Day Three: Thanks to Aldi's

Okay, today is much better.  I'm no longer sick and I actually made it to the store.  Thank goodness for Aldi's and there low prices.  I know I must sound like a commercial, but it is what it is.  Today I spent $30.38.  That brings my total to $72.38 minus $4.00 that was previously added in for tax.  My total expenses are $68.38.  I feel fantastic.  My plan was to be very conservative, because the weekends are always the hardest to save money and I was afraid I would be out before we made it there.  One thing I have been aware of throughout this challenge is the nagging stress that is ever present.  Far away, yet present in my mind is this constant murmur about food: "Will there be enough? Is Leo, my 38 lb five year old getting enough food?  Will we make it through the weekend?"  I can imagine what someone feels like dealing with this on a regular basis...stressed! 

Again, I am thankful for what I have and I wish everyone could have a full belly.

Day Two: The Learning Continues

This day was difficult, not so much because of the challenge, but in addition to it.  I awoke in the middle of the night with a stomach virus.  I felt terrible all day.  I was supposed to do more shopping, but couldn't make it and had to utilize the rations I already had.  We didn't have as many fruit and veggies and I had to serve spaghetti for dinner.  None of my kids love spaghetti, so they left the table a little hungry.  They immediately became aware of the absence of snack food. to make up for a barely touched dinner.  My ten year old, Sam, desperately wanted to use his own money to buy "better food."  I felt like I let them down.  Overall they are being pretty good sports about the whole thing.  It's bringing up discussions about who in this world gets to eat and the other three "W's"; what, when , and where.  They are now more aware of those that don't get enough, which brings up a point my husband had.  There is a Chinese saying "It's better to have not enough than too much."  This brought up a good point on the concept of consumerism.  He went on to observe, Maybe we don't really need to eat more than $21.00 worth of food per week.  Maybe we just think we do because of our consuming habits."  Considering most of Americans are overweight, this is probably true.

Feeling better, so tomorrow I will shop again.

Day One: Reflection

It felt like a normal day with the exception of kid snacks.  Fortunately they didn't ask for any.  For those of you who saw today's menu, you may have been surprised to see steak as the main course.  This was only possible because of our minuscule meat eating habit.  I purchased one flat iron steak today (1.20 lbs) for approximately six dollars. We split the steak five, yes five ways.  This is how we have always done it so no one knows any better.  We even had three slices left over for my husbands lunch tomorrow.  I see single people eating for twenty one dollars a week, which seems nearly impossible.  I guess the ration of food is smaller for kids, so we can afford more food using their benefits.  I think this would not be possible if I had three teens in the house.  I notice that I cut my ration to ensure that our kids will have enough food for the week.  Although he never mentioned it, I observed my husband doing the same.

Tomorrow I visit money saving stores such as Aldi's and Easy Way to complete this weeks meals.

Day One: The grocery store...

I'm already getting a bit nervous.  I went to the grocery store and already spent $42.00 of my allotment.  I'm a bit selective when it comes to three items; milk, meat, and eggs.  We have always tried to be humane to our animal friends and select eggs from cage free hens, meat from humanely treated or wild animals, and organic milk because it has a lower pus content (gross, but supposedly true).  I shouldn't do this on such a limited budget, but I did.  Now comes regret.  I used up five more dollars than I needed to.  My plan is to make up for these expenditures by being really cheap on everything else. Problem? Yes.  My family has a few food allergies.  I have to buy rice milk in addition to cow's milk for those that are lactose intolerant.  I have to buy sour dough bread in addition to wheat bread for my soy allergy ridden son.  I personally could eat  nails and be fine.

I'm now aware of the hardship families have when their children suffer from food allergies.  I also see why so many people succumb to feeding their children Top Ramon Noodles.  Why is unhealthy food the cheapest?

The Day Before SNAP Challenge

We just returned from a wedding in Louisiana. Lots of great food, dancing, and Cajun music. I had never been to New Orleans before.  It's beautiful, but the devastation of Katrina is still very visible.  I find myself wondering how many people are still homeless, jobless, or otherwise struggling as a result of the hurricane.  On the return home, my children begin the familiar cry, "I'm hungry."  I'm reminded that on September 27, 2010, I begin the SNAP Challenge.  My family has agreed to live off $21.00 per person, per week.  Tomorrow, we shop!