How Long? How Deep? How Cheap?

 Howdy Ho to all.  It is a lovely cool morning going up to about 90*F.  No humidity, so it will be a nice heat.  Still have flowers blooming - begonias, geraniums, roses and a few petunias.  Garden is still going strong.  Air smells good!

So, the title asks several things.

First - how long could you go without shopping in an emergency situation?

There are so many challenges going on right now - I tend to just do my own thing.  BUT many follow along.  The big one is not shopping for 6 months.  For the most part, that would be easy peasy for me (except pet supplies).

What about you?

Stores may not always be open, or product may be short, or you may not be able to shop for any number of reasons.  

How long would your goods last?

Now it may not be a balanced diet - but surviving could be doable if you have a lot of basics on hand.

I always keep a supply of flour, sugar, cornmeal, and oats on hand - so there could always be biscuits, cornbread, crusts, fritters, hand pies, pancakes, etc.

I have a nice shelf of frozen veggies in freezer, and the door contains butter and fruit.  The rest of the freezer is meat.  Protein I have.  I also keep a big container of protein powder on hand.

I have dried beans, peas and all sorts of legumes, rice, pasta of all sorts, and simple non- seasoned canned veggies and some canned meats (espec. tuna).

You need a good variety - to have balance.  If in a bad situation, just having nourishment is all that matters.

How deep can you go?

Are your pantry and freezer well stocked?  Do you have a 'deep' pantry that you can refill from?

It is time to think about these things.  Fall is a great time to stock up on some items at a good price.  Fall veggies like winter squash, pumpkin, cabbage, root veggies, apples all keep well.  You can keep them in a cool dry spot for a long time.  You can get fruit and use for jams, jellies, pie filling.  You can freeze, dehydrate, can or store in long storage.

You can often barter or glean a lot of goodies this time of the year (walnuts are falling all over)! Look around and ask.  Having extra is such a priceless gift in a moment of need!!!!!

How cheap do you eat?

I keep seeing You Tubers that talk about $50 a week for 3 or 4 adults (yes in 2025).  Meals for $5 or less.

I eat tons of fresh from the garden in the summer - and to me that is basically free food.  I have plenty on hand as well - most purchased for a very low price.

I seriously doubt that I have a $5 meal except maybe a couple times a year (at home).  Maybe a splurge for shrimp or crab, an occasional beef fillet.  Even at that - those items were purchased on sale.

A roast or large piece/package of meat - lasts for many meals for me.  So, meat (basically the highest price thing we buy) even stretches out and costs very little pr meal.

Meat should be considered a side, just like everything else.  Eat smaller portions.  If a recipe calls for a pound of ground meat - use 1/2 pound and add more of other things.

Learning to use what you have and to shop from what you have can really be a life/budget saver.  If you learn to do that now - you will be able to get through any emergency.

Learning to substitute is also a tremendous trick to know.  It only takes a little imagination.

So, what say you?

How long can you go between shopping trips and still survive well?

How deep is your pantry - can you 'shop' from it for a good period of time?

How expensive are your average meals?

Things to think about and prepare for.  Maybe start getting together recipes for those days of cheaper eating.  Ask people and maybe even work together.  Share big hauls/bulk shopping.

I want to be ready for winter - I hate going out in bad weather just to shop!

I look forward to seeing your answers.

Have a wonderful and glorious day!