BEWARE! I am going to SNAP.

[Blondie]

We will see how it goes - I appreciate everyone having an open mind about it... :cantbelievemyeyes

Since I haven't done my shopping yet, I will have to see how it goes. I honestly plan to see just how well I can do on this challenge. I know I'm not going to starve to death, but I also acknowlege that it is going to be a completely different lifestyle than what I currently have. But, I've already looked at SouthernSavers to see how I can use coupons and I've started planning my meals, including what to do when I'm on the go.

Walmart price matches. You have to have he ad. I usually use Publix ad for the BOGO. I'm going today and have several ads to take. If you can match coupons to sales you save the most. This week Publix has International Delight Coffee Creamer BOGO and I have a 75 cents off coupon t put with it. (Of course I have more coupons to match the sales). Also, if you go to Target you can use Target coupons with manufactures coupons stacked. (This goes for any store that offers their own coupons).

A few weeks ago Ingles had Tetley tea on sale for $1.00 a box. I had two 75 cent off coupons and printed out 4 $1.00 off coupons. I got 6 boxes of Tetley tea for 56 cents.

Why did I not know this?!? Thank you!!!!! I'm getting back into my couponing!!!

You have to luck up on the right cashier to get Walmart price on the BOGO items though. That sucks! Some cashiers will charge the store ad (say Publix) price then you get the other one free. Like, coffee creamer Publix price is (IDK) $3.58 and Walmart's price is $2.98, they will charge you $3.58 plus the one free. BUT if you can luck up on the right cashier they will just do Walmart's price and the one free.

Today I was able to get 2 dozen eggs (1 dozen each carton) for 99 cents because Walgreens or CVS one has a dozen eggs on sale for 99 cents. The other drug store mentioned has milk $2.79 a gallon and I got that at Walmart too. IT's just the BOGO they charge the higher price for, but a lot of times it still comes out cheaper because you get two.

I called the Walmart here in Rockfart and they said the BOGO competitor coupons can be used IF the coupon has the other store's price on it. I have a couple of friends that cashier at our Walmart, so I'll just make sure I go thru their aisle. Thanks for posting!!!

You're very welcome! Yes, the compactors coupons have to have a price listed. Like a Target coupons for mayo would have to say 50 cents off Kraft mayo. regular $2.99 per jar. Or Kraft Mayo BOGO you save $2.99 a jar. I can't hardly find any coupons that do have the price listed though. They will NOT take coupons that say Kraft mayo 20% off. It has to be a dollar amount. Oh, and I can't get Walmart to price match ground beef because of the way Walmart's ground beef is packaged. They always say, "We don't sell it by the pound." It aggregates me because if you look at the price tag on the shelf it has a per pound price listed. Even when I brought that up they still refused. I did send Aldi an email and ask how much their 5 lb. roll of ground beef is. They answered me with the price, I printed the email and used it for awhile. The last time I used it Walmart refused because she said the email was 3 months old. Now, we just run up to Aldi and pick up stuff we can get cheaper.

 

[honeybunny]

Well, I did my shopping last night. I went to Aldi, Kroger and Publix. Between the 3, I spent $22.94 and was able to get:

celery
broccoli
10 lbs. potatoes
3 lbs sweet potatoes
peanut butter and jelly (the mixed jar)
honey wheat bread
box of oatmeal
a box of rigatoni
tomatoes
2 cans of pineapple
a bag of 8 chicken legs
1 pound of ground turkey
red beans (dry)
rice
popcorn (6 pkgs in the box)
1 lb real butter (not margarine)
chicken bullion cubes

Chicken bullion is the one spice I opted to get since the cost of spices is also included in the budget. I can also use the celery to help with flavoring.

You did pretty good, but you forgot the eggs.


:taunt

I needed eggs? :dunno :dunno :dunno

Eggs and a bag of oranges... you're gonna get scurvy.


) ) )


This is a complex issue and I admire your pure motivations for taking on this challenge. Empathy is good.
Kudos to you for stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new, we all need to do that.

