Well…{she says timidly} Good morning!
It was quite a weekend. We were gone this weekend for a work meeting for David that Hailey and I tagged along on. It worked out well because Hailey and I were able to catch up with some friends
and family.
It was fun to see so many people I love, but I’d be lying if I said the challenge controversy wasn’t always in the back of my mind. I wasn’t sure how to start today’s post, but realized that there is such a great discussion going in the comment section and I think it’s best for me to simply keep moving forward. So, I went grocery shopping.
Hailey and I attacked the grocery store with list in hand to buy groceries for the week. The meal plan looks a little something like this:
Monday: Spicy Mexican Black Beans and Rice with Chicken
Tuesday: Chicken Vegetable Soup
Wednesday: Vegetarian Chili
Thursday: Vegetable Pizza
Friday: Tuna Melts and Roasted Vegetables
Saturday: Vegetable Egg Scrambles with cheese and toast
Sunday: Catch-all. Whatever is left. If nothing is left, PB&J and Veggies
Lunches: leftovers, rice and beans bowls with frozen veggies, Clif Bars, sandwiches
Breakfasts: Greek yogurt, eggs, bananas, bagels
It was a great learning experience for me. Although I tell myself I’m not, sometimes I am sometimes swayed by marketing.
But can easily save a buck by buying the store brand, which is the EXACT same thing- ingredients, nutrition, color of jar lid
I found some great sales.
And appreciated the things that are naturally cheap like organic carrots.
Like I mentioned before, everything we are eating this week came from this grocery trip. This means I had to buy things like flour and peanut butter, which would be more budget friendly if bought in larger portions and used over the course of a couple weeks, but I didn’t want to use anything I already had, so my grocery list looked like this:
Interior Aisles
1 loaf Whole wheat bread
1 whole chicken
1 lb dried black beans
1 lb dried kidney beans
1 lb brown rice
1 small bag flour
active yeast packet (just need 1, but mine came in a 3 pack)
pizza sauce
1 pack whole wheat bagels
Peanut butter
strawberry preserves
1 can Rotel (Mexican style)
3 cans diced tomatoes (2 chili style, 1 plain)
1 small can tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce
1 large can light tuna fish in water
sweet salad cubes
freezer ziplock bags
clif bars (2)
Dairy
1 small block of cheddar cheese
shredded mozzarella
2 containers (16 oz each) plain 2% Greek yogurt
18 eggs
Produce
zucchini
2 lbs carrots
celery
bananas
mushrooms
4 onions
4 sweet potatoes
1 serrano pepper
Frozen
1 bag frozen peas
1 bag frozen broccoli
1 bag frozen cauliflower and broccoli medley
And the total cost?
$72.07
I saved $8.06 by using the store’s savings card, but did not have any coupons. Although this should last us for the week, I’m glad I have some money leftover in case I find myself in need of a few more items.
I know there is a lot of discrepancy between whether or not this budget is even a challenge. To me, it is. I could easily eat for cheaper than $72 a week, but the challenge I set up isn’t to just to fill my, David’s and Hailey’s stomach (if so, I would have stocked up on Ramen noodles and mac ‘n cheese). The challenge is to try and create a balanced, healthy menu consisting of as many whole foods as possible with no eating out at all.
I really appreciate the tips people shared. Andrea mentioned buying a whole chicken (a tip I am using because you can get a whole chicken for so cheap- $5!) to use the meat for dinner one night and boil it into a soup the next. Check it one method to do this here on Purposely Frugal. Love it! I also was referred to Poor Girl Eats Well, which is an awesome site that I look forward to taking a closer look at. Feel free to share your favorite budgeting tip! I’m hoping to compile a list to share.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I’m off to eat some toast and peanut butter with banana. Let the challenge begin!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
SO true that you can eat on a budget in a healthy way! Kudos to you for sharing.
