Save Money While Preparing

Inflation is in full force. For many of us, money is scarce right now and we’ve had to tighten our belts.

But here’s the irony. Stockpiling emergency supplies including food is more important than ever. So, how do we prepare for an uncertain future without spending a lot of money?

The answer is to spend smartly. And that’s what today’s communication is all about. I’m going to give you some budget-friendly ideas for stockpiling food you’ll need for the next emergency. 

And in addition to having the benefit of a food supply with a long shelf life, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re prepared when disaster strikes.   

Focus on long shelf lives 

Following an emergency, it’s likely the electrical grid will not be functioning properly. So, you want to make sure a vast majority of your food items are non-perishable and have a long shelf life. In the meantime, for items that don’t, rotate them out periodically so they don’t go bad.

Among the philosophies that must become part of your daily life regarding food are the following:

  • Never pay full price for anything. Always look for bargains. Watch for flash sales. These one-day events offer great savings, but you have to act quickly.
  • Buy items in bulk at places such as Sam’s Club or Costco. Or when they’re on sale in regular stores.
  • Cut and use coupons.
  • Find and use in-store-only offers. 
  • Grow your own food and preserve it. There is tremendous savings in growing fruits and vegetables. And storing some of them for the colder months of the year.
  • Watch for the best deals on websites such as Amazon. They could have exactly what you’re looking for, at a price much less than what you’d spend at a local store. 

Other tips & tricks

One of the first places you want to look at to save money is your weekly grocery bill. If you’re not paying attention, it can really add up. These days, the average couple spends well over $500 a month on groceries. Let’s look at a few simple ways to save.

Make a list. Grocers know how to position products so shoppers will purchase them. If you have a list, you know just what you need (and what you don’t). And of course, if you avoid shopping when you’re hungry, it’s that much easier to resist tempting displays.

Also, choose foods your family will eat. Variety is important, both physically and psychologically. You could buy some of the healthiest food in the store, but if your family won’t eat it, you’ve thrown your money away. 

Shop at Aldi. This no-frills chain offers a smaller variety of products. Usually one store brand of each item. If there is an Aldi in your area, you can easily save money on your grocery bill. Prices are often even better than at Walmart.

Aldi stores now offer imported foods, fancy cheeses and lots of fresh (even organic) produce. And you’ll save a few pennies by taking your own grocery bags.

Buy store brands. Buying store brands alone can take a huge chunk out of your grocery costs. Sometimes there will be a brand name item or two you can’t do without. But more often you won’t notice the difference. Except when it’s time to check out.

Buy in bulk. I’m not talking here about warehouse stores, which have membership fees. And usually a minimum price tag of $10 per item. Even in a regular grocery store, you don’t want to buy large amounts of just anything on sale.

It’s about buying more of things you already use often when there’s a significant sale. If it means you shop less often, this can add up to even more savings.

Another item to purchase in bulk is produce. Onions, potatoes, apples, and lemons are almost always cheaper when you buy the bag. Just make sure you actually use them so they don’t go to waste. 

Buying beans and grains in bulk can also stretch your dollars while providing hearty, healthy meals.  

Use digital coupons. Many stores offer digital coupons not available in the weekly newspaper. To acquire these savings, you’ll likely need to set up an account and check off the coupons you wish to use each time you shop. 

Doing this ahead of time as you scan the weekly circular can help you write your shopping list around items with the biggest savings.

Stick to the store perimeter. Center aisles have many expensive, processed foods full of salt, sugar, and other additives. The outside ring of the store is where you’ll find more foods such as produce, meat, and dairy. 

You’ll still need to visit the center aisles for a few things. But focusing on the perimeter will give you more bang for your buck. Try leaving your cart at the end of the aisle, and just dash in for the item you need.

Freeze meals. If you’re buying in bulk, you’ll want to make sure things don’t go to waste. You can freeze many items including bread, milk, and chopped vegetables, as well as whole meals. Just remember your power could go out in a crisis.

There are cookbooks with recipes for freezing meals in bulk. When you make a meal, cook enough for two meals so you can serve one and freeze the other. It requires almost no extra work, but will save you time and money.

Use fewer ingredients. Sometimes the simplest food tastes best. But you wouldn’t always know it looking at some of the complicated recipes out there.

Sites such as allrecipes.com are great for finding different options for your favorite recipes. And usually the top reviews will include tips on how to make them even easier. 

Even more ideas

Here are a few more money-saving strategies when food buying:

  • Eat before you go to the grocery store. It’s amazing how much more food we buy when we walk the aisles with an empty stomach.
  • Buy plenty of groceries. Wait, I thought we wanted to save money. We do. This is a good way to do it because it will lead to eating in instead of eating out or ordering in. Just make sure to consume what you purchase.
  • Watch for daily deals. Websites such as dealnews.com and dailysteals.com offer prices you rarely see anywhere else on a variety of items. Just remember not to buy anything you wouldn’t have otherwise bought. 
  • Look for free food offers and BOGO deals. Usually with free food offers, you only pay shipping and handling. In addition to getting free food, you can determine whether you want to buy more survival food from that company.

We’ve all learned that preparedness is crucial. Regardless of how tight our budgets are. By following some of the suggestions above, we can all afford to be prepared for whatever life throws at us.

3-Month Survival Food Kit

Here’s a great way to add to your stockpile quantity at an affordable price: 

The 3-Month Survival Food Kit from 4Patriots comes in two water-resistant, stackable totes. Inside, each food item uses top-of-the-line Mylar pouches – the same material used in NASA's space suits – to keep air, moisture and light out. So your food stays fresh.

And this is the perfect time to purchase our 3-Month Kit because it’s back in stock. It’s bigger and better than ever. With tons of variety. This is the “done-for-you” solution to your survival food needs. 

Designed to last 25 years, this Kit features 688 family-favorite servings for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That’s 135,440 total calories. 

Plus free gifts including a 72-Hour Survival Food Kit and a Victory Garden Seed Collection, free shipping, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

 

Comments

  • Terry - January 31, 2023

    Don’t forget paper goods, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues. Sometimes, we forget every day items such as toothpaste, dish and laundry detergent, meds , etc. Think of all the things you use every day. Start making a list and stocking up.

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