I posted a couple of info links because I disagree with the political motives behind this national campaign.

We were on food stamps for a couple of years when I was 12/13, and I never remember any deprivation.
We ate pretty good cause my Mom is a frugal hippie and she knows how to cook and grow a nice garden.
I've learned many lessons growing up in relative poverty and I would not trade that wisdom for the world.



:thumbsup

 

[deewee]

Well, I did my shopping last night. I went to Aldi, Kroger and Publix. Between the 3, I spent $22.94 and was able to get:

celery
broccoli
10 lbs. potatoes
3 lbs sweet potatoes
peanut butter and jelly (the mixed jar)
honey wheat bread
box of oatmeal
a box of rigatoni
tomatoes
2 cans of pineapple
a bag of 8 chicken legs
1 pound of ground turkey
red beans (dry)
rice
popcorn (6 pkgs in the box)
1 lb real butter (not margarine)
chicken bullion cubes

Yep. I agree.

And I'm not dissing your list, but I'd starve to death cuz you didn't buy anything I like. )

I specifically geared the list towards things I knew I would like that could be considered reasonably healthy. Other than the buttered popcorn, I didn't buy any boxed processed crap (although the chicken was pretty cheap so it has likely been injected with something).

And now you know another part of my challenge when I grocery shop. I can't eat the "cheap" boxed stuff because of diabetes. I have to buy mostly around the perimeter of a grocery store...which is more expensive than shopping in the aisles, though it is healthier.

 

[LisaC]

Well, I did my shopping last night. I went to Aldi, Kroger and Publix. Between the 3, I spent $22.94 and was able to get:

celery
broccoli
10 lbs. potatoes
3 lbs sweet potatoes
peanut butter and jelly (the mixed jar)
honey wheat bread
box of oatmeal
a box of rigatoni
tomatoes
2 cans of pineapple
a bag of 8 chicken legs
1 pound of ground turkey
red beans (dry)
rice
popcorn (6 pkgs in the box)
1 lb real butter (not margarine)
chicken bullion cubes

Chicken bullion is the one spice I opted to get since the cost of spices is also included in the budget. I can also use the celery to help with flavoring.

You did pretty good, but you forgot the eggs.


:taunt

I needed eggs? :dunno :dunno :dunno

Eggs and a bag of oranges... you're gonna get scurvy.


) ) )


This is a complex issue and I admire your pure motivations for taking on this challenge. Empathy is good.
Kudos to you for stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new, we all need to do that.

I posted a couple of info links because I disagree with the political motives behind this national campaign.

We were on food stamps for a couple of years when I was 12/13, and I never remember any deprivation.
We ate pretty good cause my Mom is a frugal hippie and she knows how to cook and grow a nice garden.
I've learned many lessons growing up in relative poverty and I would not trade that wisdom for the world.



:thumbsup

We were "dirt poor" so I was very familiar with going without breakfast and sometimes only getting one meal a day. I also grew up in an area where we had about a 15 minute drive to the nearest grocery store so it wasn't unusual for us to have to pay convenience store prices when my parents just couldn't spend the gas money to drive to the grocery store. Like Stradial said - it made the difference between whether we would have peanut butter or potted meat (potted meat was cheaper at the convenience store and is NASTY). Fortunately, since I'm #6 of the 7 kids, as I got older (and my parents divorced), we were able to afford a little more. It has been a minute or two since those days so this is a good look back for me.

Something just occurred to me - I was 17 before I had my first real steak (not cubed or ground beef). A boy took me out to Ryan's or somewhere like that on a date.

But, the good news of the day.... A court reporting service we use just stopped by with goodies, including 4 precious Ghiradelli chocolates! :cheer1


Now, who is going to bring me Starbucks?

