The cost of raising a child as a single parent can be overwhelming, according to Schlenker (2010) the pressure parents feel because of the stressful living situation can bring on feelings of isolation, powerlessness, and uncertainty.
Finding ways to stretch the grocery budget to provide adequate nutrient-rich foods can be helpful. Helpful ideas are
List the necessary expenses in the household budget.
Separate the money that is available for groceries.
Watch for grocery store circulars and Sunday paper for coupons on personal hygiene products, the money saved from the toiletries (toothpaste, toilette paper, etc.) purchase apply it towards the groceries.
Plan a weekly or monthly menu according to what is on sale in our local grocer.
Invest in a crockpot and rice cooker. Use these for dry goods and rice. Bagged bean or legumes cost less per serving purchased dried versus purchasing cans; it also expands, and a little bit goes a long way. For a single parent, the crockpot will be a helpful tool to make dried beans because put it on in the morning, and it will be ready to season and eat upon arrival from work whatever food is left-over can be frozen and eaten on another occasion.
Purchase fruits and vegetables that are in season if they are not in season, it will be more expensive, this will not only save money but help with immunities and allergies.
Alleviate financial burden even after planning out meals, by bargain shopping. All purchases, including clothing, toiletries try to get them in bargain centers or thrift shops.
Last resort apply for government assistance. Though the income level requirements will possibly cause a denial, according to the USDA (n.d), a family of two can only be approved if their monthly income equals $1,760.00 or lower. The rent, electricity, and telephone are sometimes part of the equation; the supplemental support provided more often than is not enough to go through the trouble or the loss of wages from work.
References
Schlenker, Roth. Williams' Essentials of Nutrition and Diet Therapy, 10th Edition. Mosby, 112010. VitalBook file. p.221
USDA. (n.d.). Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Retrieved November 07, 2017, from https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligibility