We are constantly talking about our prepping and preparing for whatever may come our way. We build our pantries with lots of goodies and food - BUT what about other things we may forget!!!
Most stores now have customer pick-up when ordering online and some have delivery - even Chewy has pet delivery items. This helps greatly - but if they run low of supplies or close completely - do you have enough of the odd things to survive?
There are many, many things that we could just do without or substitute something else for. To make life easier to handle and manage through - there are some things that we all may not think of.
HEALTH AND BEAUTY
Your shampoo, soaps, lotions, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorants, etc. REMEMBER - if necessary you can use baking soda as deodorant or toothpaste. Hard or soft soaps can be used for hair as well.
Over the counter meds - cold medicines, Pepto, throat lozenges, Rolaids, bandages, wraps, tape, gauze, vitamins and herbs. Allery meds, Tylenol or pain meds, aspirin, sleep aids if needed, nasal strips, mouth wash, etc..
Think about alcohol, peroxide, Epsom salts, protective gloves, masks, antiseptic wipes, hand sanitizer OR the ingredients to make your own.
Honey - great for coating a sore throat. Super food!
Don't forget coffee if you are a fan and all the supplies you need to go with it. Tea or Kool-Aid mixes (you can make Gator-aide with Kool-Aid).
Computer & printer supplies. Ink, paper, etc.
Stamps, envelopes, misc. cards (or make your own)
Laundry items
Have things on hand to fix things that break - super glue, duct tape, screws and nails, drain snake, drain cleaner (or use vinegar & baking soda), tarps, heavy plastic. Heck, I even have an extra wax ring that fits under the toilet (just in case).
Don't forget your pets. Cat/dog food, treats, litter, flea meds, heart worm meds, even bird seed, etc.
FUN THINGS
Something to do - books, puzzles, crafts, etc.
Fun foods for a bad day - whether it be chocolate, chips, nuts, ingredients to make baked goods or candy, whatever snack you like.
Maybe even alcohol - even if you are not a drinker. It is a great barter tool. I always have the ingredients on hand for a hot toddy (so helpful if congested or get a cold).
What are supplies you have on hand that others may not think of?
We all need new ideas!
Great info! Reminder: Baking soda and coconut oil can be used to clean and exfoliate your face. I use it in the shower every night. Place a half cup of coconut oil in a bowl and sprinkle in baking soda and mix in until it's smooth. Start with less baking soda in the mixture when you first use it. The more baking soda, the more friction. Rinse with water until the baking soda is gone, but try to leave some of the coconut oil to act as a moisturizer.
ReplyDeleteExcellent tip! Thanks. I always have coconut oil on hand - so many uses. Same with baking soda. We really do have many products that are multi-use!
DeleteThanks!!
I use cornmeal for exfoliant. :-)
DeleteWOW on the cornmeal - learning something else new.
DeleteI'll see your toilet wax ring and raise you a flush kit and flapper! I keep all of that on hand....just in case. Bought 8 more books at St. Vinny's yesterday, nice, thick historical biographies. I probably have a total of 20,000 pages available to read. Lots of fabric/batting/thread/yarn. Am ordering a new printer toner this week. Plenty of windshield wiper fluid (both summer and winter formulations). Calcium-based de-icer for the driveway. If you're as blind as I am, keep an old pair of glasses as backup. Batteries, all sizes that you use, not just rechargeables. Flashlights and other light sources that don't depend on the grid. A way to cook if the power goes out: propane grill, camping stove and the appropriate fuel and knowledge of how to safely use them (NOT in the house). Extra motor oil, etc. if your car tends to lose it. Replacement fuses, if your house uses them. Car door lock de-icer. WD-40. Furnace and A/C filters.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions! I do have wiper fluid, oil and supplies for vehicle. Batteries and flashlights as well. Furnace filters.
DeleteGreat ideas and surely many things to think about.
I have a whole house generator, so odds are I will still be able to cook inside.
Drive de-icer I do need to get - thanks for the reminder. I only have a little from last years left.
Another good light source is solar lights - place outside during the day and bring in at night!
If you are in the mid- to northern climates, don't forget prep needed for winter. Make sure your shovel and ice scraper are in good condition, and remember to stock up on windshield wiper fluid and ice melt to last through the winter. If there's a blizzard approaching, there will be a run on these items, and if there's a late heavy snowfall, inventory may have already been depleted.
ReplyDeleteGood thinking. I do need more ice melt as I told Frances. All others I am good on.
DeleteYou gals have great suggestions!
I also use cornmeal as an exfoliant. Outdoor solar lights saved me during a power outage so that I could at least see to get to the bathroom and move about in the house at night.
ReplyDeleteI guess I have bought soap with oatmeal, but never really thought to use oatmeal as an exfoliant.
DeleteYou gals are great!
I put a tsp of cornmeal in my palm and sprinkle just a bit of water and a drop of shampoo. I mix that in my palm and have a very good exfoliant. It is cheap and I am allergic to nothing. I keep a container with about 1/2 cornmeal in the bathroom to make it simple to make. But, only one tsp is used at a time.
