Grocery Budget Estimate Template

# Grocery Budget Estimate Template

Trip name: [Grocery trip]
Store or area: [Store / market / pickup order]
Budget target: [Amount]
Review date: [Date]

Staples to protect:
| Item | Category | Estimated cost | Needed for | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Milk] | dairy | [4.50] | [Breakfast] | [Check size] |
| [Rice] | pantry | [8.00] | [Two dinners] | [Buy if low] |
| [Soap] | household | [6.00] | [This week] | [Non-food but same trip] |

Flexible swaps:
| Item | Estimated cost | Swap option | Decision |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Berries] | [7.50] | [Apples or bananas] | [Buy cheapest good option] |
| [Chicken] | [18.00] | [Eggs, beans, tofu, sale protein] | [Choose based on price] |

Optional extras:
| Item | Estimated cost | Cut first? | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Sparkling water] | [12.00] | [Yes] | [Skip if staples run high] |
| [Snack] | [8.00] | [Yes] | [Buy only if budget remains] |

Budget math:
- Staple subtotal: [Amount]
- Flexible subtotal: [Amount]
- Optional subtotal: [Amount]
- Full estimate: [Amount]
- Amount over or under target: [Amount]

Before shopping:
- [ ] Check pantry, fridge, freezer, bathroom, and cleaning supplies.
- [ ] Remove duplicates already at home.
- [ ] Confirm package sizes and current prices.
- [ ] Cut optional extras before staples.
- [ ] Keep payment details and private account notes out of shared lists.