Grocery Budget Calculator: Plan Your Family Food Spending

Most families don’t know if they’re overspending, underspending, or just right when it comes to groceries. Our free grocery budget calculator uses USDA data and real-world spending patterns to give you a personalized budget based on your family size, shopping habits, and financial goals. Start calculating now it takes less than 2 minutes.

How Our Grocery Budget Calculator Works

I built this grocery budget calculator to take the guesswork out of planning your household food spending. Instead of randomly guessing what you should spend, the calculator uses proven methodology based on USDA research to generate a personalized number that actually makes sense for your situation.

The beauty of our approach is simplicity. I ask you just a few key questions, then combine that information to create your customized budget. Here’s exactly what happens behind the scenes:

The Three Main Inputs

First, I start with your family size. This matters because a single person has different grocery needs than a family of five. I use this number as the foundation for your food cost calculation, since the USDA Food Plans scale directly with household members.

Second, I factor in your shopping habits. Are you someone who buys mostly fresh ingredients and cooks at home? Or do you lean toward convenience foods and ready-made meals? This directly impacts your monthly grocery expenses. I account for this by adjusting your baseline budget up or down based on realistic spending patterns.

Third, I consider any dietary needs or preferences. Whether you eat meat, follow a vegetarian diet, have food allergies, or need organic products, these choices shape your actual food costs. A household buying exclusively organic products will naturally have a different budget than one shopping conventional.

How I Calculate Your Number

Once I have these three pieces of information, I apply USDA Food Plan research to calculate your personalized budget. The USDA tracks actual food costs across different spending levels, so I’ve not pulling numbers from thin air. I take those government benchmarks and adjust them based on your specific inputs.

The result is a monthly grocery budget that’s realistic for your household. You’re not getting a generic “family of four should spend $800” figure. Instead, you get a number based on actual family size, your personal shopping style, and your dietary choices.

Why This Matters

When you understand how your budget was calculated, you can actually trust it. You know it’s not arbitrary. You can see which factors influence your number the most. Maybe reducing convenience food purchases could lower your budget, or perhaps your dietary needs justify a higher food spending level. The transparency helps you make smarter decisions about your grocery expense management.

Ready to see what your personalized budget looks like? Try the calculator above to get your custom number in under two minutes.

The Calculator Inputs Explained

Understanding what each input means is key to getting an accurate grocery budget for your situation. This grocery budget calculator breaks down into three main factors that directly shape your personalized spending plan.

Family Size

The number of people in your household is the starting point for calculating your monthly grocery budget. A single person might spend $200-300 monthly, while a family of four typically spends $800-1,200. The relationship isn’t perfectly linear because larger families benefit from economies of scale. Buying in bulk and reducing per-person waste means a family of four doesn’t spend exactly four times what one person spends. You’ll see meaningful savings kick in as household size grows, which this calculator automatically accounts for when computing your family grocery budget.

Shopping Habits

Where you shop dramatically impacts how far your food budget stretches. The calculator gives you three realistic options that match most shopping behaviors.

Discount and budget stores like Aldi and Costco typically offer 15-20% lower prices on comparable items. Regular supermarkets fall in the middle, with moderate pricing and good selection. Whole Foods and specialty grocery stores cost more due to organic options, premium brands, and curated selections.

The same family with identical dietary needs might have very different total budgets depending on where they shop. Shopping at discount grocers can reduce your monthly food spending significantly, making it one of the easiest ways to stretch a limited grocery budget.

Dietary Needs

Your eating preferences and restrictions shape your grocery expenses more than you might expect. The calculator includes common dietary approaches so you can see realistic numbers for your situation.

A standard diet serves as the baseline. Vegetarian and vegan diets typically cost less because plant-based proteins are generally cheaper than meat. Gluten-free eating usually adds 10-15% to your budget due to specialty product premiums. Keto and paleo diets tend to run 15-25% higher because they emphasize premium proteins and fresh produce.

This section shows how dietary choices directly impact your calculated monthly grocery budget, helping you understand whether food costs reflect your lifestyle or if savings opportunities exist.

Monthly Grocery Budget Benchmarks: What’s Average?

Wondering if you’re spending too much on groceries? The best way to answer that question is to see how your household stacks up against national benchmarks. The USDA Food Plans provide official guidelines based on real pricing data, and they break down into four distinct spending tiers based on shopping habits and food choices.

