I would describe myself as leaning frugal but not as strict as I could be. I have gotten too rigid in the past, more obsessed than effective, but if I’m honest I've probably swung to far away from using my resources well.
Anyway, on to my discussion. I've seen posts about essentially shopping the pantry before buying groceries. I also have a spouse who likes to have a LOT of canned goods and pre-packaged foods on hand, that often expires before it gets used.
In the normal course of a year I may be at risk of a few days where an appliance may be out or power might be out. But other than an all out societal crash we have resources near us.
What guiding principles do folks go by for legitimate back up vs wasted space?
What do you store as back up or emergency supplies, and how many days or weeks or months worth do you keep?
byu/Jule50 inFrugal
Posted by Jule50
7 Comments
I have trauma from going hungry so we keep three months at least. Food insecurity tops my list of fears.
That said we regularly use the items in our pantry. Most are whole ingredients with little prepared food or snacks other than some boxes of crackers and couple cans of soup.
Eta. What resources near you do you feel would keep you fed during crisis?
I try not to store more than I can keep track of and reasonably rotate through before it’s unreasonably old. I do this more to allow myself to buy things at good prices than in case of an emergency. I do probably have more than a month’s worth of stored food. Do note that most canned goods are good well beyond their best before dates
I keep a solid year’s worth of food: only dry and freeze dried foods, plus fishing supplies and water filtration. Everything is nitrogen packed, so it lasts for years. It brings me immense comfort.
Having a deep pantry is excellent but you have to rotate. A little organization will save you a lot of money.
Label the top or front of cans and boxes with the best-by date in big sharpie. Put newer items in back. Look up recipes that use ingredients you have, and shop your pantry.
I keep a full freezer, portioned proteins, commercial fruit and veg plus a lot I prep myself. I have a full pantry, grains, pasta, baking supplies, canned fruit and veg. Also a store of root veg and long lasting fruit like apples and citrus. I keep some boxed milk on hand. I could go a month without grocery shopping. I rotate out and use the canned goods on a regular basis.
Medications I’ll need if I get sick in the winter and also sick food
I keep enough for a few weeks. Mostly for when I don’t have the energy to cook.
Where I live there are almost no natural disasters, it is a very stable and safe country, and a societal system that means no one has to starve.
On my perpetual grocery list is:
3 loafs of wholegrain bread (I freeze them).
1 pack of crispbread.
A bag of rice.
3 bags of pasta.
500 g lentil.
3 bags of nuts and seeds.
2 kg wheat flour.
1 kg whole grain flour.
3 cans of beans
3 cans of tomatoes
3 cans of coconut milk
3 cans of chickpeas
6 bags of different mixed frozen veggies.
2 kg frozen chicken.
1 kg minced pork.
4-8 frozen ready-meals.
6 block of butter.
3 pack of lunch meat.
2 packs of patè.
An extra pack of toilet paper.
3 rolls of trash can liners.