Bonnie says
I am so glad that you decided not to give up on this challenge. I know that by now means did you mean to cause drama, only to bring light to what has been said about being on a very limited budget and being able to eat healthy. It looks like you are off to a great start and I wish you well.
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
I was actually going to see if you wanted to get a family dinner this week … How about next week 😉
Brittany says
Unless you guys were hoping to treat us 😉 Next week sounds great!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Great job getting out of the store for that price! I have my good weeks, and my not-so good weeks when it comes to keeping our grocery bill low!
Kristy @ Breath of Sunshine says
I’m also glad to see you are moving forward with this challenge!!! I hit up the grocery store and spent $127. I felt guilty thinking about your $100 challenge 🙂
I hope you are planning on sharing a few recipes. Your dinners sound great!
jennifer says
Love the challenge! What about diapers for the babe?? I went out last night and spent $25 on a box of diapers – would that be included?
Brittany says
Oh those pesky diapers! Household goods aren’t included since I’m just looking at food benefits (there are other benefits available, too, through EBT cash benefits). Thank goodness because diapers certainly would up the bill! 🙂
Kayla @ The Best Things says
Good for you for moving forward!! I think some people are taking things a little too seriously.. what you’re doing is a good thing. Is it a PERFECT example of how much money some people have to spend on food, no! Who cares?! I’m really excited to see how you guys fare! and I’m excited to pick up some tips for keeping the grocery bill down!
blackhuff says
Oh wow! That is really excellent that total amount you saved. Wow!
Oats is also a cheap alternative to bagels for example.
Brittany says
As soon as I walked out of the grocery, I hit my head thinking, duh, OATS! Great suggestion 🙂
And I’d dump the bagels all together, but David always grabs one on his way out to work, and I tried to keep something similar for him, since he’ll be eating clif bars and pb and j’s for lunch- haha!
blackhuff says
What I make for my husband with oats, is a grab-and-go Oats muffin. Here’s how I make it.
I use normal coffee cups and spray it Weighless Spray-and-cook.
Then I mix in the cup itself, 125ml of raw rolled oats together with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and water to make it damp. Then microwave it for 3 minutes on high.
When it’s done, I tip over the cup and it comes out. You have yourself a Oats muffin.
I eat mine with a teaspoon of strawberry jam and plain yoghurt. My husband loves he’s just like that.
Danica @ It's Progression says
I really like that you’re doing this and I’m excited to hear all of the advice you come up with after it’s over! I’m guessing that you’ll learn new ways to save money that you’ll stick to even after this challenge is over with.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
So I was mia for a few days and missed the controversy but just went back and read it all and I just wanted to let you know, I feel the exact same way as your original post and I think you worded it and expressed yourself just fine. I’m not surprised people got worked up (it’s definitely not the most un-controversial topic out there!) but that doesn’t change my feelings. I DO think some (not all) abuse the system and I’ve seen it first hand when we lived in florida and my husband owned a gas station with a convenience store. I won’t get into specifics but it was one of the most crime ridden and low income areas in the COUNTRY (not state) and it made for an interesting clientele and one could come away with many observations of “abusing the government system” just spending a day there.
So, well put lady and I’m definitely interested to see you guys take on this challenge! 🙂
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
Good luck on the challenge!!!! And nice job nabbing all those staple groceries for just under your budget! I can’t wait to see what you do with everything!
sara @makingsofabetterlife.wordpress.com says
Okay, you are an amazing, super awesome meal planner/grocery list maker! Seriously! I wish you were my wife and could plan and shop meals like that for me! 😉 David and Hailey are lucky!
Brittany says
Haha, you’re too cute! Meal planning is how I get my kicks. I hate shopping, but love grocery shopping. I know, I’m a little strange 😉
Kimberly @ Healthy Strides says
Great job! I think as critical as some of us have been (myself included) we have to remember that what’s a challenge for one person might not be a challenge for us. A $72 grocery bill might be normal for one person but not another, especially if you have access to nicer stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Earth Fare (I do not).