These benchmarks show what typical households spend monthly on food at home, not including dining out or prepared foods. Understanding where your budget falls helps you identify whether you’re living frugally, moderately, or more liberally with your food spending.

USDA Food Plan Benchmarks by Family Size (Monthly)

Family Size	Thrifty Plan	Low-Cost Plan	Moderate Plan	Liberal Plan
1 Person	$250-280	$310-360	$390-440	$500-560
Family of 2	$430-490	$530-620	$660-750	$850-960
Family of 4	$740-820	$920-1,050	$1,160-1,320	$1,480-1,700
Family of 6	$1,120-1,240	$1,380-1,600	$1,740-2,000	$2,240-2,560

What Each Tier Represents

The Thrifty Plan assumes strategic shopping at discount grocers, buying store brands, and minimizing food waste. This is the lowest-cost option and represents efficient budgeting.

The Low-Cost Plan provides more flexibility while still maintaining smart shopping practices. It allows for occasional name brands and a wider variety of foods without significant premium costs.

The Moderate Plan reflects typical American grocery shopping with balanced choices between store and name brands, quality produce, and reasonable variety. Most families find themselves in this range.

The Liberal Plan includes premium products, organic options, specialty items, and less emphasis on budget constraints. This tier assumes shopping primarily at higher-end grocers.

Regional Variations Matter

Your location affects what you actually spend. West Coast and Northeast regions typically run 8-12% higher than the national average shown above. Rural areas sometimes see different patterns due to limited grocery competition. These benchmarks represent national averages, so your specific costs may vary based on local pricing.

How to Use These Numbers

Find your family size in the table, then identify which tier most closely matches your current shopping habits. If your actual spending falls well above the Liberal Plan, you may have opportunities to adjust. If you’re below the Thrifty Plan, you’re doing exceptionally well with stretching your budget.

The goal isn’t necessarily to hit a specific tier. Rather, these benchmarks help you understand whether your spending is reasonable for your lifestyle and where you might find savings if needed.

Ready to see exactly how your household compares? Enter your family size and current spending in the calculator above to get a personalized analysis against these official USDA standards.

Budget by Family Size & Life Stage

Your grocery budget looks different depending on who you’re feeding. Here’s what to expect based on household size and life stage, using moderate-cost USDA food plan estimates.

Single Person/Individual

A single person on a moderate budget typically spends $390-440 per month on groceries. The biggest challenge? You can’t take advantage of bulk pricing like larger households can.

Counter this by buying frozen vegetables and proteins, which last longer and reduce waste. Store brands offer the same quality at 20-30% less cost.

Young Couple (No Kids)

A couple on a moderate budget typically spends $660-750 per month. Managing two different food preferences while avoiding duplicate shopping trips saves both money and time.

Plan your weekly meals together on Sunday, then shop once. This prevents impulse purchases and reduces the temptation to order takeout.

Family of 4 (Most Common)

A family of 4 on a moderate budget typically spends $1,160-1,320 per month, or about $35-40 per day. Juggling multiple dietary preferences and time pressure makes meal planning essential.

Batch cooking on weekends and involving kids in meal planning reduces both stress and costs. Kids eat what they helped choose.

Single Parent

Single parents face the same grocery costs as two-parent households but on one income. Time constraints make convenience foods tempting, but they quickly inflate your family grocery budget.

Look into SNAP benefits if eligible, use community food resources, and embrace slow cooker meals that cook while you work.

Seniors/Retirees

Seniors on a moderate budget typically spend $340-390 per month. Smaller appetites and dietary restrictions often mean lower costs, but fixed incomes require careful planning.

Take advantage of senior discount days, generic prescription options, and nutrient-dense foods that deliver more value per dollar.

How Much Should You Spend? The Budget Formula

The percentage-of-income approach is the gold standard for household food budgeting. Most financial advisors recommend allocating 5-15% of your monthly income toward groceries, though the right number for your family depends on several factors.

Your actual percentage will vary based on income level, family size, regional cost of living, and dietary needs. Lower-income households often need to allocate 25-30% toward food, while higher-income families might comfortably spend 5-8%. Larger families typically achieve greater efficiency per person, while single-person households often spend a higher percentage simply due to economies of scale.

