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Sheila Steffen is a producer for CNN. Read part one of her food stamp challenge, wherein she shopped for a week's worth of groceries, spending only the $30 which would be allotted by food stamps. Previously: Could you live on $30 a week? | Witnesses to Hunger: A portrait of food insecurity in America | Childhood malnutrition has long lasting effects On Sunday night I’m finishing up the last of my big pot of black beans. The bag of dry beans I purchased along with a bag of rice has been three of my main meals this week. I’m not against leftovers; I eat them. It's just that I normally wouldn’t plan to eat the same thing again and again but this past week it was that, or go hungry. I didn’t have the luxury of variety or choice. My $30 food stamp challenge forced some difficult shopping choices and as many readers pointed out, I may not have made the wisest. I’m more accustomed to shopping for convenience than hunting for bargains. But I am keenly aware that each purchase I made for this week is accounted for, either for a breakfast, a lunch, or a dinner and maybe a snack. I spend all of my $30 before realizing I've forgotten sauce for my box of pasta. The peppers I'd initially regretted buying come in handy and along with three tomatoes I make my own sauce. Cooking big pots of food is a necessary strategy. The first two days are filled with periods of hunger. 5:30 on Tuesday seems too early to be thinking about dinner but that’s all I can think about it. I race home from work to fix a chicken breast, broccoli and rice; the best and most nutritious meal in my week. I get to have it twice. Wednesday’s the most difficult; I wake up hungry and help myself to a big bowl of Farina but realize a ‘bigger portion’ strategy isn’t the answer. It’ll fill me up now but I’m afraid if I eat too much I will run out of my allotted food before the end of the week. I count the slices of bread in my loaf and discover there are a few extra slices– which means one day I can have two sandwiches! I decide today is that day and bring two PB&J sandwiches to work for lunch. It's clear food has been on my mind more than usual this week. I think when you have a limited budget and fewer choices; you’re forced to do more thinking and planning around meals. I’m so very conscious, too, of all the things I have to forego. I can’t just grab a coffee or go to dinner with friends. I feel a bit isolated. Not having enough money for food affects not just your mood and health, but also your social life. Thursday is the first morning I don’t wake up hungry. I think my body may be getting used to less food. Still, I’m afraid I’ll get hungry so I eat a bowl of Farina anyway. I get through the day fine but decide against going to the gym after work. How do parents, who may skip meals so their kids can eat, find the energy they need to shop, cook, and care for the kids? Coffee may be a luxury, but I’m glad I bought some. If my calorie count this week is low, my morning cup of joe helps make up for it and keeps me going. A weekend out of city limits proves a bit tricky. Not only do I have to bring food, I can't share it! “Sorry honey, can’t offer you any,” is what I keep saying. Sounds selfish, right? But my food supply is limited, and this last chicken breast is what I’ve set aside and planned for my dinner tonight. It’s all I have. On Sunday rushing to catch an afternoon train back to the city leaves me no time to make a sandwich, and so I have to go without lunch. Ugh! Definitely knowing that this challenge is only for a week has been helpful in getting me through it. I’m grateful for the new insight and lesson in empathy. At times I realize it’s difficult to avoid hunger, to afford nutritious food. I certainly won’t look at the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables in the same way. Next week I can go back to more options and more food. But for millions of Americans across the country this challenge is real. week in and week out. One in four families - according to the Food Research and Action Center - worry about having enough money to feed themselves and their families. And for those who may get the help of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or food stamps, it still may not be enough to buy the minimum amount of food the United States Department of Agriculture says people need to survive. What I ate this week MONDAY: TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY;: THURSDAY: FRIDAY: SATURDAY: SUNDAY: Previously: Could you live on $30 a week? | Witnesses to Hunger: A portrait of food insecurity in America | Childhood malnutrition has long lasting effects |
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Ya, it's hard to eat on $30 a week on food stamps, but it can be done, here was my menu total cost $27.89.... ya not a gourmet meal...but I don’t want to hear those liberal bleeding politicians say it's impossible ...
Breakfast
Stuffed french toast
Pancakes
Eggs w/ toast
Egg burrito with potatoes
Greek yogurt w/ fruit
German fried puff pancake
Farmers omelet with herbs, roasted potatoes
Lunch
Pinto bean soup w/ flour tortillas (home made)
Salad with grill Chicken breast (1/2 breast), hard boiled egg, caramelized onions w/ toasted baguette bread
Vegan burrito (flour tortilla, 1/2 squash, caramelized onions, 1/2 green pepper) charra beans
Beans & cornbread
Falafel stuff pita with fries in a seasoned flour
Tuscan Chickpea Soup with pita bread
White beans & chicken sausage w/ french bread toasted
Dinner
Chicken ravioli ( 1/2 breast minced) with a rosemary cream sauce,
Chicken enchiladas ( 1 breast) with refried beans, rice
Chicken gumbo (1 chx thigh & 1 leg, make broth from bones)
Chicken tortilla soup (bones for broth ,1 leg, 1 thigh) & flour tortillas,
Chicken wings (2) stuffed with rice & mint with a lemon sauce on a bed of white beans & salad
Chicken thigh / leg ground up with some herbs & dry old bread crumbs made into patties & cooked, potatoes in rosemary , sauteed 1/2 squash
Vegan chick pea patties w/salad
** used all dry beans, chickpeas, lentils, used herbs from garden, all vegs bought in store/farmers market, eggs bought local all free range, cream sauce were made from evoported milk,butter & flour 2cut cost. All tortillas home made
Now that's what I'm talking about. Kick azz awesome.
PS I used nothing from my pantry, no spices, no oils ...... I could have baked the bread and saved another buck or so, or had twice the amount of bread or better yet barter it for the dozen eggs ($2 here)
Dude. What does liberal have to do with anything?
Looks good. Now go back and make that all gluten-free, dairy-free, coconut-free, pear-free, tomato-free, strawberry-free, and orange-free to prevent allergic reactions in yourself and/or your kids.
I love all these idiots that keep saying that people are eating on their dime....Your dime! what about all the money these people have paid in taxes over the years. what about all their relatives that fought and perhaps died for this country.. It's there money to, most people that receive food stamps are the working poor, not lazy people.
Get your facts straight and show some christian values. You want to complain about something , complain about political hacks that get lifetime rewards for serving 4 years on the job. I pray all of you that have no heart , experience poverty someday. "Divide and Conquer" you suckers have fallen for it!
Thank you Keith for your comment. In a dire circumstance, having that assistance can be the difference between health & sickness. Looking down on those who "need" assistance is wrong, sometimes people get fired b/c of no fault of their own (happen to anyone you know people?).
Yes, there are those who abuse the system & that needs to stop. The only way it will stop is to hire more people to investigate & follow up on applications & the supporting paperwork. I suggest we take the money to do that from politicians & those of you who seem to think you'll never be in a position to need help.
At 19 I was a single mom on state assistance. While I looked for a job, which is hard when you don't have a car & the father has run off, I received cash & food stamps. I spent my cash paying for diapers, putting gas in my grandmas car so I could use it for dr appts & job hunting & paying my rent. My food stamps were spent stocking up on baby food & formula for my daughter. Many days all I ate was tuna or ramen or cereal, so I could make sure I had enough food for her.
B/c I knew once I had a job, no matter how low the pay, the state would immediately cut off my assistance. And I was right, they did. That stockpile kept my baby well fed & healthy until I could find a better job & provide us both a better life.
I pray that none of you self righteous people ever need help, b/c I'd hate for you do choke on your pride while asking.
First, I commend Sheila for taking this challenge. Most people wouldn't even do it for a week because they don't have to, but I do have to say that maybe it could've been a little more 'tolerable' if she varied her meals. I'm a cook and also on a tight (but not $30 a wee) budget but to have some variey while staying within the monetary means would help a little:) Second, this is only for one person....most people receiving food stamps have families and receive more. On that note, I work at a year-round farmer's market/markethouse ( the historic Findlay Market in Cincinnati, Ohio) in a low income area of a large city and most vendors accept food stamps. I see cards everyday with $200-$3000 on them.....$3000.....and at the end of the month!!!! Food stamps are sold for $.50 on the dollar and people buy prime cuts of steak, lobster tails, sea bass, crab legs, and half the time don't even know the differnce between them all! It's extremely frustrating and would take 20 pages of typing to go into all of it but I have to say that some people deserve the support and help and many abuse it...we have to stop the abuse so those who need the help can have it. And for those who abuse it, you know who are and karma is a bitch.
This is completely absurd, this article is filler and fluff about on one the most pressing issues facing America today. I am a poor college kid and to think of surviving on the 30 dollars a week for food is beyond comprehension. Reading the menus none of which would keep you full for more than a couple hours, is troubling when we live in the most developed con-try in the world, seriously counting slices of bread and making that seem like a windfall, illustrates everything that is wrong with the US today. Which is well darn I guess its good enough, is the entire reason that we are in such a predicament and continue to perpetuate for god knows how long the cycle of poverty. Money is not the answer, education and realistic opportunity are because it energizes people to make something of themselves, when honestly as a college student going to one of the "most prestigious universities" (their words not mine) there is very little to look forward to upon because we no longer have any hope or dreams everything is merely good enough. Articles like this make it seem like living below the poverty line is not that bad and create a climate where the poor should just "suck it up" and be grateful that the benefactor (AMERICA) is bestowing this blessing on us. Which is a complete contradiction to the ideology the US used to stand for, although not always popular people must view our world through less passive lenses and realizes that everything directly or indirectly, equally and unequally effects all of us; therefore we must take active action other than sitting in parks to change America at its core. Otherwise hold on tight
Going through the self-checkout line at our priciest grocery store in town, my daughter found that the person before us forgot to grab their receipt. She started reading it: four ribeye steaks, four pre-washed potatoes (at $1 apiece), jumbo shrimp, fresh strawberries (in January at $6/pound), plus a variety of frozen meals, fruit snacks, juice pouches and a cake. She got to the bottom of the receipt and asked what EBT meant. Food stamps, I told her. I got to explain to her that whomever bought that, got free money (from our tax dollars) to eat like a king.
seriously? because they're using EBT they have to make poor food choices? while that family is eating fresh strawberries, how many bags of chips, cans of cola, and frozen foods do you let your child eat?
I am all for good food choices! My point was that the person was making EXPENSIVE and POOR food choices on my dime.
A bag of potatoes for half the cost (sorry they have to wash them at home), lean cuts of beef as opposed to high end steaks, and fruits in season would be a perfect use of food stamps. I can even understand the strawberries as a treat in February, but the "Kid's Cuisine" frozen meals andCapri Sun juice packs were not necessary. Pre-washed, over-priced potatoes and high end steak is really over the top when taxpayers are paying.
I work hard at balancing my home budget. Because of that, I buy fruit in season and typically purchase meat that is less than the $9/lb ribeyes to which I referred.
My teenagers actually don't drink soda often and never ate frozen meals. However, when I do purchase chips and soda, I have actually worked for the money and nobody else is footing the bill.
Please remove your nose from my crack. It's none of your business,Ms. Busy Body.
Berrnice ~ LOL!!! Such a typical response. When it is my tax dollars these sponges are living off of, it sure as heck should be my business. Food stamps should come with a pre-approved list of food list like WIC. On that list should be healthy food so that I am not paying for Medicade down the road because people destroy their bodies with horrible junk food. On that list should be foods that cost reasonable dollar amounts ~ not $9/lb beef.
If they're using EBT cards they shouldn't be buying ribeye steaks! I think there should be a specific list of foods that can be purchased with food stamps. Here's a novel idea, how about the recipients of food stamps being required to do a required amount of actual work for them, kind of like the amazing race if you don't finish the task correctly you don't get the food stamps. Hey Bernice....those of us who are paying for your free ride have every right to have our nose in your business. I think there should be drug testing and random home visits as well to those who recieve those handy little EBT cards.
I'm with you. I used to be a cashier at walmart and almost vomited this one time when a family went through my line with a couple of live lobsters and paid with EBT.
As a cashier in a major Superstore, I see this all the time. People using EBT to buy candy, cakes, soda, mixes for alcoholic drinks, ice to cool the beer, snacks, frozen junk food like pizza, frozen dinners etc. Food stamp purchases should be limited to healthy food like fruit, vegetables, fresh meat and fish, milk, juices and cheese. And, what really pisses me off, they take cash draws on the card and turn around and buy beer and cigarettes. I thought it was supposed to be a nutrition program, I don't see nutritional items on most of the purchases.
I had no idea that they could take a cash draw on an EBT card... That is insane...
Where exactly are you a cashier, Jane, because this is completely untrue. You cannot buy liquor with food stamps/EBT and you cannot withdraw cash. Federal law, not state law, prohibits withdrawing cash so if your store is doing it, your store should be turned in for fraud. I wish people would just tell the truth or just not say anything. .
I have seen other cashiers commenting on food stamp articles about cash back on EBT cards. I didn't realize how widespread that practice was. So sad that there are people making a bad name for welfare recipients by really cheating the system.
This “challenge” was a complete joke. I generally spend about $30 a week on groceries, and I always buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and fresh meats to use for my meals. It’s obvious that the research and planning for this article was nearly nonexistent. Hey CNN, give me a shout next time. Not only will I spend under $30 a week, but the meals will be tasty and healthy too.
MHT -
Yes, you may spend only $30 but are you using the items already in your pantry to supplement your purchaes? My guess is the author was not. So that $30 would have to include oils, spices, etc that are essential for cooking.
Do some people really think that I'm on public assistance because I want to be? Yeah, so I want to live on $932 per month in Disability benefits instead of being capable of working a job that would at least pay minimum wage? Or I love not being able to use my furnace because I don't have the money for heating oil? I wasn't always disabled, and I paid money into the SS system too. And if you think that Social Security Disability designation is easy to get, think again. I got it in only nine months because I had three doctors and two other health professionals writing that I can't work anymore, after which SS had me examined by their own doctor too. I was lucky. Statistically for most other people it takes a year and a half and two turndowns before they can hope to get it. I am also lucky that my food stamp amount is a little higher than $30 per week. That's because when my Disability income rose to $29 per month over the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a single-person household, my Medicaid help with medical costs was cut off. Thanks to that $29, I now have a minimum of $200 per month to pay in medical expenses out of that $932 income. If it weren't for food stamps I probably wouldn't have much to eat. I was told that my amount of food stamps was raised above $139 because I lost my Medicaid benefits, and their rationale was that if I had more money for food, I would have more money for the medical bills. I do appreciate that, but I can't pay my doctors with canned goods. Don't get me wrong - I am very, very grateful that I live in a country where I can get benefits to help me live. I just think all of those people who resent that I am getting that minimum of help could cut me a little slack. I'm not on public assistance because I want to be. It's because I have to be to survive.
No one begrudges you the food stamps, unless you're buying extravagant food items with them while I'm forced to make do with off-brand cereal and the chicken drumsticks that are on sale this week.
My sister works for a pauper's hospital system. There is a woman who goes there for her FREE dialysis several times a week. She is close to getting to the top of the list for her free kidney transplant (at the taxpayers expense). She asked to be moved further down the list or taken off completely. Her reason: she would stop getting disability and have to get a real job, she said.
I think you/your sister is full of it. No one wants to stay on dialysis. Someone with a kidney transplant will still be unable to work for the foreseeable future and only part time after that. She will be eligible for Medicare and SSI for the remainder of her life because of this. Those people on food stamps getting to spend their money on fresh food and juice. Wah, wah, wah. They have a limited amount of money. When it's gone, it's gone. You have no idea how many people were using that food or for how long.
Jennifer, even in my wildest dreams could I not make up that story.
My hobby is colecting food stamps. You should try it. It's so fun.
if you think collecting food stamps is fun and has become a hobby for you,are you out of your mind with all the hungry ppl living in poverty because a idiot like you likes to abuse the system, and the ppl that do need it can not get them because you need a hobby, you should be ashamed to call your self an american citizen
You aren't too bright, are you Diane? He was clearly making a joke. Lighten up.
There seems to be a mis-match between what you are saying Food Stamps pays out and what I see in the store. I see people buying all kinds of snack and other junk food, strawberries, grapes etc with Food Stamps. Many people not on Food Stamps can't afford those kinds of foods. Maybe these people I see have multiple kids so they get more Food Stamps then they give their kids sandwiches all the time so they can eat well?? Or maybe they are just gaming the system. I can see I see it all the time though, not just once in a while.
Since when are strawberries and grapes on the same level as junk food?
Maybe he meant strawberry or grape-flavored Hubba Bubba.
If we removed luxury items (flavored coffee creamer, alcohol), my boyfriend and I generally spend about $80 every 2 weeks on food...so $40/wk, $20/person. I stock up on basics, like rice, beans, flour, sugar, butter, etc etc etc and try to cook everything from scratch. No Hamburger Helper or boxed prepared stuff when I can make it cheaper AND healthier using spices I all ready have. I would suggest some sort of garden, if possible. Buying in bulk helps, as does buying staples at discount stores (Aldi, Save a Lot), shopping around for discounts/sales, using coupons (though I rarely do this), etc etc etc. We live near 6 grocery stores and I know what items are cheap and where and sometimes visit all 6 stores during 1 shopping trip (and no, the cost in gas does not offset the money I'm saving, all ready figured that out). My boyfriend and I eat healthy, varied meals every single day so it IS possible, you just need to know how to shop and be willing to cook!!
Lots of great information in the comments – good article to get people talking. My budget is about $75/2weeks for two adults at grocery stores/farm stand outside St. Louis. This does not count a meal or two a week at a restaurant which I put in my entertainment budget. Also does not count eating at family's houses. (It does include a dish or two I usually bring but much cheaper than preparing an entire meal. Also includes my turn to cook for the group so it may average out, but probably not as Mom-I-L cooks more.) Couple points that make this hard for me, got me to thinking about:
1. What about people with dietary restrictions?
2. Cooking from scratch takes time that that is more difficult to come by when you work full time (or multiple jobs), especially if you travel and have to carry food. I'm learning to plan for this better now that I'm working a more regular schedule for my day job instead of swinging back and forth.
I'm one that has trouble digesting foods. (late 20s, otherwise healthy). I'm not talking "I dont' like it" but rather food intolerances (or allergies, though I don't have that issue). I cannot eat beans (that one's tough for a budget) or broccoli/cauliflower, a few other things. I am aware there are people that have it worse in this aspect, though I find the ones I have developed to be very inconvenient (I *like* cauliflower). It kinda makes it hard to stretch things on your budget by "cooking dry beans and rice" from scratch as the beans will make me sick >< (Which costs $$ to treat.) Learning to live like this is definitely a journey.
To save time cook simpler meals. Make a double batch (or triple) and put the rest in the freezer.
I usually make 2 lasagnas. It takes about the same amount of time to cook and I only have1 major mess to clean.
Saves time cooking and cleaning ;0)
and I'm always thankful on the extra tired days when all I have to do is pull out some home made food out of the freezer.
Find solutions for your problems..........if all you can come up with are excuses, then it's not important to you.
if you are working 2-3 jobs, you aren't going to be getting food stamps anyway.
Food Stamps are not based on employment status, they are based on income so, yes, if you work 2-3 jobs (particularly if you have children and no partner to help out) you might still need SNAP assistance to get by
I don't think the author chose her food very well. I could have done much better on $30 and I do every week. That's about all I'm spending AND I'm not just feeding myself, I'm also feeding my child as well. You don't eat the same things over and over either, you chose one big thing, like a whole chicken and turn it into several meals. Roast chicken one day, chicken and rice the next, chicken noodle soup the next. I would say do a little more research. This isn't rocket science and it isn't punishment. We spend too much money in this country on crap.
SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (new name for food stamps) is designed to supplement a families food budget not replace it. The system need to be changed to limit what can be purchased on SNAP. Only healthy food should be purchased. 7-11s should not be taking food stamps. Sodas and cookies should not be allowed. Change the program to more like WIC that details the food o be purchased.
With the software we have these days, it seems like it would be something that coulld easily be done. Sure, an up front cost to companies to write the code but the long term health benefits and reduced health cost I'm betting would off set that.
I work in a market and see some of the things that people buy on food stamps (Pa.). While I agree $30 is not enough, some people are given such a high amount of money to spend, and as a result, eat better than I do, buying things like steaks, crab legs and lobster tails. It's ridiculous. I know of people that sell part of their food stamps to other people for cash. They just lend their card and PIN out. It's absolutely outrageous to watch. As for the journalist here, I understand the importance of coffee, but espresso can be especially expensive. Is that really necessary? And if you're looking for convenience over bargains, then you have already made your first bad choice. I can get five Stouffer's meals for $10 when there is a sale. Pasta and soups are often on sale for a bargain, and you can get a lot out of pasta. Leftovers are a must. Gees, sorry that your week was so rough, lady.
I'm really tired of these pathetic attempt at food stamp "challenges"
Is this really a challenge?
I think we need more of these challenges that ACTUALLY SHOW HOW REAL PEOPLE CAND DO IT.
Using common sense, coupons, bulk buying, gardening, cooking from scratch.
It can easily be done(for MUCH LESS).....but it requires "work"......NOT excuses.
amen molly, that's absolutely right.
What about people that have no room to garden? (No, not even a window box, as all my apartment windows are full shade or full sun that kills everything) I can't grow inside, my cat is too curious. I'm limited to my stove top for cooking, because to use the oven I have to manually light the pilot and have burned myself too many times to count trying.
Sadly, I can't even live on ramen and spaghetti (Which I would if I could) since I'm a Type1 Diabetic and all those carbs would be horrible for me (and that's the hereditary Type, before anyone makes assumptions). Yes, I've been on food stamps before. I was humiliated to have fallen so far, but grateful to be able to get things I can eat. There are no fat steaks or crab legs in my world.
I was a bit confused looking at Ms. Steffen's menu and her shopping list from the previous article. It didn't look to me like she actually ate the $30 worth of food she purchased... she should have had quite a bit of food left over at the end of the week in the form of staples such as rice, pasta, beans, peanut butter, jam, bread, breakfast cereal, coffee... even some apples. I read the article again and noticed she implied she ate the entire package of beans pictured in the photo accompanying the initial article in three meals by herself (believe me, as a vegetarian on a budget I eat a lot of beans and that shocked me) plus a lot more rice per day than I would even consider (and, again, I eat a LOT of rice). I then went to a calorie counter online and did some calculations and compared it to some online guides for calories a woman should be consuming and... assuming she is at a reasonably healthy weight starting out rather than grossly overweight and isn't exceptionally tall for a woman or a very athletic woman used to burning far more calories per day due to her workout schedule than the average American woman would to maintain a healthy weight (even giving her the benefit of the doubt and saying she is fairly young rather than in her mid 30s or older as her position might imply)... I saw that she probably GAINED weight that week due to excess calorie consumption. No wonder I looked at her shopping list and thought it was excessive even if she hadn't deprived herself of variety via her artificial construct (ie. one week only.. which means fewer bean/grain/vegetable options than most people on a $30 a week budget would have access to when the purchases are spread over a month or more for staples). This might be more an indication that the USDA has a problem in being both the arbiter of food guideline recommendations and the advocate of the food industry than it is that there is a problem in determining what we should be spending on food and what is used to calculate SNAP funds. Perhaps we should be educating people better on what they should be eating, restricting their food purchases more, and giving more people that "average" amount while paying for it by not giving anyone more than that and giving more of the people receiving less than that a bit more.
This isn't really investigative journalism. The author had a predetermined point of view and made sure that her "data" supports it. It's embarrassing. If she had done even a little bit of work, like finding a sale, menu planning clipping coupons, or shopping at a discount store, it could have been a useful and informative "how to".....but instead it's "poor me, I have to live on nothing but beans!"
Agreed! Poor reporting.
I have a family of five that is living on $337 month in food stamps. that averages out to $84 a week but then it also means that u can spend $16 week on each person for food........it can be done but it does get tuff toe=at the end of each month when you are tryin to scrape something together to feed the kids
If you had a job you wouldn't need to get free food from us the tax payers.
JoSe,
Oh, the old "get a job" comment. How original. Well, JoSe, people who qualify for food stamps might have jobs, hard full time jobs that just do not pay enough for them to get enough to eat. If you cannot imagine that, then join the club of other over-privileged self-righteous fools. (The club is called the Tea Party a.k.a. the right wing of the GOP.) You can lobby to cut taxes on people who make more than you do.
I have a good job, I pay a ton of taxes, and am grateful for living in a country like the US. I would much rather help out good people like Brian rather than give millionaires more tax breaks, even if I pay a bit more at the end of the year. It's called humanity. You should try it some time.
Jerry
And I bet if she was wealthy and working and had a nanny, you would be upset that she wasn't staying at home and raising her children herself. Only poor women should work, right? The ones who don't need to should stay home. Why do you think different standards apply?
This is really doable. My husband and I have a budget of $150 every month. We spend $75 every two weeks when I get paid. It takes some work and I spend most every Tuesday night clipping coupons and reviewing adds before going to the grocery store on Wednesday.
It is tough to do but you have to. My husband and I moved to Indianapolis for my job and he can't find work. I make too much for food stamps but its not enough to pay the bills sometime. He looks for work everyday and I spend my lunch break looking for a second part time job. We're both college graduates with loans to pay, but we get buy. We don't have the extra money to do anything, even gas money to visit family and friends, but we're taking care of ourselves at 23 years old.
My point is, everyone can get by on their own. It's hard but you can. I don't disagree with food stamps but I think there needs to be a new system to determine who gets them. When someone who isn't even trying to find work gets them and housing assistance but I can't get a dime of help when I'm doing everything I can, there's a problem.
Don't agree with food stamps? My wheelchair doesn't need gas, but my stomach needs food. No food stamps means I don't eat. Sure then I get to die and there is more for others, but what if I made a contribution, like when I saved those kids when they almost burned up. Maybe I should have just died before I saved them, but then that one kid would have never grown up to become a doctor, and those he saved would never be either. Maybe think a little more first?
you are still an idiot daimen, she doesn't disagree with food stamps.
You should read more carefully. I said i don't disagree, thus meaning I agree. But only in some cases.
For those making a contribution to the world, go ahead and help them out.
Now that I have been nice, I must say I do believe heroic acts should be rewarded but to boast about them is wrong. Most people who do good deeds would rather go unnoticed because they do them because it is what they believe them, they don't just do them for the attention.Take a page from the book of the marine Dakota Meyer.
You are one of many few that live life and don't expect the tax payers to feed you and your family. Be proud to say we can live and not parasite off the tax payers.
I Don't feel for the parents that have 3+ kids. First kid = mistake, second kid = I'm an idiot that doesn't know how to use birth control, thrid kid = I'm scamming the system and am too lazy to work. I understand if you both lost jobs and it's temporary, but that's not the norm.
I'm a full time grad student and work part time. No government benefits, but I eat about $30 or less a week. Normally spend between $40-60 for two weeks worth of food. I buy things on sale, but I'd hardly say I'm thrifty. I could see the hardship if you needed to feed kids, but it's very do-able as a single adult.
People on food stamps get $30 a week? And that's supposed to be a hardship?!?!?!? I have a decent job and have the ability to spend a lot on food, but I budget only $100 a month for myself, and usually only use $80 of it the month. And that includes plenty of healthy foods AND delicious foods. I am not just living on beans, pasta, PB&J, and apples. And I have people over several times a month and have plenty of food to share with them. What I DON'T buy is 12 espressos a week. Sheesh.
Not everyone receiving SNAP funds (ie. foodstamps) receives $30 a week. One of the reasons this artificial "challenge" of Ms. Steffen's is misleading. The $30 is, as far as I can determine, based upon the FY 2010 monthly per person average for somebody receiving SNAP funds.
I work part time and currently receive $200.00 a month in foodstamps. I am a single adult, it is comfortably enough to get by on.For me anyway, I cook, I do not buy microwavable meals..would never have 2 expressos daily' Just for the record I have worked hard all of my adult life and have found myself on unfamiliar ground with the need of government assistance due to illness. These are hard times and help is sometimes needed...don't judge. Life, for anyone, can change in an instance and it could be you needing the help.Love your neighbor, its all we have in the end.
You don't have to buy espressos at a cart, or store, or drive-through. Some people do actually own little machines to make them. One can also do a sort of pseudo-espresso with fine grounds in a french press. She didn't say how she makes or gets the espresso, but a thrifty person who enjoys them can do them at home.
yup, and you don't have to buy the machine new. you can get them refurbished for a fraction of the cost or pick one up at goodwill. yup yup.
Wasteful on her food budget. If she cuts out the frappachino's and goes with instant coffee or tea, especially tea because you can reuse the tea bags, she could free up maybe another ten or so bucks for food. Also, Chicken? That's -costly-. You do better with buying a flat of ramen, refried beans, and dried rice and barely. Forget veggies, they spoil too quickly, get your fiber in as best you can. Also? Lunch? Lunch??? If you're on thirty dollars a damn week, you don't have -money- for lunch. You get two meals, breakfast, and dinner are the ones I reccomend. Small breakfast, smaller dinner. Your stomach will shrink eventually and you won't be as hungry.
And before anybody chimes in, I'm living off of about thirty a week or less and -no- I'm not on wellfare.
Here in Hawaii, I spent about $30 per person for a weeks worth of meals plus a couple of luxuries, like a soft cheese or something. Most of what I buy is fresh produce, as well. Not normally organic– but fresh... and on sale. The trick is buying what is in season, and making it work.
(Also, when I was living in Oregon, I could normally manage a weeks worth of fresh meals for both myself and my husband for $30 total. Hawaii is a tad more expensive... but it is possible if you are paying attention to do the $30/week thing without a problem)
The average per-person-per-week for SNAP funds in Hawaii would actually be higher than the amount used in Ms. Steffen's "challenge". The $30 per week amount is presumably based on the average per-person-per-month amount released by the USDA for those receiving SNAP funds in the 2010 fiscal year. The USDA also releases state averages.. in Hawaii, in recognition of the significantly higher food costs, the amount was $216 per month which would come out to approximately $50 per week. Keep in mind that this is NOT the amount that everyone receiving SNAP funds receives. Some receive far less and some receive a bit more.
I work fulltime & receive stamps ($100mo) 4 me & my 2 kids.Im absolutely grateful 4 the program.I pack my lunch evryday & go out to eat once a month (if even)! Barely any convenience foods in my house. I cook a months worth of food & freeze it.Saves time & $$.Im so frugal ppl at work know im on a budget.Evry fri everyone else is out for lunch, im alone in the breakroom.Thats the way it should be! i should not be out making myself more broke by goin out to eat when im on stamps. I still end up buying outa my own pocket here & there, & def dont mind it. SUPPLEMENTAL is the key word! Ppl who abuse the program ruin it for ppl like me.I think stamp recipients shuld be drug tested, there shuld be pic ID required to purchase wit ur ebt card, & there shuld be a time limit on how long u receive benefits. For the ppl who r against stamps, no worry the system will ruin itself.Idont plan on bein on foodstamps forever, someday i will make enough $ to be cutoff.im workn towards it.That'll be a great day for me n my kids....
A breath of fresh air....... I'm so happy to read about someone using the the program the right way.
I'm so tired of people taking advantage of the system.
Wow. You're setting a good example for your kids about budgeting and money management and a can-do attitude.
To those who would require drug tests, nutrition classes, and a limit on how long someone can be on food stamps, I can say that while I would be embarrassed to stand in line for a drug test, it would come out clean so I could do it, but then there would be an extra cost for the government because I for one couldn't afford the lab fees. I am 54 years old and do not need any lessons in nutrition. I have probably read more on nutrition and a healthy diet over the years than your class instructor, and I am an excellent cook. As for a limit on how long you can be on food stamps, I would happily be for that if only my disability which keeps me from working was for a limited time too.
My fiance and I are vegan, we spend about $50 a week for the both of us and we're just fine. We don't eat processed foods, fried foods, overly sugary or salty foods. Just a lot of fresh veggies, fruits, and grains/nuts/beans. I mean, for someone who's used to buying nasty processed food or eating a lot of meat it may be difficult but it's not for us...
No offense, but food stamps are not supposed to make up 100% of a household's food budget. They are intended to SUPPLEMENT a husehold's food budget. That's why the program had to be renamed the SUPPLEMENTAL Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
If the author and any other recipients decline to contribute a portion of their other household resources or government benfits to their food bill, then they will indeed have a more difficult time subsisting. But really, who actually thought the government was going to give you a 100% subsidy? That's a little unrealistic. Food stamps are designed to make up 60 to 70% of your food budget, and that's pretty generous.
That is a very good point. Ms. Steffen used the $30 amount presumably because the national average for SNAP recipients (ie. those "on food stamps") is $133.79 per person per month which roughly translates into $30 per week. This is not the maximum or minimum amount or even the average for any specific state, but rather the program wide average. The calculations used to determine what a particular eligible family/person would receive include an assumption that if the family does have any source of income, after certain deductions are made, that they will still be spending a portion of this on food even though they are receiving SNAP funds. Probably not an accurate or even realistic assumption in all cases.
Yeah, she should buy food with some of that money she is wasting on rent and utilities, right?
Or medical bills and prescriptions or medical insurance and copays, the latter zaps a good portion of my budget, rent and utilities the rest and I don't qualify for snap which is fine but perry and all his walmart minimum wage no insurance jobs he wants to save america with are a joke. If stockholders canget rich off a company the least they can do is give insurance to their employees. The same for companies with owners living in million dollar homes...ruthless and cruel is what they are and their attitude is they are doing us a favor when without the working man/women they wouldn't be rich.
"Excess shelter costs" is one of those deductions I mentioned and includes both rent/mortgage and utilities. Again, I'm not saying that in practice this results in families necessarily getting help when they need it or as much help as they need but there is an attempt to take such things into account when calculating the amount people can receive. One of the things we are seeing in the responses to these pieces is that there are a lot of working Americans not eligible for SNAP funds who have less to spend on food than those receiving SNAP funds because they do not have those dedicated funds solely for food supplied by the government freeing up room in their budget for rent/utilities/child care) the way somebody on public assistance does.
And let's not forget about prescription medications...those copays add up
Eating off of $30 dollars a week is a breeze... if you've had to do it before. In this case, I believe she probably did struggle. If you're not used to it... it takes some getting used to. I applaud her efforts and am glad of the insight she now has for those who have to make it work.
Ok for all of you knocking people on food stamps. I am a single mother with a GREAT full time job and my own house, in which I pay all my bills alone!! When I moved I reapplied for food stamps and got DENIED! They say I make too much money now. Which is garbage since now i can barely feed my child let alone myself. I agree some people are lowlifes who abuse the system but I work my butt off and pay into it, so you better believe if I could still get it I would until i couldnt anymore. Why not get what I pay for anyways???
Apparently your full time job isn't that 'GREAT' if you can't pay for the basics of life.
Maybe you should rethink your budget before running to the government to help, if your job is so 'GREAT'
you chose to have kids and buy a house. too bad. I should not be paying for your food. I hate seeing people on stamps waste it on soda and cookies, etc. I am a college student with a full time job. I have no choice but to live off of about $50 every two weeks. Somehow, I manage. So should you.
I just wanted to point out one thing that might help.
It was awesome that you tried to do just $30 for the week using only the food you could buy with that amount. However, I think most people who get food stamps get their entire amount at one time. I, myself, spend around this much, maybe a little less, on groceries, but I do it two weeks at a time, so I spend about $50 or so dollars at a time. I think this helps a lot.
Should you try this again, I'd suggest doing it for a whole month using the $30/week rule, but spending the entire $120 at one time, or splitting it up into $60/2 weeks instead of $30 for one week.
The advantages this gives you:
You can get a larger bag of a meat or protein source that you'll use a lot of. For instance, If you love chicken, instead of getting just 2 chicken breasts for $4 something, you can get a whole bag of frozen chicken breasts for around $6 (depending on where you go. Some stores have them for $12.99, but have buy one get one free deals. If you have an Aldi's in the vicinity, they sell bags of chicken breasts or chicken thighs for around $5.99) This will make a number of meals, especially if you put together stews or casseroles where you can make a single chicken breast stretch further.
You can buy frozen vegetable in bulk for $6-12 a bag, depending on where you buy it and how big the bag is. This comes in really handy in providing the nutritious portions of the food.
You can buy larger quantities of things like bread (freeze what you don't plan to use right away), pastas, rice, oatmeal or cereal, which help to stretch out your meals.
It equals out to the same overall, but having a little extra at one time gives you a bit of an advantage in getting a variety that will last you.
Ok, more than one thing, because I wanted to suggest a few dishes that go a long way, with a lot less ingredients than you'd think:
Fried rice – super easy to make yourself. Cook an egg or two omelette-style in some vegetable or canola oil (or cooking spray). Once the egg is cooked, remove it from the pan and cut it into pieces. Then cook your meat of choice and veggies in some sesame oil if you have it (you can use any oil, but sesame tastes the best with fried rice, in my opinion), add in the rice and egg, and top it off lightly with some soy sauce. You can add all sorts of spices and flavors to it to fit your tastes, and any vegetables you like. The amount you make depends on how much rice you use, but you can stretch this into 2-3 meals using just one chicken breast or steak (or about 10 shrimp), and handful or two of mixed vegetables. You don't even really need to add a meat, even, because of the eggs.
You can make several other rice dishes in no time flat that are just like fried rice – minus the eggs and soy sauce. You simply cook your meat and/or veggies in spices that suit your taste, then add in the rice, or serve it on top of rice. You can even substitute pasta with olive oil for most.
Grab a bag of potatoes, and you can make stews that will last several meals. Chilis last for many meals as well, and if you make it a bean chili, you can really get a lot out of the money you spend. And if you are buying enough for the month at one time, you can make a couple of different stews and chilis on different nights and freeze them in individual sandwich baggies, which can be pulled out an microwaved whenever you need a quick meal.
But congratulations on making it through your week! I'm sorry it was harder on you than it had to be, and that many people made comments about your choices. It's a learning process, and honestly, many people make bad choices with the foods they get on a limited budget.
Just remember, if a coworker or friend offers to buy your meal, or gives you free lunch or a doughnut, we usually take it. It's not going against the spirit of the experiment to do the same. :)
Most of these comments are thoughful and helpful. My issue is that the only people in the grocery store who can afford to fill their cart to the ceiling are the people on food stamps. In Texas when a cart is filled to the sky; the payment is always made with the food stamp Lone Star card. Seriously, those of us who work and never have had food stamps could never imagine filling a cart so high.
Potato Chips take up more space than apples.
agreed here in Wisconsin.... thats all i see in the black community.
@ arney : actually there are more white people on welfare than black people...so maybe you should also look other places instead of just the black community.
so they shop once a month. that bothers you why?
Your comments are uninformed and not true. I am no longer able to drive and live with my daughter. We go grocery shopping for a month at a time because it is more economical for us to buy for the month. Yes our cart is sky high. I will also point out, that NO ONE in our household receives any type of assistance and pay our own way. Be informed before you spout off. I worked for social services for 25 years and can tell you that the average person's concept of "welfare" as it is often called, is based on misinformation or what you see a few doing. The average person on assistance does not want to be, but has a family to take care of. The job market has forced many to live a lifestyle no one in their right mind would have chosen.
I work in social services too and the vast majority of people in my county on food stamps are lowlifes who keep their hands out year after year. They don't try to get jobs, don't make it to their free job training programs, make sure their children get their free education, get to their free mental health appointments, go to their free drug rehab programs or do anything besides have more children. Food stamp cards are bought and sold, as are their RX Medicaid drugs. I believe we should those less fortunate but I also believe that those who get the benefits should not abuse them.
