How much do you pay in monthly bills?
“Our fixed costs like electricity, water, and heating come to around €250 per month. Thankfully, we live in a house we own, so we don’t have rent or a mortgage. Most of our utility expenses come from heating, especially during winter.”

How much do you spend on groceries each month?
“We usually spend about €500 per month on food. This includes weekly shopping from the supermarket, greengrocer, and butcher. We’ve had to adjust our diet quite a bit due to rising prices on essential goods. We look for discounts and try to buy seasonal produce. Our kids eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, so we try to keep that part consistent.”

Do you follow any specific diet?
“We don’t follow a strict diet, but we aim to eat healthily. Our kids really love meat and dairy, so we always have milk, cheese, and yogurt at home. We cook five times a week and avoid takeout as much as possible.”

How often do you eat out or order food?
“We go out to eat about once a month, since we try to keep expenses under control. We order food once a week, usually when I don’t have time to cook due to work. We prefer ordering healthy meals, like cooked dishes or salads, avoiding junk food.”

Have you noticed changes in food prices?
“Prices have gone up a lot in recent years, especially for meat and dairy. We used to buy meat at €6–7 per kilo, but now it can reach €12. Cheese and milk have also become much more expensive. I’ve noticed that our shopping basket is getting more expensive every month, even though we’re not buying more items.”

Have you found ways to manage your budget better?
“Yes, we try to plan our weekly menu and make a shopping list of essentials. We buy in bulk when there are discounts and avoid processed foods. We also use the freezer to store food so it doesn’t spoil and we don’t waste anything. That helps a lot with savings.”

How often do you shop at the supermarket?
“I shop every week. I try not to get tempted by items on the shelves and only buy what we actually need. I’d love to go to the farmers’ market more often for fresher products, but my weekly routine doesn’t always allow it.”

Are there any items that are always in your basket?
“We always have dairy products, bread, and fruit at home. These are essential to our daily diet, especially for the kids—they’re our basics.”