Here’s a simple calculation to find your target:

Start with your monthly household income. Multiply by your chosen percentage (I recommend 10-12% for most families as a realistic middle ground). This gives you your target grocery budget.

Example:

• Monthly household income: $4,000
• At 10% allocation: $400/month
• At 15% allocation: $600/month

How do you know if your target is realistic? The USDA publishes official food plans that serve as benchmarks. A family of three on their moderate plan spends roughly $850-950 monthly. If your target falls below the USDA thrifty plan, you’ll need strategic meal planning, bulk buying, and careful waste management. If it’s above the liberal plan, you have flexibility to reduce spending without sacrificing nutrition.

The key insight: your budget percentage should match your financial priorities, not just match national averages. Some families prioritize organic or specialty foods. Others maximize savings through planning and bulk purchases. Both approaches are valid when they align with your income and goals.

Use our calculator above to determine if your family’s spending aligns with your income goals and see exactly where you stand compared to USDA benchmarks for your household size.

6 Proven Money-Saving Strategies for Your Grocery Budget

Reducing your grocery bill doesn’t require deprivation or complicated tactics. The most effective strategies start simple and build from there. I’ve organized these by effort level so you can choose what works for your lifestyle.

Strategy 1: Meal Plan Before You Shop (Easy, 10-15% Savings)

Meal planning is the single easiest way to cut impulse purchases. Spend 15 minutes on Sunday deciding what you’ll eat that week, then build your shopping list around those meals.

When you shop with a plan, you avoid the trap of buying items that sound good but end up spoiling in your fridge. You skip the snacks you don’t need. You reduce food waste dramatically. Most families see savings of $40-60 monthly with this change alone.

The key: stick to your list. Don’t browse for inspiration once you’re at the store.

Strategy 2: Buy Store Brands Instead of Name Brands (Easy, 15-20% Savings)

Store brands cost 15-40% less than name brands for nearly identical products. Many are made in the same factories with the same ingredients.

Switch store brands across all categories—cereal, pasta, canned goods, frozen vegetables. This single change compounds quickly. A family of four typically saves $50-80 monthly just by choosing store brands consistently.

Start with items you buy regularly. You’ll notice the savings immediately without sacrificing quality.

Strategy 3: Buy Frozen and Canned Vegetables (Easy, 10-15% Savings)

Fresh produce looks appealing, but frozen and canned vegetables are just as nutritious. They’re often cheaper and never spoil, which means less waste.

Frozen broccoli costs less than fresh and lasts months. Canned beans are more affordable than dried beans when you factor in prep time. These swaps save families $20-40 monthly while actually reducing your food prep burden.

The nutrition is identical to fresh. You’re not sacrificing anything except the premium price.

Strategy 4: Use Coupons and Loyalty Programs (Moderate, 15-25% Savings)

Digital coupons and store loyalty programs offer real savings without the hassle of paper clipping. Most stores have mobile apps where you load coupons directly to your account.

Spend 30 minutes weekly checking your store’s digital offers and clipping coupons for items already on your list. Combined with loyalty program discounts, you’ll see savings of $60-100 monthly for a family of four.

The time investment is small compared to the savings. Focus on items you already buy regularly, not items you’re tempted to buy because of a sale.

Strategy 5: Buy in Bulk and Cook in Batches (Moderate, 20-30% Savings)

Bulk buying works when you actually use what you buy. Cook large batches of meals, then freeze portions in containers. You’ll save money on per-unit costs while building a freezer of ready-to-eat meals.

Buy non-perishable staples (rice, beans, pasta) in bulk from warehouse stores. The initial time investment of 2-3 hours weekly pays off with $80-120 monthly savings for a family of four.

This strategy works best if you have freezer space and enjoy cooking. You’re essentially prepaying your future meals at a discount.

Strategy 6: Cut Waste and Extend Produce Life (Moderate to Aggressive, 15-25% Savings)

Most households waste 10-15% of the food they buy. Better food storage techniques extend produce life significantly. Store leafy greens in damp paper towels, keep berries in breathable containers, and store root vegetables in cool, dark places.

Use vegetable scraps to make broth. Plan meals around produce that’s about to expire. These habits become automatic once you start, and they save families $60-100 monthly.

This strategy requires daily mindfulness but no financial investment. It’s pure efficiency.

