Facts, Figures & Phase Two

On October 24, we began our SNAP challenge with $256.80.  That represented the average daily SNAP payment of $4.50 per person, per day through October 31, and $4.20 from November 1.  During that time we kept detailed records of what we spent both actual purchases at the grocery store and purchased from our own pantry.  That total was:  $166.58, leaving a balance of $90.22.  We ate out costing us $10.52. Although SNAP money cannot be spent in a restaurant, we subtracted that from our balance for a final remainder of $79.70.

Balance on October 24	$  256.80
Food Purchased	166.58
Remaining Balance	$    90.22
Splurge Meal	10.52
Final Balance	$    79.70

                                            ====

We kept very careful records of what each meal cost.  So that we would know if we were overspending for certain meals before things got out of hand. We ate $151.60.  Leaving us $14.98 worth of food in the pantry.

Some of those items are:

• saltines
• cereal
• tea
• cornmeal
• onions
• apples
• eggs
• milk
• coffee
• sugar
• sour cream
• flour
• shortening
• carrots
• broccoli
• chicken broth
• lentils
• sausage
• tortillas
• rice
• pancake mix

Even though everything is a partial package, it still gives a nicely stocked pantry on which to build in addition to the remaining funds.

The remaining food and funds along with the nagging feeling that we hadn't quite accomplished all that we could gave us the desire to continue this challenge but in a slightly different form.  Going forward we will track our grocery store and pantry purchase spending only.  We will not keep detailed records of each meal we eat.  We don't think SNAP families go to such great detail as to determine the exact cost of each ingredient used in each recipe.  (Besides the fact it was driving Lori around the bend!)

We have added 30 days of funds to our remaining balance giving our imaginary EBT card a balance of $331.70 on November 23.  SNAP balances do roll forward to the next month so this is legitimate.  We feel like this will be a challenge for us, since Lori likes to bake especially this time of year.  She has already agreed to make 100 cinnamon rolls for Breakfast with Santa, cookies for a Christmas program and communion bread for the month of December in addition to the desserts and side dishes she volunteered to bring on Thanksgiving.

We are leaving this phase open ended.  It will be over when we run out of money.  If on December 23 we have any money left, we'll add funds and keep going.  If before that time we run out of money we will consider the challenge over.  Lori has already made one trip to the grocery store to get supplies for the aforementioned dishes.  We will report on that next time.

In the meantime, there is one other statistic that may be of interest - Lori lost 1.8 lbs on the challenge, John lost 2.4 lbs