June Food Stamp Challenge — Day 15, Eat Less, Spend less

by Katy on June 15, 2010 · 21 comments

Cookie Monster cupcakes. Om nom nom!

Today is day fifteen of the June Food Stamp Challenge and I have to say, so far so good. My family of four has spent $170.41 so far. My goal for the month is to keep it under $404, which is the average amount an Oregonian receives in food stamp benefits. ($101 per person per month.)

I don’t feel like we’ve made significant sacrifices, but I have noticed that I’ve been doing less boredom snacking than usual. Knowing that there’s not a infinite amount of food is a powerful barrier to not eating up the food that’s needed for school lunches, after school snacks and general food prep. For example, my husband buys Cliff bars for his work lunches, and I’ll usually eat a few of them per week. But I’ve been abstaining since the Food Stamp Challenge began, as they’re a tad on the pricey side and I don’t want to replace an item that blows our budget.

I am not a huge overeater, but I’m perfectly aware that my metabolism went kaput the day I hit forty. Did I increase my physical activity or decrease my caloric intake? Nope. I just bought new pants.

I don’t own a scale, but I did weigh myself at the end of May on one of the scales at work to get a number for comparison. And I do plan of weighing myself at the end of the month. Am I trying to lose weight? Not really, although I wouldn’t turn down the weigh loss fairy if she came a knockin’ at my door.

I have written before about overeating as food waste, and am fully aware that one of the best ways to spend less on food, is to eat less food. However, that is easier said than done. I like food and I like eating. I don’t do it to fill an emotional void, or some such psycho-babble. I do it because eating is pleasurable, and the meals I prepare are damn yummy! (I am also aware that carrying extra weight is related to health issues, which is an entirely different can o’ worms that shall remain unopened today.)

So will the June Food Stamp Challenge result in any weight loss?

The jury is still out, as I haven’t reweighed myself yet. But I wouldn’t be surprised to find that I drop a few pounds. It certainly won’t be enough to garner a hug from Jillian Michaels, but I’ll take anything I can get. And if I’ve broken the habit of eating my husband’s Cliff bars, then that’s just good all around.

Do you find that you eat less when your food budget is tight? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day 14, Meatless Monday with Angela from “My Year Without Spending”

by Katy on June 14, 2010 · 4 comments

Today is day fourteen of the June Food Stamp Challenge. Today’s post about Meatless Mondays is written by the delightful Angela Barton of My Year Without Spending. Enjoy!

Meatless Mondays Can Save You Money

When I pledged to go Meatless on Mondays a year ago, I wasn’t thinking about frugality. I did it because I knew it would be good for the environment, and good for our health as well. The truth was, my husband and I already ate several meatless meals per week anyway, so it was sort of a no-brainer. I figured I’d share the experience on my blog, plus get some good recipes.

An example of Angela Barton's CSA delivery.

A year later, the biggest unexpected benefit has been how much we’ve cut our grocery bill. Meat simply costs more than beans, grains, eggs, and fruits and vegetables, even when you buy local and organic produce like we do. There’s a big myth out there that eating that kind of diet will break your budget and that it’s only for the elite, but I think that’s only true if you eat out of season and do all of your shopping at Whole Foods (we all know their nickname is “Whole Paycheck”)

I am aware that the issue is complicated. If you’re really broke you might be able to get more for your money by eating packaged foods like Kraft macaroni and cheese. But I lived in Manhattan for two years with an almost nonexistent food budget (seriously, I used to spend about $20 every two weeks) and the cheapest meals I found were a baked potato, lentils and rice, or a big pot of soup. My point is that I don’t want to generalize, and I am aware that in some cases the packaged option is the cheapest, but I contend that the issue has a lot to do with time, energy, and education. Those packaged foods are pushed on us and they’re the easiest option and many people don’t have the time or energy to think about the alternatives. But with a little effort and planning, there are plenty of meals that are almost as cheap as a Top Ramen diet, and a whole lot healthier.

At any rate, our experience has been quite the opposite of the conventional wisdom – far from breaking the bank, our new healthier diet is saving us money. We were never big meat eaters anyway, but now I only cook meat once or twice a week. During that same period, our grocery bill has decreased by about 25%, and that’s including our biweekly CSA delivery of local, organic produce.

I think the key to eating less meat is having delicious options that don’t make you feel like you’re giving something up. Every other week I solicit suggestions from my readers for their favorite meatless meals and post it as part of a Meatless Monday recipes post. These are go-to recipes you can make at the last minute, delicious options that are quick and easy and use few ingredients. Some of the new standbys in our house come from these reader suggestions.

When a recipe becomes a favorite, who cares if it includes meat or not? Bon appetit!

Click HERE to read Angela’s Meatless Mondays columns.

