Prep Genrl are you pumping up your preps again?

[nomifyle]

Yes and no for me. I've had an opportunity to buy more of the canned lentils that I like. They have gone form 1.00 a can to 1.29 a can. But since I really like them I'll pay the extra price. These are the simple truth brand from Kroger that I've gotten on Vitacost. I also added a case of their organic refried beans. I also like Thai Kitchen Instant Rice Noodle Soup and vitacost has a better price than I've found elsewhere, I added more of that. I bought a little extra of a few other things from Dollar Tree and walmart. That's the yes part, the no part is I didn't buy cases and cases of what I already have. I did buy extra Dawn super wash and another 90 count box of the kitchen trash bags we like.

All the hoopla about shortages made me want to add more. My brother is supposed to gift me some meat sometime this summer. Things I don't have much of, like ribs, ham steak, a spiral ham, some chicken tenders, stuff like that. I've got chicken in the freezer and plenty of home processed venison and pork. I've got to do some serious freezer clean out to make room for his gifts.

God is good all the time

Judy

so what are we having for supper, pizza, Jack's think crust frozen pizza with extra pepperoni. We had four eggs each with bacon ends and pieces for our mid day meal, I added some quinoa to mine. We got 30 eggs in two days, so the 8 eggs we ate today didn't put a dent into what we already had.

 

[greysage]

Not really. Couple vice items.

 

[hiwall]

Just today I asked my wife if she could think of anything else for us to buy.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm just increasing what I already have. Will continue to add as long as it's available, or out of my price range. I can't think of any "new" foods to add. I've got a pretty good variety already going on.

 

[Faroe]

Should be. Replaced the broken bits with a new set from Milwaukee. The guy at the local Ace said that the ones made to be extra sharp ARE brittle. I hope these work better.

Other than that...walked into the gallery down the street and bought a beautiful ceramic piece made by a local artist whose work I esp. admire. I've had my eye on that bowl for a long time. Was a bit of a hit to the month's budget, but that is workable - just don't much care about the cases of canned goods I could have bought instead. It's beautiful, and I'm sick of worrying about the future.

 

[Displaced hillbilly]

I am feeling the need to start adding items again. Watching the prices increase every time I go grocery shopping doesn’t help.

 

[nomifyle]

Just today I asked my wife if she could think of anything else for us to buy.

I'm always saying that to myself. And I rarely come up with much of anything. Just could not pass up the opportunity on the lentils. They were not available for almost a year and I have a sneaking feeling that Kroger is discontinuing this brand.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[Tundra Gypsy]

Waiting for hubby to go back to California for a couple of months; will increase drying veggies and vacuum sealing them. Also going to buy more rice and vacuum seal in smaller packets...yes, waiting for the opportune time...Ice Age Farmer said we going to have food shortages; others say a famine across the country/world.

With droughts all over the country....we will see the shortages this fall...

 

[mikeabn]

Talked today to my g/f about a Costco membership.

 

[hiwall]

I did buy a nice leather jacket at a thrift store today for $3.
When I got home I ripped out all the seams and saved the nice zipper. The leather I use for many things but mostly for knife sheaths.

 

[Jeff B.]

Like Nomi, adding a few items in the event of shortages. Topping up the pantry.

As I’m between jobs, we’ve been hitting specials and sales with a bit more focus and making sure we don’t miss the opportunity to get a couple when Costco has a special.

Also been catching up on things I didn’t get done because of time limits while working.

Jeff B.

 

[Bps1691]

Just replacing what we use unless we run across some really good deal or sale. Mostly just checking/fixing/double checking as we hunker down even deeper. Feel like we are in the quite time, just watching the world step deeper into the sh*t every day.

 

[nomifyle]

Just replacing what we use unless we run across some really good deal or sale. Mostly just checking/fixing/double checking as we hunker down even deeper. Feel like we are in the quite time, just watching the world step deeper into the sh*t every day.

