$13.30 for three days of food
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Don't forget spices, you are going to want salt and pepper if nothing else. Also oil, margarine or butter to fry your eggs, salad dressing or vinegar for dressing. Ketchup? Mustard? Mayo? All those little "extras" add bucks to a grocery trip0
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Do you mean for the OP, or for people on assistance? The OP, if that's who you meant, probably can't afford those, given the restriction on "bulk" purchases.Don't forget spices, you are going to want salt and pepper if nothing else. Also oil, margarine or butter to fry your eggs, salad dressing or vinegar for dressing. Ketchup? Mustard? Mayo? All those little "extras" add bucks to a grocery trip
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That's. . . you did read the thread, right? Or are you trolling? One take away anyone could get from this assignment (such as it is) is understand why certain purchasing decisions are a "problem."
Yeah, you have to know which ones are cost effective and which ones aren't.mburgess458 wrote: »Rotisserie chicken for sure, you can stretch that to feed you for 4+ meals! Shred all of the meat from the bird and then boil down that bones/carcass and make a soup base for another meal. Get a small bag of beans and rice and you can eat beans and rice w/chicken and then make a bean, rice, chicken soup for another meal.
Awful advice. You're trying to stretch your money, don't buy something someone else cooked... do you think they do that for free? It's going to be much cheaper to buy a chicken (or chicken pieces) and cook it yourself.
Precooked food is for convenience. Great if you have more money than time, not a good idea if you're super poor.
How so? I can get an entire chicken for $5 and it's already cooked (saves me $$ on my electricity bill) and seasoned. Not sure your logic is correct here.
But I don't think "hot" food can be bought with SNAP.
Correct. It used to be any prepared food, but that was relaxed some time ago. Steamed (at the seafood counter) doesn't count as "hot" either. Why yes, people on SNAP buy lobster and crab. . . I never did but I can attest to the disincentive to "shop around"
Yeah, you have to know which ones are cost effective and which ones aren't.mburgess458 wrote: »Rotisserie chicken for sure, you can stretch that to feed you for 4+ meals! Shred all of the meat from the bird and then boil down that bones/carcass and make a soup base for another meal. Get a small bag of beans and rice and you can eat beans and rice w/chicken and then make a bean, rice, chicken soup for another meal.
Awful advice. You're trying to stretch your money, don't buy something someone else cooked... do you think they do that for free? It's going to be much cheaper to buy a chicken (or chicken pieces) and cook it yourself.
Precooked food is for convenience. Great if you have more money than time, not a good idea if you're super poor.
How so? I can get an entire chicken for $5 and it's already cooked (saves me $$ on my electricity bill) and seasoned. Not sure your logic is correct here.
But I don't think "hot" food can be bought with SNAP.
Correct. It used to be any prepared food, but that was relaxed some time ago. Steamed (at the seafood counter) doesn't count as "hot" either. Why yes, people on SNAP buy lobster and crab. . . I never did but I can attest to the disincentive to "shop around"
I never understood why an occasional treat is a problem. $7-10 a lb at a store is not like the cost in a restaurant. I used to buy crab when my income was very low. It was an occasional treat, not everyday. And lobster tails occasionally go on sale for $5 each where I live.
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That's. . . you did read the thread, right? Or are you trolling? One take away anyone could get from this assignment (such as it is) is understand why certain purchasing decisions are a "problem."
Yeah, you have to know which ones are cost effective and which ones aren't.mburgess458 wrote: »Rotisserie chicken for sure, you can stretch that to feed you for 4+ meals! Shred all of the meat from the bird and then boil down that bones/carcass and make a soup base for another meal. Get a small bag of beans and rice and you can eat beans and rice w/chicken and then make a bean, rice, chicken soup for another meal.
Awful advice. You're trying to stretch your money, don't buy something someone else cooked... do you think they do that for free? It's going to be much cheaper to buy a chicken (or chicken pieces) and cook it yourself.
Precooked food is for convenience. Great if you have more money than time, not a good idea if you're super poor.
How so? I can get an entire chicken for $5 and it's already cooked (saves me $$ on my electricity bill) and seasoned. Not sure your logic is correct here.
