Do you remember the videos of people fighting in stores over toilet paper? Stores limiting 1 package per customer?
Were you one of the people sitting back watching and wondering why, why the toilet paper? As states issued stay at home orders, people panicked about running out of toilet paper, causing some to over buy and hoard. This panic created the shortage.
Did this teach us anything? Are consumers waking up to the realization that they aren’t prepared for any type of emergency? I don’t mean buying dehydrated food to last you three years. I am talking about the basics, a little back up to last you a few weeks.
This shortage made me and my family re-evaluate what we did and didn’t have. We created a plan going forward. We will not run out and hoard items. We plan to simply buy something extra each shopping trip. We agreed we won’t ever buy canned food we won’t ever eat. If there is an expiration date we plan to eat it before it expires. That is why we won’t buy any canned food we won’t eat. Whenever we buy groceries we always place the newest food in the back rotating the oldest food to the front so that we consume it before it expires. Be frugal and think outside the box.
If you don’t have room in your pantry, or the pantry is too small. Could you convert a nearby closet or a spare room to serve as an an extended pantry? If you don’t have enough storage room, talk with some friends and neighbors and create a group plan. Maybe one neighbor has a big pantry or garage and can store more items. There is nothing wrong with being prepared. When we talk about being prepared, people label us “preppers” the ones who are on TV with the bunkers in the woods. We want to make sure our family and household isn’t going without in any type of emergency.
Here are Some Suggestions
Toilet paper, to save money maybe you don’t buy the expensive brand for your emergency stash.
Lysol wipes were another item that we couldn’t find. I took a roll of paper towels, pulled out the cardboard middle (don’t throw it away) and shoved them in a Ziploc bag and poured Lysol cleaner into it. I made my own Lysol wipes.
If you want a smaller bag for your car, cut the paper towel roll in half to make two rolls. Take out the cardboard roll and make two small Lysol wipe bags.
We don’t throw away our cardboard toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls either. We save the lint from the dryer and fill the toilet paper rolls with the lint. We use these lint rolls to start our outdoor bon fires and we take them camping. These are great fire starters.
Basic Kit Suggestions
Lights Out Kit – for when the power goes out
Flashlights
Batteries
Candles
Matches/Lighter
Crank Radio or Flashlight
Travel Cell Phone Charger
Locked inside kit – bad winter storm
Lights Out Kit
Water
Canned Food
Can Opener
Medicine
Pet Food
Diapers, Baby Food, Kid Pouches
Fun Kit for Kids
Toys
Play-Doh
Coloring Book
Crayons/Colored Pencils
Card Games
Car Emergency Kit
Jumper Cables
Spare Tire
Wheel Wrench and Jack
Flashlight and Backup Batteries
Reflective Triangles
First Aid Kit
Water
Nonperishable Food
Winter Car Emergency Kit Additions
Extra Sweater and Socks
Thermal Blanket
Cap/Beanie
Gloves
Windshield Scrapper
Foldable Shovel
Bag of Cat Litter or Sand (for Traction)
We should all always be prepared because we never know when an emergency might prevent us from leaving the house for a few days. By adding a few extra items to each grocery run, you can have a well stocked pantry without breaking your budget and you’ll be better prepared for emergencies.