It seems like a quiet time, but God only knows what's really going on behind the scenes. I added something that I haven't eaten in years and years, rice a roni. I remember cooking it when my sons were coming up, I probably quit using it because of some of the ingredients. And I still take ingredients into consideration so I'm careful not to use things like that daily. Although its kinda getting harder because I've just gotten to where I really don't like to cook and then there is the kitchen to clean up. so I have to keep pushing forward on cooking and not use unknown "Natural ingredients" daily and certainly not at each meal. I'm tired enough without actually harming my health with unhealthy foods.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[Meemur]

Yes, I've been trying to get most of what I need for the rest of the year and into next spring, if it stores well.
I think we are still in a window period: get critical supplies while they are still available.
That doesn't mean "everything," but you know what you have to have, that stuff that will totally derail projects or
your day if you don't have it.

 

[SAPPHIRE]

Dh and I are noticing an extra strong saltiness to some of the sauces, boxed, and canned foods. Will buy lower sodium stuff if possible. Sometimes the food price is higher because they lower the sodium. But they'll sub something instead?

Bought gravy and some spaghetti sauce in LS...........

 

[Hfcomms]

Picked up a few more cases of freeze dried a few weeks ago. As a sidenote I found a few totes in storage crammed full of Lipton pasta packages from circa 1999 which were part of my Y2K preps. They were just stored in the totes just thrown in and not vacuum sealed or anything.

I decided to prepare one to see if it was still edible. These are made up with 1.5 cups water, .5 cup milk and a tablespoon of butter. Bring that to a rolling boil, put the mix in and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit for a few minutes for the sauce to thicken. Only thing I did different is let it simmer for 12 minutes instead of 10.

Cooked up perfectly fine and still tasted o.k. Was sitting in a shed for 22 years of freezing and heat cycles, humidity and everything. Is still just fine. Couple of years ago I mixed up my last box of mac & cheese from 1994 and that was fine as well. Pasta just took a couple extra minutes of heat is all. The shelf life of these kinds of dried and even canned foods are way beyond what is claimed.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Same as always. Nothing has changed in the twenty years we’ve been married. Sam’s club has pork tenderloin for $1.99 a pound so we will go get one tomorrow. Well cut it up and vacuum seal it and label the bags for dishes we love.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Just replacing what we use unless we run across some really good deal or sale. Mostly just checking/fixing/double checking as we hunker down even deeper. Feel like we are in the quite time, just watching the world step deeper into the sh*t every day.

To keep my pantry up to date and rotated, I replace what I use out of the pantry every 2 weeks. What I've started doing to add to what I already have is, instead of just replacing what I've used, I double the amount. Costs a bit more, but not only am I replacing, but adding to. Ex. If I need to replace 1 can of Cream of Chicken, I replace with 2. If I use a family pack of pork chops out of the freezer, I replace with 2 family packs, etc. Even though it's costing more, I plan to get as much in storage as I can while it's available, and while I can afford to do so. My budget is already shot, so we're rearranging our finances to be able to buy more. I hate to say it, but we're having to break some of our long held boycotts to shop for more reasonal prices. Ya have to do what ya have to do, sometimes. To me, that time is now. It's not going to get any better, IMHO.

 

[philkar]

Today someone else that preps is "checking over" my pantry to help me see the holes and I am doing the same for them. It will be revealing I am sure to see it thru someone else's eyes. We added some box fans and a window unit air conditioner to our preps this week thinking that we might could support that with generator as we have huge stockpile of propane. Heat is a real issue for us.

 

[prudentwatcher]

Well, I did a restock on some clothes--some new tshirts, bras, socks and the like. I am pretty much out of space for preps, but I still find little holes to push in more, but we are really going to be stuffed here soon. I replace what we use and keep the freezers full. I should be getting more ground chuck this weekend that I will can. I want to get at least another case canned as I think I have enough room to stash that. I keep topped off on the other supplies like toilet paper and laundry detergent as those are stored in the garage, but I have at least 3 years of those, so I only buy when there is an exceptional deal.

I've gone over my lists, my menus and everything I can think of and can't see any major holes or shortages that we have. Now to keep my fingers crossed

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm also planning to increase my stock of bath towels, bath cloths, bed sheets, and rugs. If the situations warrants, we'll be having more people move in with us, and I'll be using more. I have to replace my rugs on a regular basis anyway, and I need to get that done.

 

[Donna_in_OK]

Protein.

