Dear Lissalue, You certainly don't need to"explain why" you've bought what you have, but sooe of us find it instructive to post what we have purchased & what our remaining EBT balance is, just to have fun talking amongst ourselves.  You learn soomething new everyday, & just a few days ago, I learned form Luvd_Lioness & Tracy to post here coupon valllllues & asale prices that I benefit froooooom in coming to my total output fromm the EBT.  You may or may not want to do the same.  Anyhow, welcome again!  YOurs in Him, Deb

IrishMom - I too will be looking forward to your posting.

lissalue:

I really like having this accountability.

That is really the reason behind me posting. When I post here, I then have a mental price book in my head.

Deborahmichelle:

A thrifty shopping trip as always!

Not as much as I could have... but will use the excuse of my flare-ups to justify it. I probably spent an additional couple of dollars that I didn't need to out of laziness. 

I'm going back to the grocery store nearly every day this week to get their limit 1 items during their anniversary sale. (1 item per visit)

• 9oz Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh ham = $0.99 (Saved $2.00)
• Lunchables = $0.99 (Saved $1.00)
• DiGorno Garlic Bread Pepperoni pizza = $3.99 (Saved $2.00)
• Kraft American Singles Slices = $0.79 (Saved $1.00)
• 2 x Med Eggs at $0.47 ea (limit 2 weekend special) = $0.94 (Saved $0.74)

Total Spent = $7.70     Total Saved = $6.74

Awesome savings there Kate!!

All I can say is Wow! dear Kate.  Yours in Him, Deb

Thank you both. I figured out how to do the math to figure out percentages. Earlier this week I spent $73 and saved $51, saving 71%. Today, I saved 87%. And I didn't use any coupons, just bought the loss leader sale items. I've managed to buy only meat on sale (or reduced for quick sale) for just over a year now and for the rest of our groceries, well over half (closer to 75% probably) I buy on sale. I tend to eat from the pantry/freezer alot only buying an item here or there at regular price if needed to complete a recipe (usually fresh fruits, vegetables, or dairy). We had a small local grocery store go out of business last month and I stocked up on some items that rarely if ever go on sale in their close out prices. Between buying so much on sale, stocking up, and 2 of my 3 boys gone for 6 weeks over the summer I have been able to save up an entire months worth of food stamp benefits. I get roughly $500/mo for our family of four. It's the 18th of the month and I have $720.53 left in my account.

 (I don't tend to use coupons much as they are either for stuff I wouldn't buy, or even with the coupon, the store brand is still cheaper.)

Dear Kate, Did you figure out how to do the percentage saved math on a standard calculator?  Would you share with us the method?  With a couple of exAMples?  I've NEVEZR been able to figure it out!  Thanks so much!  Love in Him, Deb

Once you know the formula, it's simple. And yes, you can use a standard calculator. 

$ saved divided by $ spent x 100 = percentage

I spent $7.70 earlier today and saved $6.74.

6.74 / 7.70 = 0.8753 x 100 = 87.53%

Dear Kate, I wrote down what you wrote on an index card that I put next to my computer, & I'll be able to practice each time that I note a shopping trip.  Thank you!  Love in Him, Deb

Your welcome.