Living on food stamps

[Granny square]

This entire thread is ridiculous and reeks of middle class privilege. I understand what OP is trying to teach her kids, but it's impossible to throw in all of the variables that a low-income family faces. Anybody who has replied talking about how they easily spend under the food stamp $$ shame on you! I dare you to walk a mile in a poor person's shoes.

Poverty isn't about lack of money, is truly a cultural phenomenon. You need to erase every ounce of knowledge about nutrition in your brain. Get rid of your pots, pans, ovens, stove top, blenders, food processors, and toasters. Now work 16 hours a day and raise 3 kids on your own. If you're lucky enough to have a college education, you're paying a good chunk of your salary towards your loans. You don't have a car and most impoverished areas don't have a grocery store within a mile, so you're forced to grocery shop at 7-11. You basically easy out of cans and bags, because you don't have the equipment or time to cook. You don't have health insurance or internet because you're pinching every last penny. Most food pantries, if you're lucky enough to have one within walking distance or the bus line, only allow customers to be served twice a year.

These are the people I serve everyday. These stories are the norm, not the exception. Until you've experienced poverty, it's impossible to understand the importance of cultural capital. Have you ever actually applied for SNAP? When I was going through a rough time, I applied to see just how hard it was. Despite qualifying for the full amount, it took 11 months to receive my first benefits! They don't have a phone # or email so you have to keep taking days off work to show up at DSS and hope your caseworker is in. If he/she had the day off, they won't serve you and you've wasted a work day. It SUCKS.

Not every school has free/reduced lunch, and a good number of kids are toO embarrassed to accept it. I never attended a school that served meals, and honestly thought that was a regional thing

This isn't a masters thesis or "black like me" good grief. It is a middle class project to learn skills and cause discussion. There isn't anything wrong with being middle class, lol. No reason to be shamed by it. It sounds more like you just have issues that still need dealt with.

 

[ilovemk76]

Apparently I'm much more than "thrifty" I just increased my grocery budget for DD12 and myself to $200/month, and I think that's living crazy large LOL I guess they need to add a "downright cheap" category to the chart for people like me

But honestly, we eat fine so I'm not sure what people spend that much money on My budget doesn't include paper or cleaning products, but even if I added those in, I wouldn't come up to the thrifty level. I buy a lot of store brands, and we eat mainly chicken for meat just because it's easy to cook (I'm a working single Mom) and reasonably healthy. But we also eat steak, fish, etc. - a fairly normal diet, although not too much prepared stuff (not healthy and I can usually make something better tasting cheaper). I'm in Northern California, so nothing is cheap, although in-season produce is a good deal since we're near the heart of California's growing region and I focus heavily on that. I use coupons here and there but nothing significant, and the only sales I really chase are on meat.

So what the heck is everyone buying that I'm not???? I can't imagine spending $300+ on groceries in a month - we'd be swimming in food!

DH and I spend $400+ per month. I can't imagine what you and your DD eat on $50 a week. That is $7 a day for 6 meals.

5 lbs of potatoes are $2.50 on sale. A dozen eggs are $1.69. A whole chicken is $1.29/lb. a green pepper can be $1.50. A half gallon of skim milk is $2. Fish is upwards of $10/lb for wild caught. We do not eat talapia since most comes from china. A can of tuna, white in water and no added salt, is $3.29.

I find it just as odd to claim you are eating a well balanced and unprocessed diet on so little.

 

[Granny square]

So much depends on where you live. We pay $.99 a pound for a whole fryer, $2 for fresh eggs at the farmers market, buy seasonal veggies or frozen on sale. I picked up four pork shoulders for $1.49 a lb this week. We Make bread and noodles from scratch and eat lots of soups. I couldn't do it for $50 a week but I have a house full of teen boys not one little person. So well balanced doesn't have to be expensive if you want to put work into it.

I will also say that we don't eat to be stuffed, but to not be hungry. They are welcome to have more later, or whip up something of their own. I think we, as a nation, have a warped view on serving sizes. But that is another soap box for another time.

 

[DawnM]

There IS a word for that!

I use it with my kids.

It is called THOIL.

http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/678

I love it. It distinguishes the needs from the wants.

Dawn

I can see where that would be confusing as well.



I have had to explain that to my kids, too, especially my 8yo. Just the other day he asked for something and without thinking I said we didn't have the money for that. Then I bought him socks and he said "I thought you didn't have any money" so I had to explain to him that I didn't have any money that wasn't set aside to pay for something specific in the budget. Sometimes I forget that while I've explained this to the older kids before, I haven't explained it to the youngest.

 

[DawnM]

This must be Pennsylvania.

The portfolio review does not need to be this detailed. It can often be as simply as a review of curriculum used, books read, and a few samples of student work.


http://home.comcast.net/~askpauline/hs/homeschoolportfolios.html

Every single lesson for every single subject for every single day is NOT necessary.