Which strategies fit your lifestyle? The easiest path starts with meal planning and store brands. If you have more time, add bulk buying and batch cooking. Every strategy compounds, so start with one and build from there.

Ready to implement these strategies? Download our free grocery savings checklist to track your progress and measure your actual monthly savings as you adopt each tactic.

Grocery Budgeting by Dietary Preference

Your dietary choices directly affect your grocery budget. A vegan household has different cost drivers than a keto household. Understanding how your dietary preference impacts spending helps you set realistic budgets and make informed choices about where to prioritize or cut back.

Standard Diet (Baseline: 100%)

The standard mixed diet forms the foundation for all USDA Food Plans. It includes all food groups without restriction: grains, proteins, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and fats.

This is the baseline all other dietary preferences are measured against. No additional budget adjustment needed.

Vegetarian and Vegan (Adjustment: -5% to +10%)

Vegetarian and vegan diets often cost less than meat-heavy diets because you remove the meat premium. A pound of dried beans costs a fraction of a pound of beef or chicken.

However, processed vegetarian products like specialty veggie burgers and mock meats cost significantly more than the whole foods they replace. Your actual cost depends on how many convenience products you buy versus whole plant foods.

Money-saving approach: Buy dried beans and lentils in bulk. Use rice, potatoes, and seasonal vegetables as staples. Skip the expensive meat alternatives and instead build meals around whole plant foods.

Budget impact: Save $20-30 monthly by choosing whole plant foods. Add $30-50 monthly if you regularly buy specialty plant-based products.

Gluten-Free (Adjustment: +10-15%)

Gluten-free specialty products cost 2-3 times as much as conventional products. A loaf of gluten-free bread often costs double, and gluten-free pasta carries similar premiums.

The expensive part isn’t naturally gluten-free foods (rice, potatoes, meat, vegetables are all naturally gluten-free). The premium comes from specialty packaged products designed for convenience.

Money-saving approach: Focus your diet on naturally gluten-free foods instead of specialty products. Build meals around rice, potatoes, eggs, and fresh produce. Use specialty products selectively for convenience, not as staples.

Budget impact: Add $10-15 monthly if buying naturally gluten-free foods. Add $40-60 monthly if regularly using specialty gluten-free products.

Keto and Low-Carb (Adjustment: +15-25%)

Keto and low-carb diets emphasize meat, cheese, eggs, and fats, all of which cost more per pound than grains and legumes. Higher-quality meat and pasture-raised eggs add further cost.

Specialty keto snacks and products (keto bread, protein bars, artificial sweeteners) inflate the budget further. The diet itself is expensive before adding convenience products.

Money-saving approach: Buy cheaper cuts of meat (ground beef, chicken thighs instead of breasts). Buy eggs in bulk. Choose regular cheese over specialty keto-friendly options. Skip expensive keto snacks and focus on whole foods.

Budget impact: Add $60-100 monthly compared to standard diet, mostly from increased meat and cheese consumption.

Organic and Non-GMO (Adjustment: +25-50%)

Organic and non-GMO certification comes with a significant price premium. Certified organic produce often costs 30-50% more than conventional. Certified organic meat costs 50-100% more.

The cost reflects certification, different production methods, and typically smaller-scale farming. The nutrition difference between organic and conventional produce is minimal, but if you prioritize organic for other reasons, budgeting for the premium is important.

Money-saving approach: Prioritize organic for items you eat frequently and that have higher pesticide residues (“Dirty Dozen”: berries, spinach, apples, grapes). Buy other produce and products conventionally. Focus organic purchases on items with the biggest impact on your diet.

Budget impact: Add $30-50 monthly for strategic organic choices. Add $80-150 monthly for fully organic diet.

Your dietary preference isn’t a limitation—it’s a choice that affects your budget. Understanding those cost differences helps you make intentional decisions rather than guessing.

Update your dietary preference in the calculator above to see your personalized budget, including your dietary adjustments and family-size recommendations.

Planning vs. Actual: Track Your Spending

Setting a budget is the easy part. The real challenge comes when you’re actually shopping and life throws curveballs at your plan. That’s why tracking your actual spending against your budget matters so much.

People who monitor their grocery expenses regularly save an average of 10-15% more than those who don’t. Tracking reveals patterns you can’t see otherwise. It shows exactly where your money goes and highlights opportunities to adjust your behavior or your budget itself.

