Deb, I love King Arthur flour.  

I went to the store, got several things, including frozen bread dough and frozen pizza dough, lemon juice, yogurt, cheese, 2 galllons milk, crackers, granola bars, pretzels, etc.

Spent $70, $355 left until 11/13.  

Dear Tracy, I know that you already posted how much your Food Stamps EBT debit is from Oct 13-Nov 13, but would you mind telling me again?  It seems awfully low for your large family, even though I know that they didn't give dh aany deductions.  Love in Him, Deb

 It was $542 for nine, about $60 each.  The two youngest get WIC, which helps with their cereal, juice, and things like that.  I will be fine, and plan to use the pantry up a little.  Stock-up prices haven't seemed too good lately, I'll use my pantry and hope for some good holiday sales.  I'll spend about $100 on milk. 

One of my problems has been the nonfood items, I did just charge a jug of laundry soap.  LL gave me tp and laundry soap when I met with her.  Lynnea sent my feminine hygiene products, this is a very great and supportive community.  My mom gave me five bars of soap and about 5 bottles of shampoo. However, it seems like the purchase for plastic wrap, dish soap, etc, gets a bit daunting, it has been seeming like a major purchase.   One good thing is we are using up everything we can in our house, it has been a year of using up rather than adding more of many items.  I am using up a few years of Walgreens toothpaste, etc this year. Also, despite what I say, I have continued to spend money for other things, things for the kids, etc.  Just today, I took the kids out for an ice cream, and charged it.  It is fall vacation, some of their friends are at water parks, some in Flordia, I figured a sundae and a trip to the apple archard. 

One thing this has taught me is the need to stock everything you need, not just the cheap stuff you can buy.  When I am restocking next spring, you can bet I will be buying soap, detergent,  dish soap, tin foil, plastic wrap, FHP, toothbrushes, freezer bags, and food items I don't think about, Baker's Joy, olive oil, olives, mushrooms, yeast, dried fruit, vegetable boullion, etc.  I won't get caught with a pantry full of canned veggies, emergency water, potato flakes (which we still haven't used), peanut butter, apple juice, and Cheerios.  You can only use those for so much.  

Thanks for asking Deb.  You always have good advice, I will say I think my purchase of five frozen loaves of bread and three frozen sections of pizza crust will help with the budget this month. I also have squash and cabbage, lettuce and potatoes from the farm baskets to use.  Let me know if you want the pickled cabbage recipe, for purple or red cabbage.   

 i got my letter in today for my foodstamps for the next 6 months and i will be getting 470.00 each month.  this excites me alot since i am use to only 200.00 monthly.  it sounds like alot of money but this month it didnt take long to have it all used up but i buy at the beginning of the month and only get eggs and milk through out the rest of the month.  i did my second half of the month menus and i have 22 complete days of meals for sure and there isnt that many days until nov 5th when i get my card filled again.  the hardest part is making sure i have some foods each meal that my son can tollerate and trust me that is not an easy task!  have a good evening Sandy

That is a good idea Tracy.  I try for a variety in stocking up so we won't be bored.  The problem is that we eat lots of dairy, cheese being the big one and its not cheap here. 

I understand about treating the kids, its hard not too especially if they are good kids.

Dear Tracy, Let's exchange red cabbage recipes in the Recipes forum!  I hae one that i LOVE!

Dear Cassandra, Mazel tov/congratulations on your major Food Stamps increase, from $200 to $470/month!

Yours in Him, Deb

 thank you so very much

 casandra,

I am happy to hear of your increase in stamps. I am sure this will help a lot with buying groceries. 

I wnet to stock the house a little for the week, bought 2 giant size tortilla chips, one is gone, olive oil, two cans of sweetened condensed milk for $1.50 each, two brown sugar, dried fruit, yogurt raisins, seasoned salt, almond flavor, butterscotch pudding for monkey bread-gone, baking spray, dark rye bread, tortillas, an avocado, 12 mini cupcakes-gone, frozen pizza dough, mexican cheese-gone, 2 packs bagels, provolone cheese.  I didn't buy milk, although my mom gave me a half gallon of chocolate, because I had a few cups each left of white and chocolate.  Will have to pick up tomorrow.  

Spent $59, have $296 left until 11/13.  Have to slow down on buying.   

 Tracy, have you tried making the condensed sweeten milk at home? There is a reciepe for that. Not sure if it is posted here. I think that Hillbilly Housewife has it. I have used it. Worked OK. I think would be cheaper than the store bought. Babs