November is a great time to stock up on holiday baking items. They are at your fingertips in the stores, but make sure you buy them on sale. I usually stock up on a year’s supply of these items, but of course you can stock up on less. And wait until December to buy vegetable oils because I’ve seen the lowest prices then. The suggested list below will help you keep various staples in stock in your food storage.
Also, watch for those Halloween clearance sales on November 1. Items will be moving out to make room for Christmas stock. Plan for Veterans day sales the weekend of November 11th. This may be a good time to start your Christmas shopping. According to Chiff.com toys, children’s clothes, winter clothing, and electronics will be on sale at Walmart, Sears, Macy’s, Kohl’s, K-Mart and Target.
As far as food goes, I’m buying canned pumpkin early, because last year I waited too long, and it disappeared from the shelves.
Each month add to your 72-hour kits, and you will complete them. Then change food items each year. And if you haven’t already done so, winterize your car emergency kits. Always carry a blanket, mittens and other warm items in your car.
Note: if I mention Smith’s store as a place to purchase, check other stores that carry Kroger brand foods for similar sales.
The November List (click for printable copy)
STEP 1: 3-Month FOOD STORAGE SUPPLY – Holiday Baking Items
(Suggested amounts are for 1 adult)
CL = case lot sale, WM = Super Walmart, LDS = available at LDS Home Storage centers
LT 30 YR= Long Term shelf life if stored properly. Consider storing a year’s supply of these items.
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 (About $25 per adult if you shop on sale)
Sugar, White 10 lbs. or 2 #10 LDS cans [11/2 Smith’s Kroger 4 lb. $1.89 Great price! WM GV 5 lb. $3.08]
Brown Sugar 2×1 lbs. [11/2 Macey’s WF 1 lb. $1.25, WM GV 2 lb. $1.62]
Powdered Sugar 1 lb. [11/2 Macey’s WF 1 lb. $1.25, WM GV 2 lb. $1.68]
Corn Syrup 4 oz. [11/2 Macey’s WF 32 oz. $1.59]
Flour, white 15 lbs. or 3 #10 LDS cans [11/2 Macey’s WF 10 lb. $2.99, Smith’s Kroger 5 lb. $1.67, CC 25 lb. $7.33]
Pumpkin 1×15 oz. can [11/2 Macey’s WF 29 oz. $1.50, Smith’s Kroger 15 oz. $1.19, WM GV 5 lb. $1.94]
Yams 1×15 oz. [WM Princella 29 oz. $1.62
Stuffing mix 1×6 oz. box [11/2 Smith’s StoveTop $.99 if buy 10, WM Betty Crocker $.98]
Evaporated milk 1×12 oz. can [11/2 Macey’s WF .69, Smith’s Kroger .69, WM GV $.92]
Broth 3×14.5 oz. cans [11/2 Smith’s Kroger .49 if buy 10, WM GV $.77]
Prepared Soup (like Progresso) 4 cans (Use coupons)
Items for December if you can’t wait:
Vegetable Oil 24 oz. [11/2 Smith’s Kroger 48 oz. $2.50, WM GV 48 oz. $2.28]
Chocolate Chips 12 oz. [11/2 72 oz./6 Costco or Sam’s like paying $1.63 or $1.50 12 oz. bag; WM Nestle $1.88]
FREEZER FOODS
Butter 1 lb. [Smiths Kroger $2.50]
NON-FOOD ITEMS (per family)
DeodorantLotion
Shaving cream
72-HOUR KIT (per person)
N95 face mask
Tissues
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES (per family)
Mini scriptures
Filtered Water bottle
Thermometer
Plastic trash bags
Bucket(s) for supplies
Toilet seat for bucket
AUTO EMERGENCY KIT (per auto)
Emergency cash
Tissues
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. Put bag with shoes and water under each bed
2. Make school emergency kits
3. Winterize car emergency kits