The Hard Times Cafe

Some things that need to be thought about when preparing your stockpile aren't always associated with a pantry.  Many limit the thought of a pantry to "food".  I guess one way to extend the thought of your pantry is to think of it as your own personal grocery store.  That can help the mind to open the  thought process to the needs of the entire house and homestead not just the kitchen cupboards.

 

Once your food portion of your pantry is well underway you might want to take into consideration such things as the following.  Does your pantry have a way of sustaining the family pet(s) in hard times?  Do you have adequate canning lids, extra seeds for your garden ?  Do you have , personal care needs?  Cleaning supplies and toilet paper?  I know it can be hard enough worrying about putting up food less alone extra non food items.  But some of this stuff is essential and there are ways to cut the cost, or at least spread it out over a period of time so you don't have to absorb it all at once.

 

Example, I try to use vinegar for 95% of my household cleaning.  It is very cheap in comparison to store bought cleaners and much healthier.  A gallon of white vinegar runs around $2.50.  If you commit to picking up one gallon extra a month, in  a 12 month period you'll have a years supply in your pantry.  Borax and Washing Soda are great too.  Also baking soday.

 

Knowing your personal care items you can plan ahead and take advantages of sales.  These too in our household we try to go non conventional but many people have specific items and name brands they like.  There is a blogger on here that does the "grocery game" and list the deals you can get at CVS and Walgreens (I believe that's the name of the stores).  Her blog is Mama to 6~The Large Family Logistics   http://www.homesteadblogger.com/mamato6/99168

 

Also along the same lines is a web site that has is about the "grocery game" and they have several testimonials and how too's.  I came across it some time ago looking for other people wanting to share "pantry" photos.  Though its not stuff I stock up on, many do and it can be an enormous savings!!!  It is just kind of fun to read about.  http://www.terismessageboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12  If you search the web site you can find the photos, they help put a fire under you.

 

Don't forget medications, synthetic or herbal.  Now is the time to learn new skills, for many like myself it includes more of a holistic approach.

 

Also don't forget how to books.  Great reference for new skills.

 

Until next time at The Hard Times Cafe

The Intentional Peasant