How to Save Money On Your Food Storage

One reason I often hear from beginning preppers is how expensive it is to actually store food. I hear you. These days, it's hard enough to just put food on the table each week without trying to buy extra to store. But you have seen by now just how important it is to have an emergency food supply on hand. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make it a little more budget friendly.

1. Learn how to coupon. I always resisted using coupons. Maybe it had something to do with growing up poor and being proud of the fact that I could now afford to buy whatever I wanted. Maybe it was the looks I got from the cashier and others behind me when they saw customers with stacks of coupons. I don't honestly know why it took me so long to figure out that none of that mattered. What mattered was not wasting money. So get in on the couponing action! There are lots of guides and websites out there to give you all the tips and tricks to do it like a pro. 

2. Store your food properly so it lasts as long as possible. When I first started, I had a cabinet above my stove that I thought was perfect. I didn't use it for anything because I had to climb on a stool to get to it. What better place to store something I only needed in emergencies, right? Except that heat from the stove rises into that cupboard. And we didn't notice at first that the range hood vented into that cupboard (I know...who does that?!) I have since created space in my pantry. It's a good size area and once I actually got everything organized, I discovered I had more than enough room for an emergency food supply for the two of us. 

3. Rotate your supplies regularly. Speaking of the pantry....another lesson I learned the hard way. Keep your supplies organized so you can rotate it regularly. The first time I had to do a major reorganization of our supplies gave me a rude awakening. If you don't keep up with your supplies, you soon lose track of what's in there. Things expire. They have to be discarded. Nothing lasts forever. Not even canned food. And nothing is more wasteful than buying food only to have to throw it away. So think of your emergency supply as a distant addition to your regular weekly grocery list. If you see cans of tuna on sale, for example, check your emergency supply. If you have some cans on hand that are older, buy the tuna that's on sale, place it in your emergency supply and take the older cans out to use for meals that week. I do this every week now and I haven't had to discard of any expired product in years.

4. Skip the emergency food sites. I'm not saying it's not good food. Most of it is. But it is also expensive. Learn how to buy things like beans, rice, pasta and other non-perishable foods and properly store them long-term yourself. I store rice and beans in empty soda bottles for example. Yes, it might be convenient in an emergency to grab that pouch of freeze-dried beef stew off the shelf and just add water. But you can learn to make very good meals yourself with everyday ingredients for a fraction of the cost of these prepackaged meals. 

5. Which brings me to my next tip. Learn how to dry and can food yourself. It's easier than you think. There are wonderful books and websites that will teach you the skills you need. Just be careful to follow the instructions exactly and be sure the food has been properly prepared. Improperly canned food can be harmful if eaten. 

6. Where do you get food to can and dry without paying extra? Learn to garden. If you have the space outside for a large garden, plant it! But even some containers on the porch or patio can provide enough product to supplement your emergency food supply. Or provide enough fresh food to offset your grocery budget so you can use the money saved to add to your emergency supplies. There are books and videos to help you learn and many County Extension Offices give gardening classes. Many areas also have gardening groups the help members learn the basic skills. What a great way for you and the family to enjoy some healthy outdoor time. And kids are much more likely to eat their veggies if they grow them themselves.

7. Only store what you eat. When the pandemic was at its height and grocery store shelves were pretty bare, my husband wanted me to buy a case of Vienna Sausages and a case of ramen noodles. I said no. He is the only one that eats those and even then it's very rarely. Chances are they would have sat in the pantry for years before we went through them all. That money and storage space was better devoted to something we both eat regularly. Just because something is available and "on sale" doesn't make it a good buy if you don't normally eat it. 

Having an emergency food supply will give you a sense of security. You'll have greater peace of mind knowing that you don't have to worry about feeding your family in an emergency. These tips will help you save money while building your emergency food stash.

Do you have a favorite money-saving tip? Share it in the comments!

Why Should I Store Food and Water?

Yes, it's true that my audience is mostly those that aren't what we normally consider "preppers" to be. We're a bit older. Less inclined to "bug out" unless there is just no other option. We might have some health concerns. Spouses or elderly parents with medical conditions. Whatever the reasons, we would choose to stay put and ride it out in our homes.

However, that doesn't mean we can't be as prepared as possible. And part of being prepared means having an adequate supply of food to get us through the crisis.

