About Ready To Eat A Tree!

[LuvMoosic4life]

Well, this is the coping thread, so I just need to rant a bit about my poorness right now!!! (I 'm not asking for anyone to feel sorry for me! lol)

I'm in college and have absolutley no money. My mom can barely help me out but sent $20 last week......wow, $20 doesnt go far when you are starting off with absolutley no food!! I bought a box of turkey burgers, rice, frozen veggies, apples, oj and smart balance margerine. It pretty much got me through 6 days, hungrily... but I've never felt so edgy in my whole life!!

Is ths normal when you are eating the exact same thing EVERYDAY? to want to scream, or just bite into a tree? haha

And it always makes me mad when people at school sit in class or in the computer lab, rip open a bag of pretzels or chips and start chomping away....but when I am poor and hungry, I am just about ready to turn around and slap them! I never understood why people have to eat in public like that!! If I eat at schhool I do it before entering the class room or lab or whatever....If I am that hungry and in class I make sure I am super quiet about it....but if only I could afford the luxury of portable foods! Being poor makes you realize how much people take food for granted! especially when they can eat whatever they want and not have to worry about getting sick!

[ShayFL]

I remember when I was in college the first go round. A week of food looked like this: 1 bag of apples, 1 box of cereal, 1 gallon of milk, 1 block of cheese, 1 box of crackers and 7 cans of tomato soup. That had to last me a whole week. And once a friend spent the night and I woke up and he was eating a bowl of my cereal. I went absolutely ape sh*t on him.!!! I told him I need 1.50 to cover what he was eating.....LOL

Hang in there. I know it is tough. I know. I used to pawn stuff for money. I kept my eyes on the ground cuz sometimes I found jewelry I could pawn. I checked the phone booths for change. I dont know how I made it, but I did and you will too.

[purple]

You could go to a local church. They have food banks. I will pray for you!

[missy'smom]

You might want to check into local charities or food banks. I know someone who was young and single and having a hard time making ends meet and found a local charity that helped out with groceries for a while until she no longer needed it. It's not a shame to ask and accept help. Don't just dismiss the idea. Check it out first and then decided.

Ok I see now that purple was thinking the same thing as me.

[mamaw]

I'm guessing you are eating gluten-free, correct? I see where others have said about food banks but I wonder how much gluten-free they would have, I'm sure you could get rice, beans, butter & staples but do you have a place where you can actually cook?Some students just have a micro.

I can tell you that if you e-mail a few gluten-free companies they will send you some samples. I understand you feel deprived . I think at times we all feel that way. We have been on easy street with burger joints & fast food.Now that is usually out the window.

Does your college have a gluten-free menu, if not it is a suggestion if you have the meal plan.

If you would like to send me your addy I will send you some things to help you out. I get samples for our support group.

I'm fairly sure many gluten-free companies would help you out. Pamela's is very good at helping. Amy's too. EnerG is another that comes to mind.

Let me know if I can send you some goodies.

blessings

mamaw

[Lisa]

What a nice offer mamaw.

[mamaw]

MommaGoose

thank you . We all should be helping each other & the world would be a better place. I'm sure it wasn't easy to say she is hungry & trying to get an education to have a good life. I think we all have been there.

Just think if we all sent a dollar what an impact we would have on a life!

blessings

mamaw

[MollyBeth]

MSAU22,

I would like to follow mamaw's example and offer my help. It wasn't too long ago that I was in college and broke. I was very fortunate though and have a father that was always able to help me make ends meet. Send me your address if you comfortable. I'd love to pass on the favor that my father did for me when I was in college.

[wildwood]

I feel the same way. If you are comfortable providing a pm with your address , I would love to help you in some way. I know sometimes we are uncomfortable accepting help. I went through the most difficult time in my life a few years ago. It was very difficult to accept help. The best advice I received during this time was "Let people help you, this is what they want to do. When it is your turn, pay it forward". I have been trying to follow this advice ever since. Once I started accepting the help, things just seemed to slowly get better and I did not feel so helpless and alone. This is another opportunity for me to pay forward all the gracious help I received. Please, please do not be afraid to accept help from those that want to help you.

