With 2026 underway, I’ve organized our household data for 2025.
This post focuses on “Food Expenses,” visualizing exactly where and how much we spent each month.
💡 Note on Categorization
To keep things simple, shopping at stores like drugstores or big-box retailers (Don Quijote) is split between “Food” and “Daily Necessities” based on the items purchased. This report only covers pure Food Expenses.
School lunch fees for the three children are categorized under “Education” and are excluded from this report.
1. 2025 Food Expense Grand Total
2025 was a year of “Price Hikes.” Due to rising raw material costs and currency fluctuations, the price of daily essentials kept climbing. Here is how our family of 5 faced these challenges.
- 【Total Food Spending 2025】 $6,537 (approx. ¥980,525)
- 【Monthly Average】 approx. $545 (approx. ¥81,710)
Comparison: > According to government statistics, the average monthly food cost for a family of 4-5 is typically around $670–$730. We managed to keep ours around $545, saving about $130–$180 per month!
2. Monthly Category Breakdown
Our dining out ratio was only 11.9%. The biggest weapon against inflation was a “home-cooked meal lifestyle.”
(Table omitted for brevity, but convert all Yen values: Monthly Total $545 / Groceries $347 / Conv. Store $129 / Dining Out $65 / Vending Machines $4)
3. Detailed Spending by Shop Type
Here is the breakdown of the stores we rely on.
| Month | Local Supermarket | Coop | Don Quijote | Conv. Store | Dining Out | Others* | Monthly Total |
| Total | $1,393 | $651 | $640 | $1,550 | $781 | $1,522 | $6,537 |
| Avg. | $116 | $54 | $53 | $129 | $65 | $127 | $545 |
(Others: Vending machines, local bakeries, specialty grocery stores, etc.)
※Note on Dining Out: Our dining out costs include my husband’s office drinking parties (Nomikai). Looking at the data, our spending spikes whenever he has work-related events. While professional networking is important, it’s clear that managing these “individual” dining costs is a key challenge for 2026.
4. Smart Shopping Strategies
- No. 1: Convenience Stores ($129/mo)Mostly my husband’s daily lunches. For 2026, we’re aiming to reduce this by packing lunches at least once a week.
- No. 2: Local Supermarkets ($116/mo)Our main source for fresh meat and produce. We utilize specific “Sale Days” (on the 7th, 17th, and 27th of each month) to stock up and use loyalty points to lower the bill.
- No. 3: Dining Out ($65/mo)We don’t believe in “zero” treats. Home-cooking makes our family restaurant visits feel even more special!
5. 2026 Improvement Goals
- Optimizing Conv. Store & Social Dining: Sharing the data with my husband to encourage “smarter spending” on work lunches and social drinks.
- Strict Shopping Lists: Using shared digital lists to avoid impulse buys.
- Meal Prepping: Freezing seasoned meats on sale days to help “future me” on busy days.
6. Looking Ahead to 2026
As my three children grow, their appetites will only increase. As a mother, I never want to say “no” to their hunger or compromise the quality of our meals. This is exactly why I manage our budget so strictly—to ensure our table is always full of smiles and good food.
In 2026, I will continue to eliminate waste so we can spend money where it truly matters!
Next up: “Daily Necessities & Drugstore Report.” See you then!🌸
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