Here’s what we’re working on this week (Nov. 4 – Nov. 10):
INVENTORY: Spices. Now is the time to look over your spices. Toss spices you will never use and write down a list of spices you want to refill. Read how I organize my spices. And read my comparison of Winco prices to Sam’s Club prices a few years ago. I only buy bulk containers of a few items. Or if you like to buy from the grocery store, watch for coupons.
STEP 1: 3-MONTH FOOD STORAGE per person:
1×15 oz. can of pumpkin
2×14 oz. cans of broth (beef, chicken, etc.)
If you don’t want either, then choose another cooking item.
STEP 2: 2-WEEK WATER SUPPLY:
Accumulate 14 gallons of water per person. That’s about 4×24 ct. cases of 16.9 oz. bottles. If you refill your own containers they need to be changed every 6 months, whereas commercially bottled water can be stored indefinitely. But it will taste better if you use it periodically, then buy more. Water is an absolute necessity! You will need more for hygiene, cleaning and cooking.
STEP 3: FINANCIAL RESERVE or EMERGENCY FUND:
Start small, but be consistent. Add $2.00 or more per person each week. And only use it for emergencies.
STEP 4: LONGER-TERM FOOD STORAGE:
Do this step if you have completed STEPS 1, 2 and 3. Throughout the year suggest long-term items in STEP 1 with (LT) after their name. You can purchase a 3-month supply or a larger amount for your long-term storage. These items can be stored for 20 – 30+ years. For instance, if you want a 1 year supply of broth, multiply the amount in STEP 1 by 4 which would be 8 cans of broth per person, etc. The choice is yours.
HOME STORAGE: Dish soap or dishwasher detergent, or both.
If the power goes out, you will be using dish soap. So always have some as a backup if you typically use your dishwasher. I find the large containers at Sam’s Club or Costco to be inexpensive. But a small bottle of dish soap will work for emergencies.
72-HOUR KIT: Add $10 + into an equipment fund. (see below)
AUTO EMERGENCY KIT: Add $10 + into an equipment fund. (see below)
EQUIPMENT FUND: Many of you have been working on your 72-hour kits and auto emergency kits with me for the past 9 months. So, for the next 12 weeks you will see a suggested amount to save for a more expensive equipment item to be purchased at the end of December. However, if you are not ready to do this and want to continue building your emergency kits, go back to my older monthly lists and look for items you want to purchase each week. We will start over again in January.
1. Decide on an item such as one of the following that you want to save for:
Electric Pressure Cooker $100, Pressure Canner/Cooker $100, Tent $150, 2-Burner Outdoor Propane Stove $100, Volcano Cook Stove $100, Indoor/Outdoor Heater $100, Electric Wheat Grinder $250, Chain saw $200-300, Solar Oven $300, KitchenAid Mixer $300, Bosch Mixer $420, or Generator $800+
2. Divide the dollar amount by 12.
3. Put aside that amount each week.
4. Purchase your item at the end of December.
EQUIPMENT GOAL: 1 extra blanket per person. These are always on sale at this time of year. Do you really have enough blankets in your home? Are they large enough? Look them over.
PREP GOAL: Move your winter coats to the coat closet by the front. Sound simple? If every family member knows where they are, then they can find them quickly. If you ever had to evacuate in a hurry in the winter, you will want to grab your coat.
HOW TO USE THIS LIST:
1. Decide on a monthly or weekly home storage budget.
2. Realistically decide what you want to gather or do from the list.
3. Multiply amounts by number of family members.
4. Adjust amount for younger children.
5. Adapt, adapt, adapt. These are only suggestions. Pick and choose.
6. Each week look for store sales that match your goals.
7. Carry your list with you or put it on your cell phone notepad. You are never behind if you take one step forward.
If you want to see the entire month, go to the November Monthly List.