Dolla dolla bill, yo!
Since I'm still in the same situation and will have to learn to live like this long term (since the economy isn't getting any better, and the wait for nursing school is 2yrs from March (the date of the info session), I have realized that I have to just learn to live as the poor do. I've been pretty poor for the past 3 1/2 years on and off, with an 8moth stint of middleclass-dom. I love food, and I like to cook new things, and try new recipes that end up being costly.
I have a culinary album on facebook, where I just take pictures of some food, and I try to arrange it Top Chef style, although I lack the Top Chef Culinary education. Lately the album hasn't had many new updates due to my small grocery budget. It seems like I'm ALWAYS buying groceries. I used to spend $150 a month on groceries (which includes toilet paper, cleaning products, toiletries, shampoo and conditioner and contact lens stuff). Now I have to spend less if I want to have ANY kind of social life and want to be able to get takeout on really busy nights when I'm too tired to cook. Something's gotta be cut to make that happen.
I used to shop at Foodtown since their meat prices were decent. Recently my neighbor told me about the supermarket in Asbury Park. She said the meat is REALLY cheap there and I should check it out. She shops for a fam of 4. Me, just one. But still. One day when I was really broke (I think I had 11 bucks) I went to the ghetto supermarket and saw how much meat I could buy for the money. The meat looked decent. I've eaten stuff there before and I'm still alive, not sick so.... *shrug* I guess its ok. Some of the other things are lower quality though. The veggies and stuff like that. There aren't as many options as a regular supermarket either. They have some weird shit from Mexico, and South America that I've never heard of. Lots of latino candy and cookies and breads too. Most of the store is latino stuff. So the American products take a backseat. Most of the patrons pay with WIC (food stamps) so there are long lines at the checkout. But its worth it.
Normally the shopping I did today wouldve cost me around 70 dollars. Today my total was $53. I got ALOT of food. My cabinets and fridge are more stocked than theyve ever been!!! I'm happy that I found a way to get more food for my money, since I don't qualify for food stamps.
May not look like alot to you people who are married w/ kids, or who live with your parents, but for one person, this is ALOT of food. All for $53! I had pretty much nothing before this except some stuff in the fridge door, and the sauces and spices on the left side of my cabinet.
I can't wait til I can afford better stuff again but I expect to remain poor for a long time based on how things are going.
Note: The first picture in this entry of Fine Fare is actually in Inwood in Manhattan where I used to live. Inwood is at the border of Washington Heights and The top of the island of Manhattan.
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