Stocking - When Money is Tight

 Good morning all.  It is a sunny and chilly morn here.  A little frosty, but not too bad.  Hoping for a pretty day.  It looks like we will have a soggy Easter weekend.

I am still 'mending' after Mondays yard work!  My legs are so sore - getting older is heck.

Let's talk today about stocking up for whatever may happen in life, when you are already short on money.  It can be done.  I keep seeing people say - when you are already strapped at your tightest, it isn't possible.  Well, it really is.

Remember the old saying "How do you eat an elephant?"  "One bite at a time"!  That is kind of how stocking is on a tight budget.

Lots of people don't want to admit, no matter how tight the budget, that little changes can be made.  People DO NOT like change.  They are comfortable in their habits and really don't like changing things up at all.

Can you free up $10 - $20 a month?  Bet you can.

Maybe a couple of lunches not purchased (take your own), or no snacks a few days or drinks out.  Look into to cutting back your cable program or internet service.  Drive less.  No non-essential shopping.  Keep any spare change you may have.  Keep that change and use it to stock.    Lessen power or water usage.  Itty bity, tiny changes do add up.  Save anywhere you can.

Now when you go to the store, buy essentials.  Not everyone knows how or does cook from scratch.  I understand that.  That is something else that takes time to get into.  That should be your goal - to use ingredients to make the foods you eat and like instead of a mix or box.  It will be healthier and cheaper - REALLY!

When you shop, buy 2 instead of one, of some things.  Look at the B1G1 deals - although those aren't often the deal many think they are.  Look for sale prices and clearance.  Think about going to a different type of store.  Maybe stop buying snacks or pop - then buy something nutritious.

When you buy that second item - put it back for a time when the budget is even tighter or an event happens that you can't shop.  

You want things that are good for you - but the important thing MAY BE just having something.  As you get used to stocking - you will see the importance of things.  

You can grow lettuce, tomatoes, radish, carrots, etc.  You can maybe fish or maybe hunt.  You can't grow flour or rice or sugar or salt.  You see where I am going?    

You will start getting the things that are needed that you can't produce yourself.  You will start getting the hang of it.  

Look for clearance and sales - THIS IS ESSENTIAL.  The jars of pasta above, are just for my daily use.  I have lots, and lots of pasta.  I have all shapes and sizes - I get super sales or clearance most often.  I try to keep all pasta in glass jars - it lasts for years truly!  Pasta is one thing I never pay full price for.  Rice is another.  I get it on deals whenever I can.

Both items are things that can stretch absolutely any meal for pennies.

See the jar of dehydrated mushrooms?  I have jars and jars of them.  Anytime I see mushrooms on clearance, I get them and slice and dehydrate.  To me they are one of the easiest things ever to dehydrate.  I keep in glass jars with moisture absorber added and they last and last.  A little hot water or broth and are like fresh sliced to use in cooking!  I use them often.

You can buy cheap frozen veggies (like mixed for soups) and dehydrate those as well.  It takes up so little room in your storage and frees your freezer up for bigger finds.  (you can dehydrate in an oven if no dehydrator)

Cooking from scratch if you don't now?  Ease into it.  Use different sites on the computer to find recipe sites - using what you have to make meals.  It may not be something you do every day, but you can do it now and then and start learning.

Did you know rice can be ground into flour?  Not so great for bread, but it can be used in pancakes and waffles.  Oats can be ground as well. 

Start baking with simple items like biscuits.  They are about the easiest thing to make and it only costs pennies for a filling item.  Pancakes, waffles, are simple as well.  Learn to make gravy - it is a great extender.  Breakfasts of oatmeal and maybe some canned or frozen fruit - if you don't have fresh - sure beats the cost of breakfast out.

Drink water or make tea.  Stop the soda habit - that is so expensive for those without stable funds.

When you get a nice amount of 'regular' food whether canned or frozen - then you can start thinking about other things like powdered milk, baking supplies, etc.  Powdered milk can be handy in baking and cooking and even in a pinch when you need milk to drink!  Throw in a little cocoa if you need to.  Add to the 'ingredient' supplies.

Don't forget TP, shampoo, dish soap, laundry supplies, deodorant, etc.  Every now and then buy an extra.  Don't forget the pets.  It pays to have extras.   You never know what can happen in life to change your situation.

So, start taking notes on everything you spend money on - everything.  Look at the things you can stop spending on or cut back on.  Use those dollars, no matter how few they are to add some extra stock to your home.  It is your job to take care of your family - no one else's.  

Start taking bites of the elephant!!!!!!

Soon you will see a nice stockpile and you will feel the comfort of knowing your family will be ok.

Start now.  Baby steps.  Learn and follow along with people that can give advice or help.  Make changes.

YES, you can stock even when you think the budget says different. 

You got this - just get started.  It is addictive!!!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!!