The One Week I Hate to Go Shopping!
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
United States
May 2, 2016 6:05pm CST
The first of the month means that it it is food stamp week. The supermarkets on the first of the month is absolutely chaotic. There are few parking spaces available in the parking lot. The line at the deli counter is long and the wait even longer.
I have a few clients that receive assistance with food and I can understand why. I have been in the same boat when my children were living at home. What I don't understand and really gets me irked, is how people misuse their food stamp supplement.
This week I was sent to the grocery store with a list a mile long. I wasn't impressed to see cookies, candy, soda, ice cream, and chips. Only a few items could be considered semi-healthy. Deli meat, yogurt that had candy toppings, peanut butter, and orange juice. $100 was spent on these purchases. It made me sick to think that perhaps people would think these were mine.
I wear my name badge when shopping for clients. Afterall, I am working. I hope that people realize that this is my job. I can only suggest what they should be buying. Can't force them to do it though.
20 people like this
21 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
I have a few that I shop for. Not all of them make poor choices.
2 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
3 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly That's good. I can understand sometimes. All junk, you are just asking for trouble. LOL
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
@mommaj If sugar was nutritious she would be the healthiest person in a 10 mile radius.
2 people like this
@rona07 (1641)
• Philippines
3 May 16
Well, it is out of your control. You are right, you can just suggest what they should be buying but in the end it will still be their decision. Anyways, don't worry about it. What people think is just what it is. What matters is what you did your job.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
@rona07 can't change what doesn't want to be changed.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
Sometimes I can make them realize that their choices are not wise. Most of the time I cannot change their mind.
@rona07 (1641)
• Philippines
3 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly well at least you do make them think about their choice. Maybe the next time theyll decide to buy healthy foods.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168171)
• Boise, Idaho
3 May 16
We used to go to Walmart around the 1st of the month. I ride one of the mobile basket things. Never one available. Especially if we went certain times. I finally found a time that first week that we could go and not have problems and a lot of people.
I eat both. Some junk foods and some healthy. I think we do pretty well for the amount of money we have to spend . We don't have food stamps although I think we could get them if we chose to do that. I think others need them worse than we do. I have seen people try to sell their food stamps too. The system is better than it used to be. I think people should have to have some nutrition and diet instruction. And, if I bought vegs and fruit to eat each and ever day I could not afford to pay bills or do anything else. And three meals a day is a joke too. I'm glad my grandson is at school for lunch or we couldn't afford to feed him three meals a day.
Come on now. You eat ONLY healthy foods all the time? No ice cream or candies ever?
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
When I want a candy, I buy a single candy bar. I do not buy chips. If I want some, I'll buy a small single serving bag. We do like our ice cream. One half gallon will go me for at least 3 weeks. My husband can polish off a half gallon in 3-4 days.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168171)
• Boise, Idaho
3 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly ...I wish I were able to eat more healthily. Not happening though. Love our ice cream.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 May 16
@celticeagle a little goes a long way. I can go without it. But, put a good coffee ice cream in front of me and I am weak.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
3 May 16
honestly if people are judging what is in your basket, that is THEIR problem not yours anyways. We are responsible for ourselves, not others. And no one has the right to judge others. Even if they do, I hope they keep it to themselves. As for stamps, I honestly think junk foods should simply not be allowed, no chips, no candy, no ice cream. Frozen stuff I am fine with, as not everyone can or has time to cook, but no soda!
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
When I received food stamps for me and my children, I only bought healthy foods. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean meats. I only purchased soda, potato chips, and candy once in a while, and that was with my own money. If we had a treat such as cake, cookies, or other goodies, I made them myself.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 May 16
@Jessicalynnt oh wow. Hard times.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 May 16
I feel that healthy foods should be purchased before junk food.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 May 16
@DianneN I still try. It falls on deaf ears though.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
4 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly Definitely, but there's nothing you can do to change them at this stage of the game.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
Today I purchased some healthier food, but not much. In a week or two this client will be sending me to the food shelf.
@NJChicaa (120073)
• United States
3 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly Some people are just pieces of work.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
@NJChicaa it is more important to have that junk food than to have healthy, nutritious meals. I can whip up meals out of nothing. However, when I am asked to make a meal using staples that have no nutritional value, only calories, I feel like I am cheating them by knowing how to cook.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
3 May 16
I know how that is. we usually got mostly can goods and potatoes and some meat. even flour and such for biscuits etc. but we spent a little on cookies and pop for the kids first shop day sorry to say. its been a long time ago but had to let them have some fun stuff the 1st.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
I would bake a goody for them.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 May 16
@bunnybon7 once a month I would get our favorite pizza from our favorite pizza place. I would take the order so I could bake it at home. Got a 20% discount when I did that.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
3 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly I often did through the month, like peanut butter cookies, etc. but back then they would want a cheap bag of chips and you could buy a few cheap cookies, etc. my kids did not have pizza except the boxes we made till they were in their teens and I finally got a hubby that worked and would let me work. lol
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 May 16
They are quite expensive. Multiply that bottle of soda (name brand mind you) at $1.55 by the 14 bottles a week she consumes and that will break the bank fast.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly that is the 2 liter bottle too!
@carebear29 (31970)
• Wausau, Wisconsin
3 May 16
I only get $112 for a family of 3 
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
That isn't a lot. Have to do come creative shopping with that amount.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 May 16
@carebear29 that's when we did down deep and find new ways to use what we have on hand.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 May 16
@marlina I went yesterday and today too. I'll go again tomorrow. I was going to go shopping for our home on Friday, but decided to wait until Saturday. Hopefully my sister will go along with me.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
Had to go again today for 2 clients. The stores are still mobbed.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
4 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly I went shopping for about 30 minutes yesterday and that was just enough for me.
1 person likes this
@IvySaysHi (4467)
• United States
3 May 16
I wouldnt mind some advice on what we should use our food stamps on. We usually get things that we can make quickly or just grab and go.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
I tell the client what I will need to make the meals that are good for them. On the first they give me an entirely different list to purchase.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
If my clients would let me make the necessary purchases to keep their household running without going without, they wouldn't panic at the middle or end of the month wondering what they will have to eat.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
@JudyEv I try to help them, but when they are stuck in their ways, they need a professional.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341826)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly Are you able to counsel them at all and help them manage their finances better?
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
The majority of the shopping list was junk food.
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
3 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly it made.me think...have i been one?
1 person likes this
@pinkCardigangirl (587)
• United States
6 May 16
I think sometimes it's more expensive to buy healthier foods than junk food. I sometimes wonder if the prices were switched, and the junk foods were more expensive than the healthier foods, if people would change their eating habits and would start leading a healthier lifestyle.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 May 16
Case and point it costs a small fortune to buy salad fixings and less for tv dinner.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
I know that I can make a difference if only they will let me. Unfortunately, as you said, they are going to eat the way they choose. Can't change them if they don't want to change.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
I wait until I know that the stores are less crowded.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
3 May 16
There is a study that proves that most rich eat healthy food, while the many poor eat junk food.
It has to do with knowledge, money and time.
I think the poor just want to eat something quick, and they have no time to prepare a good meal.
They are not rich enough to go to restaurant.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
The store was so busy on Monday. It took me a long time to get what was on the list and an even longer time to get checked out.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
Oh she did have me buy apples today. Had to make apple crisp for her.
@theBlock (2657)
• United States
3 May 16
@ElusiveButterfly
Junk food is usually cheaper than the healthier food. When I was a kid I drank a lot of soda, but now I just drink water---but with lemon, baby!
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
3 May 16
The items that she wants were all name brands and costly. With the money I spent I could have filled her freezer with good food.
