Making food stamps last

Buy bulk beans, rice, etc. Make big pots of chili beans and rice pilaf for cheap

This! Beans are cheap and healthy, and there's countless meals you can make with them.

To save money on groceries, I've been utilizing freezer space! I stock up on my favorite frozen vegetables and meat when it's on sale.

Tilapia is a fairly inexpensive and versatile seafood item. I buy family size bags at Kroger for about $10 and there are enough filets in the bag for multiple meals for two people.

Try to avoid getting too many of the prepackaged meals like lean cuisines or healthy choices. Even on sale they really aren't the best bang for your buck.

Bagged rice and beans are incredibly cheap.

As far as fruits and vegetables go, I buy whatever produce is on sale when I'm there.

It is much cheaper to buy a whole head of romaine for salads than it is to buy the ready lettuce in a bag. Sometimes cheese that isn't shredded is cheaper than the already shredded bag. Being observant can save you a ton of money.

I was scared that I would have trouble losing weight while on a budget, but I spend less on food now than I ever have before. Good luck!

OP,

1.) If you haven't already, please consider applying for disability benefits for your son. The money you receive is supposed to help offset costs of treatment, which would include his special diet and trips to doctors and therapists.
2.) If you receive food stamps, I am guessing your son receives some form of Medicaid? Ask your son's doctor if he can prescribe any of the specialty food items. If your doctor can justify it, you have a shot of getting some of that covered like a medication. If he has to drink anything like Ensure, definitely push to have that prescribed.
3.) If you don't already, keep track of any transportation expenses for medical appointments. Depending on your state and the allowed benefits, you may be able to get reimbursed for travel expenses.
4.) Try signing up for a reputable survey site like Harris Poll. You can earn points that can be used toward things like Amazon gift cards. It won't get you enough on a regular basis, but if you have a few minutes here and there to spare, you can over time accrue points and use that gift card to buy some grocery items in bulk from Amazon (or other things you need.)

I've heard some good things about Aldi, if you have one in your area.

Our local Aldi almost ALWAYS has a better selection of fresh produce for a MUCH better price!

OP, make note of your favorite brands/products and set aside an hour or so one night to email them--

Tell them that you enjoy their product immensely and would like to buy more but are on a budget, and can they offer any coupons? 9 times out of 10 they will ask your mailing address and send you some ASAP-- I got free Sweet Leaf Tea and Muscle Milk just last week that way, as well as several $1 off coupons.

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

Question--
If you're on the struggle bus this hard, why not just move back in with your parents, instead of living with an ex (confused on that, too, btw) who makes poor choices with your shared government subsidiary. And if he can afford an internet connection, then someone's priorities are way off.

As far as your job situation goes, I'd look into a seasonal position. You'd have to try really hard NOT to get hired at basically any retail chain between now and january. Just sayin'.

Actually glad you simply asked. I am moving back in with them, they're driving out here in 2 weeks so I have to make due til then. I live a few states away and they have their own stuff to take care of so until then I'm here. And I have 2 jobs (my old one I left in April plus a new one) waiting for me when I get there so I'm super excited about that. I have permanent nerve damage so it's been hard finding a job here where I don't have to constantly stand (cashier, etc, can't do those types of jobs). But definitely looking forward to being back with my family! My ex does make poor choices with the card which is one of the reasons why I'm in such a pickle with it to begin with. It was nice to have the help while I needed it, but I'm pretty sure once I move it won't be needed

I don't know what all stores you have around you, but I know that some Big Lots are now accepting food stamps.

Their food sections are really cheap and you can get a lot of name brand stuff at discounted prices. They have canned vegetables, canned meat, pasta, coffee, cereal bars, nuts, juice, seasonings, pancake mixes, flour, oatmeal, cereal, foreign imports like mexican beans, chinese noodles, edamame, oil, pasta, etc.

LOVE Big Lots. Unfortunately, very few of them will accept coupons. Just a heads up in case anyone was thinking of trying it.