The comment about "the only people filling their cart sky high are paying with food stamps" is so far off base it's pathetic. My teenage son and I are on food stamps because I lost my job and started my own business from home when I couldn't find another job. I make less money now than I did before, but at least I'm working and keeping a roof over our heads. We use coupons to make the food stamps we get stretch as far as possible, and stocking up when things are on sale for a good price. My cart is full because I make wise shopping choices, use coupons, and yes – I shop once a month, because that's when the money is put on my card. THAT'S why my cart is so full – it's not because I'm a slacker or lazy or get a ton of money on my food stamp card every month. I don't buy junk, either – I buy produce, meats, dairy, cheese, and vegetables – we avoid the junk food aisles. I am just a simple, working American trying to get by – just like the rest of you – I drive a 10-year-old minivan that is on the verge of breakdown most of the time, we wear clothes from Goodwill because we can't afford to buy new, except for special occasions, and we clean houses and student rentals during the summer months to make extra cash. I work for what I make – so don't you dare insinuate that I am "filling my cart sky high" and mooching off the state when I am doing the best I can to get by.
Overall this was a pretty interesting story. Combining coupons and sales would have allowed for more variety.
Can we please stop being so judgmental of others! Many if not most food stamp recipients are hard working Americans just like you and me.
I find it interesting that that all these people claiming to be on food stamps can afford computers and internet to post online but can't afford to buy food.
Yeah, and always bi tching about how they don't have time to cook for their family. Get the hell off the internet and cook why don't ya?
for all you know they're on a computer at their local library.
Heh, internet connections are cheap and an old computer that gets you on the internet with a dialup can be had for $25-50. The Internet is a must have for job. Hunting these days and it is cheaper and more informative than tv esp when you can't afford cable. To not be on the internet today puts you at a disadvantage employmntwise and socially, it saves on phone calls talking to your family. Some people get a little money and then get all indignant that people with less just want a little more level of a playing field. I bet anyone working for less than $18,000 is working a lot harder than anyone that is an exec. Just watch Undercover Boss to see evidence of this.
Yep, I'm on food stamps. And I've got a pretty nice computer, and an internet connection. Because I got the computer when I had a job that required it. Same with the internet. I lost my job last month, and currently am waiting to start a new one (that I need my computer and the internet for!). So what, I shouldn't get a little help for the gap between so I can eat?
Disagree. I think, once upon a time, people who recieved food stamps may have been hard working individuals who may have need just a little extra help. But today... No. I solidly believe that more than half of the individuals recieving food stamps how found a way to play the systems. They walk in the Health and Human Resources Department with a baby on their hip and walk with a food stamp card in one hand and an iPhone in another. I've seen it. As a person who works two jobs to make ends meet, it really makes me question the system. Allowing this farse to happen not only costs taxpayers like myself but it is taking those government benefits away from people who genuinely need them.
And another thing (and then I promise to get off my soap box folks), one of my jobs is as a cashier for a large grocery and retail store. I think it should be required to show ID in order to use food stamps. If I had a nickle for everytime someone came through my line with an EBT card they bought off someone elese, well... let's just say, I wouldn't need to work two jobs. We had a guy come through the store last week who admitted that he bought $200 in food stamps for $100 off of a woman. Did I trot down the lady's name on the card and report her? Damn right!
this is just ridiculous. you look at the menu she ate during the week, and it's more than most of the people in the world could imagine eating. the menu seems quite filling to me.
my fiance and i are both full time students, and we eat on less than that. we buy in bulk and make it last a really long time. we know how to make food last. we don't eat out because it's not necessary. if people really need to save, there are ways.
every time i go to the store, i see people in the lines on food stamps buying things i wish i could afford. brand name food, processed foods, you name it. we don't qualify for food stamps because we receive financial aid. but that doesn't mean that it covers everything. we could actually use it. we get by because we save and only use our money when it's needed.
Hopefully, while in school, you will learn how to use capital letters.
And this is why the youth have the highest unemployment rate
hey monkey, who died and made you the grammer nazi?
If you are eligible for Work Study and work one hour a week, you are eligible for food stamps. Also, if you work at least 20 hours a week, you are eligible for food stamps.
Yes I can live off $30 a week easy. I actually feed my family of 5 for $50 a week now. We've been doing it for many years, and we have big picky appetites! $200 a month is our limit. We buy all our groceries for the month as soon as hubby gets paid. We buy lots of fresh fruit and groceries from the 99 cent store. Were Mexican so I make plenty of rice and beans and ground beef tacos. I buy frozen chicken breasts and prepare it in a variety of ways. I make everything from scratch. I have 4 stores that I go to and I know what is cheapest at each one. Almost nothing goes to waste at my house. God bless all of those who are struggling.
Thanks for pointing out that you are of Mexican descent. Every country has their 'poor people' foods, and as someone who has lived in three different countries (besides my own) some of these foods are truly delicious. Look up an Egyptian dish called Kosheri. Great stuff!
I shopped at Kroger here in ATL today, Senior Discount of 5%, had some coupons and never buy anything unless it is on sale. Retired–and I can get $50 of groceries for $25. Routinely save 50% at Kroger AND Publix. I am very thrifty.
We shop here in Seattle at Kroger and watch sale flyers, use coupons, and shop local fresh markets.
We probably use less than $30/per per person per week as we have good pantry resources. That said I cook food in big quantities at a time and freeze for future meals.
A sample dinner I cooked today was 2 beef shanks totalling 1 1/2 lbs purchased for $2.86, 1 yellow onion, 2 stalks celery, 2 large cloves garlic, 2 regular carrots, (all veggies purchased in bulk...cost for this recipe...pennies). Herbs from our city deck garden 0$, 1/4 cup dry vermouth (we use the cheapest brand great for cooking... About $3.49/ bottle for decent stuff. Remember there are great herbs in dry vermouth), 1 can each low sodium beef broth, low sodium diced tomatoes, any dried pasta that had been sitting in there for awhile, we used whole wheat curly something.
Final dish seriously great Osso Buco with enough to feed 6 people well. We are eating it again tomorrow and freezing extras for future meals.
Point here being that I grew up up in the late 50's and early 60's in a house with 2 parents, 6 kids, 1 grandma, 1 greatgrandma. We grew things, we preserved, we cooked big stuff at one time and lived a very frugal life even though we lived in a very affluent area.
Never had food stamps, but I did feed 2 adults and 5 growing children on $80 a week (sometimes less) in the early 1990s. We did not go out to eat, had a lot of bean soup, and meat no more than 4 times a week. Desserts were out of the question except for birthdays. We all survived, and were (and still are) actually quite healthy. It can be done with careful planning, and making things from scratch.
For one person that amount can be doable...not high living eating...but still good meals...I have done it myself...it is how one spends the resources and utilizes sales, coupons, discounts etc.
I remember receiving $115/month in the early 90's...but with my shopping strategy I was buying up to $250 in groceries/month...and I do the same thing with the $200/month I receive now...one has to learn how to constructively budget resources to feed themselves adequately...now, it is much more difficult with a family, etc because of so many dietary demands, preferences, habits...but with one person it can be done and done well.
Learn to cook from scratch
Learn to use herbs/spices
Learn some ethnic flavored recipes for a healthy and simple variety
Learn how to buy some staples in bulk size for a cheaper cost
Clip coupons and buy the item when it is on sale
Buy 2 for 1 with coupons
Buy family pack meats and put into small freezer bag portions
Cook in smaller pots and use smaller plates
Measure cooking materials as needed to save waste
Learn how much food can adequately satisfy your hunger
20 years later and you are still on welfare?
That was awesome lol, win!
Not only that, but they're on welfare, and had kids that they couldn't afford while on welfare. Great way to raise a child
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing.
Judging others says much more about the one who judges, than the ones they are judging ;o
Be careful, that "family pack" stuff a lot of times winds up being more expensive per ounce than the regular package stuff.
I'm surprised at how many apples the author purchased. Bananas are usually cheaper.
Bananas are more filling, too.
Maybe she doesn't like bananas.
I find apples pretty filling, myself.
what is going to happen to this country when it hits the fan and NO ONE has any govt assistance??? We need to help eachother. this is what is going to happen if this country mostly the govt doesnt stop spending and start thinking of the people of this country...look at Greece right now....
Yes I could live on $30 per week. Where do I sign up? Oh yeah, I don't believe in being a burden on society. If each member of my family were on food stamps I'd have an extra $300.00/mo to feed my family. Someone's eatin' high on the hog.
Reading this article made me happy that I am able to live off of about $20 a week and still be healthy and enjoy a splurge now and then. It is all about knowing how to shop and cook for yourself and be happy with what you can afford. I work about 50 hours a week (10 hours of OT per week is OK with the boss) and after rent, basic utilities, and gas I have roughly $50-60 left over for food and incidentals until the next paycheck. Yes I do have TV, but I make sacrifices for that luxury: short showers, keeping the lights off unless absolutely necessary, etc. Learning to cook 1 pan meals also helps, 1 pan means less gas and less water needed to clean.
I am fortunate that I live somewhere where fishing and hunting will supplement my diet. My boyfriend and I fish often for salmon and halibut and he does hunt elk and deer, which have replaced beef in my diet. More importantly though, I have learned how to cook a majority of my favorite meals at home. It may surprise the author of this article that you can make a full dinner for less than $3 of new groceries – granted you may need to substitute fresh tomatoes for canned and chicken broth for water, but it can be done!
Looking at the authors diet for the week, I am amazed at how she ate. Why didn't she count in staples that most people, even broke people, keep on hand (rice, pasta, dried beans)? With $30 she could have bought tuna, chicken, cream of mushroom/chicken/whatever condensed soup.. milk and cheese can last more then a week..
10 OT hours/paycheck is what I meant, not 10 OT hours/week...
$30 a week? How about try surviving on less than $6 a week...That's what I did and blogged about my experience..check out http://www.thischangedyourlife.com and look at Experiments in Hunger.
My family of four usually spends $900-1000 a month on groceries. Last month we double paid a payment on accident. Instead of using credit cards to carry over to the next month (we are debt free after paying off $50,000 in credit cards!), we decided to see if we could manage on $400 a month. IT WAS HARD. Of course, we eat all whole foods, and mostly organic. My children get the recommended 7-9 portions of fruits and veggies a day. I don't know how people do it! My mother has been unemployed for 3 years. Her savings is running out. As a gift, I sent her what would be a week's worth of groceries for us.... chicken, beef steaks, cubed steaks, pork chops, veggies, eggs, cheese, fruits, butter, bread, milk, etc... while I did send large/bulk packages, I felt like I wasn't sending enough. After eating plain pasta and canned Hunt's pasta sauce... she was accustomed to eating so much less food. Our ONE WEEK of food lasted her (one person) over a month. That being said–she totally ate the produce first, because it was a total luxury. Fresh fruits and veggies shouldn't have to be a luxury! I was amazed that she could buy an additional loaf of bread and gallon of milk to get through 30 days. I guess people just learn to do it.
I have a family of 4, and I live in a major metro area, and you spend in one month what I spend in 3.
quit wasting your money at Whole Paycheck. We use Aldi, Meijer and s bulk food vendor called Gordon Food Service. Personally I think organic is the biggest ripoff around. Is there any actual scientific data that it's measurably better for you? If you feel you "must" have organic then grow your own produce. Where you live you have nearly a year round growing season. I'm lucky to get a 3 month growing season and I still manage to freeze and can plenty. And I work full time.
$900 – $1,000 a month... WHAT?! What the heck are you buying on that insane "budget"? Geesh. Ever clip a coupon or take a gander at a sale flyer? No wonder it was so hard to feed your family on $400 a month. You are serving huge amounts of premium meat and animal products every day. That list for your mother for one week was insane.
holy crap!!! I have a family of 7 with 2 adults, 3 teenagers, and 2 babies on formula and our grocery budget for a month is $250 including all our paper products, diapers, and personal hygiene needs. We eat well too. We also eat a lot of raw healthy foods. I do not understand why you spend so much. Btw- i have 2 kids who have food allergies also so we spend extra on some specialty foods (within our $250 budget)
Changing the apples to bananas (apples are expensive) and cutting the coffee would free up a good portion of your budget.
I know I personaly need a few cups of coffee to get through my mornings, but a bag of coffee ($7) lasts me for over a week. I make a small thermos (about 1/2 a pot) each morning and that lasts me the day. I could never bring myself to pay $3+ for an espresso or a store-bought coffee each morning.
coffee fills you up, that is a known fact to the poor!
I went back to college without a job based on encouragement from our local Vocational Rehabilitation Dept & a payment of about $100 a month. I was living with my elderly mother, who is on Social Security. After having to take out student loans to pay for gas & food, I applied for food stamps but I was turned down. They told me students do not get food stamps in SC.
Why???
Why does a student without any income going full-time to school not qualify for food assistance? Isn't that discrimination?
Yes, it's insane. A friend of mine was attending college full time and couldn't find a job on the side. She received grants which barely covered her tuition, but she still needed to eat and pay rent. She applied for food stamp but was denied because their "guideline" says students who are already receiving financial aid do not qualify for food stamps. Even the worker who processed her application said the rules are absurd.
michigan students can get benefits but must work at least 20 hrs a week. my son delivers pizza 2 nights a week for minimum wage then gets 200 a month in stamps.
Tertiary education is not compulsory education. You are choosing to spend money to attain a college degree – money which could have been spent on items, including food.
Good call Rich.
I see your point, but at the same time, He is trying to better himself and when he finishes school, will be able to get a decent job... Its a shame that it is so hard for young people to go to college if their parent's aren't rich and pay for them to go and eat and live.
While your standpoint might be, well you should be working instead of draining taxpayers, if he doesn't go to school, he may be a drain to taxpayers because he is forced to work at Walmart or McDonalds....
If anybody,it shoud be you getting the foodstamps. You are trying to better yourself and will be back through taxes later, unlike people who are on social support for their entire lives.
I believe that assistance is great when needed, but don't ask me to feel sorry for the leaches I stand behind in line at the grocery store who load their food stamp purchases in their new SUV's while I am trying to decide to pay my power bill late or feed my kids. I work my BUTT off to support these sorry people. The least they could do is pick their feet up when they walk in their bedroom slippers to the meat counter and pick out the most expensive anything my tax money can buy. Considering they can't even pull up their damn pants or take the rollers out of their hair or better yet, get out of their pajama's and put on a freakin bra to get said free food, I am surprised by nothing. Yep, I am angry , yep I am bitter, yep it makes me descriminate-but only at lazy people. Laziness has no race. Lack of self respect has no color. Greed and selfishness, are a product of our government enabling people to settle for being garbage that I have to support. Sickens me.
Why should you have a say in what I eat. Just because I use food stamps, doesn't mean I should not be able to by pasta and a steak. I am intitled to govenment help. And if i want to buy some smokes with the money I do make, wht should you care, they are taxed heavily anyways.
I never said I should have a say in what you eat. Ever consider how much food you could buy with the cash you are spending on cigarettes? I bet if you didn't get your foodstamp money every month you would be calling them for your cell phone too wouldn't you? Nothing wrong with using it if its needed. Its the people living off the system and accepting that as a means to be lazy and an excuse to take advantage of it that makes me sick. BTW, how much is that internet costing you??? Probably a weeks worth of groceries huh?
You are not Entitled to anything in life! You should be working towards the goal of getting OFF foodstamps.. shame on you!
You are only entitled because of specific statutes authorizing the program and funding for it. Those have changed over the years since the program's inception in the 1960s and will almost certainly change again. While none of us have a right to tell you what to eat, we definitely have a right to be observe and be critical of what we might consider unsound choices of how to spend taxpayer supplied funds and voice that criticism both to the general public as part of a dialogue on how to improve the program and to our lawmakers if we think restrictions requiring wiser spending are called for to help fight malnutrition in this country and keep the taxpayer funded federal budget in line. You are only "entitled" to the funds... and only "entitled" to use them for such a broad category of permissible items.. as long as the law says so and laws can be changed.
Sorry, but I don't feel like paying for your health issues either caused by your stupid choices. With the incredible national debt this country is facing, uncertainty about Social Security and the like, I really hope that programs like this are scrutinized. Items like cigarettes, junk food, soda, etc. are not going to be allowed. Like you're really going to starve if you don't get your Cheetos and smokes!
Why should you have a say in what I eat. Just because I use food stamps, doesn't mean I should not be able to by pasta and a steak. I am intitled to govenment help. And if i want to buy some smokes with the money I do make, wht should you care, they are taxed heavily anyways.
Um..... "Entitled"
Nobody is entitled, nobody. You get what you work for.
Nuf Said?
That's a foolish argument. If indeed you are purchasing steaks and cigarettes, you are undermining the purpose of the food stamp program, which is to help provide a nutritious diet for lower-income people. The food stamp program was not devised to preserve your discretionary income. Also, the government does not entitle anyone to freeload. So shut your mouth.
Simply because you are getting help on the premise that you need help. If you have the money to splurge on cigarettes then you probably don't actually need the help and that money should be diverted to someone who does.
That's a foolish argument. If indeed you are purchasing steaks and cigarettes, you are undermining the purpose of the food stamp program, which is to help provide a nutritious diet for lower-income people. The food stamp program was not devised to preserve your discretionary income. Also, the government does not entitle anyone to freeload.
He who pays the piper calls the tune.
if you can afford cigarettes the you can afford food.
if you don't like other people criticizing your lifestyle choices then finance those choices yourself.
No, you work your butt off to support yourself. From your description you probably don't pay any federal income tax. You must be millionaire rich!
Well I herniated alot of discs in my back. Honey that is what you call breaking your back, working. I recieve 460.00 a month thank God I get it. but it is not enough for groceries utilities, rent, cleaning supplies, personal hygeine products like soap., etc..fruit, meat? Yes I do walk in slippers, somtimes I do not put on a bra. no no PJ's.Now they talk more cuts. Why don't they just slit my throat. My kids are working, going to college they get a few food stampsTh. Still beans rice potatoes, ramen, eggs if tey are on sale. Baby gets milk, sometimes bananas, mac-n=cheese on sale.Iey pay rent, utilities. etc clothf someone boght a pricey piece of meat maybe it was shared in small amounts, just to have3 a taste, or eat more beans that week.If they walk in slippers maybe it is all they can wear, if they shuffle maybe they are lucky to be upright at all. If your grocery money is low why don't you get a better job. See I can judge you too. I do not like to see druggies being supported either. But maybe it is legal meds, & they are having a very bad day, & doing well to walk at all.. Doing thier best to get food for thier children. You cannot bulls**t me how well they eat.Been there. Still there. No FS for me.Probably a monthly treat. Sometimes you need a little treat to keep on struggling.New car, maybe they borrowed it to go shopping. Just because they are poor, doesn't mean everyone they know are poor.Does not mean they never worked, You are trying to poison people against peope that lost thier job, got hurt, etc.Count your blessings you still can work.When my children finish thier education, do not worry they will be paying them taxes in. I am returning to school for a career that does not require me to walk, or stand.Hopefully the job will be there when I am through. .It is a matter of self respect, and survival. We but cheap bagged chicken, quarters not breasts, Expresso, never had that, even when I was working. Coffee, yes lots of it. Food stamp allotments are for the month. Not week, so you buy all you can, especially, needs like margerine, eggs, rice, potatoes, beans, milk some items for two weeks some non perishables for the month.But will but breasts if I can get them for like **cents a lbs. Oil, flour, Mayo if on sale, boullion, baking powder.Farina , more like oatmeal, if on sale.Since we do not have money to go to a restuarant maybe we can make some chicken strips instead of chicken & dumplings.I just went through 2 years with no tv, or phone. So just think before you open your mouth. There are a lot of people working that just do not make enough to support there families. A lot of companies that only hire part-time, no benefits.Maybe someone you saw, had to go to the store during thier resting time, between jobs. It says in the Bible, Do not Judge, Least you be Judge.I understand your anger. These are trying times for everyone.If it gets to bad, go to a food bank, they usually do not care what you make. Just that you are in need of help. No real meals type things. But peanut butter, some noodles maybe a can of fruit or veggies. A loaf of bread a can of soup. it helps. Just do not poison yourself with your thoughts & try to poison other peoples thoughts. Try to have a good life okay.We are all haveing a hard time. We all are trying to survive.I will pray for you. Have charitable thoughts for you
I have a bunch of ruptured discs in my back too; along with spinal arthritis. I'm in a lot of pain right now, but I'm going to school and working toward a career that I can do. Why give up? Don't work harder work smarter!!
Sorry Ginger I speed read, and missed your statement that you're going back to school. I can't delete my comment above, and apologize.
Don't give up. It can be done.
No, that's not what you call breaking your back. That's what you call a poor excuse to not have to work anymore. Get off your ass and get a job. Millions of other people in this country work every day with back problems and don't threaten to slit their throats because of 'more cuts.' Have some damn self respect and work for your money.
Candice, you didn't read all she had to say; she wasn't threatening to slit her throat; she is going to school to get a job she can do; her whole article was about struggle and overcoming it, and you act like this. If you were my daughter, I'd swat your behind.
I don't mean to sound crass, but geez...I work mandatory 45hrs. Per week, usually ends up closer to 55-60. I work in a convenience store, on my feet the entire shift/s. I too have a bad back, and both knees are shot. Every night at the end of my shift, I go home and pull out the heating pad and bengay...I cannot afford to have knee surgery, and even if I could, I couldn't afford to live on 66% of my pay. So everyday, I continue on. And everyday, people come into my store and buy nothing but junk...10,20,30.00 worth of junk and pull out their "independence" cards...yep, I'm struggling, in pain, to support me and mine, AND these sad excuses who could care less. So yeah, I'm angry, because this system doesn't work..the majority of my customers are lifers, and they send their kids in to use the card also, creating the next generation. So while I get what you are saying, what I see with my own eyes validates my position.
"Baby gets milk"? Would it be remiss to point out that having a baby while unable to work and in a desperate financial situation is an example of poor decision making?
P1969
I worked in the grocery business many years and live in the Delta. I have witnessed a family of 4 (single mother and 3 illegitimate children) get $1,800 per month in food stamps–no jioke. We had to run their food stamp cards to see what their balance was and many were getting around $1,800 per month on their card just for food. The same family received free rent on a 3 bedroom apartment, had utility assistance, received ssi checks of $492.00 each for the mother and the 3 kids, free medicaid that paid for all their medical, dental, pharmacy needs plus they received anything else they could find out about at church on Sunday. This person was probably a third generation of assistance of this nature and will never better themselves. However, how could she ever make enough money to bring home enough money to pay for all of the benefits she was receiving for free!!! There are more people by far who abuse and cheat the system than those that are really in need. The federal and state governments both need to stop all food stamp, welfare, ssi or any other form of assistance completely. Since so few that need it can get it there would be no deficit in the coffers. I have to work for everything I get and so should everyone else. Also, families can take care of their own people that can't take care of themselves. It is not the people's responsiblity.
And she probably honestly believes that she's entitled to all that assistance.
I don't think a lot of people really know how to shop for groceries. I know I don't. Unless you're in a position that you really need to watch your pennies when buying groceries, you won't know what stores have the best deals, know to use coupons, etc. I spend $25.00 a week just on coffee. Give the author a break.
Soooo, being ignorant and uneducated on how to do something appropriately makes it ok??? Buying items on sale and usuing coupons isn't rocket science. It requires reading the sale flier and utilization of scissors.
Well said, Liz.
Wow this is just the right topic for me to add to. I would like for some of you to know that foodstamps do not help me they have damaged me and my family. I am a single mother of 2 children. My oldest son is 20 and has dropped out of school at 16 to stay home and watch his baby sister so that I could work cause the cost of child care was not worth my weeks wages just to work to pay daycare what makes since here someone else gets your money to watch your child and after you pay that you got maybe $30 to pay your bills, daycare gets the most. I tried to receive some special daycare thru the so called programs but like always I was excepted and the very next day the funding was already gone. No job, no daycare. Had 1 lady that would come when she felt like it, so the days she didnt feel up to watching the baby my son stayed home from school. I hated that more then you even know, my son as lost on his education due to me having to work and keep food and the bills paid. Now lets jump to today. My daughter which is now 6 has been diagnosed with ASD. My son has been the biggest hero in this family for what he has done to help us by staying home dealing everyday with his sister while I worked PT. We had been doing good. Food, clothes, the little extra things you know. Cable, internet and Chinese dinners once in awhile even. Along the way I have done my own research on ASD and what other parents are doing to help their children with the same disorder my daughter has. Well in my finding some foods are best not fed to these children due to digest issues which vary from gluten free/ L. Casein free diets. And with all this my mother passed away, well once that happened I now have another family member to take care of and that is my youngest sister whom has brain damage from an auto accident as a baby thrown from the truck and her head hit a telephone pole. I was working and we got off foodstamps things were looking good. I have no job now due to having to stay home and care for the 2 disabled people whom I love very much and make many sacrifices for. I receive disable SSI for both its just enough to pay the bills rent, electric, and cable but that is it. My son got a PT job he gives me money for food and 1/2 cable bill. I receive less then $160 a month. I am afraid that my health has gone way south due to not being able to eat healthy like everyone tells you to do. I cant I will go without to allow my children to eat first and that means they only get 1 meal a day and maybe a snack. My daughter whom can eat all day gets the most I can not afford the things that are gluten free or L. casein free. I bought 1 cake that cost me $6. I do my best to buy things that are good for her like fruits and veggies which she likes alot, but she likes sandwiches, cookies, and pasta. They all cost more on the gluten free isle at your grocery store. Milk she drinks very seldom so that is good, I do not buy cheese any more she loves cheese. I am afraid I may have some kind of eating disorder due to lack of nutrients I have lost another 5 pounds, dont get me wrong I eat but not enough. I am also having to pay back a portion out of the $160 that I get to a mistake that the state made giving my mom and sister 2 years ago to much. I was unaware of this of course cause me and my mom seldom talked. I get no help from my so called family, 21 years ago my sister was molested by someone in the house at the time she points the finger at all 3 which happen to be my father and 2 brothers. No charges were pressed due to incompetence to sit on the stand. I have my hands full and what I receive for 4 people is ridiculous I do not cook everyday due to the electric bill if I go over 1000 kwhs the price for all the watts over they charge you more. I cook maybe 2 good meals a week. Mostly chicken or hamburger something. Nothing goes to waste. Even my ASD child knows we recycle the bottles and paper. You know how heavy ladies want to be thin well let me tell you I have ribs showing and it is not pretty in a swimsuit. I want to gain weight not loss it I fight to keep what I got. I want a job so bad I can taste it, sitting at home is driving me crazy. Some days I wake up thinking I can just go get a job well then I look around the room and remind myself that my 2 girls and my son are what is the must important I can not just leave them with any old Tom, Dick or Harry cause they could be violated and because of the disabilities they have no rights. Proven already to me with what has happened to my sister and that was within her own family. I can not even image someone doing something to my daughter like that and have them tell me she is incompetent I would absolutely lose it. And again to my sister whom mind you has a 38DDD breast size is very easily looked at by those that are perverts. So I will go hungry to assure they are safe. I hate the system it hasnt worked for me. Each time I have tried it only gets worst. Now having to pay back what I did not get is even harder. My family suffers everyday. I grow more and more angry each day I have nothing to give my daughter to eat that is healthy for her and more and more angry that I can not reach out for assistants due to the facts I get no where. Dead End. I give up trying, for the worst always happens. Can you eat on $10 a week? Would actually be $9.50 a week 1 person?
10 dollars per week is not enough
I would say part of your problem is you aren't educated. If you were more literate, you could probably get a better job. If you could afford cable and the internet, then I just don't think you need government assistance. Sorry.
Sounds like a lot of excuses and not much motivation to change your situation. Did you consider getting a job at night so your son didn't have to leave school? ...There is a rebuttal for everything you have listed, including the fact that you don't need CABLE when you can't feed your family. Learn how to cook gluten free foods for your child instead of buying expensive store-bought and unhealthy prepared foods. FRUIT and VEGETABLES are gluten free. Did you ever think of that?
Again, so many harsh comments, said without a breath of graciousness. I often double up on recipes, and freeze half, less cooking that way; also crockpots are a great thing, the use the teensiest amount of electricity. A lot of people have them around that don't use them. Maybe you could check and see if you could get the special antenae's (spelling) so you can cut the cable – I think some of them are free, and don't forget the many churches and foodbanks that can help. Every choice, good or bad can be picked apart and nitpicked to death. Hindsight is 20/20. Keep you chin up and everyday try to do something positive for yourself, even if it's just a pat on the back that you got through another day.
gluten free food shelves are far and few between; my daughter donated to one in Atlanta, and I just did a search, and it sounds like it is just beginning to come on the rise. Check with your food shelf and see if they can help. Here's a link;http://glutenfreecooking.about.com/od/resources/ht/glutenfreefoodbanks.htm but it's more about starting one up. Maybe one of the food shelf volunteers could get excited about it; perhaps they may be even willing to contact some of the gluten free companies for donations...One thing a day, one step at a time.
I understand that you love your children and are trying to do the best you can, but honestly why do you keep having them? I would never, ever ever give my son a "baby sister", knowing that his life was going to be ruined by it. It must have been obvious that you could not afford child care before you got pregnant. You don't mention a husband's income or child support from an ex-husband in your calculations. I hope for your son's sake that you did not get impregnated by a jobless loser who is letting your son carry the burden of providing for a special-needs child. I don't mean to sound cruel–I had a surprise pregnancy myself–but I'm shocked that your son is bearing the responsibility for all of this.
My version of the food stamp diet:
2 PB sandwiches per day
1 box macaroni per day
1.5 loaves day old bread = $1.50 per week
1 jar dollar store PB = $1 per week
1 small tub of margarine = $1.50 per week
1 quart of milk = $1.50 per week.
Now, what was the problem? :-)
Whoops! Left out the 1 box m&c per day = $7.00 per week.
My wife and I live on 280K-300k a year. We have a large house, a boat, and four cars. We probably spend around 800/week including eating out, a bit more if you include the membership to our private club. Not sure what its like to eat on 30 dollars per week, but I don't think that I would be interested in trying. Even with an okay income we have lots of expenses for our house and cars. For example an oil change on our Mercedes is over 100 dollars. All I am saying is that we all have different incomes and different expenses. If you feel like you should have more, then ask yourself if you have always worked your hardest your whole life. I bet you have not. You could have always forgone an hour of tv to work more
Richard, no disrespect, I see your point, however, there are some of us with college educations that work 60-80 hours a week but are single parents who either have to work so many hours we can't see our kids or see them and make sacrifices such as food and clothings through no fault of our own. Spouse walking out, lay offs...so many things that you never think will happen to YOU. I agree with you that most situations are due to bad choices or not making a true effort to better lives along the way, but I can honestly say, I have worked since I was 14, have a college education and have done everything to try to ensure a future for my children. I am very glad you are fortunate enough to live the lifestyle you do. Its hard to understand how a lot of people dont get those same chances you had to get where you are.
Richard, I am sure to have gotten there you had to be raised in a household where education was a must and your parents probably aren't beggars or prostitutes. I can't believe your smug attitude and obtusely skewed perception. For someone who has so much in life, you must live a very meaningless life to make such a comment. There are people who take advantage of the system, which in some ways I'm sure you're guilty yourself(maybe fudging on your taxes here and there), but for the most part, people are in these circumstantial situations due to some things that are out of their control. Although I have risen above poverty and have funded and received an education, I was raised in poverty due to my father leaving my mother to fend for herself. She didn't choose to go on welfare but we were lucky enough to have this resource or else we would have starved. My mother worked her hardest, sometimes at three jobs, and she skinned dead embalmed cats at one point to earn the money to feed us. Sometimes it's not always about working hard and sorry to say this, but you're a jackass.
I use to have $25 for two weeks to feed my son and myself. I didn't qualify for food stamps, that would have been nice. And no, I wasn't out spending my money on foolish things instead of food. I didn't have cable or internet, I walked to the store to save gas money, I gave up my uncovered prescriptions so we could eat....I was just over the limit for help....of anykind. But I did it and we survived and while I would never wish it on anyone else, it's do able and made me a stronger person. Now I'm in a two income household and money is better and life is easier, but I still am very careful about how much I spend a week. We average $60 a week for 3 people now and most of what I buy is fresh unprocessed food...more than $30 yes, but still not a lot. If you're careful you can heat healthy on a budget.
And when I say "Just" over the limit I meant I was just slightly over what the income limit is.
I raise gardens and put up a years worth or more of food each year for about six people. I pick wild berries, mushrooms, leeks, and much more. I home can all of my own jellies, salsa, pasta sauces, pickles and everything that I can. I am successful at hunting and fishing most of the time and still I find that milk, eggs, oil, flour, grains, dry goods, butter, fresh salad stuff when not in season and chicken and pork now and then I still end up spending about $30.00 a week each on food. l buy bulk, store branded items, large cuts of meats to butcher myself. Its a lot of hard work raising as much food as I do and I even give lots of it to family that I guess I could sell to buy the other food items that I need. But its all worth it to eat healthy and always have enough to get a full belly and to do it for around $30.00 a week is wonderful. I do spend about $200.00 a year on seeds, plants, fertilizers. Due to the way that I keep my pantry I can wait to buy stuff until its on sale, close-out or discounted. For me spring is the lean time when the freezers are getting thin and the crops are just going in. I know that I am blessed with location, health, and personal motivation to do the work that is involved to be as self supportive as I am. If all I had was $30.00 a week all of my house plants would be tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach and so on. They all grow fine in pots and windows. There is so very much that folks can do to off set the food bills. Every state and location will increase and decrease to amount that it takes to eat at the same level. Buying from places like farmers markets, dollar stores, pick your own farms, and even going in on buying a whole pig with a few friends can all be budget savers. Many people think that the only place to buy food is a grocery store and that is so not true. you can pay a farmer sometimes to raise a few extra chickens for you or rent you a small space for a garden for helping on the farm now and then. Be creative and think out side of the store.
Wow. Many of the comments on here are quite the plethora of anger and misinformation. I don't really have the time to correct people and I've learned that some people don't want facts, they just want to be angry. I've worked in Social Services for over ten years now and I've seen and heard quite a bit. I do agree that the system is flawed and needs corrections, but most people aren't even close in what the major problems are in the system. The best time to overhaul the system would have been when the economy was at it's peak and pretty much any able bodied person could find employment, but no one cared then. Now that the economy is down, I see people come into my office that never thought they'd be here. Of course there are people that abuse the system, and there always will be; but in my experience it has been a very small minority. I'm not going to defend people who abuse the system, but I'm also not going to defend people who are looking for a scapegoat. I guess my point is that before we start judging someone, we need to walk in their shoes, know the real story; for all you know, the nice car they have may be the only thing they have. You don't know.
Instead of food stamps why don't the government just give out real food? Flour, cornmeal, oil, powerded eggs, powerded milk, sugar, beans and rice? Seems like it would save the government lots of money and it would do what food stamps is suppose to do, keep people from starving to death.
Government could buy from AMERICAN farmers to distribute. Oh wont the grocery stores have a fit? They couldn't get paid for all the fancy packaging.
Your $30 week looked my normal food list minus the one night a week out at a restaurant where I take half the meal home for lunch the next day. I don't have to do this, I just do. I'm very thankful to have a mom who taught me to be frugal, and a boyfriend who came from a frugal family.
I receive only $16 a month in food stamp & I'm diabetic & I work part-time job with no benefits. Government should cut budget on war & space stuff and spend more on homeless, food stamps, health insurances, stimulus checks, social security checks, etc....
Yes, that's the problem with our welfare system. The ones who are truly in need or actually doing some work usually do not get much help. It's forcing everyone to either cheat or stay home and be a bum.
I live on 1500 dollars a month since becoming a widow. After my mortgage, utilities, taxes, insurance and gas for my car are paid I have nothing left. The only assistance I am eligible for is food stamps and medicaid that has a 1400 dollar monthly deductible. I get 82 dollars in food stamps a month and although I am a very frugal cook The amount is not enough most months. The amount gives me little option but to seek out specials on produce and healthy proteins. I buy up chicken only when it's below a dollar a pound, pork when its less that two dollars a pound (beef is out of my price range) and create meal size packages to freeze. I grow vegetables (the plants and seeds are purchased with food stamps) in the summer and freeze or can. Building a pantry and freezer to keep nutritious meals available for weeks and months into the future is not easy. I imagine people that don't know how to purchase, prepare and plan meals around large cuts of meat, whole chickens and inexpensive soups that freeze well, subside on foods that are not nutrient rich, full of fat, sodium and filling starchy meals. Having the skills I do is a rare commodity these days when most people do not know how to cut up a chicken or break down a large piece of meat or what to do with dry beans, or fresh vegetables. To vilify those that don't have the homemaking skills one used to take for granted (and some apparently still do) is hardly a thoughtful notion. It's easy to dismiss the struggles of those that don't live in your immediate environment. I have and will continue when needed, to trade several dollars in food stamps to purchase soap, deodorant, furnace filters, toilet paper, or cash to help pay for a doctor visit or prescription. Those items and many more that are required are beyond my budget. I know I have plenty of company in these difficult economic times and consider my self pretty well off compared to others, on assistance or otherwise. What amazes me is the judgmental position some people are compelled to express. Critical thinking skills and compassion are at a high time low. I would be willing to bet a few dollars in food stamps that those people most critical about others receiving food and other assistance, and what they do with those dollars, would not for a minute choose to trade situations.
You could get a roommate if you insist on living in the same house you lived with your husband.
If I was able to find a suitable room mate the utility bills would increase. Rent to me would be considered income that would take away my food assistance. How would that help?
Depending on how much you are charging for rent, it could be of huge benefit to you. Split utilities half and half with your roommate. It's different in every area, but most places I know for a room and full use of public areas of the house, you can get $300-$600/month. Even at $300/month IF you use $100 of that for utilities, that leaves you with an extra $118 above the $82 that you receive for food assistance. You can put that towards food – a bill which may now be shared with two people.
Great post. It highlights a lot of the problems too many are facing today. Empathy is at an all time low in this country. People are looking at each post to reassure themselves that they will never be in that position because they would never make the mistake the poster made. Your skills will do you well. If the economy continues to contract, I may well end up back on my 40 acres living in a "local" economy, like that prior to WWII. Are those that continually compare the relative prosperity of the poor in America to the poor in Africa prepared to deal with the fallout of 30-40% of Americans having the buying power of an African, given that this is an economy based on consumption?
Renters usually pay their won utilities, so you could include that as part of the rent. However, Kathy, sounds like nothing would help you. You must live in the same house w/t a roommate – so you are beyond help.
Kathy, good for you! I know many, many people who have not ever learned to budget or cook; When I was growing up it was taught in school, when I question young people today, they haven't a clue, their education in these areas has been so watered down. I know whole families with 2 working parents that rarely eat at home, so the kids aren't picking up those skills there. I always think of that old saying, about walking a mile in their shoes.
girl, you do what you have to do, right!
I don't think this person did a very good job of stretching her money. Fresh peppers, especially the red, orange, and yellow ones are expensive for a vegetable. I never buy those and just mostly buy the green ones when they're on sale. Fresh tomatoes can get expensive too. The average price that I've seen for vine ripe nowadays is $3-$4 a pound. If she wanted to use the tomatoes for cooking, she could have gotten canned tomatoes. An all spinach salad could have been cheaper if she used something like romaine lettuce instead. And if I was living on $30 a week, I would never buy chicken breast. The drumsticks are a lot cheaper.
