"Can you enjoy steak on a tight budget?

Posted on September 21 at 7:13 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Oh and Frogger have you been to Sentry and seen those whole chickens under the HOT lights. That is called HOT meat or cooked foods. Same with the potato wedges, mac-n-cheese, etc...that are in the heated part of the deli section those are also HOT foods because they are already cooked. Which you cannot buy with Food Stamps. With your attitude I bet you wish there was your type of "HOT meat" at sentry because it sounds like you need a someone to love you, you sound sad!"

The "HOT meat" I was speaking of was at Quarnas bar. IT was STOLEN meat from Sentry. The owner at that time said "that doesn't happen in my bar" I said YES IT DOES!

yep, take the laptop to the bar. They have wifi now.

tink: you sound like a wonderful person who is just down on your luck. stop listening to anything that frogger says to you. from her posts it is quite obvious that she is a barfly who has already had too much to drink by noonish on any given day.

KUDOS for you frogger. Your examples taught or showed me nothing I didn't already know! Thanks for the insight on certains individuals on assistance! If you were not referring to me in anything you said then why are you copying quotes from my posts that there shows and tells me there is finger pointing! I never said you said that I was a LAZY BUTT, not sure what your really talking about there. I have better things to do now than worry about what others are saying about others! Unless of corse you hit a cord of mine that doesn't sound well, I then might have to give my two cents again! Good Day!

People in this situation then have MORE kids? WHY?? As an think I said in an example previous. There is free BC for a reason. IF you get badjer and free food you certainly get free BC. I get it you had kids before. Like I said I am not talking about you.
One more example for you. unwed TEEN gets pregnant with loser- now in prison. Gets preg again with another loser- also in prison. Stop there no has a few more kids. Nobodies fault but their own. No child support oviously.
SO here are my few stories I have know about.

sO CANNOT SAY LAZY BUTTS ON HERE.
I was just stating I am tired of the abuse and the free ride for those who can work and refuse. I gave examples in previous stmts. If this makes me a bad person because I am sick of it then I guess I am a bad person. I donate time, things and $$ and don't prefer it going to the lazy butts. Never said you were lazy butt.

I also agree Sigma40 just the finger pointing that irritates me. And I don't mind sharing my life story because I for one am proud of what I have done and what I am doing, not ashamed at all (never was ashamed, embarrassed yes, but not even embarrassed anymore either)!!!! Hope you all are having a wonderful rainy Friday and lets hope for some sunshine this weekend to enjoy, go out for a walk on the trails, or just hang out outside and enjoy each others company! Peace and GO BADGERS - lets all JUMP AROUND just because it is FUN!!!! :)

Tink - Its unfortunate that there are people who abuse this.. I wasnt saying you were or implying. I didnt mean for you to write your story on here, what I meant is we should have a system in place.. people that check on this in detail annually. Maybe randomly show up at your door once a year. You may not need it by the sounds of it, but its the others that abuse it that something like this needs to be in place. Kind of like the theft detectors at the doors of stores.. If you steal the thing goes off... I dont take it as a personal attack that they think im a thief because they put them in... its the few that ruin it for everyone else. I know and have known people on assistance programs that really abuse it.. they make lots of money... just not on the record, and stuff like that. Not cool.

Oh and Frogger have you been to Sentry and seen those whole chickens under the HOT lights. That is called HOT meat or cooked foods. Same with the potato wedges, mac-n-cheese, etc...that are in the heated part of the deli section those are also HOT foods because they are already cooked. Which you cannot buy with Food Stamps. With your attitude I bet you wish there was your type of "HOT meat" at sentry because it sounds like you need a someone to love you, you sound sad!

Frogger: I would love to defend myself & respond to all you said, but I don't think I need to. But I will say a few things, I make more than minimum wage, don't get back as much as you think, and you have too much time on your hands to sit and criticize everyone else. I hope you live happily and succeed in life because you sound like a very depressed and upset person that you need to constantly put others down to make yourself feel worthy. (I have seen this on a lot of blogs, just never comment because of crap (whoops had to change that work, gazette told me to watch my mouth..LOL) & drama like this). Adult drama and nit picking is worse than it is in High School now a days! Sheesh grow up! Oh and if you would read my posts, I said I have seen people do the same thing by abusing the system, but just asking for people not to assume a thing until you know the facts! Golly for all we know maybe it was me who was buying that steak that the person called sound off about, you just never know do you! Have a good day and Don't Worry Be Happy Frogger things will sooner or later get better for you, I wish you all the best!!!!!