Why Tracking Matters

Your budget is a starting point, not a prison sentence. Real life includes unexpected meals, dietary changes, and special occasions. When you track actual spending, you can see what’s genuinely unrealistic in your budget versus what’s just an occasional splurge.

Tracking also builds awareness. When you write down what you spend, you start making more intentional purchases. The simple act of recording it changes your behavior.

Simple 3-Step Tracking Process

Step 1: Save Your Receipts

Keep all grocery receipts for one full month. Don’t overthink it—just stick them in an envelope or take photos with your phone. This gives you a complete picture of where your money went.

Step 2: Categorize Your Spending

Organize your receipts into these categories:

• Proteins (meat, fish, poultry, beans, nuts)
• Produce (fresh vegetables and fruits)
• Dairy and eggs
• Grains and bread
• Pantry staples (canned goods, pasta, rice, oils)
• Frozen foods
• Other (coffee, tea, snacks, supplements)

Add up what you spent in each category for the month.

Step 3: Compare to Your Budget

Line up your actual spending against what you budgeted. Here’s what a typical comparison looks like:

Category	Budget	Actual	Difference
Proteins	$150	$185	+$35 (23% over)
Produce	$120	$95	-$25 (well done)
Dairy & Eggs	$80	$82	+$2 (close)
Grains & Bread	$60	$58	-$2 (good)
Pantry	$70	$92	+$22 (17% over)
Frozen Foods	$50	$48	-$2 (good)
Other	$70	$85	+$15 (21% over)
Total	$600	$645	+$45 (7.5% over)

This simple breakdown shows you exactly where you’re on track and where you’re drifting.

Understanding Your Variances

Small variances (+/- 5%): These are normal. Don’t worry about them. Every month won’t match perfectly, and that’s okay.

Moderate variances (5-15%): Something shifted in this category. Maybe you bought specialty items or stocked up. Look at why it happened and decide if it’s worth adjusting.

Large variances (15%+): This category needs attention. Either your budget was unrealistic for how you actually shop, or your spending changed significantly.

Common Reasons Your Spending Might Exceed Budget

You grabbed more convenience foods than planned. You bought specialty or organic items in certain categories. A family member visited and you increased quantities. You purchased more snacks or entertainment foods than budgeted. You chose higher-quality proteins or products than assumed in your budget.

None of these are failures. They’re just data points.

How to Adjust

Once you see where you overshot, you have three choices.

Accept the higher budget. If the overage reflects your actual lifestyle and priorities, adjust your budget upward. There’s no shame in this—you’re just being realistic about your spending.

Modify your behavior. If you overspent on impulse items or specialty products, you can consciously cut back. This works best with categories like “other” or pantry items. Cutting proteins is harder because it impacts nutrition.

Find savings elsewhere. If one category exceeded budget but you have room in another area, you’ve found your balance point. Maybe produce came in under budget, so you can shift some money to proteins.

The key is making intentional choices based on actual data, not guesses.

Ready to track your actual spending? Download our free monthly tracking template to monitor your grocery expenses and see exactly where your money goes. Print it out or use it digitally to build the spending awareness that drives real savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I spend on groceries per month?

Your monthly grocery budget depends on family size, location, and dietary choices. The USDA provides benchmarks: a family of four on a moderate budget spends $1,160-1,320 per month, while a single person spends $390-440 per month. These numbers assume eating primarily at home without specialty products.

If you want to spend less, the USDA thrifty plan costs roughly 30% less but requires strategic meal planning and minimal waste. Our calculator personalizes these benchmarks based on your specific household, helping you find a realistic number that aligns with your income and lifestyle.

What is a reasonable grocery budget for one person?

A single person typically spends $310-360 monthly on the USDA low-cost plan (about $10-12 per day) or $390-440 monthly on a moderate plan ($13-15 per day). These figures assume you’re eating at home for most meals and shopping efficiently.

Your actual spending varies based on several factors. If you live on the West Coast, expect costs about 8% higher than the Midwest. Dietary choices matter significantly—organic and specialty products add 25-50% to your budget. Premium grocery stores cost 20-40% more than discount stores. Use our calculator to get a personalized budget tailored to your location and preferences.

My family spends way more than these numbers. Is that normal?