You may think that it won't be a problem to run into town to stock up if necessary. Covid proved that is not necessarily true. Stores reduced hours or closed altogether. The supply line was disrupted and many necessities weren't available. Add to that the potential for natural disasters making stores unreachable or civil unrest making it dangerous and you can understand why it is necessary to have a supply of food on hand.

If you're fortunate to have the ability to plant a garden or even some container plants on a patio or in windows, do so. Every little bit helps. But most of us aren't raising chickens or running cattle. We don't have a milk cow in the barn. We need to stock up on non-perishable food to supplement the produce we are able to grow for ourselves.

I challenge you to go check your pantry and freezer right now. What's in it? Is there enough quality food to feed you and your family for at least 3 weeks? How much water? A few hours worth, maybe? Now is the time to change that.

If you think I'm over-reacting, just remember how long stores were out of things as simple as toilet paper and hand sanitizer during the worst of the pandemic. How empty the meat cases were. Do you think it would be any better in a full blown catastrophe? Remember Katrina and Harvey and Maria? How quickly did the government respond? In an actual crisis situation, it could take weeks or even months for government aid to reach you.

And for all of you "it could never happen to ME!" folks, let's go talk to the folks in Texas about the winter storm of 2021.

The weather is changing. Whether caused by us or not is irrelevant here. Hurricanes, floods, winter storms, wildfires...all are happening more frequently and are bigger and stronger than in the past. Civil unrest is a real thing now. Domestic terrorism is now the main threat to this country. And another pandemic is a distinct possibility.

Store food. Store water. Prepare to take care of yourself and your family. Join with your neighbors so you can share in each others particular skills.

You've not nothing to lose and possibly the survival of yourself and your family to gain.

10 Things To Add To Your Survival Kit I'll Bet You Didn't Think Of!

You know all about the need for food, water, and shelter. If you have been listening, then you already have begun stockpiling non-perishable food, decided how you are going to store adequate water, and discussed alternate shelter arrangements with your family...just in case.

If the shortages during the pandemic are any indication, you probably also realized you will require personal hygiene products (although most of us did survive the great toilet paper shortage of 2020). 

But there are still some items you should have in your survival kit that I'm willing to bet you didn't think of. After all, for most this is a new way of thinking. Have no fear. I'm here to share my top 10 things you should have in your kit but probably don't:

1. Extra Socks: I'm putting extra socks right at the top of the list. Why? In a survival situation, keeping your feet healthy is paramount. Your feet could be your only mode of transportation in an emergency! Even if you don't have to hike a great distance, your feet could still take a lot more wear and tear than they are used to. Which means so will your socks. So extra socks to replace the ones that get worn out. Or to wear when it's colder than normal to keep your feet warm. Or to wear as an extra layer of warmth over your hands. In fact socks have a myriad of uses other than to cover our feet. It's always good to have a supply of clean, comfortable socks on hand.

2.. A Hand Crank Radio: That's right. A hand crank radio. You need to be able to stay informed of conditions in your area. But no power can mean no TV, internet, or phone. The solution to that problm is the hand crank radio. No electricity or batteries required. And yes....they really work.

3. Batteries: Speaking of batteries, you are going to want some. Even though you don't need them for your radio, you make need them for other things. Flashlights. Lanterns. Some medical devices may have battery backups. If you lose power, you are probably going to use a LOT of batteries. Make sure you have plenty on hand. And check to make sure you have an assortment of all the right sizes. Check all of your battery-powered devices and then stock up. 

4. Hand Sanitizer: If you were one of those folks hoarding hand sanitizer during the pandemic, good for you. Hang on to that stuff. If you're like me, and hand sanitizer is just one of those things you never use, go get some. Under normal day-to-day conditions, I have never felt the need for hand sanitizer. But a survival situation is entirely different. It will be difficult to maintain any level of cleanliness and there could be some nasty stuff out there. Get the hand sanitizer. 

5. Dental Hygiene Items: The last thing you want during a survival situation is pain. And in my opinion, there is no worse pain than a toothache. Dental care is vital. But your electric toothbrush isn't going to work. And brushing with baking soda or peroxide tastes like crap. Stockpile some toothbrushes...the regular manual kind...toothpaste and mouthwash. You'll be glad you did. Oh...and don't forget the floss!

6. Aspirin: Speaking of pain, don't forget the pain relievers. There are many different types available today but I recommend plain old aspirin. It's the least expensive and it's not just for headaches. There are plenty of other uses for aspirin. It should be a key component of your medical kit.