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onelife2live
Sep 20, 2012 at 2:26 a.m.
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Hard, It wasn't rib eye. That's why it was $12 to $15 per steak. Just wanted some T-Bones. Expensive and going up. jmo

Hardtobelieve
Sep 19, 2012 at 11:03 p.m.
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If you are paying $12-$15 a steak, then I question where you're buying it. I bought a very nice ribeye steak the other night from Woodmans and paid exactly $7.62. More than enough too. Shop around."

Yes you can buy a Ribeye for $8. and 1 lb is not a serving for one person either! 4 people can split this.

tink-"I work full time and pay taxes so I do believe I also pay those taxes I am getting a free handout out of! "

actually you don't pay taxes with three kids to write off making min wage and paying interest and taxes on mortgage. Yuo get back way more than you pay.
This is what I could never figure out with the couple with a few kids. Would get back $8000 in taxes when you only made lets say about $20,000. Rented.

"tink0803
Sep 19, 2012 at 9:58 a.m.
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And you know people are not trying to get off it how? You know all these people first hand? This subject ticks me off because people just assume, and you know what they always say when you assume"

Here is a couple first hand stories since you would like me to share.
a person will only work 30 hours when VERY capable of working more- she will lose he badger care, $100 rent etc if she worked a FULL week. TEENS are in school. She worked during the day.
another person- kids in school. One has a degree and can make $50 a yr but one is to proud or what ever so one makes min wage could make more but isn't doing well at job.
Also could get ins at work but why when you can make min wage get badger care. BOTH smoked over 2 packs a day EACH!!

tink0803
Sep 19, 2012 at 7:03 a.m.
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And Frogger working on the side for CASH sounds wonderful, but when I work 7.5 hours a day, have three kids to get from school, go home cook supper, clean up, and getting ready for the next day of work & school, having really don't have the time to go and get a cash job, or even a part time second job doesn't always work for everyone! Again people opening their mouth and making comments before they know each"
Didn't say you did. This is another form of the ABUSE I speak of!!
As far a people getting steak and lobster because of they don't they'll just steel it reminds me of being at a work XMAS party at Quarnas. A black man at the bar had a very large coat on. It was full of stolen meat from Sentry. Told the owner lady about this and she said "not in my bar" I said YES in YOUR bar!! I had never seen "hot" meat for sale. Let Sentry know to keep on eye on their meat. That sounds funny- sorry not trying to be funny.

Tink. Previous writer is right. Don't let it get you down. My mother is on Social Security at $1100 per month. She pays rent and also $350 a month for her supplemental insurance to Medicare. She doesnt have much either and qualifies for food card. $28 per month is what she gets. If I hear one person say Social Security and medicare is an entitlement program, then I think I will vomit. If it is a government give away, why did they take it out of her check for years to put away so she would have it when she can no longer work. She is only reaping back what she paid. If it is entitlement, then all the people that have money in banks, etc, that get interest from the federal government, then you are receiving an entitlement too. We paid for it, we earned it. NO ENTITLEMENT.

tink0803 don't let people get you down, you like many of us have found yourself in a tough situation, asking and accepting help is a far cry from abusing a system. You are doing right for your kids good for you, I prefer that people rather than point at you perhaps look for creative ways to help you off assistance, that would be more constructive. I was raised by a single mom so I completely understand, she worked 3 jobs and you know what, if it wasn't for that example she showed me in my youth I never would have survived the hurdles I have had to overcome over the past few years. You are a good example for your kids because you are NOT abusing the help you are offered and recognize that you need. I apologize on behalf of some folks on this thread. Good luck to you and your kids.