But I don't think "hot" food can be bought with SNAP.
Correct. It used to be any prepared food, but that was relaxed some time ago. Steamed (at the seafood counter) doesn't count as "hot" either. Why yes, people on SNAP buy lobster and crab. . . I never did but I can attest to the disincentive to "shop around"
Yeah, you have to know which ones are cost effective and which ones aren't.mburgess458 wrote: »Rotisserie chicken for sure, you can stretch that to feed you for 4+ meals! Shred all of the meat from the bird and then boil down that bones/carcass and make a soup base for another meal. Get a small bag of beans and rice and you can eat beans and rice w/chicken and then make a bean, rice, chicken soup for another meal.
Awful advice. You're trying to stretch your money, don't buy something someone else cooked... do you think they do that for free? It's going to be much cheaper to buy a chicken (or chicken pieces) and cook it yourself.
Precooked food is for convenience. Great if you have more money than time, not a good idea if you're super poor.
How so? I can get an entire chicken for $5 and it's already cooked (saves me $$ on my electricity bill) and seasoned. Not sure your logic is correct here.
But I don't think "hot" food can be bought with SNAP.
Correct. It used to be any prepared food, but that was relaxed some time ago. Steamed (at the seafood counter) doesn't count as "hot" either. Why yes, people on SNAP buy lobster and crab. . . I never did but I can attest to the disincentive to "shop around"
I never understood why an occasional treat is a problem. $7-10 a lb at a store is not like the cost in a restaurant. I used to buy crab when my income was very low. It was an occasional treat, not everyday. And lobster tails occasionally go on sale for $5 each where I live.
It was a response to a sub discussion in this thread.
And nope. If a person saves up for a treat it isn't a problem to spend a little extra on one meal. It's not going to work for this person's three day project, but long term they can occasionally get something nice. They are humans, not trash.
I was working my *kitten* off about 19 years ago when I had less than $20 many weeks for food. I did not qualify for assistance because I was a non disabled adult with no children. If I managed to pinch one week for a dungeness it was just fine. (And if someone on SNAP can save for a special meal that's fine too.)
And I'm pretty sure the point of the lesson isn't to show that certain purchases are a problem, but just how difficult it is to balance that low budget.0 -
I took a trip to a major grocery chain in my mind (not Aldi) not using coupons.
1 gal of skim milk
1 20 oz box store brand raisin bran
1 24 oz loaf store brand bread (wide pan kind, 130 cals per slice)
1 18 oz jar of reduced fat peanut butter
1 dozen large eggs
2 5 oz cans mushrooms, pieces and stems
1 5 oz 'bag' real bacon bits
As of yesterday's prices I came up with $12.00 even.
~9210 calories total. Enough food for four-five days, I imagine, as long as one can 'literally' stomach peanut butter sandwiches, raisin bran, and mushroom bacon omelettes. . .4 -
I wish I could buy eggs for less than $1 per dozen! I'm in Alberta and the cheapest I've seen them locally (on sale) since I had to start worrying about costs was still over $2 (CDN).
I'm liking some of the ideas in this thread, though, so thanks everyone!
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Do you mean for the OP, or for people on assistance? The OP, if that's who you meant, probably can't afford those, given the restriction on "bulk" purchases.Don't forget spices, you are going to want salt and pepper if nothing else. Also oil, margarine or butter to fry your eggs, salad dressing or vinegar for dressing. Ketchup? Mustard? Mayo? All those little "extras" add bucks to a grocery trip
I think the original post said nothing could be used that you already had, in other words all the food and any ingredients used would have to be purchased with the $13. So cooking the eggs, unless you boil them, is going to require some sort of oil or butter. A salad would be dry unless she purchased a dressing or some oil and vinegar. Etc.0 -
You're talking about people who are actually on assistance, not the OP - correct?
If you have the time and access to those ads. When I was making the least money I was working full time as a temp, part time in retail, and going to grad school two nights a week.
Some low income people are working multiple part time jobs and using their spare time to take care of family and/or look for a full time job.
Shopping sales is something we say, but not always possible. Science is also finding that the way some people's brains process things can change when there is scarcity, such as poverty.