I definitely had to get over branding when I went to a budget. I do a lot of shopping at Aldi, a discount grocer, and there are no name brands. It took some adjusting to the names and labels of the food. There are some things I just don’t buy generic (OJ) but other things are just fine (frozen vegetables, milk). I think the simpler the product, the more able you are to go to a cheaper brand. And our Aldi milk is from a local-ish farm as compared to our Kroger milk.
Here’s a tip: I buy chicken breasts when on sale and cook them in the slow cooker – nothing but the breasts. It shreds up easily, and I bag meal-size portions and freeze. The shredded chicken is good in quesadillas, soup, sandwiches, pizza, BBQ. And the shredded is very easy for my lil one to eat.
And, finally, I have to commend you for your response to the criticism. I think a lot of people would have backed off, taken down the post or refused to confront it and you didn’t. Amazing. Truly.
Brittany says
Thanks, Kimberly! The post did teach me to grow some thicker skin, but I do love that it got people talking, so I appreciate all the responses whether they were critical or not.
Although I do love going to Whole Foods, we don’t have WF or Trader Joe’s near me. I do love my local healthy store (Healthy Home Market), but for this challenge I went to Food Lion. I think you are right that it makes a big difference what stores you have near you.
And great idea about stocking up on chicken when it’s on sale!
Kelly@Runmarun says
Awesome Brittany! I hope your weekend wasn’t totally overtaken with thinking about Friday’s comments. Your meals for the week look delicious and wow- all of the items you purchased for $72 is incredible! And good for you for trying out some generic items- I agree with Kimberly, there are some things it is scary to try the generic brand of but things like jam, brown rice, spaghetti sauce…those are surprisingly decent. I can’t wait to hear the recap from the week.
As a side note, I am so jealous that Hailey can sit up in the grocery cart! My baby is getting close but it’s still the Baby Bjorn carrier for this mama. 🙂
Brittany says
I think shopping with the bjorn is more difficult than it was with a big, pregnant belly! It was so hard for me to squat down and get something with H is the bjorn without her knocking things off the shelf or toppling over- haha! Glad you’re able to do it better than I am 🙂
Lauren B. says
You are so wonderful, Brittany. I kept silent during the whole controversy, but really admire you for keepin’ on! I hate that it ate at you all weekend, but I know it will prove to be an interesting challenge for you, and an inspiration for me to cut my costs at the store each week. Thank you!
Jen says
Umm can I hire you to meal plan for me? I’m seriously impressed. We don’t spend too much per week on groceries, BUT I tend to make the same boring things over and over again, out of laziness and convenience. You’re so good at this! I think you’ll kick the challenge’s booty 🙂
Megan @ The Road to Skinny says
I think this is an awesome challenge! Good for you for continuing with it even though it’s controversial.
Sandy says
I’m glad you continued the challenge..your shopping trip gave me great ideas. sorry you thought about it over the weekend, but I respect you so much more, for leaving the post’s up..lot’s of bloggers only want cheerleader responses..
I need to eat better,and think about it when I shop.
Thank you…
Suzana says
I’ve found that it makes a huge difference WHERE you shop. I can only use names of stores in Canada, but Metro (bigger store, 24hours) is always more expensive than Price Chopper (smaller selection). The farmer’s market is super cheap for veggies, and bulk stores like Bulk Barn are good for dry foods (cereals, nuts, dried beans, flour, etc).
Trainer Kjirsten says
Good luck with the challenge! I think you’ll have no problem feeding your family of three for $100 bucks. That’s about how much we spend a week for a family of three, although my daughter is breastfed, not including going out to eat or buying wine. We also buy 95% of our food organic. I know my husband and I could tighten up our food budget if we had to, but I have too much fun exploring new foods and recipes! BTW- I loved reading all the comments in the other challenge post! I think you opened up a good topic people need to talk about!
