Simple frugal living tips for emergency essentials

Simple frugal living tips for emergency essentials

Supply shortages are big news,  and we homemakers could all use some frugal living tips.

However, we don’t need to live in a state of panic, just with wisdom and a bit of preparedness! You’ve got this covered, with a bit of preplanning.

This wasn’t a topic I planned on covering, but it is directly affecting our finances. Perhaps you too are seeing the change in your wallet.

Frugal living means that we stock up on useful things in advance when hard times are coming, so as not to pay up the wazoo later!

These items would be useful to consider if you live somewhere with natural weather issues too, that might keep you homebound for an unexpected time.

A wise homemaker prepares her pantry

Just a bit of background, I am not a prepper.

I traditionally have kept a modest supply of convenience foods that we can use within a few months. However, I have enjoyed watching videos lately that increase awareness for emergency preparedness.

And who knows? 🙂 Maybe I’ll finally get to live that farm dream…

We don’t need fear-mongering, but simply encouragement to be prepared as a wise homemaker. We learned last year that shortages can be, ahem, a stinky situation to be in.

Perhaps just spend a few dollars extra each trip to add to your reserves.

You’ll feel more confident as you are prepared to face unexpected circumstances with a bit of peace. BTW, if you need ideas on monthly meal planning to save money, click here.

Proverbs 6:8 She prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.

 

How do I start a prepper pantry?

I saw a book title that gave me pause, When Crisis Hits Suburbia. If you live in a place where gardening is a way of life, and growing/raising a food source is common? You are a step ahead!

Those skills are precious.

We happen to live in suburbia, and jeesh, a desert no less.

And, have no current skills to speak of in that area.  We’ll be working to learn about container gardening, and other useful additions that we can do in small spaces.

My Grandpa and all of his family were Master Gardeners. Countless times he’d holler out, “Let’s go look at the garden Christer…”. In a tiny plot of Orange County, he delighted in creating a harvest.

Sadly, he didn’t actually take the time to teach me. I think my generation overall missed out on much of the knowledge our depression surviving family knew.

They lived it..and were glad we lived with convenience, and perhaps didn’t consider it necessary?

Today is always a fresh day to learn something new though!

Frugal living tips from the great depression

Know your prices, look around! There is a lot of rising costs (I’ve been paying attention for sure, in real-time). Things that were .50 cheaper a month ago, have gone up. Many things that is per item.

This makes a huge difference on modest budgets.

Some places, unfortunately, take advantage of shortages and price gouge. If possible, take your business to mom-and-pop places that try hard to serve their community with integrity.

Maybe we could get extra for the elderly who can’t get to stores (or are on social security), or someone in our church or community who is in a bad spot.   This has been on my heart.

That we can get a few extras for ourselves, and for others. My goal is to make sure to have enough if my adult children or neighbors or a friend gets in a bind too.

Who knows? Maybe you have someone on your Christmas list that would benefit from a few things in a gift basket?

How do you live simply and frugally?

Better to get things if available than to pay exorbitant prices and find there is no stock to be had.

This set is NOT exhaustive or in any particular order.

What I hope, is that it inspires you to consider YOUR needs! Again, links are provided for your convenience,  but mainly to spark ideas. And to make it stress-free if getting to a store is not practical this week.

Keep your budget at the forefront and don’t panic. Preparing doesn’t mean we have to lose our peace.

You know those grocery stores ads that come in the mail? If you aren’t familiar with the term “loss leaders”, take a look at the front flap of the ad. That is where the super-reduced prices of the week are found. Buy them!

Don’t let this keep you up at night, but also be realistic of circumstances. We are all in a different boat, do what is right for you!

How do you stockpile on a budget?

What are the best foods to stockpile?

Canned foods,  not for “healthy” but for sustenance. If you have an Aldi, there seem to be good prices on many basic canned goods.  Even there, the prices on one item I follow, have gone up three times in the last few months.

Things might NOT get worse, and that would be wonderful! If we have extra, we can donate to a food pantry or share with a family member.  Either way, it is a win.

The prices for canned food online is over the top expensive, so I won’t even recommend that as your first option. Google the best-priced grocery store in your area…

• Fruits in cans and dried
• Vegetables
• Beans (dried are often a better deal)
• Rice
• Stock
• Nuts
• Meats  (tuna, chicken, jerky, even spam)
• Canned or boxed milk
• Peanut butter
• Crackers
• Canned tomatoes
• Oats
• Tea bags
• Seasonings
• Granola Bars
• Canned soups and stews- things with meat, veggies etc. for variety
• Pet food
• Protein drinks
• I can’t speak to these, but I’ve seen many talk about having these kept for LONG term emergencies 30-Day Emergency Food Supply | 2 Buckets | 1,800 Calories Per Day | 50G Protein Per Day