 

[ShoeDiva]

Well, I did my shopping last night. I went to Aldi, Kroger and Publix. Between the 3, I spent $22.94 and was able to get:

celery
broccoli
10 lbs. potatoes
3 lbs sweet potatoes
peanut butter and jelly (the mixed jar)
honey wheat bread
box of oatmeal
a box of rigatoni
tomatoes
2 cans of pineapple
a bag of 8 chicken legs
1 pound of ground turkey
red beans (dry)
rice
popcorn (6 pkgs in the box)
1 lb real butter (not margarine)
chicken bullion cubes

Chicken bullion is the one spice I opted to get since the cost of spices is also included in the budget. I can also use the celery to help with flavoring.

However, the one thing that I immediately realized is that if you did have to live on this per week, variety is sometimes hard - at least until you accumulate spices and could buy a few extra things that were on sale. And, you do have to plan your meals. Meat is the real kicker. It's expensive. I did manage to find ground turkey for $1.69 and the chicken legs were under $3. Real butter was my non-negotiable item, but I did get it on sale at Publix for $2 for a pound. Fresh fruit was out of the budget and that was disappointing, but I was able to use coupons on the pineapple. Diary products (other than butter) are out - those are expensive too. I am re-thinking the coffee issue, I avoided going downstairs until I was ready to walk out of the front door this morning, but I caught myself diverting in the direction of Starbucks when I got to Douglasville. I do have enough money left over to cover the cost of a small cup from Starbucks and, if I have to, I will sit there until I finish that cup and then get a free refill, but I am saving that for an emergency.


With all of this, here is my plan for the week:

Breakfast: each day will be one or two packets of oatmeal

Monday:

Lunch was included
Dinner was sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli (it was late when I got home so I wanted something simple).

Tuesday:

Lunch: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and celery sticks. I also have a can of pineapple and will eat some of that if I need something more, but I'm thinking that 2 sandwiches and celery will suffice.

Snack: Popcorn (or, if I want something sweet, pineapple).

Dinner: Pasta with ground turkey and tomatoes. I will add chicken bullion to the water when I cook the pasta and the tomatoes are already seasoned with garlic and oregano.

Wednesday:

Lunch: Leftover pasta and steamed broccoli

Snack: Again popcorn or pineapple (I could even do PBJ)

Dinner: Red beans and rice with chicken.

Thursday:

Lunch: Red beans, potatoes and chicken

Snack: Again popcorn or pineapple or PBJ

Dinner: Subway - the princess has a piano recital so I will grab Subway on the way home (I can get the meal of the day for $4).

Friday:

Lunch: Likely pasta or red beans/rice (whichever is leftover)

Snack: Same as every other day

Dinner: Chicken with roasted white and sweet potatoes and any broccoli that is leftover.

Saturday:

Breakfast: Oatmeal

and then I'm done!

Yep. I agree.

And I'm not dissing your list, but I'd starve to death cuz you didn't buy anything I like. )

Okay I know why you do not like broccoli, but hello, how can you not like celery? I am not sure we can be friends after this devastating news. :'(

 

[ShoeDiva]

But, the good news of the day.... A court reporting service we use just stopped by with goodies, including 4 precious Ghiradelli chocolates! :cheer1


Now, who is going to bring me Starbucks?

If you weren't so far... I would do it daily as my good deed to Midtown. ) ;D

 

[deewee]

Well, I did my shopping last night. I went to Aldi, Kroger and Publix. Between the 3, I spent $22.94 and was able to get:

celery
broccoli
10 lbs. potatoes
3 lbs sweet potatoes
peanut butter and jelly (the mixed jar)
honey wheat bread
box of oatmeal
a box of rigatoni
tomatoes
2 cans of pineapple
a bag of 8 chicken legs
1 pound of ground turkey
red beans (dry)
rice
popcorn (6 pkgs in the box)
1 lb real butter (not margarine)
chicken bullion cubes

Chicken bullion is the one spice I opted to get since the cost of spices is also included in the budget. I can also use the celery to help with flavoring.