Erin says
More power to you! I’m all for your challenge and know you’ll do well. Please take pics of food each night. I love all of you’re blogs. We make grocery list every week and try to stick to it.
Brittany says
Hey Erin, thanks for the encouragement! I’m taking pictures of all the dinners and will feature them on my wrap up. I’m a huge fan of sticking to a grocery list, too 🙂
Kim Weigand says
I know you said you would be eating leftovers for lunch but this is just an idea we do. If we have any type veggies leftover and we either will not be eating them for lunch or there’s more than we need for lunch, I keep a large plastic (Folger’s coffee) container in the freezer marked “Soup Bucket” and I just dump them in. When it is full, time to make soup!!
Brittany says
Oh, I LOVE that idea! So unique 🙂
Lisa says
Wow, you are awesome at preparing and organizing your list! I think this is a great challenge, and I should probably be doing this to help save money! I really look forward to reading your follow ups! I hope people weren’t too mean to you on your posts the other day 🙁 Have a great monday!
Jessica says
I heard about this and the controversy but I personally don’t see anything wrong with your challenge. I am on a budget myself, trying to pay off old credit cards and this is actually going to come in very handy for me as a working mom with a husband and two kids to feed. I think this is an excellent experiment!
Annalisa says
I think your goal — healthy eating for a family on a tight budget — is useful. I think to put in the context of food stamps is in poor taste. Have you ever used Government Assistance or even taken the walk of shame and had to apply? I don’t think a ton of people go on assistance because they are falling short for a period of time. It’s usually systemic and comes from a lack of education, mental illness, abuse (substance, domestic violence, etc.), disability, etc. Most folks on Government Assistance have huge roadblocks and little room for upward mobility. I think a woman who has access to a lot of major quality of life benefits and isn’t putting $8 in her gas tank because that’s all she has until Friday shouldn’t be using food stamps as a healthy living tool. I think what you are trying to stress and how you went about doing it isn’t cool. I also think at the end of your challenge, you’re also able to stock-up on essentials on not keep living on a $100 week. Most low income people will not get above the low income threshold and think that they should hit up Whole Foods.
Emily says
I think it’s pretty cool that you’re doing this as a challenge, but you’ve got to acknowledge your privilege. Sure, it may be easy for your already privileged family to eat on a small budget, but you’ve got to take into consideration all of the other factors that make doing so difficult.
I think this could also be used as an educational opportunity. Maybe you can teach your readers that it is actually very difficult to use EBT if you live in a Food Desert or lack the transportation to even get to the store.
Brittany says
Hi Emily. You’re right that I can not duplicate some people’s tough situations. I knew I wouldn’t be able to because I can’t fully understand what some people face. In my wrap up I will definitely touch on some of the great points people have brought up as well as include my thoughts on the process. Thanks!
Sarah says
I think that you are overlooking a TON of things when you wrote your first post and really should address them. I personally spend $100 per month on groceries for just myself ($25) MAXIMUM. But I have to take a bus (can’t afford a car) 20 minutes each way to get to any grocery store. I get a free bus pass through my job but if I didn’t that would be a $5 round trip bus fare. Gotta factor that in. Or I could stay closer to hope and buy my meals from CVS which has overpriced milk and eggs and lots of junk. And my situation is nowhere near as bad as many people’s (I get a bus pass, can bum rides off of friends, have some nutritional knowledge). It’s crazy how uneducated you are about the subject. You really should have taken some more time to research this before you put yourself out on the internet about this topic.
Lacey @ Lake Life says
Well then maybe she should also ADD money to her budget, as people who are really that bad off financially usually qualify for cash assitance as well.
Chelle says
Depends on the state actually. In VA, a family of 3 would have to make less than 16k a year to qualify for that kind of assistance, which would also impact her food budget.
I’m courious about the “budget” she choose since NC’s EBT site has a calculater for use. There wasn’t a need for her to use that other one. When I put in her family info and the “24,000 a year,” it looked like that wouldn’t qualify her for EBT.