[ShayFL]

I have rarely ever asked for help. I dont know why it is so hard for me to do so. Perhaps you are the same way. But there are times when it is o.k. to ask and certainly o.k. to receive it.

I liked the idea of if everyone sent 1.00. There is power in numbers. PM me and I can help too.

[LuvMoosic4life]

OMG I was not expecting such a response!! thank you so much! I literally starting crying (in a good way) over the offer of some of you sending me samples! It is REALLY hard for me to accept offers from anyone, but I might just take it up this time. I've never been in this bad of a situation before....although I know it could always be worse... I'll send out a message.

One of my friends offered to buy me food on thier account at school , but I just couldnt do it..plus its a risk of getting CC'd. The school does offer Gluten free foods, but I have to have a doctors note stating that I have celiac in order to get those "special" foods. I was never officially doagnosed and my records just say "IBS, may have celiac" I just dont want to go through getting myself sick just for a diagnosis on paper.

The schools fruit and salads are gluten-free, according to the food director..... but I used to work for the food service there and know that fruit and salads are prepared in the same area as bread being cut for sandwiches, the boards are just wiped down.

I live off campus in an apt. so I cook all my own foods. I did have a debit accountschool from my financial aid, but it ran out thanks to tuition going up and the cost of books. and they want to raise the tuition again in my state!

I'll look into the food banks. I thought about it before, but was kinda thinking there might not be much to choose from besides canned veggies....or if I'm lucky maybe rice chex-ha I try to stay away from canned veggies and get frozen, but sometimes there is no choice. I'll look into those companies for samples..I've actually done that for deodorant and personal care samples from wal mart.

thnks again so much!!!!!!!!

[DarkIvy]

Oh man, school is so frustrating right now. I totally understand. My family can't really help me out much, either, and I work full time just to pay my bills. Our tuition wasn't hiked *yet*, but my financial aid was cut drastically this year thanks to the credit crunch. Needless to say, it's been a rough semester and I totally understand where you are coming from, right down to the school cafeterias being totally sketchy for someone with celiac. Food is one of those things I've been cutting more and more corners on, but luckily when the fridge starts to look a bit too sparse my boyfriend runs to the store and buys a few things. I just try to be thankful for what I've got and not too upset about not having much money... or making payments late on things. It happens.

Actually, I just got my paycheck and feel like I want to cry. Payday has become the worst day for me, because I never know what to expect (I work partially on commission... and with a crappy economy...) and lately it's just gotten smaller and smaller. I'm expected to make $700-$800 a month of income cover $1300 worth of expenses every month. It really doesn't help that I live in an area where property values are so stinkin' high. My tiny one bedroom apartment is $1000 a month I pay half, but that's still more money than I make in one pay check most of the time.

The thing that sucks is for a while, my boyfriends parents said they were ready to help, and they offered me a small amount of money to get through the tough time, but it was conditional that I "stay in school". I'm dropping out next semester because I just can't do this anymore. I'm in so much credit card debt just from trying to survive and can barely make this work as it is. I think it's reasonable, but they are wanting me to pay them back ASAP because I'm not going to school. It's a very tense, uncomfortable situation and I almost wish I hadn't accepted any help at all- NOT to discourage you- i think most people who want to help are genuine, I think they just wanted to help because they are cosigners on the apartment lease and don't want this to screw up their own credit history. Originally I was going to take this semester off and just work, and I really wish I would have. When my bf's parents started flaking out and looking like they weren't serious about the apartment (it was weird) I almost pulled out last minute and moved back home. I SHOULD have. I wouldn't have to worry about rent, at least.

My advice to you right now is to absolutely listen to your gut instinct. There's a difference between not wanting to accept help and not accepting help because you feel like it will be worse for you in the long run. If someone wants to help you out of the goodness of their heart, by all means, take it. You need it. But trust yourself to get out of this situation and trust you own good judgement.

I hope things get better for you, I really do. I so understand how hard it is.

[purple]

With it being Thanksgiving time, some food banks may have perishables...butter, eggs, potatoes, celery, ham, sweet potatoes, turkey, fruits and veggies, also dried beans and rice...I have seen church food baskets they make up and was surprised at all the fresh items...don't rule it out just yet. I remember giving cool whip, butter, carrots, fruit, turkeys, frozen peas, celery, etc. I will mail you the $2.00 I have that I have been wondering how to spend wisely if you PM me with your address.

