General Discussion

Arkansas Granny

(32,265 posts)

89. What cash? At that time, my only income was child support which barely covered

Sun Apr 22, 2012, 11:05 AM

Apr 2012

utilities and the small amount of rent that I was responsible for. Replacing a pair of worn out shoes was a major expenditure. Most of our clothes came from hand-me-downs and second hand stores. I had gone back to school so I could get a job paying better than minimum wage, but I didn't think I could do school, care for 4 kids and work outside the home without something suffering and it would probably have been the kids. Friends and family were supportive, but they were just barely scraping by themselves, so there was no financial help there.

I had a few advantages: I had grown up in a very frugal home, I had learned to cook at an early age and since I had elected to stay home during this time, I was able to spend the time necessary to cook many of the really cheap meals. It wasn't easy, but we always had food on the table, even if it wasn't really what you really wanted to eat.

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Food Stamp Challenge starts on 4/23 - can you live on $35 a week for food? (no free/already bought) [View all] Liberal_in_LA Apr 2012 OP

I guess my family already does this GobBluth Apr 2012 #1

you don't do it because: "we got a lot of meat for free." HiPointDem Apr 2012 #99

But we eat meat maybe twice a week. GobBluth Apr 2012 #113

terms of the challenge are nothing for free. so you don't do it. HiPointDem Apr 2012 #114

At one time in my life, I fed myself and 4 children on food stamps. Arkansas Granny Apr 2012 #2

Although you say meat is more of a flavoring, implying that is a bad thing, nobodyspecial Apr 2012 #12

Didn't you supplement the food stamps with SOME cash? I think that's what most people Honeycombe8 Apr 2012 #77

What cash? At that time, my only income was child support which barely covered Arkansas Granny Apr 2012 #89

+1 Gormy Cuss Apr 2012 #115

I could izquierdista Apr 2012 #3

I don't think the challenge allows eating from your backyard because most people on food stamps Liberal_in_LA Apr 2012 #7

many people on food stamps where I live have gardens cali Apr 2012 #78

I realize the challange doesn't allow it but that is a bit non-realistic. FedUpWithIt All Apr 2012 #104

Oooo blackberries Aerows Apr 2012 #27

You've had blackberries before April? muriel_volestrangler Apr 2012 #96

Southern MS Aerows Apr 2012 #98

I suppose I could; I'll grant it wouldn't be fun or particularly easy...but why in the world Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #4

to experience how people on food stamps live/eat Liberal_in_LA Apr 2012 #5

And I would want to do that...why, exactly? Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #10

I suppose the thinking is, when someone says to you, closeupready Apr 2012 #13

Being poor is a negative experience. What public polices should be enacted to ameliorate Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #15

Aren't those Marie Antoinette's famous last words? closeupready Apr 2012 #16

Actually, Marie Antoinette's last words were: Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #20

I think realizing it one's head & in one's body are different experiences. HiPointDem Apr 2012 #101

Some people can't afford their own car, and have to use public transportation. Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #103

If it allows empathy or understanding to other people who may not have your insight, LanternWaste Apr 2012 #106

It's my experience that you can't really know without the experience. Not sure that playacting HiPointDem Apr 2012 #112

so we don't become as clueless and insensitive as Mitt Romney Liberal_in_LA Apr 2012 #17

While I'm no fan of cluelessness, I think sensitivity is overrated. Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #21

Feelings propel actions. Lex Apr 2012 #22

Not necessarily. Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #25

Mawkish sentimentality? Aerows Apr 2012 #33

"Mawkish sentimentality" was a big strawman offered Lex Apr 2012 #42

No kidding Aerows Apr 2012 #45

Well I'll tell you what.... JNelson6563 Apr 2012 #61

To each their own. Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #64

Every time Atlas Shrugs Ikonoklast Apr 2012 #83

However, in many cases, our actions certainly are predicated on our emotions. And rather than gettin LanternWaste Apr 2012 #108

okay Mitt nt U4ikLefty Apr 2012 #74

I believe the intent is to raise awareness of the choices available to those Arkansas Granny Apr 2012 #35

Since I use my own money to buy food, I'm perfectly aware of what $35 will buy. Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #102

yes... justabob Apr 2012 #6

how do you make do? Liberal_in_LA Apr 2012 #32

well justabob Apr 2012 #53

I love the 99cent store..... blueamy66 Apr 2012 #95

i don't know why anybody should have to... KG Apr 2012 #8

I don't either. SammyWinstonJack Apr 2012 #18

Yes, but it would be difficult. closeupready Apr 2012 #9

the challenge doesn't include using stuff you already have on hand CreekDog Apr 2012 #50

Can do for even less, if I coupon to death. Zax2me Apr 2012 #11

you have to keep your eye out for sale prices cali Apr 2012 #41

are you driving and gassing up to go find sales? CreekDog Apr 2012 #51

You really don't aimlessly drive around looking for deals. nobodyspecial Apr 2012 #70