Sigma40: Why do I get assistance? I am 40 years old and have no plans on any more kids. My youngest is almost 7 years old so that is not why I popped them out and sure as hell have no plans of having more just for assistance (I have seen this though). I got divorced, but I wanted the house because it is the house that I lived in all my life (bought it from my parents), I wasn't going to give it to him, or just let it go. I have someone living in my basement that pays me not a whole to do so (which I claim as income, did I have to no, but it was the right thing to do)! I do not make a whole of money and yes I have cable, a very old computer with mainly just the internet-which seems to be a must now a days with high school kids, I do not have time to be running her to the library, or whatever to do her homework so I have the internet and cable (cheaper to get both as a bundle), no house phone-cell phone only (which I feel I need-with three kids that go to their dads every other weekend and with older parents living up north and family in the area-I feel I need this for emergency purposes). So with my income, no child support, and three kids I qualify for food stamps, and no I do not buy "Luxury" foods if that is what you call steak now a days. Shop around all you steak lovers, there are deals out there. I do agree totally that some should be reviewed, but unless you see them use their food stamp card, and then drive to the nearest nail place or tattoo shop, please don't judge. And by the way I have had my nails done and I did them myself, looked nice and golly only cost me like $3 to do them. I am sure by passing me in the street you wouldn't think I was on food stamps. All I am trying to say is that it is disgusting to hear people talk about others before knowing their situation. And everyone seems to forget I also pay taxes! You are not the only ones in Janesville that does so, so YOU in general are not paying for my food stamps, WE all are (including myself)! Oh I have a car that is 12 years old, have to put air in my tires every other week because I cannot afford new, etc! I have lived in Janesville all my life and if I could move tomorrow I would do, this city has gone down in the dumps. Everyone is out to get everyone for everything. Makes me want to vomit! Have a great Thursday and I do believe I am done on this topic!

Hard, It wasn't rib eye. That's why it was $12 to $15 per steak. Just wanted some T-Bones. Expensive and going up. jmo

If you are paying $12-$15 a steak, then I question where you're buying it. I bought a very nice ribeye steak the other night from Woodmans and paid exactly $7.62. More than enough too. Shop around.

I recently thought about buying a steak for the hubby and treat him to a nice meal for once. But I was shocked by the price of the meat and just couldn't do it! Sorry dear, will have to stick to hamburgers and mac n cheese until the price comes down.

....And also, after being on assistance for a year I would like to know why. Is that personal information? Maybe, but since its my money being spent I think that it would be in every tax payers best interest to know why. If you've done all you can and really need help.. you deserve it. If you could work and dont, sit at home drinkin 40's and spat out 2 more kids while not even watching your other 6 because you're over endulged in some reality show or shopping on ebay and think you need assistance....no you should get booted from it.

tink0803 - Im not saying judge, im saying review...big difference. Someone has to make sure everyone is doing all they can, perhaps you are.. You're right I dont know and thats why im not judging you. Currently its a free for all.

There are definitely those who need the assistance and I entirely understand during today's economy that more people are needing it. There is no judgement towards those who cannot help it and need the assistance. There are elderly, the disabled and the young and single mothers out there that can't always help the situation they are in. It is the others that rely on the government to help them while they spend money on cigarette's, and they buy soda, red bull, etc on the food stamps. There has to be some responsibility. It is unfortunate we live in a society that there are those who feel there is nothing wrong with using food stamps to buy "luxury" foods. To me, it should be used to buy what you "need", versus what you want. There are too many who are working for cash under the table, who are claiming no income that abuse this system and they are the ones who yes, get their hair, their nails, drive newer cars, designer clothes, etc and then buy their food with food stamps. That is just wrong. I don't understand how those people cannot have a conscience. I too am driving a car that I bought used which is 11 years old, do not have cable, or a cell phone, and live as cheaply as I can. All of this is budgeted as I do not qualify for any government assistance. It is those who abuse these programs that are being judged and they should be, as they need to have a conscience of what is right and what is wrong.

