination.
Even if you donât visit Disneyland or Universal Studios Tour, Downtown Disney District and Universal City Walk are very fun places to visit for shopping and eating. And theyâre free to visit. If youâre adventurous, try the indoor skydiving (www.iflyhollywood.com). Itâs a blast!

Hollywood: Hollywood Boulevard is ready for its close-up, thanks to years of urban renewal and renovation. Most kids wonât really like the Walk of Fame or Chinese Theater, but they might enjoy the people dressed in costume who stand in front of the Chinese Theater. They will pose with you or the kids, and expect tip money. Right across the street is the El Capitan theater, which was restored to its former glory, is owned by Disney and shows Disney movies.

Other theme parks include Knottâs Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain, which are both more geared towards the fast-ride teen crowd.

Olvera Street/Union Station: Olvera Street is the birthplace of LA, and it emphasizes our Mexican heritage. In addition to the Avila Adobe (oldest building in LA), you can eat at some pretty good Mexican Restaurants, do a little shopping, and taste a churro. If you donât want to go to Tijuana, this is as close as it gets without going there. Union Station has great architecture from a bygone age. Also, you are 2 blocks from Phillippeâs (see below).

Santa Monica Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. (The Sting and "Three's Company" come immediately to mind).Bubba Gump Shrimp Company right on the pier. Kids love the rides on the pier, and the games. Or just playing in the sand.

Griffith Park - Home of the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, Pony Rides and Griffith Park Railroad, Merry-Go-Round, and Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage. While the zoo is not as good as San Diego Zoo, it is still good, and enough to entertain most kids. The Pony Rides and railroad are for the younger kids. Travel Town is a rail museum where youâre not SUPPOSED to climb on the engines, but kids have been ignoring those signs for 40 years. The recently renovated Observatory is a lot of fun. Or you can just play in one of the picnic areas in the park. There are plenty of toys to play on.

Los Angeles Science Center: A favorite museum for kids for over 40 years. Exposition Park, by the Coliseum.

Discovery Science Center, Santa Ana: The big cube right next to I-5, exit Main St.

Los Angeles Childrenâs Museum: Located in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area, currently under construction. Original location near the music Center is closed.

La Brea Tar Pits/Paige Museum: What kid doesnât like dinosaur exhibits?

Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach: Lots of fun marine exhibits for kids to explore. And the mac and cheese at Bubba Gumpâs across the street is good, too.

Legoland, Carlsbad: This is more of a San Diego attraction, but kids 10 and under generally love it.

Places to Stay:
Since LA is so spread out, there is no single place that is close to EVERYTHING. Most people who come here tend to stay in Hollywood, Santa Monica, or Anaheim. In Hollywood, I recommend the Orchid Suites, Hollywood Celebrity Hotel, or Holiday Inn Walk of Fame, all near Hollywood and Highland. In Santa Monica, the Holiday Inn Santa Monica is close to the pier and reasonably priced. In Anaheim, I recommend the Howard Johnson (HoJo) Anaheim, and the Candy Cane Inn. There is also a nice place in Burbank called the Best Western Media Center, very close to Warner, NBC, and Universal Studios.

Places to eat:
In-N-Out Burger: Multiple locations, best burger in LA, ask anyone.
Pinkâs Hot Dogs: 709 N. La Brea, just north of Melrose. You might even see a celebrity. Maybe.
Tommyâs Chili Burgers: Look for the shack, an LA tradition. The original location is at Beverly & Rampart, a couple miles west of downtown.
Canterâs Deli: 419 N. Fairfax, between Beverly & Melrose. Near CBS, you might spot a celebrity.
Phillippeâs: 1001 N. Alameda. Great roast beef sandwiches. Near Union Station and Olvera Street. Watch the mustard, itâs hot.
Titoâs Tacoâs: Voted best tacos in LA, even though itâs in Culver City. King Taco is a good alternate if you can deal with East LA.
The Pantry: Corner of Figueroa and 9th, downtown. Huge portions, they never close, GREAT steak and eggs.
Medieval Times and/or Pi

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