However, the one thing that I immediately realized is that if you did have to live on this per week, variety is sometimes hard - at least until you accumulate spices and could buy a few extra things that were on sale. And, you do have to plan your meals. Meat is the real kicker. It's expensive. I did manage to find ground turkey for $1.69 and the chicken legs were under $3. Real butter was my non-negotiable item, but I did get it on sale at Publix for $2 for a pound. Fresh fruit was out of the budget and that was disappointing, but I was able to use coupons on the pineapple. Diary products (other than butter) are out - those are expensive too. I am re-thinking the coffee issue, I avoided going downstairs until I was ready to walk out of the front door this morning, but I caught myself diverting in the direction of Starbucks when I got to Douglasville. I do have enough money left over to cover the cost of a small cup from Starbucks and, if I have to, I will sit there until I finish that cup and then get a free refill, but I am saving that for an emergency.


With all of this, here is my plan for the week:

Breakfast: each day will be one or two packets of oatmeal

Monday:

Lunch was included
Dinner was sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli (it was late when I got home so I wanted something simple).

Tuesday:

Lunch: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and celery sticks. I also have a can of pineapple and will eat some of that if I need something more, but I'm thinking that 2 sandwiches and celery will suffice.

Snack: Popcorn (or, if I want something sweet, pineapple).

Dinner: Pasta with ground turkey and tomatoes. I will add chicken bullion to the water when I cook the pasta and the tomatoes are already seasoned with garlic and oregano.

Wednesday:

Lunch: Leftover pasta and steamed broccoli

Snack: Again popcorn or pineapple (I could even do PBJ)

Dinner: Red beans and rice with chicken.

Thursday:

Lunch: Red beans, potatoes and chicken

Snack: Again popcorn or pineapple or PBJ

Dinner: Subway - the princess has a piano recital so I will grab Subway on the way home (I can get the meal of the day for $4).

Friday:

Lunch: Likely pasta or red beans/rice (whichever is leftover)

Snack: Same as every other day

Dinner: Chicken with roasted white and sweet potatoes and any broccoli that is leftover.

Saturday:

Breakfast: Oatmeal

and then I'm done!

Yep. I agree.

And I'm not dissing your list, but I'd starve to death cuz you didn't buy anything I like. )

Okay I know why you do not like broccoli, but hello, how can you not like celery? I am not sure we can be friends after this devastating news. :'(

Oh! I missed that! Yes, I love celery!

 

[LisaC]

But, the good news of the day.... A court reporting service we use just stopped by with goodies, including 4 precious Ghiradelli chocolates! :cheer1


Now, who is going to bring me Starbucks?

If you weren't so far... I would do it daily as my good deed to Midtown. ) ;D

:love :love :love :love

So far, I have only seen two of my bosses today (and that is because their offices are directly across from mine). I think the others are in hiding...

 

[ShoeDiva]

Oh! I missed that! Yes, I love celery!

Whew....we can continue on as friends. :hug

 

[LisaC]

Oh! I missed that! Yes, I love celery!

Whew....we can continue on as friends. :hug

So wait, when you mention celery, she likes it. BUT when I mention celery.... :tapfoot2 :tapfoot2

 

[Blondie]

Lisa, When I was in 6th grade my dad hurt his back really bad at work. He had 2 slipped disk and 8 protruding disk. He was a subcontractor carpet installer. When he had to stop work he did not know he could get workers comp. We went months and months without a single dime coming in. I have no idea how they keep food on the table. I do remember one time we went to Win Dixie in Dallas and mom had got a few groceries. The conveyor belts were fairly new at the time. My mom laid the ten dollar bill down on top of some of the food she was buying. The cashier picked up the ten dollars and gave it to the costumer in front of us as part of their change. My mom spoke up and said something about it. The cashier denied it. The manager came over and said if the cashier said she didn't give it to the other costumer, then she didn't. My mom told them that was the last money they had and we didn't have any more coming in and she had to feed her two kids. The manager said, "Sorry." and walked away. I do not know how they fed us, but they did. Our power was turned off a few times during those months.