DeleteThanks for explaining how you use it. Neat ideas. I will have to do this.
DeleteI think I am pretty well stocked up on food stuffs, so next on the list is personal care products. I will be picking those up next week when I make one of my twice a month trips to Walmart.
ReplyDeleteThe OTC items and vitamins will be the next stock up trip.
God bless.
Good job. That sounds like a good plan. Best to get it done sooner than later.
DeleteI think about replacements if a thing breaks. I make sure I have two can openers with one in reserve. There are other things I keep in duplicate.
ReplyDeleteAnother great tip. Thanks
DeleteThanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteYour pantry pictures look great. Looks like your kitties will be well fed for a long time. I need to pick up more canned cat food and treats and kitty litter next week.
I also need to put toothpaste on my list. We went through my stash over the past 8 months and I haven't restocked yet.
Since we have a well, I try to keep extra water softener salt on hand too.
Oh and I need stamps.
That canned food doesn't go as far as one would think! Little piggies!!
DeleteWater softener another good idea for many.
Sounds like a great plan.
After breast surgery, I couldn't use deodorant for a while...they suggested spray witch hazel on the underarms. Works great! Kills bacteria, so no odor. Also works on bug bites to help with itchiness.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tip! I have never heard that one. Have used corn starch or baking soda in a pinch.
DeleteThank you!!!!
I have Torches, candles matches and batteries stored in every 2nd room. I worry about my cat so i have 90 tins of food stock piled that i just rotate when i buy new, that would feed him for 3 months. Pencils and sharpeners I also have 2 cigarette lighters hidden for emergencies. I have gas heaters and gas stoves but i do have enough wood to make an outside fire if it was needed. I have 4 solar lights new stored in case they are ever needed, and there are several in the garden. Better to be safe than sorry.
ReplyDeleteGood going. Sounds like you are ready for a lights out!
DeleteI have lighters and matches as well for all the candles and solar lights.
You kitty will stay happy and fed!! Love it.
My issue would be the inability to heat the house as I have no fireplace should the electricity be off for an extended period of time. That would be a huge issue in the winter, so I'd likely end up sheltering at a community center or school like so many others. I do have batteries and flashlights, candles, etc. for short term outages.
ReplyDeleteTake care, stay well!
Keep plenty of blankets, clothes and warm socks and gloves and hats - just in case. I agree if it were to be a long period - you would need to go else where.
DeleteTake care.
I have been working for awhile to get 30 days ahead on all Rx medications. This isn't as easy as it sounds because of insurance restrictions on refills. However, using several strategies, I'm getting there. I've had people tell me they get their prescriptions 90 days at a time (so do I), but what if you need them when you are at the end of the 90 days?
ReplyDeleteNot everyone has this luxury, but when we had this house built a few years ago we added a gas fireplace and specified a gas range. The fireplace has a pilot light and will light when the power is off. The burners on the range (but not the oven) can be lit with a match. Unfortunately, electricity is required to operate the gas furnace, but at least the fireplace would take the chill off.
We used to use some different strategies to get ahead on hubs meds. It takes a while, but you you can do it.
DeleteI have a gas stove in the kitchen - it is electronic spark , but I could get it to light if needed.
So happy to have the whole house generator - relieves my worries.
I've got about 6 months worth of everything so I can take a deep breath.
ReplyDeleteI have been adding a lot of things like pickles & relish & chutneys to make everyday foods taste that little bit better - I've also added a few different kinds of mustard.
For me it's tea - I love a cup of coffee when I'm out and do have a supply at home but I'd be lost without a strong cup of black tea! :-)
I'm not sure if they are popular in the US but here most drugstores and usually in their Christmas gift section Indigo stock hot water bottles. I've got a couple and plan to add at least one more. They make things lovely and cozy when I'm sitting and reading or watching TV and they will also warm up the bed nicely as I like my bedroom to be very cold.
Glad to hear you are well stocked. I don't really have any special drink I NEED. I like cold tea (not so much hot) and I am not a fan of coffee. I can drink either if nec. but don't need them. I have both - just in case.
DeleteI haven't seen a hot water bottle at the store in a long while. I do have one. I am sure they probably still sell them. Useful.
Baking soda is also good for indigestion if you run out of alka seltzer or tums.
ReplyDeleteDone that many times. I love all these ideas for substitutions!
DeleteFunny you should mention this... I have 6 big jugs of Era laundry soap, 7 if you count the one I just opened today. I buy in bulk when it goes on a good sale.
ReplyDeleteI also buy multiples of foaming hand soap on sale. I buy vinegar and soda in bulk for cleaning.
I always put items on my list when I open or start the last one on the shelf. (Except I must have forgotten to do this with mayonnaise as I"m out now. )
So many things that we can forget. Hopefully you can get by for a while without going to the store to get more.
DeleteGood going on staying so well stocked. I stock up on laundry stuff when then have a B1G1 sale - works great.