I have a part time job and can barely afford rent. Considering Food stamps.

If the gov't offers it, you might as well take it. There are people far less deserving than you that are taking advantage of the system. The system needs to be fixed, but until it is, you might as well get yours. If you don't, some else will.

I say go for it. Someday you'll probably pay it all back via income taxes anyway.

The cheapest healthy foods:

organic carrots (like $1 per bag in some grocery stores)

brown rice

whole wheat or multigrain pasta

100% whole wheat bread

Potato (Russet)

Spinach

Just a few question to help you determine the diffference between luxury and necessity (which seems to be what causes so many American money problems)

Do you have cable tv?

Do you have the internet at home?

Do you have a monthly cell phone bill?

Is your home or apt over 65 degree in the winter?

Do you smoke?

Do you have tatoo(es) etc?

Do you drive newer vehicle?

are you making monthly payments on a newer vehicle?

Do you go to the moives often?

Do you go to starbucks often?

Do you eat out often?

all of these things cost money and are not necessities...i live on less than $10,000 a year (no food stamps, no gov assistance) but i also have no cable tv, no monthly cell phone or intenet bill, no high electricity bills, etc

I eat healthy. I work. I workout. I have a cell phone, but pay a yearly fee of $100 (tracfone) and use it only when really needed. I get the internet free at a Library. I never waste money on movies that will be free on tv in the future. I have never been to Starbuck, Crispy Creeme... I do eat out once a day at an all you can eat lunch buffet for under $10. I never buy anything that i cannot afford (on credit or loan = like a car, house, etc) so i pay no interest on the things i buy. I do however use a credit card for all my purchases for the cash back bonus of about $50 per year (but always pay my monthly bill on time so i don't pay fees). My electric bills have never been over $40 a month, but my apartment does get cold in the Winter (so i heat only one room - the one i am in at any given time).

basically i take responsiblity for my finances...if i dont have the cash, I don't make a purchase. this is something too many Americans and people on Goverment assistance don't seem to realize or want to hear. Of course, our Gov doesn't live within its means either.

Just because someone else has something (a new car, i-pod, etc) doesn't mean you have to have it. It is a luxury. People on Gov assistance probably shouldn't have too many luxuries.

I refuse to pay for your lack of effort. You can eat healthy with little money. Buy some lunch meat, whole wheat bread, and some fruit.

Don't be a leach on the system that I work my butt off to pay for.

Live in your car to save money of housing...people live in their cars all the time.

Move to a cheaper place. Use less electricity. (It is going to be in the low teens this week where I am, and I still do not plan on turning on the heater.)

Get rid of your car and ride a bicycle, use public transportation, etc.

You don't have to be saving money right now, you should be paying down on your debt.

Get another part time job. Wash windows, mow grass, clean houses, help the elderly complete tasks.

There are plenty of ways to cut spending that you can put toward other necessities.

Do you have cable?? Internet?? Wash your clothes by hand instead of using the washer and dryer which suck up electricity.

Buckle down like the rest of hard working AMERICA and don't get us to feel sorry for you!!

We are ALL facing tough times. I will cut my foot off before I rely on the obummerment to help me. I don't take handouts and I NEVER will. Our forefathers didn't take handouts when they established this country. They worked hard to earn their keep. And trust me...they had it a hell of a lot harder than you do, you bum!!

I lick the back of stamps to save on buying sugar

hahaha obummerment? That's terrible.

Anyway there's nothing wrong with using food stamps if you need them. There's also plenty of places to get a free meal if you want - soup kitchens.

I'd also question whether you really can't afford to eat healthily. I eat pretty healthy on about $40/week, and that includes fruit, vegetables, occasionally meat. If you have a grocery store nearby then just buy a bunch of brown rice, beans, and frozen vegetables.

If you''re poor but have money in the bank, you can NOT qualify for food stamps, which now is a card with credit. They don't use stamps any more.

However if you have a steady income, an expensive car, cable tv and lots of goodies every month, but NO money in the bank - then you will qualify easily.

If it makes you feel better, part of the reason for food stamps is to eliminate agricultural surplus. So don't think of yourself as being a moocher (as some suggested); think of yourself as helping American farmers in a mutually beneficial way!

Seriously, as long as you aren't breaking the law I don't see it as being any different than taking an income tax deduction for mortgage interest, or some corporation getting subsidies to set up in a state, or children getting a free K-12 education.

NO! Don't become a leach on society by holding out your hand for the government cheese. Learn how to provide for yourself. If you are unable to earn the necesssry funding you must resort to a life of crime.

Good Luck!

I've never seen a banner ad in Spanish on LRC, until this thread. There is a spanish Gain advertisement up top. Seems strange that it shows up on a thread about being poor and using food stamps...I think the ad generator is racist!

Don't listen to these idiots!! If the government is giving it away and it makes your life easier then, YES take the damn food stamps!!! Do you know how many drug dealers are on food stamps because they can't prove income? Do you know how many have more babies so the can get more food stamps and government housing?

You are TRYING. And sadly, that is WAY MORE than 90% of the people on food stamps.

When I was a graduate assistant as a track coach getting paid $4500 per 10 months and working 40+ hours a week and going to school...I took that 200 bucks, and I used what I needed (which wasn't much) and then I sold the rest to the internationals who were GS's and couldn't get them. A good deal for all involved.

take back what's yours!! wrote:

Don't listen to these idiots!! If the government is giving it away and it makes your life easier then, YES take the damn food stamps!!! Do you know how many drug dealers are on food stamps because they can't prove income? Do you know how many have more babies so the can get more food stamps and government housing?

You are TRYING. And sadly, that is WAY MORE than 90% of the people on food stamps.

When I was a graduate assistant as a track coach getting paid $4500 per 10 months and working 40+ hours a week and going to school...I took that 200 bucks, and I used what I needed (which wasn't much) and then I sold the rest to the internationals who were GS's and couldn't get them. A good deal for all involved.

I agree. I've heard that The Pre was on food stamps. I know one of my friends got welfare while working on a PhD.

I'm curious what is your income? I believe the current income qualifications mean that you'd have to be bringing in less than 14k a year, assuming that you are single. Andy do you work full or part time? Your title and first post contradict themselves. If you are making that much or less than maybe you should consider switching jobs rather than getting on foodstamps. Also, since you do have some income, you would probably not be getting the full $200. In most states you would just get a percentage of that.

In addition your income as asked by the previous poster, I would like to know what your college major was and what your current job is. Was it worth it?

As I understand it, you aren't starving, and you have enough money to pay for shoes and other stuff that goes with running.

So before you decide to get food stamps, even if you are "entitled" to them, go tell your parents and friends what you are doing. If you can do that and feel no shame, go ahead and do it.

But taking handouts you don't need is among the most degrading thing a human can do. At best you save a few bucks, at worst you further stretch a system that some people actually need.

Dogs take handouts from their masters, men go to work.