jillebean's Profile

I was on SNAP for a year while I was an AmeriCorps member, and it really wasn't that hard. I got $200/month benefits, with an income of $1000/month. People who are getting $31/month have higher incomes and enough money to spend a little on food. That's why it's "supplemental."

I didn't have any debt to pay, but I paid for rent, car insurance, utilities, etc. I had some money in savings, but I managed to spend no more than my income every month except the month I moved (moving is expensive!). I probably overspent my SNAP benefits by $15-50 each month. I chose to spend a little extra on food so I could buy more organic and local products.

I don't advocate for a really tight food budgets by people who can afford it, because you are just contributing to others' poverty. I appreciate that the author is shopping at the farmer's market for that reason. My local farmer's markets accept SNAP, but they don't double them--I think that's a great program, and it would even be worth reducing benefits some and devoting money to it, where farmer's markets are ubiquitous. What a great way to encourage healthier eating while supporting local farmers.

Being pretty broke, we pack picnics and snacks everywhere we go in order to save money. I mean everywhere--concerts, Ikea, day-long bike trips. I love eating out, but I hate blowing my budget on sub-par food, when I could have packed something better and spent the money on a good (or new) restaurant at home. It's usually pretty simple stuff--sandwiches, pre-cut fresh produce, a good chocolate bar for dessert. I love hard-boiled eggs (comes in it's own package!), and I have packed spring rolls and grain salads before. Oh and breakfast! I like bringing along my own granola instead of having to eat a donut or something. I do save room for a splurge, like fish and chips for a weekend getaway on the coast, or dinners on a long road trip, or even just some ice cream after the picnic. It's all about spending your money wisely on things you actually want, instead of giving up a getting a Subway sandwich.

What I like about your rules is that I can explain with pretend authority why my boyfriend's idea is going to look terrible. I used to just "know," which would drive him nuts because it meant I was better at design or my opinion mattered more or something. Keep em coming!

The outdoor space absolutely transported me to Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris...glad to see French was actually what you were going for!

If you live somewhere you don't need a car, you could save thousands every year. So maybe some NY neighborhoods aren't so pricey after all.

Also see www.minibpassivehouse.com, small and very efficient!

Maybe people are thinking of cultivated honeysuckle. In the Northeast and North Central US, the wild honeysuckle is exactly that color. I grew up picking honeysuckle flowers and "sucking the honey" in the woods of Minnesota.

Clearly I have happy associations with this color--so I love it.

Yes, here in the states we need medicine take-back laws! I think the reason many people don't throw out expired medication is that they don't know what to do with it.

If you're using fresh pumpkin, freeze the pumpkin first to remove some of the water. If you're using canned, why not just make the filling ahead of time, store it in the fridge and bring with you? Then you pour it into the pie crust the day of, and it's fresh baked.

I do something similar, but I make the gravy the day of. I make stock from turkey necks that I get at the butcher the week before Thanksgiving; they usually break down some turkeys for folks who are making a small dinner, and have tons of turkey necks around for really cheap. I make lots of stock, freeze some for later, and keep some for making extra dressing. Then after the turkey is done, I make a roux, stir in the stock, and add whatever drippings from the turkey. I don't see the need to make the gravy ahead of time, since there's 20 minutes resting time for the turkey anyways.