7. Paracord: Think of all the things you might need a rope for in a survival situation. Now think how much better it would be if you had something stronger and lighter than rope. That's paracord.  

8. Extra Blankets: They will keep you warm in the winter. They can be used to provide shade in the summer. They can be used to create a makeshift stretcher or litter. Blankets are another one of those things that can have multiple uses. Make sure you have plenty stashed away, just in case. 

9. Cleaning Supplies: The cleaner you can keep yourself and your surroundings, the less chance of picking up some nasty bug. So stock up on hand soap to keep yourself clean. Dish soap to keep your eating utensils clean. Laundry soap to keep your clothes clean. And disinfectant cleaners to keep your shelter as clean as possible. Plus washcloths, towels, sponges, and paper towels.

10. A Manual Can Opener: Most non-perishable food comes in a can. It's going to be hard to eat if you can't open it. 

How many of these do you have in your survival kit? What do you have that isn't on my list?

Book Recommendation: Where There Is No Doctor

Let me tell you about one of my favorite books. Where There Is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook was actually written for use in third-world countries. So if you're asking why it should be in your survival library, just think about it. I'm sure people who went through the Texas 2021 Stormageddon thought they were in a third-world country! 

All jokes aside, if SHTF for real in your neighborhood, medical care may be hard to find. There literally may be no access to a doctor. That's when this guide could be the thing that saves a life.

Although it covers everything from how to deliver a baby to how to splint a broken leg, it also covers how to use different medications. How to give injections. Information on nutrition. Disease prevention. And much much more. That may sound overwhelming. But all of the information is presented in a simple, straightforward, fashion which makes it easy to understand. It does include illustrations and information that pertain primarily to people like medical missionaries. But the overall medical information is useful any time you find yourself without adequate access to medical care. 

Of course, there are some things that simply cannot be handled at home by amateurs. The book is also very clear on those. We all hope we never have to be in a situation where we have to deal with that. But for most common health care concerns, this book is a godsend.

My favorite part of the book is the guide to medication. It's true in the US, you can't get medication without a prescription. But I'm sure you have all watched enough Zombie Apocalypse movies to see survivors raiding pharmacies. Trust me...if things got that bad, I'd be one of the first to do just that. And I would take this book with me to ensure I was getting the right stuff. It not only tells you what you need for different illnesses, it also has dosages. It has side effects. It also tells you when NOT to use particular medications. There are many first aid manuals available that will provide basic instructions for emergencies. This is the only one I have ever seen with such a comprehensive guide to the use of medications.

I have many first aid and survival medicine manuals in my library. And I will definitely be sharing a couple more of my favorites. But no matter which ones you may already have, you need to add this one to your collection even if it's just for the medication guide. 

P.S. A little warning on some of the illustrations. Most are fine. Some are a bit graphic. Just remember the actual purpose of the manual is for those traveling to third-world countries. Then count your blessings, don't freak out over the illustrations, and absorb the wealth of useful information in this book.

Where There Is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook is available on Amazon. And yes, I receive commission when products and services featured are purchased.  It's the law that I tell you that I make some money every time someone buys them.

I have personally used everything I mention in my blog.  That is not a law.  It's just a fact that I won't recommend something I haven't used just to make a buck.

Thanks for helping me keep the lights on!

5 Ways To Keep Alerted During Severe Weather

It's tornado season here. So far I have been lucky. I have not been in the path of one. But I have helped with relief efforts after one of these devastating storms has passed through. They can be deadly.

I am more impacted by the flash flooding that often comes during severe weather. I had not realized how quickly this can become an issue. I guess that's why they call it "flash" flooding. But water can suddenly be dangerously deep before you even realize it. I have only been truly scared during a severe weather event once in my life and it was because of flooding. I'll spare you the details, but I will say this. It takes less water than you think to push a Jeep Gladiator off the road!

Thankfully, I am always aware...now...of what's happening weather-wise. Severe weather is just one more thing we prepare for here. If you are lucky, you've never experienced truly frightening weather events. But more than likely, at some point in your life, you will. More than once. And weather or not you survive can depend on how prepared you are.

That's why it's some important to to be able to access reliable weather warning. Fortunately, there are several ways to do this. 

