Have started my list of foods that I don't see replacing until dh gets a job or we get on food stamps- chocolate chips, spices, olives, etc.  He applied for a job today in railroad, he's in school to be a conductor, that woud require another 10-12 weeks of training, paying $10/hr.  If he got this job, we would cash the IRA to pay three more motnths of mortgage, and apply for food stamps.  I currently have an open food stamp case, but am not pursuing it at this moment, rather waiting to see if dh can get some interviews. Thought I'd keep you up to date-

Well, Tracy LateNifhtLeader, I hope & rpay that your dh will get a good job, & soon.  But, if he does not, I hope that you will pursue the Food Stamps case.  Are you using a food pantry now -- don't feel that you need to tell us!  Not trying tro be intrusive!  Forgive me if I am being!  Yorus in Him, Deb

Tracy... I'll keep the job situation/$ situation for you in my prayers.

I finally went shopping today... spent more than I was planning but not upset except the bread was put on the wrong spot and was 30 cents more than I thought it was.

I bought trail mix and bananas at Walmart so that cut my starting down little.  ($157.77)

2 Old Orchard Cranberry Juice $2.38, 2 Old Orchard Cran-Raz Juice $2.50, Cherry-Pomergranate Naked Energy drink (I drank instead of eating) $2.69, Skippy Natural Pb $3.79 (large size of creamy), Iceberg lettuce 79 cents (had coupon from competitor which took off 31 cents), Cheez-It crackers 8oz $1.67, 2 Old Orchard Raspberry Lemonade $1.38, 2 Skippy Natural Pb Chunky $4.58, 2 Old Orchard Apple Cherry Juice $2.18, 3 boxes of Jiffy Pizza Crust Mix $1.17, Breyers Lactose-Free Ice Cream (I think the size got smaller) $3.29, Orville Redinbacher Popcorn (microwave bags; 3 count) $1.79, #wt Marble cheese $6.81 (I shred myself), microwave popcorn 2# $1.69 (air pop), green bell pepper 59 cents, chopped brocolli (frozen 32oz) $2.19, Stonyfield Vanilla Yogurt $3.49, store brand creamy pb $1.99, Saco dry milk (3 1oz packets) $3.49, 28oz brown rice store brand $1.09, store brand 1# white rice 45 cents, Animal crackers (Mexican aisle, 17oz) 99 cents, Dannon All Natural 4pk $1.69, Farmhouse Sourdough bread $3.39 (I thought it was $2.99), curly fries 2# $1.79, ground round (@ $1.47/lb!/90%) $4.66, and a bunch of fresh spinach 99 cents. = $63.20

New balance until 5/13: $94.57

Dear Luvd_Lioness, Sounds like you are doing well in your shopping -- you continually do.  Yours in Him, Deb

Dear All, Yesterday, I shopped at Whole Foods.  I spent $32.85, and have $44.14 left until 5/1.

I bought unsulphered molasses (called "Barbados" -- I hope that's less tarry than the regular unsulphered that I bought before from WF.).  I bought one container of shelf-stable extra-firm tofu.  I bought 8 lbs of organic brown rice.  I bought organic rye flour, low-fat organic cottage cheese, 5 yams, &, herring in dill sauce.

Yours in Him, Deb

Picked up some groceries at Walmart (I was going there anyway):

• 3 gal of vinegar (for cleaning) @ $1.58/gal
• Breyers Pomegranate treats $3.26 (think popsicles)
• Pasta-Roni Natural Herb boxes $1 each (for fast meals)
• Simply Apricot spread $1.66
• Polander All fruit Black Cherry $1.64
• Bertolli microwave pasta sauce "champignon and portobello mushroom" 13.5oz (plan on putting it with some gnocci) $1.84
• 2 packets of Ortega taco seasoning 2/$1

Dear Luvd_Lioness, You always do so well!  Yours in Him, Deb

Dear All, Today I went to Safeway to stock up on EIGHT-ounce generic yoghurts @ $0.50.  I bought 20.  I also bought oil.  At Safeway, Mazola canola oil (48 oz) generally goes at $6.95.  It was on sale today for $4.29, AND I had a $1 coupon (not doubled, unfortunately).  SO, even with the shortage, I paid only $3.29 for a $6.95 item.  I'm doing the happy dance !  In total, I paid $13.29, & still have $30.85 in Food Stamps.  Yours in Him, Deb