This is disturbing. It is so easy to judge when you don't know what is going on. We are a family of 7 with one parent working full time at a professional job that includes a commute plus being self-employed on the side. The other parent keeps the family glued together as the first parent is gone 12-15 hours a day. Some members of our family have serious food allergies and medical conditions that require special foods. All our food is cooked from scratch...no fast food, no restaurants, no convenience foods. Our food mostly comes from the organic aisle as it must be gluten free, etc. To me canned spaghetti sauce and store bought bread are convenience foods. Everything is from scratch and dinner ususally takes 2-3 hours to prepare every day. When we get our tax return back in the spring, we buy half a cow, a pig and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) vegetable share for the year. We also plant a garden. I am working on finding time to can tomato products right now. We receive $162 per month total Foodshare benefits and a few WIC checks. This is our entire food budget as the one parent's income does not cover our housing and utility costs. We have private insurance and have many medical bills. Clothes and shoes are on waiting lists and only the oldest gets "new" clothes. Our life wasn't always like this. At one time, the other parent made over twice what they make now. Through a series of lay offs, we ended up where we are now. Then we went seriously into debt while battling insurance companies trying for 5 years to get a diagnosis for one of the kids. I hope that one day things will get better and we will no longer need to live off the $162 grocery limit or qualify for benefits. Maybe one day we will be able to increase our income, because I sure don't see us decreasing our expenses. Our vehicles are both 18 years old, our TV that we bought in 1992 died in February and hasn't been replaced (not that we had anything more than rabbit ears for it), and we can only buy a couple toiletries like soap or shampoo every couple weeks. No one smokes, no one drinks, and we haven't been on a vacation in a decade. I am not looking for sympathy, but this is just our reality. So next time you judge those in the store, remember you don't know their story.

The Story is True about someone abusing the system buying steak and lobster on a food stamp debit card. Here is the email being circulated regarding this and the accompanying hyperlink on Urban Legends.

Subj: Why no T-Bones??

Found in the parking lot of a grocery store, Menominee, Michigan

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/governm...

The 1 in 7 Americans currently on food stamps certainly appreciate the opportunity to dine on lobster and porterhouse steak at YOUR EXPENSE. What's for dinner at your house tonight?
“How’s that hope and change stuff working out for ya’?”

It appears someone is better off today than they were 4 years ago

FYI - I do find this offensive. I do not qualify for food stamps, yet my family of 3 has to live cheaply on cereal, ramen, mac & cheese, hot dogs, and I don't buy soda or snacks very often (once maybe every other month). I am lucky to get steak once or twice a year and that is only if someone else buys and cooks it for me (invites me for dinner). Even if I was receiving Food stamps, I certainly would never buy something this extragravant as I would be too embarrassed. I definitely think this is abusing the system and I see this all the time. Used to have a roommate that would buy Red Bull on his food stamp card. I used to feel bad when he ran out of food and so I would supplement him with ramen, etc on occasion. But then I started getting wise that it was his own fault and stopped helping him.

And you know people are not trying to get off it how? You know all these people first hand? This subject ticks me off because people just assume, and you know what they always say when you assume. I was embarrassed when I first got it, it was degrading to me, but then I was like well if I qualify for it and if it feeds my kids so I can pay my mortgage, household bills and yes even that 12 pk of beer, then hells yeah I am going to take it! I am not going to stop living because I am on assistance! But I AM trying like hell to get off it! I work full time and pay taxes so I do believe I also pay those taxes I am getting a free handout out of! And I get evaluated every 6 months to update my file to make sure I did not get a raise, a second job, etc and that I am not receiving more than I should. And I do agree, believe me, that there are some out there that abuse it and every other assistance there is out there, but no-one should ever judge another until you know the facts about that person and what their situation is.

Tink0803 - I dont think the problem is people being on some kind of assistance. What the problem is....is not doing anything at all to try and get off of it. I think they should give people a certain amount of time and then after that if they still need assistance they go through a major evaluation before any more is given. We waste a ton of tax dollars giving out free handouts...of course whos going to change that? When all the people on it dont want to be off of it... I agree w/ what Mitt says about all that.

You spent almost $20 on steak, and then you FROZE IT?
There ought to be a law against that.
I'm just sayin'...

And Frogger working on the side for CASH sounds wonderful, but when I work 7.5 hours a day, have three kids to get from school, go home cook supper, clean up, and getting ready for the next day of work & school, having really don't have the time to go and get a cash job, or even a part time second job doesn't always work for everyone! Again people opening their mouth and making comments before they know each individuals situation!

