Pennies and Pantries

2018 here we are!  Are you ready for a new start?  I am.
We have a chance to begin again on everything.  New habits.  New friends.  New skills.  New ways.  New saving.  New everything!!!!!!
Let's reboot and recharge and get our lives and pantries in the best place they can be.

The state of affairs in the world is a mess right now.  We never know from day to day what could happen.  It is OUR obligation to be ready for any disaster.  Lost wages from job cut backs/loss, illness, horrible weather and acts of nature, inflation, even results of acts of terror can change our daily lives.

I show lots of pictures of the deals that I find for pennies on the dollar.  These have saved me a small fortune and have tremendously helped stock my pantry and freezers.  These are the types of things we all need to look for and do!   I rarely buy  much at the grocery that isn't a markdown. 
YES, it takes some time to walk the aisles and look - but it is worth it!

If you have salvage stores near your home - GO VISIT them!  They are wonderful.  The only one close to us closed it's doors this summer.  So sad.  I used to go to the Amish store when I traveled more.  They have wonderful deals and most also have a salvage section.

Remember too - dates on food items are NOT expiration dates!  Most are BEST IF USED BY - that doesn't mean they magically go bad on that day.  It just means that over time they may loose a bit of nutritional value - but if sealed, they are still good (canned goods).  I am careful with meat.
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Coupons can be a  money saver for many.  I used to get tons of stuff for almost nothing with coupons, then our stores quit doubling (and even triple) coupons.  Most coupons in our area are very short term and for things that I don't buy.  Gee, I remember when coupons lasted for months!  I do use them when I can for cat food.
REMEMBER - Buy what you eat!!!!!!  It isn't a deal to get things you will never use.

I save my change as well.  I pick up pennies or change when I see it on the ground - I am not too proud!  Money is money!  Pennies add up and make dollars and dollars make twenties.  This money can be put back in your savings, used for special items, or used for all those wonderful clearance items you find or just to add to your long term pantry!
Coupons are money as well!
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Remember that your pantry is not just about food! 
You need to have health and beauty items on hand - like over the counter medicines and vitamins, bandages and wraps, soaps and shampoos, lotions and antiseptics, laundry supplies, TP, anything that you use daily. 
You also should have gardening supplies (seeds) on hand.  It may come to a point that you HAVE to grow your food.
Self help books are a fantastic thing to have on hand.  We continue to grow and learn every day and books and the knowledge they carry may save your life some day (you may not always have internet).
Books for entertainment are also important, as well as games.  We all need distractions in life!!
Crafting and mending supplies count as pantry items as well.  We all need to re-create, re-invent, and take care of what we have.  That can save so much money!

Freeze eggs when getting them cheaply.  Great for cooking and baking!

Figure out new ways to store the deals you get.  There is no need to pass up a deal because you can't use quickly.  Freeze, can, dehydrate, etc.  You can process just about anything for long term storage.
Dry goods can be stored in totes and tins to get them away from pests and humidity.
Canned goods can be stacked in boxes in out of the way places - closets, under beds, behind couches, in basements, under stairs, etc.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX this year.  Be prepared for anything.
We all need to work together to get creative, to share tips and hints, to encourage, and to be better prepared.
Change your thinking.  Your pantry and your deals ARE like money in the bank!

2018 A NEW BEGINNING!
I look forward to sharing ideas and learning from each other.


WATCH OUT WORLD - THE FRUGAL QUEENS ARE UNITING!!!!!