Happy Thursday all. It is a wet, wet day here - lots of flooding going on around the city streets and in mine and the neighbors back yards!!!!! The lake is back. Oh boy!
Today we continue on with the pantry posts. Now that we have got you thinking "where" to put your pantry and "why" you need to stock - today we give ideas on actually packing your pantry!
Get yourself in the mindset that you need to store EXTRA food supplies and even non-food items. Get your mindset on what you NEED not what you necessarily WANT. BIG difference!
Get with your family or your friends or even here or other sites to gain simple yet yummy recipes. That is important. Now that you are starting your pantry - you need to cook at home and stay away from fast food (it really is important). What you spend on a fast-food meal - will add a lot of supplies to your pantry which will provide MANY meals, not just one. SERIOUSLY!
First and foremost - buy what you will eat and eat what you buy!!!!
Second - store lots of basics! Keep items for baking and keep simple foods (that you like) like pastas, rice, beans, veggies, canned fruit, peanut butter, proteins like canned tuna or other meats - also fresh potatoes! A baked potato with toppings can be a meal!
Start out with adding $5 a week in goods to your pantry - above your normal purchases. I know in these days of inflation, $5 isn't a lot - but it can buy more than you think. Watch the sales and use your $5 wisely. I can still from time to time find store brand peanut butter for $1 a jar (great protein). I can still find pasta for $1 or less a pack. You can get a good size bag of rice for $5. Watch, watch, watch sales!!!
If you know someone that has a Sam's or Costco membership - think about looking for bigger packs of pasta, rice, dry beans, baking supplies there. (split with someone if you need to, to stay on budget)
I watch the ads, and I never enter the store without going to the clearance sections! You can sometimes find some great deals there.
Think about stores that aren't totally grocery stores - Big Lots, Ollies, ethnic stores, discount stores of all kinds.
Once you get things rolling along - IF you can add a little bit more to that $5 budget - do it!
Now I realize that $5 can be a lot to some folks who are having financial difficulties. Do what you need to provide food for your family or yourself. If you have neighborhood food pantries you can use - do it. If you have SNAP or EBT - use it! You can use these options for your basic needs and then add in an extra $5 of your own - for extras. There is a way!!!! You just have to be wise and think and plan.
As mentioned yesterday - Ruffle's aren't needed - they are wants. Stay away from snack foods - make popcorn or make cookies or cake or brownies at home if you need treats! Don't be buying pop/soda - drink water or Kool-Aid or tea. Soda is super expensive now and if you are having troubles with money - that is not the place to spend!
Now many of us make our cookies and cakes and such from scratch - but IF you can find super cheap (less than a $1) mixes that is ok too. It can provide a few days worth of snacks and that is for a cheap price.
Popcorn can be a great evening snack and you can add all kinds of toppings to make it fun. Now I am talking about bags of popcorn you pop in a pot - not microwave popcorn (that is still too expensive if starting out).
Seriously know that the dates on packaged goods does NOT mean EXPIRED! Those are 'best if used by dates' that manufacturers must post. (they never used to, and we survived!!) It means best quality - not bad. Many canned goods are good for many years past the date. Ask me how I know!!!
If not dented, rusted or swelling canned goods are good for a long time. Best advice - always use the older items first - put your recently purchased items to the back of the older stuff.
If you buy freezer items (especially meats) - repackage in smaller portions. A vacuum sealer is wonderful if you can find one at a thrift store or maybe as a gift - BUT if not - just make sure you squeeze or all the air you can from those meat packages!!!! Air is not your friend in this case.
One thing I do, which keeps my freezer and frig in good shape is buying even if I have plenty - when I see a great sale! IF I find ground beef on sale for a great deal or markdown I buy it! ALWAYS. I use it a lot and it is very versatile. Also eggs! If I find a great deal - I buy them. They can be frozen (cracked and in muffin tins and packaged) for cooking.
So think about things you like and use a lot of - and IF you see a deal - get it.
I know this is a lot of information to process. Get yourself a notepad and write down things you have read. Use these notes to help you make a plan on stocking.
It CAN be done a little at a time for a little money at a time. It isn't going to happen overnight.
Slow and steady and planning and thinking WINS the race!
Keep watching for very simple and basic recipes. Ask family and friends for recipes. If you have leftovers - USE THEM! They can be lunch at work the next day or fancied up a little for a new meal. You can also freeze leftovers for later.
Don't waste at all.
Hope this helps someone - we have all started at the beginning at some point. We understand. Ask questions if you need to. Keep watching and reading and learning.
Next pantry post (next week) will be about growing a little and freezing or preserving things for the future.
Have a splendid day to each of you!