 

[nomifyle]

I added a couple extra box fans too this spring and am waiting on the arrival of the extra window air that I ordered. I'd get an extra generator if I had the money without robbing the bank of sealy. I just bought some tank tops for me to wear for the summer, too hot for sleeves. Although DH wears long sleeve shirts to work outside, and he goes through three or four a day from sweating.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[Old Gray Mare]

No so much a major bump up as a slow purposeful slog.

 

[paxsim2]

Yes to a point. Mostly things we were needing I thought I should add sooner than later. We now have 4 battery operated fans and more solar lights, plus batteries but I need to bump those up.

 

[nomifyle]

Yes to a point. Mostly things we were needing I thought I should add sooner than later. We now have 4 battery operated fans and more solar lights, plus batteries but I need to bump those up.

Recently I bought 2 ten inch battery operated fans and they can also be operated from a plug in, bought separately. I do have a good supply of batteries too. A fan is a God send when its hot and the ac is off.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[onmyown30]

I want to get a window ac unit if I can find one locally, we have central air but use a window one in our room at night so we can keep it super cold I want to switch out the old one in our room with a new one and put the old one in the spare bedroom.

I’ve also added some more high quality oils for cooking or salad dressings. Figure if we ever have to live on stuff we have already and can grow I’d want to bulk up the flavor and calories with some good oils. So I added some new ones this week

 

[20Gauge]

No so much a major bump up as a slow purposeful slog.

This is us. Review / determine shortages and stock again. Rinse and repeat. Our stock is getting larger for sure.

 

[nomifyle]

This is us. Review / determine shortages and stock again. Rinse and repeat. Our stock is getting larger for sure.

True for sure, but I did add quite a few boxes of rice a roni that is new to my pantry, 12 boxes each of four different kinds.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[packyderms_wife]

Recently I bought 2 ten inch battery operated fans and they can also be operated from a plug in, bought separately. I do have a good supply of batteries too. A fan is a God send when its hot and the ac is off.

God is good all the time

Judy

I need to pick up a couple more battery operated fans. Most of the stores around here sell them now, and a couple more LED lanterns.

 

[nomifyle]

I need to pick up a couple more battery operated fans. Most of the stores around here sell them now, and a couple more LED lanterns.

I recommened the ones that have the option to use with an electrical cord. You could use it that way if you have a generator and save your batteries. At least that's my thing about it.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[etdeb]

I want to get a window ac unit if I can find one locally, we have central air but use a window one in our room at night so we can keep it super cold I want to switch out the old one in our room with a new one and put the old one in the spare bedroom.

I’ve also added some more high quality oils for cooking or salad dressings. Figure if we ever have to live on stuff we have already and can grow I’d want to bulk up the flavor and calories with some good oils. So I added some new ones this week

Do you have a Ollies near you, we picked up 4 for 50.00 each. Name brand also.

 

[etdeb]

I recommened the ones that have the option to use with an electrical cord. You could use it that way if you have a generator and save your batteries. At least that's my thing about it.

God is good all the time

Judy

I have one the run off USB and UPS that is power them for about a week before I have to recharge the UPS battery and can do that in my car with a invertor. I also purchased 2 solar powered vent fans that can run while the sun shines and then the others can be used at night. The solar have a cord option also.
Having the central air break down about 3 weeks ago the small window unit and fans made it comfortable to sleep.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Bumped up some of my stocks today, since my grocery store had some good sales on items I use often. I also went sorta overboard on buying up more canned veggies of different sorts. Gotta get um while ya can......

 

[Faroe]

I'm also planning to increase my stock of bath towels, bath cloths, bed sheets, and rugs. If the situations warrants, we'll be having more people move in with us, and I'll be using more. I have to replace my rugs on a regular basis anyway, and I need to get that done.

I purchase all the bath towels and bedding I can find at the thrift store, when the price is right. Most of it is under $1. Won't pay more than that unless the piece is a nice blanket, or comforter. None of it matches, and most of it has small issues (fading or frayed). I don't care at all, and if any guest does....Nice seeing ya!

Been more focused on camping gear the last few weeks. For that. I will pay full price retail when necessary - am looking for quality.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I purchase all the bath towels and bedding I can find at the thrift store, when the price is right. Most of it is under $1. Won't pay more than that unless the piece is a nice blanket, or comforter. None of it matches, and most of it has small issues (fading or frayed). I don't care at all, and if any guest does....Nice seeing ya!

