Rethinking Our Kitchen Grocery Expenses; Too Much or Too Little !

Grocery bills have a bad habit of feeling bigger than they really are, especially when media keeps talking food inflation. This survey dives into the real numbers, habits, and myths behind kitchen spending in a typical middle-class Indian home. Let’s see if perception matches reality.

Step 1 of 4

SECTION 1: The Grocery Ground Reality

What’s actually happening in your kitchen? Let’s start by mapping your kitchen’s real story - how much you spend, how often you cook, and what really shapes your grocery bill decisions.

Q1. On average, how much is your monthly grocery + kitchen essentials bill?

INR 10,000 – 15,000

INR 15,000 – 25,000

INR 25,000 – 40,000

SECTION 1: The Grocery Ground Reality

What’s actually happening in your kitchen? Let’s start by mapping your kitchen’s real story - how much you spend, how often you cook, and what really shapes your grocery bill decisions.

Q2. In a typical week, how many meals are cooked at home (not counting chai, snacks)?

15–18 (mostly dinner + weekend lunch)

19–24 (homecooked most days, some dining out)

25–30 (almost every meal is homecooked)

SECTION 1: The Grocery Ground Reality

What’s actually happening in your kitchen? Let’s start by mapping your kitchen’s real story - how much you spend, how often you cook, and what really shapes your grocery bill decisions.

Q3. What drives your grocery budgeting more?

Stick to a fixed budget monthly.

Depends on prices and offers — I adjust each month.

No fixed rule — we shop as needed.

SECTION 1: The Grocery Ground Reality

What’s actually happening in your kitchen? Let’s start by mapping your kitchen’s real story - how much you spend, how often you cook, and what really shapes your grocery bill decisions.

Q4. Do you track your grocery expenses separately from eating out or delivery food bills?

Yes — separate categories

Somewhat — depends on the month

No — food is food, all in one bucket

SECTION 2: Meal Math — Cooking Frequency & Cost Sense

Now let’s crunch the kitchen numbers. Who’s eating at home, how often elaborate dishes appear, and whether you really know the true cost of each plate.

Q5: Roughly how many family members eat all meals from home daily?

2–3

4–5

SECTION 2: Meal Math — Cooking Frequency & Cost Sense

Now let’s crunch the kitchen numbers. Who’s eating at home, how often elaborate dishes appear, and whether you really know the true cost of each plate.

Q6: Do you ever calculate how much a homecooked meal actually costs per person?

Yes — I’ve done this many times.

I’ve guessed, not calculated.

No — never thought about it.

SECTION 2: Meal Math — Cooking Frequency & Cost Sense

Now let’s crunch the kitchen numbers. Who’s eating at home, how often elaborate dishes appear, and whether you really know the true cost of each plate.

Q7: How often do you cook slightly elaborate meals like paneer curry, biryani, or fried snacks?

Only on weekends or special days

Once every 2–3 days

Almost every day — rich meals are regular

SECTION 2: Meal Math — Cooking Frequency & Cost Sense

Now let’s crunch the kitchen numbers. Who’s eating at home, how often elaborate dishes appear, and whether you really know the true cost of each plate.

Q8: What best describes your kitchen?

Predominantly vegetarian

Non-vegetarian twice or more a week

Mixed pattern with flexible preferences

SECTION 3: Grocery Style — Buying, Brands, and Bulk

From shopping habits to brand loyalty, this section uncovers how you choose, stock, and spend on groceries and how those choices quietly shape your monthly bill.

Q9: How do you typically shop for groceries?

One big monthly stock + weekly fresh top-ups

Frequent small purchases

App-based orders, often in parts

SECTION 3: Grocery Style — Buying, Brands, and Bulk

From shopping habits to brand loyalty, this section uncovers how you choose, stock, and spend on groceries and how those choices quietly shape your monthly bill.

Q10: What influences your choice of grocery items the most?

Price and offers

Brand trust and quality

Freshness, local sourcing

SECTION 3: Grocery Style — Buying, Brands, and Bulk

From shopping habits to brand loyalty, this section uncovers how you choose, stock, and spend on groceries and how those choices quietly shape your monthly bill.

Q11: Do you often buy ready-to-cook or frozen foods?

