FARK.com: (3576852) Marti Tracy can't afford all organic food anymore. She can't buy expensive individual servings, either. And now she's being forced to--perish forfend--clip coupons. If you can read this without weeping you're not human

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		Marti Tracy can't afford all organic food anymore. She can't buy expensive individual servings, either. And now she's being forced to--perish forfend--clip coupons. If you can read this without weeping you're not human (washingtonpost.com)		327
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reillan		2008-05-01 07:56:23 PM

subby, you remind me of Oscar Wilde. I wonder if anyone else got that one...

The Invisible Sky Wizard		2008-05-01 07:56:29 PM

Infernal Wedgie: FunkOut
This lady is a dolt. Don't cry when you can't afford brand name organic foods - start crying when you can barely afford powdered milk that tastes like wallpaper paste.

Hey now, I get really good use out of my KLIM. Makes great chowders.

i68.photobucket.com

drjekel_mrhyde		2008-05-01 07:56:52 PM

Tracy and her partner
Lesbos?!

BeatenHorse		2008-05-01 07:57:32 PM

Student. 50 hour work week + full time classes and still managing a 3.85 (though I don't attend a very prestigious school, or anything. Trying to get into one).

Broke as all fark. Like, seriously. I eat one meal a day, if that, with the occasional late morning snack. Said meal is usually some kind of pasta with cheese for the milk protien.

I'm really sorry that this woman has to eat normal food, as opposed to over priced, non beneficial, holier than thou "organic" food.

As far as I'm concerned, if its a carbon compound, its organic.

Now, back to finals, so I can eventually get a decent paying job.

janks369		2008-05-01 07:58:02 PM

Atypical Person Reading Fark: For some reason, Janks, I picture you as under 45 - and therefore, not a boomer. But if you are a boomer, then I'm not surprised that you know how to economize.

correct, 45/2 is pretty close

Hal Jalykakik		2008-05-01 07:58:06 PM

Oh, biatch, biatch, biatch. Suck it up, loozer.

/ drives a 11-year-old beater
// lives in a 500 sq ft 1 bedroom apartment
/// spends his dough on hookers and blow

Infernal Wedgie		2008-05-01 07:58:38 PM

The Invisible Sky Wizard, if only photobucket weren't blocked at my offfice. is it a picture of a can of KLIM?

/i can only find KLIM at the barrio mercados and Asian shops around here

Debeo Summa Credo		2008-05-01 07:58:49 PM

janks369: way to feed yourself for a week

3 boxes of pasta- $3
2 cans of tuna for extra protein- $1
1 Gallon of milk- $2.99
2 jars pasta sauce-$3.58
1 Box of total-$4
Tap water- $.05
a few veggies- $3

less than 20 f*cking dollars

die b*tch, die!

Jesus christ,how much f'ing pasta do you expect someone to eat? That diet is fine for, say a college student or a complete loser.

ChadManMn		2008-05-01 07:59:27 PM

what_now: Don't write She's even begun sending herself reminders on her BlackBerry so she doesn't forget a case of water on sale at CVS or the twice-monthly sale on milk at Kroger:

OH NOES!! I HAVE TO BUY THE CHEAP WATER BECAUSE I'M STILL NOT POOR ENOUGH TO DRINK OUT OF THE TAP!!!!

No farking shiat. That is the most ridiculous thing I've read all week.

Straelbora		2008-05-01 07:59:48 PM

SusanIvanova:

I have to disagree. I've found Whole Foods to be very expensive across the board- fruits, vegetables, meat, etc.

/Just loaded up on three months' worth of meat at Sam's Club and get fruits and vegetables super cheap from a local chain of produce markets. Don't really buy canned or boxed food anymore. 30 pounds lighter than last year./

castufari		2008-05-01 07:59:49 PM

I've eased up on the milk and me (and the kids) are drinking a lot more water. Organic produce? Give me a break. I pass an organic market on the way home - and prices are through the roof. It's sad to see some hippie in there paying 5.00 for broccoli with food stamps when they could do to the discount market and get it - or frozen - for much cheaper.

Now I buy bulk and don't eat out so much anymore. Need a cheap weekend meal? Pizzas on the grill then smores in the fire pit.

grizzlyjohnson		2008-05-01 08:00:19 PM

Atypical Person Reading Fark: She's 34.

She's GEN X
.

Not a boomer. One of the reasons boomers look so "rich" to Gen Xers is that they have been drinking out of the tap and cutting coupons for decades.

Srsly. In my neighborhood, the older boomers are radically into thrift. Most of them never saw too much more than minimum wage, but the work was steady and they are so damn thrifty it makes your butt hurt just to think about what they use for toilet paper ( rough 1 ply, you just know it - and I swear they'd use junk mail if necessary).

janks369: way to feed yourself for a week

3 boxes of pasta- $3
2 cans of tuna for extra protein- $1
1 Gallon of milk- $2.99
2 jars pasta sauce-$3.58
1 Box of total-$4
Tap water- $.05
a few veggies- $3

less than 20 f*cking dollars

die b*tch, die!