Kerry says
Can’t you all see that Brittany has rethought this whole thing and feels remorseful about any assumptions that made? Is it really necessary to continue to beat a dead horse and berate her? If you can’t lay off and cut her some slack at this point, chose another blog to read!
Try not to let them get you down, Brittany! It is obvious this was not your intention and you’ve learned a lot from this experience.
steff says
I agree!!! I wish there was a “dislike” button for some of these mean comments!
Chelle says
And where are these mean comments? Pointing out that Brittany was wrong, misguided, and not acknowledging her privilege and this is insulting is not being mean, its being truthful.
Jules says
THIS.
Elizabeth says
That’s great that you were able to come in under budget at the grocery store, but I think there are some flaws in your approach. First, you used a 3 person household as your basis for calculating benefits…but one of your three people is an infant who doesn’t eat much solid food. Your menu/grocery list would have had to look very different if Hailey were 10 years old, yet you would have had the same amount of money to work with. You also don’t seem to have any wiggle room for anything other than three meals a day. Do you and your family really never snack? You also didn’t buy any beverages. Do you typically drink only water? Would you want to for more than a week?
I think if you really want to put the challenge of eating healthy on an EBT budget to the test, you should do it for at least a month, preferably a few. That would help you better identify the challenge of doing this on an on-going basis, when you aren’t able to put your “regular” habits on a temporary hold but instead have to weather the various ups and downs that can make very low budget eating more difficult (holidays, working late, illness, etc).
FYI, the San Francisco Food Bank hosts a Hunger Challenge every fall that is similar to what you’re doing. Here’s a link to their blog, which includes a blogroll of other bloggers who participated last year. http://hungerchallenge.blogspot.com/
Brittany says
Hi Elizabeth! I was wondering the same thing. If Hailey was a 14 year old boy, our eating situation would be very different. She obviously only eats a little food. And we do snack, I should have listed out the snack options, too (like Greek yogurt and jam, Clif bars, etc), but yes, I only drink water usually, so that part wasn’t difficult for me. I did leave myself some wiggle room (I have about $30 left for the week) because since I’m new to this budget, I’m not sure it will last us all week. I can already see some challenges of eating healthy on $100/week, and I know I’m only addressing one issue (budget) without addressing food deserts, transportation, etc. It’s a learning experience for me, as I know I am not able to duplicate some people’s situations exactly, and I’m just hoping to share my journey. Thank so much for commenting and I am definitely going to check out the Hunger Challenge.
Felicia says
here you go – some ideas:
http://getoffmyinternets.net/2012/04/16/healthy-slice-of-life-will-show-you-how-to-live-on-food-stamps/#comments
Emily says
Something my family and I have found really helpful is emeals. Although people receiving governmental assistance may not have internet access. It costs 1.50/week, but the email you weekly meal plans and grocery lists.
We selected a plan that is for geared for portion control/weight control, and is about $50-60/week for the grocery list, not including staples they assume you have around the house. This is only for dinners, however, so add to that food for breakfast and lunch.
But they are easy, cheap, delicious, and healthier than other choices we would normally select. We make modifications to make them cheaper as well.
Brittany says
I hear Dave Ramsey talk about emeals all the time and always wondered how well they work! It’s good to know it really is a cool program. Now I want to try it out 🙂
Anna S. says
I do the vegetarian e-meals plan, and I love it. With grad school, I don’t have time to meal plan on my own, but this really helps me stick to the plan. My plan is for four people (but there are only two of us) for around $80-$90 a week. I usually only cook five of the meals, but it is really great. They have sample menus on their website if you are interested.
Anna S. says
Also groupon has been doing a deal for Emeals pretty frequently. I bought my year subscription for $29 from them. So I would keep your eyes peeled for that.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I’m catching up, and I have to say…I think it’s AWESOME what you are doing and I totally understand (and understood from reading your initial post) where you are coming from.