Other resources for delicious meatless recipes:

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day 13

by Katy on June 13, 2010 · 4 comments

Today is day thirteen of the June Food Stamp Challenge, and I’m at work today. This means that I am not really able to write an in-depth column.

I did do some food shopping today, as my perishables were in short supply. I bought apples, eggs, lettuce, ice cream and milk. Saturday is always dessert night for my family, and tonight was no different. We were invited to a friend’s dessert potluck and I brought the ice cream, which was a nice local brand. It didn’t actually get served and I brought it home again. (At the host’s insistence.)

I also used a Kettelman’s gift card to buy three loaves of day-old challah for $1 apiece.

I would write down how much I spent, but I’m dead-dog tired, and that would involve getting off my tuchus. I’ll add that information to the Money Spent So Far link tomorrow.

Nitey-nite!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

P.S. If you are participating in the Food Stamp Challenge, and haven’t added your name to the blog link yet, please do. It’s been interesting to read other people’s blogs on the subject. Some of them are getting lots of hits!

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day Twelve

by Katy on June 12, 2010 · 10 comments

Today is day twelve of the June Food Stamp Challenge, and all is going well. My family has been enjoying very nice meals on our $101 per person per month food stamp budget. We’ve  spent $142.78 so far, which includes stocking up on items that we’ll be eating far into July. Our $404 budget tallies down to $13.47 per day. $13.47 x 11 = $148.17. So I’m $6.61 under budget.

I’m actually hoping to come in significantly under budget, but a fair amount of the money spent so far has been stocking up on items when they were super on sale, which is simply how I shop. (For example, I won’t need to buy cereal, flour, sugar or tuna again for at least a month.)

Just yesterday I stopped at the Dave’s Killer Bread “Breadquarters.” I used the Groupon coupon that I bought last week, ($10 store credit for $5) and was able to buy six loaves of bread plus a package of buns for $7.20, ($12.20 total) which is a screaming good deal! This fantastic bread normally sells for $4.50 per loaf. It’s organic, vegan and frankly —  addictive. And my freezer is now chock full of bready goodness!

However, this was a case where I could have gotten a better deal ($2.10 per loaf instead of $2.60) had bought a dozen loaves. And this made me think about how there are deals to be had if you can buy in bulk, but the initial cash outlay can be a deterrent to those on a tight budget. I was able to buy the bread for $1.74 per loaf, instead of $4.50. But if I didn’t have the $12.20, then I would have had to either cough up the $4.50 or buy a cheaper, less nutritionally sound loaf. (Although . . . I wasn’t able to buy the dozen loaves due to freezer space, not a monetary issue.)

I am at a point in my life where I don’t have to think twice about having enough money to buy food for my family. If there’s a great deal to be had, I can take advantage of it. Even if that means spending more money in the short term.

There are other ways in which my financial stability equips me to live less expensively. I have a computer and internet access at home, which allows me to print coupons, read money saving blogs and get daily e-mails from Groupon in the first place. (Although this was the first time I actually bought one.) I have a reliable car and can buy large amount of food at once, and can go across town to take advantage of different deals.

I also have a well paying job as an RN that allows me to work part-time, thus freeing up the time and energy to take the time to shop in the somewhat labor intensive manner that I do.

Those working full time but low wage jobs are going to have a much harder time freeing up the money or energy to take advantage of money saving opportunities.

A great book that takes an in-depth look at how those living in poverty have a hard time getting ahead is Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed: On Not Getting by in America. In this book, the author spent time working in various low wage jobs, and is a fascinating read.

Have you had a hard time getting ahead because you’ve been unable to take advantage of food deals? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day Eleven, Using it Up!

by Katy on June 11, 2010 · 10 comments

Today is day eleven of the June Food Stamp Challenge, and it’s starting to become routine. Like yesterday, I drove to my mother’s neighborhood in order to help clean one of her rental cottages. This commute takes me by a Trader Joe’s store, and I usually pop in as I consider myself to be the Supreme Empress of batching my errands. However, there weren’t any particular items that I needed from Trader Joe’s, so I drove past without a second glance. This is a huge break from my routine, and probably saved me a good ten dollars in impulse buys. (I do love their hummus, but I have a can of garbanzo beans that I gleaned from a rental cottage last week!)

I am also looking in my cupboards to see what needs to get used up, rather than thinking about what I need to buy.

Yesterday I used up:

  • Two boxes of Cheerios that each hold held a small amount of cereal.
  • A bag of marshmallows.
  • The last of the electric blue frosting from my son’s birthday party. (Yes you guessed it — I made frosted Rice Krispie treats as a special after school snack for my rather surprised sons. I included that handful of Cheerios.)
  • The last of a jar of mayonaisse. (Tuna salad sandwiches in the school lunches.)
  • The last of a container of bleu cheese crumbles.
  • The last of a head of lovely organic red leaf lettuce.
  • The last of a jar of marinara sauce, to which I added a can of organic canned tomatoes and a can of tomato paste. (The canned tomatoes were left behind by someone at one of my mother’s rental cottages.)
  • A cut up orange that went to school in a school lunch and then came home again.

