I’m doing the SNAP challenge, guys!

If you don’t know what that is, it is to live off of $29/week for food. Nothing you currently have can be used, and I am following the rules of this challenge to the max and adding in my own personal extra challenges.

• First, I will start from the absolute scratch! No food or drink I currently have in my house can be used. Not even that leftover soy sauce packet from when I had Chinese takeout months ago.
• Second, I will do all my shopping in one trip to simulate how inconvenient shopping when you ride the bus is. If I forget something, too bad. In addition, I will not use a regular supermarket as one complaint against the challenge was that many people on SNAP benefits live in a ‘food desert’ where there are no supermarkets nearby. I have chosen my local 99 Cents Only store. Oh, and no coupons either.
• Third, I will not use my microwave or oven. This is in case people on SNAP benefits do not have a microwave and their oven is broken and they cannot afford to fix it.
• Fourth, I will perform this challenge for three weeks. I cannot do four as I am going on a trip at the beginning of November.
• Fifth, I will not use the local ways of getting 40-60 Lbs of produce for just $10.

In preparation, I have blocked off half my refrigerator and locked up my cabinets so I will not inadvertently use any of the food I have.

I can use all my other kitchen instruments, like pots and pans, spoons, and other devices.

Let’s begin the SNAP Challenge!

The first thing you should know is that the 99 Cents Only stores have some great deals and some that are cheaper elsewhere. It is a type of store that’s good for supplementing your grocery shopping, but they don’t have everything.

For example, they don’t have fresh meats and a very limited produce section. It will make meal planning that much more difficult. I like a challenge though.

SNAP Challenge – Here’s what I got:

• Milk (Gallon) – $2.09
• Bread – $1
• Margarine – $1
• 18 Eggs – $2.49
• Salt – $0.59
• Squash (2Lbs) – $1
• Garlic – $1
• 6 Tomatoes – $1
• White onions (2Lbs) – $1
• Asparagus – $1
• Strawberries – $1
• 3 Bananas – $0.59
• Quick Oats – $1
• Brown Rice (1.5Lbs) – $1
• Kidney Beans (1Lb) – $1
• Spinach Spaghetti (16oz) – $1
• Penne Pasta (24oz) – $1
• Ramen (2 packs) – $0.40
• Flour (2Lbs) – $1
• Vegetable Oil (16.91oz) – $1
• Canned Salmon (7oz) – $1
• 3X Albacore Tuna Cans – $3
• Fake SPAM (7oz) – $1
• Bacon (12oz) – $2

TOTAL: $28.16

After I got home I noticed I forgot to pick up peanut butter! I was going to have peanut butter sandwiches as a go-to thing if I needed something quick. Oh well, I said I would only go shopping once per week. Rules are rules.

I initially thought that this shopping trip was going to be easy, but starting from absolute scratch is hard! I found myself wondering what my last dollar was going to go towards. Should I get these carrots, or this pack of hot dogs, or maybe pasta sauce? Nope, I haven’t picked up any oil yet. So that’s where that dollar went.

After I put the refrigerated items in the fridge it hit me how little I have. I’ve never been a guy to have a bare fridge. I like to see a lot of food. I guess it makes me feel secure.

Look how sad the fridge looks…

Maybe future weeks of the SNAP challenge will be easier as I will have some leftovers? We shall see.

Make sure you come back and check in as I will show you every meal I eat and about how much it costs!

Can I make it?

Who knows. I’m hungry already, it’s time to cook.

What do you think of my purchases, were they smart? What would you buy with just $29 to eat all week? Let me know in a comment below.