Just checked my cc statements: For the past year, I averaged about $125/month on groceries and $70/month on eating out ( -- this doesn't reflect ALL the food I ate last year, I eat at friends' houses or social events around 3 meals/week, and occasionally I'll go out to eat and someone else will foot the bill, but it's pretty much what I spent). But that was especially conscious, I was focused on paying down debts/saving money. This year I anticipate spending more. I buy everything I can at Aldi's (love it!) and rarely buy meat, chicken, or fish. I don't buy cage-free eggs or organic produce, so I save some money there (eek!). So I definitely could easily imagine spending the $300 that my age bracket calls for (or even more), but instead I eat pretty simple.

PS -- I also spent around $250 or so on alcohol for the year (no, not all for myself ) and I may have missed some grocery/restaurant expenses so the totals are probably slightly higher.