First is your cell phone. Most cell phones today are WEA (Wireless Emergency Alert) capable. This is a nationwide text emergency alert system. These emergency texts are sent by authorized government authorities through your mobile carrier and will alert you when a weather emergency threatens. It will tell you what the emergency is (for example, a tornado or flash flood) and what action you should take. The best part is you don't even have to sign up for these. They are sent automatically to all WEA-capable phones located in the geographic area impacted by the emergency.

You can, however, opt out of receiving these alerts. Which would be a very dumb thing to do. These alerts can save your life.

Another way your cell phone can alert you to weather emergencies is through weather apps. Our local TV Station has a weather app I use. I feel like I'm carrying Darby Bybee (TV news meteorologist) in my pocket! But I also have the Emergency:Alerts app. It's from the American Red Cross. Not only does it alert me to weather emergencies, it allows me to check if my family is safe and to let them know that I am ok. 

Speaking of local TV stations, they are a great way to keep up to date on the weather in a severe weather situation. Whenever there is a threat, most stations interrupt any scheduled programming for al long as necessary to keep viewers informed of conditions in their area. 

You know me. I never put all my eggs in one basket. TVs can lose power. Stations can get knocked off the air. We can forget to keep our cell phones charged. So in addition to my cell phone and the TV, I have a NOAA Weather Radio. A weather radio is a smart addition to your emergency preparedness kit. It will definitely help keep you and your family safe during severe weather. They aren't foolproof. Nothing is. But you should definitely have one as a backup to WEA alerts on your phone.

The weather radio I use is the Midland ER310. I like the fact that it can be charged through either hand-cranking or solar. It has great reception and can receive NOAA extreme weather alerts and provide notifications. Not all weather radios can. It's flashlight is bright and the convenient size makes it easy to grab and carry in an emergency.

And don't forget good old broadcast FM radio. When the F5 tornado hit Joplin, MO, the first word I had of it was from my radio while I was sitting in my car...charging my phone!

With five different ways to keep abreast of weather emergencies, you should feel comfortable knowing you can keep yourself and your family safe. 

"But wait...aren't there six?" you ask. "What about tornado sirens?" Here's my advice on those. Don't count on them! They are not designed to be heard indoors. Wind direction, power outages, and equipment failure can make them useless. Please do not rely on them for weather alerts. Use a combination of the methods listed above. In fact, use all of them...just to be safe.

You May Not Think It's That Important But You'd Be Wrong. Fire Extinguishers!

You may not think a fire extinguisher is an integral part of your survival gear, but you'd be wrong. Whether you are sheltering in place or bugging out, the possibility of a fire increases under either of the these situations.

Just because you are sheltering in place, that doesn't mean accidents can't happen. Stressful situations can make us less attentive to detail. If you are fortunate to still be able to cook normally in your kitchen, grease fires or something placed a bit too close to a burner can quickly spread into a fire out of control. And if you have to resort to using a propane stove or campfire, that can make the situation even riskier. When is the last time you actually cooked over an open fire?

If it's gotten down to an outright emergency situation, you may not be able to count on the fire department. So let's be sure you have the proper equipment on hand.

We all learned the basic science of fires in school. We know they need fuel. And the need oxygen. Remove either of these and the fire goes out. That's how fire extinguishers work. They either cool the fuel or displace the oxygen. 

There are four types of fire extinguishers, each for a different type of fire. The four types are:

• Class A: for common materials such as paper, cloth, wood, rubber and some plastics
• Class B: for combustible liquids such as kitchen grease, gasoline, oil, or oil-based paint
• Class C: for electrical fires
• Class D: for combustible metals such as potassium or magnesium

It is unlikely you will need a Class D fire extinguisher - unless you are sheltering in a chemical warehouse! But it is very likely you will at some point have need for the other three types. Does that mean you have to buy all three types? No. Fortunately, you can purchase a fire extinguisher that has an ABC rating. I'll give you my recommendation at the end of this post. 

Be sure the fire extinguisher you choose does have an ABC rating. These are good on any type of fire. If you have only a Class A or even one each of a Class A, Class B, and Class C, you could actually make matters worse if you use the wrong one. In an emergency situation, you don't want to run the risk of accidentally grabbing the wrong extinguisher and electrocuting yourself by spraying water on an electrical fire for example. 