[photobabe42]

When I was in college, diagnosed with Crohn's (but not Celiac at the time) I used to HATE the dining hall food and how horribly my system did with it. Besides getting access to a kitchen in my building and cooking a lot of inexpensive basics, my friends and I made it a point to volunteer at a local ministry that hosted a midnight pancake and egg breakfast as well as other free meals. We worked and then we ate. I can still remember my friend Colin, who was a dx'd Celiac, looking so pleased at a huge plate of scrambled eggs, made in a clean pan, after the event.

So if you're not keen on the idea of taking charity, there are many ways to "earn" some help. I always found this to be more palatable when I was in those moods when I wanted to not think of myself as NEEDING help. Many of the food pantries around here work to "pull" certain foods from donations specifically for folks with dietary restrictions, and they are always looking for volunteers! Think of it as a win-win situation.

Good luck!

PS. Maybe we should start a "sponsor a student" program? It's a difficult time for anyone, healthy or not.

[Yana]

I live on a government benefit because I am disabled (though, since discovering my gluten intolerance that's improved somewhat). So I am perminantly on a very low budget. It may not be as low as yours, I remember I was far worse off when I was studing, but I have some tips:

1. Find a safe, cheap carbohydrate. Here in New Zealand, the safe cheap carbs are rice and potatos. Rice leaves me feeling hungry, so I ate a lot of potatoes. 5kgs is 15 meals for me. And here in NZ you can get 5kgs for about $7.

2. Find a safe cheap protein. I can't eat most meats, so I basically lived on egg and potatoes, and occationally a treat of gluten-free bacon/ham (Unfortunately, just recently, I had to take out potatos from my diet because I was gaining too much weight, but unless you're obese like me, potatoes should be fine for you, and good if they're cheap where you are).

Sometimes you can get your hands on cheap meat packs, if you live somewhere near a traditional butchery, where they make their own sausages and cut their own meats, and find one who is gluten-free friendly, they will sometimes discuss how sensitive you are, and make them up for you specially. Some even use new gear so there's no cross contamination. Many of those old traditional butcheries (at least here) appreciate returning clients, and so will make the effort to keep you, espeically now days as there are so many people who are gluten free.

3. Find cheap fruit or fruit juice. If you can vary them, like here in NZ we usually have two kinds of very cheap apples, so one week I'll buy one kind of apple, and the next a different kind of apple for a change in flavours. If you add 1/3 of water to 2/3 of fruit juice you can make juice go further, this adds more nutrients to your diet and stops water being so boring all the time. If you can find one cheap fruit, and one cheap vegetable, and budget it in meal portions, you can have healthy nutrients in your diet and still be on a shoe-string budget.

4. Eating the same thing day in and day out gets boring and your body will eventually throw a tantrum for the need to have variety (I get severe sensations of hunger, depression, achiness, etc). So, what I do is throw in a little variety (it doesn't need to be a lot to make a difference). If you can't deviate much, due to finances, deviate the flavours. For example. I would do eggs, potatoes and a little cheese, then once and a while add a touch of chilli powder or curry powder (I'm sure you know to make sure both powders are gluten-free). So that it's basically the same food, but it tastes different.

And save up any spare pennies and once a month plan for a meal on a known bad week that's nice and totally different to what you're used to. For example, I have one week a month when all the bank fee's come out, and it leaves me up the crapper for bill money and food money. So I save a few dollars every other week, and buy something nice for me as a reward, like a nice pack of gluten-free bacon (which is terribly expensive here), or buy one of those lovely packs of gluten-free cookies... or whatever. If you reward yourself for tolerating the harsh conditions on occation, you'll feel a little bit better about it, and you'll have something nice to hold out for.

When I was at university, thankfully, I wasn't aware of the gluten thing at the time otherwise I might have starved, I lived on 2 minute noodles.. you know fried noodles you add hot water and flavouring to? And I ate one pack 3 days a week for two years, (the third year I got more hours at work and less classes, so I got more money). It was so boring I wanted so desperately to eat anything else, I would save up, and every few weeks I could afford to buy a little chocolate bar, or some orange juice, or a pack of eggs or whatever. And that gave me something to hold on for on the non-treat weeks. It helped me continue on without going insane and stealing from someones vegegarden in the middle of the night.