Rarely — I cook from scratch

Sometimes — for backup or time crunch

Regularly — convenience first

SECTION 3: Grocery Style — Buying, Brands, and Bulk

From shopping habits to brand loyalty, this section uncovers how you choose, stock, and spend on groceries and how those choices quietly shape your monthly bill.

Q12: What about branded kitchen staples (oil, atta, pulses, masalas)?

Mostly trusted local brands or unbranded packs

Mix of local and big brands

All premium brands only

SECTION 4: Mindsets & Meal Emotions

How we feel about our food and grocery expense. Grocery spending isn’t just about numbers. It’s about how we feel when we see the bill, compare with eating out, or face social and price pressures.

Q13: What’s your general feeling when you see the monthly grocery bill?

It’s always shockingly high!

It’s high, but I know it covers most meals at home.

It feels fair. Groceries feed the family well.

SECTION 4: Mindsets & Meal Emotions

Q14: Compared to your eating-out or ordering-in bill, your home grocery expense feels…

Lower. Definitely more value per rupee.

Similar. It balances out.

Higher! Even takeout feels cheaper sometimes.

SECTION 4: Mindsets & Meal Emotions

Q15: Do you feel peer pressure or guilt to buy exotic or premium grocery items?

Yes. Social media and friends influence me.

Sometimes. But I think before buying.

Nope. I buy what we need, not what’s in vogue.

SECTION 4: Mindsets & Meal Emotions

Q16: When prices of staples rise (like atta, dal, rice), what’s your usual reaction?

I feel helpless. The hike feels unfair.

I adjust — maybe reduce quantities or brand.

I barely notice — I shop smart overall.

SECTION 5: Trade-offs, Value, and Smart Choices

Where do we draw the line? This final section looks at where you draw the line in balancing grocery costs with lifestyle choices, finding savings, and deciding what’s truly worth keeping in your cart.

Q17: Would you reduce grocery spending to spend more on dining out, apps, or takeout?

Yes. Eating out feels more satisfying.

Sometimes, for variety or convenience.

No. Groceries are the real backbone of food.

SECTION 5: Trade-offs, Value, and Smart Choices

Q18: What kind of grocery cost-saving hacks do you use?

Bulk buying, local markets, refill packs, etc.

Planned menus, minimal wastage, reusable leftovers.

None. I shop randomly — and regret later.

SECTION 5: Trade-offs, Value, and Smart Choices

Q19: How often do you feel your grocery spending is ‘wasted’ or ‘not worth it’?

Often — too much gets wasted or unused.

Sometimes — but not a major issue.

Rarely. We consume most of what we buy.

SECTION 5: Trade-offs, Value, and Smart Choices

Q20: If your grocery budget had to be reduced by 20%, what would you compromise on first?

Snacks, exotic items, and branded ready-to-eats.

Veg/non-veg quantity — reduce portion sizes.

Not sure. Everything feels essential.

Review

SECTION 1: The Grocery Ground Reality

Question :
Q1. On average, how much is your monthly grocery + kitchen essentials bill?

INR 10,000 – 15,000

INR 15,000 – 25,000

INR 25,000 – 40,000

Your Answer:

SECTION 1: The Grocery Ground Reality

Question :
Q2. In a typical week, how many meals are cooked at home (not counting chai, snacks)?

15–18 (mostly dinner + weekend lunch)

19–24 (homecooked most days, some dining out)

25–30 (almost every meal is homecooked)

Your Answer:

SECTION 1: The Grocery Ground Reality

Question :
Q3. What drives your grocery budgeting more?

Stick to a fixed budget monthly.

Depends on prices and offers — I adjust each month.

No fixed rule — we shop as needed.

Your Answer:

SECTION 1: The Grocery Ground Reality

Question :
Q4. Do you track your grocery expenses separately from eating out or delivery food bills?

Yes — separate categories

Somewhat — depends on the month

No — food is food, all in one bucket

Your Answer:

SECTION 2: Meal Math — Cooking Frequency & Cost Sense

Question :
Q5: Roughly how many family members eat all meals from home daily?

