A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 27:12
Remember having a deep pantry isn’t just about having extra food on hand. It is also about having the means to survive in an emergency situation, having all the extra food isn’t going to do you much good if you can’t cook it when the power is out. If you are having a hard time trying to afford to fill a deep pantry read my post on “having a Deep Pantry on a tight budget.”
Don’t forget to share what you were able to do this past week to have a deep pantry/food storage. Let’s encourage each other. And if you have a question feel free to ask or if you have the answer to a question feel free to answer. If you have a tip or idea you can share that also. As I said let’s make this a place where we can share and encourage others to get that deep pantry.
5 LBS Baking soda / 1st Aid items
Baking soda, Wal-Mart has 64 oz. baking soda for 1.98. I get my baking soda at IFA (our local feed store) for 12.99 for 50 LBS, It is just called sodium bicarbonate I use it for everything from cooking to cleaning and making my washing soda with it.
1st aid items, start with the basics here is a list that you of things to start with, I don’t often share other post but Jacqueline at Deep Roots at Home has an excellent list of natural remedies that she uses you can go here to read it. I use a lot of what she has on there also. I do have store bought put back in addition to the natural remedies.
As you plan your garden set apart space for an herb garden to use for medicines, and to cook with. Also look around where you live and find what grows naturally in your area.
Do you have your garden planned and are you are getting your seeds and plants found, ordered or bought? Try to find heirloom when you can, this way you can save seeds from year to year and will always have a supply of seeds.
Add some more water. Fill your own containers or buy some.
Put a little more into your money stash, remember every little bit helps and adds up.
This past week I was able to finish paying off one of my credit cards, I have been planning my garden and my herb garden I am wanting to do several things a differently this year,and I bought 150 pounds of wheat.
So what were you able to add this past week to your deep pantry/food storage? Please feel free to share so we can encourage and give ideas to others. Also please feel free to share any tips or ideas for deep pantries.
I prematurely removed my greenhouse cover from my herb box. Had to cover parsley, sage and rosemary with 5 gal. buckets w/rocks on top. I have seeds for lemon balm, calendula, and more waiting for warmer weather (zone 6a in Idaho). Thought the warm spell couple weeks ago would last. Nope. Got my garden plan all drawn up. Trying to use up canned goods and any from 2016 the chickens are getting treats like carrots, pears, peaches. They provided all winter for me so it’s the least I can do for them. Also have 1/2 butchered pig arriving soon. Life is good.
S.Lynn,
I know what you mean every time we have a warm day I am wanting to get out and get started on things. Love having fresh pork in the freezer 🙂 and I agree Life is good.
Have a great day
Connie
I have read several of these from past years and really love them. I haven’t posted comments though, but feel that I should. I have a good stockpile of pantry items, and am in the process of trying to get it all organized. I have probably 15 12roll packages of TP.
I purchased about $200.00 of first aid items with a bonus check from work one Christmas…several types and sizes of bandages, eye and burn first aid items, cotton balls and tips, medical tape, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol 70 and 90 proof, etc.
I usually work my pantry like this:
When I go to the store to buy groceries or non food items, I try to get at least one more of one or two items, depending on my budget that week. If I have any leftover money at the end of the month, I go and buy as much of whatever I use in cooking, and non food things I can. I also look at things that I might barter when SHTF, like sugar which I don’t use much of, coffee, (this was back when I didn’t drink coffee, which I do now!) I also make sure that I buy only what I would use myself, so since I only eat organic, and non GMO, I never buy the really cheap stuff. I know many don’t care or can’t do that, but it is one requirement I have for myself. I don’t drink alcohol, but I do stockpile several types mostly for making tinctures and things like that with, but also for barter. someone has said that stockpiling cigarettes for barter is a good idea, but, I feel that they are so unhealthy, I just won’t provide something I KNOW isn’t good for people. (Plus, it doesn’t fit my criteria of only buying what I would use eventually myself). The alcohol, I can justify as most don’t abuse it, and it can be helpful if used correctly.
I do have a list of the items I use regularly that I can’t or don’t make myself, and an amount that I have calculated that I should stock. That is what I’m working on now, getting it organized so I can label the containers with numbers for which should be consumed first. I also don’t use plastic for food items, so most of what I have is in glass containers, so I need to be sure it is protected should the two disasters occur here which are most likely: flooding and earthquake. Heavy plastic totes, stackable, with boxes of the items inside and hopefully, separated with cardboard for more protection. The plastic will keep them relatively safe from flooding, and the cardboard, hopefully will help in an earthquake. I know that everyone reading this is either doing it or seriously thinking about it. We all have monetary constraints, but we can do even just a tiny thing, it will help build up storage. I never thought I could have as much as I have right now. Bit by bit, it is adding up.
Thanks for the encouragement!
I planted more seeds indoors for our garden. We already have little cabbage and pepper plants sitting in the window seal.
Nicole,
That is something I have to get done I am running behind this year. It is so nice to be able to start your seeds sure does save a lot of money.
Have a great day
Connie
Carol,
Sounds like you have a pretty good stockpile doesn’t it feel so good? It’s pretty funny how much our eating habits have changed since I started, I also try to get organic and non GMO now but when I started I didn’t know about a lot of that so I do have some stuff we don’t really eat but I figure I can give it away to someone in need when times start getting bad.
And like you said little by little it does add up. I to never thought I would have as much as I do.
Have a great day and thanks for commenting.
Connie