They simply wish to see progress and learning taking place and that the child is advancing academically.

Dawn

I think you need to define the "critical skills" that are your objectives.

Are they supposed to be learning decimals in math? What are they supposed to be studying in history/social studies...European history? American history? World Cultures? What about their science objectives? Are they supposed to be doing earth sciences? space? an environmental unit?

I know that homeschooling in my state requires portfolios to be reviewed by the school district and testing of the student every spring. I would be more concerned about how this kind of lesson fits with the educational objectives the children must meet to satisfy the requirements. As you probably know already, homeschooling parents can't just teach whatever they feel like teaching. There's a lot of documentation involved. You might want to present this idea to whatever network of homeschooling parents that you communicate with. They will be able to help you round out your lesson plans so that you meet the requirements.

And BTW, no, I won't be joining you in your challenge. First of all, because I don't believe that SNAP is intended to provide all the food a family needs. It is meant to supplement a grocery budget. And secondly, I grew up in a family that was just a hair above qualifying for Food Stamps, which means that we didn't eat as well as the kids who were on assistance. I've had my fill of meals consisting of canned tuna, spaghetti noodles with margarine and saltine crackers thrown in just to fill our stomachs because that's what was on the shelf when the money ran out. I'd only revisit those days if circumstances forced me to do it. And I certainly wouldn't subject my kids to eating like that if I can avoid it.

 

[DawnM]

I do understand what you are saying.

However, no one should be ashamed of themselves here. Part of the experiment IMO is to gain awareness and start discussions and understanding that not everyone HAS what you have.

There is no way to live ALL the variables of the poor. You can't move for a month, get rid of your car for a month when you still have other responsibilities (we live about 9 miles from a bus stop, which we would NOT if we had no car.)

If the experiment helps her kids start asking questions and learning more about those less fortunate, then it has merit. Perhaps OP could add in going to a shelter to feed the homeless, or getting her kids do a coat or blanket drive......there is no telling what could come out of this if her kids are open to it.

Dawn

This entire thread is ridiculous and reeks of middle class privilege. I understand what OP is trying to teach her kids, but it's impossible to throw in all of the variables that a low-income family faces. Anybody who has replied talking about how they easily spend under the food stamp $$ shame on you! I dare you to walk a mile in a poor person's shoes.

Poverty isn't about lack of money, is truly a cultural phenomenon. You need to erase every ounce of knowledge about nutrition in your brain. Get rid of your pots, pans, ovens, stove top, blenders, food processors, and toasters. Now work 16 hours a day and raise 3 kids on your own. If you're lucky enough to have a college education, you're paying a good chunk of your salary towards your loans. You don't have a car and most impoverished areas don't have a grocery store within a mile, so you're forced to grocery shop at 7-11. You basically easy out of cans and bags, because you don't have the equipment or time to cook. You don't have health insurance or internet because you're pinching every last penny. Most food pantries, if you're lucky enough to have one within walking distance or the bus line, only allow customers to be served twice a year.

These are the people I serve everyday. These stories are the norm, not the exception. Until you've experienced poverty, it's impossible to understand the importance of cultural capital. Have you ever actually applied for SNAP? When I was going through a rough time, I applied to see just how hard it was. Despite qualifying for the full amount, it took 11 months to receive my first benefits! They don't have a phone # or email so you have to keep taking days off work to show up at DSS and hope your caseworker is in. If he/she had the day off, they won't serve you and you've wasted a work day. It SUCKS.

Not every school has free/reduced lunch, and a good number of kids are toO embarrassed to accept it. I never attended a school that served meals, and honestly thought that was a regional thing

 

[ZoeBell]

Call me crazy but why would you want to teach your kids to live off a food stamp budget? IMO that isn't something I want my kids to strive for. Living off a strict budget?? Yes.

 

[pocomom]

DH and I spend $400+ per month. I can't imagine what you and your DD eat on $50 a week. That is $7 a day for 6 meals.

5 lbs of potatoes are $2.50 on sale. A dozen eggs are $1.69. A whole chicken is $1.29/lb. a green pepper can be $1.50. A half gallon of skim milk is $2. Fish is upwards of $10/lb for wild caught. We do not eat talapia since most comes from china. A can of tuna, white in water and no added salt, is $3.29.

I find it just as odd to claim you are eating a well balanced and unprocessed diet on so little.

