Making food stamps last
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Me and my ex-bf get only $350 a month for food stamps for BOTH of us. And it's almost impossible to make it work for the entire month, especially with healthy food which of course is more expensive than cheap processed crap. Most the time we have to dip into our savings/paychecks, get help from his parents, A couple months in a row i even just bought a months worth of slim fast ($40 each month) simply because we just didnt have the money for food. Seriously messed my stomach up drinking that stuff for that long.
I'm sorry, but this just seems like a complaint from someone being helped out. Why not be grateful for the $350 you didn't have to spend out of your pocket, and possibly look at this forum thread as a good way to get ideas, rather than complain. I don't want to seem harsh, but I do think you may need to rethink your attitude on this. It's a gift, or it sure seems like one to me.
agreed.
"Most of the time we have to dip into our savings/paychecks"
I do everyday. I have a fulltime job and a part time job so I can support myself.
:grumble:0 -
God bless America. You give your people free food, free housing, and I thought we failed with socialism here.
It's not free.... the taxpayers fund it.0 -
I am not on food stamps but I budget of $300 a month for groceries for a family of four 2 adults and 2 kids. Here is how I keep our groceries so low.
1. Buy meat on sale and freeze it.
2. Be creative with your meat. For example buy a whole pork loin (usually $1.99 a LB on sale) and cut your own pork chops to freeze. Buy bone in chicken breasts (usually .89-.99 LB) and bone them out for Bonless skinless chicken breasts etc.
3. Make friends with a hunter (DH is my hunter) Our freezer is packed with venison we have it ground into burger and use this instead of hamburger.
4. Make friends with the local farmers and buy vegetables in season. We have even been given vegetables for free if we were willing to pick them on halves (meaning we keep half and the local farmer keeps half)
5. Put in season vegetables in the freezer when they are in season and you can buy them cheap or get them for free. We freeze Broccoli, cauliflour, peas, corn, okra, carrots, green beans, peppers etc all bought at the local farmers market all bought at a discount or given to us for free.
6. Learn to bake and cook from scratch. I make almost everything from scratch. Bread is cheaper and better for you if made in your own kitchen because you control the ingredients same with soups and tomato sauces (which I make in big batches and freeze)
7. Start a garden. We are always growing something. Right now we are growing carrots, greens onions and lettuce. You can buy vegetable seeds and plants with food stamps (alot os people don't know this but you can do it.) In the summer we always have tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant and herbs growing in our garden. In fact this year I picked over 10 gallons of tomatoes off of my 10 tomato plants. I canned all of them and will enjoy them all winter long.
Making grocery money stretch takes some creativity and some hard work but in the end it is all worth it because overall you will eat better.
Totally would do all of this if I had a place to freeze.... We know a local farmer and we prefer it fresh in season. Downfall is small freezer and no place to put a spare. garden hard too as only place good for one (lighting issues, rest of property is covered in shade all day) is the front of the house. Live in Chicago area. Any ideas? during winter we store beverages outside when we have company :bigsmile:
We have an upright freezer bought it used from a garage sale for $50. If your front yard is the only place you have sunlight plant your garden as your landscaping. I do this around my back porch and patio. I also have pots with my herbs planted in them. You can also do raised garden beds Mine is on the side of my house the other place that has decent light in my yard. I put a pretty little picket fence around it and it looks great.0 -
Im not in the States nor am i on Food stamps but i would like to add my 2 cents.
I live on a very tight budget as well mostly by choice and being a single mom... however i have learned a lot along the way to free up some money...
I try to make as much stuff at home as possible (which has been suggested) for christmas my step mom bought me a bread maker and i use it religiously (im not saying go out and buy one but maybe as a christmas present or something) i make all my bread at home and it actually works out to be about half the price of a regular loaf and i can make all sorts of different types like raisin bread to mix it up once in a while with no consequence to my budget.
We also make our own yogurt... the cost of making about a litre of yogurt is basically that of the cost of half a litre of milk.. again you can season accordingly. Yogurt in Canada is outrageously priced for like 16 of the little cups your looking at $8.00 minumum. Its easy to make and is something that can be put in to cook overnight. (again sorry but you would need the little machine that processes it but again its not super expensive compared to the money saved) i get 2x the yogurt for about $3
There was another suggestion to growing your own veggies at home. I do this year round i have multiple pots that can be moved from inside to outside (for the crazy Canadian winters) i grow things like Tomatoes, Jalepeno's, green onions, potatoes as well as tons of different herbs, garlic, celery. A lot of veggies can be grown from what is left over after you eat it... like garlic can be grown from a bulb of garlic put into some soil and Celery from the end peice that is typically thrown away. This is by fair the best suggestion... seeds are very inexpensive and most plants after you harvest the veggies or herbs will grow back fairly quickly.
