The Food Thing
August 4, 2009 by Kristin LaVanway · 2 Comments
OK, just to warn anyone who might be reading this blog, there are going to be a lot of postings…a LOT! Why, because I am a single mom with neither a hubby nor a shrink to consult with. My therapy is this blog. And on a day like this, I need two sessions.
I am usually a pretty upbeat person, but some days, here lately, I cry a lot. And I hate it. It is non-productive. It really is. Boo hoo, my problems are so bad. Well, after you sniff into a couple of Kleenex for 30 minutes, guess what? Your problems are still there.
So, instead, I am going to write about one of the successes I have had in battling my economic crisis. An area in which I have truly excelled. And that would be the food thing.
I have four boys, ages 17, 17, 15 and 12. Big boys who play sports. They eat a lot. Over the last year I have whittled the food budget down to about $700 a month. I thought that was pretty good, especially since that includes dog food and cleaning supplies. But it’s just not good enough. So, in light of the tough months we have ahead, I have challenged myself to cut that food budget to $400 per month. That’s right…I am feeding a family of five on $400 per month.
First step was to get the boys on board. So we had a family meeting. I have been very honest with them about our situation and I have made it clear that I intend to take any measures necessary to keep this house. Especially with my successful loan mod – it will be hard to rent for what my mortgage payment is. We all agree we will do what is necessary…But, sacrifices must be made in order of us to achieve this goal. And my first thought was…Top Ramen.
Top Ramen got me through college. I ate it almost every day. My favorite recipe was a Top Ramen salad with radishes, cucumbers and some cheap salad dressing. I brought up this idea to the boys and they were delighted! They love Top Ramen too! One of my kids eats it raw – like crunchy shoestring potato chips. So we now always have plenty of Top Ramen in the house.
But Ramen wasn’t going to be enough. Next up, I checked into the reduced lunch program at school. I make “too much” with my median real estate agent’s pay to qualify for much aid, but I do make a small enough wage to qualify for the reduced lunch program. This is a huge relief. I can go hungry, but it is very tough to listen to the growling stomachs of my kiddos.
Still not enough…I needed another edge to make my $400 goal. And it came to me in the form of the Food Club at St Mary’s Food Bank. Again, I don’t qualify for food assistance, but this program is open to anyone. For prices ranging between $16-$30, you can buy a package of food with meat, pantry items, a box of donated goods and some bonus items. It’s a cart load! A friend of mine – a fellow, struggling single mom – told me about this place. She said “It’s a little far, but worth the drive”. She was right! We can now add meat, fruits and vegies to our Ramen diet.
Another find – the Superstition Ranch Farmer’s Market at Main and Higley – more produce and great prices. When I drove by and saw the sign for “Watermelon – $0.09 per lb”, I knew I was on to something.
In order for this to work, we need to factor in some indulgent treats from time to time. As it turns out, Rice Krispie Treats offer more satisfaction per $ than ice cream. Who knew? I can still have coffee in the morning, I just have to buy generic “Fry’s” brand instead of the bulk Starbucks from Costco. I just make sure to have it in my Happy Face mug (a treasure discovered at the Goodwill) for maximum enjoyment. And with deals like $1 cones at Baskin-Robbin and 5 for $5 Sonic burgers, we might just make it.
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I am a Realtor in Gilbert, AZ, working with clients throughout the Phoenix Metro area. I am lucky to love what I do and appreciate the difference I can make in people's lives.
In a previous life, I was a rocket scientist - really! - but decided to step away from corporate America to be a Mom to my four boys. Found it hard to do bake sales, so I ran a small independent programming business instead.
Flash forward...I am now a single mom and I face many, many challenges everyday. I am living through the hardships that many are facing in this economy. These experiences have motivated me to help other people in my shoes.
I have teamed up with Dean Ouellette to form the East Valley Team - the best darn team in the Valley. Check out our site at http://www.EastValleyTeam.com. I spend way too much time on YouTube - check ou tmy channel at http://www.youtube.com/klavanway
You are an inspiration! I found a program called Angel Food Ministires that sounds similiar and it’s been great! They call it Blessings in a Box. Both a Bargain and a Blessing. I’m in So. Ca. but I understnd they have prorgrams in 35 states.
One question that Eckhart Tolle ask is right now, at present time do you have any problems. This is pretty powerful. None of us usually do, and if we do we usually naturally take care of it without much thought.
A much wiser One said “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”
No, the solution is not to feed your kids bird-feed, though!
Glen
PS easy for me to say. I have no kids, no mortgage on my residence, nor other big drains on my cashflow.