Yes. The OP has benefits that someone actually in that budget situation would not have.0 -
Ohio and Massachusetts don't charges sales tax on groceries either, since they are a basic necessity of life.
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Do you mean for the OP, or for people on assistance? The OP, if that's who you meant, probably can't afford those, given the restriction on "bulk" purchases.Don't forget spices, you are going to want salt and pepper if nothing else. Also oil, margarine or butter to fry your eggs, salad dressing or vinegar for dressing. Ketchup? Mustard? Mayo? All those little "extras" add bucks to a grocery trip
I think the original post said nothing could be used that you already had, in other words all the food and any ingredients used would have to be purchased with the $13. So cooking the eggs, unless you boil them, is going to require some sort of oil or butter. A salad would be dry unless she purchased a dressing or some oil and vinegar. Etc.
If they have a non-stick pan, they can do more than just boil the eggs. I know that my pan works with eggs by themselves. Granted, it is newer. An older one might not be so kind.0 -
Wynterbourne wrote: »
Do you mean for the OP, or for people on assistance? The OP, if that's who you meant, probably can't afford those, given the restriction on "bulk" purchases.Don't forget spices, you are going to want salt and pepper if nothing else. Also oil, margarine or butter to fry your eggs, salad dressing or vinegar for dressing. Ketchup? Mustard? Mayo? All those little "extras" add bucks to a grocery trip
I think the original post said nothing could be used that you already had, in other words all the food and any ingredients used would have to be purchased with the $13. So cooking the eggs, unless you boil them, is going to require some sort of oil or butter. A salad would be dry unless she purchased a dressing or some oil and vinegar. Etc.
If they have a non-stick pan, they can do more than just boil the eggs. I know that my pan works with eggs by themselves. Granted, it is newer. An older one might not be so kind.
You can also bake whole eggs.1 -
Alatariel75 wrote: »Wynterbourne wrote: »
Do you mean for the OP, or for people on assistance? The OP, if that's who you meant, probably can't afford those, given the restriction on "bulk" purchases.Don't forget spices, you are going to want salt and pepper if nothing else. Also oil, margarine or butter to fry your eggs, salad dressing or vinegar for dressing. Ketchup? Mustard? Mayo? All those little "extras" add bucks to a grocery trip
I think the original post said nothing could be used that you already had, in other words all the food and any ingredients used would have to be purchased with the $13. So cooking the eggs, unless you boil them, is going to require some sort of oil or butter. A salad would be dry unless she purchased a dressing or some oil and vinegar. Etc.
If they have a non-stick pan, they can do more than just boil the eggs. I know that my pan works with eggs by themselves. Granted, it is newer. An older one might not be so kind.
You can also bake whole eggs.
Muffin pans to the rescue!2 -
Wynterbourne wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »Wynterbourne wrote: »
Do you mean for the OP, or for people on assistance? The OP, if that's who you meant, probably can't afford those, given the restriction on "bulk" purchases.Don't forget spices, you are going to want salt and pepper if nothing else. Also oil, margarine or butter to fry your eggs, salad dressing or vinegar for dressing. Ketchup? Mustard? Mayo? All those little "extras" add bucks to a grocery trip
I think the original post said nothing could be used that you already had, in other words all the food and any ingredients used would have to be purchased with the $13. So cooking the eggs, unless you boil them, is going to require some sort of oil or butter. A salad would be dry unless she purchased a dressing or some oil and vinegar. Etc.
If they have a non-stick pan, they can do more than just boil the eggs. I know that my pan works with eggs by themselves. Granted, it is newer. An older one might not be so kind.
You can also bake whole eggs.
Muffin pans to the rescue!
Indeed!
Just don't try and microwave them.
not that I ever tried that....