2–3

4–5

Your Answer:

SECTION 2: Meal Math — Cooking Frequency & Cost Sense

Question :
Q6: Do you ever calculate how much a homecooked meal actually costs per person?

Yes — I’ve done this many times.

I’ve guessed, not calculated.

No — never thought about it.

Your Answer:

SECTION 2: Meal Math — Cooking Frequency & Cost Sense

Question :
Q7: How often do you cook slightly elaborate meals like paneer curry, biryani, or fried snacks?

Only on weekends or special days

Once every 2–3 days

Almost every day — rich meals are regular

Your Answer:

SECTION 2: Meal Math — Cooking Frequency & Cost Sense

Question :
Q8: What best describes your kitchen?

Predominantly vegetarian

Non-vegetarian twice or more a week

Mixed pattern with flexible preferences

Your Answer:

SECTION 3: Grocery Style — Buying, Brands, and Bulk

Question :
Q9: How do you typically shop for groceries?

One big monthly stock + weekly fresh top-ups

Frequent small purchases

App-based orders, often in parts

Your Answer:

SECTION 3: Grocery Style — Buying, Brands, and Bulk

Question :
Q10: What influences your choice of grocery items the most?

Price and offers

Brand trust and quality

Freshness, local sourcing

Your Answer:

SECTION 3: Grocery Style — Buying, Brands, and Bulk

Question :
Q11: Do you often buy ready-to-cook or frozen foods?

Rarely — I cook from scratch

Sometimes — for backup or time crunch

Regularly — convenience first

Your Answer:

SECTION 3: Grocery Style — Buying, Brands, and Bulk

Question :
Q12: What about branded kitchen staples (oil, atta, pulses, masalas)?

Mostly trusted local brands or unbranded packs

Mix of local and big brands

All premium brands only

Your Answer:

SECTION 4: Mindsets & Meal Emotions

Question :
Q13: What’s your general feeling when you see the monthly grocery bill?

It’s always shockingly high!

It’s high, but I know it covers most meals at home.

It feels fair. Groceries feed the family well.

Your Answer:

SECTION 4: Mindsets & Meal Emotions

Question :
Q14: Compared to your eating-out or ordering-in bill, your home grocery expense feels…

Lower. Definitely more value per rupee.

Similar. It balances out.

Higher! Even takeout feels cheaper sometimes.

Your Answer:

SECTION 4: Mindsets & Meal Emotions

Question :
Q15: Do you feel peer pressure or guilt to buy exotic or premium grocery items?

Yes. Social media and friends influence me.

Sometimes. But I think before buying.

Nope. I buy what we need, not what’s in vogue.

Your Answer:

SECTION 4: Mindsets & Meal Emotions

Question :
Q16: When prices of staples rise (like atta, dal, rice), what’s your usual reaction?

I feel helpless. The hike feels unfair.

I adjust — maybe reduce quantities or brand.

I barely notice — I shop smart overall.

Your Answer:

SECTION 5: Trade-offs, Value, and Smart Choices

Question :
Q17: Would you reduce grocery spending to spend more on dining out, apps, or takeout?

Yes. Eating out feels more satisfying.

Sometimes, for variety or convenience.

No. Groceries are the real backbone of food.

Your Answer:

SECTION 5: Trade-offs, Value, and Smart Choices

Question :
Q18: What kind of grocery cost-saving hacks do you use?

Bulk buying, local markets, refill packs, etc.

Planned menus, minimal wastage, reusable leftovers.

None. I shop randomly — and regret later.

Your Answer:

SECTION 5: Trade-offs, Value, and Smart Choices

Question :
Q19: How often do you feel your grocery spending is ‘wasted’ or ‘not worth it’?

Often — too much gets wasted or unused.

Sometimes — but not a major issue.

Rarely. We consume most of what we buy.

Your Answer:

SECTION 5: Trade-offs, Value, and Smart Choices

Question :
Q20: If your grocery budget had to be reduced by 20%, what would you compromise on first?

Snacks, exotic items, and branded ready-to-eats.

Veg/non-veg quantity — reduce portion sizes.

Not sure. Everything feels essential.

Your Answer:

Your answers help separate fact from feeling in kitchen expenses. Small shifts in habits can make grocery budgets healthier for your wallet and your plate.