Actually, with my college age dd living at home the past two years, it's 7 kids.  Dd helps by cooking, she is a marvelous cook.  This week she made squash soup.

My mom has always made puppy and old dog food of rice, a little hamburger, and canned green beans, which dogs love.  You could maybe stretch out the baby food by adding instant rice if you could cook that, just the white, and a can of green beans.  Very bland. And cheaper, and veggies are good for dogs. Dogs actually make excellent vegetarians, while cats need a little meat, usually. 

Dear Tracy, SWell, you'll be even more challenged with 7 kids to feed for 4 weeks & dh & you with the small amount in your EBT account now.

It's just a matter of waste that I don't like.  I hate white rice, so would never eat it myself, & my doggie willl only be on a bland diet for 4 days ....  But THANKS for the recipe!!!  I appreciate yoru thinking so kindly for me.  The baby food already is turkey & rice dinner with veggies.

Love in Hiiim, Deb

Dear ALl, I got at Cala/Ralphs/Kroger a box of Tyson chicken nuggets, on sale & with a coupon.  This is rewards food ("treats") for Heart in the long run, & part of her bland diet through Saturday. 

I also got a jar of instant coffee crystals (Ralphs) for $4.99.  My SNAP/Food Stamps EBT balance was $197.73, & I spent $7.94, leaving a balance of $189.79.  Yours in Him, Deb

 I spent about $74, and have $228 left on my card, until the 13th.  I bought the basics, milk, applesauce, cheese, bread, quite a few fruit items-bananas, tangerines, and grapes, for the weekend.  Also two boxes of tic tacs on sale. 

I read your mix-up, Deb, about the rent.  I continue to be annoyed that the number that we turn in for income is usually doubled when we get the paper back, they were counting unemployment all summer, when they have access to the system, and we weren't getting much of it, just every third week or so.

I need baking supplies, sugar, flour, brown sugar, oatmeal, raisans, chocolate chips. I am going to look for sales to start soon for Thanksgiving baking, hope to get some deals on staples.   

Dear Tracy LateNightLeader, That's 17 days for the 7 of you of just $228!  I pray that you can get through.  When are baking supplies for Christmas cheapest?  That's when you should start buying.  You refer to Thanksgiving baking -- is tha when?  I also hope that you can get deals on staples.

I am concerned enough about my SNAP EBT Appeal as to add it into my prayers this AM when I thanked the L-rd for His having had me win my Appeal of a year ago exactly, 10/08.  But I have deep faith that I'll win this one, too, as the issue is so straightforward -- I have about $650 in medical expenses month in & month out, so $28 lessin rent shoudl not result in a $21 decrease in EBT ....

Love in Hiim, Deb

I have a pretty good pantry, for the 9 of us, but it will be tight.  The basic perishables- fruit, cheese, milk, bread, etc, have been flying off the shelves!  I thought with more people eating lunch out that our costs would decrease this fall, we have four getting free lunch, but it seems snacks when school is out, and making lunch for those who are out at work and school is taking most of the rest.  With football and now dance line, the teens are burning the calories, and need more drinks and high calorie snacks. I have been buying some of the "stick" drinks, that can be mixed in a water bottle. They are a bargain compared to bottled gatorade or the like.  

I am hoping that supplies for baking, like some years, will start on sale the beginning of November and go through the end of December. Last year there wasn't that much on sale, Brandy also commented, and I think Babs, that it was much less off than it has been in the past.  

I will pray for your SNAP appeal, it doesn't make sense you should lose so much.

Dear Tracy, Please forgive me for always getting mixed up about whether you have 7 children or 7 iin your family!  I now KNOW that it's 7 children!

By any chance, does nayone reading this have a price book fromm last year that includes baking supplies?  Of course, regional differences would impact this, but it would beintriguing to see whether there are real sales this year.

Thank you for your prayers, dear Tracy!

Love iin Him, Deb

Deb- did you see the Walgreen's ad this week?  I think some food is on good sales that you would use, like the single serve fruit cups or applesauce, 3 packs for $5.  

We did receive good news, our food stamps are going up.  Our income finally showed up cut in half, as it should have been since summer, when unemployment was suspended, but now it is right.  For November, our food stamps will be $857.  This will make things easier.  

Thanks for asking about prices, already one store has some lower prices on a few items, like evaporated milk and nuts.  Yesterday bought brown sugar, cheese, three kinds of bread, wraps, a little container of veggies from the salad bar for wraps, milk, and a bag of chips. 

 Tracy, that is wonderful news for you and family. Walgreens did have some good buys this week. I picked up the Dinity Moore beef stew for my Mom and the Frozen cheese stick for DD.Babs

Dear Tracy, I am so delighted for you!  It's about time, though, that the Government caught up with your familly's financial situation!  Use the SNAP/Food Stamps in good health!  Love inHim, Deb