I could probably write more, but you’ve been getting a mouthful from everyone, haven’t you?
Bucky says
I see you didn’t buy butter, vegetable oil or olive oil. What were you planning to use to cook all of your meals with this week?
Brittany says
Great question! I’ll be addressing that in my wrap up, too. I am not using any oil or butter, which certainly makes things more challenging. I am using water and the juices from the canned tomatoes to cook.
David says
I think the point that you should realize from all of this is how far you have to go to get to your budget line…no butter, salt, pepper, other spices, stocks, eating out, coffee or alcohol.
Add that to the issues you don’t have, such as access to education your whole life (learning to cook and critically shop is not innate), ability to transport yourself/your baby in a car, availability of produce and the time to actually grocery shop and prepare food from scratch.
I hope the end result here is “this is hard” and not “look how easy this is” because look at all of the things you need to modify in order to get under that budget.
KAS says
No butter, oil, spices? Eeeeee. I’ll be interested to hear how all this food ends up tasting.
Sam J. says
No salt? No spices? Tasteless food week I guess? As tasteless as this whole smug and ignorant “challenge”.
Jess Mathias says
Hi Brittany!
I just want to say that what I think you are doing is awesome, I don’t comment a lot, but I feel like I need to say something about this one. I think that unfortunately some people chose to jump all over you because they feel you are “priviledged or ignornant, unknowledgeable, etc..” (their words) when in fact I think that it’s them- they are missing the point and jumping to assumptions. If one truely goes back and reads your initial post the entire concept is “Eating Healthy on a Budget” and trying to educate people that there are options out there and you can eat healthy on a budget or assistance if you simply try. I think this is a great concept to try and there are way to many polar opinions about the term “Government Assistance”. I think that there are abusers to the system as well as people who use it as it is to be used. Unfortunately when that term is used, people feel the need to make it known about their opinions- the good the bad and the ugly.
Regardless of where you chose to shop, there are options out there that are both cheaper and healthy. I’ve been to CVS, Walgreens, ALDI, TJ’s, WF, etc… and there is a “cheaper” healthy option at all of those – you have to make the choice to buy it and not buy the overly processed unhealthy items. That in itself was your goal – how to buy healthier on a very limited buget.
I know that you went into this topic/idea with the best of intentions – and that purpose was to educate and try to help. That’s your ultimate goal through your blog, your business, and your lifestyle – it’s to help people and educate people about being healthier and sometimes that includes how to be healthy on a budget. I’m sorry if any of those comments made by individuals hurt you or bothered you because unfortunately some of those comments where direct personal attacks and those people should be ashamed.
I’ll continue reading your blog everyday- it the first thing I do when I get to work – shhhhh! don’t tell my boss!! 🙂 Keep up the good work.
PS – Hailey soooooo adorable. Love that smile.
taupe says
Yes, there are CVS/Walgreen’s/etc in both poorer neighborhoods and affluent neighborhoods…BUT they’re NOT created equal. Maybe the CVS you’ve been to has a healthy section but unless you went inside a CVS in the urban slums you DON’T know if they have a healthy section or not. There are plenty of even grocery stores that don’t carry anything but highly processed foods (and rotten produce…you can smell the meat and fish section outside the store and every piece of vegetable looks absolutely disgusting). The CVS carries nothing other than some common over the counter drugs, beer, and ice cream. No fruit/veggies/healthy shit (maybe Honey Nut Cheerios if you’re lucky, but that’s hardly really healthy).
I’m not sure how you can call someone else that’s actually…
A. currently or used to be poor and/or on EBT or
B. worked closely with families that are \
…to be “ignorant” when they’re just pointing on flaws in Brittany’s assumptions that were made based on NO prior experience.