Been more focused on camping gear the last few weeks. For that. I will pay full price retail when necessary - am looking for quality.

Up until about 5 years ago, Cary and I went camping almost every weekend. Primitive camping, backpacking it in. We love it, but age and health has put a damper on it. So, we have all the camping gear we could ever need. We have to keep it all checked, though.

I usually get my bath towels and cloths at Sam's. I like their quality, and they're not too expensive. I find good deals on bed sheets at Home Goods.

I don't know why, but around in my area, there aren't any thrift type stores, unless it's Salvation Army. I don't know of any, anyway. Never heard anyone mention any, either. I wish there were.

 

[philkar]

I want to get a window ac unit if I can find one locally, we have central air but use a window one in our room at night so we can keep it super cold I want to switch out the old one in our room with a new one and put the old one in the spare bedroom.

I’ve also added some more high quality oils for cooking or salad dressings. Figure if we ever have to live on stuff we have already and can grow I’d want to bulk up the flavor and calories with some good oils. So I added some new ones this week

Good idea!

 

[nomifyle]

Up until about 5 years ago, Cary and I went camping almost every weekend. Primitive camping, backpacking it in. We love it, but age and health has put a damper on it. So, we have all the camping gear we could ever need. We have to keep it all checked, though.

I usually get my bath towels and cloths at Sam's. I like their quality, and they're not too expensive. I find good deals on bed sheets at Home Goods.

I don't know why, but around in my area, there aren't any thrift type stores, unless it's Salvation Army. I don't know of any, anyway. Never heard anyone mention any, either. I wish there were.

When Dh and married almost 7 years ago we combined almost three households worth of linens. DH had enough to sink a battle ship and so did I and I had most of what my mother had. I can't see us ever having to buy sheets or towels for the remainder of our lives. The sheets and towels I've seen at thrift stores were well worn and I did not buy them. Its been a long time since I've much of anything and what I have seen was pricey. I buy all of my outer garments from thrift stores and ebay, although I've gotten some cheap knit tops at walmart this year. At 4.72 each they beat the worn ones at goodwill that are about the same price. There are two thrift stores within 40 miles of us in different directions.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[summerthyme]

When Dh and married almost 7 years ago we combined almost three households worth of linens. DH had enough to sink a battle ship and so did I and I had most of what my mother had. I can't see us ever having to buy sheets or towels for the remainder of our lives. The sheets and towels I've seen at thrift stores were well worn and I did not buy them. Its been a long time since I've much of anything and what I have seen was pricey. I buy all of my outer garments from thrift stores and ebay, although I've gotten some cheap knit tops at walmart this year. At 4.72 each they beat the worn ones at goodwill that are about the same price. There are two thrift stores within 40 miles of us in different directions.

God is good all the time

Judy

One thing I think about (probably in part because the thrift stores in the poor area we lived in already were there)... given the quality of the clothes being sold these days (even "high end" stuff- it's made from better fabric, but the construction is crap), I don't think there will be much worth buying in thrift shops in the future,. Everything is junk, made to be worn half a dozen times and tossed.
Ha! I've got some 100% cotton Pluma branc t-shirts I bought in Sam's Club *at least* 15 years ago. I've worn them every summer since, farming and homesteading. They are still decent- I wouldn't wear them to town, but if I had to, I wouldn't be embarrassed. Try that with the stuff in Walmart these days!

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I've bought some of my clothing from Sam's in the past, and also, some from Blair. Blair has very good quality clothes. I'm still wearing pool lounger sundresses that are at least 10 yrs. old around the house for every day wear. I wouldn't be embarrassed to wear them in public if I had to. Not a one of them are showing any kind of wear or fading. I'll probably get a few more years wear out of them.

Now that we have a TSC in town, Cary and I have started buying a lot of our clothes there. They carry Carhartt brand, and they are very durable. My favorite store to buy more dressy/casual clothing is Belk's when they have a sale. 2 years ago, I hit one of Belk's sales. I managed to buy 8 knee length casual summer dresses for $5 a piece. Regular prices were $50-$75.

As with our storage food and supplies, we work to keep a good stock of durable clothing for all seasons.