I am unsure what kind of card a lot of these people are using that you are seeing paying for already cooked food, but I am unable to do that with what I get. I can buy deli food, but I cannot buy those already cooked foods that are hot at the deli, so if someone is going to McDonalds on some sort of assistance card then I am unsure what they are using. I also cannot buy any sort of energy drink with it. Which I wouldn't anyways. Also thank you Eagle1 I appreciate the positive thinking it does make a person feel better when positive comments are made. I have only been on assistance a little over a year. And for those of you that comment about people having tattoos, cell phones, being obese..maybe I am fat, have a tattoo have the high tech phone, but also maybe I had those things before I went on assistance. (I am not obese, have a phone but just the basic and no tattoos as of yet) I also do not have a house phone so that is why I have a cell phone. Reading most of these posts I actually feel I have a more positive outlook on life and love myself for what choices I make. I am doing whatever I can, as for I think a lot are that are on assistance. Of course you have those that like to take advantage of the system, I have seen it myself, but for all of you to sit here and bitch about what other people are doing, need to get a life and be happy! I do believe it is you that have a the crapper life!!! Happy Hump Day!!

The system needs an overhaul.

I'm a pharmacist, and have seen a women purchase cheetos, ding dongs and red bull along with her medication for type 2 diabetes and an appetite suppressant.
All paid for by the hard working taxpayers from the state of Wisconsin.

It's insane

Can someone explain to me how providing this junk food is in any way helping someone?

I wanted to buy steaks last weekend, but wow, $12 to $15 a steak is pretty pricey. It's almost cheaper to go to a restaurant and have them cook it and bring it to me. Peace

I've shopped at Woodman's for years. I've never made it a point to see how my fellow shopper ahead of me in the check out is paying for their goods...I think some of you folks should just mind your own affairs. Most people I know who rely on food stamps feel bad enough as it is with their situation.

I've noticed a tendency of a lot of the comments on here to kick people when they're down. Is this what this city is come to?

America is built on the principal of "if you can't afford it, we'll give it to you anyway." Why can you buy lobster tails, steak, candy, soda, and other high priced/un-healthy item with food stamps? Because if people can't buy them, they steal them instead and it costs a lot more money to send the police, ticket them and put them thru court than it is just to give it to the people for free in the first place.

Out of all the people that qualify for EBT/Quest/food stamps, there probably aren’t even 5% of them that don't smoke, drink, have tattoos, have piercings, have cable TV, or a smart phone. This isn't the Great Depression with 120 pound people waiting in breadlines a mile long; it’s a bunch of people born with the theory that they should be entitled to something just because they can qualify for it.

my dog is enjoying her steak, while i read this blog.

In a perfect world folks who could afford it would find somebody who could not and go out and buy the poorer folks some steak.

Food is being bought... transactions are being made, taxes are being collected because of... Why would the govt want to stop this? How you abuse the system isnt a care in the world.. the govt dont care, we have more people policing 3rd world countries than we have monitoring our own systems. Its a great system or those that have it.. I wish I could get free food.. and those of us that work so these people can do it cant do anything but complain....complain to no one, because no one cares or will do anything.

I am going to get my free Obamaburger!

I would say most of the people in this blog are pretty smart, why is it we let the Janesville gazette print these kind of blogs so as we can all yell and be pissed off at each other. This life is much to short for all that. Frogger if I offened you with my comment I'm sorry. I just got caught up in the finger pointing and name calling that most of us are guilty of including myself. As far as what people buy to each his own, I'm trying to be a better person because most of my life I have been angry, mad at the world for what happens and you know it took awhile but I cant change any of it, but I can turn the other cheek and live happier and longer.

frogger: I assume the paper assistance was a WIC check (women infants & children). They do limit what brands you can buy as only certain ones are certified to be wic approved. They issue you a couple of checks per month and if I remember right you have to get all that is on it...even if you don't use it. There are other restrictions such as size limits and such. It can be a pain trying to find the right brand in the right size, an ounce over or under and it was a no go, so you had to hope the store you were at carried that special size.
*
I agree if you can buy smokes you don't need help to buy necessities.