• Vinegar- you can’t beat Costco for this one. 2 LARGE containers for 4.29- Vinegar is useful for many things around the house, including cleaning
• Cash
• Long burning candles
• Matches
• Batteries
• Electronic candle lighter USB
• If you don’t have a Bible, God’s word is a great comfort
• Disinfecting products
• LED flashlights
• Emergency-Hand-Crank-Radio
• 32 Ultra Bright 6 Inch Large Glow Sticks 
• Blankets or things for warmth
• Mini Handheld Fan if hot where you live
• Laundry soap (consider homemade, much cheaper. Here is where to find recipes)
• Security– this is a personal comfort choice. At the minimum, please at least have pepper spray. Some say wasp spray even better, as it squirts farther
• Propane or charcoal for a firepit or bbq if services cut off (for a BBQ, check home improvement stores for year-end clearances)
• Camping stove
• Water (currently Costco is selling 1 package per person. Gallons in stores have gone up and in some areas are hard to find). Perhaps consider some sort of filtration system?
• Emergency solar charger
• Lanterns
• Emergency Lights For Home
• Generator (do some research on this, I know zip about generators TBH)
• Air pump for bicycles if need be for transportation
• Stamps, envelopes, and paper. Seem old-fashioned? Maybe in case of the power is out for extended time ever, AND it is fun to receive homemade letters (read this post)! We are dependent on convenience; some former homemaking items might be an afterthought in our modern world
• A few card games (small to pack up) to keep kids busy – consider  Phase 10, Five Crowns,  and Uno. For littles, try Guess Who card game, Charades for kids, and Guess in 10 Junior Community Helpers 

Emergency essentials for Personal Care

• Diapers- lots of people are having a hard time finding them. This week they were 3.99 a pack at Aldi.  Perhaps even have a few cloth packs for emergencies, if you use disposable
• Tampons (consider menstrual cups too, even if only to have on hand for no other options)  THis is one product that has been VERY limited on shelves in my area for over a year
• Pads
• Soap
• Toothpaste
• Contact lens supplies
• Body wipes
• Cold medicine and preventatives
• Bidet for your current toilet seat (2020, ugh)
• Toilet paper
• Deodorant (Native is my favorite)

Emergency essentials for Health Care

I tried to source affordable items, but for some personal care, it might be good to find things made in the USA if quality control is a concern for you.

• Prescriptions,  if they let you order in advance
• First aid kit
• Peroxide
• Rubbing alcohol
• Aloe
• Burn cream
• Liquid bandage
• Ice packs and instant heating pads
• Allergy medicine
• Ibuprofen (costco has great price on huge bottles)
• Survival book- a few good options to check out are The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide: Emergency Preparedness for ANY Disaster   and/or  How to Organize Your Life, Home, Vehicle, and Family for Natural Disasters, Civil Unrest, Financial Meltdowns, Medical Epidemics, and Political Upheaval

Garden Ideas for small spaces

• Let’s try our hands at planting nourishing foods, even if it is our first time. A tasty experiment!
• Introduction to Container Gardening: Beginners Guide to Growing Your Own Fruit, Vegetables and Herbs Using Containers and Grow Bags
• Survival Vegetable Seeds Garden Kit
• The Aero Garden seems to have positive reviews, and might be a good first step for beginners or small spaces. There are tons of choices for foods too
• Potato grow bags
• Wooden Raised Planter Box

The little red hen beats chicken little

No need to run around like Chicken Little shouting the sky is falling. (while we may think it is coming, economically, preparation beats panic). Instead, let’s take a cue from The Little Red Hen, or the Ants instead of the grasshopper.

We can be industrious, plan ahead and get as prepared as possible based on our circumstances. ♥

You are not hoarding, simply picking and choosing things that work for YOUR particular circumstance, home, and family! You might enjoy these practical homemaking tips based on the Depression-era slogan, “Eat it up, Wear it out, Make it do, or Do without” here

Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise

Be blessed, embrace the days, find the joy and add a bit of preparation to your homemaking to bring extra peace of mind ♥.

Practical resources you might enjoy:

• A Year Without the Grocery Store: A Step by Step Guide to Acquiring, Organizing, and Cooking Food Storage
• Not a frugal living tip per se, but SUPER valuable when the world shouts FEAR—
• Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad
• Depression Era Frugality: Tips, Tricks & Life Hacks from the Great Depression Era that We Can Use Today
• Clara’s Kitchen: Wisdom, Memories, and Recipes from the Great Depression (this lady had a wildly poplular Youtube channel (here) that she started in her 90’s!)
• Disclosure: I only recommend products I do/would use myself. This post may contain affiliate links that at NO additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission to help support this blog. Read full privacy policy here.