For us a half gallon of Organic milk at Walmart is 4.97, we easily go through 3 a week. We don't eat meat so much of our diet is fresh vegetables which here are not cheap. I don't do all organics, but some depending on budget.
We are "middle class" but we live in an area where more than 50 % of the kids get free or reduced school lunch. The options for groceries are limited, the produce is terrible at all our "local" stores. To the poster that commented on Cory Booker buying pre-packaged salad. At our walmart (closest store) we can only buy pre-packaged salad. My son wanted OJ, which we don't regularly buy, I bought a gallon because I knew if I brought it home it would be gone quickly - 6.98 for OJ. I was hoping to have yesterday's receipt because I wanted to check for a baseline- and we spent $300 for five people. Now many of those things would last more than a week or two (flour,sugar etc) and we had more to buy becuase we were out of town for three weeks, and we ate down our pantry and fridge before we went, but still it wasn't a particularly weird amount in the shopping cart. I think on average when I'm not being particularly savvy about shopping sales and coupons, (but I always do SOME of that) we spend $250 a week or more.

 

[Granny square]

We have a wonderful farmers market. Raw organic milk is $3. And a big bag of lettuce from these same farmers/friends is $3. I am so grateful!

This area is in the steel belt so lost a great deal of income and jobs in the 90's. but there is also a solid rural community.

 

[ZoeBell]

Good for you. But apparently, SHE thinks it will be a valuable lesson for HER kids. Perhaps HER kids don't have the up close and personal experience to pass along like you have.

My husband grew up IN POVERTY. Its one of the reasons I think its important to expose the kids to it. Because I have zero desire to have them think its "no big deal."

But living in poverty encompasses a lot more then living on food stamps. To say you are living in poverty because you are using the food stamp model isn't looking at the whole picture of poverty. Poverty doesn't equal living on food stamps. So is she wanting to teach living in poverty, living in food stamps or living on a budget? All 3 very different scenarios.

 

[nunzia]

For us a half gallon of Organic milk at Walmart is 4.97, we easily go through 3 a week. We don't eat meat so much of our diet is fresh vegetables which here are not cheap. I don't do all organics, but some depending on budget.
We are "middle class" but we live in an area where more than 50 % of the kids get free or reduced school lunch. The options for groceries are limited, the produce is terrible at all our "local" stores. To the poster that commented on Cory Booker buying pre-packaged salad. At our walmart (closest store) we can only buy pre-packaged salad. My son wanted OJ, which we don't regularly buy, I bought a gallon because I knew if I brought it home it would be gone quickly - 6.98 for OJ. I was hoping to have yesterday's receipt because I wanted to check for a baseline- and we spent $300 for five people. Now many of those things would last more than a week or two (flour,sugar etc) and we had more to buy becuase we were out of town for three weeks, and we ate down our pantry and fridge before we went, but still it wasn't a particularly weird amount in the shopping cart. I think on average when I'm not being particularly savvy about shopping sales and coupons, (but I always do SOME of that) we spend $250 a week or more.

I'm a little confused..WalMart is pretty much our only grocery option (unless you add in an overpriced Lowes Pay and Save) and it is a super Walmart with a full grocery section. Does your Walmart not have a full grocery?" Not fresh lettuce etc so that you have to buy bagged salads?

 

[pocomom]

I do understand what you are saying.

However, no one should be ashamed of themselves here. Part of the experiment IMO is to gain awareness and start discussions and understanding that not everyone HAS what you have.

There is no way to live ALL the variables of the poor. You can't move for a month, get rid of your car for a month when you still have other responsibilities (we live about 9 miles from a bus stop, which we would NOT if we had no car.)

If the experiment helps her kids start asking questions and learning more about those less fortunate, then it has merit. Perhaps OP could add in going to a shelter to feed the homeless, or getting her kids do a coat or blanket drive......there is no telling what could come out of this if her kids are open to it.

Dawn

Thank You, Yes. It is just introducing a couple of variables to get the discussion going. The kids are making blankets for the homeless shelter, and we are going to the food bank next week to help out. We were shocked to learn it is only open one day a month now, 1st Saturday of the month....I would imagine many working poor would not know they were going to need help a particular month until the end !?! So I'm not sure why that decision was made....

 

[robinb]

There IS a word for that!

I use it with my kids.

It is called THOIL.

http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/678

I love it. It distinguishes the needs from the wants.

Dawn

I love that word Dawn! My DD has had a bad case of "gimmies" recently and that word will be perfect the next time she asks me for a new phone or concert tickets or ... whatever a 13 year old thinks she needs.

 

[pocomom]

I'm a little confused..WalMart is pretty much our only grocery option (unless you add in an overpriced Lowes Pay and Save) and it is a super Walmart with a full grocery section. Does your Walmart not have a full grocery?" Not fresh lettuce etc so that you have to buy bagged salads?

No it is not a "Super" technically, though it does carryseveral aisles of groceries. The other local stores are geared I think to tourists who come to ski and whatnot, plenty of chips and soda, frequently items in the dairy case are expired, mostly pre packaged veggies, already cut up fruit.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

DH and I spend $400+ per month. I can't imagine what you and your DD eat on $50 a week. That is $7 a day for 6 meals.

