By Kevin Winge
Day one of my second annual SNAP Challenge is off to a good start. Knowing that some SNAP recipients have transportation issues, this year I’m shopping for all of my food at my nearest convenience store – Walgreens. My SNAP week is off to a good start, not because of the kind of food I was able to purchase at Walgreens, but because – with careful shopping and coupon clipping – I was able to really stretch my $30.25.
Open Arms’ registered dietitian did a great job of creating a Walgreens menu. What she didn’t know, however, is that many of the items on my menu would be on sale this week. For example, a gallon of skim milk was $2.99 instead of $3.49. Although I really dislike canned green beans, and probably haven’t eaten any since elementary school back when Lyndon Johnson was President, I was excited to see that a single can was only .69 with a coupon compared to its usual price of $1.79.
The bottom line is that I spent $8.09 less than I thought I was going to. That meant I could splurge on a box of Grape Nuts cereal and still have $5.30 remaining in my budget for the week. I’m holding off until Walgreens coupons come out next Sunday to see what else I might buy for later in the week.
Here’s my grocery list so far:
Ramen Noodles (6 pack) – $1.89
Coffee – $3.99 on sale (not food, I know, but I gotta have it)
Gallon of Milk – $2.99 on sale
Dozen Eggs – $1.89
Wheat Bread – .99 on sale
Yogurt – .69
Oatmeal – $2.59
Peanut Butter – $2.99
Can of Green Beans – .69 with coupon
Can of Fruit Salad – $2.19
Raisins (1 oz. 6 pack) – $1.00
Grape Nuts Cereal – $2.79 on sale
Now it’s time to enjoy my first SNAP breakfast: a cup of coffee, 8 ounces of milk and one cup of oatmeal.
