Comments on: Why I’m Living on a Food Stamp Budget

By: cyndi

cyndi — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:01:39 +0000

I agree with linda.. 2 or 3 apples combined with that peanut butter is the same as the prepared A super large container of vanilla yogurt which is about 3 x the amount of individual yoplait.. minus the enormous amount of sugar.. is 2.50 eat oranges skip juice.. egg noodles are quick to cook even in a micro wave.. I throw in some frozen peas.. a bit of salad shrimp $5.00 a package but I easily get 5 or 6 meals out of it. I have been needing food stamps for the last several months due to health problems.. the first month I spent $50 of my monthly allottment on a meat order of $50 and 2 bags of shrimp.. some tuna.. I still have plenty of meat and probably won’t buy another order for a month. It’s important not only to think frugal but to think longer term over week to week.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:22:26 +0000

Those are excellent suggestions, Linda!!

By: Kellye Sartoris

Kellye Sartoris — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:59:03 +0000

Superb! Generally I never read whole articles but the way you wrote this information is simply amazing and this kept my interest in reading and I enjoyed it.

By: LindaF

LindaF — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:46:18 +0000

This was an unbelievably wasteful way of buying! Some tips on how to do it:

- Buy beans – dry ones. Soak, add broth & vegetables (frozen mixed vegetables are cheap), along with some “tired” veggies that are marked down. Voila! A satisfying soup, that will both fill you up, and keep you energized in protein.
- Good cereals – even Total, Shredded Wheat, or a granola would be fine. With fresh fruit (bananas should be $.50 or less a pound), a good start to the day.
- Buy your yogurt in bulk – both cheaper, and fewer containers
- Buy bulk apples – use that peanut butter to make it a protein snack – skip the packaged stuff
- Think GOOD stretchers – baked potatos, sweet potatos (just halve them and bake – brush the cut surfaces with butter), rice – get the good stuff – balsamic or jasmine, brown if you like it

The trick is to NEVER eat a sweet without a protein/fat. It will leave you feeling like you need more food. By combining foods, you feel full and satisfied, without feeling stuffed.

Also, don’t fall for the “organic” crap. Mostly, it’s a waste of money.

And, BTW, that type of diet will keep you WELL under the limit for $

By: mark yarnell

mark yarnell — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:37:45 +0000

Appreciate the post, keep on keeping on!

By: admin

admin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:49:38 +0000

@Jim Wright: If you haven’t already, I encourage you to contact the Catholic Charities Help Line: http://www.catholiccharitiesny.org/get-help/contact-us/ You might be eligible for some of our services.

By: Tyms

Tyms — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:55:56 +0000

superb text , thanks for writing it

By: Jim Wright

Jim Wright — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:07:19 +0000

I’ve had no income since May 2009. If it weren’t for Anthony who puts me up, I’d have no home or no car. But his supporting me is getting old for both of us. I feel like I’m his dog. I used to know people who have dogs that get more money than I do to function. I have bills and it gets really old having to beg and borrow when they come due. You can try, but living costs money, no matter how hard you try not to spend any. I gave up on getting any job. I’m too old, too educated, male, out of work too long, you name the stupid reason. Nobody’s hiring or buying wherever or whatever. I’m trying to get a new business off the ground without money, a business model I’ve seen opening in other cities and it seems to be working. I am running into resistance from prospective clients. I doubt that getting customers will be a problem in Athens, GA. I lost the house 2 /12 years ago and everything is in storage. I lost the car about 2 years ago. Any savings also ran out 2 years or so ago. I want my life back. I need my home back. I am about to lose all the things my grandmother and mother left me for the third time. About all I have is food stamps. Even Jesus said “man shall not live by bread alone”. It is getting harder to make it on $200 a month, as food prices are rising and I am vegetarian.