how can you stockpile when....

**sinopa27** · 08-30-2011, 03:51 AM

How can you stockpile when you don't buy that much processed foods?
Any suggestions for a person that doesn't buy many foods that come in a box? I am thinking that I could can my food so I control the ingredients.
Thank you in advance

**thefrug** · 08-30-2011, 05:16 AM

Why can't you stock pile the ingredients you already use?
Can or dehydrate the veggies and soups you use or save up and buy freezedried foods from the online retailers that supply that sort of food.
Store wheat and buy a cheap grainmill and make your own flour.

**wanderlusting** · 08-30-2011, 05:41 AM

I agree with theFrug. You can also start a garden so you can grow some of your own fresh stuff.

**sinopa27** · 08-30-2011, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by wanderlusting

I agree with theFrug. You can also start a garden so you can grow some of your own fresh stuff.

I have a garden. I guess I could grow more with the intentions of
canning more veggies. Thank you. For some reason, I was thinking stockpiling meant stuff from the store. *silly me!!*

**freebs** · 08-30-2011, 08:16 AM

you can can, dehydrate, like they said stock teh stuff that you do use. I have all my flour in the freezer for now. I store alot of mine in food grade 5 gallon buckets.

**Russ** · 08-30-2011, 08:26 AM

Stockpiling also is not just about food products either. Don't forget HBA's, emergency supplies and most important, beer.

**Lady_V** · 08-30-2011, 08:48 AM

Yup... what the others said.

I don't "do" processed either... canning!

**Ceashels** · 08-30-2011, 10:09 AM

I have a handful of "boxed" sides that come in handy when I'm in the occasional pinch for time or if Greebo needs to make a quick dinner if I'm not up to par.

I do keep a good pantry supply of dried beans, some pastas, some grains, flour/baking supplies and canned foods that I use and replenish.

You really need to take a look at the ingredients you use most and determine what their shelf life would be for your family's use to determine what you need/want to stock up on.

**low-1** · 08-30-2011, 11:34 AM

Yep, agree with the others. I've recently been on a "canning" kick, having just learned it and wanting to practice. Been dehydrating for a few years now. Started smoking fish and meat over the summer. Got a freezer full of family-farm-raised beef, garden raised veggies (haven't canned many of them yet, prefer frozen but will try soon), locally harvested fish, grouse, moose and caribou.

Store-bought items in the pantry include sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder, flour (going to try dry canning), rice, beans, canned tuna (going to try netting some suckers in the spring), ziplock bags, saran wrap, aluminum foil, butcher paper, paper towels, toilet paper, homemade jams, home-canned peaches, etc... Stuff we know we use, and we regulary rotate stock.

The beer stockpile, sadly, never seems to last long. lol. Do have some bottle of homemade wine though.

**Russ** · 08-30-2011, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by low-1

The beer stockpile, sadly, never seems to last long. lol.

You are simply rotating it so it stays fresh.

**low-1** · 08-30-2011, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

You are simply rotating it so it stays fresh.

Exactly. I do the same with my whisky stockpile ;P

**Libby** · 08-30-2011, 11:58 AM

Stockpiling means (to me) having a supply of what you use frequently on hand so you don't have to go out to pick them up. Its even better if your stockpile came from great sales which in the end means you pay less.

low-1, I hear yas on the beer stockpiling not being a success

DH seems to be able to find it and help himself right to it! I just stopped stockpiling it

**zakity** · 08-30-2011, 02:51 PM

I stockpile "ingredients". The only processed foods I keep around are quickie dinners (corn dogs and packaged burritos) and spaghetti sauce.

Well, we do have a "treat shelf" of junk food (cookies, snack mixes, etc - all bought at a discount). My husband has to have his snacks. If I don't have them around, he will go to the store and buy them full price.

**crafty73** · 08-30-2011, 06:31 PM

I stockpile things like sugar, flour, honey, salt, herbs/spices, cocoa, chocolate chips (i just throw them into the freezer), baking powder, baking soda, yeast (i keep it in the fridge/freezer), as well as canned foods too. I also stockpile items like pasta, beef jerky etc. Of course, my stockpile isn't only food items, it also includes laundry soap, fabric softener, tin foil, plastic wrap, garbage bags, face/body soap, shampoo, conditioner, deordorant, razors, fem. products, bleach, cleaning supplies, water, vitamins etc Things like gum, hard candy etc also are included in my stockpile...not exactly health food but when morale is down, it's amazing how a little pack of lifesavers can lift ones spirits

Imagine being jobless for a year, what would you want to have/need to help get you through a financial struggle? What sort of food/ingredient items would you like to have? What would you absolutely need? And if you don't like the thought of buying canned items fromt the store, maybe can your own food?
Then go around your home and look at the items you use on regular basis (body wash/soap, dish soap, laundry soap, plastic wrap, tin foil, light bulbs, furnace filters, pet food/supplies, toilet paper, etc etc) and start stocking up on those items too

Combine coupons with sales and you'll be laughing....unless you live up here in canada where we don't have double/triple coupon offers like in the usa. I'd move to the usa for that reason alone haha

jk