My Food Stamp Challenge Journey

by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources

Monday 3/3/08
Today I decided to participate in the Food Stamp Challenge with my Exec. Director and co-workers. This evening I began outlining my menu. I didn’t think I could go to the store and stick to my $21 limit if I did not first have some idea of what I’d like to have.
I was really excited about the challenge. I touched basis with my mother and mother in law to gain support and momentum. I talked to my father in law who after hearing about the contest told me “Just quit now”. Not exactly the support I was seeking. My mother and mother in law on the other hand assured me that it could be done and even offered me some meal suggestions. I then mentioned the challenge to my husband and told him what my budget was. His reply was “$21 a day – Oh I can do that”. I then had to give him a reality check and say “No $21 a week”. He then replied “Oh I’ll do it with you – When I’m with you” which meant to me he’d be sneaking things that weren’t actually on our menu and in our budget. My mother told me one thing that I’d already realized myself and that is the an actual food stamp recipient might not have the ability to run around and bargain shop as I am doing for a variety of reasons. They may even have to shop at ”corner stores” stores as opposed to actual grocery stores where prices are significantly marked up. I must admit I am a bargain shopper and I always look for sales but trying to maintain a $21 dollar for 7 days limit really tested my bargain shopping and meal organization skills. I had to make decisions regarding what was affordable and what would be filling at the same time. I had to go to at least three stores trying to get the best price on peanut butter and jelly. I finally found it and could afford it at the last store. I purchased the generic brand. I noticed right away that I would not be able to purchase my usual fruits and vegetables or my budget would be exhausted and I wouldn’t have something to eat for three meals for seven days. This evening I spent $15.93. I went to four grocery stores looking for my sale items. I realized I only have $5.07 left. I then realized that some of the things on my menu needed other items to complete the meal such as butter, salad dressing, mayo, relish etc. At one point I realized I needed to purchase approximately 6 additional items and doing so would exceed my budget. At that point I revisited my menu and determined what I could do without. Decisions, and more decisions. I decided to cut the butter, I decided to get rid of the salad because I’d also need dressing for the salad etc. I even contemplated not having one of the three meals that I’d written on my menu each day. Oh yeah, I also noticed that next week I can’t sit at work and drink my Dasani water that I normally drink because that’s outside of my budget. I guess if I don’t buy a gallon of something from the dollar store I’ll be bringing water from my sink at home for my drinks with meals. I also noticed that I’d have to try a lot of generic brands of things on my menu because I can’t afford the brands that I would normally. And who would have ever thought I’d be considering how many pieces of bread were in a loaf to ensure that I had enough for all the meals that included bread on my menu. The things we often take for granted.

Tuesday - 3/4/08
I decided to revamp my menu. I am now selecting something that I can have for two meals as opposed to one meal. I haven’t spent my last $5 yet because I have to make wise choices and some things I need to purchase at the last minute prior to the challenge so they will be fresh such as the bread.

Wednesday - 3/5/08
I contemplated revamping my menu again to get more bang for my buck and hopefully have a more filling meal. I actually went to the dollar store to pick up my last few items. For some reason it was hard to spend my last $5 so I decided to hold off on getting anything additional until I was positively sure regarding what I wanted.

Friday - 3/7/08
This evening I completed my shopping. I was so excited about my last purchase. I was able to get a 2lb. Bag of elbow macaroni, a small jar of mayonnaise and a small jar of relish for $2.50. I was so happy about that purchase that when I went to buy my bread I also picked up a pack of cookies. Now my $21 is gone. I went home a revamped my menu again trying to ensure that I got the biggest bang for my buck and for my stomach.
I got home and added up all my receipts and would you believe all my groceries totally $21.03. I was over budget. Back to the drawing board. Initially I thought I’d cut the cookies but then I decided to cut one of the packs of oodles of noodles. They were .20 each that would bring me within budget.

Sunday - 3/9/08
Today I finalized my menu and ensured that I ate all my favorites since the challenge officially begins tomorrow. I decided that I would combine the jello and the fruit cocktail that were on my menu and I could have that for either a breakfast a few days during the challenge or for a snack. I also filled a 2 liter bottle with tap water to carry to work for the challenge since I will be unable to drink my usual bottled water.

Monday - 3/10/08
Well today is the first day of the challenge. Normally prior to the challenge I would have eaten a piece of two of fruit and probably ate a cup of yogurt. Today, I could have neither. I wasn’t able to purchase them on my budget. So, instead I had jello with fruit cocktail in it. It was pretty tasty but not very filling at all. Now I’m drinking water trying to make it until lunchtime. I’m also used to snacking on all kinds of items such as popcorn, crackers etc. between breakfast and lunch. None of those items were part of my budget either so today it will strictly be ONLY THE ITEMS I PURCHASED FOR MY MEALS. I think with out all my “filler foods & drinks” it’s going to be a LONG WEEK.