It may seem like an odd hobby, but I get a very satisfied feeling knowing that something got completed used up rather than become stale, rotten or simply forgotten.

I did bring home a few items from my mother’s rental cottage, that I will also use up. This food is free, and I have no qualms about working it into my family’s diet.

Here’s what came home with me yesterday:

  • Half of a quart of 1% milk.
  • Half of a pint of whole milk.
  • A quarter bottle of red wine.
  • A quarter jug of nice orange juice.

This food was left behind by very nice people who were renting my mother’s rather pricey cottage. I am not a germ-o-phobe, and have no qualms about the food safety issue here.

I guess this would be the “Use it up” in the whole “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!”

Are you becoming more aware of using up your food? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day Ten, Gardening

by Katy on June 10, 2010 · 30 comments

Today is day ten of the June Food Stamp Challenge, and I want to focus on gardening as a way to enjoy fresh, local produce at rock bottom prices.

Although this may not be well known, food stamps can be used for seeds and plants that grow food.

Because my ample lot only provides a four foot square space of sunny earth, (the shade producing maple tree in my backyard can be seen from space!) my gardening prowess is less than stellar. Add to that the apocalyptic amount of rain Oregon has received this year, and my gardening savings is nothing to blog brag about.

I do have perennials of raspberries and blueberries, (although my blueberries have never really thrived) and smack my lips whenever I pass them by.

I can do some container gardening, even even plan on constructing my own Topsy-Turvy tomato planter using a sturdy handled burlap bag that my Costco rice came in. I know there are community garden that I could participate in, but I’m fiercely protective about my energy and time, and am hesitant to take on new time consuming projects.

Do you plan on gardening more this year for edibles than in years past? If so, what will you be growing, and what tips do you have to share with The Non-Consumer Advocate community?

Sorry that I don’t have a wealth of knowledge to share, but perhaps you’ll understand when you see my photos below.

This was during our daily rain storm yesterday.

My downspouts could not keep up with the deluge of rain yesterday, so they were pouring down onto my veggie patch.

I'm surprised than anything is growing, let alone surviving after the insane amount of rain that Oregon has been cursed with this April, May and June. I think I recall that April only had one or two days without rain.

I suppose I should have gone out and moved my lettuce and carrot garden wheelbarrow, but I'm not sure my swimming skills were advanced enough.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day Nine, Judgment Day

by Katy on June 9, 2010 · 85 comments

Today is day nine of the June Food Stamp Challenge, and I want to address issues of food judgment. You may say, “Oh no, I would never judge other people’s food choices!” but I beg to differ. We all do it. I certainly do it. I notice when people who seem to be struggling financially are buying bottled water, junk food or cases of beer. It’s not something that I’m proud of, but it’s hard not to notice the world around you.

I wrote about my grocery shopping trip a few days back and received this comment from a reader:

“I am inclined to ask the same question as Molly on Money (who asked  ‘Do you feel the quality of the food your buying has gone down with this challenge?’) about the quality of your food. One of the problems today is the overconsumption of processed foods and their “cheapness” being a drawing card to those of limited means. Chips, cereal and deli ham are all pretty poor choices…and you can see why the health of those on food stamps may be at risk. Certainly those items could be part of your “do without” mantra…even if you are experimenting with food stamps.”

Readers were quick to defend me, and I feel that this reader’s comment struck a nerve because it brings up an issue that no one wants to admit to. We look at each other’s food choices and judge one another. We notice what’s in each other’s grocery carts, and modify our own behavior when when we’re not alone. (Have you ever noticed how a group of people will only eat a small amount of sweets, and then that last cookie on a plate never gets eaten?) Our first lady, Michelle Obama has even taken on the challenge of addressing our nation’s growing epidemic of childhood obesity. She judges.

So is this bad? Was my purchase of a large amount of fruit and vegetables completely undone by a bag of “guacachips” and a pound of lunch meat?

If I truly felt defensive and private about my family’s eating habits, then I wouldn’t be putting it in the internet for all the world to see. I certainly asked for it.

I am not a perfect eater. I veer towards sweets, and have a tendency to eat more than I should. I’m not a dieter, and actually feel pretty good about my body. I think I can be healthy and attractive without being gaunt. I did secretly weigh myself at the beginning of this challenge, because I was curious whether I would lose or even gain any weight.

Of course, the issues of weight and healthy eating are not one and the same. One does not denote the other.