Let's all agree that fraud should be weeded out--but how do you pay for worker's looking for fraud?

I did see a guy at walmart paying for his "order" with some kind of "paper" assistance. Then he had a seperate order and used the same sorta "paper" payment. He was not allowed to but the Peanut butter he picked out with the way he was paying. I think it was not name brand. WHAT- I don't buy namebrand to save moeny and the free food has to be name brand. WHY?? I beleive the smokes we paid for in yet another transaction. All three transactions in the under 20 lane. Well I guess if you split eash tranaction into 3 different ones then it is under 20. I gave up and went to the next line.

Greg, if someone called and said they saw someone buying steak with food stamps, I would question them for details. It is my understanding that there have been no food stamps in this state for quite some time. I think it is a card of some sort, debit or whatever.

I would speculate that you know how to liven up the blogs and a posting about those less fortunate getting something "for free" is a surefire way to do it. So in the words of a famous blogger, "here we go!"

I have questioned every single one of the posters is recent months, or years, who claim to be witness to some sort of "welfare-food stamp outrage". Every single one of the posters when questioned further then tell me that it is something that their neighbor told them, their relative told them, etc. Yes, hearsay.

I am of course not saying that steak purchases with the assistance money is an outrage, it might at most be an unwise way to spend limited funds compared to ground beef or chicken or whatever. But on the other hand this "steak" that the individual might be buying might be on sale as a great buy, it might be round steak which of course is very reasonably priced, one has to do a bit of prep on round steak, such as Swiss Steaking it and many other things, but is is relatively inexpensive.

I pay for my groceries with credit card, it is faster and I don't hold up the check out writing checks, just pay it electronically at the end of the month, no stamps needed, very convenient. I have seen people very interested in my card, they are practically breaking their neck to see what I am using to pay for my food. After reading the hatred and animosity on these forums for those who have less and might be using public assistance, I now know that these nosey people are trying to see if I am using a "welfare card" to pay for my food. Next one that does this will get loudly and publically embarrassed in the checkout line. I am looking forward to it.

mteg- good idea on the ID but then they'll flip the "I have rights...blabla bla cannot afford one....Like voting.
I guess you want free food go get your FREE Id!

Way to go, Greg. Maybe just stick to dairy and desserts from now on.

tink0803, thank you for your testimonial you are exactly the person the system is suppose to be helping and you are doing it the right way. I am as perplexed as you why you cannot buy non food neccessities but buy pop and junk or even go to McDonalds on it, makes no sense at all. Congrats again on doing things right and good luck to you and your kids in the future, I can't wait to see your post when you will be off the needed assistence!

This discussion has gone on for about 40 years now..What makes anyone think its going to change at this point?

Perhaps they should educate individuals on healthy choices...how to prepare meals, spend wiser, look for deals. Also, some items should be eliminated completely...that offer no nutritional value such as soda...or limit to a reasonable amount...My though is why cant food stamps go to a system like wic...certain items allowed..while some are disallowed...with maybe a few points extra for luxery items. make the individual show their id...or an authorized user show thiers...yes I said ID!. Allow the purchase of non-food items such as diapers and formula, toiletries, and other essentail disposable items. Give individuals what they need to survive...to want to eventually get off the aid and make it on their own vs. view it as a lifestyle to pass onto numerous generations.

IT is true about steak can sometimes cost less that chicken or burger. You have to be a smart shopper and if you are unemployed I see no reason why you cannot cook good food from the store vs junk food.

work for CASH on the side so you keep all the free money??

reasonbeing"Why do people like you feel you need or have the right to decide what a person does with his or her food stamps. "
Because TAXPAYERS are flipping the bill.
I said my issue is all the "extra money" they can find for cigs and junk-$100 cell phone bills when they get free food and $100 mo rent. and are able to work but wont!. Yes I am speaking of the abusers here!! I think it is abuse when you spend $300 a month on cigs(red58 commments) and tax payers pay for you rent, heat, food, school lunch, health care ETC!!
tink- do you have your nails done monthly? DO you have a $100 month cell phone bill? $100 month cable bill? $100 internet bill? $300 month smoking habit? Do you tan weekly? if no then this is not you I am speaking of.

correction: Divorced mom of three and I work 37.5 hours a week!