It's hard, but if you keep at it, do all you can to look after yourself, accept help when you can, and go looking for help when you can, you can make it. Just keep at it, and keep positive.

Recently, since going off gluten, I've discovered neat little shops to get some cheap gluten free things. I don't know if there are equivalent shops where you are, but take a day on the weekend and look around at the shops nearby. I found a shop that sells cheap gluten-free flours, and online, you can find good mix recipes for making certain gluten-free flours, and other foods cheaply. I make gluten-free bread by hand (you can buy all the needed flours for that fairly cheaply), my mum (who's also gluten-free), even learnt to make her own pastry flour and made gluten-free pies out of some cheap mince she'd gotten on special from the butchery!

If you're smart and do lots of research, there are many corners you can cut and money you can save. Just stay vigilant and stay positive. You'll find a way through.

Kia kaha (stand strong)!

[LuvMoosic4life]

I live on a government benefit because I am disabled (though, since discovering my gluten intolerance that's improved somewhat). So I am perminantly on a very low budget. It may not be as low as yours, I remember I was far worse off when I was studing, but I have some tips:

1. Find a safe, cheap carbohydrate. Here in New Zealand, the safe cheap carbs are rice and potatos. Rice leaves me feeling hungry, so I ate a lot of potatoes. 5kgs is 15 meals for me. And here in NZ you can get 5kgs for about $7.

2. Find a safe cheap protein. I can't eat most meats, so I basically lived on egg and potatoes, and occationally a treat of gluten-free bacon/ham (Unfortunately, just recently, I had to take out potatos from my diet because I was gaining too much weight, but unless you're obese like me, potatoes should be fine for you, and good if they're cheap where you are).

Sometimes you can get your hands on cheap meat packs, if you live somewhere near a traditional butchery, where they make their own sausages and cut their own meats, and find one who is gluten-free friendly, they will sometimes discuss how sensitive you are, and make them up for you specially. Some even use new gear so there's no cross contamination. Many of those old traditional butcheries (at least here) appreciate returning clients, and so will make the effort to keep you, espeically now days as there are so many people who are gluten free.

3. Find cheap fruit or fruit juice. If you can vary them, like here in NZ we usually have two kinds of very cheap apples, so one week I'll buy one kind of apple, and the next a different kind of apple for a change in flavours. If you add 1/3 of water to 2/3 of fruit juice you can make juice go further, this adds more nutrients to your diet and stops water being so boring all the time. If you can find one cheap fruit, and one cheap vegetable, and budget it in meal portions, you can have healthy nutrients in your diet and still be on a shoe-string budget.

4. Eating the same thing day in and day out gets boring and your body will eventually throw a tantrum for the need to have variety (I get severe sensations of hunger, depression, achiness, etc). So, what I do is throw in a little variety (it doesn't need to be a lot to make a difference). If you can't deviate much, due to finances, deviate the flavours. For example. I would do eggs, potatoes and a little cheese, then once and a while add a touch of chilli powder or curry powder (I'm sure you know to make sure both powders are gluten-free). So that it's basically the same food, but it tastes different.

And save up any spare pennies and once a month plan for a meal on a known bad week that's nice and totally different to what you're used to. For example, I have one week a month when all the bank fee's come out, and it leaves me up the crapper for bill money and food money. So I save a few dollars every other week, and buy something nice for me as a reward, like a nice pack of gluten-free bacon (which is terribly expensive here), or buy one of those lovely packs of gluten-free cookies... or whatever. If you reward yourself for tolerating the harsh conditions on occation, you'll feel a little bit better about it, and you'll have something nice to hold out for.

When I was at university, thankfully, I wasn't aware of the gluten thing at the time otherwise I might have starved, I lived on 2 minute noodles.. you know fried noodles you add hot water and flavouring to? And I ate one pack 3 days a week for two years, (the third year I got more hours at work and less classes, so I got more money). It was so boring I wanted so desperately to eat anything else, I would save up, and every few weeks I could afford to buy a little chocolate bar, or some orange juice, or a pack of eggs or whatever. And that gave me something to hold on for on the non-treat weeks. It helped me continue on without going insane and stealing from someones vegegarden in the middle of the night.