I just moved back to the States after living in Mexico for several years. The last area in which I lived didnt have a lot of large supermarkets where I could buy the things I was used to. I started buying food like the locals did, in the smaller market squares and at the local butcher (carnicerias). Without the packaging, shipping and marketing costs it was all very affordable. 300 pesos a week was easily done, and about as fresh as you could want it. After moving back I decided to try to keep my habits the same. I dont have access to the same types of vendors here but there are places that cater to people that dont want to pay too much. Here in NV one of the stores is Foodsource, where they have sales every wednesday on produce and Fridays for meat. Today I got 2.14 lbs of tomatoes for 1.90, 5 bellpeppers for 1.00 a head of celery for .89, 2.16 lbs of plums for 1.08, 2lbs of carrots for .99,2 heads of lettuce for .99, 5 lb bag of potatoes for .99..... I buy chicken thighs when theyre on sale and of course the drumsticks too. Pork sirloin steaks are often on sale for .89 a lb... The sales are out there, we just have to search for them. Fresh produce can be found for decent prices, but not at most stores. I find that looking for stores that cater to the Latino population will get you better deals. Be willing to shop at a few different stores, not just the big superstore for the convenience. My kids are in college now and I still buy them $20 – 30 a week in produce just to make sure they eat things other than top ramen and rice... By really looking for the deals I can get them quite a bit.
ps.
The same store had whole chickens on sale, dont remember the exact amt per lb... one whole chicken was $3.41. I could make 3 meals from that. Chicken salad from the breasts, thighs and sticks with veggies the next day and then take all the bones and make a soup with a few extra veggies for the last. Thinking ahead is the key?
A whole chicken also is a great way to get a bunch of meat for a low cost. They are easy to take apart, or, in the case of my boyfriend, just pick the meat off the bones.
All of you people whining about "my tax money" have got to realize that a lot of these people on public assistance were once taxpayers, right? They paid into the system, they lost their jobs, and now they're using the system they paid into.
...and unfortunately, some of them are experts of playing the system and have not made an effort to contribute positivley to society for years.
The welfare system in this country is a dysfunctional mess. The welfare application process is a joke. Even if they have a lot of properties and other valuables, as long as the applicants don't have that much money sitting in bank/investment accounts, they will qualify for assistance.
I know of someone, who owns a condo while receiving welfare, has recently bought another house with all cash.
I frequently see people shopping with food stamp cards and then drive off in their brand new Mercedes.
The system also encourages people to be lazy. The ones who have jobs (talking about low-paying jobs here) usually do not qualify for assistance. Thus, they are better off not working at all and simply go apply for welfare, which pays them a lot more than actually going to work.
It seems no matter what article you read, about any subject, there's always a bunch of comments ranting about how stupid someone is, how much smarter the commenter is and generally mean-spirited, hateful trash talk about their fellow man. Whether it be a political issue or not, it always turns into one. Whether it be a racial issue or not, it always turns into one. Whether it be a moral issue or not, it always turns into one. Everyone sure seems to think they know more than everyone else, they are superior to everyone else and everyone else can just go to hell as far as they are concerned. Sad, really.
I agree.
I recieve at present $105.00 and am very thankfull for it, I am 73 and live in a sm. town and grow a sm. garden every yr. and can , I don't smoke, drink etc. ,I get the lowest amt. s.s. every month, so yes it is tight, but while it may not be all i could wish for, I get what i need, I once had money put away for my old age, but married a con man , so wal-la, Today I am a much smarter person, have great friends and thank god for what I do have, by the way Georgia, I don't know about your snap program but I can assure you no one in oregon recieves thoes kind of benifits.
I think that $30/week for one individual is actually very reasonable. I also think that it is a bit of an unfair assessment to only do this for one week. Some things would be purchased and last for a lot longer than just one week. We are a family of 9 and live on $200 every two weeks for groceries. By these calculations we would be eligible for $270 ($30/person x 9 people) every week. I'm not sure what I would do with all of that food. My husband makes a very average salary and we don't need food stamps. However under state guidelines we would still be eligible for $473 additionally/month. If we had no income we would be eligible for nearly $1400. These numbers are out of control. I think the definition of what is necessary needs to be re-evaluated.
I would like to add that our $200 every two weeks includes all of our toiletries not just food.
I agree, this "experiment" should be done for a month or so to make it a realistic portrait of life on $30/week. There would be a week where one would have to spend a portion of the budget for staples, but then not have to worry about them and focus on finding fresh ingredients and proteins.
The only objective for "food stamps" and WIC is to be the last resort for people and families that cannot (not will not) take care of themselves and would starve or be malnourished otherwise. Furthermore, in the vast majority of cases, the aid is intended to be temporary while people get back on their feet.
The writer says "I didn’t have the luxury of variety or choice." Variety and choice aren't necessary to stay fed.
The writer says "I’m more accustomed to shopping for convenience..." Your convenience is not the taxpayer's objective.
The writer says "I wake up hungry." We're supposed to wake up hungry. Nutritionists will tell you that if you don't wake up hungry you consumed too much too late the night before.
The writer whines, "I can’t just grab a coffee or go to dinner with friends. I feel a bit isolated. Not having enough money for food affects not just your mood and health, but also your social life." Again, the objective is only to keep you fed, not indulge your Starbucks habit, raise your mood or sustain your social life."
The writer says, "A weekend out of city limits proves a bit tricky. Not only do I have to bring food, I can't share it." Leisure road trips should probably be out of the question for people in bad enough financial situations that they require food stamps. And again, the objective is to keep you and only you fed.
I won't even go into the writer's choices of some of the most expensive per meal items around.
I feel for people in hard economic times. I don't want to see anyone who is trying to get ahead and support themselves starving or malnourished. But if you could live as well on the taxpayer's dime as you could supporting yourself, where is the incentive to strive to improve your situation?
Very intelligent! Nice to read such a well thought out factual response :) Well said!
Totally agree and was the exact same point I was trying to make with my post. The idea is to give people a basic subsidy to survive during hardship!!!
This is laughable. My experience with food stamp users are that they are working the system. Come to visit my local Kroger in East Atlanta and stand behind a food stamp shopper. You will see an overflowing cart with only brand name products and most items are the most unhealthy items with high salt, saturated fats, high sugar and processed everything. There is no selection based on prices or deals. But since I don't have food stamps or even come close to qualifying for them I search the prices, the deals, the coupons. As far as I'm concerned it should be really hard to get food stamps. You should have to routinely have to re-qualify for them every six months. It's not like the people working the system ever intend on getting a job. And they should be for only certain products. You shouldn't be able to purchase potato chips and soda with food stamps.
Food stamps and welfare are two highly abused entitlement systems that need a serious overhaul with real control policies.. They are a total fleecing of America. Only those truly in need should have access to these programs.
And when I said credit card, I actually just mean his debit card with the MC logo. We don't have any credit cards period.
Kudos to Sheila. I was hoping that there would have been a report on her weight, did it stay the same (good) or go down (maybe good for the moment, but not good over a long run). Besides foodstams there are also various food pantries run by charities that give needing people and families food they could not afford. The neat thing is much of the food donated to these charities come from local farmers – how trendy you say, but its been going on for years. For instance one national organization called Plant a Row (http://www.gardenwriters.org/gwa.php?p=par/index.html) organizes volunteers and farmers to work together to get surplus crops off the fields and into someones pantry. A chapter in Loudon county VA, which is considered part of the DC Metro area, supplied around eight tons of fresh vegetables and fruits to local food banks for the needy. It would be interesting to learn more about how these types of organizations work nationally with food banks and how much of a difference they make in the fight against hunger in the US.
I don't know of anyone that only gets $30 a week in food stamps. Any idiot knows that you gotta have 5 or 6 kids so you can get $300-$400 per week!!!
For those who feel it can't be done or who feel it's not enough- I have a question for you. In NY you are a family of 4- 2A/2C. You receive 500/month for food stamps. That's 31/pp/wk. (I looked up the rates a few months ago which are publically available if you do a search on google) How is 500 not enough for FOOD? I'm not talking toiletries. I'm talking edible items. If 500 is not enough- how much is enough? What is a 'fair' amount? Figure on 2 adults and 2 grade school aged kids as the 'typical' family. What is a fair budget for a family of 4 for food?
If you have a calculator and a grocery store handy you should be able to answer your own question and have little doubt about the accuracy of your answer. $500 for a family of 4 in a city sounds a wee bit paltry.
I ask in all honestly because my husband and I live in NY and we spend about 250/month on actual food and another 75 on toiletries. I just can't imagine spending more than 250 more per month to feed 2 school aged children. Which would bring my total to 500. I asked around my office too. 1 coworker is a family of 3, and the other is a family of 4. NONE of them spend more than 400 or so a month on groceries. I guess myself and my coworkers just eat cheap. I'm just at a loss as to how 500/month is not enough and so are my 2 coworkers.
Not if you:
-Plan your meals ahead of time with your store's weekly sales circular in hand
-Buy staples like rice, beans, flour, sugar, etc. in bulk
-Buy meat when it is on sale and freeze what you aren't going to use that week. And stick to lower-priced cuts (i.e. a whole chicken vs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
-Avoid expensive processed and/or prepared food
-Buy in-season fruits and vegetables
-Cook in larger quantities and reheat that week or freeze leftovers
-Forgo luxuries
Try having $72.00 for a month for you and your daughter. This is sad. Not for the lack of trying – a mother who has become unemployed and collecting unemployment which is barely enough to cover necessary bills and your told that your only only getting $72.00 a month in food stamps.
What state do you live in? I'm betting it's a tough food stamp state. Many states have liberal food stamp allotments. I"m sorry yours isn't one of them. IMO- it should be a federal across the board thing. It's a shame some states are so bad.
Would love actual numbers. How much unemployment $ do you get and what "neccessary bills" need to be paid??
They talked about feeding children... most, if not all, people on Food Stamps qualify for free meals at school. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Stop with all the "starving children" thing. None of the food stamp money is deducted from families when the children are being taken care of elsewhere.
And Leon... you called for a democratic socialist system. Check with the starving Russians of the 80s and the North Koreans. I'm sure they would tell you differently
Democratic Socialist? Those are the Scandinavian countries. North Korea and USSR were totalitarian governments run by dictators.
People better realize that if they are expecting the government to pay for there food , housing ( sec 8 ) etc , they might as well move to a communist country. Lack of education leads to these people living of the government, they need to change the schools agenda to 8 years of educations and 4 years of learning 2 technical trades for high school maybe we wouldn't have such a large drop our rate , and these people could get jobs. Oh of course maybe the government could get a clue also, and make it a huge tax penalty for corporation's moving all there manufacturing and goods making to other countries. We just need to get a clue , and so does our government. Remember who pays there salaries us in the public sector!
Greatest country in the world and this is an issue!? The end is near.
"If a jar of pasta sauce breaks an entire meal could be lost." Sauce is a luxury. Butter (or margarine) and a little garlic salt and I’m set. The author has had a fortunate life, and sadly it shows.
You are so right. Try eating a mud patty like they do in Somalia to ease the hunger pains.
Ketchup and some sliced tomato is also popular in many countries.
There'a no excuse for spending money on pasta sauce. Chop and saute in some olive oil an onion, a green pepper and a minced clove of garlic. Add three 8-ounce cans of tomato sauce (on sale 4/$1 this week; I bought 8) a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese, about a teaspoon of garlic powder and 2 or 3 teaspoons of Italian seasoning (if you don't have any, add in basil, oregano, thyme, marjoram and a bay leaf–I'm presuming these are all already on hand; if not, they're usually on sale for $1 each at Walgreen's or Dollar Stores and a bottle lasts months). Simmer in the same pan you sauteed the onion and pepper for about 20 minutes (10 minutes on HIGH in a covered casserole in a microwave oven.) Remove the bay leaf and discard. Salt to taste. Serve with whatever pasta is handy (there is usually some brand no one ever heard of on sale; get several varieties). If you like and have some mushrooms around, add them. I was lucky and had about half a pound of ground chuck last week and sauteed that with the onion and pepper, but it's great without meat, too. The author of this article didn't use very good judgement, possibly because she was never before in a situation where she had to.
i actually make my own pasta sauce from scratch with the tomatoes i have grown myself and then i cann them for the following winter/spring.
I am a full time college student, work full time (50+ hours on salary) and make less than 20000 a year. I own a mobile home, and I applied for foodstamps. I make too much money according to the food stamp office, but yet, I can barely make all the bills, let alone buy food. I might put off 1 bill til the next check, and spend 30 to 40 on food to get me by the next two weeks. Most nights I don't eat. I eat lunch, because people at work say something, and I don't want them knowing how bad it really is. And most of the time lunch is a balogna sandwhich. According to my boss, the economy is too bad for raises, yet the cost on everything has gone up, while my pay has stayed the same. I go to work and home- my classes are online. And I pray that the $40 in gas I put in my car is enough to last the month. I can only afford it out of one check. Our water isn't drinkable, so i buy a gallon of water, and the flavor mixes. I might get a 12 pk of coke, and make it last the month. That's my dessert.
I know the feeling with the raise thing. I haven't gotten one in four years because the boss "can't afford it." Then I see the purchases made at places like Costco and wish I could even afford a membership, let alone all the stuff he buys.
$20,000 a year? No Kids? What in the world are you spending your money on? Could you break down a months worth of expenses??
Barbie said "less than 20" and more importantly ........................
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it's none of your business.
Clearly you don't make $20,000 a year or less. Even for a single person, do you know how hard it is to live on?
Before taxes, that's around $1600 a month, but I guarantee she doesn't come home with that much. She probably sees around $1200 a month of that money after taxes. Maybe a little more.
Let's figure on rent – which is different everywhere, but I think you could agree that $600 is a median range for monthly rent. (In my area, typical rent for an apartment is around $1000, but you can rent a single room in a house for around $600.)
Then let's say she's paying a car payment. Now even used car prices are soaring, so it's hard to get a car payment for very cheap, but let's say $250/mo. Now we're down $850 from that $1200, leaving $350 for the month.
Now let's add in utilities. Gas and electric combined, let's say around $75. This is based off of some of my own lowest bills. Now we're down to $275.
She probably has a cell phone or a land line. I'm going to add in around $30 for that. About the cheapest pre-pay phone amounts you can get, and I haven't seen landlines for much cheaper after all the fees. That takes us down to $245.
Let's pretend that she allows herself no luxuries at all – no cable, no internet, no gym, nothing. And let's say she has no other bills. $245 is still very hard to live on for a whole month. That is all your gas and all your food, and every last incidental. If you pop a tire, you don't eat. For a month.
But for one second, let's say she's a normal human, and she has a student loan to pay off. Medicine to buy. Hospital bills, Credit card bills, etc. Even at the full $1600 a month, it's hard to make everything work, and these are very conservative estimates.
Why don't you grow a heart and some understanding before you act like she's doing SO badly with the money she's making. $20,000 is practically poverty level anymore. Heck $30,000 is too. Prices are rising on everything and inflation has risen. This is not 1981. It's 2011. The costs of living have changed a lot.
Curb your judgmental att!tude and MYOB.
my husband and i and our (four kids at the time, now we have five) have lived on 32,000 a year for a few years before his new job. This was not what we brought home either. Our average monthly check after insurance and taxes was just over $2000 a month. I guess you just learn to live with what you have. We actually learned to save money on top of that. We were not on any government programs. We now make 3x that and i have no clue what to do with the extra income sometimes. I went through a period of buying things because I could. It was awesome to have a new tv and new sheets, etc. We still don't have cable or fancy cars. I prefer to pay outright and not have the monthly expense.
I makes me kind of sad to see that most of the comments are from prejudiced people who think those on food stamps are fat, lazy and abusing the system. I receive food stamps and am not at all fat and lazy. I have recently become a single mom, who goes to school full time to give my kids a better life. I also work a part-time job. I get very little child support so food stamps help a lot. You will very rarely see junk food or soda in my grocery cart. I buy things on sale and in bulk. It is hard to feed a family healthy foods on so little but plenty of people do it. I resent people thinking that I am just using the system to get free food, or that I must feed my kids junk food if we use foodstamps. We do what we have to do in order to meet the needs of our families. Shame on those people who are prejudiced, I'd like to see you walk a mile in my footsteps before you pass judgment. For those people who think the food choices should be restricted, lets see how they feel if they had restricted food choices. It's not about telling people what to do, it's about teaching them to be economical and make better choices. How dare you judge me if I choose to every now and then treat my kids to something sweet. They make a lot of sacrifices too. Don't they deserve the same things as your children.
I didn’t have kids until I was old enough and secure enough to provide for them. As a result, I’ll probably not live long enough to see my grandchildren. But I’m certain they won’t ever go hungry, because I’ve taught my kids better than to marry someone like you.
So, you trained them to be gold diggers then?
Really? The poster sounds one of the wiser and more level headed people. She is simply in a rough spot. I'd want my children to pursue someone like her, at least based on the limited information at hand. When I married my wife she was in a much worse position in life than I was. If I had judged her on her situation I would have missed out on the love of a very wonderful woman.
Can't you read? Did she say she was a young single mother? No, she said she's a newly single mother. Aka divorced or separated. For all you know she's in her 40's, her husband left her, and her kids are teenagers.
I believe if you reread her post, she said she just became a single mom and gets very little child support. Did you practice abstinence until you were financially secure enough to have children, or were you just lucky. You know, even birth control is not 100 percent effective. If you can say yes to the abstinence, then I might not totally write off anything else you say. And perhaps lucky to, in other areas; your spouse didn't leave, etc...it's ridicoulous to judge everyone by your standards.
I hope that statement does does not come back to bite you. We can train our children but if they are healthy they will make their own choices.
You should have spread your wings before you spread your legs. Sorry, no pity here.
Hope that aspirin between your legs hasn't gone stale and stinking.
The people you are referring to are probably so conservative, they'd rather see their hard earned tax dollars go towards supporting their church organizations and continuing wars that never should have been started. Years and years ago I was in your shoes, but with no assistance because my 2 part time jobs I needed to pay for college put me over the threshold for a single person. I ate a lot of humble pie in those days and rice, lots of rice. To this day I still say there is nothing wrong with dumpster diving behind grocery stores and such for good eats. Working as kitchen help in an okay restaurant was sweet too.
Sounds like you're making the best out of a bad situation by going to school and working part-time. Good for you! Keep it up.
"They make a lot of sacrifices too. Don't they deserve the same things as your children."
The problem is......kids on government assistance get more than my kids. My kids only get candy bars when on sale and free with a coupon(or pretty darn close to free). They don't have cable, they don't have video games, or kindles, or ipads, or cell phones.
People need to prioritize...FOOD FIRST......cable last.
American will be great again. When the republicans win in 2012 and bogus president Obummer loses. WORKFARE will begin and replace the terminated welfare. All these people who are not looking for job and have never worked will be put into the fields and quarries and will be taught the meaning of hard work or they will starve. We are sick of being forced to take care of lazy americans.
I guess Regun's trickle down policy didn't trickle enough and Dubya still needed to work out the kinks on his enslave the middle class policies, his mentor, Putin, didn't have all the answers at the time. Cheney was right, they should have worked the Chinese model to control those danged liberals..
You are doing 30 for one try 50 for 4. It can be done... not pleasantly but can be done
irronically I started budget cutting during the same time this article ran and found myself during the exact same thing living on $30 a week for food. the only difference was I had some things in bulk like oatmeal ,rice and bottled water. I only needed to buy a meat and vegatble. whatever I cook on Sunday I eat the entilre week for lunch and dinner. I believe we often take for granted the many options and benefits that we enjoy that others may not have access to. this is a real eye oepner. Ionce you identify the difference between a want and need the choices become a lot easier. Many americans don't have the option there's is always a need when you don't have much.
bottled water? why when you could use a filter for much cheaper. bottled water costs a fortune.
Let's be realistic for a minute... It is clear the the author is 1) very spoiled and 2) doesn't really understand the actual day to day living of folks that really have the need to use food stamps for their families. First of all, when you are jobless, concerned about feeding your family and trying on a daily basis to get a job and make ends meet, your concern of trivial things like not being able to go to an over-priced restaurant with friends becomes insignificant at best. Actually, most likely, people in real need for food stamps live in impoverished neighborhoods and probably don't have many of their friends venturing to have dinner out as a means of social entertainment on a daily basis. It is also fair to say that if you don't have enough money, you should not be venturing out of the city for the weekend.
In order to get the REAL perspective for what it is like to live with $30 a week, you need to understand that most people in need of food stamps have a very different lifestyle from a CNN producer. You should not expect to survive on $30 a week and continue to have the same luxuries and lifestyle of someone at this level, clearly you will have to forego Starbuck. But that doesn't mean that you will starve, with good food choices you will still be able to have 3 healthy meals a day and probably even share your BIG pot of bean soup if a friend came over for dinner.
I'm glad to hear that so many people are fiscal in their spending, and I would like to think that as a student on food stamps in Michigan I do a good job at buying local, nutritious food and my $200 a month pays for my fiance and I. I know that food stamps are abused, but I need people to see that it is necessary, even if it needs restructuring. I work 2 jobs, go to school full time, and pay all my own bills for water, heat, and electricity, and as a student, internet at home is crucial. But I can't get help from my parent's factory jobs that keep getting laid off, and I have to pay $356 dollars a credit to go to a public university and this is just the end of my undergrad. If I want to buy a soda pop to get through the day I don't feel like I should be looked down on. Also, poor people-excuse my stereotype-I'm generalizing according to my own experience- don't usually get taught the skills on being fiscal with money, they don't know how to make a meal last a week, or how to prepare food in general. (School doesn't teach it, at least, not the poorly funded and intercity ones). So they buy junk food that can be microwaved. Many don't go to school systems that teach them about how to plan their families (my sex ed in school said that if I did it, I would end up in jail). Maybe also, we should make wages livable for students. $7.40 an hour barely pays my $350 dollar rent, then gas, then electric, then water. My solution: Improve education for everyone. Lower the cost of going for a higher education. Student's often expect that they can live the American Dream like their parents, but it's not possible when wages have been stagnant since the 70s and the standard of living keeps getting higher-but since their parents could do it, we should be able to. And after all the costs we have to put in to not be poor (loans) of course the system will be abused, most of them feel like it's the least they deserve.
You could use a bit of historical perspective. Minimum wage in the '70s was about $1.75/hr. Other hourly jobs which required more skill paid $5 – 8/hr. Wages haven't been stagnant. Education is already highly subsidized, and you will appreciate your schooling more because you had to work so hard. Higher education doesn't necessarily guarantee you will never have to be concerned about money anymore – just ask the many who are currently "under employed". Hang in there. You seem to be a hard worker, and you will do fine as long as you don't give in to the entitlement mentality so many have developed.
Unable to take statin drugs due to their side effects, I have been on a self-imposed diet for the past year consisting almost entirely of high fiber cereal or oatmeal for breakfast, homemade bean and vegetable soups for lunch, and grilled chicken/grilled vegetables and salad for dinner. For evening dessert I treat myself to a piece of fresh fruit with some unsweetened non-fat yogurt. I have eliminated all bread, pasta, rice, sugar and potatoes from my diet. I still have my coffee in the morning and evening. Not only can this be done for under $30 per week, my cholesterol has gone from 234 to 167 and my weight has dropped from 167 to 147; both of these changes in the first 12 weeks. The only downsides are boring meals and having to buy new pants and belts. I'm not saying everyone would have the same results however it can be done for under $30/week and their are obviously health benefits to be had as well.
Just want to tell Scott W that I have read and reread his posting several times over the past year. I too have high cholesterol. Haven't mastered his plan yet but am on my way. Thanks for sharing! (And thanks also to Richard and his menu list I discovered just today.)
CHALLENGE to the reporter: Not only can I show you how to eat well (NOT extravagantly) on that $30 a week, but to plan ahead and have meals on hand for busy-day dinner or brown-bag lunches. I actually COOK – and that is part of the problem for the whiners. You need to learn HOW to shop, plan menus and build on non-perishable pantry items you find on sale. My email is in your files. Contact me, come to AZ and walk some store aisles with a pencil and paper.
Most of these comments are the whine that goes along with the gubment cheese. Classy.
I spent $17 this week not including breakfast. I went to a really cheap grocer in quincy. I got grapes, plums, peaches and bananas for my snacks, yogurt for my lunch, and eggs for dinner (3/day hard boiled). If I got cereal it would have been about another $5 but the box lasts me about 3 weeks. Granted that was only for my 'work' food, so 5 days. But would have been under $30 even if I bought another box of eggs, 2 more yogurts (99c each) and a bit more fruit. Although others would be bored by the same food, I really don't mind. And its all healthy, which is why I bought it.
You are a true "Great Shopper". Without coupons (which are good too !) I am tired of these whiners, but they are unable to think beyond a little rigid box. Notice they didn't mention MILK? Basic bread? What was in season or on sale? Manager's Discounts? Just make sure you get that expensive Expresso..lol
Susan, you do make a good point. However, not everyone can do the regular types of foods. I for one, cannot do regular milk, so I have to pay more for either Soy, Rice or Almond milk. It also seems that for a lot of people, buying the prepacked stuff is cheaper. My supermarkets charge an obscene amount for fruits/veg, in and out of season.
"$30 dollars a week, luxury! When I was a young boy, we got up at midnight, a half and hour before we went to bed, swept out the cardboard refrigirator box we lived in, ate dead roaches for breakfast, got beat up by our parents and then went out rat hunting for lunch. Try telling that to the youth today, they won't believe you. [with apologies to Monty Python].
Win! Betcha also walked to school, uphill in the snow, both ways. Thanks for the laugh!
Didn't have time to read all comments since I work 12-16 hour days and have been working since I was 14 years old. Entiltlement programs will always be abused, laziness will always breed more laziness, and I see people on welfare and food stamps all the time driving Cadillacs, eating lobster, with $150 hairdos and fake nails, cable and big screen TV's. How do I see it, because I am also a Landlord in addition to my regular job. I am not a slum load because my houses have all been remodeled by my own sweat equity and are really, really NICE. Even my tenants comment on how nice my properties are for the rent I charge. And I refuse to take Section 8 tenants. Get a job and pay your own rent. But even when my tenants get behind on rent, they still can buy liquor, own several pets, make their car payment, have parties every weekend, and would never ever consider giving up cable. I don't even have cable TV or a big screen TV because I can't afford it. We have raised a generation of spoiled brats who think the government should take care of them so they don't have to work and can stay home and watch 128 cable channels on their TV all day while their kids run around outside with NO SUPERVISION and terrorize the neighborhood. If I sound fed up with abuse of the system, it is because I AM FED UP. There should be severe, severe resttrictions put on food stamps so that the type of food allowed is only nutritious food not junk food to eat while you sit on your butt watching TV all day.
Plus the comments from people who actually work for a living at $12-$15 an hour, and pay their own rent, are so right, people on food stamps eat way better than normal working folk. Something just IS NOT RIGHT about this whole system.
Ah... such a hard and honest worker that you are using your work time to post a load of crap that nobody wants to read.
Sorry Melissa, I agree with Pink. Free Handouts have lead to all out total laziness. It's right in front of us all the time and the ultra liberal wealthy manhattanites who don't have these section 8 people want to criticize us for what we think. Sorry beyond manhattan is a hoard of welfare people, making the rest of us wonder why they have a free ride and we have to kill ourselves to make ends meet. END WELFARE AND START THE WORKFARE!!!!!!!
Just curious, but do you often masturbate in public forums? Or is this just our lucky day?
I absolutely agree! i work 70 hours a week at two jobs and dont nearly spend as much on food because i can't....while lazy pieces of crap sit around a lie and crap and get like 800 a month in food stamps...i am so sick of this too. They are even going to college while they sit on welfare for 15 years its bull crap. I have to work and go to school...must be nice. And I could make 800 for food last like four months! they need to just be forced to use coupons and spend time on that instead of getting food stamps, it will give them something to freaking do!
God I wish you were the Landlord with the properties around my property. We have luxury condo lofts(and the small house we live in). We are all surrounded by Hoardes of african american section 8 dwellers who never try to get a job. We bust our behinds to make ends meet and these people sit there year after year reproducing without a job. Their pants fall down and they throw garage. All the Liberal Obama supporters want to protect and coddle these people. They are lazy lazy lazy lazy!
Lefty avenger – maybe the people in your vicinity are all african american section 8 dwellers, but the majority of welfare recipients are not african americans – they are white. Comments like yours are why stereotypes persist and are a big reason why many of these conversations deteriorate into race-based arguments. Your comment makes me inclined to label you as racist, but I won't go there. I just wanted to point out something for you to consider and maybe in the future you won't imply that race is the prevailing characteristic of a section-8 deweller.
I fail to see how Lefty implied that race is a prevailing characteristic of all Section 8 participants... (S)he was simply making an observation about the people in his/her neighborhood, which included plenty of other generalizations aside from race. When the word "racist" gets thrown around like this, you deplete your argument.
I agree with your points!!
Want to know why republicans wear red? Because they are pinko commies who want it all for them and none for everyone else. Don't tax me, give me my roads and bridges for free. Don't regulate me and my ponzi schemes, I need to make a fast buck. We don't need all this government getting into our business, even if it is immoral and harmful to current and future generations. The only green you understand is the devalued dollar and what it can buy at the hundred dollar club.
Where do you live that you are surrounded by lobster eating, Cadillac driving welfare recipients? I've lived in NY, CA & now TX and have never seen people like that. I keep reading about these poor people living high on the hog but have never actually seen it myself.
A possible fix would be to get the feds to rewrite the regs on foodstamps. What a recepient can and can not buy. Then companies could write software that screens purchases. Sure a cost to business but I'm betting that the long term increase in health benefits and costs would greatly out weigh that.
You can get FREE food, including fresh fruits and vegetables and your local food pantry. Use the ampleharvest.org website or iphone & android apps to find a food pantry near you. Also use the site to find places where you can donate your own excess garden produce.
if someone has an iPhone, perhaps they should sell it to buy their food instead of going to a food pantry. Food pantries are intended for those whom are truly at rock bottom, not people who have acres of free time to play on their iPhones. jesus.
I think your comment is wonderful to help people find pantries, but I did think it was kind of humerous that you would have an iphone with apps if you cannot afford food. :) I am not ripping on you, it is funny because someone really would have a smartphone with internet and not buy food.
My fiance and I have a grocery bill of $40 dollars a week quite often. Not because we have to though, we could afford a lot more. But I plan out every meal for the week, and buy exactly the items we need. I grow a lot of our veggies and herbs, and I have a greenhouse for growing all year (I realize most people don't have one). I think living on $30 a week is definitely possible, but the key would be planning out meals ahead of time (including breakfast & lunch). Account for snacks (a box of granola bars, generic brand, is good for at least one week of snacks). Also never waste anything! Have extras you can't eat right away? Right into the freezer! Learn how to properly freeze fresh veggies and never waste those either. Learning to incorporate what you have into your recipes helps a lot too. With something cheap like oatmeal, you can mix so many things into it to make some really cheap, but extremely yummy meals!
There was a large number of people (41%) that voted "I don't have to, but I could". From experience I can tell you that yes you can! However, I have an issue with that statement: I was one of those people that thought "I don't have to , but I could" and I can and I do and with a 8 year old son. It's about Quality of Life....you can survive on $30 a week but you can you have a decent quality of life on $30/wk. Stress will kill you, and as mentioned in the report; you drop one jar of sauce and you have to figure something else out sometimes you just can't figure out sometimes. I was comfortable, I made great money, bought a home for my son and I. Very little debt. I lost my job. I haven't been with out a job since I was 15 and I am 33. I applied everywhere, I market myself, I had 2 interviews in 2 years time. I applied for Food Stamps. This grocery support and unemployment my unemployment did NOT help me live it helped me SURVIVE. I am working as a temp, every now and then I kinda feel myself slipping back into a more comfortable place, like I actually feel like myself again somewhat and I am thankful, so thankful to have a full time job even though I am working on a temp status I am happy to have the means to somewhat function in a more "normal" state of mind and life. I am truly losing faith in my country. This economic crisis we are in is literally killing people and we have a bunch of idiots in positions of authority that just want to hear them selves talk no matter that they sound like complete idiots. We have these lawmakers and politicians sending pictures of themselves naked, cheating left and right. Maybe if they kept it in their pants and actually used their brains...well nevermind that. Honestly though, where did moral and values go?
what's with all the "dropping the sauce" statements? The sauce I buy comes in a big plastic, resealable container. I use sauce from it all month and have yet to drop it. Are your kitchen floors made of marble?
There is such a thing as canned sauce, too. Maybe if you sauce-dropping butterfingers would learn to be less clumsy, you wouldn't be so broke.
My "buy" price for pasta sauce is $0.49 a jar. If it's not on sale and I don't have a coupon, I do without and wait for the right time.
Sale+coupon+double+catalina= $0.49 That's called stretching your dollars.
Pasta, always free with coupons if you wait for the right time to combine a coupon and sale.
The truck stop in our area now accepts food stamps. Someone please tell me why a truck stop should accept food stamps? I feed my family of five on $150.00 a week. Its possible, you just need some basic skills.
You don't get the point. Say someone stole $50 from you and you only had $100 to get the food you need to feed your family that week? Most likely I bet you would say that you could do it? The question is do you really WANT to? When you are on Food Stamps you have NO OPTIONS period. You lose your card, someone steals it....you DO NOT eat.
Could I do it? Absolutely
Do I want to do it? Yes!
We spend about $50 or less(family of 5) a week eating healthy and being frugal. We live below our means so we can save. We don't have debt, we don't have cable, or kindles, or video games, or all the other crap.
I love the freedom that frugality brings. I'm not a government slave and I'm not a slave to debt.
I just started to receive food stamps and I wish I got $30 a week per person. I get $15 a week per person. Try figuring out a month worth of meals on that. Nothing can be wasted. I also live in Austin, TX, without air conditioning, so cooking anything in the oven is not an option. Can only afford charcoal to cook on the grill a few nights a month. Yeah, chicken and rice and beans are cheap, but how many times can you eat that in a month and not get sick of it? Food pantries help, but I'm getting sick of canned green beans, applesause, and peanut butter.
The government should send individual surveys to each household asking them what each person in the house likes to eat and then have it delivered to your door you could also call their 1800 number anytime and tell them you are sick of eating something and have it removed from your list. ALL FOR FREE!!
Have you tried barbequed horsemeat? Filling and cheap.
After working all my life & paying into the system, I find myself on foodstamps, so this article was of particular interest to me. I find it a fun challenge to feed my family of 3, healthy vegetarian – and sometimes organic – meals on just $30./wk. We have the luxury of a small box garden which yielded a surprising bounty for fresh veggies this summer. I even managed to can and freeze extra for the winter and even share with friends. Living this way is a valuable lesson. I am grateful for the food stamps and grateful that I have learned ways to extend, be moderate, and cut out some of the junk in our diets. I am concerned about folks who do not have a garden, however, and hate that some folks aren't learning the lesson that thrift in these times has imposed on our indulgent, glutonous society.
Bunch of liars; playing right into the Divide-and-Conquer plans of the corporate elite. Learn solidarity and revolt instead of one-upping each other with dead-end personal survival strategies. Shhh... the Americans are sleeping (and starving).
if an extreme couponer can buy a $1000 of grocerys for $0. then yes with some planning and buying sale items in bulk, to build up a back supply. you could easily live on $30 a week, stock up on sale items every week when they are advertised and build up your back supply.
Amen!
Double amen!
and it doesn't have to be all crap food either.
Not only can you get free food with coupons, you can also get paid to buy items (which helps to buy produce).
Free cereal, free milk, dannon yogurt for $0.25 a pack, activia for $1 a pack, free juice, free carrots, cheap meat(if you buy the smallest pack...possibly free ;0)
I am not an extreme couponer by any means but my family of 7 with two babies on formula live on $250 a month in groceries and not because we have to but why spend more when you don't have to? We also have very little processed food and lots of fruits and veggies. Personally i think they should offer frugal shopping/coupon classes to people who get food stamps.
I am curious about the $30/week or $120/month. My sister, her husband, and four of their five children receive $1,100 per month from SNAP. That is another story about fraud. My wife and I work, grow a great deal of our own food and raise chickens & eggs. Our family's monthly food bill (family of four) is approximately $400 and we eat well. What bothers me is this article and the system as a whole. Many times we are behind individuals who purchase buggy loads of the best meats, vegetables,and other foods/drinks and pay for it with government assistance. You may say that I have a slanted view but enough is enough. We work hard for our money and hate to see it wasted on individuals that make a living off of government assistance. It is time to take responsibility and provide for yourself!
You can not raise chickens if you live in a city.
Actually you can raise chickens in the city. It's not against the law. You can't have roosters, but you can have chickens.
I agree with you 100%!!! The "poor mouths" on welfare (living off the rest of us) buy junk food, convenience food, and the best meats! What's wrong with making a pot of bean soup, vegetable soup, chili, etc. and eating it a couple days a week? Skip buying the expensive candy, chips, dips, etc. Learn to make better food choices and eat heallthier! It IS possible! When you don't work for your money, don't expect the rest of us to take up the slack! Some people on assistance never intend to work!!! Enough is enought! Quit whining and get a job! Collect cans if you have to! Quit sucking the workers DRY! It's not OUR fault you have a bunch of kids!!! YOU made them!!! Now take care of them!!!
We tried to do the same thing but for a month. We (myself and two friends) tracked our progress on a blog – Cheapeatschallenge.com (now defunct). We gave ourselves $100 for 1 month. We put a lot of research into it which included trips to all major grocery stores, creating a giant spread sheet of major food items and comparing them. Aldi and Meijer had the best deals and we were surprised that Walmart wasn't really that low on prices. We didn't use many coupons which would have helped and bought nearly all store brands. Using $100 to buy upfront and with bigger supplies made it not too difficult to do. However, we stopped about 3 weeks in after the abuse we received on our blog branding us as rich kids goofing around while people had to do this for their life. It was a great experiment and I wished I would have continued. There are so many resources out there to stretch your budget and we didn't even touch on gardening. People relay too much on packaged food and really can stretch their dollar and be creative. However, it takes time, planning and willpower. I worked few hours back then and now would struggle to put that much time into it. I can see where it would be extremely difficult for a working family to get the same results we did.
We need a democratic socialist revolution in this country before it's too late.
We already had one in 2008. That's why our economy is in such a mess.
Yep, too bad it came eight years too late.
People just need to reproduce less and get a job.
Boy did you hit the nail on the head! Why would someone want to bring a child or "10 children" – been there – (above)? If you can't support yourself why be irresponsible and abusive by bring more into your family? You see that's what condoms, and other birth control methods are for. But why don't people use them? Why is it when a mom boards a bus she has 2-5 (yes ive seen 7 actually) with multiple stroolers, never a father, and the ages are so close together ages 1,2,3,4 etc. I think its abusive and I think you should show financial capacity to have children. The SPCA has more requirements to adopt an animal than our society has for having children – arguably the biggest responsibility in a person't life. Yet what do we see – endless single mothers with many many more children than she could handle even if she earned $70000 a year. 8 children, ten children – what's going on here. Its been going on for decades and its called welfare mothers. She foodstamps and all other welfare programs are based on size of the household WITHOUT A FATHER. So the incentive exists to have more. The mothers are not going out of their way to be responsible I can tell you that. They are staying pregnant. They will deal with the extra children on a minimum providing basis. After her cigarettes, or whatever – if you know what I mean. Well I mean heroin – I can't tell you how many single mothers I see on the buses, with children in tow, Jonesing or however you say it, nodding our out almost falling over, while sitting down mind you, with a child in her lap, and another or mroe around her. They tug on her arm – Mommy wake up! Ive seen it too too tooooooooo many times and it make me sick.
"Dessert: Small bowl of leftover rice with packet of Splenda sprinkled on top"
This made me giggle. Are we in the 2300AD Chrono Trigger style or what?
HP/MP restored! But you're still hungry...
Epic win. I approve. ;)
lol I wasn't sure if anyone would get it.