When I was a kid all american girl Apr 2012 #14

Funny you say you can't stand tuna casserole closeupready Apr 2012 #54

per person? That is more than we spend CBGLuthier Apr 2012 #19

same here - 35 a week is about 100 more a month than I spend for two people sammytko Apr 2012 #28

and so much of it tastes so much better CBGLuthier Apr 2012 #30

Have you ever tried making yogurt cheese? GoCubsGo Apr 2012 #37

Sort of CBGLuthier Apr 2012 #46

We spend less than that most weeks too but have a larger family. FedUpWithIt All Apr 2012 #105

I'm near that level, but without food stamps. freshwest Apr 2012 #23

Me, too. GoCubsGo Apr 2012 #34

That's very good. I try to go for all fresh food. I have to eat it fast, though, or lose it. freshwest Apr 2012 #44

I have shopped at Aldi. RebelOne Apr 2012 #47

They have some fantastic produce deals this week. GoCubsGo Apr 2012 #48

I grew up in a large family Mojorabbit Apr 2012 #24

How many people is that supposed to feed? ceile Apr 2012 #26

Just one person - each is alloted 35 dollars a week. n/t sammytko Apr 2012 #29

one person Liberal_in_LA Apr 2012 #31

Food stamp benefits are not intended to pay for all groceries, that's why as income rises... JVS Apr 2012 #56

I just did a quick bit of googling, and the maximum benefits for a single person seems to be $200 Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #57

That's a maximum national benefit amount, not an average benefit. Gormy Cuss Apr 2012 #91

I agree it's not the average, but my understanding is that as one increases one's resources Johnny Rico Apr 2012 #92

Easy Dokkie Apr 2012 #36

We eat a lot of grits for breakfast Aerows Apr 2012 #38

No, I cannot. MrSlayer Apr 2012 #39

I lived on about $35 or less in college - About $5/day was typical. OneTenthofOnePercent Apr 2012 #40

That's all I ever spend a week for food for one person, except for holidays. Yo_Mama Apr 2012 #43

I already do every week. Odin2005 Apr 2012 #49

I make it under that but that's because I believe the grocery stores do not deserve to have my money RB TexLa Apr 2012 #52

Damn evil grocery stores... TheCruces Apr 2012 #66

Nothing evil. They just don't deserve to have it. RB TexLa Apr 2012 #67

Why not? Is it just grocery stores or does this extend to other stores? TheCruces Apr 2012 #75

It extends to anyone. I worked for the money, I deserve to have it. RB TexLa Apr 2012 #76

When you buy food, you ARE "having" your money. You are using it to stay alive & be healthy. Honeycombe8 Apr 2012 #79

Saving is obviously good, but if you're just being cheap to hoard it, that's kind of weird & selfish TheCruces Apr 2012 #97

And we reap the results! Lars39 Apr 2012 #100

Try living on $86/mo as a friend of mine gets here in TX. hobbit709 Apr 2012 #55

In Santa Cruz, CA? varelse Apr 2012 #58

I could yes, but I live alone Rex Apr 2012 #59

I could eat on 35 a week panader0 Apr 2012 #60

maybe but i don't know how it would be very healthy JI7 Apr 2012 #62

I tried it and found the opposite to be true. WorseBeforeBetter Apr 2012 #63

I agree nobodyspecial Apr 2012 #69

I took advantage of the cheapie "Manager's Special"... WorseBeforeBetter Apr 2012 #72

it's not easy and it takes thought and skill but I do cali Apr 2012 #80

Nope! Only if I grew a lot of my own and that would require having some property Cleita Apr 2012 #65

I bet you could. cali Apr 2012 #81

That wasn't what I meant. I meant wouldn't home ownership disqualify one? Cleita Apr 2012 #84

no, it doesn't disqualify you. cali Apr 2012 #86

i could probably do it... keroro gunsou Apr 2012 #68

I would love to think that I could but I know better....food stamps must be unbelievably hard Rowdyboy Apr 2012 #71

I can do it for less than that. I am not going to. jmowreader Apr 2012 #73

I think this is for all who have never had to do that. closeupready Apr 2012 #82

is this challenge because the repugs in congress newspeak Apr 2012 #90

For anyone who wants to take this challenge and likes to cook cali Apr 2012 #85

That's just about what I spend now... Fumesucker Apr 2012 #87

I imagine it's hard if you're not into cooking. cali Apr 2012 #88

I balance out the more expensive stuff with cheaper stuff.. Fumesucker Apr 2012 #93

I already do, but sometimes I don't, and that makes ALL the difference. hunter Apr 2012 #94

probably but it would be a lot of crap food which is high in sodium & starches. WI_DEM Apr 2012 #107

quite the opposite is true. cali Apr 2012 #111

Per individual? redqueen Apr 2012 #109

I've started making my own cleaning products cali Apr 2012 #110