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“no groceries” update 1: planning ahead
On my mind a lot is the point when I will have no more fresh produce. I’ve been anxious about it. I almost cooked the spinach I have, though it will last a while so I’ll leave it be. In … Continue...
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“no groceries” update 2: organizing
Avoiding spoilage by using ingredients that could go bad before using longer-shelf life ingredients is an important goal in my “no grocery store” challenge. But, what do I actually have on hand? Again,...
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“no groceries” update 3: not cheating
In my first post about the “no groceries challenge” I set for myself, I mentioned that I would likely make an exception for milk (that I would probably buy it). I also mentioned I might look at the...
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“no groceries” update 4: just a few thoughts for people who aren’t poor
It turns out my not going to the grocery store has been more important than I realized. I’ll be out of this extra-low dip in my bank account in the next 30 days, but when my car makes grumbling sounds...
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“no groceries” update 5: video note about wanting not needing
Today I was struck by how many times I haven’t gone to the grocery store in the time my no-groceries challenge has been going on. My memory of it is fuzzy, but I suspect I’d stop at the market every …...
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the last time I drank alcohol
Seventeen years ago yesterday, I spent my first 24 hours as someone who didn’t drink or get high. I was very lucky. I happened to be in the right place at the right time. In an AOL chat room in …...
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speaking the unspeakable
It was the hidden brain I was writing about. The way our minds work, using unconscious biases to make it through our day-to-day lives. We have gut feelings we rely on that don’t express themselves with...
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no groceries challenge revisited
In May and June, I imposed a “no groceries” rule on myself. I was very low on cash. I wanted to find new ways to save money. I know loads about preparing, cooking, and storing good, healthy food. I...
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no groceries challenge 2.1
For more than 40 years, my parents have had a large organic garden in the mountains of Maine. I grew up with that garden. For me, normal summers included picking anything I wanted at any time and...
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no groceries challenge 2.2
It’s only been four days since I started my second “no groceries challenge.” Today, my ever-prompt ex-husband’s support check arrived, as did a check from a client, so my financial situation is less...
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no groceries challenge 2.3
After only two weeks, I went to the grocery store. I could’ve made it longer if I was truly out of cash (and SNAP benefits), but, I wasn’t. I got some staples and some fresh fruits and vegetables. And...
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want vs. need (no groceries challenge 2.4)
Tonight I came across these two photos of what I bought when I went to the grocery store after just a couple weeks. In the first photo are the items I had on my shopping list. None of these items …...
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Why I might not say anything (racism)
Anyone who knows me well knows I’d be more likely than most to boldly, brazenly, even “rudely” object if I witnessed injustice. I don’t worry much about how I’m perceived, relatively speaking, when it...
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why are you poor? get a job! (and other BDN reader questions.)
This is a quick (not necessarily short) post responding to some of the criticisms I get in the fascinating Bangor Daily News column comments section. Go get a job! We work hard. You should, too. I do...
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SNAP reduction crisis
After receiving notice that my foodstamps (SNAP benefits) have gone from $234/month to $42/month, I’ve had on my mind what this means for other people. If I had received this notice when things were at...
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what I rarely admit about how I parent
When my children have a lot of screen time, we all feel cluttered and cranky. I can’t talk about this much, though, because it’s a loaded topic. In the past, I’ve brought up my preference that our...
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Valentine’s Day traditions
Being single on Valentine’s Day is meh. As any of my exes will attest, I’ve never been sentimental about the holiday. Despite the long, interesting, and muddled history of it, I have always associated...
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no groceries challenge 3.0
Last May, I wasn’t sure I had enough money to pay my bills. I needed to make some relatively radical changes to get things back on track. I gave myself a “no groceries challenge”. I told myself I would...
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no groceries challenge 3.1 (update)
As I dumped out my tea because it was too bitter without milk, I thought about going to the market. Eggs, milk, and some fresh vegetables (maybe fruit, though I have a few apples and a grapefruit...
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more DHHS time-consuming confusion.
Note: As I’ve written about in my Bangor Daily News column, I don’t consider myself truly poor. I hope to use my experience with poverty to help other people (who haven’t experienced it) understand...
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