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Alatariel75 wrote: »Wynterbourne wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »Wynterbourne wrote: »
Do you mean for the OP, or for people on assistance? The OP, if that's who you meant, probably can't afford those, given the restriction on "bulk" purchases.Don't forget spices, you are going to want salt and pepper if nothing else. Also oil, margarine or butter to fry your eggs, salad dressing or vinegar for dressing. Ketchup? Mustard? Mayo? All those little "extras" add bucks to a grocery trip
I think the original post said nothing could be used that you already had, in other words all the food and any ingredients used would have to be purchased with the $13. So cooking the eggs, unless you boil them, is going to require some sort of oil or butter. A salad would be dry unless she purchased a dressing or some oil and vinegar. Etc.
If they have a non-stick pan, they can do more than just boil the eggs. I know that my pan works with eggs by themselves. Granted, it is newer. An older one might not be so kind.
You can also bake whole eggs.
Muffin pans to the rescue!
Indeed!
Just don't try and microwave them.
not that I ever tried that....
WOW! LOL. Umm... yeah in the shell is bad. *snicker*
That being said, I actually have successfully microwaved scrambled eggs in a ramekin. That can be done... Hehe.2 -
I can see trying different kinds of food inequality, but all at once? That seems like a bit much to me.0
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Alatariel75 wrote: »Wynterbourne wrote: »If they have a non-stick pan, they can do more than just boil the eggs. I know that my pan works with eggs by themselves. Granted, it is newer. An older one might not be so kind.
You can also bake whole eggs.
And poach them in a frying pan of water. 1 -
sarahaflood wrote: »Hi everyone!
I'm a college student and I am currently in a class that addresses all different types of inequality. For an upcoming project, I have $13.30 (around $4.43 per day) to use to eat for three days (mirrors average assistance in my area).
I cannot use any food I already have, I cannot eat any free food (from friends, promotions, etc.), and I cannot buy from any restaurants. Unfortunately, I am also not allowed to buy in bulk (even though it would equal out to the correct cost for day).
For this time period, I will not be too worried about my calorie count or my particular fitness/health goals. I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas or sample meal plans for me?
Thank you in advance!
Go to a grocery store and figure it out.
I've been in that situation for real, not just hypothetically, and not just for 3 days ... and that's what I did. For about a year, I had roughly $30/week to spend on food, so I went to the local grocery stores and figured out what I could buy.
Interestingly, I did the same thing again when I started with MFP. I went to the local grocery stores and markets and figured out what foods that would fit within my calorie limit were available. In this way, I actually discovered all sorts of interesting food and expanded my diet.
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Ohio and Massachusetts don't charges sales tax on groceries either, since they are a basic necessity of life.
I don't know if all Canadian provinces are the same, but Alberta charges tax on prepared foods as far as I know. So if you bought the ingredients to make a pie (flour, butter, apples, etc.), they would be tax free. But if you bought a ready-made pie, you'd pay tax on it.
We also have to pay extra fees on most drinks, a little of which you get back at the bottle depot. So my 4 litres of milk is priced at, say, $4.59 on the shelf, but it'll actually cost me closer to $5 once the extra charges are added at the checkout. (And I'll get 5 or 10 cents back on the empty jug.)0 -
BTW - where is the OP. S/he posted on the first page or so but not since then.
Maybe s/he actually went to a grocery store????2 -
That's probably true. And likewise, someone on assistance might have some has advantages the OP wouldn't have, like the ability to buy staples in quantity. Maybe also a network of local people to help them. It's a somewhat artificial situation.
You're talking about people who are actually on assistance, not the OP - correct?
If you have the time and access to those ads. When I was making the least money I was working full time as a temp, part time in retail, and going to grad school two nights a week.
Some low income people are working multiple part time jobs and using their spare time to take care of family and/or look for a full time job.
Shopping sales is something we say, but not always possible. Science is also finding that the way some people's brains process things can change when there is scarcity, such as poverty.
Yes. The OP has benefits that someone actually in that budget situation would not have.
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$13 for 3 days for me is completely doable, and I'm in Australia (everything is a lot more expensive here, dollar for dollar).
Hell, when I was in Uni, a 500g bag of pasta ($1), a tin of tuna ($1.50), a can of cream of mushroom soup ($2) and a cup of milk ($1) made a casserole which would feed me and the cat for 5 days. And often did.0 -
Beans and rice for sure! Eggs1
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BTW - where is the OP. S/he posted on the first page or so but not since then.