“educate and help”: Really? Who that qualifies for an EBT card, works 14 hrs a week…or even let’s say Brittany’s assumptions are true…eating Doritos out of the bag and watching crappy TV…would be reading a blog titled “A Healthy Slice of Life”? Even IF they had access to a computer and reliable internet (something most of these households don’t), no one that fits these descriptions would be reading this blog. This blog is read by mostly middle class women that have spare time to read blogs and think about healthy choices. Brittany’s tips might help THEM cut down their food budget, but she’s never actually helping those she’s supposedly trying to help. Those people don’t read her blog for reasons mentioned above. Thus why would she even keep up this challenge? To make herself feel good that she’s “helped others and educate them” and get congratulated by other middle class people?
taupe says
In other words, I think YOU’ve missed the point of the comments you’re attacking because your own scope of experiences stops at the grocery stores in your own affluent neighborhood.
When a post gets 1 negative commentary that’s completely off top picm out of 40, maybe that commenter’s a “hater” and there’s nothing wrong with the original post. When a post gets 40-100 negative comments within a span of 24 hours, maybe the original post was in some ways offensive.
While I don’t think Brittany has to completely stop the challenge, she should stop trying to pretend this experiment is actually in fact helping anyone on EBT. The posts will benefit some people in efficient meal planning and healthier eating on a budget, but these people/readers will not be those on EBT. There is nothing wrong with trying to cut your food expenses and documenting the experience, but there is something inherently holier-than-thou about “oh you poor people just don’t know how to shop! All you have to do is make a meal plan and buy generic! Let me SHOW YOU.”
It’s easy to change your lifestyle for a week to make do and eat cheap but healthy food. It’s way more difficult when it’s actually what you will be doing for the rest of your life. In fact, this is why so many dieters drop pounds and then gain them back…it’s much easier to do something for a week than for let’s say…10 years.
Katy @ Purposely Frugal says
Thanks for the link!! 🙂 And AMEN on the generic brands! It’s such an easy way to spend less money!
Lacey @ Lake Life says
I’m so happy you’re sticking with this challenge! I’ve been being attacked on GOMI about my opinion on your post and my own personal feelings about Food Stamps and the way the system is handled, so I feel your pain on being ganged up on and taken the wrong way.
I know a lot of bloggers hate GOMI, but thanks to them, I’m now following your blog 🙂
mrsshaw6810 says
Here’s an idea to all of the nasty people posting rude comments on here….STOP COMING TO THIS WEBSITE! If you don’t like it, get off of this page. Her loyal readers like it and therefore we don’t appreciate all of these rude posts.
That is all.
taupe says
If someone makes a disgusting recipe or a shitty outfit post, I stop “coming to [that] website.”
If someone is basically perpetuating negative stereotypes and kind of picking on poor people, I will NOT just “stop coming to this website.” That’s the same as looking away when there’s a rich kid teasing a poor kid going on at the playgrounds.
mrsshaw6810 says
Last time I checked doing a budget challenge wasn’t “picking on poor people.” Besides, being rude is not necessary. Nothing wrong with stating your opinion but some people are just plain rude. Ithink we can all agree on that…
mrsshaw6810 says
PS I am very poor and am not offended. It is challenging to eat healthy with small amounts of money so I am very interested in how she will make this work! she didn’t stereotype she simply stated that she has spoken to people who had these issues when on EBT as well.
taupe says
“However, I feel that there are many people that abuse the system. Many times these people are also the ones buying soda and chips and complaining that it’s too expensive to eat healthy foods.” – Brittany
This is what most of the “haters” are talking about. Where did Brittany get the stats that “many people” “abuse the system” while “buying soda and chips” and “complaining that it’s too expensive to eat healthy”? That IS perpetuating a certain (very negative) stereotype that many rich people tend to believe…that the poor is just a bunch of lazy, fat, complaining/whining people that constantly abuse the system.
If Brittany had the challenge of “eating on a budget: $400 for a month of food,” NO ONE would have criticized her. That’s NOT how she framed it…she framed it as “let me show the poor how stupidly unhealthy they’ve all been along and they were just complaining about nothing!”
mrsshaw6810 says
I think you are putting words into her mouth. and saying that us poor people are “a bunch of lazy, fat, complaining/whining people that constantly abuse the system” isn’t very nice. Where did you get those stats?