My family of 4, (a 2 year old, 4 year old, my husband and I) live off of roughly $300 a month for groceries...its not a happy or easy time. Luckilly I am talented at making a potato feed a famliy for a meal. However, not a week goes by that I don't worry about the price of food or if I can afford a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread to feed my children. (That is actually nutritious and not just filler and gunk.) Food prices are hideously rising when compared to last year. My family is lucky to live with family so close by to share meals with when things get tough, balancing finances while living on the edge of poverty is something that weighs on my mind everyday. *My husband works and I attend college full time, so we can better our lives for the future.*
Getting off processed food and eating out is difficult but to be honest I'm not a big eater and eat very close to what you are eating now. Add soup and more spices to your food, it will fill you. Also lentils can be used alone or in soup and they have more protein than black beans. Years ago my husband and I had to live on 50 dollars a week for the both of us. We got used to it but there is definitely a lifestyle change. You'll appreciate money and what you are putting into your body more. Going out for coffee and eating out to eat a lot is such a waste.
$30/week???
Millions of other people would love to be in that situation.
What does that mean? Are you saying that there are millions in this country that live on less than $30/week?
Getting off processed food and eating out is difficult but to be honest I'm not a big eater and eat very close to what you are eating now. Add soup and more spices to your food, it will fill you. Also lentils can be used alone or in soup and they have more protein than black beans. For a time my husband and I had to live on 50 dollars a week for the both of us. We got used to it but there is definitely a lifestyle change. You'll appreciate money and what you are putting into your body more. Going out for coffee and eating out to eat a lot is such a waste.
$150 a week for a family of four plus dog, including cleaning supplies, dog food, over the counter meds, personal care items, etc. If my third child is home from school, this also covers her. So thats 5 plus dog on $150 a week.
5lb Bag of rice ( last a month) $5, 2 10lb bags of potatoes (for the month, get one every 2 weeks) 6$, 8 loaves of day old bread $10 for the month, 8lbs of cheese for the month $48. Weekly fresh veg + fruit + milk +egg allowance $20. Cereal allowance for each week $7. Month of dog food $20. Meat allowance for each week $25. 2 large jars of peanut butter $14 for the month. 2 large jars of jam $10 for the month. I spend about $8 a month on different dried beans. Frozen food, canned food and seasonings fill out the rest of the actual food items. I would love to have $30 a week to spend per person just on food alone but my budget has to cover TP, shampoo, toothpaste, dish soap, clothes soap, allergy medicine, paper towels, vacuum bags, body soap, lotion, deodorant, rubbing alcohol, etc. along with all the stuff like seasonings that you use to make food taste good. I buy with the idea that I may need to make this last a few weeks or more. My husband and I work full-time. When I say allowance, what I mean is that is my limit to spend. I don't always use up my weekly limits because sometimes there isn't anything worth buying or we didn't use it up from the week or month before. Adding up what I just spend on food for my family for the week, even adding things like sugar, butter and seasonings, oils, crackers and snacks and I come out with $95 a week. Add another $5 for the dog and I get $100 a week. Its the non-edibles that wipe me out plus this week when I went shopping, I spent $120 on the same food shopping list that normally would cost me $95 so I'm going to have to re-adjust for the inflation that the government says isn't happening. My guess is that what is happening is that you are buying the smaller sizes. The one or two pound bag of rice instead of the 5 pound, a few potatoes instead of the 10lb bag, same with the beans. So you don't have the opportunity to build up your pantry.
A student friend of mine does it this way. Weekly fruit $2 ( bag of apples and bananas or oranges from the dollar store). 2lbs of pasta $2., 2 cans of pasta sauce $2. Weekly fresh veg $4. 2qt of milk $2. 3lbs of hamburger 9$ or 14 chicken legs. 2lbs of rice $2. 3 boxes of cereal $3. small jar of peanut butter $1, small jar of jelly $1, 2 loaves of day old whole wheat bread $2. Cookies 99c, crackers 99c. Of course that comes to $30, she shops mainly at the dollar store or the 99c store and thats meat when its not on sale. She says its easier to budget for it not being on sale then for hoping that it is. Breakfast = cereal + milk + fruit. Snack =crackers + peanut butter, lunch = 2 p&j sandwich + fruit+ cookies, dinner = meat +rice or pasta +veggies.
I think I could do it if I had 2-3 weeks of the funds up front so I could buy a larger variety of items in bulk to use over the 2-3 week period. It would be tough though. I"m used to buying lunch everyday.
Dont title this article "food stamp" budget... I know several people on food stamps and they are all eating better than my family that has 2 working adults because they get $600 a month for food stamps for a family of 5 where 3 are children that go to school every day and get free hot lunch. The mom is choosing not to go back to work because if she did they would lose this $600 a month luxury that allows them to eat steaks and buy soda and oh yeah don't forget that several resturants accept the food card now too like subway and papa murphys. I know another family of 2 that gets $240 a month for food stamps and she jokes that there is no way she spends this much on groceries but it's free so why not take advantage of it. And someone else who lives at her parent's house with her 2 children and still gets $350 a month for food stamps and chooses not to work.
My parents raised 5 children on a 1 person working income and they did not qualify for assistance. My mother cooked a lot of casseroles with ground turkey (cause they couldn't afford beef) and soups because she could feed us all for cheap. There are people out there that could use the help but dont' get it because of these low life deadbeats who choose to sit on their ass all day at home and not out and get a job because they don't want to loose their free assistance.
Sad but true! People take advantage of the system, and go on with their days like nothing happened! The fact that some restaurants accept the card is beyond unbeliveable. I wish I could get $300/month just because!
Same is with people who collect disability (but have a dog-sitting job) because they got someone to write that they are disabled....But that is for a different story.
thank you Aaron for your perspective. It seems your perspective is shared by so many on the board today including myself. I can only base my opinions on my experience but given what I see – all too often – the selling of food stamps, the purchase of high end food products like steaks and lobster, the purchase of food and then whipping out $$ for alcohol and cigs....I've seen it too many times to discount it in my own mind. There are those who are truly in need and those who abuse the system. It's time it got cleaned up. I feel badly for the children of these families. They don't know any better and it just becomes a generational rut.
I am on food stamps at the moment and live on less than the $30 a week. When ALL of your food is from that source, it is incredibly difficult to eat healthily. When so many of the cheaper options are horrible for you, you really have to think about every purchase. By shopping at the cheapest grocery stores and only buying what I really need, I've made it work and I'm so grateful of the state for giving me this benefit. I couldn't even imagine having to feed a family on the amount that is provided to families. I am a student and I have a job, so it gets on my nerves when people discriminate against people on the food stamp program. Many of the people on these programs are hard working people. And if they are not, many times they are parents. Should their children pay the price of their parents faults by not being able to eat?
Also people saying "oh I see black people with expensive things all the time". First, that's one of the more racist comments I've heard in a while. Also, the reason for this is often times our society. Music, advertisements, everything that is targeted toward the lower class always push for people to buy those status symbols. It's putting the idea in their head that if they work hard and get money to spend on these things, they will have made it. People will no longer look down on them, because they have those status symbols. Not everyone understands that this isn't the case. Instead of targeting the people who are a product of our society, let's change society itself.
There are a lot of people out there who take advantage of the system, but there are a lot who don't, too. I'm a married 25 year old mom of two young boys. My husband is a computer tech in a small local firm and I'm back in school, racking up the loan money to get my RN. I get no more in loans than I need to pay for classes and books, my husband makes $.25 above minimum wage working over 40 hours a week, and we have no health insurance.
We are on WIC, Medicaid, and SNAP benefits.
Because our boys are young and growing we make the most of our benefits. Coupons and sales can be applied to SNAP purchases. A handful of change a week can purchase a paper a day; that extra bit pays off by allowing us more to spend on our SNAP benefits. We purchase from the farmer's market when able, thanks to a program set up through the county that allows us to spend SNAP benefits there. When we purchase ingredients instead of boxed things, we can easily afford to make things like bread and even occasional treats like brownies or cakes if there's a birthday or special occasion coming up. We shop at Aldi's when we have no coupons with us, or no coupons for things that we need. We ensure that if we need something WIC can provide (like peanut butter, milk, beans, or fresh fruits/veggies), we spend that first – SNAP doesn't get used until we've run out of WIC for the month. Boxed meals like Hamburger Helper get replaced with whole wheat noodles, real cheese from WIC, milk, and spices. We buy a value meat bundle once a month from a local butcher that accepts SNAP.
We make the assistance that we get count and we take nothing for granted. My husband and I both gave up soda (our kids aren't allowed to have any), and we make our own baked chips at home from potatoes or pita or tortillas instead of buying bags of them.
Our meals aren't luxurious, but they are healthy, responsible, and appropriate. Our children do not go hungry because we use sales and coupons to our advantage when we're able – and every once in a while it allows us a special treat, like a candy bar. As a result, my husband and I are losing weight and our boys are both healthy, vibrant, and rambunctious.
Please remember that while there are some destroying the system, there are others like us, who will be paying back into it in just a few short years. Please remember that you're helping my family, too, not just the ones who are blatantly abusing the system. :)
I have library books to check out! Thanks for listening to me rant. :)
“Music, advertisements, everything that is targeted toward the lower class always push for people to buy those status symbols. It's putting the idea in their head that if they work hard and get money to spend on these things, they will have made it.”
This is a sad attempt at justifying poor decisions and lack of self reasonability. Society didn’t force you to spend $200 on weave last month or to buy those Jordans.
I disagree. I think that if people are never taught any different, those are the things that they strive for. So many people don't think that it would even be possible for them to go to school or get a job being paid more than minimum wage. You can go ahead and be angry at people who are in poverty, but until you live in it, grow up in it, and have to deal with the challenges everyday, you won't understand.
It gets to be a little frustrating with people generalizing people into categories. There are just as many white people who spend just as frivolously, or much worse. I just see it as racism.
How about having ten kids plus one adult to feed, house payment, utilities (electric, gas,water,t.v, phone) all at only four hundred a month. Needless to say we usually went hungry.
Having ten kids if your own responsibility. (or whoever had them) most middle class persons could not afford to take care of 10 kids.
How about not having 10 kids if you can't adequately support them?
Ten kids? No one thought to stop while they could still afford things? And monthly bills included TV? Drop the cable and save a little. Give me a break.
This was in the '50's and '60's, baby boom remember, I am the ten child, my father died from gangrene after having his foot cut off in a coal mining accident, and NO we never received food stamps.
I hope this program is the first to get axed in budget cuts. If you can't afford to feed your family, don't have one (or sell your television(s) and other luxury items before going for a taxpayer handout).
WOULD YOU WANT TEN KIDS RUNNING AROUND IN THE HOUSE AND NO T.V ? LOL
I guess the program is not wrong in its intention, but here should be restrictions on the kind of food that can be bought. People shouldn't be allowed to buy soda or chips or any other junk food with their stamps since it makes them unhealthy and puts a burden on our healthcare system. Restrict junk food and reward those that buy the nutritious stuff.
It is a crying shame when these people come to the e register all they have in their shopping cart is pre cook food and soda they need to learn to cook the microwave is there stove . they donot want to work theyre just riding the system they need to be living in some third world country where thre is no hand out . Sometmes their are inside the grocery store trying to sell the food stamp why would you be selling it you donot need it
The real crying shame is people that post replies whose time would be better spent learning English.
if i was younger and single and had more time, $30 could do it (ramen anyone), not with a crazy full time job, and a family
Ramen noodles have no nutritional value.
Some people need and justifully have a real purpose for food stamps. I have seen many people abuse the system in order to reap the benefits from goverment aid, who dont get married and have kids out of wedlock. Then you have the occasional person who sells their EBT for exchange for cash. I would suggest the person in this story also check into whether not Hope Harvest Food Bank have any food. Some poeple really need them again and some people abuse the system. There does need to be some real changes in the welfare system.
Having children out of wedlock is neither here nor there to the issue. This is only your own personal bias. However I do agree there needs to be changes, such as no additional benefits for single mothers OR married couples that keeps popping out kids.
Most people who have commented do not realize the challenges it takes to feed your family on a FOOD STAMP budget. To begin with we have five children and receive $330.00 a month in food stamps. If we were to spend $30.00 a week on each child, that would be a cost of $600.00 a month. That is leaving out the adults. It is true that you can plan bigger meals, but the bigger issue is nutrition and the amount of processed food. The only way to survive on a food stamp budget is to buy food that gets you through. I read one comment where someone noticed that a lady paying with food stamps bought soda over eggs. The ironic thing is when you become conditioned to watch your budget so closely, the item doesn't have value the cost does. The soda was most likely cheaper. I know in most cases I can buy a 2liter of soda for .64 to 1.25, but a dozen of medium eggs start at 1.59. Does this make sense? So complain about those who need assistance or those who take advantage of the system when you’re enjoying your boneless chicken breast or your grapefruit for breakfast, and the less fortunate are eating cheap store brand cereal filled with preservatives that not only inhibit brain development but also make obesity an issue. The issue is deeper than everyone wishes to dig.
Joe- are your from Syracuse? You must not live in NY state. In NY you'd get WAY more than 330. In NY you'd get 492ish for 2 adults/ 2 children which means you'd get more like 600-700 for your family in my state. 330 for your large family is not enough. I do agree!
no my wife works and I am in school full time for a career change.
And whose fault is it that you have FIVE children? If you can't feed them, then don't have them.
Well I am glad you see the obvious, but you wouldn't believe up until recently my wife and I worked over 70 hours a week each to take care of those children and things out of our control happen to put us in that situation. So your comment is almost correct. The point is people need help and hopefully that will not be you. But more importantly is that my point is that the price and type of food that can be purchased by folks of lesser means is not as available as it should be. If you have an issue let me know!!!
Why the hell do you have FIVE children? Because it was your personal right? And it's our duty to help support them, yes?
Again stero-typing, yeah we sit home all day long cashing welfare checks smoking cigarettes, sitting on the pourch, dreaming up new ways to get more public assistance. My wife works 50 plus hours a week. we get only food stamp help. Because of a medical issue I can no longer perform my chosen career anymore. It's nice to see though that people are part of the conversation. But if we really look at what wrong with the system lets look at how the states actually pay for stores to except foods stamps 7cents on every dollar taken in. In these economic times why is this? On top of the price of food is so high even though average items per check are down. So really people see the real issue, people who live on a frugal budget have less options for the second most important thing as humans we need to survive -food.
Buying soda over eggs? You don't see the problem because soda is cheaper? You have a bigger problem than just the need for food stamps. Someone needs to educate you on the difference between sugar and protein.
I do understand the difference, but the point I was making is: healthy food on a budget as low as some of these people are working with, is the problem. Obviously narrow minded people as most of the folks who are commenting just don't get it. For you I hope you never have to look at your options like the people who are stuggling currently are.
5 KIDS!!!! That is ridiculous. My husband & I have 2 kids & earn over 6 figures a year. We stopped at 2 kids so we could give them a good life, pay for college, nice house etc. 5 KIDS!!!! That is just dumb dumb dumb
what is dumb is your post! Your husband most likely doesn't like you enough to have more kids with you. We love kids and until recently we no issues we providing for them. The real issue if you read my post effects people with one child not just big families. Just because you have a computer and maybe some money in the bank obviously doesn't mean your smart.
Hahaha. Do you want me to edit the following text you put down dude? I won't, but it leaves little room to call anyone else dumb.
"what is dumb is your post! Your husband most likely doesn't like you enough to have more kids with you. We love kids and until recently we no issues we providing for them. The real issue if you read my post effects people with one child not just big families. Just because you have a computer and maybe some money in the bank obviously doesn't mean your smart."
BTW, we get the point of your post is about the weak nutritional value of low-priced foods. This is no doubt a relic of the WWII era food production practices. However, once you offered that you have 5 kids you can't afford, and this with your attrocious spelling and grammar, you are open game.
Your wife works, so obviously you have some money coming in. Do you expect the government to cover 100% of your food bill?
There are ways to cut the food bill AND other bills. Sit down and look through everything budget and make the cuts.
I am with you on the idea that 'generally', cheaper foods are less nutritious and it is a definite problem and source of ill health in our society. But where do you get off having 5 kids you can barely feed let alone send to college? This is a cycle that will just repeat itself now. Thanks a lot, man.
This is a program to help the "disfunctional or underprivlidged"...not a program to live for. This should not even be debate about what is enough and what isn't! This is an ERA of tight budgets and no surpluses of money anywhere if money is put aside for this then others will lose money somewhere else... Like anything else in this world. There are plenty of other programs out there that help out even more than this program does...so this should not be the bottom line on whether people are being helped or not based on this Fed program (30 a week) thing. Just my opinion of course...
I feel sorry for anyone who is forced to live on $30 a week for food. However I don.t know where they get that figure from when it comes to food stamps. My wifes loser no good for nothing lazy !@#$%^*(()_&^%^$@ lives off of the government and he and is wife get $1200 for food stamps now that is a hell of a lot more than I spend on food in a month. To top it off he complains that if he dosen't spend it all every month they will lower his monthly amount. So he throws a lot of stuff away. NO I do not take anything from that !$@^!&#(%. I guess that is a failure in the system I have tried to report him but they don't seam to care.
no, just no. No one gets $1200 a month in food stamps unless they are gaming the system somehow. It is possible they are getting $1200 a month in combined food stamp and some kind of cash benefit/ disability, but not $1200 in food stamps. Even a family of 12 would not get that much in stamps.
$30 a week? I support my entire family of four for less than $100 each week and we do just fine. I rarely ever have to buy store brand foods, but the family does eat modest like grilled cheese sandwiches with fruit, spaghetti, or hamburger helper. I use coupons and save $10-$15 weekly plus I use the grocery store competition gimmicks twhen shopping also. Nobody in my family goes hungry, so yes I could easily survive on $30/week. Those that say they can't really just won't.
If a person is spending $20 a week on cigarettes, $30 a week on booze, $15 a week to drive to buy these items, owns a tv and pays for cable (min. $35/mo), bought their kids a playstation they should not get one dime. How can we regulate this, we can't....most people don't need food stamps they are just freeloaders. I said most, some may need it but we need to find out who actually does. I heard college students are getting food stamps.
In my opinion (and I am a conservative former Food Stamp caseworker . . . .30 years on the job) there comes a time in EVERYONE'S life that you have to turn to someone for help.
It does NOT matter what kind of social class a person is in. . .be it rich or poor, famous or not, etc.; everyone at one time or another HAS to ask for help from someone.
That request for help could be from your family, church, friends, relatives, OR a government agency.
As I stated above, I am conservative; I believe that if a person is ABLE to work, and work is available, then that person SHOULD work.
Having said all the above, please consider this:
As a nation, what should we do for a family, if for example, a male (notice I did not use the word "Man", as I believe that any fool can father a child, but it takes a MAN to be a husband and a daddy) runs off and leaves his child/children without any way of putting food on the table for them, clothes on their back, a roof over their head, and a bed to sleep in?
I do NOT care if the taxes I pay go to help put food on the table for children and/or the elderly, or to help them with medical care. As a Food Stamp/Medicaid Intake worker, I could not stand to see a sick or hungry child come in to my office without being able to help them.
That does not mean that people should make depending up the tax payers to support them as a way of life. There are people who of course do this, and to a large degree, government regulations have made people so dependent that work is not encouraged.
Let me ask you this: when you get ready to retire, and start collect Social Security, where do you think that the money is going to come from? After about 3 years, you will have collected MORE than you would have ever put into the system.
So . . . . anything after that is being paid by other workers who are paying into the system.
I hope that you never have to get to the point that you will have to turn to others for help. You probably will (if you are like the rest of us), but hopefully you won't.
Are there crooks and cheats, and people who would not work in a pie factory tasting pies, receiving benefits? Of course there are! But . . . . I know a lot of children who would go hungry, and without getting medical care if it was not for the working people of this country who pay the taxes!
I'm 29 years old, I don't plan on getting SS. I predict I will have to work until I'm 90 since all the baby boomers have made such a mess out of this country.
I remember when I was in college I applied for food stamps. I really needed them, but for some reason just that fact that I was a college student disqualified me. I worked three part time jobs just to pay my rent, utilities, and school fees and books. I remember one time all I had to eat for two weeks was crackers and condiments. I had to beg friends for their leftovers. It was a miserable time, I survived, but it cost me. It was so much harder just to finish hw when all you can think about is how starving you are. To decide out of ignorance that just because someone is a college student all they care to use food stamps for is party food is silly.
If a person is spending $20 a week on cigarettes, $30 a week on booze, $15 a week to drive to buy these items, owns a tv and pays for cable (min. $35/mo), bought their kids a playstation they should not get one dime. How can we regulate this, we can't....most people don't need food stamps they are just freeloaders. I said most, some may need it but we need to find out who actually does. I heard college students are getting food stamps, wtf.
I remember being in college as an adult. I worked 40 hours aweek and barely made over 20,000 a year. I saw your traditional college students be eligible for $200 a month in food stamps automatically if they worked 20 hours of work study a week.
All they bought was party food- your typical junk stuff. How were they to cook anything in a dorm? They get claimed as depends by their parents who are supporting them, but it was my taxes that supported their food stamps while people I know who barely got by after rent and utilities got $15 a month in food stamps. What a joke.
Jay - i think that might have a been a different program other than regular food stamps. I was denied food stamps in college because my parents were still claiming me as a dependant, and they made too much money.
Not sure what state you are in, but having worked for the Department of Human Services for several years, there was never a single, able bodied person working 40 hours that would receive food stamps, they would not qualify for a single person. Also, the most a person of need could get who did not have children would be 3 months of eligibility to help them get on their feet, and even then it was barely $130 a month. There are a lot of misconceptions about who can and cannot receive food stamps, maybe some research rather than "what you've heard" would benefit you and others.
http://www.okdhs.org/programsandservices/food/snap/default.htm
"Seeing the poor choices and wastefulness of other shoppers, though, I frequently shake my head and wonder how people so foolish make it in life."
To Carl and the other shopping cart watchers, why are you concerned with what someone else purchases. I am not on Government Assistance and usually buy grocers weekly. We eat a lot of seafood, its not uncommon to purchase large amounts when on sale. Without a doubt each time I am in line with these items I catch somenone give me the disgusted look as if I should be buying more economical items instead. Its our money why do they care. Sorry to be so off subject but this really irritates me.
You can't buy that much food in Canada and certainly not Newfoundland for 30 bucks. Luckily you live close to where it is grown.
I'm from Newfoundland too! Small world. And yes, everything is expensive there because it has to be shipped to a rock in the north Atlantic.
Aldi's!!!!!
That's about $4.30 a day. I could "survive", but not for long. It would be three meals a day from McD's dollar menu, supplemented by a case of bottled water. There would be some variety, some protein, and a lot of fat & sodium. Let's stop worrying about the rest of the World's problems for a year and fix our own problems first. How did the rest of the World survive without our help between the years 1500-1900???
They weren't lazy sacks of fat and grew food in gardens, fished and went hunting.
You can't buy McDonald's with food stamps.
If you were a lazy fat sack you died...simple.
Buy a $10 Nalgene bottle, and get water out of the tap or buy a Brita filter. Bottled water is a waste on the environment and you wallet.
My last apartments water was from a well and it was so full of iron and other stuff that it stained everything orange and smelt horrible. Nothing I did made the water suitable to drink and the landlord refused to fix the problem citing she didn't have the money to fix it. Bottled water was the only option, and I felt every penny of that. Add to that a backed up septic, I'm sort of relieved that I could no longer afford the rent.
Gotta tell you...I worked as a cashier all through college...people are not buying chicken, veggies, rice, and farina with their food stamps. In seven years I never saw a food stamp order with that much healthy food.
My co-worker has a 2nd job as a grocery cashier and people come in and don't speak English and they buy steak and lobster with their food stamps, and her attitude is, "if I'm going to be paying for your lobster, at least speak English to me."
I bet that 7 year college degree worked out really well for you
No, smart azz that would be degrees. A bachelors and a masters. Go ahead and finish cramming your pie hole with that family sized bag-o-chips, bi tch.
I too have been on both sides of the fence and agree if people learned how to cook they could spread their money farther. Remember to use meat as a seasoning. My issue is when I go to the store here in Vermont and watch folks use their EBT card to by junk food. Recently, I watched one lady use her EBT card to pay for her mother's groceries, as her mother handed her cash, which she then used to purchase beer and cigarettes. Even more recently on a trip to North Carolina I watch a lady purchase some of the "best of everything" while using food stamps to pay for the purchase. No checks and balances...the system is misused.
Why do you care so much about what other people are doing? Everyone is free to do whatever, right?
Why should not we care? Its out money. we are paying for those lazy fat asses.
Let's not forget that full service grocery stores aren't in every neighborhood. Lots of people are trying to survive from what the corner 7-11 has to offer. I think a voucher system more like the WIC program would get healthier foods to the poorest of folks.
richard you are bless to be earning that per year between youand you wife when last have you given something to the poor the bible says give and he will bless all you are talking about is just vanity you need to check yourself and be more passionate to the less fortunate you need to go by the food bank and make a donatiion.
I have overspent for years on food and recently have made a concentrated effort to buy only what I really need and eat everything I buy. Going semi-vegetarian has made my meals more economical and healthier. Looking at the author's menu, I would make changes such as stretching the meat by blending with the beans in a casserole instead of making the chicken breast a central piece of a dinner. I can roast an inexpensive chicken and get 8-10 meals out of it for myself that way. Same with cheap cuts of beef. Fresh fish is too expensive so I limit that to canned tuna which, again, I make stretch by blending it in casseroles or salads (two meals from a 6 oz can).
I buy almost nothing pre-made – no bottled salad dressings (vinegar and oil only), no fancy cereals (bulk oatmeal), no microwave meals, no dehydrated rice or noodle concoctions, no bagged lettuce, etc. I make a lot of soups and also eat less in general. I have upped the amount of greens in my diet – romaine, kale, collards, etc. These foods are very inexpensive and filling, plus the health benefits are amazing.
One of my big weaknesses was going out to breakfast. I still miss that but I don't miss being out the $50-$70 a week and over time have come to crave the 1/2 cup of oatmeal and banana that is now my staple breakfast. Now eggs are one of the things I use for the main course at dinner. My big extravagances now are raw nuts and sometimes cheese – I can make a pound of cheddar stretch for two weeks.
I also keep a few little herb pots on the kitchen windowsill for fresh flavoring in my recipes. Totally organic and totally renewable. I am researching how I can start container-gardening more fresh food and that is my next step in providing for myself.
We have it all backwards in this country regarding food, as our growing obesity and diminishing health stats can testify. We are spoiled with convenience and also with giving our power over to other to produce our meals for us.
And I agree with Sally Mander. I was raised the same way and I am finding so much joy and economy in going back to those principles.
Don't kid yourself....people on welfare eat good. They are always in front of me at the check out, buying name brands (I buy off brands), and they pay for the beer and party supplies with a big role of cash that they take out of their back pockets (like who carries $100 bills.... in a roll.... in their back pocket). Food stamps and welfare and the reasons I changed my major (in college) to business. Get a job!!
I wonder how many people on food stamps would remain on them if the state required them to work for them a certain amount of hours a week? This could also be coupled with mandatory education classes to better thier job skill sets. Plenty of time would be left to seek jobs or interview (if a note was provided), but participation should be mandatory or no handout. Why doesn't America have a backbone anymore?
But those who receive Food Stamps/SNAP ARE required to work. I should know; I am working a 40+ hour a week job in order to receive my pathetic $150 dollars that is supposed to feed my family of FOUR. Maybe you should do a little research before you post, Kim.
Food stamps are supposed to supplement not replace your own income. You work 40+ hours and still get food stamps because you have 4 kids and you don't make enough. If you were totally unemployed you would get about 500 a month. I know because that is what I got. No one on food stamps is starving to death but I wouldn't want to quit my job just for food stamps. If someone else is supporting you it's not supposed to be pleasant. If you want better work for it.
@Brian: I do not have 4 children. I have two children and a disabled wife. And I know it is a supplemental program, and that all I would have to do to get more stamps is to work less, (as I have been told by many of my neighbors on SNAP). However, I choose to WORK to support my family, rather than just sit back and let someone else do it. Thank you for your comment though, much appreciated.
That is an arrogant assumption. Most people, in my experience, would rather be working that having to rely on food stamps. It would be a welcome boost to their dignity to be able to work a few hours. Secondly–just because they are down on their luck doesn't mean they don't have good job skills or education. It's just as easy to lose a professional job as it is to lose a fry cook job due to the rotten economy...and just as hard to find one with good job skills and education.
In many places you can't go to school and get food stamps. It's assumed that if you are going to college, that is time you could be working instead. So you're choosing not to work. Therefore you can't get food stamps. I know people who had to choose between their food stamps and improving their skills so they could get a new job.
When I was laid off, we got food stamps for a little while. We were only eligible because my husband was working and we had a small child (which meant I was exempt from having to have a job because we had a 10 month-old).
I don't think that people who haven't been through the process don't really understand it and make a lot of assumptions about it.
Also, I wish that we'd had $30 a week. We only got $87 a month plus some WIC coupons that helped pay for formula. Our daughter had to have soy formula because of allergies and that can get expensive. We were penalized because we had health insurance – they counted the money we spent on it as money we could spend on food even though we couldn't drop or change the policy until the end of the year.
Breastfeeding is free.
I don't think it would be a problem, as long as the government could supply the work, as it obviousely can't!
Kim, I too, at one time felt the way you do. I had worked consistently for 40 years since I was 17 years old – and felt like I worked hard and paid my fair share of taxes, etc. and everyone else should to. Then one day I was out of work due to bad economy in 2008 and then the next week my husband, who also had always worked, got laid off. For the first time ever, I could NOT find a job. 6 months and over 2000 resumes and phone calls later, I was still out of work. Unemployment only kept my electricity on and did not even come close to paying the house payment. I now firmly believe that the majority of food stamp and unemployment users are trying to find work and cant'
Kim E, I worked for a county abuse shelter a few years ago and in order to qualify for food stamps, health insurance, and/or cash assistance you either had to be working (just making under a certain amount) or you HAD to attend an educational workshop for 4 hours several days a week. After you finished the classes if you still hadn't found a job then you took a resume class. If you left the class early or missed a class, your assistance was halted. I don't know if these were state regulations or federal regulations...but try not to make blanket assumptions because they're not always true.
I am a middle class stay-at-home mom who does not use any government assistance. My family of 6 eats on about $600 a month, which is about $25 a week per person. It is very easy and we eat pretty nutritiously. The key is coupons and store sales. If you can learn to do that efficiently, $30 a week is more than enough.
Her first mistake was buying peppers. They are one of the most expensive vegetables! Her second mistake...expresso? Really? Was that one she bought or brewed at home? This is completely unrealistic and yeah, she was not kidding when she said she doesn't know how to shop bargains!
Yeah, the peppers and boneless chicken blew me away. Here, colored peppers such as she bought are $3.99 a pound during the summer. Boneless chicken is substantially more per pound than normal chicken. And she could have used the bones to season the beans. She bought white albacore tuna, from the photograph, and baby leaf spinach! And I would love to see her get a three year old to eat any of it! She bought white rice, which has little nutrition and isn't filling when brown rice is more filling and healthier. She should have added apple to her farina. She used oil on her pasta but didn't include it in her bill. She only used the forets from her broccoli...she didn't learn anything, didn't prepare well but she did get published – mission accomplished!
Farina was another mistake. I have oatmeal for breakfast, make oatmeal muffins and oatmeal bread and use it instead of bread crumbs in meatloaf. (You can find lower-fat, good quality ground beef if you really look and I'll admit I keep an eye outt for sales and managers' specials.) If I researched more I'm sure I could find other uses for it.
Wow, really? First off, I'm a college student and I eat on about 30$ of food a week. Second, I think it's absolutely pathetic that you're trying to make the American taxpayer feel guilty for not having ENOUGH of his or her money stolen to feed people with flat-screen TV's and cable. Lastly, the vast majority of people I see using food stamps (and I see plenty) usually have their carts stuffed full of Oreos and Mountain Dew.
Sheesh, people in Africa would live off of 30$ a month and feel like kings. If you feel so guilty about all these "poor" Americans, go volunteer at your local soup kitchen or donate some food to your local foodbank.
Stolen? Give me a break.
As a student, I'm sure MILLIONS of dollars are being taken out of your retail paycheck to feed someone else.
Stop watching Faux News and learn to think for yourself. And maybe, idk, have a little compassion for those less fortunate than you? You have no idea of someone's situation....and don't base your "facts" on things you see, b/c the actual truth is often a much different story.
Thank you and you are correct. There are definitely people who abuse the system but we have to always remember it is the children who suffer the most. And many people on assistance buy junk food because it is cheaper and tends to fill up more than "good" food. You can buy bottles of pop for less than a dollar...the market for this stuff appeals and preys on the poor. I also agree that 30.00 could go much farther than this article implies. I would have no issues feeding myself and my daughter for 30.00 a piece per month. In fact, as a single mother not on assistance I have to shop very frugally and I manage to make appealing dinners.
Ryan is right. Ask yourself why the poor in America are FAT, while the poor in other countries are SKINNY. Do American poor need MORE food, or LESS food? Obviously, they're overfed like a bunch of fat pigs. Let them feel the pangs of hunger so they motivate themselves to go out and work harder, like EVERY OTHER POOR PERSON OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. DOES. When you subsidize anything, you get MORE of it–like poverty.
because cheap food is usually pretty unhealthy – that's why poor people are fat in America.
The difference between these poor "fat" Americans and poor third-world country people are lack of education/knowledge leading to making poor choices (McDonald) vs not having much of choice.
"Wow, really? First off, I'm a college student and I eat on about 30$ of food a week. Second, I think it's absolutely pathetic that you're trying to make the American taxpayer feel guilty for not having ENOUGH of his or her money stolen to feed people with flat-screen TV's and cable."
Yep, poor people all have flat screen tv's or cable. They have silver wear made of silver too.
My revised Food Stamps Plan:
We now call them Idiot-Bucks. On each Idiot-Buck Debit Card, which is bright pink and embarrassing, there is a picture of Bozo-The-Clown and a picture of you so that the card can only be used by its owner. In order to qualify for Idiot-Bucks, you must attend either a GED program or a work program that is provided by your friendly neighborhood DSS office. Failure to attend and participate results in your loss of Idiot-Bucks. You must also pass a drug test. Working citizens of this country have to pass a drug test in order to pay taxes, you will have to pass a drug test to get $ out of taxes. Fair is fair. If you commit a felony, you do not qualify for Bozo-Bucks. Fraud of Bozo-Bucks is now a felony, resulting in 1 year jail time and a revocation of your rights to Bozo-Bucks.
Public Assistance is intended to help those who need it for a short period of time so that they can get back on their feet. It has become a viable lifestyle for generation upon generation of American citizens. It is a crime that this has been allowed to happen. Making Bozo-Bucks something embarrassing to have and eliminating the ability to simply sell them outright for cash will change people’s attitude towards them and put things back the way they are intended to be. When 40% of a city’s population is on public assistance, there is a problem, and it stretches far beyond a “struggling economy” as it is a reflection of the entitled mentality of the American Citizen.
So, your plan is to humiliate people who need temporary help? There are quite a few who abuse the system, but many who do not. In this economy, I suspect many people on food stamps are people who never imagined they would need it.
Richard-
I have a daughter with schizophrenia. Get a life and understand that all are not created equal. Oh and check back in 20 years and let's see if you and your wife are still married to each other. I'll bet she'll takes you to the cleaners and finds a man with a heart-something you lack!!!Then take your money and try to buy some more love!!!
Don't worry about him. Someone that feels the need to brag about what they're spending on stuff either A) doesn't actually have it or B) has some serious "issues." It's such a cliche, but it's never a happy ending for people like that, either way.
Dude he was lying to get a rise out of people. If he worked so hard why is he on CNN posting comments during the middle of a weekday like the rest of us peasants?
good job chucko, all these dems are such fools
I work at a high poverty school in the south with over 85% of our students receiving free or reduced lunches. Many students and their families live on food stamps. Many families receive so many food stamps that they actually sell them for cash. You can buy $50 of food stamps for $35 of cash, for instance. This allows the family to make some extra income or to use the money to buy things that food stamps cannot. So many of my students are overweight. They live on junk food, sodas, and sports drinks. They eat a lot of fast food. They are not what I would call poor as most have cell phones, new clothes and shoes, and TV at home. I love my students but it is clear there is a generational, celebrated poverty. No one is ashamed of receiving food stamps. In fact, students brag about the "free money." I always explain that it is never free, it is paid for with taxes deducted from the income of hard working people, including myself. This seems to be a foreign concept to many of my kids. They also can't wait to turn 18 so they can file for their own food stamps. I used to be very liberal before witnessing the sheer abuse of the welfare system in this country. I would say 8 out of 10 kids and their families are abusing the system. It makes me very jaded towards poverty in our country and how it is dealt with by our government through social program. I don't know how to fix the problem, obviously no one does, but I do see both sides of this story.
You really need to take a course on social welfare policy instead of making broad assumptions. You can sit in on my course if you want.
It's so much easier to make broad assumptions, though! And it makes me feel so much better about my own life to put other people down!
/snark
I see the Hispanic population use the "hell out of" the Lone Star Card at the Fiesta near my home. I go to the store with a budget and they have a field day.
Cell phones are often free. New clothing? God forbid! TV? Um...you can buy one at a pawn shop on the cheap.
Since when to the poor have to live in grass huts or something in order to qualify as being "poor enough"? I suppose you think they shouldn't be allowed refrigerators, either.
Frankly, the average American lives on junk food! NOT just the poor. People are not taught any better...and healthy food can be quite pricey and often difficult to get depending on where you live. Look at all the coupons in the paper...they are for junk food.
I absolutely agree with you on most of those points. I think everyone does deserve a decent quality of life. I understand that generational poverty often has a very sour source that cannot be easily remedied. I understand all of these things. I don't think I am making a "broad assumption" when I am working in this situation every day, living in a community that has a very high rate of poverty and working with students and their families who are oftentimes poor. I can't stop and change my feelings towards the subject which have been based solely on my personal experiences. I know this is not everyone's story. I know I don't see the whole picture. But it IS what I see. I would love to attend a class on social welfare policy, because I want to believe that the system works. Though right now all I see is the abuse of the welfare system.
Aaron is RIGHT. Those of you who disagree are letting your emotion and liberal ideology interfere with (and obscure) the facts. You just want to feel good about yourselves, so you lie to yourselves and convince yourself of all sorts of liberal BS.
My experience is the same as Aaron's. My sister sold the car she could not afford to one of my "below poverty line" parents.
Not my parents, the student's "below poverty line" parents.
I agree totally Aaron. I live in Southern Georgia and there is absolutely no shame in many of our food stamp recipients. I compare their carts with steak, shrimp, and other expensive foods and then look at my cart with store brand products and hamburger meat, and it really steams me. I am working hard and paying taxes for them to eat much better than my family. If the SNAP program was run like the WIC program where there are only a restricted variety of healthy foods that can be purchased, then the abuse and childhood obesity epidemic would be greatly reduced. This program is BADLY in need of an overhaul.
I'm sure Aaron will take some heat for posting the TRUTH about the abuse of the system. I'd like to believe that less than 5% abuse the system, but my REALITY world tells me it's a lot more than that.
Aaron is right, for those of you who don't believe its happening, please open your eyes. I volunteer at a nonprofit/ after school program where 100% of the kids in the program qualify for the federal free lunch program, which means their reported income falls under poverty guidelines. I see parents drop off their kids in large, newer ( 2-5 years old) oversized SUV's...think Denali, Escapade's, etc. Yes some of them also drive very run down cars. I spend a lot of time listening to these kids talk about their lives, talk about how their parents fight, how their mom's new boyfriend isn't so nice,, etc. They talk about how they have laptops, playstations, Wii's. These kids have puma's, nikes on their feet, jewelry, makeup, nice clothes with a lot of variety.
Im sorry, but go visit other countires where people are truly poor. They do not have TVs, cable, have new shoes, clothes, and luxury items like PS3s. That's fine if people want to buy these things, but BUY them on their own dime, not mine or any other hard working taxpayers dollars. I have 0 problem feeding kids, I believe its the right thing to do. I do however have a problem subsidizing people's luxury purchases and I do consider TV, cable, and entertainment a luxury item.