I am not perfect, but I do try and serve healthy meals and to provide opportunities for healthy snacks for my family. I also provide special treats like chips or pretzels in school lunches, an occasional box of sugar cereal or a hot dog when we go to Costco. There’s always fruit in the kitchen, and a big green salad with dinner. Our bread is whole wheat and the only drinks available are water, milk or orange juice.

So go ahead and judge, we all do it. It’s not a great thing, but it’s far from the worst. I dare you to try to ignore other people’s grocery purchases, it’s not easy.

Do you feel that you judge other people’s food choices? Are you more likely to notice what a person is buying when they’re using food stamps? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day Eight

by Katy on June 8, 2010 · 3 comments

Today is day eight of the June Food Stamp Challenge. This post will be short because I’ve been working and had minimal access to the computer, as my older son has been monopolizing it for a school project.

I was dispatched for last minute glue sticks at 10:30 P.M. last night, which included an additional desperate plea for ice cream. I decided to buy my son one of those new small packages of ice cream as a reward for all the hard work he was putting into his project. It set me back a dollar, and I really liked the built in portion control. Plus, there was no risk of my husband or I eating a big bowl of late night ice cream. Yes, it was more per pound than a larger container, but the actual cash outlay was much better.

I will be off work for the rest of the week, and should be able to write a bit more in-depth posts. I’m thinking about writing one about how we all judge one another’s food choices, whether it be too fancy, too packaged, too elaborate, too pretentious or just plain disgusting. Whether or not we admit to it, we all do it.

Keep up the challenge, folks, we’re already a quarter of the way through.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day Seven

by Katy on June 7, 2010 · 26 comments

It’s now day seven of the June Food Stamp Challenge and my fridge and pantry look like I’m expecting a hurricane. Why? Because the “spend $50, get $10 off” Safeway coupon runs during the first week of the month, and I’ve now done two huge shopping trips, which pretty much fulfills most of my grocery shopping for the month.

I bought:

  • Cream cheese.
  • Cotttage cheese.
  • Eight boxes of cereal, (it was a deal where if you buy the eight, then the price went down to $1.49 per box before coupons.)*
  • Two cans of refried beans.
  • One box of Red Rose tea.
  • One jar of jam.*
  • One bag of chips.
  • One gallon of milk.*
  • Two pound bag of carrots.
  • Two bags of frozen peas.
  • One loaf of bread.
  • Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, watermelon and avocados.
  • Lettuce.
  • Pistachios.*
  • Ten pound bag of potatoes.
  • One pound of deli ham.
  • Half gallon of Tropicana orange juice*

Total = $45.05

* Used a coupon

A lot of of what I bought was with an eye of stocking up when the price was low. I do not expect to go through eight boxes of cereal this month, but I may as well buy it when it costs 50¢ – $1. I could manipulate the amount I spend on food this month by only buying immediate needs, but that wouldn’t be true to the challenge. And July’s food expenses would suffer as a result.

My son has a school event on Tuesday, and I had offered to bring a large amount of cookies. (I was going to make my delicious ginger snaps!) Unfortunately, the school just informed us that we can’t bring homemade goodies, so I think I’ll hit up The Grocery Outlet on my way home from work. *Sigh* The ginger snaps are my ace in the hole. They don’t require expensive ingredients, and are always a huge hit.

Do you have any inexpensive recipes that you rely on? Please share your recipes in the comments section below.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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June Food Stamp Challenge — Day Five

by Katy on June 5, 2010 · 10 comments

Today was day five of the June Food Stamp Challenge, and was generally uneventful. I worked until 3:30 P.M. and brought leftover chicken soup with dumplings for lunch. (It took so long to eat, that I hardly had any time to sit in the massage chair. Poor me.)

For dinner I made baked macaroni and cheese that used up four bags/boxes of partially-used pasta, four bread crusts, (for the breadcrumbs) and the ends of two different cheeses. As a side dish, I boiled up the remains of two different bags of frozen peas. It may sound bizarre, but it was actually quite delicious and we all helped ourselves to seconds.

Saturday is dessert night here at casa Wolk-Stanley, and today was no exception. Unfortunately, I’m not here to share the healthy or minimally packaged sweets that graced our house. My husband picked up a big box of Drumsticks ice cream cones, which set him back $5. (He kind of forgot about the food stamp challenge.) I’m much more partial to whatever ice cream happens to be on sale, preferably under $2.50, but I guess I can’t complain, and I certainly didn’t turn down my cone.

I will hit up my local Safeway again before Wednesday, in order to take advantage of their “spend $50, get $10 off coupon” before it expires. Otherwise, we’re good. The pantry is full, the fridge is fit to bust and we’re eating wonderfully tasty meals. All on a food stamp budget. I’m actually thinking we’ll be waaay under budget ($404) for the month and able to give a sizable donation to The Oregon Food Bank.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

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