Once you have purchased your fire extinguisher, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! Everyone needs to be familiar with how to use it, if necessary. Like performing CPR, it needs to become an automatic response. You won't have time to learn once a fire has started.  There are basically four steps:

1. Pull the pin
2. Aim at the base of the fire. Always aim at the base of the fire. Aiming at the flames won't work. the base is where the fire is getting its fuel. Aim at the base.
3. Squeeze the lever slowly
4. Sweep the hose from side to side

It's that easy - as long as you don't panic. Practice makes perfect so have everyone go through the motions until it becomes second nature. Just don't pull the pin while practicing!

I keep a fire extinguisher in my kitchen, one in each garage, one in each vehicle, and one in our boat. At a minimum I would keep one in the kitchen and one in the garage. And make sure you inspect them monthly to make sure it's pressurized. Nothing worse than a fire extinguisher that doesn't work when it's needed!

Now as for which one to purchase? These are the ones I recommend:

Amerex B402, 5lb ABC Dry Chemical Class A B C Fire Extinguisher: I have only had to use a fire extinguisher once...and that's another story. But the one I used was an Amerex that hadn't been inspected in years. And still worked great. Talk about reliability. Gets my vote! It is more expensive than other brands but if you can afford it, this would be my choice.

First Alert HOME1 Rechargeable Standard Home Fire Extinguisher UL Rated 1-A:10-B:C: If you're on a bit of a budget, this would be my second choice. It's affordable, plus it's rechargeable, which means it's reusable provided you get it recharged by a certified professional. It's also Coast Guard approved for marine use and is the one we carry on our boat.

Buckeye 13315 ABC Multipurpose Dry Chemical Hand Held Fire Extinguisher with Aluminum Valve and Vehicle Bracket, 2.5 lbs Agent Capacity: This is the one we carry in our cars. It's DOT compliant, which is important to us. Plus it has a vehicle mounting bracket which makes it easy to carry. Buckeye has always been a reliable brand. I've never had to use mine, but I trust it will work when needed!

Disaster Fatigue

Even before COVID, we were getting wrung out. The 2019 hurricane season was EXTREMELY active. Then came the pandemic. And civil unrest. And wildfires. And food shortages. And record unemployment. And the election craziness. And January 6th. And Snowmageddon. One thing right after another. Non-stop. Sometimes it just felt like it was too much to handle.

I'm an old hand at dealing with this type of stuff. And even I am beginning to feel a bit worn down. Sometimes, I wish I could go to sleep and wake up the next day to find it has all been a bad dream!

If you feel this way too, trust me...you are not alone. There is a name for what you are feeling. It's called disaster fatigue and it's a real thing. And it can take a real toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health. All the negativity and stress just beats you up.

I don't know about you but I'm exhausted!

But what can we do about it? Everywhere we look, there's been bad news. Even now, as the pandemic is winding down and the election has been over for months, there is still discord and misinformation seemingly everywhere. Wildfires are once again burning in California and New Jersey. And today came the announcement that we can expect another "above average" Atlantic Hurricane season. Food prices are rising. And don't forget the gas shortage!

How do we deal with it all? How do you keep from drowning in despair when all we see is wave after wave of less-than-wonderful news? 

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to fight disaster fatigue. Here are some tips:

1. Turn off the news. Seriously. Just step away from the TV or social media or whatever you use to keep up with the world. It’s information overload lately. Try putting a limit on how much news you consume in a day. Continuous exposure to negative news can increase stress and anxiety.

2. Utilize relaxation techniques. Engaging in physical activities such as yoga or breathing exercises reduces stress and can help you gain a better perspective on things.

3. Self-care is critical right now. Don't forget the "me" time. Go for walk. Talk to a friend. Engage in a favorite hobby. Read. Meditate. Listen to music. Just take time to relax and recharge. 

4. Look for the positives. Instead of clicking on the latest gloom-and-doom headline, look for positive stories. Trust me, they're out there. You just may have to look a little harder for them.

5. Get your rest. During times of stress, getting the proper amount of sleep is essential to your health and well-being.

6. Volunteer. It's hard not to feel hopeless...that whatever you do, it doesn't matter. And maybe you can't stop the next hurricane or the latest round of violence. But you can help those who are in need. You can give your time to the groups and organizations that are fighting to improve these situations. 

It's tempting to just give up, throw up your hands and walk away. Why bother, right? But if everyone just gave up, where would this world be?

Don't do that. Acknowledge that we are all dealing with a whole lot of stuff right now. Then do what you need to do to take care of yourself and your family. And once you have done that, reach out to someone else who is going through this too. You will be amazed at how much better you feel. Trust me. I know.