Went out on this crazy day (snow removal day trapping shoppers in the parking stalls) to get food.

Bought one thing out of pocket but it wasn't much (57cents for bananas) when I bought gas ($2.979/gal which I realized after I started that it's 5cents cheaper where my parents live, where I'm going tomorrow... oh well).

Stocked up knowing that I probably won't be wanting to shop before school starts. First thing was a stop at a grocery store. Got green lettuce for $1.28 and tomatoes (on vine) for $3.87 (just over a lb). They didn't have the kind of turkey bacon I wanted (been on a blt kick for breakfast) so I knew I would be making multiple stops. Next was on to the bakery outlet store. I was to find out that they just marked down the sourdough bread because they are dated in a weird way (so really I don't know my expiration dates) but got 2 2# loaves for 99cents each! (I am now able to eat toast as much as I want! something I have been limiting myself on). Went to the grocery store next to the  pharmacy (had to pick up my prescription anyway) and ended up going in twice; first time I got the turkey bacon ($2.39 for the Jennie-o brand, 30cents cheaper than the Kraft brand), and the second was for the eggs ($1.70 for a dozen large) that I wanted to pick up. (To make sure that I have options for food that is fast).

After all this, I am now down to $5.04 until next month. (Realized that it will be the 14th, since midnight of the 12th is a weekend).

Dear Luvd_Lioness, Your Food Stamps enter your account on the given day, regardless of whether it falls on a weekend or a holiday!

Dear Babs, It will be fun when I have my local milk & butter prices, to compare!

Yours in Him, Deb

Actually they don't Deb. I learned that when I first got them. If it's a Friday midnight, it will be Sunday midnight when the card is loaded. Not sure really why it isn't automatically loaded like it would seem but that's the way that it's been. (I call the 800# and always check)... but it's been that way for years.

Dear Luvd_Lioness, I didn't realize that it varies from state to state!  What a drag for you!  It's much better the CA way!

Merry Christmas!  Yours in Him, Deb

Dear All, I went to Cala/Ralphs/Kroger for a loss-leader of 4 limes for $1.  Unfortunately, they rang up the sale at $2.36, so I had to get a refund (which they were ABLE to credit on my Food Stamps account).  There were also loss-leaders of Fritos for $1.88 instead of $2.49, & Breyer's ice cream for $3.50.  I am FAT, & would binge on either unless very careful.  I couldn't think of any way of apportioning the ice cream sensibly (while I have lots of htose pint freezer boxes, there is a limit!).  But I bought the Fritos, & we apportioned a small hand-ful into each of 17 sandwich bags (which I'll recycle), & put all of them into a gallon bag.  About 5 chips fell to the floor, & I ate them, so that's my quota for today. I hardly EVER buy junk food, so hope that this sounds OK to each of you.  Anyhow, I now have a Food Stamps balance of $26.48.

Yours in Him, Deb

 Deb, I know just how you feel about junk food. I made fudge from my Aunts receipe for Christmas. I am trying to only eat one piece a day. When I was younger, she would make it for me at Christmas. I would eat the whole box in one or two days. Babs

You only live once Deb... enjoy! And that is a good way to divide chips! I did that when I worked.
What I do for portioning ice cream... do cones. Fill the cone and that is all you will eat. That's the only way I find my portion sizes.

P.S. You're not fat... you're undertall or metabolically challenged.  

Thanks very much, Babs & Luvd_Lioness, for your empathetic posts!

Dear All, For my last purchase in 2007, I bought 2 half-gallons of shelf grapefruit juice on sale, plus 1 of apple.  I paid $6.39, & am going into 2008 with a credit of $20.09.  Yours in Him, Deb

Deb,  Good month for you with food budgeting. Babs