Good job/list, except I can't find edible tuna 2 for a dollar - not even cat tuna. I have to be able to eat it without puking for it to count. $1.50 a can, here. Milk is $4.89 unless I drive out of my way to Costco, which cancels out the savings. I learned freezing milk (and cheese) from my former m-in-law.

But basically - you've got it. I ask students every year to compile a list of what they could eat on a budget (it's always a massive fail for most of them). We eat rice and lentils instead of total. And pintos are cheaper than tuna (for extra protein).

Of course, I spend way more than $20/week/person on food in my house - but I don't have to, and it's a main way we're enjoying economizing right now. Better-prepared, home-cooked meals - high in nutrients - and cheap.

For some reason, Janks, I picture you as under 45 - and therefore, not a boomer. But if you are a boomer, then I'm not surprised that you know how to economize.

.99 for a 6 oz. can of tuna here, that's $3 a pound for mostly water weight. I can get good boneless skinless chicken breasts for $2.49 a pound, often less. Thighs are .99 a pound. There's all kinds of protein out there for less than $3 a pound, you just have to cook it.

The reason rice and beans or prevalent in a lot of cultures is because together they make a complete protein. My broke diet was making lentil and barley soup. Lentils, barley, veggies, a complete protein, meals for a few days and very litte money.

br0g		2008-05-01 08:01:40 PM

Who?

farkinhelenamt		2008-05-01 08:02:02 PM

Has anyone said, "Cry me a farking river, you self-absorbed coont?"

Because if not, I'd like to be the first.

The Invisible Sky Wizard		2008-05-01 08:03:18 PM

Infernal Wedgie: The Invisible Sky Wizard, if only photobucket weren't blocked at my offfice. is it a picture of a can of KLIM?

/i can only find KLIM at the barrio mercados and Asian shops around here

But I bet it's not chock full of vitamin R.

Helen_Arigby		2008-05-01 08:03:28 PM

So, wait, price-comparing and saving your leftovers is something you only do when you're feeling a financial pinch? I wonder if Ms. Tracy has ever entered the bulk section of the grocery store.

Buttle not Tuttle		2008-05-01 08:03:36 PM

What does "perish forfend" mean?

Jayzus Crusty		2008-05-01 08:03:54 PM

janks369		2008-05-01 08:04:06 PM

Debeo Summa Credo: Jesus christ,how much f'ing pasta do you expect someone to eat? That diet is fine for, say a college student or a complete loser.

i like pasta. and it's cheap, so i win!

BravadoGT		2008-05-01 08:04:41 PM

S_P_I_K_E: /do they even have "brand-name" milk other than that nasty soy bullshiat?

Hell yeah!

www.mayfielddairy.com

you_idiot		2008-05-01 08:05:00 PM

Won't someone please pray for Omarion?

cuinn		2008-05-01 08:05:03 PM

Raskolnikov's Angst: janks369: way to feed yourself for a week

3 boxes of pasta- $3
2 cans of tuna for extra protein- $1
1 Gallon of milk- $2.99
2 jars pasta sauce-$3.58
1 Box of total-$4
Tap water- $.05
a few veggies- $3

less than 20 f*cking dollars

die b*tch, die!

I thought I was the only one on a "student diet"!?

/God knows how many tuna cans i've used in the last couple of years
//Hope no dolphins died :(

Nope, not just you. FT student, 20 hrs week work, 5 year old son. Money is tight so we make sure he gets decent food every day, not always cash left over for food for us, so we stretch as much as possible with tuna, rice, beans, etc.

CHAOtipper		2008-05-01 08:05:24 PM

My favorite organic beer just went up by $.50 a bottle last week. I think I will buy an extra 22oz just because I can! Oh and some Salmon too.

/Grilling tonight... Yum!

Hal Jalykakik		2008-05-01 08:05:45 PM

Straelbora: SusanIvanova:

I have to disagree. I've found Whole Foods to be very expensive across the board- fruits, vegetables, meat, etc.

Agreed. My local co-op is usually cheaper than Whole Foods. Plus, since I'm a member, I own a piece of the action. And, as a dues-paying union guy, I'm also not supporting Whole Foods' anti-union owners, either.

Debeo Summa Credo		2008-05-01 08:06:19 PM

Buttle not Tuttle: What does "perish forfend" mean?

Thank you, I came in here to ask that but got caught up in everyone's rants. Is it some sort of hip combination of 'perish the thought' and 'heaven forfend' that I'm not down with? Or did subby screw up?