It's hard, but if you keep at it, do all you can to look after yourself, accept help when you can, and go looking for help when you can, you can make it. Just keep at it, and keep positive.

Recently, since going off gluten, I've discovered neat little shops to get some cheap gluten free things. I don't know if there are equivalent shops where you are, but take a day on the weekend and look around at the shops nearby. I found a shop that sells cheap gluten-free flours, and online, you can find good mix recipes for making certain gluten-free flours, and other foods cheaply. I make gluten-free bread by hand (you can buy all the needed flours for that fairly cheaply), my mum (who's also gluten-free), even learnt to make her own pastry flour and made gluten-free pies out of some cheap mince she'd gotten on special from the butchery!

If you're smart and do lots of research, there are many corners you can cut and money you can save. Just stay vigilant and stay positive. You'll find a way through.

Kia kaha (stand strong)!

great advice!!!

I cant eat potatoes but I can eat sweet potatoes, which I discovered are now 38 cents a pound at wal mart where I am! I almost cried when I saw that!

[photobabe42]

Good idea about the stores that carry gluten-free items! One of the best things I ever learned when I worked at Kroger is the schedule for mark-downs of fresh and perishable items. If you shop at any grocery store regularly you will begin to notice a pattern. Also, the stock people can be very helpful with this type of information. It's always who you know... you know? I stock up on meat and cheese the last 7-10 days of the month. Organic juices and smoothies, soy "dairy" products, the fresh alternative milks, and fruits and veggies may be marked down as often as every other week. Check the expiration dates and then show up a two or three days ahead of that for the best pick. LOTS of stuff freezes well! Lastly, having a "shoppers" card at some stores can help a lot, and clipping coupons is a must. You can find many coupons online! And my local health foods store always has a clearance bin that I rout regularly, it's a great way to try new foods and stock up on basics like flours.

I'll second the taters idea. Eggs and home fries is one of my favorite all-time meals.

[LuvMoosic4life]

When I was in college, diagnosed with Crohn's (but not Celiac at the time) I used to HATE the dining hall food and how horribly my system did with it. Besides getting access to a kitchen in my building and cooking a lot of inexpensive basics, my friends and I made it a point to volunteer at a local ministry that hosted a midnight pancake and egg breakfast as well as other free meals. We worked and then we ate. I can still remember my friend Colin, who was a dx'd Celiac, looking so pleased at a huge plate of scrambled eggs, made in a clean pan, after the event.

So if you're not keen on the idea of taking charity, there are many ways to "earn" some help. I always found this to be more palatable when I was in those moods when I wanted to not think of myself as NEEDING help. Many of the food pantries around here work to "pull" certain foods from donations specifically for folks with dietary restrictions, and they are always looking for volunteers! Think of it as a win-win situation.

Good luck!

PS. Maybe we should start a "sponsor a student" program? It's a difficult time for anyone, healthy or not.

thats a lgood idea. I think I will look into that as something to do over winter break. I wont have time for a job b/c I am looking at 20 credits plus an internship next semester! but I'm sure i could squeeze in a a few hours to help people out! I did some volunteer work for the church where my grandma goes to a few years back and always left with goodies!

[mamaw]

Hi

I wanted to let you know I have your boxes packed & ready for shipment ! I hope you accept the offers some kind people on here have offered. It is the people who have less that will help! I never figured out why that is ...

Here is another thought . Have you applied for food stamps? Food stamps generally does not go against you nor do you need to pay the state back ....-This way you would at least not be hungry.

At one of our local churches thay have a program that each month for $20.00 you get a month's worth of food. It has meat, veggies, potatoes, & fruits. They are canned things as well , it is called Angel's caring here. I know it is a program that is in every state available through churches....

Your pkg will arrive snail mail so be on the look out for them in about five days or so.

take care

blessings

mamaw

I hope more will step up & send you a buck......Kudos to those who have already offered, you will be rewarded someday.......