People game the system, people underreport income as they have cash jobs. So they are getting SSI and food stamps while their cash is going to buy Escalade's. I pay my dutiful share of taxes, and I don't condone people who flat out lie to not pay their share of taxes, or obtain federal aid.
I believe that the food stamps program was designed, and is still intended, to be an "assistance" program. Not a "pays for every bit of food I eat" program. I believe that in the rules of most places' food stamps information it says just that. So trying to eat on what someone would get for food stamps in a week is kind of a mute point. Assistance, not complete coverage of one's food needs is what the food stamp program is based on.
My revised Food Stamps Plan:
We now call them Bozo-Bucks. On each Bozo-Buck Debit Card, which is bright pink and embarrassing, there is a picture of Bozo-The-Clown and a picture of you so that the card can only be used by its owner. In order to qualify for Bozo-Bucks, you must attend either a GED program or a work program that is provided by your friendly neighborhood DSS office. Failure to attend and participate results in your loss of Bozo-Bucks. You must also pass a drug test. Working citizens of this country have to pass a drug test in order to pay taxes, you will have to pass a drug test to get $ out of taxes. Fair is fair. If you commit a felony, you do not qualify for Bozo-Bucks. Fraud of Bozo-Bucks is now a felony, resulting in 1 year jail time and a revocation of your rights to Bozo-Bucks.
Public Assistance is intended to help those who need it for a short period of time so that they can get back on their feet. It has become a viable lifestyle for generation upon generation of American citizens. It is a crime that this has been allowed to happen. Making Bozo-Bucks something embarrassing to have and eliminating the ability to simply sell them outright for cash will change people’s attitude towards them and put things back the way they are intended to be. When 40% of a city’s population is on public assistance, there is a problem, and it stretches far beyond a “struggling economy” as it is a reflection of the entitled mentality of the American Citizen.
CHESS...God bless you and your hard work!! Your reward will be great!!
I have been on both sides of this fence. i have had plenty of money to buy groceries and been so broke all i could afford was a Chicken sandwich for 1.00 that I had to split in two for breakfast and lunch ! I love to cook and I'm creative You don't have to spend a lot to eat decently. There are dollar stores that now sell all kinds of things and even in the regular store if you are creative enough you can buy Wheat pasta for a buck and some garlic a few tomatoes.. and a dinner for four can apear. I only feed my husband and I now ..My kids are grown, working and supporting themselves. i can afford groceries but i am still very cautious and try to get the most for my money. I work hard and know how to shop. So many people on Welfare and even not buy soo much Garbage.. and fill their Families full of absolute crap ! it amazes me how many people don't know how to cook, shop or eat Healthy .. Fresh produce is not that expensive and I make my own desserts my own pie crusts and just learn to budget... Priorities ! If you can't afford food.. get rid of Cable.. live without all the toys and read up on cooking and shopping. The Library is full of all kinds of wonderful books to use to teach people how to do this. I know I'm dating myself (I'm 59) but.. when we went to School we were taught how to cook, shop, and budget ... too many people on Welfare still have all of the electronics and then live on Crap ! I've been well off and very broke and homeless too .. I worked my butt off, regrouped, got my head out of my A.. and am now woking and living comfortably .. hard work priorities straight and good old fashioned know how !!
I could easily live on$30 per week clip some coupon buycabbage carrots breans ,rice a chicken bread eggs peanut butter and jelly you have to do whats best for you because its just hard times se all are in
I agree, A bag of Flour, Sugar, a few baics and just some ingenuity... I know it's not easy but it is do-able. I also make large pots of Soup, Chili, and things like that ..
I agree, A bag of Flour, Sugar, a few basics and just some ingenuity... I know it's not easy but it is do-able. I also make large pots of Soup, Chili, and things like that ..
In reading the article, no mention was made about using coupons. Having been layed off and unemployment benefits only covering part of the mortgage we had to make some hard choices. One area we controlled was food and feeding a family of 4 on $40 a week. We use internet blogs to match up food sales with coupons to eat healthy, not junk. It means preparing most things vs a mix. Now that we have jobs, we still continue to use coupons, not the extreme couponing.
we all have to make the best of what we have
Oh, for the love of crap. There are a lot of people out there who take advantage of the system, but there are a lot who don't, too. I'm a married 25 year old mom of two young boys. My husband is a computer tech in a small local firm and I'm back in school, racking up the loan money to get my RN. I get no more in loans than I need to pay for classes and books, my husband makes $.25 above minimum wage working over 40 hours a week, and we have no health insurance.
We are on WIC, Medicaid, and SNAP benefits.
Because our boys are young and growing we make the most of our benefits. Coupons and sales can be applied to SNAP purchases. A handful of change a week can purchase a paper a day; that extra bit pays off by allowing us more to spend on our SNAP benefits. We purchase from the farmer's market when able, thanks to a program set up through the county that allows us to spend SNAP benefits there. When we purchase ingredients instead of boxed things, we can easily afford to make things like bread and even occasional treats like brownies or cakes if there's a birthday or special occasion coming up. We shop at Aldi's when we have no coupons with us, or no coupons for things that we need. We ensure that if we need something WIC can provide (like peanut butter, milk, beans, or fresh fruits/veggies), we spend that first – SNAP doesn't get used until we've run out of WIC for the month. Boxed meals like Hamburger Helper get replaced with whole wheat noodles, real cheese from WIC, milk, and spices. We buy a value meat bundle once a month from a local butcher that accepts SNAP.
We make the assistance that we get count and we take nothing for granted. My husband and I both gave up soda (our kids aren't allowed to have any), and we make our own baked chips at home from potatoes or pita or tortillas instead of buying bags of them.
Our meals aren't luxurious, but they are healthy, responsible, and appropriate. Our children do not go hungry because we use sales and coupons to our advantage when we're able – and every once in a while it allows us a special treat, like a candy bar. As a result, my husband and I are losing weight and our boys are both healthy, vibrant, and rambunctious.
Please remember that while there are some destroying the system, there are others like us, who will be paying back into it in just a few short years. Please remember that you're helping my family, too, not just the ones who are blatantly abusing the system. :)
I have library books to check out! Thanks for listening to me rant. :)
Ugh. You already have 2 kids and you are only 25? You should have waited until you received your college degree & worked for at least 5 years before having kids. Then you wouldn't be in this situation where my tax dollars are paying for your kids' food.
Can't Feed em – Dont Breed em!
tom that was very selfish
The system is broken, but not in the short sighted way that most of these posters are saying. As a person who survived on food stamps for a couple years I can provide information on how it is broken. The abuse of the system is built in to the way the program is set up. While I was using the food stamps, I had plenty of 'food money' to eat whatever I wanted. The problem is the gap in getting off of them. If I didnt have a job, they gave me all I could use, but once I was able to find work, at barley above minimum wage, then they took it all away. I got more money per week for food stamps(for me, wife, and 1 kid) than I got working 40 hrs a week at minimum wage. But since I had a job and income, they took all the food money away. That meant it was better for me not to work than it was for me to work. The leap from govnt assistance to self support is too wide for lots of Americans to make the jump, thus discourages anyone to try. Now I make over 6 figures per year and never look back, but for about a year, I was in the gap where I would have been better off to sit on my ass than work. That is why the system is broken.
Good for you! You're completely right, of course – yes, the people who abuse the system are a problem but actually leaving the system requires some huge blessing – such as moving from a paycheck of $100-$200 a week to whatever surprisingly larger figure you need to suitably feed your family and pay all of your bills, too. I can't wait until we hit that point, but I'm a little afraid of the transition still. I know WIC will be there for us until we hit $30k a year or so but SNAP is INCREDIBLY helpful on its own.
Love hearing stories from those that have moved off of benefits, gives me hope for when we do the same.
Thank you for pointing that out! The gov't punishes people for being "working poor". Something needs to change or why would people be motivated at all to get out of the poverty cycle!?
The government gives out way too much money. It wasn't long ago that people thought it was offensive to ask for handouts. Now-a-days, everyone feels entitled to 'basic necessities' – which often are not required to sustain oneself.
The other week I struck up a conversation with a college graduate who was jobless. He claimed he received $900 every two weeks from the government for housing, food and other 'basic necessities'. He was bragging about duping the government into giving him money – which I consider to be theft.
What happened to the American dream where everyone works hard for what they get? When did it become expected that the government would hold everyone's hand and help them up onto their feet?
He should be forced to pay all of that back, and whoever approved him to get $900 every two weeks should be thrown in jail.
Scary – you're so right. My sister is a social worker and it is unbelievable the type of predicament some people work themselves into. Why work when you can get more for doing less? – Ethics, integrity, morality, self respect. That's what needs to be instilled in America. If you receive money from the government, the government should have the right to regulate what you consume and what you do.
$30 dollars a week per person
that's about what I spend now for my wife and myself and eat very well in the SF bay area.
Learn to cook, don't by quickie prepaid meals, lots of fruit and veggies, and look around where you shop.Not to name drop but I do most of my shopping at target and raleys. Figure I save about 25-30% vs going to safeway or luckys.
Also hit a lot of the local markets for produce.
Homemade pizza last night, pepporini, sauge and mushroom with a homemade tomatoe pesto sauce. Under $6 and I dare you to find a better one.
A lot of the working poor....people working 2 or 3 min. wage jobs...don't have time to make "home cooked meals". That's great that it works for you, but I find comments like this to be completely unrealistic w. re: to actual poverty. If it is a one parent household and the one parent works all the time, who is going to make all these wonderful home-cooked meals? Esp. if the children are too young to be using a stove, etc.
Slow cooker? crockpot? cook once, eat twice? Meal planning? freezer cooking? Shop twice a month instead of twice a week.....that'll save time and money ;0) Quit making excuses!
For many families it isn't $30 a week per person. It's $30 per week, period. We didn't even get that much. When I was laid off, we had a 10 month-old who had to drink soy formula because of allergy issues. If it wasn't for WIC covering a few containers a month, I don't think we would have made it.
I have worked at a cashier at for many years at a store right next to a trailor park. These people come in with Food Stamps and buy the most expensive items in the store. Steak, fresh seasfood, anything. I have also seen these people try and trick the counter and return the items they bought on food stamps and try to argue to get cash back so they can use that cash to get cigs, alcohol, and lottery tickets. It isn't just a couple or one. It seems like everyone on foodstamps knows they are taking advantage of the system and other's goodwill. This program needs to be gotten rid of completely.
So,....by your logic, because a few people who you see game the system (trust me, I have seen it, too), ergo, everyone games the system and therefore no-one should receive bennies.
Oy.
Inhumane much?
Even on food stamps our poor live far better than many of the poor in our world. We have many luxuries in this country and we are in desperate need of new perspective that only God can give to open hearts. Our country is full of "hard hearts" just as the bible foretold. Hard hearts can not see the truth. Look around you...many unhappy hard hearted people. Only God can soften such people...he is definitely working on my heart. I allowed the power of a hard heart to enter my life and it has taken its toll...God wants much more from us than a hard heart. HIs day is on the way...this is clear. "Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Mark 8:17
Holy crap if you say "Hard Heart" one more time I am going to kick you in the eyeball. Also (sorry in advance, my months worth of trolling here) FiretrUCK your religious rhetoric you foolish bedlamite. "Oooh, God helps me soften my heart! He's like a marinade!"
As a single mother of one living with my parents and making minimum wage at a grocery store I must say that it is pretty easy to live health and satisfied on $30 a week. I too see many black peopl ein fancy cars and clothes shopping in the grocvery store I work at with a huge amount of food stamps. I shop at Goodwill, drive a decent car that I pay for, pay daycare costs and all I get is money for food stamps because I'm not black. I've learned to shop wisely at the beginning of the month and then budget for other things throught the rest of the month. Do I always buy the most important things with my EBT card, NO, BUT I do know that once that money is gone... It's gone. As for the person who posted about making 300K a year and having to pay $100 dollars for an oil change on a Mercedes.. MUST BE NICE... I work my butt off for minimum wage and have to do my oil changes myself. You should be thankful that you have the income to afford those things. I am college educated with a degree in healthcare and should be making more than I do, but I swallowed my pride and took a job so that I'm not living off the system entirely... Be thankful for what you have and if you need to complain about the simple pleasures in life trying living poor for one week...
Must have been one of those phoenix online degrees in health care management... even CNAs who dont need a degree get paid more than minimum wage.
Wow. You should be nominated for sainthood.
Btw, most people on welfare are WHITE.
Strictly going by the numbers, you are correct. When you go by percentages, more blacks are on welfare.
Shame on you for bringing race into this. We all know and have seen offenders and they come in all shapes and colors. Not all of them look hungry and not all of them are black. SHAME ON YOU! Worry about the situation you are in and not about what cars black people are driving. Be lucky you have the luxury of living under your parents roof and not on the streets. Take the time to figure out why you are making minimum wage at a grocery store (you must be working at the wrong grocery store) when you have a "degree" which I'm pretty sure you mean "certificate" or "license".
I'll bring race into this since I was asked by my caseworker if I was African American and told that minorities qualify for a different rate in my state. And NO I didn't go to the University of Phoenix and I don't have a license or certificate anymore. Yes, I could work as a CNa or a medical assistant, which I have "certification" in, but I also have a 4 year degree in nutrition... I work at a grovery store because of EVERY job I applied for, they called me back and I'm not going to turn down a job because it's easier to collect a check from the governement than it is to work. I actually enjoy my job. We are all allowed to state our own opinions on the economy and on what we think is right or wrong and no one in my opinion is right or wrong when it comes to politics and religion and all that... The simple fact is that some races are given priorities over others... Working in healthcare for several years I saw many people get their bills erased because they were not white and didn't have insurance where I had to wait until I had a child and 70K in medical debt before the state insured me... Whether we agree with someone's choices to buy junk food with food stamps or not, the only point I was making is that right now jobs suck, get help if you can, be grateful for any help you do get beause for some of those people.. They're too poor to afford things on their own and make too much to qualify for assistance... And I will never feel shame for bring race up... Americans do it EVERYDAY when they talk about the first BLACK president...
Why did you have a baby if you couldn't afford one?
Are we assuming that the parents aren't spending their food stamps on alcohol and cigarettes? I have seen both purchased with food stamps. I think there are people out there who genuinely need assistance feeding their kids, but there needs to be more oversight to stop people from abusing the system.
I understand your point, but I'm pretty sure you cannot purchase those things with food stamps. Now, as for the $40 in their pockets that they COULD have spent of food if they didn't have food stamps...
You can NOT purchase alcohol or cigarettes with "food stamps". What you see are people paying with cash for those items. You also can NOT purchase items such as soap, laundry detergent, and paper goods.
You cannot buy alcohol or cigarettes with food stamps.
You can purchase non food items with TANF benefits,which are placed on the same EBT card in a separate account. This can be used to purchase whatever they want.
I've been to a liquor store where it was well known that the owner would allow people to buy non food items with the EBT card. There are dirty people out there, I'm pretty sure there are more like him around.
And here in California there is a problem with people pulling money of their EBT cards at Casinos and they are trying to stop this from happening. Crazy.
People are really showing their ignorance in their comments. They are also outing themselves as liars.
No you have not seen people sell some of their food stamps for cash. It has been many years since any state distributed paper food stamps. They are on debit cards now. It is hard to sell a part of a debit card.
It is also highly unlikely that you have seen anyone purchase non-food items with food stamps. One of the advantages of using debit cards, for the government, is that they can make it so they only work for food purchases. I have seen a public assistance card be rejected at the register because the person was attempting to buy food and had one non-food item rang up. They had to pay for that separately for their card to work.
It's so nice that you want to have faith in these people, but the transaction is simplier than you think. Rarely are you going to see another person hand cash to the food stamp recepient at the check out, but it happens every day. You agree to trade food stamps benefits for cash for twice the dollar amount. $50 for $25 cash. The person goes shopping with the receipent and the card gets swiped. Or some will just let them take the card to the store and bring it back to them. Anyone can use that card..they just need to know the PIN#.
Are you kidding? It's easier now that all they have to do is give you a pin number. I wont say too much but it happens more than you think and they place of choice to go is Costco since they don't not ask to see they card or ID. Self Check out also makes this easier. At my neighborhood SaveMart they have a sign posted that you can only get $200 cash back from EBT. My husband saw a girl buy a pack of gum and get $100 cash back.
Look on craigslist under baby and kids, all of that formula for sale was bought with WIC vouchers. People get WIC, breasfeed and sell the formula. I may not live this type of life but I know of plenty of people who do and some of them are upper middle class people buying $150 worth of food stamps for $75 a month. Go to the butcher and someone will be standing outside offering to buy you meat for cash. I've been tempted to take up the offer but I don't want to take from the kids or end up in jail.
I wish I could say that I live in inner city but I live in Northern California in a surburban neighborhood. Its easy to not notice it if you don't know how this stuff works.
I buy food for my household of 5. I have budgeted $110 a week, which is $22.00 per person per week, or $3.14 per person per day. I do not qualify for any state assistance. We went from 2 person income to a 1 person income. I make decent money, but it is not enough to cover the car payment, mortgage etc, that we got ourselves into prior to becoming a 1 income household.
Got a kick out of this report! Thanks for doing it! I survive off of roughly $30 a week or less. I do however get free lunch M,W,F. $30 a week is definitely not living extravagantly, but i think it is getting pretty close to the basic subsistence mark.
I've been through some really, really tough times without food stamps. Here are my suggestions: Try an egg for breakfast. Eggs are not that expensive, and a dozen will last you nearly two weeks. They keep you satisfied much longer than farina for breakfast. Use chicken thighs instead of breasts–they are much cheaper and have a lot of meat on the bone for the price. I didn't ever buy broccoli when I was poor–too expensive. Generic canned peas or green beans, or even canned spinach would have had to do. That bread in the PB&J is certainly not the cheapest bread–it is a higher-priced variety that poor folks would not be able to afford. Make your own vegetable soup with canned tomatoes and chopped carrots, celery, onions, a chopped potato, and a few spices. It's filling and will last several meals. Add some chopped meat if you have it–a few bites of stewing beef (if cooked long enough to be tender) will work well, or a few bites of cooked chicken. Leave off the espresso–unnecessary. A baked sweet potato makes a very filling lunch–you can fix it in just a few minutes in the microwave, and they are very good for you. That Splenda is laughable! It is more expensive than the saccharin sweeteners or even aspartame, and would be a luxury.
I was guessing that the Splenda packet was probably something laying around the house, not something that was purchased.
I don't think this article intended to speak about what a person already had "lying around," but on what they could afford with a particular amount of money.
I have been behind the counter the first of the month for 4 & 1/2 years and I can tell you that people with foodstamps buy whatever they can get with that card. They do not care if it's what they should be buying or not. Mostly tons of junk food gets bought and sodas to rot their teeth out. Then meat, beans and rice. You don't see too many healthy choices being made either. They load up their buggies full to the top of mostly junk. So I would change your title of this article cause your aren't living a food stamp diet. And when a person gets over 500 a month on their foodstamp card how do you think they are only living on $30 a month?
I have been on the food stamp diet for 3 weeks now, and am very ill. I'm confused, am I supposed to soak the food stamps in water before eating them?
I think you should try boiling them into a soup. Add welfare checks and Medicaid for a well balanced meal!
Why do I get the feeling you are some sort of food snob who is attempting to enlighten all of us poor folk on how thrifty you can get yourself to be? Good for you Missy...
In the real world, where I live, $30 will feed one person, but those who are on 'food stamps', which by the way is an antiquated term, are buying for more than one person, generally two to three kids, and two three adults. Try doing that on $30 and try drinking tap water for longer than a week. Also did you happen to put salt, pepper or any other spice or condiment on your meals, that may put you over $30, smart guy.
And yes, I do know what I'm talking about. My family had to be on 'food stamps' when I was younger. Because of that we had to supplement feeding two adults, two kids and a dog by getting 'government cheese' and cans of vegetables from the Salvation Army.
Your story is educationally and dang near morally bankrupt, It's certainly empty of entertainment value.
Why is my comment awaiting moderation? Because I criticized your arrogant 'article'?
Because you are a fuking angry nitwit, that's why.
There's a bug in the software. Your content is not being judged ... at least not by CNN.
Comment moderation holds aren't personal – it's all the software. Sometimes if certain words are used or someone posts a lot, quickly, it triggers a hold. Software can't tell if the comment is pro or con. Believe me - we're trying to figure out the alchemy. Even the mods get moderated.
I think food stamps should be realigned to be more like WIC checks. The WIC checks are limited to healthful foods. If your kids are 2-5, you're limited to 1% of skim milk. You can only buy low-sugar cereals. You get a certain amount for fruits and veggies–although no potatoes nor fruit canned in syrup. Beans, peanut butter, etc. Perhaps a good portion of the food stamp money could be allocated to predetermined staples–with a smaller portion (20-25%) for the person's choice. It would limit the junk that people can afford. Back when my husband was a resident, we were grateful for our WIC checks. They helped us to survive with healthful foods. We couldn't afford to eat out at all–everything was made at home. And we ate healthier than when we had more money. There are good programs out there, that make a difference. It's a shame that some people abuse them.
What's wrong with potatoes? They're a great source of carbs, potassium, and soluble fibers. Baked, boiled, or steamed potatoes are very healthy. It's the french fries, the mashed potatoes with heavy cream and deep-fried hash browns that are unhealthy.
Any kind of food can become unhealthy if you deep fry it and slather on a cup of cream. It's how you prepare it.
I always find these challenges disingenuous. People are not paid food stamps by the week. They get paid by the month. Having lived very poor for large periods of my life, shopping with $120 to last a month is completely different than shopping with just $30 for a week. $120 allows you to buy certain things in bulk at cheaper rates and do the majority of your shopping at the beginning of the month, budgeting a little each week left over for perishables.
Also, people who do these silly "live on food stamps" projects always assume that they must start from a completely empty kitchen which is also not the reality of receiving food stamps. When you sign up for assistance the salt, pepper, baking soda and odd can of garbanzo beans or pumpkin does not just suddenly vanish from your kitchen. In my experience, unless a person has been homeless there is almost always some sort of base of staples already available to work with.
Additionally, a person qualifying for SNAP generally also qualifies for the food bank, WIC and numerous charity pantries. They also don't spend only SNAP assistance on food. You spend some of the money your earn on food as well.
All of these avenues add up to a situation that, while it requires budgeting, restraint and some work, is not nearly as miserable as made out by rich folks with nothing better to do but set up a purposefully draconian scenerio that has little to nothing in common with actually surviving on assistance while earning a low income or being on disability.
AMEN
Bravo! The WIC program is a wonderful example of how to curb abuse and/or lack of food-planning knowledge. The grocery stores in my area have even started grouping WIC packs of allowable fresh vegetables and fruits in easy-to-grab containers so there's no weighing issues.
I am in total agreement with you.
You are absolutely correct. I see families shopping with food stamps/EBT at the beginnning of the month and they buy everything in bulk. And although there may be a few unhealthy snack-ish items thrown in, for the most part they're buying big packs of meat, dry beans, dry cereal, rice, fruit, condensed juice–items that will sustain a family until the next month. If the same monthly benefit were broken down into weekly increments, there's no way it would be possible to purchase the same items.
fact, the people on food stamps eat better than someone who wokrds 40 a week @ 15dollars an hour.
I eat noddles kids mom eats steak, with multiple kids with different dads thanks VA
you got that right pal, a lot of people on food stamps eat very very well, it gives the people who really need it a bad rap..
get serious, making 15$ an hour is much than trying to buy groceries for 120$ a month. maybe you just dont know how to manage your money. I make 15$ an hour, eat well, pay rent, internet and utilities and still save.
I too make $15 an hour and not only do I eat well, so does my son (for whom I receive no financial support). Some of you people should save that whine for your cheese.
Exactly..... they eat better than I do. I am single working 2 jobs, and barely surviving...so what ever blah blah...go into the Grocery Store on Food Stamp day and carts are over flowing and then they go load the the Groceries that you and I paid for and put them in their new cars.... not sure about you all but makes me very anger!!
You said it. I'm on the "working 40 hours a week for $15/hour" plan too. If I splurge on a steak, it's from that clearance section of the meat aisle because it's getting old, so they mark it down thirty percent. I then slice it thin into stroganoff or something similar so it will last several days and at least I get an ounce or two of protein a day. I think maybe once this year I bought an actual steak and ate it without turning it into something else.
thank you eans right now i am eating noodles for my lunch and bring some tap water and i am working 40 hours a wk
I used to shop at a store where many people bought with food stamps. I never saw anyone buy anything healthy. The most appalling was a lady with a newborn. She had a basket with soda, funyuns, eggs and milk. When she didn't have enough left to pay, she set aside the milk and eggs.
Monday – breakfast: sandwich, water – $1, lunch: hamburger, water – $1. dinner: hamburger, salad, water: $2 =$4/day.
Tuesday – Sunday: repeat, different fast food restaurant dollar menu each day. Total: $29.96 including tax.
And when you're still hungry and have succeed only in wetting your appetite? $ amounts are only 1/2 the battle, you also need to actually fill that pit in your stomach, otherwise you'd do better to go hungry and save your money and a no nutrition snack from a $1 menu at some fast food joint isn't going to cut it. Better to spend $12 twice a week ($24 + tax) and get 2 pots of chili.
Sadly, those dollar menus serve the worst possible food and lead to obesity. I never thought I'd see an America where people were forced to either eat unhealthy food, or starve. Thanks, Corporations.
they are not force to eat u healthy food thay need to learn to cook and leave the fast food restaurants
Health care bill after three months = $30,000
Seven years ago, an upbeat, detailed article "Meeting the Food Stamp Challenge with Local Foods" was published by Better Times Almanac. That experience seemed much more tolerable, nutritious and tasty than this CNN reporter's attempt. Below is a snapshot of the results, and here's a link to the article which includes recipes, menus for the week, detailed cost analysis and more: http://www.bettertimesinfo.org/foodchallenge.htm
Total spent on food for week: $60.43
Food stamp allowance, 2 people 1 week $61.87
amount under budget $1.44
Food cost average amount per day $8.63
amount bought from farmers $44.18
amount from supermarket $16.80
percent of local foods 73%
percent of supermarket foods 28%
Besides coming in under budget, we have at least 2 more meals of leftovers in the fridge. We have apple pie filling in the freezer for later. The detailed table, showing the meals, ingredients, and prices, is at http://www.bettertimesinfo.org/challengetable.htm .
Another big problem is the disgustingly low numbers of people who actually know how to cook. I used to work for a public health department and they had to have classes to teach a lot of the low income people how to cook. They honestly did not know how to cook ANYTHING unless it was overpriced, oversalted garbage like microwaveable pizza, canned soup, chicken nuggets, or hamburger helper. Of course, I know a lot of people who aren't on food stamps who can only cook this c-r-a-p too...
Because of my daughter's auto accident, I take care of her at home. There weren't any facility for young adults, just nursing homes. Now I have food stamps and appreciate them, but I do cut coupons and watch for sales and stock up. Sometimes the things on sale have more carbs than needed, but my point is if the present First lady is concerned about good nutrition, simply help provide programs for that. Maybe the funds to grow part of your food in pots or raised beds, or have local farmers take food stamps or something else to promote local food. If the government will help the local farmers to gain profits to support their families, it is a win win system . I have family that go to the local far markets and donate food to us. The local orchards could use more funding and support from the government as well as the community. Maybe also the community can come up with donated foods, as some are doing, as well as commonities etc. genia from Missouri the medicaid system here and any medical benefits for caregivers or family members ias zero in Missouri, but thank God we still have foodstamps.
Thank you for sharing. As someone that has always felt it was right to support those in need, I have become more and more cynical regarding those that abuse the system, or fail to use it wisely. YOU, as far as I can tell from what you've written, are one of the people that I am proud to help out with my tax dollars. Good luck to you.
aww genia i'm so sorry. i too live in MO and see how the Medicaid system works, or should i say doesn't work. my mother was disabled due to illness last year and we couldn't get her on it. i work at a hospital where i have seen illegals come in on Medicaid to have their babies and to come to the ER for a common cold driving brand new HD edition trucks, wearing brand name clothing. it is so sad. i hope everything works out and communities do need to step up and help out more. the government doesn't want to take care of any one but themselves and the illegals.
Unfortunately the government will not work with local farmers, since the 4 corporations that provide our entire food supply control our government with their lobbyists. Those 4 corporations HATE local farmers and want them gone. They don't want that kind of competition.
I wonder why this particular comment is awaiting moderation, but none of my other ones were.
Having been on food stamps I appreciate that someone is speaking out about it. I had kids to feed and myself. There were many times that I had to go hungry in order for my children to eat. It was harder during the summer when they were home to be hungry and demand snacks 24/7 and I couldn't just sign them up for any summer activities since we didn't have the money. My daughter will eat just about anything you give her, but my son has always been a picky eater and it shows since he's so skinny compared to my daughter who is average sized. If I actually had the money I'd probably be buying him those kids nutrition drinks to make up the difference but those are so pricey it would have meant going without meals for three or four days. And the stuff that you can afford on food stamps that goes a long way for kids and the rest of your family isn't always healthy. Then you have to keep in mind spoiling or rotting, so a lot of the time I just don't buy fruits or veggies. Especially since another trip to the store could mean extra gas costs. So the stuff I buy that lasts usually is so full of calories and sodium that even if I skip a meal I gain weight. I'm not talking about chips or ice cream, I'm talking about mac and cheese or spaghettios. My youngest was still on WIC at the time and in our state WIC still didn't give you bread, fruits, or vegetables. If they had it would have helped a lot more. They do now but even then it's still not enough.
Like many others responding, I've worked all my life, as did my parents. It helped me to realize my place in society and how to realize my dreams. Many of us have a conservative view about food stamps and welfare in general. If you don't have a true understanding it means, "if it was me". We all have really swell ideas about the American dream. So here I am, near the end of life because healthcare is nearly unaffordable. On the way "out" I can think of all the healthy food that I had to shove down my throat instead of the twinkies I preferred so I can say "Hey! Look at me. I ate like America expected me to as a food stamp recipient. Wish I'd had some Twinkies though, gasp".
Espresso?!? Heck no. Store-brand coffee brewed extra strength!
Yes Richard, let me guess.. you are a Republican
and thank god for that
PS regarding the article – HOW were you able to afford Splenda on $30 a week budget? That is expensive. I think you need to substitute "farina" for "grits", and I know a lot of southern cooks who could give you some hints on how to eat on $30 a week, Honey...I should know, I raised 5 children on good old fashioned southern cooking. And yes, it was healthy. A whole chicken can go a long way if you know what to do with it and if you know how to make homemade dishes. LOL!
Since he mentioned a packet of Splenda, I was guessing it was something laying around the house – maybe from a previous purchase of coffee at a coffee shop or something.
My wife and I live on 280K-300k a year. We have a large house, a boat, and four cars. We probably spend around 800/week including eating out, a bit more if you include the membership to our private club. Not sure what its like to eat on 30 dollars per week, but I don't think that I would be interested in trying. Even with an okay income we have lots of expenses for our house and cars. For example an oil change on our Mercedes is over 100 dollars. All I am saying is that we all have different incomes and different expenses. If you feel like you should have more, then ask yourself if you have always worked your hardest your whole life. I bet you have not. You could have always forgone an hour of tv to work more
Richard – I just had to say something after reading your post. I, like you, make a lot of money and have the trappings of a very good life (while I won't be so boorish as to post online what I have and what I make, but I assure you that it's significantly more than what you have indicated). I enjoy the fruits of my hard work and success.
However, in contrast to you, I have a great degree of humility and self-perspective, and I appreciate what I have. It is totally ludicrous to simplify life's equation to be: "work harder, and you won't starve". Life is not that simple. There are a great many people who just aren't as lucky as you and I have been. Some people also don't have the skill/intelligence to be able to make the same living as you do – and they rely on whatever work they can find... which often is not enough to make ends meet. Add to that the growing number of Americans who had been working, but are caught up in the economic turmoil of unemployment. Now, you've got even more people struggling to make ends meet.
I fully agree that there are cases of people just being lazy, and living on whatever they can get as a handout, rather than getting up and making a better life for themselves. But, there are many fold more cases of people that didn't have luck smile upon them, or that don't have the skills and ability to earn lots of money, and they have to supplement with whatever they can get. To think otherwise, much less say it, is simply mean-spirited and utterly lacking in any human compassion. Maybe, instead of smugly spouting out judgement of nameless and faceless masses, you might try to lend some of your intelligent insights into coming up with approaches to deal with the problems of unemployment, homelessness and hunger in America. It might offer a sense of human satisfaction that even beats indifferent indigestion while sucking down martinis on your boat.
Very well put.
Well said!
congrats on your success. Since you are making more then me, I would assume that you spend more on yourself then I spend on myself, or you save it. In either case you are creating a great disparity between yourself and the poor then I am. So although you may not post anything online, you are creating great inequality in the country then me. I am simply saying how it is, while you try to hide behind compassion, while hording money for yourself. If you really believe in compassion then give away your money, otherwise all you are saying is that you car, but are not willing to give any of your own money to help. And don't give me that crap that you donate a few dollars to charity, as I am sure it is minimal compared to your income/wealth
To think otherwise, much less say it, is simply mean-spirited and utterly lacking in any human compassion. Maybe, instead of smugly spouting out judgement of nameless and faceless masses, you might try to lend some of your intelligent insights into coming up with approaches to deal with the problems of unemployment, homelessness and hunger in America.
If you are planning on living in America for all of the next 20 years, I'd brush up on those foraging skills.
Just saying, bro.
richard – you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Men and women who are accepting these food stamps generally really need them. I'm so sorry that your Mercedes oil change costs so much. What a tragedy. I'm curious to know what kind of house you grew up in – if you were given the chances to excel, grow, and gain. Many children who grow up in poor homes aren't given those same opportunities. And while a lot of them DO succeed, it's much more difficult. Without any support from the home, whether it be emotionally or financially, it's a very difficult and long process to get out of the situation they are in. How dare you accuse people of being lazy just because they are in a tough spot. Are you kidding me?
Its not a tragedy, just an inconvenience, thank you for your concern
Wow...you are unbelievably out of touch with the realities of life for the vast majority of people. Please go back to your club, enjoy your money, and leave those of us actually living in the real world to deal with this nightmare. We're the ones who understand what's going on, not you.
Richy rich, you must have a goverment job and be a dem-o-rat, I'm sure
There is something seriously wrong with you.
So, Richard, do you think the people on Wall Street worked hard to make all their money? They 'worked hard' at screwing up our entire economy, but I can guarantee that they didn't work harder than a factory worker, firefighter or teacher.
The Wall Street people don't even make anything! They just trade, invest, and ponzi scheme their way through life, and they're all millionaires and billionaires. Your 'work hard' theory doesn't carry any weight in the real world.
Mayann – I respect your attempt, and see that you have learned some lessons. However you leave out way to many factors. Most who are on food stamps do have other income. And with time those "in the system" learn to work it quite well in fact. I'm a social worker, who has been working with multiple populations for close to 30 years. When on a budget like this it is hard to do it for just one week. Staples last longer. Buy a 10lb bag of rice, this will last substantially longer than a week. Instead of buying a chicken breast or two, at usually more than $2.00 a lb, get a whole chicken for $0.87 a lb. Use the breast for one meal, thighs for another, legs, wings, back, neck, giblets etc to make a hearty soup with some veggies and rice and there is another meal or more. People lived on a lot more than that proportionally in the past. And should be doing so today as well.
you know so little about the working of the economy that I can not even begin to explain it to you. What I will say is, thank you for making us on wall street rich.
My wife and I live on a BAJILLION DOLLARS a year. We have a castle, 4 mansions, a yacht, 27 cars, and a batmobile. We probably spend around $12,050.03/week including eating out at Le Schnobb, a bit more if you include the membership to our private club where they wash our balls with warm towels and we dine off the backs of the poor. Not sure what its like to eat on 30 dollars per week, but I don't think that I would be interested in trying. In fact I'm bored by the concept while I type this on my solid-gold toilet. Even with an okay income we have lots of expenses for our house, cars, and mexicans. For example an oil change on our Mercedes is over 100 dollars because I'm not just rich, I'm mentally disabled and I don't know how to change oil on a car. All I am saying is that we all have different incomes and different expenses. If you feel like you should have more, then ask yourself if you have always worked your hardest your whole life. I bet you have not. I bet you're on CNN.com in the middle of the day posting comments. I don't do stuff like that, so money trees pop-up around my yard. Finding that leprechaun didn't hurt, either.
Chucko, I do not believe you have a billion dollars.
I am Elmer J. Fudd, Miwonaire. I own a mansion and a wacht.
They should run the food stamp program the same way they run WIC. On WIC, only specific , nutritious food are allowed and these foods are usually identified as you go down the aisles.
Great idea, except then you'd have the problem of prices. The 'best' foods are also more expensive. A pot of beans may not be as good for you as a bunch of veggies, but it will definitely go further for the price.
I agree. Would reduce Medicaid costs as well.
I actually agree with this, though I don't generally like restrictions on people's choices. My family was on food stamps for over a year, my husband and I were both unemployed with a new baby. I had spent years watching in frustration as people used food stamps to buy processed packaged food, that while cheap, isn't really less expensive than homemade if you take the time to shop well. I did have the experience though, several times at the cashier of being asked, "can you buy that with food stamps? I never knew that!" in response to my cart of grains, beans, veggies etc.
I'm a single male and make an above standard of living. I routinely only spend 30-35 a week on groceries. The trick is to go where the food is cheapest, usually the local asian markets in my city. Also, I haven't eaten lunch or breakfast in years, so it's not really a big discomfort for me to only eat 1 meal a day, as that's what I'm used to. I do feel for people who have to live this way as opposed to do it by choice. Mostly, I do it because I don't really ever get hungry and I know that if I want I have the money to splurge if I so choose.
I agree one meal is plenty for me and I am a college student. If I am studying a lot I may just eat a piece of fruit or bread. Americans get brainwashed into thinking you need three meals. It actually is too much and a person lives longer on little bit of food.
This article is a joke, Having an espresso everyday and usually 2? No one trying to live on a tight budget would waste their money on that, try getting a good night sleep if you can't stay awake.
I live perfectly fine off of 30$ a week for food. Cereal or waffles for breakfast. For lunch it is usually beans w/ tortillas, leftovers, salad or sandwhiches. That leaves me available to eat anything I want to make for dinner. If you don't eat out, 30$ a week is easy to buy food for.
Add my name to the list of people who have never seen someone on food stamps eat this healthy. Anytime they come through the walgreens I work at, they buy energy drinks, pop, and junk food.
That's because Walgreen's isn't a grocery store.
BIG problem CNN, $30 a week, is what, $120 a month...the lowest ammount that a single person can get is $200 in Georgia, and each kid increases that ammount. I own a store, and Ive seen black families driving Escalades come into my store, and they have almost $1200 in Food stamps, plus Welfare and TANF. So...Where are you getting this $30 a week BS ammount from?
. . . and how many of them own cell phones, computer games and flat-screen televisions?
Poor people are not allowed to have TVs or cellphones? Oh I get it, you watch too much FOX with their stupid studies, "96% of poor people households have fridges! CALL THE NATIONAL GUARD!"
I totally agree. I hate going to the Grocery store right after the 1st of the month in MS. Carts full of steak, potatos, frozen meals. My wife and I both work and we can't afford to eat like they do!! Then they always have a wad of cash to pay for thier beer and cigs, then go get in thier fancy car to thier goverment housing. My wife works for a doctors office and they come in all the time to get the kids on disability because they have slight asthma.