I get food stamps (and maybe some of you know me by my username, do I care "NO"). I go to Aldi's to buy most of my food because I can get more for the buck, is the food as good no, but as a single mom with three growing kids I want more for my money. I also buy food at other grocery stores and yes I do buy steak, my kids love steak so why wouldn't I. I do have a problem with the system that I can go and buy all the pop and chips etc that I want but I am unable to buy toilet paper, toothpaste, femine products, etc...with my card. That I do not agree with at all. I also work 37.5 hours a day, take care of my kids everyday during the week and geez I even buy a 12pk of beer every once in a while with my own money! I get assistance because I qualify for it. Maybe you people complaining about it might actually qualify for it yourself! It helps me and yes I count on it FOR NOW! I do not hope to be on it forever but with no raises in the past 6 years and I have applied for everything I can think of that could possibly pay me more than I am making now to help me get off it, but things just are not going in my direction. I wish I lived that perfect life like some of you!!! Cheers!

Here's another perspective. Individauls that do use food stamps usually are recipients to state healthcare (badger care). With obesity on the rise, cost of health care going thru the roof, it seems silly that there are no limits on what a person can buy...and how much...We as taxpayers are not only flipping the bill for indivudals to buy whatever they want (limited only by amount of aid recieved), but we are also saddled with the finacial burdon of paying for the health care for these individuals...who will take full advantage. Too me it's ironic to see someone who can't afford to buy food on their own be morbidly obese. So basically foodstamps (a good thing per obumma) is an enabler to health problems down the road. And don't give me the thyroid, access to healthy food, comping mechanism, etc... arguements. Fat is fat, obese is obese. Someone on EBT/foodstamps buying ding dongs, soda, frozen pizzas, etc... in excess (or at all in my opinion) is unacceptable. There are plenty of healthy alternatives...but is much easier to induldge when someone else is flipping the bill.

people on food stamps are given way to much. I know a family that gets food stamps. They have so much food in their house it literaly is piled up out in the dining room. their walk in pantry in completly full. there dining room has at least 5 boxes of everything. I havnt bought a steak in probably 8 years. I do not think that people on food stamps should be given so much or allowed to buy anything they want. Food stamps are to help get by and i expect them to get by. not eat like kings with steak and lobster, etc.

donnaw said, "If they are too lazy to get a job though, they are probably too lazy to prepare healthy meals."

truth1 said, "Exactly right donnaw.......This is why I won't work more than I BARELY have to so I don't have to pay taxes so much.."

What an incredibly ignorant exchange. Absolutely classic.

An after thought. I wish someone would buy me a steak. I would not care what they used to pay for it with, I would be just as grateful.

Exactly right donnaw.......This is why I won't work more than I BARELY have to so I don't have to pay taxes so much...The used car I paid a third of new price for will last me 20 years........Let the people who don't think theres anything wrong with abusing welfare PAY FOR IT.

Country going DOWN down down.

I agree with frogger. If you bleeding hearts don't mind some of the food stamp recipients' misuse of this welfare then you pay for it. Extreme oversight of all welfare expenditures should be implemented. And there is no reason they can't budget and plan and buy healthy foods. Instead of buying ready made highly processed food a person can buy basic food items and prepare healthy meals. If they are too lazy to get a job though, they are probably too lazy to prepare healthy meals. With kids they only have to worry about one meal a day as the kids get free breakfast and lunch at school. Probably they will start offering free dinners too. Some people use welfare on a short term basis to get through a rough spot or are disabled. That's what is was set up for, not a way of life, as some use it.

Greg, your column would have been just as interesting, and much less controversial, had you written this story without mention of the calls you received and without the food stamp angle. That said, the government has established rules and regulations for the food stamp program and beyond that it's nobody's business what other people buy or don't buy, regardless of how it is being paid for.