[DarkIvy]

I remembered some of my own tips that I swear by, figured I'd give them to you:

-Look very closely in the meat sections at the grocery stores. Things that are close to expiring (within 3 days or less) often have a "managers special" sticker on them and are dirt cheap. I once found these huge veggie and steak kabobs for $3.00 because they expired in two days. I made them for dinner that night for my boyfriend and I. You can also find regular steaks, pork, and chicken on special usually for less than half the price of the regular stuff. If you freeze it right away, it will still keep for a while.

-Also, you can buy big packs of ground meat that are cheaper because they are in bulk. What I do is I separate it into smaller ziplock bags and freeze. I big roll of this stuff can last me a month, and can add a lot of protein, fat, and flavor. Similarly, bigger packs of chicken or pork often cost less, and you can freeze what you can't use right away.

-Buy produce when it's on sale. I always look really closely at all the prices, and only buy what's on sale. Like others have pointed out, potatoes and apples are usually very cheap. However, carrots, onions, Roma tomatoes, oranges, bell peppers, and other nutrient rich veggies regularly go on sale. Sometimes avocados go on sale for $1 each.... and they are fabulously rich veggie with good proteins, fats, and nutrients. So if peppers and carrots are on sale one week, that's what I get. I always keep potatoes on hand, because they can make such cheap, easy, filling meals. Put some butter and sprinkle a bit of cheese or ground meat on a baked potato. Voila! Bananas are almost always cheap, so those are another good option. They're nutrient packed and are a good source of energy.

-Eggs are your friend. You can buy big 18 packs for less than $2. Each egg is less than 10 cents. They are a very cheap way to get some protein. Eggs are a good staple: you can fry a couple up in the morning for breakfast, and I like to boil a few at a time and take one with me to work for a snack.

-Corn tortillas keep things interesting for me. They're pretty cheap, and you can warm them up with cheese in between for a quick easy snack or put eggs on them with a bit of hot sauce for a change of pace with eggs.

-Instead of juice (it's harsh on my stomach, I prefer fresh fruit) get a box of tea. You can buy chamommile or black tea for a buck or so. Heat up some water, put a teabag in the cup, and you've got yourself a drink other than water that's cheaper than soda or juice. I hate drinking plain water, so this is a good solution for that. Peppermint tea can help you focus, chamommile or sleepy time is relaxing, and black tea can give you a cheap caffeine fix.

-Get the grocery store's savings card. All you have to do is go up to their customer service desk, they give you a quick form, and you get a card. Where I shop, a lot of stuff is *only* on sale with the card, and there can actually be some really good deals. A lot of stuff is 10 for $10, but you can buy as little as you want and still get the deal. For example, ten pounds of a given veggie for $10, but if you just get one pound for $1, it's still a pretty good deal. I've seen spices go on sale pretty regularly for similar prices.

-Casseroles are a good thing to learn how to make. They can be made cheaply and in large quantity, so you have instant meals for a few days. Rice, a bit of cubed meat, some spices, salt, veggies, and broth baked together can last me a few days.

Pick up the store's flyer as you come in. There are coupons and it lists all the things that are on sale. It's easier to find some good deals this way!

If you can tolerate it, tofu is another good cheap source of protein.

Also, get yourself a jar of peanut butter. Dip apples or celery into it and you've got yourself an instant, filling snack.

Yogurt can also be cheap, depending on the brand. Generic can be 3/$1, and generally has around 6 or 7 grams of protein. It'll give you a nice sugar rush, as well

I sometimes buy a tub of sour cream to put on all of my Mexican inspired dishes, or on the tortillas with eggs. Adds a bit of flavor and fat. I know for me anyway, I loose weight easily and tend to need the extra fat, especially in leaner times when I can't afford to eat as well as I'd like to. It's a good cheap solution. Alternatively, I buy real butter (generic can be very cheap) and use it to cook eggs or put on potatoes or rice.

Rice can be very cheap if bought in bulk. It'll last you a long time, too. When I want something sweet and don't want to splurge on the more expensive gluten-free treats, I'll make myself some rice and put butter and sugar and maybe a bit of vanilla extract if I've got any on hand. It's yummy!

