Recently I’ve been building up my food storage. With all the heat in the election and pandemic, I’ve felt a strong urge to get it all ready. With that comes a lot of stress and money. Knowing exactly what to buy and how long those items last.
So far, I’ve got a lot of essentials, but a small supply really of items I’ll need if the world goes to crap. I’ll go over down below some of the items I have that I find beneficial. Things you don’t realize you need until you can’t get it as easily.
Ibuprofen, peanut butter, syrup, pancake mix, flour, sugar, laundry soap, laundry softener, dish soap, Lysol wipes, water bottles, meat, noodles, spaghetti sauce, rice, feminine products, toothpaste, contact solution, dog food, hand soap, dried eggs, and freezer items such as frozen fruit and veggies, and toilet paper.
When the pandemic hit I had no idea the grocery stores could be so empty. The feeling of needing things and not being able to access them was horrible. I didn’t know if I’d be able to provide for my family. Everything was gone. Bread, noodles, sauce, meat, toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, everything!
Life still hasn’t gotten back to normal, but I know I don’t want to be in that vulnerable position again. Building a food storage with what your family is using is much easier than trying to find food storage that is more bulk. You don’t have to google how to use them or calculate how much your family might use, because you already know that.
Buy buying the items your family uses it avoids waste. Waste is one of the saddest things about food storage. When so many of us are in need you really want to be careful that the items you buy are used and not thrown away.
This can be hard considering the unknowns in how much you should save. However, you can probably guess that by thinking of the long term. You don’t need a 10 year supply. You probably don’t even need a 2 year supply. Just long enough that you can use the items, but not so long that they are expiring.
It’s beneficial to use a food storage. Major natural disasters or a worldwide shortage are not the only reason to stock up. While these things can happen, they aren’t as likely.
There will be times when you’re sick and don’t want to go to the grocery store. By using your food storage you save yourself one unhealthy trip to fast food.
Being in Utah, a really bad snowstorm one week that puts everyone inside and off the roads. It’s assuring to know you can survive comfortably for a while without needing to go to the store.
Or finding out a friend or family member experienced a major loss? You can easily put together a quick meal to show your love for them during a difficult time.
There are so many reasons to build up items your family actually uses instead of bulk items you have never had before.
The final thought is, it’s better for your mental health. Lets say a major disaster happens. You are out of work along with your spouse and any money coming in is used for only bills. It’s the peace of mind that you’ll be okay. That the items you already have are ones you know and love. Your life can be somewhat normal as you put your attention to bigger issues.
Start today by putting together some recipes for meals you love. That’s an easy first step into a much bigger picture.
The next step is thinking and gathering up the items you use on a daily basis. I just bring my phone notepad with me as I go throughout my day. By doing this I think of items I need instead of a bunch of items I MIGHT use. That’s where the contact solution and toothpaste came into plan.
Start by building up a week supply, then you can move into a month and eventually a three month supply. Don’t feel rushed to do it all at once, as money can be tight. Every time you go to the store just buy one or two items on your list. Before long you’ll have everything you need.
All my love,
Talesha