Kavyboy		2008-05-01 08:06:34 PM

janks369: way to feed yourself for a week

2 jars pasta sauce-$3.58

You *buy* pasta sauce!? Luxury. Tomato sauce, oregano, garlic. Throw in whatever leftover might give it flavor. No preservatives or high fructose corn syrup, either.

mrEdude		2008-05-01 08:06:55 PM

SOUNDS LIKED 'SOMEBODY IS DUE FOR A TRIP TO SUB SAHARAN AFRICA
DROPPED NAKED FROM A PLANE WITH A PARACHUTE AND A SWISS ARMY KNIFE

pounddawg		2008-05-01 08:07:20 PM

Then why is she having another kid?

/some peoples struggles are really silly.

namatad		2008-05-01 08:07:35 PM

blackberry? car? bottled water
she isnt even CLOSE to cutting corners

now if she decided to abort her current pregnancy, that would make me think that she is suffering

Rotsky's_Pet_Peeve		2008-05-01 08:07:40 PM

Oh farking poor her and her dyke "partner". She can go fark herself with the largest, sharpest most spike laden dildo for all I care.

Mr. Hotcakes		2008-05-01 08:08:50 PM

Agreed, Grizzly/Atypical.

Buy fresh fruit. Make a quick shopping trip once per week. Keep staples around.

DON'T BUY FARKING PRE-PACKAGED FOOD!

And everything will be juuuust fine. Unless your precious little snowflake needs his Kid Cuisine microwaveable meals and Lucky Charms! Oh noes!

That's how we spend lots of money and get little fatties.

looloo72		2008-05-01 08:09:15 PM

Regarding freezing milk for later: My mom did this for some reason with our Foremost-brand milk when we lived on Guam. After she thawed it, she'd have to pour it through a strainer because it was full of chunks. It tasted foul. I later learned Foremost had palm and coconut oil in it... When we moved to the U.S., I discovered that drinking milk didn't have to involve gagging. Or a strainer.

ArrogantGod		2008-05-01 08:09:18 PM

Debeo Summa Credo: janks369: way to feed yourself for a week

3 boxes of pasta- $3
2 cans of tuna for extra protein- $1
1 Gallon of milk- $2.99
2 jars pasta sauce-$3.58
1 Box of total-$4
Tap water- $.05
a few veggies- $3

less than 20 f*cking dollars

die b*tch, die!

Jesus christ,how much f'ing pasta do you expect someone to eat? That diet is fine for, say a college student or a complete loser.

I eat that much in 2 days.

/not fat.

Wrong_Intentions		2008-05-01 08:09:32 PM

I love "sympathy" stories like this about people who don't deserve it. However, it fails to match the golddigger and hubby we were supposed to cry for from Orange County Link (new window)! The only thing that tainted the humor on that one was the April Fool's Day publication of, i.e. wondering if it was a hoax. A month later though, it still looks legit.

Robo Beat		2008-05-01 08:09:36 PM

Reminds me of my days as a uni student. Had a great recipe for ham and bean soup - even with all the veggies, a pot cost about $10 to throw together and lasted all week.

I've found that one can also save a fair bit of money by buying whole chickens and making the cuts him/herself, instead of paying for chicken pieces already boned & skinned. Takes some time and effort, but I think it's worth it.

/ate a lot of beans and soup as a student

blueviking		2008-05-01 08:09:46 PM

Raskolnikov's Angst: "I hated her, so much... That...Flames, on the side of my face..."

/me after reading that article
//maybe she shouldn't be drinking that trendy Archer Farms brand milk?

That might be your first sign of aneurysm, my friend.

/course, I think I might have one, too

Migaloo		2008-05-01 08:10:03 PM

Tracy, a government human resources specialist who is pregnant with her second child. "

Alas, a new source of organic protein. Tracy has yet to try the placenta soup, great with chianti.

rhelaien		2008-05-01 08:10:16 PM

dirtyfarker: She's reached "a tipping point" everybody!

I'm about to start cannibalizing my neighbors and she's upset that she can't buy the organic milk produced by free-range cows who get 4 hours of therapy every week.

I don't know where you live, but our family has higher standards than the average McDonald's and Taco Bell fed human walking around here. My husband says the rats look healthier and more edible.

madmann		2008-05-01 08:10:26 PM

Buttle not Tuttle: What does "perish forfend" mean?

Same thing as "perish the thought!" or "Heaven forbid!". Always seemed weird to me though... sounds like someone mixed up the two terms above when they were high. Or just weak from eating, uh... non-organic food, whatever the hell that is....

Saiadan		2008-05-01 08:10:37 PM

She doesn't look like she's missed any meals. You poor thing, having to clip coupons now. Cry me a bleedin' river you fat cow. Maybe if YOU didn't eat 1/2 of your family budget on food for yourself (cause you're looking pretty hefty there sister) you may not have to cut back as much as you think.
/Rant off

neilio42		2008-05-01 08:11:44 PM

CHAOtipper
My favorite organic beer just went up by $.50 a bottle last week. I think I will buy an extra 22oz just because I can! Oh and some Salmon too.

