Shopping Tips for Using Food Stamps

As the economic times are changing more families rely on Government food stamps to feed their families. The government guidelines determine how much each family can receive in food stamps each month; based on income, family size and housing costs. Food stamps are a godsend for many. With a few shopping tips, a family can stretch those foods dollars into more food a month. This does not mean having to eat beans and rice at every meal either.

The monthly allotment is put on an EBT card, which looks like a debit card. A pin is issued to the owner of the card. This card is used at the grocery store to pay for food purchases. Most foods can be purchased with and EBT card. Seeds and seedlings can be purchased to grow food in your garden. On a certain day every month the card will be reloaded with your food stamp amount.

Once you have your food stamps there is no need to immediately go running off to the store. It is beneficial to the family, if the main shopper preplans before spending the food stamps. Meal planning with the sales ads from the stores that you shop at regularly will help to stretch the food dollars. Also if you have access to a Sunday paper, start saving those coupons. Using both coupons and the stores sales can net you more food for your family or you can shop at a no frills store without using coupons.

If you want to shop at the more popular grocery store, there are a few things you can do to save some money. Make sure that you have the frequent shopper card they offer. You will be able to get any special savings by giving this card to the cashier when you check out. Also go over the sale flyer they have available. It is ideal to get these flyers before you are in the store. While you are still at home use the flyer to plan out some meals with what is on sale. Go a step further and match manufacture coupons with the sales in the flyer. Some stores even offer double coupon days; this would be the ideal day to shop. Don't forget to look for discounted meats, bakery and bread that can be frozen until use.

Aldi's is a great place to shop for low cost food. No coupons are needed to shop at Aldi and you will save money. Most of the products are "off brand" but are good quality. You would be surprised that many are manufactured by the "name brands" that we know and love. They package the Aldi products different and that savings is brought to the consumer. A website called Momadvice.com has a great menu planner for shopping at Aldi's http://www.momadvice.com/food/aldi_meal_plan.aspx ; here are different menus with recipes of the products available. The woman who created this menu plan believes that a family is able to do 100% of their shopping at Aldi's.

In some states the local farmer's market can also take EBT cards. One is able to help the local famer and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at a reasonable price. The best time to go is towards the close of the market. You may not get first pick but you will get awesome deals. As the day goes on the vendors are marking down the produce, to sell. The last thing they want to do is carry home all the produce that was picked. They can't bring it back the following week as it will have spoiled. Haggle with the farmer if you are not in agreement with the price they are looking for.

Using the food stamps to feed your family is necessary for many families. With the help of store ads, coupons and no frill grocery stores; a family is able to stretch the food dollars further each month. Visiting the local farmer's market will provide fruits and vegetables for your table at a reasonable price. A family can have a variety of meals and not feel as if they have to eat beans and rice at every meal to make it