Somebody told my dad he could get workers comp and told him what he needed to do. My dad filed and got his first check with back pay on Dec. 26. He was really disappointed it didn't come in a few days earlier because there were not any gifts under the tree. When he got his check, he said, "Let's go." He took me and my brother to Kmart and bought us Christmas and he went and bought food. Some time after my mom went and got food stamps until my dad was able to go back to work. He was out a year and a half.

 

[ShoeDiva]

But, the good news of the day.... A court reporting service we use just stopped by with goodies, including 4 precious Ghiradelli chocolates! :cheer1


Now, who is going to bring me Starbucks?

If you weren't so far... I would do it daily as my good deed to Midtown. ) ;D

:love :love :love :love

So far, I have only seen two of my bosses today (and that is because their offices are directly across from mine). I think the others are in hiding...

) They do have free coffee there though right? I mean it is not Starbucks, but it would keep people alive. (and most places provide coffee for their workers so I do not think it would be breaking a rule)

 

[deewee]

Oh! I missed that! Yes, I love celery!

Whew....we can continue on as friends. :hug

So wait, when you mention celery, she likes it. BUT when I mention celery.... :tapfoot2 :tapfoot2

I missed it! I don't know how, but I did. Ok...I'll eat celery with you all week. I just bought some last night. )

 

[mei lan]

Good job, Lisa! Well, except for the scurvy part.

 

[LisaC]

But, the good news of the day.... A court reporting service we use just stopped by with goodies, including 4 precious Ghiradelli chocolates! :cheer1


Now, who is going to bring me Starbucks?

If you weren't so far... I would do it daily as my good deed to Midtown. ) ;D

:love :love :love :love

So far, I have only seen two of my bosses today (and that is because their offices are directly across from mine). I think the others are in hiding...

) They do have free coffee there though right? I mean it is not Starbucks, but it would keep people alive. (and most places provide coffee for their workers so I do not think it would be breaking a rule)

They do, but they have this nasty powdered creamer. :sick I just downloaded coupons for the International Delight that is on sale at Publix - I'm trying to decide if I should buy that or continue saving for a Starbucks emergency....

 

[LisaC]

Oh! I missed that! Yes, I love celery!

Whew....we can continue on as friends. :hug

So wait, when you mention celery, she likes it. BUT when I mention celery.... :tapfoot2 :tapfoot2

I missed it! I don't know how, but I did. Ok...I'll eat celery with you all week. I just bought some last night. )

:laugh :laugh

 

[Guard Dad]

Well, I did my shopping last night. I went to Aldi, Kroger and Publix. Between the 3, I spent $22.94 and was able to get:

celery
broccoli
10 lbs. potatoes
3 lbs sweet potatoes
peanut butter and jelly (the mixed jar)
honey wheat bread
box of oatmeal
a box of rigatoni
tomatoes
2 cans of pineapple
a bag of 8 chicken legs
1 pound of ground turkey
red beans (dry)
rice
popcorn (6 pkgs in the box)
1 lb real butter (not margarine)
chicken bullion cubes

Chicken bullion is the one spice I opted to get since the cost of spices is also included in the budget. I can also use the celery to help with flavoring.

However, the one thing that I immediately realized is that if you did have to live on this per week, variety is sometimes hard - at least until you accumulate spices and could buy a few extra things that were on sale. And, you do have to plan your meals. Meat is the real kicker. It's expensive. I did manage to find ground turkey for $1.69 and the chicken legs were under $3. Real butter was my non-negotiable item, but I did get it on sale at Publix for $2 for a pound. Fresh fruit was out of the budget and that was disappointing, but I was able to use coupons on the pineapple. Diary products (other than butter) are out - those are expensive too. I am re-thinking the coffee issue, I avoided going downstairs until I was ready to walk out of the front door this morning, but I caught myself diverting in the direction of Starbucks when I got to Douglasville. I do have enough money left over to cover the cost of a small cup from Starbucks and, if I have to, I will sit there until I finish that cup and then get a free refill, but I am saving that for an emergency.


With all of this, here is my plan for the week:

Breakfast: each day will be one or two packets of oatmeal

Monday:

Lunch was included
Dinner was sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli (it was late when I got home so I wanted something simple).

