Buy Now, or Bye-Bye

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Follow along as I build a long term plan via Prudent Prepping. 

I'm looking at my paycheck after getting a raise this year -- the first one in a while, actually -- and listening to the news telling me that, as of right now I can buy less with it than I did last year. I need to think about how to do the best with the money I have, before there's even less.

Inflation

I am not smart enough to explain inflation, its causes or its cures, so I will give you an explanation from the smart source Forbes Magazine. I'm sharing this with everyone because it is clearly written and if there are technical terms, the article takes to time to explain their meanings. As I understand it, inflation is what happens when the number of purchasers is larger than the amount of available goods.

What can be done about inflation? There are several possible answers in the linked article that depend on your personal circumstances. One thing is certain, though: inflation affects poorer people first and hardest. Unless your wages have increased dramatically (mine didn't), 7.5% inflation (that some say is possibly closer to 15%, depending of who you listen to), gas prices up $1.50 per gallon, and grocery store shelves empty of totally random items week to week isn't helping me feel good about the economy. 

Now, saying that doesn't mean I predict the U.S. turning into Venezuela next year. Nor do I recommend hoarding Charmin and Bounty in expectation of there being a black market in toilet paper. What I do suggest, however, is stocking up on your basic food items you buy now.

What Is The Goal?

Acquire three months' worth of food sufficient for three meals a day, if you don't already have that. If you are thinking of buying larger packages, plan out where you can put everything first. 

How much do you need on hand for three months' worth of meals? Start by actually adding up how much of whatever you are using for each meal, and do that for a week. Multiply that by 90, and you now have a solid goal. 

When you do your planning, don't forget to add up potential spices for your meals. Even simple recipes can call for things other than salt and pepper. 

I have space in a closet where my supplies are stored that should have room to keep another month of goods without forcing things. Since my buying plan is based on "What If Something Happens" and not "Suddenly, Venezuela", I'm buying a bit more than normal of the usual items, but without going crazy. Where is this extra money coming from, you ask, since prices are rising faster than wages? I have almost stopped going out for dinner and other entertainment spending. 

As my area has frequent blackouts, all my stored food is canned, with minimal frozen meat. I will be adding some items from companies that specialize in freeze dried food, since their sizes are more economical when figuring prices-per-serving, just not when you see the purchase price. To store the odd-sized stuff, I'm looking to buy two more food-grade 5 gallon pails for rice, since a 25lb bag fills one nicely. This will also work with beans or other bulk grains. 

I'm looking to add this to my stored food in the next 4 weeks:

• 2 lbs steel-cut oatmeal
• 2 lbs of powered milk
• 4 three-packs of Spam. While I'd really like to buy canned bacon, the price per pound is not in my budget.
• 5 cans of chicken breast.
  
• One can of powdered butter. Here is where a prepping company shines: Augason Butter Powder is very good and easy to use. It's not the same as stick butter from the dairy counter, but it works.
• 25 bs of rice. We use rice a lot, and when stored correctly, it won't go bad. 
• 5 lbs of pasta
  
• 5 lbs of salt
• 5 lbs of sugar
• After checking with the Head and Assistant Chef, their list of assorted spices and sauces.
• Mustard, mayonnaise, hot sauce and whatever else the Chef says is needed.

There's no need to get things through Amazon, especially as the cost to subscribe just went up $40 per year.  The only odd item on my list is the butter powder, which can be ordered from other retailers.

Recap and Takeaway

• If starting a Three Month shopping list seems hard, there are many places that will have suggested items. My tastes never seem to line up with the list authors, so I've taken to seriously looking at what is used per week and buying from my own list.
  
• Nothing was purchased this week, but several things will be bought very soon.

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If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.