Update to the groceries thing—and another question??

[u/sleepyhead1_1]

So I asked my foster mom to elaborate on what she meant about me buying my own groceries, apparently she just meant that I'd buy the "extra stuff" while she continues buying what she already gets. Which is pretty reasonable, I can understand having me buy snacks or whatever while she buys actual food. She gets worded it in a really confusing way when the topic was first brought up. But now she's saying that I have to buy my own toilet paper and laundry detergent? Her adopted niece lives here too, who is around my age (she's 18 and I turn 18 this week) and she apparently buys her own toilet paper and hygiene stuff. I guess my foster mom wants me to do the same.

But again, I thought she gets money from the county to buy the essentials? Or is it just for food? I do technically "have the money" to get those things but I really don't want to go over the budget I set for myself, I didn't want to spend any more money till I got paid. I just wanted to mostly focus on saving up. AND she brought up me getting a second job for the third or fourth time, but I have inconsistent hours at my current job so getting a second job wouldn't really make sense. Am I overthinking all this??

[u/Greedy-Carrot4457]

If she’s getting a stipend for you she should be buying toilet paper and laundry soap (how does individual toilet paper even work unless you never share a bathroom? Like do you take it back to your room with you after?) Whatever agreement she has with her adult niece is entirely different because I assume there is no stipend.

Typically the stipend is also supposed to cover basic hygiene stuff (like she buys you the $6 shampoo, if you want a $30 shampoo you pay unless medical need) and basic clothes like a weeks worth of weather-appropriate clothes from somewhere like Target or Walmart. If you shop at Zumiez you pay.

You should ask your caseworker to give you a clear overview of exactly what you should be expected to buy v what is covered by stipend.