I'm a single mother with only ONE child, full time job, no child support. I make too much money for assistance! A friend of mine who doesn't work NEVER had to worry about food! I, on the other hand, scrimped and saved just to buy enough food for my child and myself for two weeks! NOT FAIR! But, whatever. I'm proud of the hard work I've done. To the rest of the people who live off welfare with no intention of getting off, Thanks for putting my tax dollars at work so those of us who NEED it, can't use it. Those who are on it and NEED it, keep your head up! It will get better!
Actually $200 is the maximum a single person can receive. It decreases based on income. It's a federal program, so it's the same across the country.
Curiously, the ones who are "struggling" on $30 a week in Food Stamps, still pay around $40 a month for internet (and own a computer), $ 45 or more a month for cell phone(s) and of course the kids have xbox's and PS3's? What is wrong with this picture, America? The taxpayers are mad because our tax dollars are not being spent to nourish our children, but to buy junk. Stop the spending, and go back to common sense, America...As long as there is "free" anything from the government, there will be no improvement and our citizens will not have the incentive to better themselves...We as a "society" will reap what we sow...
Interesting. Where are you getting this information from??? Is it a credible source or are you making things up or assuming?
That and they are paying $100/mo or more to feed the dogs. I actually know a person (not on food stamps) that buys high-quality pet food yet feeds her kids fast food almost every meal. Some people have issues with logic.
No it's true someone at work ridicules me b/c they have cable tv and I do not. He also has a cell phone, internet, bmw, his kids eat at school for free...and he has ebt/snap. He also recently purchased a home and is doing renovations on it. Sometimes I feel like a sucker for working so hard. He's the one who told me what ebt was, I didn't know what it was. Apparently you can get an ebt card at a local swap meet...
So poor people are not allowed to have internet or tv? or Xboxes? Do you want them to live like in 3rd world countries? Aren't you glad that America being the richest country in the world doesn't have 3rd world problems?
Holly, You're list is a bit OFF... You forgot cigarettes and alchohol.
Oh, please, give me a break. I was in the grocery store in line behind a young, very overweight woman with her school age kid. You should have seen all the GARBAGE food she was buying! She paid for the whole order with food stamps. I was appalled. Seriously, the types of food people on food stamps can buy should be restricted to healthy, nutritious items. Maybe then, it would help to make a dent in the national obesity epidemic. Don't make me hold my breath....
I was also floored one afternoon while in line behind a family purchasing food at a grocery store. The ENTIRE belt was stacked (3 high in some cases) with steaks. There were a few other items, no vegetables etc. The family was also buying medication – can't say for what exactly, but I have my theories. Between the two purchases there was over $350. The family needed to split the bill between the food and the prescriptions so they could pay for them with different gov't cards. It was just one family, but it's an issue that I just found utterly grotesque and is repeated to some degree all over the country.
My wife and I live on 280K-300k a year. We have a large house, a boat, and four cars. We probably spend around 800/week including eating out, a bit more if you include the membership to our private club. Not sure what its like to eat on 30 dollars per week, but I don't think that I would be interested in trying. Even with an okay income we have lots of expenses for our house and cars. For example an oil change on our Mercedes is over 100 dollars. All I am saying is that we all have different incomes and different expenses. If you feel like you should have more, then ask yourself if you have always worked your hardest your whole life. I bet you have not. You could have always forgone an hour of tv to work more.
Very good! Now, get off mom's computer and go clean your room before she gets home, you little turd!
Who did you and your wife give campaign contributions to?
gop of course
Hey Richard, you should think about the people in this world who have worked hard, but may have encountered some unexpected tough times. Not all people on food stamps have been on them for their entire life. For example, there are those individuals who may have been laid off and haven't been able to find work. Or there are some, like myself, that go through messy divorces and have to sign up for assistance to take care of the family. I was on food stamps for 6 months, a very humbling experience at the time, but one that I would not change for the world. The experience made me cherish having a stable job and income. The expenses you list are not neccessities, they are what you and your family have chosen to sign up for. If you cut down to the necessities (keep your house, sell 2 cars and your boat, take the kids out of their costly activities) then you will have a true cost of living for your family. Americans are extremely wasteful, this is a known fact. Be careful, because karma exists. One day, you may wake up and discover you too may need to downsize. Be grateful and recognize your fortunes as blessings.
I hope things are better for you! I loved your statement. You've made EXCELLENT points. The truth is, not many on welfare are like you, who want to get off and it's a sad situation, because those who take advantage of it, give the rest a bad name. Keep your head up and enjoy your family and life. I'm proud of you!
So sick of this argument. Not everyone that is rich got there because they worked harder than everyone else and not everyone that is poor is that way because they don't work hard. Yes, the system enables some people, but helps a lot that couldn't make it any other way (and not because they are lazy or don't work hard).
That being said, having been on food stamps before you get way more than $30 a week. We actually spend less on food and things are tighter now that I am in a full time job compared to when we were using food stamps. The amount you get per month can definitely be decreased and there should be restrictions on the kinds of food you can purchase with them.
Oh, and just so nobody jumps on me with these "well what else were you spending money on" arguments, we don't have cable (nope not even basic), we have one car, I take public transportation to work, and we tightly budget everything, so food stamps were a real life saver for our family.
Hopefully someday I will be as comfortable as Richard here, but hopefully I won't complain about oil changes on my Mercedes and how it's so hard to live on my 300K and say ignorant things like poor people just need to suck it up and work harder.
KUDOS!
I am not saying poor people should work hard, I could care less if they do. But don't complain about being poor.
There is not necessarily a correlation between how hard one works during their life and how "successful" they become. Most people born into a lower socioeconomic situation will not have the oppurtunity to achieve 300k/yr income, own a boat, and drive a mercedes. Of course there are exceptions to this but I think most people would agree that some people have better oppurtunities than others to become successful in life. I find your commentary somewhat arrogant to be honest; I know a lot of people who struggle to get by and believe its not because they do not work hard.
Oh look at me everyone! I'm rich and you're not!
Enough of this already – I'm so sick of the welfare state. When I go to the grocery store, it never fails for me to see a person in front pay for the "staples" with an EBT card and then whip out a roll of 50's to pay for everything else. The system is broken and needs to tossed out and rebuilt from scratch – no more free rides! My wife and I are hard working middle class Americans who are not on foodstamps and we certainly don't pull out a wad of 50's at the store. Nope, we work hard to make our own way – we know no one is coming to help us, and that's fine. I just wish the majority of these lazy bums would get off there @sses and do some work already. I can barely afford my groceries for 30 dollars a week, why I am paying for theirs, too? Makes me sick.
Fundamentally, I don't disagree that some people abuse the food stamp and welfare system. However, I find your comment unimaginative of the reasons someone may have a "roll of 50s." People with significant debt turn to dealing with CASH ONLY because otherwise their pay would be garnished to repay creditors. If I had to choose between paying rent, groceries, and heating to care for my children, I might avoid my creditors too. That roll of 50s may be the only money a person has, period. And the person is carrying it with them rather than leave it behind where it might be stolen.
There is no motivation to work. When you can get housing, child care, tuition, WIC, EBT/Food stamps (which you can buy pizza hut, shakey's, jackinthe box...) then sell the remaining food stamps, food programs in schools for kids, free back to school supplies for kids...if you know the systems well, there is no motivation to work. Where I live, in California, people drive around in luxury cars mercedes/bmw and they carry designer coach/louis vuitton and other expensive bags and whip out their ebt/wic cards to pay for food...
Maybe these fat-asses with their carts of Pepsi should think twice. How many apples can they buy with their food stamps? it's DISGUSTING and they are laughing at all of us people who actually work for a living paying for their lazy ass bills.
I think that the problem is that if you are only focusing on how much money you need to spend instead of focusing on what you need and what you should eat.
It is really easy to be discouraged and to think of all the things you can't afford to eat- it is time to be creative and make great meals with what you have and can afford.
Make it a point to shop around- planning is everything. Chicken, seafood, even steak go on sale capitalize then on meats. Use the coupons you need for the items you really are going to use not for novelty and unhealthy foods.
When money is tight you can be creative. The notion that you can only eat beans and rice and pb&j is ridiculous and narrow minded.
You can eat well and healthy if you put your mind into it. There are so many options you just need to be smart about your choices.
With 30 a week you can buy: Canned tuna, two bags of frozen veggies, pasta, rice, beans, chicken broth, bread, eggs, tortillas, lettuce, tomatoes,onions, bananas,apples,oranges, milk and cereal. You can buy all of these on sale all the time.
You can make so many different meals with that. I have to feed a family of 5,and I do not earn much so I am creative- I make sure that my family is well fed- not filled with junk.
The difference is all on how you look at things- not what you can't have but what you have and can use.
I am amazed. So people who need assistance, who are already stigmatized by society for being down and out, should be further stigmatized by being told what they can and cannot eat? Because they need help they can't eat just as much junk food as most of you other fat asses in America? This is the REAL class warfare. You want them to prepare healthier meals and go with more nutritional options....that's great, but what makes you think they even know what other options there are? Just because you are all smarmy and content in your little world doesn't mean that everyone else knows what you know. People on food stamps can't use them at McDonalds or Jack In The Box or any of those other fast food places. You can't buy prepared food under current regulations. Everything they buy on food stamps has to be something they can prepare at home. And guess what? When it is mom buying the food and she is the only one working leaving the kids with the teenage babysitter, who is going to prepare all of these Paula Deen approved tree hugging granola eating hippie meals with farina and expresso. NOBODY!! That's when it is Doritos and Hot Pockets to the rescue. Yes, people abuse the system. But it isn't just food stamps. Bankers and Wall Street thieves abuse the system for their own gain and no one chastises and criticizes them for their choice of meal. We can only be as strong as our weakest links, and the poor and unemployed need help in this economy. Maybe we should focus more on helping our country instead of spending $12 BILLION a month on a war that the American people don't want and that we have no business being involved in.
the food choices for food stamps programs should be limited to healthy, nutritious food choices excluding all junk food. Higher priced luxury food items should also be exempt. People are using taxpayer funded programs like these on a regular basis now because of the economic downturn. However, this does not mean that those who receive the benefits should be allowed to live better than those who are still paying into the system. The system needs an overhaul but before that can happen, we need to get people into Washington that can set aside partisan bs politics and work for the betterment of this country.
No kidding, motherof3, but then you'd have all these PARASITES screaming about their freedom of choice. Personally, I don't want to have to pay for their Medicaid *either* to cover their self-inflicted health issues.
I completely agree. I certainly don't mind helping someone who is struggling and working hard to elevate their family over their current condition. I don't mind helping with staples and even the occasional treat (1 box of brownie mix, 1 pkg of cookies, etc). But you should NOT be able to spend $50 a week on soda, chips and margarita mix! You SHOULD be able to buy shampoo, diapers and toilet paper, though! We SO need an overhaul.
I've been behind someone at the store who was using food stamps to purchase their groceries – they were eating better than me and I had to pay for my stuff. She was buying cut up watermelon in a container – paying 10 times the price if she had bought a whole melon and cut it up herself. She was eating nice cuts of beef and I was buying hamburger. People who receive food stamps know that if they run out of food before the end of the month they can go to some local food pantry and strock up. No I don't feel sorry for them. I grew up in a family of 12 – my parents never received any government supplement. We never went to bed hungry – we survived on powdered milk, my dad bought everything in bulk – potatoes, apples, pears – we always had a garden in the summer and my ma canned veggies from that for the winter. If we had pork chops you never got a whole pork chop but rather it was cut in half or thirds depending on the size. We learned to love the cheaper cuts of meat – tongue, veal hearts, hamburger etc. During the summer we ate radish sandwiches. No I say folks have it too easy – too many things are handed to them and they don't appreciate it – in fact they expect more. People can learn to survive if they have to – we just make it easier.
Give me a break. I could feed my family of 5 on $30 a week. Why? Because I clip coupons and read the ads and don't buy name brand and I exert energy to cook my food. Expressos are a necessity? If that was the best menu you could come up with, given that you only had a $30 budget, then you are a complete moron. Christ, just looking at the ad I have with me, you can get a can of soup for 99 cents, a frozen pizza for 79 cents. A bag of potatos for $1.18. Cans of vegetables for 39 cents. Pasta–3 packages for $2. Your article fails to make the point you were striving for, instead, it makes the opposite point. People that are lazy, and think they are entitled to expressos are draining our tax dollars.
Being a single mom on a limited income and not qualifying for food (or any) assistance I have to budget everything to the penny. However I still manage to feed my son (who is 7 and growing) and me for less than $120 a month. It is not easy, but it can be done. Where there's a will....
By the second or third week, you would likely find that the 30 dollar budget is easier to live with. I have had to live with this budget from time to time. Practicing portion control not only saves money but also improves overall health. The way I look at it is that people spend upwards of 20,000 dollars for weight loss surgery that does no more than force them to eat less. Practice some self control and learn to divert your attention from food to something productive.
I used to see a good deal of fraud and abuse among people who received food stamps, such as purchasing large quantities of food, then "making plates" (fixing meals and selling them to neighbors and/or coworkers) for cash, receiving food stamps while working off the books or selling illegal substances to supplement income. It's not that I don't think these things go on anymore. I just don't live in a neighborhood where it goes on anymore.
I am married and have three children of whom two are teenagers. All three participate in sports and have massive appetites as a result. With my wife attending nursing school, I am in charge of the shopping and cooking (as well as laundry, housekeeping, etc). I spend far less than $30 per person per week on groceries just because I am, by nature, frugal. Much of our meat is bought at Sam's club where a whole Top Round roast, cut into steaks for London Broil, is cheaper than ground beef.. I make large batches of food so leftovers are always available for quick meals. It can be done while maintaining a healthy diet of appetizing food. I am sure it's easier for a family than it is for a single person.
Much of what I know of frugality was taught to me in the early '80s when my family depended on Dad's garden for much of our diet. The lessons were brought into my adulthood and are being taught to my children so they can eat adequately in bad times and eat really well in good times.
You also have to take into account the availability of transportation, the presence of food deserts, the time spent working multiple jobs and caring for children, fatigue/taste preferences as a factor (meaning sometimes you're too tired to make the best choices, or sometimes you don't want to eat beans for the 8th night in a row), cooking skills, cooking materials (pots, pans, internet/books to look up recipes, appliances).
There's plenty here to factor in other than just "Could I go to the grocery store where I shop now and spend $30 to get a week's worth of food?" Plenty of people could do that BECAUSE THE OTHER FACTORS LINE UP TO ALLOW THEM TO DO SO. Then they get high and mighty and talk about how poor people shouldn't be given more assistance because they "should be able to manage" on that amount and eat healthily. Here's a great article on this topic: http://www.racialicious.com/2011/05/12/if-you-havent-been-on-food-stamps-stop-trying-to-influence-government-policy/
Thank you. Yes, this, SO MUCH THIS. These commenters can't see their privilege because they are soaking in it.
Yours is the voice of reason in the midst of a sea of generalization.
You're right, especially about equipment. One reason I can make my food dollar stretch is I own a pressure cooker, slow cooker and a combination convection.microwave. I've made enough pots of chicken soup in the pressure cooker to float Richard's yacht and the slow cooker does wonders for pot roasts and stews (though the pressure cooker does those in a hurry and they're just as good). Because I can cook a chicken in the microwave on the combination setting it takes about 2/3 less time. My food processor is great for making scalloped potatoes (also cooked in the microwave, leaving the stove oven free for something else) and I have a stand mixer as well so I do a lot of baking. I'll admit I'm also lucky in having the kind of job that leaves me some time to devote to food prep. (Before anyone gets mad at me for the food processor, before I got it I used a 60-year-old mandoline to slice the potatoes; a knuckle got bloodied from time to time, but that just added flavor.) The author of this article could have done with a night school cooking course or two.
This is what I know about the subject which isn't much....my niece who had 4 little girls before the age of 22 has been on aid since the oldest was born who is now 13 – my niece started nursing school and will be an RN here in a semester or two can't remember – $30 for one person is not much but $150 a week for 5 is so much more do-able. I think we continue to perpetuate the problem by continuing to take care of more and more kids cuz the more you have the more you get and believe me, there is a lot left over when it's $150 a week vs $30.
I wish there was a "Like" button available (as there is on Facebook).
If there was a like button like there is on like facebook then like it would be facebook. Grown-ups here use the comment section so you can be eloquent and actually type out full sentences worth of comments. So if that like inconveniences you, then like go back to facebook.
And yet try and add aid for family planning services, lower the cost of birth control for poor women (and men) or fund health clinics that provide reproductive care in poor areas and watch the very same conservatives who blame people for having children FREAK OUT over helping people to not have children.
If you were diabetic or obese and had to maintain a low carb diet, this would be an unhealthy diet. An unhealthy diet for a diabetic or obese person often leads to health problems that require a need for medical care – medical care is much more expensive than groceries. Pay now or pay later. The best solution is to stop funneling 90% of America's wealth to the wealthy and bragging about how great a free market society is and face reality that there is a limit as to how wealthy people should become without having to pay their share of taxes. Just shouting socialism is not a solution either.
Amen!
Food stamps increase obesity and diabetes, which increases health care.
When have we had a free market?
Fair share? LMAO
A flat tax would be fair!
What's not fair is 2 people working making the same amount of money.
1 person spends wisely and SAVES money = no food stamps :( or any other type of assistance......living paycheck to paycheck just trying to make ends meet.
The other person buys things they probably shouldn't, doesn't budget, or make an effort to better themselves. THey get food stamps, healthcare, and who knows what else. They have much more discretionary spending than the person above.
The first person can't have an opinion on the matter, because they just don't understand how hard it it.......blah, blah blah.
I get it. Really I do. The system we have now is far from FAIR!
I work full time and spend less then that and do not even get food stamps. I feed 2 teenage boys and myself. I spend about 200 a month, thats about what is left over after I pay just the bare essential bills like rent, and utilities. Forget retirement right now or even saving for it. It is possible to eat better then that on much less.. You just have to plan and clip coupons, and watch sales.
I seem to do just fine eating on the cheap. I manage a pretty balanced diet involving a lot of eggs, (a dozen for just under $2 will give you more mornings of cheaper, healthier breakfasts than that farina) leftovers for lunch, and a wide variety of dinners. Sometimes I'm lazy and make box mac and cheese or spaghetti, sometimes I make fish filets with rice and fresh or frozen veggies. I made a nice sort of sprouted lentil and veg stew over rice a few nights ago which was very filling, super nutritious, and wonderfully cheap. I don't live in a particularly cheap or expensive area to eat (central Denver) but I seem to do pretty well. It helps to not shop at Whole Foods and to plan your meals around what's on sale and what's in season. You can still do that "shop around the outside" thing to get good food, you just have to pay attention.
Eating eggs every day is not healthy. Farina, on the other hand...
You need to check your egg research.
As a part time cashier, I constantly see people buying soda ( cart full for graduation party), chips, etc with food stamps. Why? Why does food stamps pay for soda, soda tax and soda deposit- yes it happens daily. When food stamps are used, the balance left is show, it is not uncommon to see balances of $300- $500. I have seen food stamp used by folks 20+ years older, younger or of the opposite gender. We can't question it, but it is so blatantly wrong.
I meant that the person using the food stamp card does not match the FS recipient's info on said card. it should be illegal to give your card and pin number to others. if a power of attorney issue, this should be on the card.
Actually, it is illegal. It's called Welfare Fraud. And as a cashier, if you see the information on the card doesn't match the information of the person making the purchase, you should not be allowing the individual to make the purchase using the EBT card. When an individual receives food stamp benefits, they are required to sign an application acknowledging their rights & responsibilities. And one of the responsibilities is she/he is only to use the food stamps for the members of the household. The sharing/selling of EBTs cards is HUGE problem.
Alas, most stores don't give a rats behind if the person swiping the card is indeed the person on the card. See it often, especially when we have to hand key in the account number as the card won't swipe. Users are reluctant to call for a new card as they loose their current worn/torn card until it's replacement arrives.
Just so you know, when you apply for things like foodstamps, generally speaking an entire family (everyone in the household) is on the application (as to determine how much a family would get depending on size) yet the card is usually issued to just ONE person. How do you know those people aren't one of the other people listed on the application? As someone who was on foodstamps for a period of time after being laid off, the card was in my name alone. That being said who are you to judge if my husband came through the line and used the card, his name was on the application, and he counts as a member of our household, thus legally he can use it. Are you married? Have you ever used your husbands credit card to pay for something? I know I have, he has the same account he has since well before we met, and if I need it he gives it to me to pay for things. Don't be so quick to assume its some fraudulent practice.
Gee... thats funny... When I go to the southwest waterfront wharf in DC to buy some small shrimp or snow crab legs, its always interesting that the person in front of me uses food stamps to buy King Crab legs and Jumbo shrimp. I work two jobs and can't afford this food, yet there is someone using food stamps to buy them. Think I'm kidding? Check it out for yourself.
happens all the time up here. $40 birthday cakes too, why? If you are poor enough to get food stamps, then you should buy a cake mix for a buck
Again, while this is an interesting experiment, it would have meant more if she had stuck with it for longer, like a month or more. Like Barbara Ehrenreich and Nickeled and Dimed. She spent a year living at minimum wages and working rough jobs. I am sure the producer gained some empathy, as she said, but then she went back to a lifestyle not many have or could afford. Wonder what her first "non-food-stamp" meal was, and was it home-cooked or out?
I make 6 figures. These are better than what I eat for breakfast and lunch for workdays.
Me too. The health nut bread was a stunning choice for a week of saving money.
As a guy who has lived on a food budget of sometimes $0 a month to $10 a week I can easily laugh at this, especially the rice with splenda for desert. But I must say this is one of the most exotic budgeting meals ever and I give congrats to it. But I hold no pity for these programs or stories due to the fact that I have seen so much squandering waste where parents or individuals can't cut back on their vices, use food stamp money only to feed themselves, and allow their children's only meal to be that from lunch and breakfast in the cafeteria at school.
I imagine it's easier to feed 4 people on $120 a week than a single person on $30 a week. Food is not packaged for single people.
It does seem like you would have more room to play with, having a family on food stamps. I can tell you for sure, my local dollar store sells food, name brand non-expired food...each item is 99 cents...and you can get a whole lot of stuff for $30! I could easily have nutritious meals for an entire week plus, health and beauty items, and cleaning items/household items for my weekly /$30 budget! I've heard of stories of families with EBT cards who would shop the dollar stores and then sell their remaining EBT $ so they could buy other items like alcohol, etc.
When I was laid off from my job I was getting $1200 dollars a month for my wife and I and six kids plus I was getting $240 dollars for unemployment. I didn't even spend that much on food when I was working. I am glad I have a job now but that is why we have so many people that don't won't to work. FREE FOOD, FREE HEALTH CARE, PLUS MONEY FOR SITTING AT THE HOUSE (WATCHING JERRY SPRINGER LOL) AND THE GOVERMENT WILL ALSO SEND YOU MONEY IF YOU GET BEHIND ON YOUR UTILITIES. The whole system needs to be changed.
tired of people complaining they dont recieve enough handouts! 75% of the world would LOVE to be able to spend 30/week on food! the problem lies with unemployed trying to maintain their previous lifestyles, it cant happen. instead of complaining about what your not getting, be thankful of what you are!
Couldn't read any further without commenting. I am a working mother of 2 – My husband lost his job 5 years ago, but has recently found work – I coupon and PLAN my HOMEMADE meals each day. I've perfected my grocery strategy over the years and my pantry overfloweth with bounty to feed my family. I only spend $100 a month on groceries. We eat at AppleBee's once a month on Tuesday's, because the kids eat for .99 cents and me and dad eat for 20 bucks – It's our treat. For those of you who are critical of people on foods stamps for being obese, you are right – Most all of them buy junk b/c it's cheap and they have NOT been taught how to make the most of their supplement – I actually teach classes to women (mostly on Snaps) how to plan meals/freeze berries and meat. It was very much needed, to stretch their dollar. Couponing classes are needed for most recipients too – You can use coupons with Food Stamps – Don't be lazy, CLIP! Planning and working smart can get you through the week and month to provide nutricious meals for your family. This has to be a priority though – Stay out of the grocery stores if you do not receive food stamps – Prices are 15-25% more on food around the 1st through the 10th of EACH month – I stock up the 3rd week/4th week to shop for groceries. I make a 6 figure salary and our household is very blessed – But even for us, I have to consciously work at couponing, saving and planning our meals – WHY? Because it's smart and we have seen GREAT results from it – Another thing, I make my own coffee/espresso at home – I have a small coffee pot at work. I carry my lunch EVERY DAY – and I put meat in the crockpot 4/5 times a week to save time on making dinner ~ IT CAN BE DONE! BE SMART!
Sorry to say... $200/m is plenty for 1 person. Add a kid in that and it's over $200/m. What was shown is even better then what some people even eat. Go out buy a 10lb bag of chicken for seven to ten dollars. That should last a week or two depending on the size of the family. For me that lasts about 2 weeks and I work 40+ hours a week. Buy some frozen vegetables for 2-3 dollars a bag. Luckily, I have a rice cooker but 1 bag of sushi rice @ almost $4 a bag and that that lasts me at least a week. So adding this all up. NO drinks included... That's about $15 a week.
P.s. How much common sense does it take to look for things that are on sale... Usually in the ad or even above the items.
Honestly though the average family receives 400+ a monthly on SNAP.. And I have witnessed at our local Wal-mart what everyone calls "Food Stamp Day".. And what I see would break your heart.. For the small handful that make the self conscious super picky choices to make healthy foods that will stretch, there is about four times the amount who make rather appauling choices. Most of the people that rush the night of Food Stamps (ours are released 1 hr before midnight on the tenth of every month) and load up on chips, cookies, frozen pizza.. up to eight or more cases of soda. Ice Cream. Maybe a few healthy choices hidden beneath the layers of junk food. The parents wear expensive name brand clothes
have well manicured nails. Extensive salon styled hair, while they take no conscious choices in their family's nutrition. My husband and I both work full time jobs and we manage not only to eat off of 200-250 a month but eat well and that is for us and our roommate to eat from. It can be done.
our monthly grocery budget is $200.00 we go to Sam club & buy in bulk & it will last us the whole month. Thats a budget of $50.00 a week for 4 people, thats 12.50 per person... It can be done.
In rural America, going to a big club and getting bulk food is often not an option. Just a reminder that not everyone, even in the inner cities, has equal access to affordable food. Of course, in the country, I can grow my own.
Amen!
My Amen was @ Familyof4Adults. I feed a family of 3 on $120 bi-weekly, and that is without going to Sams Club (although we go there on occasion). So it can be done with or without access to a wholesale chain.
First of all you did not take any free food. I think that anyone who does not take free when it is available would really be stupid. Especially if you are living off $30.00 a week.
I agree with many people that cooking from home and making things from scratch is lost art form. I have seen many people who are on food stamps having a bunch of junk food in their cart ect. I agree with the fact that you should have to take 2 cooking classes and account for your purchase when you are on food stamps.
Free food? Are you talking food bank or "freegan"ism? I do the $30/week (does a single person really need more?) and eat just fine without needing any wort of handout. Why should I take food bank goods when there are people who need it far more than I do? They're not supplementing their food budget, that may be all they get and it's wrong for me to take it just because it's free. As for freegans, they're in their own class. I'm not opposed to dumpster diving and I've certainly known people who do it, but I prefer not to hunt for rancid food in dumpsters. I've left things for freegans, mostly clothes or furnishings I've left beside dumpsters to be "adopted" and I have a few books I've adopted from others who have left them beside the dumpster. It seems like it's mostly hipsters who prefer a romanticized bohemian life (while daddy foots most of the real bills) who participate in that sport.
I don't think this was a realistic experiment at all. There are so many ways to eat healthy on a budget, and there are more opportunities out there. At first its hard because all you're thinking about is that the money is not going to get you throught the week. For one person $30 is plenty, if you're not eating out. Yes, it takes planning but so what? Take some more time looking for good deals on healthy food. Put something into it and learn to cook, you could eat very well.
Have a look at http://www.inspiredhomecooking.com/
Also, http://www.foodday.org/about-food-day/
Also, Food Stamps are a supplemental program. They are meant to add to the money you have for groceries, not supply your whole grocery allotment.
so tell that to the people that have two carts full of junk food, soda and what ever that is driving brand new vehicles. OUR SYSTEM IS JACKED UP
Julie, I agree with you. It does take some effort! While I am not in a position where I can only spend 30$ a week on food, it doesn't mean that I don't need to budget. Yes, I do see spending 30$ per week challenging, but not impossible in a sense that life is completely miserable.
Also, due to my strict budget, we do not eat out either (only very rare occasions). When growing up, I believe my family could have qualified for food stamps, but my parents managed just fine, and mainly due to my mom having her own garden and making sure she was a smart shopper. For example, why choose yellow peppers? They cost double of what a green pepper would cost!
Further, I am confused. This article is misleading; I'd like to know what percentage of America is starving? No doubt there are unfortunate people out there, but the reality is that America is facing a HUGE obesity problem (mostly from overeating). So much in fact, that the CDC in recent years had to term 'obesity' as a disease! From a nutritionist's standpoint, more people need to eat less!
I couldnt agree with you more! Shopping on a budget takes planning. I just watched a tv show where a woman purchased somewhere around $1000 of groceries for less than $30 by using coupons and taking advantage of double coupon days and in-store sales. I dont expect the average person to be able to do that, but my point is that you can save lots of money if you plan and use coupons. If a person does not know how to cook, it should not be the burdon of taxpayers to buy expensive prepared meals. I do feel that one person can eat and eat well for $120 a month. It just takes some preparation and work. I know this because I've done it.
I grew up on food stamps. We lived way out in the country so there weren't many jobs. My father worked a minimum wage job to make ends meed. My mother was very judicious with our money so we usually ended up with a couple hundred left over a month. However now, I work part time in a store while I'm going to school. The store is very close to some housing projects. So needless to say many of these people are on govt aid. I have customers come in who have 3+ children with them. They are almost morbidly obese. (the customers not children) They will spend in excess of $50 on energy drinks, snack cakes, and chips. It makes me sick. I also make minimum wage with less than 40 hrs a week and somehow i'm still able to make it without food stamps
If you only get $30 a week for FOOD, why do I see so many people using food stamps to buy pop, chips, cookies and more junk along the same lines? I don't get food stamps and I can't afford that stuff. Also explains why alot of people on foodstamps are fat. They are able to buy junk food.
Food Stamps should be allowed only for bread, cheese, PB, cereal and fresh veg and fruit. This will also bring down the prices of fresh fruit like apples, banannas, vegs like beans and cabbage. No pop, cookies, pizza. Unhealty choices should be discouraged and the demand will bring down the price of the healthy ones
I make 6 figures. These are better than what I eat for breakfast and lunch for workdays.
Yeah, I'm sure. How is your comment helpful or productive in any way????
I don't spend much more than $30/person per week in my household, and we eat a lot of organic and specialty foods. It's all about planning, knowing how to shop, and having the storage space and transportation to take advantage of a good deal. Space and transportation are two things not talked about enough. If I see a fantastic deal on oatmeal, say $1.00 for 4 big cans with coupon, I can get into my car, drive to the supermarket with that deal, drive me and my oatmeal home, and have room to store it. When we look at poverty, there is a lack of access to supermarkets that sell at lower prices, as well as a lack of reasonable ability to buy in bulk.
I earn $45000 a year salary. If I could for myself, my month grocery bill is $160 to $200. I can have beef ($4 a pound), fish ($7 a pound) and almost any medium priced food. If you go out to eat, that's not enough. In America, people really eat too much. With my $200 grocery, I am not eating junk food, or overeating. I think that's not only economic and healthy. If I have $30 a week, or $120 a month, I will buy $8 (use $2 or 12.5 lbs for a week) 50 lbs wheat flower from Costco, $12 beef, $6 salad, $4 milk, $6 fruits. That will be a healthy and tasty diet. You can replace the $12 beef with other cheaper options.
Brandon, most poor people can't afford that Costco membership and Costco, Sams Club and BJ's are usually not located in cities. Also poor people often lack the transportation to get to them and if they take public transportation they often can only carry a small amount of food home.
I wish I could receive thirty dollars in food stamps. You must be joking about this article.
i receive $16 a month food stamps. It helps a lot but which I had more. I am single. Never buy junk food.
Wow, I feed my family of 4: me, hubby, 21 year old son, and 15 year old daughter, on usually $90/wk., sometimes as low as $75, and that includes cleaning supplies, TP and paper towels. And we eat healthy and very well! Pricebook, people, comparison shopping and buy in bulk. Gees, it's not hard at all! Go to Frugal Village, tons of tips over there. We're in a depression, you'd better all learn how to shop!
That's great, however, you don't know someone else's situation. Perhaps that person works 2 or 3 min. wage jobs and does not have TIME to go to all that trouble. Perhaps he or she lives in an area of town without affordable grocery stores so he or she has to buy all groceries at convenience stores. Perhaps the person is disabled.
It is about the discount of buying in bulk. It might only average $80 a week per person to feed 4, but with the same meals, it could easily cost $50 for the same type of food if only one person is eating it. Basically, each additional person costs less and less.
I'm solidly middle class and I spend $100 every three weeks on food. Its not that hard.
Baloney.
Yeah, I am guess a lot of baloney gets eaten for that kind of $.
$30/Day translates to $900/month on Food Stamp. Which states give that kind of money for Food Stamps? Are you insane? This is a retarded experiment! In a place like NYC, depending on economic conditions, Food Stamps give between $250 and $350 per month for a 2 person household (i.e. $11.66/day for both). I challenge you to live in NYC with $11.66 per day for food. We will see how your "experiment" goes.
You misread. It was $30 per week.
It's $30 per WEEK, not day, LOL.
read again! it says $30/WEEK! not $30/day
it's $30.00 a week, not $30.00 a day.
If you would of read teh article it says $30 a week.....not day....
The article specifically states $30/week, not $30/day. Read the article carefully before making such rash judgments.
Not A DAY CYRUS! $30.00 A WEEK!
I live in FL and I was behind a woman in the grocery store that gets 2500.00 a month on her EMT/Food stamp card. I almost screamed! I work paycheck to paycheck and don't use the State to provide for my family. I know a lot of people need it right now, but 2500.00. That is crazy
Supposed to say EBT/Foodstamp
My apologies. It was an oversight on my part. Either way, I was trying to make a point about living on $11.66/day on food stamps in NYC.
Yes...I made an error. Once again, my apologies. It's $30/week...not day. Thanks everyone.
years of retail experience talking. i have seen families use their food stamp cards, and still have over $1000 in unused funds. I have seen people through with 4 boxes of crab legs ($30 each), lobster tails, etc... My friend is currently on food stamps for her and her two daughters and she gets $500/month
Did you not read the article at all? It's $30 a WEEK, not per day.
Told you it was an honest mistake. Want a notarized copy too? Was trying to make a point about living on food stamps in a place like NYC.
It's 3 billion rupies an hour, you misread.
I like this comment.
Sorry, but this is not how foodstamp folks usually eat. This lady is putting a low-fat balanced meal together and includes options like several espressos a day. The writer said she was hungry. You look at the real folks on foodstamps and you seldom see thin starving people – obesity rules. Why not do this challenge using food that these people actually eat?
Folks, I work in grocery retail and the majority of food stamp individuals eat very well. They often set the alcohol and luxuries aside for a separate purchase. It is not a bad life at least when it comes to food. I know and see that there are many legitimate food stamp users and thank God for this tax service for those who really need it. However, the basics should only be provided on this program and there should be much more monitoring of this sad system. I have believed that this system alone has contributed to the great demise of our country...there are many lazy folks out there. They are the same people who will brag about unemployment benefits. They are the same ones who will laugh at this post. Thankfully, I am learning in my own life not to judge this to harshly, because the Lord will cut of all those who do not bear fruit...He is a God of love, but also a God of justice. That is my peace in this life.
Wow. Your "God" sounds like a real jerk.
To the original poster: obesity means the person is not healthy. They are actually malnourished. Malnourished people can be thin OR fat. Cheap food causes obesity. People aren't eating well off food stamps...they are actually eating very poorly.
I don't know where the $30 a week came from. Sounds like the author just took a number that sounds like it would be hard to live off of and used that for her "study." It is opinion articles like this one that really bother me, where no research or thought has been put into them, they are just thrown online and picked up by CNN.
My sister and her family of 4 had to live with food stamps for a while. She got so much money between those and WIC that I got to go shopping with her and use the money to buy my own groceries too. Needless to say it was quite a bit more than $30 a week.
I find this article misleading and I am not sure what sort of action it is calling for it's readers to make. Overall, I wish I didn't read it because I am so annoyed that this garbage is on CNN at all.
Maybe you should pay that money you spent you were not entitled to back so that others who need it can eat. I call that fraud.
haha, yeah, I'll get right on that. I'm just saying this article is crap and I don't feel even a little bit bad about taking advantage of the government when I had the chance since I may never get to again and I sure do pay enough in social security and taxes to get something.
This article makes you angry? What is wrong with you?
Agreed! Reality is, who on foodstamps gets only $30/week? Everybody I know on food stamps has so much excess that they invite other people to shop with them or they buy food and give it away. Also, I agree with those who have clearly observed that many/most food stamp users are OBESE and use food stamps to buy junk such as chips, soda, and unnecessary snacks. We, the real working people, easily can obtain quality, healthy, nutritious food for much less than $30/week per person if we want to. Ever heard of using coupons on top of sales for dry goods such as pasta and cereal? Ever heard of buying fruit such as bananas and apples for less than $1/piece? You get the point...
"Real working people" also receive food stamps. Times are tough, full time jobs are harder to find, and families are struggling to survive. Food stamps aren't just for the unemployed.
If your sisters family was completely unemployed, had high living expenses and had small children young enough for WIC then her allotment may have been higher than others on food stamps. The amount varies depending on family size and income. If they were receiving more than they needed, they should have declined to use their WIC to start with, and used their food stamps for those purchases. It is illegal to buy food for other people with food stamps.
Wait, your sister was on WIC and EBT/Foodstamps and she got so much money you were able to buy your groceries on her stamps??? I don't know where to start being angry. 1. Your conning sister gets more money for being a useless drain by spreading her legs and popping out babies she "can't afford" so the system has to pay for them. 2. She gets more money than she can use. 3. You seem to think it's okay, you feel entitled to get your groceries on her foodstamps. 4. Obviously neither one of you pay taxes, I'm steaming that I'm paying for all this! AMAZING. I want to move to Venezuela, where at least everyone's taxed and everyone's in the crap.
The author sated in the first post (link in the article) that across the nation the average amount of food stamps (SNAP) granted per person came to 30$ per week. This was apparently calculated by taking each state's allowed amount across all incomes and averaging, throughout the entire country. Where, exactly, she got the number from (i.e. who calculated it) I wasn't clear on. But since this was an average across the whole nation, it follows that some states give much more and some, a lot less.
The author apparently lives in New York City, and spoke in the first post of "walking home" from her grocery shopping. If you read the post it is painfully clear that this young lady has never had to seriously budget her food expenditures or plan her shopping/eating. I think the real point of the article was that a young woman with no experience in having to restrict her food purchases due to poor income, tried to learn something about how people who do live with such restrictions have to live. I hope it did teach her some empathy and I really hope she explores budgeting and home cooking further. She could clearly save herself a LOT of money if she planned her meals and shopping, and had a larger home cooking repertoire.
Secondly, perhaps she was trying to speak to others like herself who have never had to watch the food budget that carefully, and try to give them a little perspective on how hard things can be if you are uncertain how you are going to feed yourself. From a number of comments I've seen on this site, a LOT of people could use a little more empathy for the less fortunate.
http://www.cookforgood.com
Take a look at this website. This lady helps folks prepare nutritious meals on an extremely low budget. She focuses on people who are on public assistance or are just limited on how much they can spend on food every week. It's good stuff
There was a time several years ago when our family of five had to live on food stamps until I found another job. It was not difficult at all. In fact, we felt guilty because we qualified for more than we needed to live on. With the proper budgeting and self-control it is not difficult at all to live on what the government provides in food stamps.
I lived on that for a while, although my food choices were different by necessity. I have a paralyzed stomach, so food sits longer than it should. For the better part of 2 years, I was on liquids mostly, with some crackers or very plain cookies to satisfy my need to chew. The only way that I blew the budget was buying aclear supplement drink that boosted calorie intake without causing pain. Most times, I got by on about $25 dollars a week, outside of that supplement drink. One bonus, I rarely felt hungry due to the medical condition. Although able to eat more regular foods now thanks to finding a treatment that works, I still find myself in that mindset of nuying so little, then having to go back for more when it runs out.
I'm sorry, but I, the working American having been paying into the tax system my entire life. Never took a dime from the government. I see people the use food stamps buy Breyers ice cream and brand name everything. But yet, I, the working American, buy the generic brand. And to top it off, their rent is subsidized by my tax dollars and I see them on their porches smoking cigarettes. In Connecticut, cigarettes are between $7.00 – $9.00 / pack. Something is very wrong here.
My white trash sister in law (5 kids from different fathers, no diploma, etc.) is on every kind of assistance imaginable. But she can still afford, somehow, to buy cigarettes at $6 per pack. Thankfully the authorities are now on to her and we're hopeful that CPS will finally take the children and put them in a good home.
Was a time when family would step in to help out, not expect the government to do so
You, the hardworking American, need to learn how to write. Don't use the, "comma by the breath," theory. At least express your thoughts in complete sentences and not fragments.
JayZoo: when you promulgate that Binky42’s use of commas is “by the breath,” your point is not only unclear, but incorrect. As for your own mangled syntax, your use of commas in the middle of your sentence implies you are using an appositive when, in fact, you are not. Case in point: your use of commas makes you a bit of a hypocrite (Greek translation: actor). Rest easy: with time and more practice (and maybe some hours with Alexander Pope), you will improve.
You are using the colon too much. I suspect in the real world, you talk out of the colon as well. I write well while making right hand turns avoiding the tern in the middle of the road. At ease, grammar police.
Exactly Elizabeth! I used to see the lower income folks walk to the 7-11 to buy food that was most likely 3x more expensive than the supermarket – problem was, the supermarket would have had them walk an extra block or two. I am lucky enough to have a job and a hme, but I still hunt for bargains, use coupons and buy the store brand of a lot of items as they taste just as good as their brand name counterparts. There should be more stringent rules in place to ensure the folks getting help USE that help wisely.
Please be careful with the generalization here. We don't all abuse the system. Of course a lot of people do, but a lot of hard working, wealthy citizens abuse the system too. And besides, it is really bad karma to be so uppity about your station in life. It is not that difficult to go from having practically everything to having practically nothing. Trust me, I know.
I'm sorry, but do you get this upset about those who are TRULY gaming the system...you know, the wealthy who don't pay their fair share of taxes?
Since you don't know the whole story, it's not cool to judge. I know! Let's only allow the poor to buy used clothing and generic brands! That'll teach em to be down on their luck!
Yes, when I the taxpayer not on welfare or food stamps is buying generic, or thrift store clothing, driving a 9 year old car and I'm not too good to save a buck, but the person I'm supporting through government assistance has on brand new Gucci, Prada, buying the name brand cereal driving a last year model car at 20% financing there is a problem. If the person I'm supporting has a better quality of life than me, there's something inherently broken in the system and it needs to be revamped, overhauled, scrutinized to the fullest extent. If you get government assistance, it's assistance to live until you get things straightened out, it's not an entitlement program so you get the best food and sodas free and blow your other money on junk. There needs to be a course that you are required to attend and update a social worker with your progress if you are on gov't assistance, bottom line, no joke, it's not a way of life and should not be handed down from one generation to the next.
You, the hardworking american, take subsidies from the government all the time. Much, if not all the food you eat is subsidized in some way to keep costs down, farmers in business, you drive cars on the roads paid for by taxes, you take advantage of the mail, you use items made by industries that are subsidized, have used phones that were subsidized, imports and exports are regulized and subsidized, Substities create supply and demand, regulating many markets, milk is generally under subsidy, student loans are subsidies, gas is substisized, alternative energy is under substity, many homeowners, recently have been substitized on their houses, those over the years with fha loans were substitized. There's Ginnie Mae & Freddie mac, Airlines have been substitized. Railroads, the same. Sugar has been, corn, which feeds beef. Many foods resulting from grains are substitized. There is no end to the arts that are stubstitized, schools, Any government program one might take advantage of is, in effect, a subsidy...ever rented a library book? Ever driven on a bridge, taken someone to court? Called the police? Enjoyed swimming in clean water? How about street lights? There is no end to it...I'd love to hear an economist on here list off a few things that the average consumer isn't aware of.
This author's experience probably isn't the best example of how to properly eat on $30/week. First, it's obvious this person has never had to try this before, so the learning curve is steep. Second, it's a lot easier to live on $30/week if you're in a family setting, and so you can share meals. The more people who eat from the same meal, the less the meal costs per person. Finally, it's best if you splurge one week to buy staples (such as large bags of rice, pasta, potatoes, beans, and your spices). Then you spend your $30/week on the extras to go with your staples, such as cheese, veggies, meat, milk, fruit, etc.
It really depends on your household size, income, and utilities when determining how much you receive in food stamps each month. I definitely see people in the grocery store using their EBT cards on more groceries than I've been able to buy with my full-time job. A lot of people will use their entire months worth of food stamps and then have extra money to spare for whatever is left/wasn't covered with food stamps. I work a full time job and continue to eat on a budget for myself. It's something we all should do.
Agreed. I just stand behind these people on food stamps when they're in line at the grocery store, with steam coming out of my ears when I see that 90% of what they're buying is stuff I can't afford. Lobster, crab legs, big steaks, etc. Here I am with my Ramen Noodles and mac & cheese. I work my butt off – I work full time, go to grad school full time, and work an internship, and can barely make it every month. And? I make a fairly decent living. The problem is that everything is so expensive now that most people who work are pay to pay. It would be one thing if the people on assistance weren't living high on the hog, but a lot of them are. Very, very frustrating.
"A lot of them"? How do you know this? By seeing a few people in the grocery store buying items you deem to be ABOVE them?
Yes, I'm sure the people living in boarded up crack dens a block away from me are living the high life...just not in the way you are thinking.
You obviously forget to have a bunch of children.
If one would eat organic nutritional packed food (i.e. no high fructose, pesticides, hydrogenated fats, etc.) then I believe there would be no way to survive on 30 dollars a week. I am a vegan, by choice, and even without paying for meat, dairy, and eggs, I still cannot make it on 30 dollars a week.
Hey- Vegan can be a lot cheaper if you are willing to take the time and cook things from scratch a little more. I shop at trader joe's and whole foods and buy organics but can keep my grocery bill down when I try by staying away from the processed foods. Spending your cash on organic fruits and veggies is cheaper than you may think.
I am not a vegan (by choice), am not on food stamps and my family and I eat a very healthy diet for less than 30/week/person, AND we have an athletic teenager and a houseful of stepchildren every weekend. Our diet includes meat, cheese, eggs, yogurt. We also grow a lot of fresh veggies every year in box gardens or in pots, or take advantage of farmer's markets to buy in bulk and can/freeze the extra. Some of the author's choices were suspect....I mean chicken breast? You can buy a whole chicken for the price of 2 chicken breasts and it will yield dinner the first night, sandwich for lunch the next day, and with the addition of an $.89 bag of frozen mixed veggies enough soup to feed a family of 4 the next day! A little more research on these articles please...this one was ridiculous.
Foodstamps can't support you then, don't use them. My taxpayer money is not to support lifestyle choices.
Today's young society wants everything right now and dont take the time to prepare meals from scratch or spend the time looking for the best deals and nutritional information. We lived on $30 a week for a few years when times were tough for us but the food was always healthy and good on the table. Going out was a special treat and even then we picked places that had specials on. No fast food for us. We just couldn't afford it. And you know what, even now when we can afford it, we don't want it. And we still budget to this day because we realized good food doesnt have to be expensive. do your homework, cook in bulk and pick the cheaper chickens that arent perfect looking cause they all taste good in the end!
How many people have time to cook things from scratch? I think your expectations are a little unrealistic. In an ideal world, that would be the case, but a lot of the poor are WORKING POOR...some work two or three min. wage jobs just to stay afloat. When would they have time to cook from scratch?
Put rice in pot, add water and a pinch of salt(prep 30 seconds, cooks 15 min)
chop half an onion, add to pan with 1T oil, add meat or fish, season and cook (15 ish min)
Total time at most 20 minutes till completion.....
quit making excuses and grow up.
My mother spent at least one summer skipping meals so that my 2 sisters and I wouldn't realize we didn't have enough money to eat.
So what, who cares? Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
Um. You cared enough to take the time to respond. Stop being rude.
Yes, why do we have to be so rude here. Have compassion instead please.
That is sad. I would have done the same. Anything to protect your children.
I feed 2 people very well on just about $30 a week, maybe about $35. Using a CSA, we spend $25/week on vegetables and starches (potatoes, cornmeal, grits). It has been MORE than enough for the two of us. Enough to can and pickle some veggies, or dry and seal some beans for the winter.
Then, for meat, I buy whole chickens when on sale in the grocery store (usually less than $1 a pound), with the occassional "poor" cuts of beef or pork, and some ground meat. A whole chicken can go really far.... On the weekends then, we sometimes go fishing to get some extra meat, or hiking to forage for some nuts (pecans and hickory in season now!) or berries. (PS, we live in a big city, but this stuff is still pretty easy to come by)
But, as a rule, we buy little processed food. And spend an extra $30/month at the grocery store to supplement our CSA
A thing of Hamburger Helper is super expensive when you can make that same sauce yourself in the same amount of time. Why buy crackers, bread or tortillas, when I can make them myself with just a little flour and water?
I know the number is a little bit more than the $30/week here, but not by much, and I would probably just take out the cuts of beef and pork, and live on chickens and ground meat. Still not bad.
Here is Nyc, millions are people are on welfare and foodstamps. The one radical idea they never contemplate is working for a living. People in my family work 60 hours a week and pay huge taxes. We see all these section 8 people reproducing, getting more money from it and never working. Even the 20 year old men don't work. Americans need to rediscover what made this country great in the first place: WORK. If president Obama can only create welfare and unemployment and give speech after speech of dancing around then we need to get rid of him. It seems that Obama is the job destroyer.
The other thing they don't consider is moving to the mid-west or the south were there are more jobs and housing is MUCH cheaper. I don't know why high-price cities continue to coddle people instead of giving them a little financial help to move somewhere with a lower cost of living.
Mass exodus of the welfare recipient to a state with lower cost of living only shifts the problem somewhere else, and does not address the underlying symptoms of poverty. Also, many of these welfare recipients are disabled and the elderly who greatly rely on their "social/familial network" (i.e. friends and family) for other support. If they move to another state, they will no longer have this support. You assume that the welfare recipients are all able-bodied man/women who just love living in a big city. That's far from the truth.
Coddling? Really? You think living off welfare is being coddled?
I am a New Yorker, and you have no idea what you are talking about. "Millions of people are on welfare"? Really? HRA data shows a very small percentage of the 8 million New Yorkers who live on food stamps (about 200,000 actually). Secondly, since you are talking out of rear end, do know that unless an individual is a disabled senior citizen/mentally or physically disabled child/pregnant woman – every other welfare recipient is required to participate in work activities. Even senior citizens who receive food stamps or cash assistance are referred to the "Senior Works Center" (on 16th Street) to participate in work. Thirdly, a significant portion of welfare payments (including food stamps and housing assistance) go to families of soldiers serving abroad. Fourthly, and most importantly, you are an idiot who needs a refresher course in economics. CBO reports and at least 70 years of economic data show that social welfare boosts economy during recessionary periods. Obama may be a not-so-great president, but what do we do with the collective IQ of people like you?
<3 Cyrus
You obviously live in manhattan, which is 110% white now with the exception of harlem. I am looking at all the welfare people on all sides of my neighborhood. From manhattan you cannot view them and thus have your faulty bogus liberal outlook. Phony and not reality based.
Lefty:
When someone gives any percentage above 100, it immediately diminishes their intelligence by 100 points. There's no such thing as 110%. I digress. No, I don't live in Manhattan. I live in Queens (the most diverse borough in the country), and fully familiar with the welfare scene in NYC. It's my profession to analyze economic and welfare trends. I don't care if you are a liberal or a conservative. You are entitled to your political opinions. You are not entitled to your facts. Nothing that you had said in your post is factual. I suggest you read and research.
<3 back Bioartchick!
Soooo you're basing your opinion on observation rather than actual facts. Are you a Faux News viewer, by any chance?
Have you noticed that the unemployment rate is high right now? Thus...you know, people not having jobs? You ASSUME that they are lazy, etc. Maybe they can't find work? Maybe they work 3rd shift? The point is, you don't know.
Also...cry me a river about taxes. You are paying the lowest tax rate since the 1950's, so save it.
Sorry buddy, fake liberal garbage thinking. I've owned my house for years and watched these welfare people reproduce and reproduce without ever working, ever! Sorry when the republicans win in 2012, welfare will be terminated and WORKFARE will begin. I will be the happiest person in the world when that happens and you and your welfare friends are out there in fields and quarries.
You obviously have no idea the amount of $ these people get on food stamps! My unemployed sister and her loser boyfriend who refuses to work and their 2 kids get $860 a month. It's rediculous. They're buying crab legs and shrimp and then selling the rest for cash at a 50% value to the price of the stamps! They can buy pop, candy and anything else edible and not cooked, including Papa Murphys take n bake pizza and Scwanns. I've worked my whole life and make a decent wage but I can only buy shrimp and crab when its on sale. These people are not struggling to eat. A better comparison would be for our seniors on social security that don't get food assistance. Not people receiving "food stamps"
1) Get proof they are selling the food stamps. 2) Report them to the authorities. Please!! Do it for every tax payer.
I have reported them several times. Didnt make any difference. They still get the EBT card and $200.00 a month to blow on better food than I get. And all the beer and cigarettes they need. They trade $40.00 for others food for $20 in cash. Thanks Florida!!
you still have to have proof and they tell you they are doing this,please.
and you cannot buy cigs are beer with food stamps, the register shows what is being bought and if it does not qualify YOU have to pay.
OMG!!! $860 for a family of four! They must live like kings on $7 a person per day!!!!
haha No kidding.
A lot of misplaced jealousy in this forum.
Seriously learn some math - thats $7 a day per person. You're either lying or exaggeratting about your own family members. I wouldn't speak to you if I was her.
Jim, why are you so defensive? Are you on foodstamps or do you just let your "baby mama" pretend she doesn't know you're the dad so you all get foodstamps while you sell weed out the house? :)
Megan, why are you so rude? Are you jealous of people living off $7/day for food?
Also, why the racist "baby mama" comment?
Remember that food stamp kids usually get free lunch, and in some cases breakfast as well, at school.
There you go - those kids must LOVE living so luxuriously with FREE school lunches - what a bunch of leaches!
Jim...finally someone with some brains and heart in this thread.
Megan I can't agree more. When I was laid off from my job I was getting $1200 dollars a month for my wife and I and six kids plus I was getting $240 dollars for unemployment. I didn't even spend that much on food when I was working. I am glad I have a job now but that is why we have so many people that don't won't to work. FREE FOOD, FREE HEALTH CARE, PLUS MONEY FOR SITTING AT THE HOUSE (WATCHING JERRY SPRINGER LOL) AND THE GOVERMENT WILL ALSO SEND YOU MONEY IF YOU GET BEHIND ON YOUR UTILITIES. The whole system needs to be changed.
$1200 dollars is a lot of money in Food Stamps, so how about tying the tubes of your wife. Here we pay about $600. cash ( monthly ) for my family of five and can make it with what we buy with hard earned cash.
This article is untrue I work with the Food Stamp Program which is a Federal program. This means amounts are the same no matter what state. The maximum amount of Food Stamps for 1 is $200.00 and according to the article these figures dont match. I am twenty seven dollare over the income limit for four. I am a single mom two college students and a Jr High student. I use coupons that I sit and cut out, buy clearance products, skip meals, and see my customers in the store with full buggies.............STOP GIVING AWAY OUR COUNTRIES MONEY!!! What once was a great program has turned the USA into non working, lazy, fat, slaves to the system. The elderly and disabled receive $16 mostly.....now what wrong with this picture???
Miami-You are mistaken. I live in IL and previously worked in social services. I know for a fact of many consumers who received well over $200/month for 1 person household.
W ell thats the first I have heard of the max $200.00 a month allotment of F.S. being more................oh wait did you say IL Obama's state that says it all....................
megan, they aren't interested in what you and others have to say because it doesn't forward their agenda. this lady was all upset but was trying hard but still making pour choices, she should have bought legs and thighs instead of chicken breast, she should have grabbed a box full of ramin noodles for either a meal or a snack, at ten cents a pack you can't go wrong. when she was talking about jar sauce i was thinking make your own. $30 a week is not hard but it is not reflective of the food stamp problem, a family of 3 would receive $800 or more, you can do a lot of shopping for 3 people on $800 a month. but like i said that would not forward their agenda. i have been in that situation, i had a good paying job but was sidelined by a serious illness and didn't qualify for food stamps (although i don't know if i could have brough my self to get them) so i had to make the hard choices for my kids and myself. i became quite good at coupons and sales and my kids ate great. the problem is these people can never get off of the dole. a family of 3 would get over $800 in food stamps, free computer, almost free internet service, free housing, free cell phones, free school lunches, free school breakfasts, special interest rates on used cars, some states will pay for a car for them under $2000, reduced light and gas bills, free child care and don't forget they can still go to the food bank. if you add that all up you would have to give them a job making $80 to $90k a yr and why would they work when they get it for free, i am sorry to say.
I used to live in a complex where many lived on foodstamps. Maybe things have changed..but they ate much
better than I did. I was friends with one family and I would help with the groceries..they would have about a dozen
bags of food. I was just starting on my first job out of college..ramen noodles a few times a week. They had struggles
on many fronts..but food was NOT one of them
I lived on Food Stamp with my pregnant wife for a few month about 7 years ago and the two of use got over $400 on the card. We didn't know what to do with so much money so started shopping at Whole Foods. We ate great. Once off the stamps we have never been able to afford shopping there again.
I see people on food stamps buying stuff at gas stations with their cards(stamps) where things are twice the price so they can't be hurting too bad. I see them load up pretty nicely at the grocery store too and buy more stuff than I do. They get more than $30.
Even on $120 a month if you shop smart and use coupons you can get a really nice shopping cart full of food
nice comment they need to clip coupon spend time in the isles of the supermarket and find out what is on sale they buy too much junk with there food stamp because thay donot want to cook just go home and sit dowmn and watch jerry springer and maury all day and they wear the most expensive clothes if the govement could be a fly on the wall and see some of these folks life syle they would be off food stamp tommorow
You are supposed to use the food stamps as a assistance or a SUPPLEMENT to what you are paying out of pocket each month for food each month, not try to make your food stamps the ONLY thing getting food for you.
With a family of 5, I could receive almost $800 a month in food stamps (I qualify for them based on what I earn, we just have been able to get by without using them). That would be a huge increase in what we spend monthly on food. Usually we're around $300 a month for 5. That's the thing with food stamps, you're correct, they should be supplemental but at current levels for most people (families in particular), they more than cover monthly food costs.
Chicken breast, broccoli, and (brown) rice is my staple meal. That's great food however much money you make.
I am allergic to peanuts, so that really eliminates a cheap protein source. Jelly sandwiches don't sound bad, but they are not particularly nutritious.
Walnut butter is really good as an alternative – but it definitely not cheap. I make my 4 year old straberry/walnut butter "sandwiches" for dessert.
Check out your local health food stores. Many of them make in-house nut butters like almond or cashew. Those tend to be cheaper-by-the-pound than the prepackaged jars. Good luck!
beans are cheap.
Why is $30 a week hard? We often spend only $25/person. One just has to cook from scratch rather than buying processed foods. It is healthier and cheaper. Besides, after taxes we do not have a lot left over!
Those look good. Better than what I eat for lunch at work every day.
By the way if you want to eat better, WORK.
This is kind of funny how stressed she got over this $30.00 for a week of food. Is this a joke? Do people really not know how to make a real meal for a reasonable price? monica is right, this is not a big deal at all. I have a family of four, am a lousy shopper, no coupons and I feed on average my big eaters for about $150.00/week for the most part only whole foods.
Im curious which state this is being based on as in Ohio a single individual most make under the 130% gross standard of 1180 and the max amount of benefits they can receive is 200/mo. $30 dollars a week times 4.3 (average weeks per month) would equal 129. Which implies the individual is making some income or the amount allotted is different. Just curious as to each states different eligibility guidelines and deductions for earned work/rent/utilities.
All or most states are $200 a month for an individual. You are correct in wondering why the author was limited to $30 a week.
I am currently a medical student with a wife and two young boys. I pay around $45,000 in tuition a year, not including rent and living costs. My wife works from home for a PR firm, but given the current economy we are in, advertising has been hit hard. She brings in only $900 a month. Needless to say, we live on food stamps to help make ends meet. I do not understand why this article mentions that the average of those living on foodstamps only get around $30 a week? We currently get $418 every month, which is $105/week. We are not uneducated people who are unable to make healthy food choices. We cook using basic ingredients. I have a BS, MPH, and will soon be a practicing physician once my medical degree is completed. My wife has a BA in communications. What I am getting at is food stamps help those in need to make ends meet. My boys are able to eat nutritious meals thanks to the EBT debit card that we have, and they do not have to live on a Ramen Noodle diet since I am using the maxed out loans to make it through school. There are several other students at my school who also rely on food stamps to get through the costly educational process. Someday, when I am paying taxes on my professional salary, I will be giving back to those who are in need and will repay what I have used. I find that there is a discrepancy with this article, as several students at my school get well over $120/week in EBT/foodstamp benefits. Needless to say, I always take a "box lunch" to school and we rarely ever eat out. We consider food stamps a privilege to use, since there are so many in this country who go hungry everyday. Having gone through the process to get them, I must say, it is very difficult to go through all of the necessary steps to complete the process. This could hinder others with disabilities and a lack of education.
Maybe you could have waited to have kids until you had the income to support them?
I am 28 years old. The chances of costly disabilities and spontaneous abortions only rises once a female reaches 35 years of age. Since I am in my second year of medical school, which will be followed by three years of residency and possibly specialization, that logic would put my future kids into a high risk pregnancy situation, which could lead to costly medical care and hospital bills. Who are you to say I should wait to have children, especially when my wife is young and healthy enough to help take care of their needs? Maybe you should move to China where you are only allowed one child for your family? This is America, and I have the right to have kids when I want. I am not leeching off the tax payer's dollar, but rather, will be giving way more back into the tax dollar pool from my medical career, both in taxes, and free services that I render in the emergency department. Hopefully I won't see you in there anytime soon. I might just say, "why didn't you plan on having an accident later in life?" Life happens.
I did that...waited to have kids until I could afford them. Now, I'm 40 and too old to have them. Seriously, you never make enough for kids.
Excellent reply ! How about a little forethought ?
I'm so sick of the entitlement defense. "I'm young and healthy! It's okay if I have kids before I make enough money to support them, because the tax payer will support them for me." Who the hell do you think you are? You should either have picked a different lifestyle, or just decided not to have kids.
Could not agree more. I am becoming a first time mom in my 40's (yes, kids is healthy). I am financially secure and I do not have to work outside the home any more. I will not have to rely on food stamps, EITC, WIC, subsidized lunches, free daycare handouts etc. to have society pick up the tab for my personal choice of having a kid. A medical pro with two kids who claims that she is 28 y/o and had to make this choice because she ran out of time is full of BS. And no, I do not consider having children your right at the expense of others because this is America. I consider it a normal obligation to take of your own kids.
BJ-I have no issues for my tax dollars going to help out you and your family. You are using food stamps for the exact reason it was set up....as a stepping stone, rather than a crutch. It's a temporary thing. You won't be on them forever, and in the end, as you said, you'll be helping people. Bravo to you. Good luck in med school!
For Vicster- http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/trying_after35.html
This is just a brief explanation of the difficulties of pregnancy after 35. The CDC and NIH have more resources on this topic as well, but I just wanted you to check this out. This is in response to your response. Also, I am 28, male, and chose to have children early since I want to have a large family, and it is in harmony with my religion. Thank heavens we live in America which allows differing life-styles and choices to be freely made. The food stamp program is a tool that helps transitioning families during this stressful time. Someday I will repay my usage of EBT with my own tax money, as will the other members of my large family. Congratulations on your new child. You will find that there is no greater joy than raising a child, and they bring new feelings of completeness, happiness, and responsibility that is difficult to experience if you do not have one.
BJ I know at least where I'm from the allotted amount for a Single person is $30 a week in Food Stamps.
That makes sense. I looked past how different states would have various policies regarding the distribution of food stamps. I am just aware of how much we receive in our state. which appears to be slightly above the nation's average.
I understand where you are coming from, but perhaps the $30 is per individual, so it would be $30 each for you and your wife and $22-23 dollars for each child. Btw much respect to you and your family being an ideal of why the food stamp program is in place, as a method of support to those that need it, not to those who refuse to work.
From what was explained to me from my social worker, I did not qualify for the food stamp program, but rather my wife and kids did. That breakout does sound about right, though. At one time when my wife was in between jobs, we received $648 a month, but once she got her $900/month job, it decreased down to $418. Still, we would rather have the 900/month income than take extra resources from the government that could ultimately be used for other people. Our state has been hit especially hard with the housing crisis and lack of tourism, so there are many seeking assistance.
I am wondering what state you live in. My husband and I are residents of OR and we receive $75.00 a month on our EBT card. That's it. The rest of our food comes from a local church food bank, we receive a box or two of food a month. We very much appreciate it, but the food is low quality, highly processed, high sodium, etc., etc. Not the best stuff for sure. Whatever else we buy is usually from the salvage grocery store, what I call the "scratch and dent" store. Every penny of my husband's disability goes to living expenses and medical bills for what his Medicare doesn't pay and for my medical expenses (I have no insurance and have some health problems.) Please, please, please, when you start practicing medicine, be part of the solution to this country's problem with access to healthcare for the poor. Thank you.
It is sad how many people get so mad over tax payer money being used to feed people. Food Stamps truly assist people in need. I feel for family's medical situation. My mother had cancer and her treatments and care got to be quite substantial for my father. The current medical system needs further adjustments to provide better care for the poor, as well as those who can afford health insurance. It is such a complex issue that will take a lot debate and severe changes to how it all operates. The saddest part about it all, is that providing medical care to others is such a humanistic qualtiy, while charging them for services seems criminal. The insurance world has created a situation where medicine is becoming a business, rather than what it was created for, improving the life experience. Sadly, with medical educational costs and pharmaceutical research costs, finding a medium between the two is the difficult part. I hope to be apart of the change for the better, whatever that may be, but families like yours and mine included, will influence the way I give services towards my future patients.
I agree that waiting to have kids until you could suppor them may have been a good idea. I would also like to know if you plan on paying the taxpayers who are now supporting your family back once you become a physician?
Well, the thing about making more money than the average tax payer means you will be paying a higher tax, since you are in a higher tax bracket. A good friend of mine is a practicing Pediatrician. He makes just over $250,000 a year, and pays around 45% of his income in taxes (this is just a rough estimate). If he were to make less than $250,000, his taxes would be around 34%. Where is his incentive to see the extra 15 patients in the day when most of his earnings will go to Uncle Sam? The sad thing is, with the higher burden of taxes being proposed such as the "Warren Buffet Tax",which targets those making higher incomes, this will alter how hard physicians will work to fit in more people into their schedule. I will continue to work because I got into this profession not for the money, but rather to help people, but you must understand that while you ask how I will repay tax payers, I will be paying higher taxes than you and offering services in an E.R. to people who cannot afford it.
105 per week with two small kids makes for 26.25 per week per person which is less than the 30 dollars a week. What makes it easier is that you have $105 so you can get 4 times the options that a single person can get on $30 making it pretty easy to get a variety of nutritious food. I am in the same place as you and am very appreciative for the help that I get.
yeah, maybe he could have waited. I am sure there is a lot of things we all could have done differently, but did not.
He is studing and will have a good future. I would gladly pay for foodstamps for people like this.
If you can't afford to have children, you should not be having them. I'm also in graduate school (Ph.D.) and have worked my way through my masters program to avoid loans (sometimes only sleeping 3-4 hours a night in order to get homework done and go to class). I am postponing having children until I can afford them. I know people in med school who have had children. On top of not being able to financially support their kids, they just don't have the appropriate amount of time to spend with their child because they are too busy studying. In many cases, their parents or their spouse winds up raising the kid on their own. This is unfortunate. Honestly, what's the rush. You have enough time to procreate. Four years shouldn't put that much of a damper on your plans.
Interesting. There are many people in my class who do not have kids. That is their choice. I have a brother (family practice doc), sister (occupational therapist), sister (assistant attorney general), who have all managed to raise children THROUGHOUT the educational process and have them all turn out exceptionally fine. My cousin, who is the orthopedic specialist for the LA LAKERs, managed to do quite well while raising three kids during medical school. They contribute more to their societies than most would. Waiting to have children is your own personal choice, although it has been my experience at both George Washington and my current medical school that those who claim to put off kids while obtaining a PhD are really just covering for not being able to get married while living their busy life. That's just my experience. There are definitely exceptions to my experience with those seeking PhDs. Once again, like I said, chances of having complications during a pregnancy and having expensive medical costs increases as the age of the mother does. It was my personal choice to have kids at my age. My wife gets plenty of attention from me. When I am home from school and studying, I am focused solely on her and the kids, and nothing else. I make time for them.
You are so right. Not only are you financially responsible, you also realize that the most precious gift called TIME (not just 'quality' time) for your kid means you sensibly delay this choice.
vicster- I noticed how you said "kid". I want more than one kid. Maybe it's the scientist (think Darwinism) in me or simply my religion, but it's still my choice to have more than one kid. Also, when is there ever going to be more time to spend with your kids? I make time for mine. My wife is constantly there for them, as well. Once I start work, I will be working long shifts. Maybe according to your logic I should wait until I am retired to have a kid, so I can spend all day with them. To answer your statement, it is not about quantity of time, but rather quality of time. I make certain that my children get quality time with me. Also, once again, I have seen personal examples within my own family (brothers, sisters, and my parents) who managed to raise great children while in school. It works for us. The beautiful thing about all of this is that this is America, and differing points of view are welcome, as are lifestyles. Food stamps are there to help people during transitioning times and also to ensure that children get proper nutrition. I will someday repay my usage of this system with my own tax contributions. As will my large family.
BJ, is your wife that much older than you?? If the magic age is still 35, it appears you have a few years to go and could have waited to have kids until you could afford them! Although paying off those huge loans means it won't be any time soon. Too bad you didn't use the brain God gave you to do the math first.
I had kids at age 32 and 34, AFTER I had my bachelor's, master's and professional designation, along with a few choice promotions under my belt.
Finally, living in America means you are free to make poor choices, it does not mean the rest of us have to support you.
I've actually done the math. The sad thing about our current medical education situation, is that tuition has nearly doubled in just the last ten years. A doctor in 2000 graduated with half the debt as one in 2014. It does not take a genius to look around at all the CNN/news posts about states raising tuition to handle their debt issues. Sadly, I am going to school during a time in which tuition is at an all time high. Having been accepted into three schools, I chose the one with the cheapest cost of tuition, living expenses, and accessibility to my nearby family members. I have taken out the full loan amount to pay for the $42,000/year tuition amount, since it is impossible to make that much working during the summer months and during school, while maintaining an acceptable grade point average. I plan to take advantage of the Heath Service Corps money made available to doctors practicing in rural locations. I will follow the example of my brother and moonlight in the ER to pay back the debt in a hurry. I have things worked out. Like I said before, I have seen personal examples within my own family. I have done the math. I will repay my debts. I will have a family size that I deem appropriate. Thanks to the freedom of this country, I have the RIGHT to do this. If you would like to talk about more appropriate ways that we can save this country MORE money besides through food stamps, but rather through decreasing the costs of a medical education or changing the structure of our health care industry, maybe that would be more appropriate that discussing how many kids I chose to have as a medical student. I don't know. It seems like a bigger elephant in the room.
Shouldn't have had the kids if you are on welfare. It isn't our job to pay for your kid. That is your job. Thanks for sticking us with the bill. Just curious, once you are a bigshot physician, do you intend on repaying the SNAP money you received? yeah, didn't think so.
Where do you think it comes from? Taxpayers money. I will be contributing much more than my fair share with my higher tax bracket. That will go towards helping someone else who is in transition and needs assistance. That is how I will repay my EBT usage. Or it might be in the form of free services rendered to people without health insurance in the ER, that I will donate. Maybe you should stop being so mad at the cost of care for people who actually need it, and start focusing your attention to other areas, like the US giving Billions of aid to Pakistan when they are selling our secrets to China??? Or maybe the whole entire healthcare system? We are in a recession and our own people need help. Using taxes to assist them in a time of need is what Government is for. If you do not agree with providing food to people who are striving to make the country better (ie. helping to reduce the demand for physicians in rural areas), then there is something wrong with you.
Did YOU bother to read the post above yours in which he discussed that very issue? Obviously not. SO SHUT YOUR RUDE EFFIN' TRAP, YOU JERK.
Just to be clear, I was replying to Seriously, who very obviously didn't bother to read the post just above his own in which BJ detailed how he planned to repay the taxpayers.
Thank you for taking the time to reply to my comment. I wish you all the luck in the world to be part of the change our society needs.
I was trying to keep an open mind throughout the doc to be's conversation, but then he went on to say that he would be paying much more than his "fair" share...at that point I have to admit I became somewhat incensed. I can tell you, I worked full time to put myself through colledge, lived in crappy places, had a child (unplanned) raised her on my own, still going to school and working full time, never asked for help from anyone, never went on any public assistance, nor would have ever considered it. Had a been more willing to, perhaps I might have made 250 grand a year, too; but when someone gets to where he is, partly off of the backs of the people, not because he needs it, but because he chooses it, I question that. And beyond the "more than his fair share,' I certainly hope he'll step up and donate a LOT, and realize how grateful he should be he has these options.
Frugal HausFrau-
Guten Abend. I must apologize for my earlier comment. What I was trying to say was that I will be paying a lot of taxes due to the higher tax bracket. I am grateful for the assistance I am receiving and plan to give back (not only in donations, but services rendered, etc.) Sorry to have that sound so negative, that was not my intention. It is difficult to express my feelings on this subject sometimes since there seems to be so many angry people when it comes to assisting those in need. At some point in our life, we will all need assistance, whether that is trying to make it through school, after a disaster or unexpected event, or in a nursing home someday. You never know. I am just thankful for the support I get with my EBT and look forward to paying it forward someday.
Cindy, if you want society to change, you need to change too.
Stop trying to figure out how society can help you.......how can YOU help society.
Great post, except it might be better presented as how to shop sensibly no matter what your income.
Re: "The first two days are filled with periods of hunger."
Hunger is a good thing. Not starvation of course, but good old fashioned hunger, like you get after a hard days' work, is fine. Somehow as a country we've arrived at the notion that going hungry even for 5 minutes is a moral outrage. End result: we're turning into a bunch of softies.
I pretty much follow your "what I ate this week" diet every week, and in addition to keeping me thin and healthy, it lets me save loads of cash that would normally be spent on empty calories.
Absolutely! Made me wonder how much the author normally eats that hunger seemed so strange. My family of four does not spend this much on food, and we are not poor by ANY measure.
Yup, you got that right-on!
We as americans are so used to over eating its not even funny. What she listed that she ate would be like a feast to alot of people. America has really created a bunch of spoiled people who set their standards of living way to high. So think about the people who dont have ANYTHING to eat, the next time you complain because you didnt get to go out and eat, or your mom wouldnt let you supersize your combo meal.
This, my friends, is called poverty and it's spreading like wildfire. I almost cried reading this article because it's so sad that people have to live like this. I am not that bad off but I have to cut back big time in order to make ends meet. The recent rise in the cost of living is taking its toll on my paycheck. There's days I eat top ramen or starve. I pray for those who are in this boat and those who are unemployed. I've been there. It's hard and shame on our government for allowing it to happen continuously.
What's wrong with Ramen?
This is not the Government's problem alone. You need to read the comment directly above yours, and then you need to go visit Cambodia, rural China, India, and a dozen other countries where people have diets based on a single ingredient – rice, cassava, or potatoes – with a little fresh fruit or beans. Their growth is stunted from having such a limited range of food. This woman had peanut butter, chicken, and tunafish in a single week... nutrious protein every day. Most people live on starches... 70% of the average Egyptian's diet is BREAD. Quit whining. Americans are spoiled enough. And I'm owning up to being one of them!
Ramen or starve? If that is your choice, then maybe you deserve to go without a few meals a week ! A pack of Ramen (various flavors) can be used as a base for many dishes. Add some left over chicken, a can of tuna, a small amount of fried hamburger/sausage, toss in a small amount of a can/jar of marinara sauce. Or, add a small amount of meat, some frozen veggies, make your own alfredo sauce. Dessert? Take a break from that mentality unless you eat an apple (or seasonal fruit).
My wife and I typically spend $120 per week for groceries to feed ourselves and our six children. That comes to $15 per person. There are certain foods we do not often eat, but neither are we subsisting on rice and beans. While some items can be purchased cheaper in bulk, that is increasingly rare. We merely make prudent choices and look for deals. If we spent $30 per week per person, we would be dining on steak & shrimp quite often. Seeing the poor choices and wastefulness of other shoppers, though, I frequently shake my head and wonder how people so foolish make it in life.
They make it in life because they use their time to either work, plan their future or build skillsets instead of spending all their time changing diapers, cooking meals for 6 kids.
Or they are in serious debt and helping to increase the national debt as they rely on government programs because they do not know how to spend money wisely. My wife and I do not spend all of our time changing diapers and cooking meals. Frankly, running a house with six children is a lot easier than running a house with two or three. And we have both "increased our skill set"–between us we have earned eight academic degrees.
My father lived very well on $9 a week using coupons, store brands and shopping sales at stores within walking distance. He could certainly have afforded to spend more, but he enjoyed the challenge of spending as little as possible at the grocery store. He always complained about the people on food stamps buying salad from the sald bar at $5.95 per pound and selecting pre made foods and deli items. A whole chicken lasted him about a week and he always had cookies in the afternoon and a bundt cake or brownies made from a mix in the evening, which lasted him almost two weeks. He also practiced strict portion control to maintain his weight and his budget.
I raised 4 children on $365. a month for the majority of their lives. I worked, received food stamps and assistance. There is no expresso...store brand coffee....no chicken breasts....thighs, legs and wings. Beans...buy bulk pinto. Pasta sauce...what ever is on sale in a can or tomato sauce that you doll up with onion and spices. Chopped meat (hamburger) is a luxury. Ham is once a year. Turkey...buy them during the holiday and if your freezer is big enough buy two. One to thaw and eat one to keep for later. Bacon seasons everything. Can I live on $30. a week....sure can. Poor food is comfort food.
I forgot to add. This was 40 years ago. This was not a "lifestyle", this was survival. I have never "not worked". Always had a job. My husband abandoned us and I did the best I could with what little training I had. I am now a retired para professional in the medical industry. All of my kids are parents and some have had to use food stamps between jobs. All are professionals and military. I know there are those that have taken the welfare to the extreme. Third and fourth generation. That's not what it was established for.