5 lbs of potatoes are $2.50 on sale. A dozen eggs are $1.69. A whole chicken is $1.29/lb. a green pepper can be $1.50. A half gallon of skim milk is $2. Fish is upwards of $10/lb for wild caught. We do not eat talapia since most comes from china. A can of tuna, white in water and no added salt, is $3.29.

I find it just as odd to claim you are eating a well balanced and unprocessed diet on so little.

We eat healthy and well balanced meals on 500.00 for a family if five but again we have a pantry of stuff to pull from and a second upright freezer so we do not have to start from scratch every two weeks we just fill in what we run out of with the 250.00 every two weeks. We are a family of 5.

You can't say that we eat bad just because you choose to spend more or have to spend more dependent upon your local grocery prices.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[okeydokey]

I think it is a great lesson OP. It has many variables that can be expanded upon too. I would love our public schools to be able to do more real life lessons as well.

 

[angierae]

DH and I spend $400+ per month. I can't imagine what you and your DD eat on $50 a week. That is $7 a day for 6 meals.

5 lbs of potatoes are $2.50 on sale. A dozen eggs are $1.69. A whole chicken is $1.29/lb. a green pepper can be $1.50. A half gallon of skim milk is $2. Fish is upwards of $10/lb for wild caught. We do not eat talapia since most comes from china. A can of tuna, white in water and no added salt, is $3.29.

I find it just as odd to claim you are eating a well balanced and unprocessed diet on so little.

Because it varies by area _so much_. Right now, at the store on the corner, 5# bags of potatoes are on sale for 99c, and I regularly stock up on canned tuna when it's on sale for $1/can. Milk is regularly on sale at Kroger for $2.50 a gallon.

It's so impossible to compare grocery budgets on a national board like this.

 

[disneymarie]

We spend less than what we would be allowed on food stamps. For our family of 5, NC says we can get $793/mo.

We not only eat on less but we include dog food, all paper goods, and all cleaning supplies in with that.

So, it wouldn't be much of a challenge.

You could make your own laundry soap from the Duggar's website.

You could also look up this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Family-Month-...1358775687&sr=8-6&keywords=feed+family+frugal

I think ultimately, a great challenge would be to live as frugally as possible for a month and see how much you can save. Eat all homemade foods, make a food price chart, and see how frugally you can eat and live.

Dawn

Wow, that is generous! For family of two no income, it is just under $200 here in PA. For a family member.

 

[RitaE]

Because it varies by area _so much_. Right now, at the store on the corner, 5# bags of potatoes are on sale for 99c, and I regularly stock up on canned tuna when it's on sale for $1/can. Milk is regularly on sale at Kroger for $2.50 a gallon.

It's so impossible to compare grocery budgets on a national board like this.

Low grocery budgets is something I've never managed to achieve but there are certainly plenty who do. One of the Financial blogs I read is a guy who achieved early retirement in his 30's and he and his family (2 adults one child) seem to get by on around $90 a week. He shops very alternatively though ... local produce and all that. It doesn't seem to go to the standard "grocery stores" much.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Poverty isn't about lack of money, is truly a cultural phenomenon. You need to erase every ounce of knowledge about nutrition in your brain. Get rid of your pots, pans, ovens, stove top, blenders, food processors, and toasters. Now work 16 hours a day and raise 3 kids on your own. If you're lucky enough to have a college education, you're paying a good chunk of your salary towards your loans. You don't have a car and most impoverished areas don't have a grocery store within a mile, so you're forced to grocery shop at 7-11. You basically easy out of cans and bags, because you don't have the equipment or time to cook. You don't have health insurance or internet because you're pinching every last penny. Most food pantries, if you're lucky enough to have one within walking distance or the bus line, only allow customers to be served twice a year.

To provide a contrast to your view of people on food stamps, I know some people on foodstamps and their life is nothing like what you describe.

I am in a mentoring program and I have been matched to a young girl for the past 4 years. Her family is on food stamps, but their lifestyle is much different than what you describe. The dad works full time...40 hours a week. The mom stays home to care for her 8 month old...their 7th child. They have a fully functioning kitchen, heat, air conditioning and three cars (an older son has a car). The mom and an older daughter flew to South America last month to visit family. This family gets discounted cell phone, rent assistance and free Christmas presents at Christmas through some program. Their family gets more than enough to eat and often gets carry out pizza. They have cable TV and multiple gaming systems for the kids.

I know other people on food stamps who have similar stories...I usually see them as content, and not struggling every moment of the day to bring in extra income to get off food stamps. The standard of living for people on food stamps in America, compared to those in poverty in most other countries is so much higher. Most people on food stamps these days have cell phones, cable tv, Xbox, multiple cars, etc.