Actually glad you simply asked. I am moving back in with them, they're driving out here in 2 weeks so I have to make due til then. I live a few states away and they have their own stuff to take care of so until then I'm here. And I have 2 jobs (my old one I left in April plus a new one) waiting for me when I get there so I'm super excited about that. I have permanent nerve damage so it's been hard finding a job here where I don't have to constantly stand (cashier, etc, can't do those types of jobs). But definitely looking forward to being back with my family! My ex does make poor choices with the card which is one of the reasons why I'm in such a pickle with it to begin with. It was nice to have the help while I needed it, but I'm pretty sure once I move it won't be needed

Sounds like you will be on to bigger and better things Good for you

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.

I find it funny that people are on assistance from the government, but yet have inernet/cable which usually is around $50-100 bucks a month.

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.

$350 should be a breeze.
You can buy bulk chicken breasts and lean ground beef. You can supplement your protein with eggs (breakfast for dinner) and beans. (think chili)
You can build several complete filling dinner for 2 for less than 5$. This is _fifty_ meals, leaving $100 for stuff like milks, cheeses and misc. items needed for specific dishes. That's almost TWO MONTHS worth of dinners.

You can supplement your healthy carbs by buying bulk potatoes, unprocessed rice and pasta. A 5lb bag of potatoes is less than $5, especially russets. This is at least 10 servings. Processed packages will cost you more and are much higher in sodium and lacking in nutrients. They have sales here "10 for 10" ten sides, for ten dollars or I can spend $5 for 20 serving by buying unprocessed bulk rice/potato dishes.

Buying vegetables in bulk will save you a lot of money as well and keep things on the healthier side. Skip corn, peas and other useless stuff and go for nutrient rich.
Buy bulk cheese when it's on sale. It's just two of you, you can wrap it in saran wrap in smaller bricks to keep it from going bad.

certain ethnic foods are low-cost, low cal, and dense.
Stir fries, Italian and mexican to name 3.

Powdered milk for cooking is another budget stretcher.

non-instant oatmeal & cream of wheat makes the breakfast budget stretch. So is using eggs for breakfast casseroles. Save your extra chopped veggies and throw it in along with a bit of cheese. You can make a calcium & protein rich hot breakfast last a full week, for 2, for less than $10.

$350 shouldn't be too difficult unless you live in a ridiculously priced neighborhood.

The farmer's market in my area and the CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) both take food stamps. The produce is wayyy cheaper than at the stores, plus it's local, fresh and organic!

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?

It's not that hard to get access to internet, whether you're paying for it or not. Not everyone pays for their internet.

I try to shop weekly with my stamps, but pre planning my meals when ever I have time. I try and use coupons.. (sometimes it don't be so many but its ok..) if you shop at walmart, you may be able to price match which actually comes in handy. I try and go for a cheaper product as far as brand wise and stores that I know that have low prices.. ( i stay in a very small town so not to many stores here have exactly that low price_... this has helped me.. I only get nearly $200 a month so I try and make it work.. and so far it has been working so well for me.and I only get what is necessary. I try to get my stamps to roll over...

I also try to by a large amount of food so it can last for the next couple of days by preparing my meals...

I have gotten them recently after change in finances. I have a hard time spending all the EBT! We get stuff that we never would have gotten before! I guess I was really tight on the $$ before. We ate healthy. Seasonal fruits, frozen veggies, hamburger (stretched big time). Always got nice healthy breads. Fish once in a while. Now with EBT I have to buy more expensive stuff or have too much over monthly. But I can't give up my years of saving at the grocery store. Hard habit to break, so we are going to whole foods (whole ripoff on most things imo) today. Now here you can only purchase food. Have heard in some states you can go to fast food (don't approve of that) But you are allowed to buy candy and soda! Those items are not healthy so we don't buy them. My daughter talks me into getting her seltzer water once a mo. or so but its only 60 cents for the 2 liter.
Trader Joes, Aldi, and Fareway are the cheapest stores in the area. Trader joe and Aldi are a hike (30 miles) so I rarely go there. Usually just get what is on sale that are good choices.
I love beans and lentils. Good healthy choices.