Also, try to think of different combinations you can do with what you've got. For example, I can make tacos with ground beef, tortillas, cheese, and hot sauce. Or I can put eggs on tortillas, or make a quesadilla in the microwave. I can make sweet butter rice or I can cook it with seasoning, veggies and a bit of meat for a meal. Or I can stir fry the meats and veggies and have a side of rice with it. I could bake a potato, or slice it up and put cheese, milk or butter, and meat in a pan a bake it, or I could slice it up and fry it in a pan to make some homemade fries or hashed browns. Mixing it up with a few basic staples keeps me sane.

I hoped that helped you even a bit. These are the kinds of tricks that really help me scrape by.

[LuvMoosic4life]

Hi

I wanted to let you know I have your boxes packed & ready for shipment ! I hope you accept the offers some kind people on here have offered. It is the people who have less that will help! I never figured out why that is ...

Here is another thought . Have you applied for food stamps? Food stamps generally does not go against you nor do you need to pay the state back ....-This way you would at least not be hungry.

At one of our local churches thay have a program that each month for $20.00 you get a month's worth of food. It has meat, veggies, potatoes, & fruits. They are canned things as well , it is called Angel's caring here. I know it is a program that is in every state available through churches....

Your pkg will arrive snail mail so be on the look out for them in about five days or so.

take care

blessings

mamaw

I hope more will step up & send you a buck......Kudos to those who have already offered, you will be rewarded someday.......

I cannot say "thank you" enough!!!! This has made me so happy!!! I wish I could give you a hug! and everyone else here who has pffered to help. I still can't believe it! even if it is just a little bit, I am lost of words. This just confirms to me that there ARE other good people out there. And you are right: it always seems to be those who have less are the ones that help.

I know someone who is a millionare and rides around on a tour bus. One night after a gig my friend who I play with didnt have anywhere to sleep and had to use all of the gig money he made that night to buy a hotel room. The guy who has the tour bus just happened to be there and couldve easily offered him to sleep on the bus, but he didnt. He ended up having to get a room, while the millionare and his wife also got a room and A SEPARATE ROOM FOR THERE TWO DOGS!!!! while the empty tour bus sat outside the hotel!! it just sickened me.

I thought about food stamps. I just might do it. Trying to sleep at night with a growling stomach is not fun!! For some reason I get nightmares when my stomach is empty (does this happen to anyone else??)

[LuvMoosic4life]

I remembered some of my own tips that I swear by, figured I'd give them to you:

-Look very closely in the meat sections at the grocery stores. Things that are close to expiring (within 3 days or less) often have a "managers special" sticker on them and are dirt cheap. I once found these huge veggie and steak kabobs for $3.00 because they expired in two days. I made them for dinner that night for my boyfriend and I. You can also find regular steaks, pork, and chicken on special usually for less than half the price of the regular stuff. If you freeze it right away, it will still keep for a while.

-Also, you can buy big packs of ground meat that are cheaper because they are in bulk. What I do is I separate it into smaller ziplock bags and freeze. I big roll of this stuff can last me a month, and can add a lot of protein, fat, and flavor. Similarly, bigger packs of chicken or pork often cost less, and you can freeze what you can't use right away.

-Buy produce when it's on sale. I always look really closely at all the prices, and only buy what's on sale. Like others have pointed out, potatoes and apples are usually very cheap. However, carrots, onions, Roma tomatoes, oranges, bell peppers, and other nutrient rich veggies regularly go on sale. Sometimes avocados go on sale for $1 each.... and they are fabulously rich veggie with good proteins, fats, and nutrients. So if peppers and carrots are on sale one week, that's what I get. I always keep potatoes on hand, because they can make such cheap, easy, filling meals. Put some butter and sprinkle a bit of cheese or ground meat on a baked potato. Voila! Bananas are almost always cheap, so those are another good option. They're nutrient packed and are a good source of energy.

-Eggs are your friend. You can buy big 18 packs for less than $2. Each egg is less than 10 cents. They are a very cheap way to get some protein. Eggs are a good staple: you can fry a couple up in the morning for breakfast, and I like to boil a few at a time and take one with me to work for a snack.

-Corn tortillas keep things interesting for me. They're pretty cheap, and you can warm them up with cheese in between for a quick easy snack or put eggs on them with a bit of hot sauce for a change of pace with eggs.