I think you are very lucky to have a system to fall back on when you need assistance. We dont have FS well at least to my knowledge.... we also dont have ways to use multiple coupons to save money that way.
Thanks for the Thread it gave me tons of ideas how to stretch my food budget as well even from up in Canada
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PSS - Another edit. I'd like to add it's rare that we get to use the whole $350 to just the two of us anyway. We're so low on money all the time, we usually keep $150 then he gives the rest to his dad in exchange for help with a bill/utility. THAT'S how bad off I am. And no it's not by choice, I'm not lazy, I've been searching for a job since I moved to this lil town and do everything from odd jobs and babysitting just to get by.
^^ That is NOT what Food Stamps is for... and I'm fairly certain that constitutes welfare fraud.
Besides i dont think your THAT bad off... you have a roof over your head a person you love next to you and food in your belly... so you dont have all the materialistic crap and all the luxeries... your not homeless your not dieing (some people with major diseases that are bed ridden in hospitals would trade for your spot any day) and your not alone
I do agree that that would fall into welfare fraud
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I have a budget (not food stamps) of 480 a month for two people one (me) with MANY food allergies.. I buy fresh veggies a lot also fresh meats,GF pasta and rice,cereal and goodies for the boyfriends lunch with around 120 bucks per week..I get paid on the 15th and 30th .. A lot of times I don't even spend 100 bucks..I only eat portion sizes and I buy allergy friendly foods on sale online through websites I found to save money and carter to my needs.0
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If you are on food stamps and use a coupon, some stores (Martin's mainly, sometimes Wal-mart) make you pay tax on the coupon. I don't know if it has to do with the type of coupon, but it does happen. When shopping with coupons, I always bring a few dollars extra to cover that. The first time it happened, I wasn't expecting it, and had to ask the lady behind me in line for a nickel. Depending on the coupons, it can add up. The most I've paid in cash for tax is $5.54, but I save $50 that day in food, so I consider it a win!
OMG! That's crazy! You shouldn't have to pay tax on the coupons. For shame, Walmart, for shame!0 -
PSS - Another edit. I'd like to add it's rare that we get to use the whole $350 to just the two of us anyway. We're so low on money all the time, we usually keep $150 then he gives the rest to his dad in exchange for help with a bill/utility. THAT'S how bad off I am. And no it's not by choice, I'm not lazy, I've been searching for a job since I moved to this lil town and do everything from odd jobs and babysitting just to get by.
^^ That is NOT what Food Stamps is for... and I'm fairly certain that constitutes welfare fraud.
Besides i dont think your THAT bad off... you have a roof over your head a person you love next to you and food in your belly... so you dont have all the materialistic crap and all the luxeries... your not homeless your not dieing (some people with major diseases that are bed ridden in hospitals would trade for your spot any day) and your not alone
I do agree that that would fall into welfare fraud
If she didn't reserve that 150 to offer in exchange for help with bills, she would probably become homeless, which would make your point invalid.0 -
God bless America. You give your people free food, free housing, and I thought we failed with socialism here.
It's not free.... the taxpayers fund it.
That's right which makes it socialism.
When my dad lost his job, we couldn't get foodstamps because my mother homeschooled us. :-\0 -
You really need to plan your meals. I get diet books like Flat belly Diet and things like that to get ideas. I then make a list of what is needed for recipes. Then I buy everything but the veggies at the beginning of the month. I portion out all of the meat in half pound increments. Then once or twice a week I walk to the store to get the veggies I need. This makes food last. Rice and beans are a great way to fill up for cheap. (Now if only I could get my partner to eat beans, lol) I also stretch my hamburger by mixing half 95% hamburger to half turkey. I know Higher fat content meat is cheaper but you get less meat in the process. You are just cheating yourself. My mother suggests also adding TFP (A food filler you can get at winco) to your meat to stretch your meat if your on a tight budget and need to stretch your food. My mother is currently homeless and has to keep her food at a storage unit in a freezer.0
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I also stretch my hamburger by mixing half 95% hamburger to half turkey.
I read that you can stretch your hamburg by doing a 50/50 hamburger/mushroom mix. OR hamburg/black beans.0 -
I also stretch my hamburger by mixing half 95% hamburger to half turkey.
I read that you can stretch your hamburg by doing a 50/50 hamburger/mushroom mix. OR hamburg/black beans.