Tuesday:

Lunch: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and celery sticks. I also have a can of pineapple and will eat some of that if I need something more, but I'm thinking that 2 sandwiches and celery will suffice.

Snack: Popcorn (or, if I want something sweet, pineapple).

Dinner: Pasta with ground turkey and tomatoes. I will add chicken bullion to the water when I cook the pasta and the tomatoes are already seasoned with garlic and oregano.

Wednesday:

Lunch: Leftover pasta and steamed broccoli

Snack: Again popcorn or pineapple (I could even do PBJ)

Dinner: Red beans and rice with chicken.

Thursday:

Lunch: Red beans, potatoes and chicken

Snack: Again popcorn or pineapple or PBJ

Dinner: Subway - the princess has a piano recital so I will grab Subway on the way home (I can get the meal of the day for $4).

Friday:

Lunch: Likely pasta or red beans/rice (whichever is leftover)

Snack: Same as every other day

Dinner: Chicken with roasted white and sweet potatoes and any broccoli that is leftover.

Saturday:

Breakfast: Oatmeal

and then I'm done!

Yep. I agree.

And I'm not dissing your list, but I'd starve to death cuz you didn't buy anything I like. )

Okay I know why you do not like broccoli, but hello, how can you not like celery? I am not sure we can be friends after this devastating news. :'(

Broccoli is awesome!! And it causes gas, which is just a bonus.

 

[honeybunny]

We were "dirt poor" so I was very familiar with going without breakfast and sometimes only getting one meal a day. I also grew up in an area where we had about a 15 minute drive to the nearest grocery store so it wasn't unusual for us to have to pay convenience store prices when my parents just couldn't spend the gas money to drive to the grocery store. Like Stradial said - it made the difference between whether we would have peanut butter or potted meat (potted meat was cheaper at the convenience store and is NASTY). Fortunately, since I'm #6 of the 7 kids, as I got older (and my parents divorced), we were able to afford a little more. It has been a minute or two since those days so this is a good look back for me.

Something just occurred to me - I was 17 before I had my first real steak (not cubed or ground beef). A boy took me out to Ryan's or somewhere like that on a date.

But, the good news of the day.... A court reporting service we use just stopped by with goodies, including 4 precious Ghiradelli chocolates! :cheer1


Now, who is going to bring me Starbucks?

We never went hungry, but we lived the simple life for many
years in a 100 year old farmhouse with NO indoor plumbing.

I only treat myself to Starbucks in airports... because I can.



:thumbsup

 

[Guard Dad]

Oh! I missed that! Yes, I love celery!

Whew....we can continue on as friends. :hug

So wait, when you mention celery, she likes it. BUT when I mention celery.... :tapfoot2 :tapfoot2

Does the SNAP program cover the vodka?

 

[LisaC]

We were "dirt poor" so I was very familiar with going without breakfast and sometimes only getting one meal a day. I also grew up in an area where we had about a 15 minute drive to the nearest grocery store so it wasn't unusual for us to have to pay convenience store prices when my parents just couldn't spend the gas money to drive to the grocery store. Like Stradial said - it made the difference between whether we would have peanut butter or potted meat (potted meat was cheaper at the convenience store and is NASTY). Fortunately, since I'm #6 of the 7 kids, as I got older (and my parents divorced), we were able to afford a little more. It has been a minute or two since those days so this is a good look back for me.

Something just occurred to me - I was 17 before I had my first real steak (not cubed or ground beef). A boy took me out to Ryan's or somewhere like that on a date.

But, the good news of the day.... A court reporting service we use just stopped by with goodies, including 4 precious Ghiradelli chocolates! :cheer1


Now, who is going to bring me Starbucks?

We never went hungry, but we lived the simple life for many
years in a 100 year old farmhouse with NO indoor plumbing.

I only treat myself to Starbucks in airports... because I can.



:thumbsup

I only treat myself to Starbucks when I see one... :whistle