I buy a lot of steak ...HOWEVER I only buy on super sales, mostly when the store is trying to clearance it out before the expiration date, so I can get round steak, small siroloins etc...all for about $4 a pkg. Most of the time I can stretch that one pkg for 2 meals, as I use it in a stir fry or fajitas, it can go farther. If you are a smart shopper you can be able to eat steak a lot more often than you think.
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We really do not need to be the food police,I would hate it for others to judge me by what I have in my cart.
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Oh as a side note the last time I bought meat, it was much cheaper for me to buy the steak than the chicken or the hamburger for that matter that was in my cart.

Red 58.....keep in mind that food stampers are not required to show proof of identity when using their stamps and cards. There is a black market on these benefits. Cards can be purchased from the people receiving them for sometimes pennies on the dollar. I hear in Milwaukee it's not uncommon to see people outside stores peddling their cards for $.25 on the dollar so they can get cash to go buy drugs or what have you that they need cash for. So the guy using the card may not be the one who it was mailed to.

It doesn't as much bother me what is purchased with food stamps as much as my observations of the purchaser. When they are talking/texting on the most up-to-date cell phones, are dressed to the nines, have professionally manicured artificial nails, are able to find funds for a myriad of tattoos, etc, I have a problem. Our priorities are pretty messed up.

Frogger open your eyes the whole damn country is large, not just people on food stamps. Why do people like you feel you need or have the right to decide what a person does with his or her food stamps. Yes in a perfect world everyone would buy products low in fat, and sugar, salt, but that is what makes this country so great we have a choice and believe me it is not a perfect world. just relax when you go shopping your blood pressure will go down and you might live a little longer. Dont worry be happy :)

Boy Greg, This blog is fully loaded and ready for the hunt. There are a lot of open doors to jump in and start a rampage of band wagoners. And then there is Frogger. He/She sounds like a modern day hitler with a great deal of hate for "these people". Granted some do in fact take advantage of the system but it is the fault of "the system" for letting them do that. Put the focus where the focus needs to be frogger. You are so perfect, right? Well, I am not, however I am not recieving assistance either. I struggle on a tight budget and perhaps like me they cannot really afford to buy a steak but once in a while you just have to do something to break the cycle. So they bought a steak, so what? Maybe it was the first steak they have bought in 3 or 4 months. Do we know for sure? No! So how can we critisize? Because we are paying for them to abuse the system? Again if falls back on the system to let them do that. Thats kind of like during an energy crisis where oil is in such a demand that the prices keep going up, God forbid you should get in your car and take a joy ride to look at the scenery. Don't you think that gasoline could have went for better more important needs? Oh right, that person paid for it. Well, it just shortened the supply for someone else. Oh but its okay, those who cannot afford it should not be allowed the freedoms or rights that the ones who have money get. Right? So no matter where you look, you can find someone, somewhere, abusing the system. I don't think it is right to judge a person for something that the ones who can afford it are LETTING them do. And more important not knowing all the facts before judging them is even worse.

The core issue with "I don't want THEM buying steak with MY money" is, where does it end? Is it ok to buy cake mix because the kids want to bring birthday treats to school like all the other kids? What about sugar? What if I don't want THEM buying food with high fructose corn syrup in it? Or artificial flavoring or ready-made foods, do we really need to be paying for that extravagance? (*sarcasm alert*)

If you keep going down that road, you end up in a worse place than the sidewalk committee. What can we agree on by consensus as acceptable...whole chickens? chicken thighs? cans of tuna? unsauced pasta? can we all accept plain oatmeal as not extravagant? Gruel?

Perhaps this sounds over-the-top, but there's a point to be made. We need to stop being the shopping cart police and remember that even people in difficult situations deserve some choice and autonomy.

There's no need to make someone's life extra miserable because of misplaced puritanical impulses, just because they are temporarily facing some hard times.

If a shopper on welfare thinks he/she can find a way to make their food money stretch to cover the month's needs, while having a little steak, we shouldn't deny the family that choice.

Better than twinkies. Why are these people on food stamps so large? You can but stuff that is good for you. Carrots and chicken, rice, good cereal do not cost that much. They say they are starving. Why doesn't it look like it?? I get angry when we pair for their food and rent yet they spend hundreds a month on cigarettes! Where does this money come from?

Some stores have good deals on steak.