Great tip!!!0 -
Invest in fresh fruits, veggies, and quality products that can make healthy, home-cooked meals.
Please DON'T use your food stamps to buy Oreos, Pop-Tarts, Toaster Strudel, Pizza Rolls, & Doritos.
(Not trying to be snarky....just a frequent check-out line observation.)0 -
PSS - Another edit. I'd like to add it's rare that we get to use the whole $350 to just the two of us anyway. We're so low on money all the time, we usually keep $150 then he gives the rest to his dad in exchange for help with a bill/utility.
What you are describing is illegal. Foodstamps are expressly forbidden to be traded or used as though they are currency.
If I were you I would not divulge my illegal activities online.0 -
Wasn't aware if it was illegal, but thanks for the info though
And to "cblevitron" you are right. If we didn't have the help, then I'd be looking for a shelter right now. Some people's situations are just different from others and they can't always understand, I don't judge other people and how they live their lives. I'm on this forum to support people and (hopefully) be supported in our weight loss and health journeys. That said, I'm seeing a lot of good ideas for money saving store trips. Thanks! I recently moved out of my parents house, and was used to them making all the right decisions at the grocery store. This is all new to me, POSITIVE support/feedback is appreciated 0 -
I am not on FS but I feed a Family of 3 on about 250 a month. I buy off band everything (90%of it is very good or even better). As for meat I buy the marked down meat (nothing wrong with it). Buy pasta, rice, frozen veges and Egg. Eggs are very important so many way to use them.0
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PSS - Another edit. I'd like to add it's rare that we get to use the whole $350 to just the two of us anyway. We're so low on money all the time, we usually keep $150 then he gives the rest to his dad in exchange for help with a bill/utility. THAT'S how bad off I am. And no it's not by choice, I'm not lazy, I've been searching for a job since I moved to this lil town and do everything from odd jobs and babysitting just to get by.
^^ That is NOT what Food Stamps is for... and I'm fairly certain that constitutes welfare fraud.
Besides i dont think your THAT bad off... you have a roof over your head a person you love next to you and food in your belly... so you dont have all the materialistic crap and all the luxeries... your not homeless your not dieing (some people with major diseases that are bed ridden in hospitals would trade for your spot any day) and your not alone
I do agree that that would fall into welfare fraud
If she didn't reserve that 150 to offer in exchange for help with bills, she would probably become homeless, which would make your point invalid.
Sorry but i dont find internet to be a NEED Which since she is unemployed and can barely afford to live why does she have internet? 0 -
PSS - Another edit. I'd like to add it's rare that we get to use the whole $350 to just the two of us anyway. We're so low on money all the time, we usually keep $150 then he gives the rest to his dad in exchange for help with a bill/utility. THAT'S how bad off I am. And no it's not by choice, I'm not lazy, I've been searching for a job since I moved to this lil town and do everything from odd jobs and babysitting just to get by.
^^ That is NOT what Food Stamps is for... and I'm fairly certain that constitutes welfare fraud.
Besides i dont think your THAT bad off... you have a roof over your head a person you love next to you and food in your belly... so you dont have all the materialistic crap and all the luxeries... your not homeless your not dieing (some people with major diseases that are bed ridden in hospitals would trade for your spot any day) and your not alone
I do agree that that would fall into welfare fraud
If she didn't reserve that 150 to offer in exchange for help with bills, she would probably become homeless, which would make your point invalid.
Sorry but i dont find internet to be a NEED Which since she is unemployed and can barely afford to live why does she have internet?
The internet isn't a need! It's a luxury. Like I said before, I realize there are people worse off than I am. As for the internet, my ex/roommate pays for that. It's available and I'm allowed to use it, so why is it an issue if he lets me? Also I wouldn't of been able to find a lot of the babysitting jobs I have to help get by without it.0 -
It saddens me that people need food stamps and I hope that if you need them that they last as much as they need to. Nobody deserves to be worried about food
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Here are some tips for you. My family used to be on food stamps as a child, so I know what it's like.
1) Always buy store-brand. I found that it was usually half the price of the actual brand and tasted exactly the same.
2) Buy fresh fruits and vegetables at a farmer's market instead of the supermarket. I don't know about the ones around you, but my farmer's market actually accepts food stamps.
3) Buy bulk of whatever type of meat that is on-sale and store it in your freezer for future dinners.
4) Buy dried beans and rice! Very cheap, and there's lots of different ways to make beans.
5) Use coupons! Try to get as much money off as you can get.
Those are the only suggestions I have for now, but if I think of any others, I'll definitely post them. Good luck.0
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