You make an excellent point. There is a place for food stamps and other welfare. The point is to help people when they are down on their luck until they can get back on their feet. There is nothing wrong with that. I doubt all these stories about people living on lobster and caviar while on food stamps are true. There may be a little of that but it is probably not in the majority. Will someone please find some real statistics on this and not all of these useless anecdotal stories. Sounds like a lot of sour grapes to me.
@Rosaadriana – finally a voice of reason. Allocating 70% to raw ingredients? When you're a parent having to make a decision between getting your children 1 bag of about 2 lbs of grapes or 5 oranges for $6.00 that may last a few days + or choosing applesauce 6 packs for $2.50 that will last and all three kids can enjoy for the week or longer and make your budget last longer...the math doesn't add up for someone on a budget unfortunately. I highly doubt someone spent $50 on one lobster.
All of the people I see buying food with food stamps have rolls of cash for what the stamps don't cover. More money than I.
At the grocery store, I'm busy getting the food I need to buy. When I'm checking out, I'm busy paying for it. I don't watch to see how other people pay for their selections. More importantly, I don't care. It's nunnuhmybidness. Unless you're a cashier, it's nunnuhyourz, too.
This is very true, I have seen it many times. Many are able to abuse the system.
I work in Social Services and I can state definitively that most people on food stamps are only on them because of choices they have made. It’s a lifestyle. They all commit fraud and either use the food stamps to buy junk food or sell them outright. I know nobody will believe me and call me cynical and evil, but I suggest you work at a Child Protective office for 6 months and then tell me I'm not right.
I believe you, food stampers I see have wads of cash in their pocket. ALL OF THEM I have seen use a roll of cash for what the stamps aren't good for.
Not stable enough to deal with banks, or they distrust them. They make more poor decisions by going to check cashing places that charge 10 – 25percent to cash the check, and then keep the cash with them.
I worked in social service for about 10 years, and you're not right.
You must have worked in LaLa Land.
I HAVE WORKED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN TWO STATES AND LA LA LAND FOR REAL BECAUSE FOOD STAMPS ARE BEING ABUSED AND THOSE WHO NEED THEM DONT GET THEM.............LA LA LA
Pardon me whilst I bow down to your 6 months of experience. What you'll find, if you open your eyes and your mind a little, is that the people who are in your face demanding to suck the system dry every singe minute of every day are NOT the majority. The people with "wads of cash" are NOT the majority. Yes, many people abuse the system and it absolutely needs and overhaul. No, that isn't even close to the majority. The majority are the people trying to swipe their EBT card while no one is looking, and absolutely dread having to drive to the public aid office...but they have to support their children. But thank you so much for your witty repartee.
That is not the case in the city. And my wit is not to be challenged.
Rebecca, I have been in the field for over 10 years so please reread what I wrote. I’m simply saying that 6 months of your own experience will change your flimsy liberal ideology to match mine. I don’t know what department or location you worked in, but it sounds like you were in the mollycoddle unit in La La Land for sure.
A girl I worked with was going through some hard financial times (because she spent all her money on material stuff and couldn't pay her rent). She went to social services and they put her on a 3 month temporary food stamp program. The next day the office was filled with cookies, pop, doughnuts, and other treats. She wanted to celebrate her new food stamp success with everyone. I was furious!!!
It is always nice to see good people make good decisions.
I also work in Social Services, and I can say that you should find a new job. I also keep wondering how people "sell" food stamps, since they aren't stamps anymore, but are credit cards that you can only buy food with. I know some people do buy food and exchange it for drugs etc. but their number is rather small because most dealers do make enough money to feed themselves.
They go to the local corner stores and “buy” a bunch of product, whatever adds up to the amount on the card. The store owner gives them the $ reimbursement and the “customer” walks out with $ and no food. The store owner just got free product on his shelves which he will have technically sold twice. The only one losing out on the deal is the naive tax payer.
I can explain how they sell their EBT credits, as I get this pitch almost everytime I go to the grocery store. They offer to shop with you and use their card to pay for your groceries and then you give them cash equal to 50% of the total bill. This is usually accompanied with a hard luck story about how they are in the area to help a family member with an emergency (abusive spouse is most frequent one I get) and now they have run out of gas and don't have any cash. Another thing that happens here in NY is that they use the EBT card to buy soda in returnable bottles, empty out the bottles and then return them for the refund. My son in law, who grew up on food stamps, had to clean up after one of these incidents when he was working at the grocery store, it gave him a different perspective on the stamps when he realized that he was cleaning up his tax money that had literally been poured down the drain. On the other hand I know several people who have been very responsible termporary EBT card users, I'm glad we have a program that helps those in need, I just wish there was less fraud.
I agree... I work in the law enforcement area [although civil side] and I see that most of these people do bring this on themselves. I can tell you that my family of 3 grocery shops for a full week; 7 days, for $75. We are in metro ATL. That is breakfast, lunch and dinner all days. That pans out to $25 a person a week. If we can do it and eat healthy veggies and fruits then anyone can! That is not boxed meals, I cook all of my dinners, no hamburger helpers here! :o) so I AGREE!
I am a 17 year old girl who has 5 siblings and I am the oldest. My father has no income. My mom doesn't work and my step dad is trying to go back to school. We live off food stamps, my fathers childsupport check and my social security and still it is not nearly enough. All our meals are planned out there is no room for snacking each item goes to a specific meal. There are no outings because we can't afford to go to a movie unless we want to spend that week without electricity. Everything is budgeted. We manage to scrape by ONLY because my grandfather helps us out but I can not imagine what life would be like if he was not giving us money. And maybe most people are on foodstamps because they made bad choices, I can look at my mother and tell you I'm 100% sure thats the case but what about the children? Should I have to pay and go hungry because my parents were irresponsible? Should I have the pressure of my brother and sisters education, doctors appointments and meals on my head? Should I have to worry that we don't have enough money to pay the bills? No. I'm 17. But I do worry. My mother had me at 18, he life was messed up from the start but mine shouldn't have to be. And I live down the street from some kids who literally walk bare foot in the winter because there mothers "job" is selling hand made jewelry downtown and she doesn't care enough to buy them clothing or food and DHS has not stepped in for that situation. I don't want to hear the bullshit that our government tries to help, because they don't. The children are the ones suffering in these situations, who cares about the parents. They are adults, but as a child growing up in the environment is affects our futures. In my situation my parents do the best they can despite the circumstance but what about the kids down the street from me? What reason would DHS have for not taking them away from that drug infested, cockroach ridden house? If you don't live in it, you don't know. Thanks.
There are many who need the assistance, and it sounds as though your family is one. For those who do not abuse the system, I wish them the best of luck. Also, I would agree with you. The “government” does not care about actually helping people. My job and others in the social welfare system exists only so that politicians can appear to be trying to help the greater good. It’s a long standing political move to gain and retain constituents. If the goal was to actually help people, the system would be far different, or at least far more efficient. My gripe is with those who abuse the system, with those who have been enrolled in the social welfare systems or our nation for so long that they have not only found all of the loopholes, but those who have actually become accustomed to it, and have turned what is supposed to be a support system into a way of life. In my job, I find that the latter is far more common than those who truly need it.
Tom; I for one BELIEVE YOU. I witness firsthand the fraud and it infuriates me to no end! I've been out of work 4yrs, we have my husband's income and 3 children between the ages of 5-16 still at home. We're trapped in our house because of a horrid mortgage that we can't get adjusted (my shock that we earn $121.76 too much per month to have it modified) and we're strapped. I manage $60 on average per week in groceries (which includes household cleaning, paper products), and though it's a struggle, we're managing but it hurts. Now...our neighbors; a woman, her 2 kids, her boyfriend and his mother on the other hand have 2 1/2 incomes yet have a home they pay $267 in rent for per month (market value $1200 here in Las Vegas, NV) under Section 8 (who of course do not know that the "renters" boyfriend and his mother live there as they each use other's addresses and who make themselves scarce on the scheduled Section 8 visit days) and have nearly $800+/- in food stamps each month. On short months they buy a $300 food stamp cards from relatives in Omaha, NB for $150, other months they sell their overage. I can't count the # of times they've mailed that damn card back and forth from there to Las Vegas! Thinking they would be "helping us out" she's had the audacity to offer us the $300 for $150 "deal"...UMMM...no thanks, fraud wasn't on my Bucket List last time I checked. The abuse is blatant and a disgrace within the system!
Fraud is rampant. I work with many families where the children are counted at each “cousin’s” house on the block, parents claiming kids that aren’t theirs. The problem is that when people really do need it, they have all kinds of trouble getting it. It doesn’t pay to be honest in this country.
Unemployed for 4 years? get off your lazy ass...
Jenlyn what stops you from reporting your neighbors?
Sounds like it's time for you to get out of social services. You sound as though you have a bad case of burn out.
8 years of reality checks.
Someone like Tom is actually what we really need in social services. Unlike you, he is not in denial about the rampant fraud.
Someone who cannot even spell "annoyed" certainly can – and will – have their "wit" challenged!
Typos do not make me any less correct.
A tyop does not make me less correct.
HAHA, 'typo". Hey, its not like i'm running for president.
You may have your personal observations, but they do not apply 100% across the board. Do some people game the system? Absolutely. I don't doubt that. But not everybody is committing fraud. Did you report those you saw so as to put a stop to their activities? If not, why not?
Making generalizations will get you challenged every time. And you gotta admit, you left yourself open for that one...
I also work in social services and I can say that Tom is right. Generalizing is generally wrong, but the social welfare system attracts leaches. Those with self respect that need it try not to apply. Some do, sure, but most on the system are $avag3s.
They all commit fraud? You are a liar. I won't comment on your wit – you did that yourself with your inclusive language.
I was in no way inclusive and I am far from being a liar. But your liberal sensibilities are heartwarming.
Food Stamps? I thought public assistance uses EBT cards (am I wrong?)?
I agree, when I was in college I passed on the meal plan to save money. I ate Ramen noodles, rice, chicken (if you buy the packaged frozen chicken breasts or whole frying chickens you will save money) and potatoes. I did splurge on $9.99 Natural Ice 30 packs (which might last the week).
Yes, beer can be cheaper than soft drinks. A liquid diet isn't so bad once in a while.
Chris where do you live? Here in NJ a single person can only get $16 a month in food stamps.
Only $16 a month for a single person in NJ? That's not true, the limit is $200 a month for a single individual. That's pretty true for most states. I'm not sure why this article limits it to $30 a week; you should be able to spend $200 a month.
Yes it is true. In NJ if you are a single person, WITHOUT any income, disabled, mentally incapable then you can get around $200.00 a month in food stamps. Since i have a income from unemployment i only qualify for $16.00 a month. Welcome to NJ!!!!
$16 isn't worth the paperwork.
That was my first thought when they told me i was only getting $16 a month, then one of the caseworkers explained to me that if i don't find a job and my uneployment benefits run out then i would automatically receive between $100-200 a month because i no longer have the income. So i decided to keep the $16 just in case that does happens!!!
This is crap. I work at a grocery store as private security and the people who are on food stamps, especially the ones that shouldn't be on them, eat a heck of a lot better than i do! Steak, shrimp, and lobster! Buying oer $300 at a time of it just pisses me the f-off!
So then quit your job, go on food stamps and eat like you think they do.
If you work at a supermarket regularly, then you should have noticed the same thing my brother did when he worked at one as a cashier, something he called "first of the month syndrome". People getting government benefits go shopping in the first 3-5 days after the first of the month. Many times they have to arrange transportation specially so they can get to a real supermarket, because they live in neighborhoods where there aren't any supermarkets. Because of this, it's not unusual for them to buy their entire month's worth of groceries all at once, hence the overflowing and/or multiple carts. Hence also the bills in the hundreds of dollars – they may be spending nearly all of their monthly allotment at once.
I've seen this myself. I've watched people pull out a large amount of cash to pay for the stuff food stamps doesn't cover – from the government envelope their AFDC or unemployment check came in. Yeah, I've seen women come in and do this with tons of kids in tow, and take their groceries out to nice big Lincolns and Cadillacs. I personally knew a number of these people; they had no furniture in their apartments, they had only one or two outfits (frequently a "daily" one and a "church" one), the kids had one and only one pair of shoes, etcetera, but they had a recent model luxury car because the damn car was more important to them than buying books for their kids, or having a bed frame for their kid's mattresses to sit on, or lamps in the kid's bedrooms, or a real set of dishes to eat off of, or a dining table to put them on. It was common for the only furniture to be a stand for the TV, but they were so damn proud of the car, which was usually bought used and paid for over the longest possible time. Somehow, to a lot of them I knew, having a nice car, no matter what else they didn't have or how much government assistance they were getting, meant they weren't "really" poor.
These people were guilty of making terrible choices in life, and their kids were usually being raised in such an intellectually impoverished environment, that they didn't have a prayer of escaping their poverty. The worst part was that most of these people were poorly educated and poorly parented themselves, and were passing on these circumstances to their kids, mainly through ignorance. A lot of them that I met originally in high school were not bad people; they were victims of an impoverished environment themselves. Back in the 70's and 80's I could see it was becoming a multi-generational pattern. The only thing these people knew really well was the "benefits" programs that were available, because they had been getting them since they were born – literally. They don't know any other way of life, because their parents also lived on government benefits all their lives, and there was nobody to teach them independence, or self-reliance, or the value of a good education.
These kinds of people do exist; but, and this is an important point, they are NOT representative of EVERYONE getting some sort of government assistance. There's no question that these programs need overhauling; people should not be on these programs all their lives unless they're disabled or a senior citizen. People should not have their benefits increased if they get pregnant AFTER they have begun receiving benefits, and family planning counseling should be mandatory and birth control free. For those on SNAP, nutrition education and classes in meal planning and shopping should be mandatory, and soda, candy, and certain other highly processed foods should not be covered. One could go on and on about what should be; but unless and until CONGRESS GETS OFF THEIR COLLECTIVE BUTTS and decides in a fair and balanced manner to do what is right for the country, nothing will get done. People DO sometimes need help, and it should be available to them. In the meantime, characterising everyone who receives "food stamps" or other forms of assistance as lazy good for nothings, who are gaming the system and committing fraud to live high on the hog, is inappropriate and unhelpful, to put it mildly. Many people who worked hard all their lives, and didn't make irresponsible choices, were hit so hard by the recent recession that for the first time in their lives they need their government to help them. This does not make them bad, lazy, con artists or irresponsible and it infuriates me when they are called and/or treated as such. That's what pi**es me off, frankly.
Nifty experiment, but not realistic. Food is the one thing we provide in ample amounts to people below the poverty line. Why do you think so many poor people are overweight? $30 a week more accounts for the "I make JUST too much money for food stamps and low cost healthcare" crowd. They're the people riding the line so thinly that it's an easy consideration to want to earn less money because they had more cash in hand. A re-vamp of the food stamp rules is in serious order. It would be nice to let people purchase some non-perishables like toilet paper, but disallow things like Twinkies. Anyway...nice article, but not based in reality, even if it makes you feel better about "seeing what it's like." You don't see, and hopefully never will.
I had to smile at this; I lost my job of 29 1/2 years forced out on an early medical retirement. I did check to see if I was eligible for food stamps, we were having such a hard time adjusting with the unexpected lowering of my income. I still had children at home, sole support. What I found was I made $28.00 too much per month to quality for $225.00 worth of food stamps. I had to switch to a cheaper insurance and skimp as much as possible on Dr. visits and medications. I've always been frugal, but switched it up to a new level, and am so glad I didn't quality and have to go through the humiliation and the judgements that abound around food stamp receipients. I think the new skills I've learned have given me even more of a sense of accomplishment, and I love sharing with others; I started a blog about frugal living, I'm busy all the time, keep active, learned to do all kinds of things, tile, hang doors, lay wood floors, all things I would have paid others for in the past. What a happy disaster this has all turned out to be – I can take 50 dollars and use that same money over and over with coupons and rebates. I can go to cvs and get Oil of Olay body wash, get my money back on ECB's and rebates, take that same money and buy something else. I go to walgreens and get free razors, then take their register returns to cub and buy groceries with those coupons. If I buy, for instance, 10 cereals on sale with coupons, I'll pay about $10.00; I can turn in the 10 boxtops to Kellogg and get a $10.00 gas card. All this saving is fun, and I live better now than I ever did when I made twice as much and scrimped all the time...
One more comment, Rebecca, I think so many people are overweight because of the quality of the food they eat, and perhaps poor ideas about that food (some put out by the government as well as by the food industry), as well as psychological and/or physical reasons. Depression makes it very difficult to make good jusdgements about food, and great difficulty in managing money, groceries, etc. There are a lot of people with depression on food stamps, and if they weren't depressed before, well skinking that low can certainly trigger that. And there are a lot of people with physical issues, as well, on food stamps, excasberated by eating poor food...seriously, It's hard to want to go for a jog or a run when you feel bad about yourself, or are in situations that are diffiuclt. And if you can't go out to eat at a nice restaurant with really good quality food, where would you treat yourself for a dinner out? McDonalds or someother place with a dollar menu? And if you can't afford a movie, or a concert, or a museum, or even bus fare to the museum, even on "free" night, or to go out to happy hour with friends, to go shopping, or bike riding, or a drive in the country, an outing on a boat or a snowmobile,scrapbooking supplies, or even a camera, maybe you'd treat yourself with some chips and a couple pops at home and a netflix? It just gets worse and worse in a huge downward spiral.
Thank you for your insights, you have restored my faith in mankind.
You have to be kidding me. Here in Florida I know 3 people who make a decent living, no bills because they live with friends and get $200 a month, a piece. They eat better than I do..in fact they trade off buying other people food for alcohol and smoke money. My tax dollars at work. They love Obama's new plan. Do nothing and get paid for it.
As much as you would like to think so, the food stamp program has nothing to do with Obama. It's been like this for decades.
"They love Obama's new plan. Do nothing and get paid for it."
Sorry, moron, what does Obama have to do with it again?
Um, actually this was a Republican plan from the 60s, back when the party wasn't steered by morons, or is that mormons? I can never tell witch. Get it? WITCH! ha ha ha ha aaa hum. Burn the Witch! ha ha ha ha. Which witch? lol lol lol. The liberal witch! bwahhhhhh ha ha ha ha! Hey, wait.... I'm not a witch, I'm YOU! bwahhhhhhhhahahahahaha I guess I should be more careful, otherwise that momma grisly will eat me..... Get it? Grisly – Grizzly Owe knows, I'm go'in rouge. Get it? Rouge i.e. republican make up aka rogue. As in rouges just make it up! Ohhh this is too much fun.... ha ahahahahahaha I stop for now. Whhheeeee look at me, I'm a COWBOY!!!
Turn them in, James, preferably in writing. It can be annonymous
Food stamps weren't meant to be the sole food source- it's a subsidy to help out. In a worst case scenario, it's still a great safety net that keeps those at need from starving. It's a great program that fulfills its purpose. We need to stop beating up these programs and look for additional ways to empower and employ our citizens.
This is not accurate. I know a mother with 3 kids in Kentucky getting 700$ a month in food stamps.
I would think it is easier if you have more people in your family. We would get $120 per week for our family of 4 and we could live on that. Although I am not sure where the author got their allotted number from – I know a family of 4 on food stamps and they get $700/month, which is enough to eat very well.
So sad! Tap water? How ever did you survive?
I don't find this accurate where i live people on food stamps eat better then me.. i see stakes in there carts and alot of other meat that i couldn't ever afford like shrimp and ribs.. this is not accurate at all.
"Stakes"? They have vampire issues?
And that's why you shouldn't do grocery shopping at night. I hate when people waste government money on stakes for vampires. It's all Obama's fault; I bet he's a vampire.
do you mean "steak" in "their" carts?
You saw meat and assume it was a nice cut of steak. Trust me, you could probably afford the same cuts. Also, these people are likely cutting up that meat and putting it in a dish so that the one steak will feed their whole family.
Jessica darling... It all depends on how you cut costs. I am on food stamps and I eat Lobster and Shrimp more than anyone in the world I believe. And this is how: I DON'T EAT AT MCDONALD'S EVERYDAY!!! I was raised eating seafood for protein not fast food for fat. Aplaud me for being healthy instead of degrading me for not living as you require "food stamp recipients" to live. MEDIUM LOBSTER TAIL $4.99, 1 LB OF COOKED SHIRMP $5.00...your health PRICELESS! (and I have two children) One meal at McDonald's is over $7.99 per person, add a salad to my purchase for $2.00 I can feed my whole family on a hot summer day!!!!!! TRY IT...YOU CAN AFFORD IT (so hush)!
haha I dont even eat this good and im far from needing food stamps, i guess people dont have it all that bad after all
Yeah, I've seen people at the grocery store buying with food stamps. They are almost always twice as big as I am and buying all sorts of junk food.
Lately at work I've been seeing folks buying Pizza Hut, Shakey's, and other delivery food with their EBT cards. You can also drive thru places like Jack-in-the-Box and other fast food drive thru's and use EBT cards! First of all that food isn't all that healthy. Second of all, I have never received any assistance even when I was in school...and I cannot afford to be ordering pizza, hot wings, and bread sticks at work! I also have seen EBT cards are accepted at Costco now. I've seen those folks in line, buying flat screen tv's and tons and tons of other stuff, plus a take out pizza at the end! What is the motivation to get a job and get off of food stamps...NONE! Some are also getting housing assistance and school tuition... and day care assistance...it makes me feel like I'm the fool sometimes, why am I working so hard?
Sandra, why are you going to sit here and lie? You know darn well that you don't see such things. It's illegal. The government WILL NOT PAY restaurants EBT funds. They can't even get set up to TRY to accept EBTs. Even if the business tried to get set up to accept food stamps, they would be denied by the government because they do not sell GROCERIES. Hot/prepared food does not qualify for EBT purchases. So no Pizza Hut, no fast food.
geekap
Sandra is not lying. Apparently the rules have changed and you can buy prepared foods now. I couldn't believe it, but I have seen it myself. They use the cards to buy candy, cokes, sandwiches, all kinds of junk. It's terrible.
I think what Sandra is referring to is the food stamp cards that also have cash allowances. Some states, probably most, put both food stamp and cash allowances on one debit card. Food stamps are not the only type of government assistance. And yes, I've seen the credit card machines at fast food places in Texas that also allow the "lone star" (Texas version of food stamp and other welfare) card.
Sandra's not lying. California is one such state that you can use your EBT card in almost ALL the fast food places.
Sounds like you did the best you could with what you had. No feasting, but no starving either. Bananas are cheap too, so that might have been a nice break to your applepalooza once in a while. At least you chose fairly healthy, filling foods like beans, peanut butter and apples. The lack of variety alone would be a good motivator for me to get off food stamps altogether.
Agreed. Bananas are 55c per pound. Apples are about $1.60 per pound right now.
Girl, apples are free if you can find a neighbor with an apple tree! Free for us around this time of year! OMG!
Bananas and milk prices are on the rise! And if egg prices do NOT come down soon, I'll be raising my own hens! lol
I could eat #5 everyday, that made me hungry just looking at it. To be honest, i could survive on $30.00 a week that's alot for a single person. But if you have a family it might, no you can still survive, as long if you know how to budget. No T-bone steaks, that's for sure!
I'm wondering if
1) You actually look at how much money you yourself spend on food because that's not alot by any means, even most women eat more than that.
2) You have any understanding of the fact that not all people's dietary needs are alike.
I could never live off $30 a week for food. I would be in the hospital in a month's time. I spend about $500 a month on food, which comes out to more than $100 a week. When I lived in an area that had good grocery store competition it was easier to get good deals by looking for coupons and using bonus cards. But those options don't exist where I live now, unless I want a free roll of toilet paper for buying 6 gallons of milk or some other nonsense like that.
And I'm not a heavy guy either. I only weigh 160 pounds and am average height. But what can I say? I have a very high metabolism, and I work hard at my job burning alot of calories. I can't help it, if I don't eat alot of food I wear down very fast and can't hardly do anything. I'm responsible with what I buy. I eat alot of pasta and reasonably priced things. I usually cook every few days, and make enough for two to three days at a time, and eat leftovers. About the only "splurge" I allow myself is buying boneless chicken breasts because I hate picking through bones for my meat. I only let myself have steak maybe twice a month because I worry that with all the food I eat that despite my very good health that maybe I should minimize red meat just to be safe.
Everyone is different. But $30 a day is pretty skimpy for most people.
I'm always amused by the accounts of how difficult it is to get by on food stamps. Perhaps that's true for a family with kids. However, where I live, a single person gets $46 per week ($200 per month) and I had no difficulty eating well spending this amount. I didn't purchase as much meat and ate more soup. I ate both fresh and frozen veggies (lots of fresh spinach).
So donnez-moi un break.
Then go vegetarian. Meat is pretty expensive. As a veggie I routinely save huge amounts compared to my omnivorous friends, on the weekly shop. You don't have to be a dreadlocked stinky hippie to be a veggie. Regular people are too.
On the other hand, some people cannot do well trying that. After two years my health was in shambles. I was always hungry, couldn't eat enough to curb my appetite for more than a couple hours. It was ridiculous. Everyone's dietary needs are different.
Yes, I could live off of $30 a week for groceries, because I know I could get a whole basket of fresh fruits and vegetables for $10, a whole roasting chickens for $6, a bag of brown rice, wheat bread and other items with the rest of the money. I would use coupons and do whatever else it took to keep from going hungry. I am single, so it would work for me. I'm quite sure the food stamp funds increase for a larger family. Never been on food stamps, but I glad it's around to help those in need.
Bravo for fostering your inability to step outside your little world and see what's going on around you. Bravo.
This is such BS. My husband and I usually have a $60-$85/week grocery bill and we don't eat like poor folks. For $30-42 per week per person we never go hungry or eat this kind of processed crap. We also grow our own vegetables and herbs, and it astounds me how many unemployed people would rather watch Jerry Springer than plant a garden.
Perhaps many of these people don't have a place to plant a garden? Your suggestion assumes available soil.
I lived in an apartment for 8 years and had a balcony garden. There are community gardens, kitchen-counter gardens, etc. It's not for everyone, but most unemployed people I know have the space and don't use it.
oh, you think eververyone who has an apartment has a balcony. Uh, no.
And where in the inner city is a person supposed to create a garden? You think asphalt makes a good soil? You live in the country or a suburb with large yards. Even some of my neighbors don't have enough land around their home to really make a decent garden. You are the decider of who is or is not lazy.
asphalt?....um container gardening.....
If you live in the city you usually have close access to stores.
I have the luxury of being able to garden, but the disadvantage of living away from the store.
Everyone has advantages and disadvantages.....you make the best of your situation. If it's important to you, you find a way. If it's not you find an EXCUSE.......
Spot on Molly!
I probably need to survive on this to lose weight.
According where you live, you could eat very well on $30/week. But it takes buying fresh and preparing the meals yourself. Stay away from prepared foods. You'd probably end up eating less, but far healtier than what most Americans eat.
Where you live makes a huge difference. Especially in the fresh fruit and veggie department in some cases they cant be obtained at any price you simply have to have bus or cab fare to acquire them.
I fail to see how this is any big accomplishment. When I was on food stamps, it was a step up for me compared to how I was eating previously. I actually struggled to use all of the money each month. I bought a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, other healthy things, and almost never brought frozen or pre-packaged meals.
I'm single and working...thank goodness for that. However, my budget and income are almost nil. I"ve trained my body to survive on one – two meals a day. Pasta and Sandwiches. Food is all I think about when I'm at the office. Ironically I pay more each month for the previlidge of taking transit to work than feeding myself to be at work. Somethings got to change.
Go to a food bank. Preferably before you die of starvation or scurvy.
I can say from personal experience – DO NOT DO THIS. I'm 80 pounds under weight (6'5, 145.6, supposed to be 220) from this behaviour. I have only just recently reversed my body cannibalizing itself. Don't be a fool – get on food stamps. YOU CANNOT SURVIVE ON 800 CALORIES A DAY.
For the love of heaven, go apply for SNAP/foodstamps IMMEDIATELY. If food is all you think about at work you are starving!. LITERALLY. If you are not consuming at LEAST 1800 calories a day as an adult man, you are malnourished. And please, it may seem hard, but splurge on a decent multivitamin immediately! It could just save your life! Scurvy and beri-beri (too little Vit.C and B vits respectively) are not jokes. You can die from them. If you don't qualify for SNAP for some reason, locate a community food bank ASAP. PLEASE!
Hope things get better for you – in all seriousness. Please take better care of yourself!
Maybe they ought to start feeding this diet to the morbidly obese. Then we won't have to pay for their weight loss surgeries with higher insurance premiums!
AMEN! But, idiots would say that is cruel punishment, so are those fat slobs.
I'm not sure where you got your #s from but in NY a family of 4 (2A2C) get 492/month last I checked. In addition, the 2C get free lunch program and free breakfast at school. Those on food stamps in my state are able to eat very well.
$492 X 12 (months) / 52 (weeks) / 4 (2A2C) = $28.39
Thank you.
You do realize that is 30 per person per week, the same that the author spent.
wouldn't that calculate to $1560.00 per month?
alternative, if the 2C do use the free meal for breakfast/lunch 5 days a week, that leaves $2.10 per each meal per person
1 person living on 30/week is not a ton of $$$, but the majority of people on foodstamps are families. Do this article again with a 500 food budget for the month and you'll see just how much that really is. The average family spends way less than $500 a month for food.
Well let's do the math. A family of 4 with a food budget of $492 a month comes out to $123 a person, $4.10 for each person's daily food allowance ($1.37 per meal). Those 4 people over 30 days consume 360 meals, or 84 over 7 days. On person consumes 21 meals over 7 days. So, that comes out to $28.77 a week for one person.
Free school lunches are hardly adequate meals to begin with. But let's say that the two kids get 46 meals a typical month (23 free lunches for each child). That means the family now only provides 316 meals over 30 days, and 74 meals in a week, from their food stamps, or $1.56 per meal. At that rate, their 74 meals budget is $115.44, or $28.88 per person per week.
Good luck to you to try to budget yourself only $1.56 per meal.
Good point. I think a lot of these people are taking their own problems out on others and making conclusions without getting all the facts. Well ...and they obviously can't do math either.
Ok then, how many people in your family and how much do you spend on food- not toiletries in a week? There are 2 of us in my household. We spend approx 250/month on food and I admit to buying LOTS of preprocessed foods and premade stuff. We eat beef once a week, chicken 1-2 times per week, pasta twice a week, and boneless pork once a week too for dinner. For lunch I buy frozen meals or pack leftovers. For breakfast my husband likes fiber one bars and I like cereal and juice. That leaves me 250/month to feed 2 children. If I had another 250 for food for 2 kids we'd be eating VERY well. If a family of 4 can't eat well on 500/month WHAT are they buying? 500 a month for a family of 4 is a ton of $$. What exactly is a 'fair budget' for food for a family of 4? The idea of spending 750 or 1K a month for food for 2adults and 2 kids is outrageous to me. I wouldn't even know where to begin to spend that kind of $$$. We'd eat like KINGS.
this is not accurate for what familys on food stamps live off of.... i have seen the waste given to these people. now being as its america those that may truely need it probably get the $30 a week while those that just pop out kids and are lazy living off of my taxes are getting way more than that and eat better than i can... thanks america
Exactly. In fact there here is a story about people in Jacksonville, FL using their ‘food stamp’ cards buying weave at a local shop.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/28590648/detail.html?treets=jax&tml=jax_12pm&ts=T&tmi=jax_12pm_1_11450207192011
AGREED! I'm aware of a few people myself that receive food stamps, and it's absolutely more than $30 a week per person! These families have a MUCH better shopping advantage than I do, and eat way better than me and my children. While IM the one who works 2 damn jobs to be able to live the life we have! It's sickening!
Many of these people are WORKING poor, holding down two and three jobs. And they may have had kids when things were good financially. Especially these days, a lot of people are one paycheck away from disaster. If you are short on food there are other options including church food pantries, fresh food giveaways (available to anyone, regardless of income) and discounted food (pay $15 up front and get $25-30 worth of food at month's end, again, no means testing involved.)
@ Floretta
Yes, most of those people do have kids. But they have them regardless of their financial situation. That’s one of the leading problems. If you only make $8 an hour you have no business popping out 6 kids by 6 different deadbeat fathers.
@Sean
The average size of a family receiving public assistance is 2.1 including the parent. It's a myth that everyone on public assistance has a horde of children.
@Frank
I’m not sure where you live, but here in Florida it is no myth. I see it with my own eyes every two weeks when I go grocery shopping. I hear it walking in the mall. See it in news articles.(seen in my other posts). I believe you are confusing your statistics. The average FAMILY is 2.1, not the average family on food stamps. I might be wrong about this and I’m open to that. Please post where you got that number.
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Maybe hysterectomies should be a requirement for food stamps? That's a joke, just in case you weren't sure and would actually support something like that.
I think he is referring to a single person with a $30 budget... not a family. I would never be able to feed my family on $30 and we are already pretty frugal.
I feed two for less than that, one a 19 year old who eats like a horse, and brings the rest of the herd around, sometimes! I work at it though. Last year I spent about 964 on all my groceries, personal items, cleaning items; several months we had five people living here, and I was so stocked up, I bought barely anything for the first five months of this year. I have a 12 strategy plan, if you're interested: http://frugalhausfrau.wordpress.com/
AND THEN – WHAT BURNS ME UP EVEN MORE – you end up behind them at the grocery store with their 2 carts full (shopping spree on us taxpayers!), see them pay with the food stamp/govt. card, THEN you end up seeing them in the parking lot still loading all their groceries into a nicer vehicle than you can afford to drive! This has been a "thorn in my side" forever!!!
Lol aaron, clearly you have never had a kid as they do not simply "pop" out. Seriously, many people had very adequate salaries, good jobs, savings, the whole nine yards BEFORE they lost jobs, or had severe medical crises not covered by insurance (lost with their former jobs.) It does not take much for a person to end up destitute these days and dependent on food stamps, among other assistance. And how in the world are the poor eating better than you can if you are working? Poor financial management? Spend it on electronics, cars, extracurricular activities?
Unfortunate that’s not what normally happens. Not everyone on food stamps is there because of their own doing. Like it or not however most are. It’s a lifestyle, a choice. Passed from one generation to the next. FACT is you get more benefits for the each child you have. An unwanted pregnancy is just a raise. You hear about it in the news all the time. Children running the streets unsupervised as young as 3 – 4.
Sean- If you see children that young running the streets unsupervised, call CPS and/or the police. You wouldn't believe how much it shapes people up.
Wonderful little project and all but food stamps are never intended to be your only source of food. They are a supplement. If you are that bad off you should be hitting soup kitchens and food pantries.
If you are that poorly off, you should be getting off your lazy butt and getting a job!
He's not that "poorly off". It's called "an experiment".
That is an easy diet. Mostly what I eat anyway, except for peanut butter – which I hate.
I bought a weeks worth of oatmeal for a buck this week. and a whole chicken is like 3 bucks. which should last one person 2 to 3 meals. you could make a roast chicken and make a chicken sandwich for leftovers. and frozen veggies are usually a buck a bag. and rice is ridiculously cheap. I don't know why this is an issue.
Where are you getting a whole chicken for $3???? The cheapest I can get one is $5-6.
Jen...you can find them on sale for a few bucks once in a while...buy a few and freeze them.
even if it's six bucks, if it provides you with three or more meals, then who cares.
You can get them for $3 at the Asian supermarkets.
Because of all the things you've just mentioned, there's just not alot of substance, even for most women's needs. As a man, nothing you've said there would hold me for even two hours, much less from meal to meal. Especially doing it constantly, day in and day out.
um, how is a chicken sandwich not filling?
Monica-I'd like to know where you bought a whole chicken for 3 bucks. And aaron–I invite you to visit any homeless or domestic violence shelter in America. You will see exactly who is "living off of" your taxes= vets, children people with mental health issues, people who didn't have proper nutrition growing up, and those lacking the education, training and aptitude to pull themselves out of there. Seriously-check it out. It's a lot easier to write your invalid opinions than it is to back them up with experience.
I totally agree. I can't believe this person ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Girst off jelly is simply empty calories. And espresso.......that probably cost 1/3 of the week's food budget. Stock with pasta, canned or frozen vegetables, non grand name soups and bread, hamburger, whole chickens that can be used for multiple meals, turkey polish sausage, stire brand cheese,etc. I can feed 2 for $30.00 a week easily (no coupons needed).
Don't forget the soup you can make from the chicken carcass!
its great training for this job market. I'm sure with the salaries they pay producers at CNN, $30/week is what the poster needs to spend on food in order to be able to save for a house or retirement.
I’ve seen SNAP, food stamp users, in grocery stores making poor choices like you admitted to. Maybe some nutrition and cooking education should be offered to these poor souls along with the food stamps. Making meals from scratch with inexpensive ingredients seems to be a lost art with the generation X and Y as the media has raised them to buy fast food and prepared foods decimating their pocket book and health.
I agree. Watch sales, cut coupons, learn to cook. There's been a few hard times in my life where I had to feed my family of 5 on that much! Literally no one I know on food stamps uses coupons or buys things on sale, or makes things from scratch! For example, I just bought four cans of Ortega black beans today for nothing using coupons.
Things are broken on several levels. 1. Food stamp users and all "hungry" people should be required to attend mandatory nutrition classes where resources and guidelines are shared. 2. With modern technology, stricter limits can be imposed for "food stamp eligible" items. A suggestion: 70% or more of each food stamp account usage needs to be allocated to raw ingredients like fruit, vegetables, rice, pasta, oatmeal. The other 30% can be used towards other items. Thoughts???
you just can't buy food from your food stamps, for example you can't buy a whole chicken thats already cooked for $5, you have to buy a raw chicken which cost more plus the oil and the energy cost of cooking it.
I live very frugally, and have even offered to help/share coupons with a young couple I know on food stamps, just to get them started. They had no interest. Later, I found out Instead they bought pop, sold it to the neightborhood kids at a profit, used that profit to buy beer, which they sold to the neighborhood kids, used that profit to buy drugs, and so on. The sad thing was they looked down their noses at me, but they'll probably never have a car that runs decently or a home, or any stability in their lives that comes from living in a neighborhood. I know they are a vast minority, but I also know a lot of people don't like to work so hard to save money. I feel sick if I go to the store without first having surveyed what I have, checked what;s on sale, gathered my coupons, made a menu and a list.
There is a program in Cooperative Extension that teaches people how to shop and cook on a limited income, it's called EFNEP (Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program). PErhaps it, or something like it, could be implemented as mandatory for people using food stamps. Who knows, it might could cut some of the junk food buying.
junk food?He didn't buy any unless you consider fruit junk food and programs are not always were you live also so many food banks are cutting back because of the increase
like what salt and pepper?
Bravo Sheila ! You did it! Thanks for the follow up post.
I could easily live on $30 per person per week because I watched my mother live on a similarly tight budget growing up. She fed a family of 5 by budgeting, planning, coupon cutting and knowing when to say no to her children. She showed me how and why it worked. If I had to, I could switch on that skill. I saw how hard it was on her to live like that and I work very hard not to have that kind of stress in my life – and I don't (knock on wood). My family lives well beneath our income just so we don't have to live hand-to-mouth in any aspect of our lives.
It's sad that so many young parents today weren't taught these skills by their parents years ago.
There is a key statement in your post that should be part of more people's lives:
>My family lives well beneath our income
There is plenty of true poverty in this country, but there is a fair percentage that just don't manage money well. I have plenty of friends, neighbors and co-workers who earn more than enough to live on but piss away money on things they don't need but feel they deserve. No one needs a BMW. If you buy one and then talk about tough econimic times, I will turn a deaf ear to you and also be more than a little offended when this type of stupidity derails a discussion on poverty and the very real problems that need to be addressed.
au contraire. Just by your comment and others, this article has brought an awareness of hunger in America to people that normally wouldn't think about it.
BMW are you kidding me, when you live on $30 a week you are not buying a BMW you are woried about bus fare that is going up all the time,give me a break!