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Prepping Tip… Start Stocking!

pepper the prepper round pichiStart Stocking!

Now that you have some storage space, it’s time to start stocking. You don’t need to run out and stock your cart to the brim. Not only is it not necessary, but it can also be expensive. Your prepped stock will multiple faster than you think.

It’s easy to get started!

First, go through your cabinets and see what you have and what you need for your next food shopping trip. Let’s say you realize you’re out of red beans and you need two cans for that chili you’re going to make this week. You don’t just add two cans of red beans to your list, you add two more, making it four cans. Oops, you see that your canned tuna is low, but you figure that can wait until next time you shop. Nope, you grab two now. And if you hit a sale on an item on your list, take advantage of it. That’s how you begin to prep and before you know it you’ve built a surplus. Warning: don’t buy food in bulk that you have never eaten just because it is on sale. Buy one can or box and try it first.

 

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 one of the big box stores buy it by the carton. You will never regret having too much mac n’ cheese. I love chickpeas whether in salads, soups, or roasted to snack on. It pays me to buy them by the carton. Must buys are ones your family loves and you know they will eat. Must buys saves you money.

 

Personal necessities.

Don’t forget to include personal necessities when stocking up. Deodorant, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair spray, face cream, etc. One word of advice… don’t overstock on certain items like face cream or body wash since you might grow tired of the ones you have and want to try new ones. I keep four cans of my deodorant stocked. If a different one catches my eye or I just want a change, I buy a new brand to see if I like it. If I do, I buy another one and switch between the new and old. I love never running out of deodorant.

 

Expiration dates.

Make certain you check all expiration dates on the food items you buy. Once you get them home arrange your items by expiration dates, most recent dates in front, older dates in back. A can dispenser works wonders in keeping cans organized.

 

One of the best things about staying stocked.

You never run out of things and that’s a wonderful thing. When the toothpaste is empty, I reach under the sink and grab a new one. There is no worry about having to stop during the busy day and buy toothpaste. Staying stocked eases frustration and blame on… who forgot to stop and buy toothpaste!

 

Brief list of some basic food items to keep stocked to help get you 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 (two items that always come in handy)

Instant or regular oatmeal (Not only great for breakfast but for making cookies as well.)

Cereal

Nowadays more than ever it pays to be prepped & prepared. It takes one less worry off your shoulders when the unexpected happens.

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Until next time stay prepped & prepared!

Pepper