The monthly focus is cooking essentials. They don’t cost a lot, so stock up. Stores will focus on Spring cleaning so look for sales on cleaning products. You need cleaning supplies for emergencies. Bleach and disinfectanct cleaner are a top priority. It’s also National Frozen Food month, and National Red Cross month so look for sales for these types of items. Your monthly preparedness goal is signing up for an emergency CPR class with your local Red Cross or sign up for a CERT class.
The March List
STEP 1: 3-Month FOOD STORAGE SUPPLY – Cooking Essentials
(Suggested amounts are for 1 adult)
CL = case lot sale, WM = Walmart, LDS = available at LDS Home Storage centers
LT 30 YR= Long-Term shelf life if stored properly. Consider storing a year’s supply.
1. Decide on a monthly food storage budget
2. Choose a few items from the list that you want to focus on
3. Multiply list amounts by # of family members. Adjust amounts and items for younger children
4. Each week look at your grocery store ads for items on sale that match your goals
5. Carry your list with you, or put it on your cell phone notepad
FOOD ITEMS
Cake mix 1 box
Brownie mix 1 box (check Winco)
Frosting 1 cntr.
Bouillon 2 oz. (check Winco bulk spices)
Baking Powder 5 oz.
Baking Soda 8 oz.
Cornstarch 8 oz. (WM)
Dough Enhancer 1/2 can (Macey’s case lot sale)
Yeast 4 oz. (freeze, Costo or Sam’s Club)
Lemon juice 4 oz (WM)
Vinegar 16 oz.
Salt 1/2 26 oz. cntr. (5YR)
Spices 2 jars or refill
Onions, dry 8 oz. (LT 30YR)
Optional Freezer Items
Frozen vegetables 3 pkgs.
Frozen fruit 3 pkgs. (Costco or Sam’s Club. Divide into smaller bags)
Frozen potatoes 1 pkg.
Tip: Corned beef is on sale at Smith’s for $1.49/lb.
NON-FOOD ITEM (per family)
(Purchase a year supply to save money!)
Bleach 1 pp (check Walmart, smaller containers are easier to store)
Disinfectant cleaner (Costco, use March $2.00 off Pinesol or smaller bottle at Target)
Disinfectant wipes (Costco, use March $2.50 off coupon)
Toilet bowl cleaner (Costco, use March $2.00 off coupon)
72-HOUR KIT (per person)
Flashlight and batteries
Shirts (use old T-shirts if you can’t purchase)
Rain poncho
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES (per family)
Liquid hand soap
Small dish soap
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
First Aid Manual
CPR mouth barrier
Adhesive tape
AUTO EMERGENCY KIT (per auto)
Rain poncho
Umbrella
Flashlight and batteries
STEP 2: DRINKING WATER Store a 2-Week Supply of drinking water, which is about 14 gallons per person. If you’ve already started this, continue to add to your supply. For drinking, that is about 4×24 ct. cases of 16.9 oz. bottles per person. You may need more for hygiene and cooking which you can store in other containers. Always keep stocked up on water. You can’t live without it.
STEP 3: FINANCIAL RESERVE
Each week add some money to an emergency fund. Decide on a do-able amount and set up weekly transfers from checking to savings. Or put aside your loose change in a jar. Whichever way you choose to save, use it only for emergencies.
PREPAREDNESS GOALS
1. Replenish spices
2. Take food storage inventory
3. Take emergency class