You are invited to participate in the Food Stamp Diet, March 2-8. The food stamp diet limits you to spending $3 a day for your food and drink. This is what the average American on food stamps receives.
This blog is intended to provide a place for those participating in the food stamp diet to share ideas on expensive food sources and receipts.
For example, last year when I did this I bought all my bread from the day old rack at Kroger.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This is a great blog and I look forward to the exchange of ideas amongst everyone! I would like to share for everyone to be sure to check out their local 99 Cent Store. This is a great place to find bags of pasta, beans, bread and even produce for $1.00 or less. Many times I've walked out with a five pound bag of bananas for $1.00! :)
ReplyDeleteYES! 99 Cent stores are getting more and more fresh produce. Call to see what time the butcher dept. at groceries place their reduced meats out. Bob bought a 6 # pork shoulder for $6. It, along with a whole chicken and 1 # of ground beef will be done for 3 main meals and then seen again as chalupas or wraps, using tortillas as our only bread through the week...Bean soup will be a staple and eggs are a cheap form of protein too.
ReplyDeleteI'm in! I bought my groceries today.
ReplyDelete1/2 gal skim milk - $1.49
1 doz eggs - $1.59
rice - $1.15
lentils - $1.19
canned chicken (3 cans)- $2.99
1 lb coffee (aint giving that up) - $2.59
3 cans condensed chicken noodle soup (.59 each) - $1.77
1 loaf of bread - $.88
peanut butter - $1.58
fresh turnip greens - $.79
jelly - $1.49
oatmeal - $1.19
salt/pepper - $1.19
1 can of tuna - $1.00
Total - $20.89
I've started! It is interesting to me to see how people choose to spend their $3/day. I spent mine at Walmart:
ReplyDelete1.88 18 eggs
2.50 5 lbs potatoes
1.44 Loaf of whole wheat bread
0.90 4 bananas
2.08 Frozen Mixed Vegetables
0.44 One minneloa (an orange)
1.50 36 corn tortillas
0.74 Bag of Pinto Beans
1.42 Bag of White Rice
1.72 Bag of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie mix (gotta have dessert!)
0.50 Box of Mac & Cheese
0.98 Can of Spaghetti sauce
1.36 18 oz jar of peanut butter
0.74 Can of Tuna
1.98 1 Gallon Milk
-.40 1 Coupon
Total $19.78
That gives me a $1.22 reserve fund!
I'm ready! My strategy included saving all the store ads I received last week. I had 6 total. I planned most of my meals around the sale items listed. The day I went, I took a list and left the kids home with hubby. I only purchased items that were on my list. We are a family of 4 (two are under 5 years old). That gives us $12 per day as a family. For the week, this gives us $84 for groceries. Here is what I got:
ReplyDeleteSprouts:
0.99 whole cantalope
0.99 whole cantalope
1.00 kiwi (5 total)
0.71 4 roma tomatoes
TOTAL: 3.69
Tom Thumb:
0.94 broccoli crowns(almost 1 lb.)
0.49 iceberg lettuce
1.99 apples (3 lb. bag)
1.99 gallon of milk
1.99 gallon of milk
1.48 bananas (2.6 lb.)
0.50 can of peaches (w/$1 off coupon)
0.50 can of peaches (w/$1 off coupon)
0.00 Dr. Pepper 2 liter (free with coupon)
0.69 can of Ranch beans
0.88 chicken soup
0.88 chicken soup
0.88 chicken soup
TOTAL: 13.21
Walgreens:
1.00 2 boxes jello (w/2 for $1 coupon)
TOTAL 1.00
Albertsons:
0.88 tuna
0.88 tuna
0.67 can diced tomatoes
0.67 can diced tomatoes
0.88 sour cream
0.88 hot dog buns
0.98 dozen eggs
0.88 butter
0.88 pillsbury biscuits
1.49 bag of pinto beans
0.88 box of Saltine crackers
0.88 Cheerios (w/1.00 off coupon)
0.49 Totino Pizza rolls (w/$1 off coupon)
0.88 one eggplant
TOTAL: 12.22
Kroger:
1.00 cottage cheese
1.49 bag of rice
1.49 jar of jelly
1.58 jar of peanut butter
0.71 Chef Boyardee pasta n sauce
0.71 Chef Boyardee pasta n sauce
0.71 Chef Boyardee ravioli
0.71 Chef Boyardee ravioli
1.79 flour tortillas
1.25 cream cheese
0.50 bag of pasta (w/$1 off coupon)
0.61 bag of spaghetti
1.00 hot dogs
0.69 mustard
1.69 mayo
1.22 shredded cheese (w .90 off coupon)
1.15 ketchup
0.25 bag of Lipton noodles n sauce (w/.75 off coupon)
0.25 bag of Lipton noodles n sauce (w/.75 off coupon)
0.94 Brownie mix (w/$1.05 off coupon)
TOTAL: 19.74
Target:
2.49 bag of potatoes, 5lb
2.00 grapes, 2lb.
1.32 bag of sugar
5.19 instant coffee
1.50 Eggo waffles
TOTAL: 12.50
GRAND TOTAL: $62.36
This still leaves $21.64 (84.00 - 62.36), if needed.
Thanks for the tip about the 99 cent store. We were able to save what I had budgeted for bread, frozen vegetables, and get produce with the savings!
ReplyDeleteAre we allowed to drink coffee, tea, etc., that is provided free at our workplace?
ReplyDeletejcrof1,
ReplyDeletewe will have to ask Ken, but I would think that would be okay. I think you could look at free coffee and tea as a workplace perk. That's a great question, I hadn't thought of that. :)
jcrof1,
ReplyDeleteyour welcome :) The 99 Cent store suprised me too, I thought it was only nonperishables. I hear they are adding items all the time to attract business. It's like a bargain convenience store!
What a meaningful challenge Ken has given us! It took me less than a day to realize how spoiled I am regarding food. A favorite treat is coffee for $1 at QT - instead of $3-$4 at Starbucks. Nearing the QT, it hit me that would be 1/3 of my daily food allowance!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear about the 99 Cent Store. I bought sale lettuce so have plenty salad (along with sale cheese and homemade croutons). I bought an onion and made great onion soup (3 servings) with bouillion broth, homemade croutons and sale cheese. An easy meal is fried corn tortillas (about 10 cents each) with melted cheese (20 cents)along with a little salad. Another bargain was (good) frozen chicken tenderloins at Wal-Mart - 40 oz. for $6; figures out to less than 20 cents each.
Pat
I certainly have thought more about food and can't help but wonder how children can focus on learning and passing the test - while they are hungry.