$900 in food money -- What to buy?

[bethanyam]

I don't have much to add because there are some great answers already, but wanted to "warn/advise" you that sometimes when using coupons with FS you will have to pay tax on the coupons, in my area there is no rhyme or reason as to when this will happen. It does at some stores, but doesn't at others. It's never very much usually I have enough change in my pocket to cover it even if I have used a lot of coupons, but I'd hate for you to be embarrassed over 30 or 40 cents that you don't have at the end of your order. So if possible try to keep a little change with you when shopping. Like I said I have no idea when/why this will happen, but it does happen even with ALL FOOD purchases I've still had to pay 10 or 15 cents in tax. I hope it helps. Good Luck!

[snowontheroof]

Not sure how it is now, or in your state, but back in the dark ages when I received stamps you could use them to by seeds and plants. If you have a green thumb, that might get you vegetables through the summer.

[manders13]

Trade for wt's! or meat coupons. Stock up on stuff that never goes on sale!

That's what i would do.


Stock up the deep freeze with meat for the winter.

[anbfraz]

Please don't be embarrassed! Helping people out in tough times is exactly what food stamps are for. We used them for a few months many years ago when our kids were little and DH was finishing school. I think you would be surprised at how many people have needed help along the way.

I think I would concentrate on the three grocery areas I find most expensive: meat, dairy and produce. Meat is a no-brainer to freeze. You can freeze cheese and butter. Some folks freeze sour cream, cream cheese and milk. Produce requires a little more work, but there are lots of fruits and veggies you can prepare then flash freeze.

Best of luck and have fun stocking up for your family!

[CouponQueen23]

I think it is great you are thinking it through before you spend. I know when many families recieve benifits they run to the store not even looking for deals just to burn up the benifits, Like alot of us that come here we have learned to strech a dollar as far as it will go. I bet after your monthly budget this amount is overwhelming, just spend it on things you know your family always is in need of things that you can freeze. I see many posters stock up on flour and such items and put them in the freezer. You seem very smart. I think it is great that you want to spend it wisly. I know what you mean about alot of people buying junk. I always thought that the program should offer a nutition program, good spending habits, meal planning tips and menu planning. I think many people could benifit from this advise. I like the wic program, They offer alot of helpful advise. My 2 little ones qualify for wic since I left my job. It is really nice the are programs to help families there is no reason to feel embarrased, like previous poster said that is why the programs is there. I bet many families you wouln't expect are getting help many just don't talk about it.

[motherofmolly]

if you are thinking long term:

obviously freezer meat, frozen potatoes, frozen veggies

canned veggies
canned fruit
pasta
rice
beans
soup
chili (canned)
canned tomatoes, sauce or whole
spices
pasta sauce and pizza sauce
yeast
flour and sugar

drink mixes
juice (bottles or juice boxes)
jello gelatin and pudding and dry cool whip
salad dressings
ketchup and mustard
bbq sauce
chicken/beef stock
taco shells (hard or soft-soft seem to keep in the fridge good)
cake mixes, muffin mixes, brownies

some of these items i would put in sealed containers to keep longer (flour, sugar, hard pasta) and so no other "things" get to them. i tried to list out items you could get so you could make a complete meal with meal...pasta, instant potatos, beans etc..and some items that you could do little extras for the kids (muffins, cakes, jello) but these are items that could keep longer and you could find coupons for. and the staples that we forget about (ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, spices) you could take yeast and flour and make pizza or use to make bread

think of those things that you need to make the completed meal or things you could add to a meat to make it go further...

also things to make to drink besides milk and water...juice, kool aid, crystal light drink mixes, ice tea etc

[Cynthiabutterfly]

I agree with the PP- freezer stuff is pretty obvious, getting meat first of course. Try to get pantry items, because later on, you'll only need to get fresh items like milk, eggs, bread, and some fresh produce.

If it were me, I'd fill my freezer with meat,
also don't forget to check your stores either Friday or Monday for meat markdowns, you could also buy some cheap ground chuck or chicken if you have pets to feed.

then fill the pantry-
Rice (i've stocked plenty of free pasta already!)
Flour (I love to bake, but don't buy it if you won't use it)
cooking oil and shortening
canned or bottled juice
canned meat (tuna, spam, etc) and jerky, if you eat those things
dried fruit (prunes, raisins, apricots)
nuts
dry milk (great for cooking, and also for flavored drinks like hot cocoa where the taste would be masked)
shelf stable milk (my kids and DH actually like soymilk too)

basically anything that has a long exp but rarely I have coupons for.

[Mama22angels]

Stock up on vinegar! It has so many uses :)

[Caligirl]

It sounds as if you have $900 now and $400 or so next month, so I would aim to spend about $150 per week this month. Then adjust it in February so that you don't lose anything. Start out with the produce and dairy, then items to complement stuff you can use from the cupboards/fridge/freezer (cycle current stuff out). Buy the great deals. Then add some sale/great deals (perhaps with rebates, store credits which you can use for other stuff). If you are under the budget to use it up, then buy some treats/big ticket items (bulk yeast, flours, baking goodies, oils, butters, cheeses, meat). Pick up some stuff for any birthdays--baking products, candy for party bags. Also, Valentine's Day is coming up. Nuts, peanut butter, Christmas clearance M&Ms are ideas.

So $150/week in January is $600. That would be $700 for exactly four weeks in February. It seems more manageable if you break it down a bit.

School or work lunch stuff is a good plan--snack foods, drinks.

[disabledvetswife]

My dbf is on foodstamps and I advised her of this (she coupons too):

Trade for winetags good on meat, produce, etc.

Stock up on meats - fill that freezer!

Use your coupons to stock your pantry...making sure to take full advantage of any MIR that are out there.

Use your coupons & foodstamps at Wags & CVS to buy the ECB and RR food deals.

Use your MIR money to help pay any tax and/or (if you do enough) to help pay your bills: insurance, electric, etc.

Use your RRs & ECBs to buy things that fs doesn't cover: diapers, tp, paper plates, paper towels, makeup, deodorant, etc.

Make sure you find out if they expire or roll...and make sure to find out if you don't qualify for March, will they all expire at the end of February....

Do not feel embarrassed....you have to eat! Foodstamps are there for those in need...and right now you need them.