Maybe s/he actually went to a grocery store????
I was thinking maybe she/he talked to their professor (they said they would check with the professor in a follow up post) and was told this method of research wasn't permissible, so didn't come back to read the rest. But that's just a guess on my part. 2 -
Regardless of the discussion of whether the OP's asking the question here is cheating or not... I was curious to see if it would be possible to eat for 3 days on that amount of money here in Switzerland. It is possible, even assuming that the pantry, fridge and cupboards are completely empty. With the current conversion rate, I would have 13.19CHF available. As you can see from my calculations below, I am 0.04 CHF over budget (Here's to hoping I'll find a bit of loose change on the ground
)
Some things I've noted:
1. Not very varied, but for me satiating.
2. Oil and salt fit into the budget
3. Meat does not fit
4. Pasta is the cheapest option available
5. Fruits are too expensive (especially during this season)
6. I need to go to 2 stores (thankfully within walking distance of each other)
7. Chocolate is possible (cheaper than apples...)
8. There's food left over after 3 days
9. Protein's a *kitten* to get enough off
I suspect that variety could be achieved over a longer time period. For example, for days 4-6, vinegar, pepper and lentils (yay on the protein!) could be added to the shopping basket. More canned veggies and maybe a bit of cheese (instead of the eggs for a bit of variety). Longer term, once staples have been acquired, it might even be possible to fit meat into the menu once per week.
The thing with this kind of situation is, that it takes a lot of planning. Store 1 has the available products online, along with prices. Store 2 does not and I actually went into the store to check the price of the products I was thinking might fit. I'm not sure that someone in a tight budget situation such as this would have the energy necessary to make the necessary planning, then go to 2 different stores and actually stick to the plan.6 -
I have to say the professors lesson has acheived not just the op thinking about this but a much wider audience of people being mindful. That's quite the unintended upside.7
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I have to say the professors lesson has acheived not just the op thinking about this but a much wider audience of people being mindful. That's quite the unintended upside.
Indeed.
After doing this exercise (took me 3 hours from making the first list of possible foods to the final list, calculating the budget, - and no food has actually been shopped even though I was in one of the stores!) it made me appreciate the fact that my food budget is no where that tight. I can easily afford to go into a store and just buy what strikes my fancy (within reason!)3 -
ladyreva78 wrote: »I have to say the professors lesson has acheived not just the op thinking about this but a much wider audience of people being mindful. That's quite the unintended upside.
Indeed.
After doing this exercise (took me 3 hours from making the first list of possible foods to the final list, calculating the budget, - and no food has actually been shopped even though I was in one of the stores!) it made me appreciate the fact that my food budget is no where that tight. I can easily afford to go into a store and just buy what strikes my fancy (within reason!)
Wow you spent 3 hours on this?1 -
Ya know, people living on assistance ask each other help and suggestions on how to make ends meet. We're not doing this student's work--just giving suggestions on where to start. What the food prices are in her area, what sales there are, etc. are all up to her to figure out.2
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I could tell you how I did it during my year of extremely limited funds ($30/week for groceries) from memory in about 5 minutes.
It's etched into my brain and is partially why I didn't eat much in the way of bread for about 25 years.
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Chef_Barbell wrote: »ladyreva78 wrote: »I have to say the professors lesson has acheived not just the op thinking about this but a much wider audience of people being mindful. That's quite the unintended upside.
Indeed.
After doing this exercise (took me 3 hours from making the first list of possible foods to the final list, calculating the budget, - and no food has actually been shopped even though I was in one of the stores!) it made me appreciate the fact that my food budget is no where that tight. I can easily afford to go into a store and just buy what strikes my fancy (within reason!)
Wow you spent 3 hours on this?
Erm... yes... I was trying to figure out how to add the chocolate in and I really wanted to have a basic idea of what meals could be made with the food. I actually enjoy those kinds of challenges and might even try to see if I can do it (instead of just walking through it theoretically). I'll need to empty my fridge and freezer and pantry first to avoid cheating (and having food go bad )
Trust me, not easy to try and get enough food for 3 days on that budget around here.5
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