-Instead of juice (it's harsh on my stomach, I prefer fresh fruit) get a box of tea. You can buy chamommile or black tea for a buck or so. Heat up some water, put a teabag in the cup, and you've got yourself a drink other than water that's cheaper than soda or juice. I hate drinking plain water, so this is a good solution for that. Peppermint tea can help you focus, chamommile or sleepy time is relaxing, and black tea can give you a cheap caffeine fix.

-Get the grocery store's savings card. All you have to do is go up to their customer service desk, they give you a quick form, and you get a card. Where I shop, a lot of stuff is *only* on sale with the card, and there can actually be some really good deals. A lot of stuff is 10 for $10, but you can buy as little as you want and still get the deal. For example, ten pounds of a given veggie for $10, but if you just get one pound for $1, it's still a pretty good deal. I've seen spices go on sale pretty regularly for similar prices.

-Casseroles are a good thing to learn how to make. They can be made cheaply and in large quantity, so you have instant meals for a few days. Rice, a bit of cubed meat, some spices, salt, veggies, and broth baked together can last me a few days.

Pick up the store's flyer as you come in. There are coupons and it lists all the things that are on sale. It's easier to find some good deals this way!

If you can tolerate it, tofu is another good cheap source of protein.

Also, get yourself a jar of peanut butter. Dip apples or celery into it and you've got yourself an instant, filling snack.

Yogurt can also be cheap, depending on the brand. Generic can be 3/$1, and generally has around 6 or 7 grams of protein. It'll give you a nice sugar rush, as well

I sometimes buy a tub of sour cream to put on all of my Mexican inspired dishes, or on the tortillas with eggs. Adds a bit of flavor and fat. I know for me anyway, I loose weight easily and tend to need the extra fat, especially in leaner times when I can't afford to eat as well as I'd like to. It's a good cheap solution. Alternatively, I buy real butter (generic can be very cheap) and use it to cook eggs or put on potatoes or rice.

Rice can be very cheap if bought in bulk. It'll last you a long time, too. When I want something sweet and don't want to splurge on the more expensive gluten-free treats, I'll make myself some rice and put butter and sugar and maybe a bit of vanilla extract if I've got any on hand. It's yummy!

Also, try to think of different combinations you can do with what you've got. For example, I can make tacos with ground beef, tortillas, cheese, and hot sauce. Or I can put eggs on tortillas, or make a quesadilla in the microwave. I can make sweet butter rice or I can cook it with seasoning, veggies and a bit of meat for a meal. Or I can stir fry the meats and veggies and have a side of rice with it. I could bake a potato, or slice it up and put cheese, milk or butter, and meat in a pan a bake it, or I could slice it up and fry it in a pan to make some homemade fries or hashed browns. Mixing it up with a few basic staples keeps me sane.

I hoped that helped you even a bit. These are the kinds of tricks that really help me scrape by.

thank you! I am going to print all of these ideas off!

[Juliebove]

I was once where you are. I didn't know of my food allergies back then and didn't have to follow a gluten-free diet.

For breakfast, I ate boiled eggs or breakfast bars if I could find them on sale.

Lunch was spaghetti. I made a huge pot of it with from scratch sauce. No cheese. No meat. Couldn't afford it. I ate this for lunch because I had no microwave at home. I had it frozen and could heat it up at work.

Dinner was a peanut butter sandwich and some canned peas.

I rounded this diet out with apples, carrots and plain air popped popcorn.

It did get tiring. I had to eat this way for a month. I was able to get a dinner once a week either at my parent's house or at Sizzler where I got the "All you can eat" salad bar. I really ate my fill there.

[LuvMoosic4life]

PS. Maybe we should start a "sponsor a student" program? It's a difficult time for anyone, healthy or not.

you know, after all the help I recieved from this forum, I think I just might look into somehow creating a "sponser a student" program...seriously!!!!!......it could be a thing accross the country.....I know so many people that are dropping out of school b/c they just can't sfford it!!! its really sad. I'm really going to look into this now!

[JNBunnie1]

Hey, so how've you been doing? Have things gotten any better or have you been able to pick up a few hours work somewhere?