July is a great time to stock up on summer foods. In the beginning of the month, take advantage of the 4th of July sales. Focus on shelf stable foods, but also put some items in your freezer. This is National Hot Dog month, National Ice Cream month, National Baked Bean month, and you will start to see Back-to-School sales. Prices on bottled water drops, and now is the time to get canning supplies. Try to match coupons to sales to save the most money. If you can store more than a 3-month supply for your family, go for it.
The July List
STEP 1: 3-Month FOOD STORAGE SUPPLY – Summer Items
(Suggested amounts are for 1 adult)
CL = case lot sale, WM = Walmart
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
5. Carry your list with you, or put on your cell phone notepad
FOOD ITEMS
Pudding 1 box (watch sales)
Jello 1 box (watch sales)
Food bars 24 ea.
Popcorn 1/2 lb. or 6 microwave (watch sales)
Crackers 2 boxes
Tortilla Chips 2 bags
Olives 1 can (watch sales)
Pork or Baked Beans 2 cans (watch sales)
Chocolate bars 1 pkg. (watch sales)
Graham crackers 1 box (watch sales)
Marshmallows 1/2 bag (watch sales)
Lemonade drink mix or Tang 1/2 cntr. (watch sales)
NON-FOOD ITEMS (per family)
Plastic utensils 90 day supply
Foil
Plastic wrap
FREEZER ITEMS
BBQ meats
Hot dogs, Sausages
72-HOUR KIT (per person)
Space blanket
Hat
Paper & pen
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES (per family)
Rubbing alcohol
Matches
Manual can opener
Firewood
Charcoal
Small folding shovel
AUTO EMERGENCY KIT (per auto)
Hat
Car fuses
Emergency flares
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. Buy canning supplies
2. Make fruit jam
3. Make a pet 72-Hour Kit