Anyway, its all about perception. Brittany didn’t mean harm and I don’t have time to go back and forth with you because clearly you are looking for an argument and Ithink you are on the wrong blog.
Ida says
I think you’ve handled the backlash to this ‘project’ very well. that being said, I still dont see the point of it. People who are on SNAP assistance arent going to read this post and have a lightbulb moment. And given all the flaws in your project (which have been pointed out numerous times) you are perpetuating stereotypes. All you’re doing is showing that it is possible for a family of 2.5 to reduce their food budget if they want to.
Sam J. says
The fact that you’re continuing on with this, despite so many people having pointed out how wrong-headed and offensive it is, makes me wonder why you’re so DESPERATE to prove that you’re better than poor people.
Maybe take some of that money you save and spend it on therapy.
Colin says
Why does everyone believe that there is no waste and abuse in the welfare system??? That is akin to saying our politicians are moral individuals!!! Both statements are ridiculous!
Boston-Here are a couple democrats trying to end EBT trafficking in the state legislature: http://bostonherald.com/news/opinion/editorials/view/20220412ending_ebt_abuse
Seattle-Some Republicans trying to stop EBT being used at Gun shops, Casinos, Tattoo parlors, and liquor stores: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/feb/06/editorial-ebt-abuse-needs-strong-action-from/
Back to boston for this class act. http://www.examiner.com/finance-examiner-in-national/welfare-abuse-with-ebt-card-allows-drug-dealer-to-get-cash-for-bail
Here is straight from a Criminal[sic] Politician’s mouth: http://www.donhumason.org/Releases2012/3_31_2012_ebt_card_abuse.html
My favorite line:”The report found that from October through December of last year, 85 percent of benefits were accessed in cash through ATM withdrawals.”
I am sure that they were going to the farmer’s market.
For those of you that are tired of reading: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfuS0UvMq6w
Or- Just for a fun laugh (YES, I know it is a parody!): http://youtu.be/-IGfe2tAUbM
….1178, I punch it in!…..
If you really wanted to improve the situations for many who are faced with difficult times- try to understand these 2 charts: http://www.thedailyeconomist.com/2012/04/food-stamp-usage-remains-at-record.html
… in summary- the more households on EBT, the less each household gets. STOP THE FRAUD AND ABUSE!
fnelkgnpejgfpe says
Wow! A big, humble thanks to you for showing us evil poor people the Way, patronizing rich white lady!
Amanda says
I just wanted to say that as a single mom, full time student and somebody who works 35 to 40 hours a week and uses EBT to buy the groceries I would otherwise not be able to afford for my son and myself, that you cannot buy prepared foods like diced tomatoes and whole chickens with your card. Some states have very specific lists of what you can and cannot buy with the card. I do not have a car and usually walk with my son to the grocery store down the street that has a very bad selection of fresh meats and vegetables. We eat as healthily as we can but sometimes it is better to buy the processed stuff because at least it won’t give you food poisoning like the gross smelling meat might. Saying that everyone who uses these cards to buy food are uneducated and don’t know how to shop properly is just ignorant. You also didn’t factor in anything besides the basics. What about all of the things you need to help prepare these meals? I bet the recipes call for things besides beans and diced tomatoes. I also have to shop for a picky 3 year old. So sometimes we have to make 2 separate meals. It eats into your budget in big ways. Also, I only get $230 a month to feed myself and my son. Try making that stretch until the end of the month, not to mention the times when they randomly cut off benefits because you didn’t mail back the survey they never sent you in the first place. Get off your high horse.
Lisa says
Here’s a very timely NYT piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/health/research/pairing-of-food-deserts-and-obesity-challenged-in-studies.html?src=tp.
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