Now that you’ve made some storage space, it’s time to start stocking. And no—you don’t need to run out and fill your cart to the brim. Not only is that unnecessary, it can also get expensive fast. The good news? Your prepped stock will multiply quicker than you think.
Getting started is easy. Begin by going through your cabinets and seeing what you already have and what you’ll need on your next food shopping trip. Let’s say you realize you’re out of red beans and need two cans for the chili you plan to make this week. Instead of adding just two cans to your list, add two more—making it four. Oops, you notice your canned tuna is running low, but you tell yourself it can wait until next time. Nope. Grab two now. If an item on your list happens to be on sale, take advantage of it. That’s how stocking begins, and before you know it, you’ve built a small surplus without feeling the pinch.
One important warning: don’t buy food in bulk that you’ve never eaten just because it’s on sale. Buy one can or box first and make sure you actually like it.
Family favorites
It’s never too soon to start stocking up on family favorites. No mom wants to run out of mac n’ cheese. Buy a few extra boxes, or if you shop at a big box store, buy it by the carton. You’ll never regret having too much mac n’ cheese. I love chickpeas—tossed in salads, added to soups, or roasted for snacking—so it pays for me to buy them by the carton. Focus on foods your family loves and will actually eat. Must-buys save you money and prevent waste.
Personal necessities
Don’t forget personal necessities when stocking up: deodorant, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair spray, face cream, and more. One word of advice—don’t overstock items like face cream or body wash. Tastes change, and you may want to try something new. I keep four cans of my deodorant stocked. If I spot a new one I want to try, I buy a single can first. If I like it, I add another and rotate between the two. Best feeling ever? Never running out of deodorant.
Expiration dates
Always check expiration dates on food items before buying. Once home, arrange items so the newest dates go in back and older dates move to the front. A can dispenser works wonders for keeping everything organized and easy to rotate.
One of the best things about staying stocked? You don’t run out of things—and that’s a wonderful thing. When the toothpaste tube is empty, I reach under the sink and grab a new one. No extra trip. No frustration. No blaming anyone for forgetting to stop at the store. Staying stocked removes stress from everyday life.
Basic food items to help you get started:
Rice
Pasta
Tomato sauce (I enjoy making my own, but that’s for another blog post)
Flour
Sugar
Oil
Vinegar
Chicken broth
Beef broth
Canned or boxed soup
Peanut butter and jelly
Instant or regular oatmeal (great for breakfast and baking)
Cereal
Now more than ever, it pays to be prepped and prepared. It’s one less worry on your shoulders when the unexpected happens.
Watch for more prepping tips!
Pepper