/Grilling tonight... Yum!

I like your attitude!!! Let me join you...
I just spent 800 bucks in the last 2 days on things that I didn't need, but wanted. Why? Because I'm not an idiot, and I have enough in my discretionary spending money (budgeted) to do it.

/Not wealthy
//Will be some day
///I hate slashies

pvd021		2008-05-01 08:12:14 PM

I was wondering about that today. I received in the mail a coupon for a free Chicken sandwich from Chick Fil-a if I bought a medium drink. I was wondering if I would look like a cheap bastard if I came in and used the coupon.

//So insecure...

grizzlyjohnson		2008-05-01 08:13:33 PM

I hate Chevy: I guess the last 25+ years of handling milk this way constitutes the luckiest run of Russian Roulette ever then. We have kids. Oh and we did have an old person but, they died of old age before the evil Al qaeda frozen milk germs could get them.

No problem, like I said, russian roulette. It's fine until it isn't. If you're not aware, those microbes have evolved in the last 25 years. Salmonella didn't live in chickens back when Rocky chugged a glass of raw eggs. Now it does. Botulism is showing up in places it hasn't in the past. But hey, you been doing it for 25 years and that makes it perfectly safe because nothing ever changes. So if one of the kids dies, I guess you just tell the others that one was weak.

kth		2008-05-01 08:13:42 PM

FTFA: Tracy and her partner also... stopped picking up convenient single-size packs of juice, water or crackers; and, in order to save gas, stopped going to multiple stores.

Gah. These people piss me off. Not as much as the checkers who act like I'm asking for their liver when I want to use my canvas bags, but still.

Single size anything is unbelievably wasteful. Buy a water bottle and sandwich baggies and voila, you have single sized packs of juice, water or crackers. And run your errands all at once, not during rush hour, or with a friend. It's more fun that way anyway.

/Ever so slightly riled about the grocery store, because clearly a memo went out to fark with me as much as possible because I was sick. The checker was arguing with me about whether I wanted to leave my list in my bag. After seeing me fish it out of my cart and drop it in the bag. She didn't want to use the plastic bags that I was reusing. And worst of all, wanted to chat.

andrew131		2008-05-01 08:13:52 PM

SchlingFo: You farking horrible coont:

She's even begun sending herself reminders on her BlackBerry so she doesn't forget a case of water on sale at CVS or the twice-monthly sale on milk at Kroger

How pathetic.

Gulper Eel		2008-05-01 08:14:14 PM

Came here to say I am a fool for the coupon-clipping.

The trick is to gather as many of the same coupons as you can, and then when the product you like goes on sale, pounce. (And pounce again, just because that's how Zappa did it.) Sometimes the products go on sale the same week the coupons are out, sometimes they're staggered.

But sometimes the house-brand stuff is cheaper still, and is just as good. House-brand diapers are the suck, though. Don't skimp on diapers or you will be cleaning baby-poo off of surfaces you never thought could be pooed on.

Watch for the stores that take double and triple coupons. I snagged myself three years' worth of free Reynolds aluminum foil on triple coupons.

A tip for any farkparents who buy those Johnson & Johnson "Buddies" soaps - grab the dollar coupon, because lots of stores (Target) sell the "Buddies" soaps for less than a dollar. Free soap!

HKWolf		2008-05-01 08:14:35 PM

Raskolnikov's Angst: "I hated her, so much... That...Flames, on the side of my face..."

/me after reading that article
//maybe she shouldn't be drinking that trendy Archer Farms brand milk?

Heh! Thank you for posting this. One of my fav parts of Clue and exactly how i feel about Marti with an I. Coont.

nathimuspr1me		2008-05-01 08:14:42 PM

oh my god, marti tracy you spoiled, privileged, whiney biatch, get the fark over it. there are people in the world who have it much worse than you. hell, there are probably people in your own neighborhood that have it much worse than you. so shut your farkin trap

WooShovel		2008-05-01 08:14:58 PM

Rotsky's_Pet_Peeve: Oh farking poor her and her dyke "partner". She can go fark herself with the largest, sharpest most spike laden dildo for all I care.

Approves

Robo Beat		2008-05-01 08:16:21 PM

madmann: Buttle not Tuttle: What does "perish forfend" mean?

Same thing as "perish the thought!" or "Heaven forbid!". Always seemed weird to me though... sounds like someone mixed up the two terms above when they were high. Or just weak from eating, uh... non-organic food, whatever the hell that is....

It's a combination of two phrases that mean more or less the same thing, like "Rocket Surgery." I think submitter was trying to be clever and failed.

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