Absolutely. The USDA Food Plans represent efficient, streamlined shopping without premiums. Higher spending typically comes from choosing organic products (adding 25-50%), buying specialty dietary items (adding 15-25%), purchasing convenience foods (adding 15-40%), or shopping at upscale grocers (adding 20-40%).

If you want to spend less, start by identifying which category is driving your overage. Then decide whether that’s important to you. Maybe organic produce matters to your health, in which case adjusting your budget upward is the right choice. Or maybe you’re buying convenience foods you don’t actually need, making them a logical place to cut back.

How can I reduce my grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition?

Several high-impact strategies work well. Start with meal planning before you shop—it reduces waste and eliminates impulse purchases. Buy store brands instead of name brands for a 15-20% savings on identical products. Choose seasonal produce, which is cheaper and fresher than out-of-season options. Purchase frozen vegetables instead of fresh; they’re nutritionally equivalent, last longer, and cost less.

These strategies alone save most families 10-15% without feeling restrictive. If you want to go deeper, bulk buying and batch cooking can save 20-30% more, though they require significant time investment. The key is choosing strategies that match your lifestyle.

Should I use coupons and loyalty programs to save money?

Yes, they’re worthwhile with the right approach. Digital coupons through store apps work better than paper coupons and require less effort. Loyalty programs provide personalized deals tailored to your shopping history. Time investment is typically 30 minutes weekly for 15-25% savings—a strong return.

However, be strategic. Coupons work best for packaged goods and less effectively for produce and fresh items. Don’t buy items just because they’re on sale; focus coupons on products you actually purchase regularly. This prevents the common trap of spending more overall while thinking you’re saving money.

How much should a family of four spend on groceries per month?

Using USDA data, here’s what a family of four typically budgets:

• Thrifty plan: $740-820/month
• Low-cost plan: $920-1,050/month
• Moderate-cost plan: $1,160-1,320/month
• Liberal plan: $1,480-1,700/month

Most families operate in the moderate-cost range, spending roughly $35-40 per person daily. This assumes eating at home as the primary meals. If anyone has dietary restrictions, food allergies, or you prefer premium stores, add 10-30% to these benchmarks. Our calculator adjusts for your specific situation.

How does family size affect grocery costs? Is food cheaper for bigger families?

Yes, there are genuine economies of scale. Food cost per person decreases as family size increases. A single person might spend $12-15 daily per person, while a family of four might spend $8-10 daily per person.

Why does this happen? Larger families buy in bulk at better per-unit prices, waste less packaging proportionally, and plan meals more efficiently. However, the total monthly budget does increase because you’re feeding more people. You’re just getting a better per-person rate. Understanding this helps you set realistic expectations whether budgeting for one or for a household.

How do I account for dietary restrictions when budgeting?

Different dietary approaches have different cost impacts. Vegetarian diets save 5-10% when based on whole plant foods but cost 10-25% more if you rely on specialty mock meats. Gluten-free diets cost 10-15% more when using specialty products, but only 5-10% more if you focus on naturally gluten-free whole foods.

Organic products add 25-50% to your budget. Keto and low-carb diets cost 15-25% more due to higher meat and healthy fat consumption. In our calculator, select your dietary preference to see exactly how your budget adjusts and get recommendations aligned with your eating style.

Should I include coffee, alcohol, and snacks in my grocery budget?

This depends on your preference. Traditional grocery budgets exclude alcohol and coffee, which are often budgeted separately. However, if you purchase these items at the grocery store, including them makes sense so you understand your complete food spending.

The important thing is consistency. Decide which items count as “groceries” for your household and track everything in that category. Whether you include coffee or not doesn’t matter as long as you’re intentional about it. Our calculator lets you customize what’s included so your budget reflects your actual spending pattern.

What’s the best way to start budgeting if I’ve never done it before?

Follow this simple process: First, calculate your target budget using our calculator based on your family size and preferences. Second, save every receipt for one full month and track actual spending. Third, compare your actual spending to your target—without judgment, just observation.

Fourth, identify the biggest surprises. Where did you spend more than expected? Fifth, choose one or two small changes for next month. Sixth, track again and compare. The goal in your first month is understanding your actual patterns, not hitting the target budget perfectly. Once you see where your money goes, making adjustments becomes natural.