Saturday I made the trip to the Big Town to the East of me...a 45 minute drive...and did a bit of shopping. I don't normally shop. I accompany my husband when we stock up...usually every four to five months. Today I went alone...scary! I have wanted to head to WinCo by myself for several months. Last time Bill and I were there I noticed they had really "ramped-up" their bulk storage aisles (my favorite place). I wanted Gamma lids...Bill thinks they are a waste of money. I don't. Bill thinks I'm a bit nutty with my food storage. He appreciates my bargain shopping, the gardening, canning, baking, etc. but I think he's a bit uncomfortable with the 200 pounds of flour, 100 pounds of sugar, boxes of salt, yeast, baking powder, jars and jars of home canned fruits and veggies, etc. He tolerates the 200 pounds of rice, wheat berries, beans, corn, almonds and walnuts because we grow them and I tell him I NEED that much for the year...the stuff I have to buy makes him nervous. I'm not Mormon, so I couldn't use that as an excuse. I was raised in a predominately Mennonite community so I've tried that one on him...I don't think he buys that either. You see, I have turned a extra bedroom into a food storage room...he's been in there twice: he said it scared him. I showed it off to a dear friend and she thought it was a bit much, too. I really do hate to shop and love having everything I need just steps from the kitchen. I really do love to can and I really do feel good about the food storage. AND WE USE IT! I'm not an Extreme Couponer...my food storage is almost 100% from scratch stuff...no Del Monte, Dole or Chef Boyardee or Dinty Moore. After reading a few prepper blogs, prepper web-sites and reading a few economic collapse books I think I'm a low-end prepper...if there is such a thing. I don't spend much time worrying about a Zombie Apocalypse or an incurable Virus that only my family and I are immune too...I worry about our struggling economy and the devaluation of the dollar. I worry about Peak Oil and Outrageous changes in our Weather. I'm not into or excited about guns, martial arts, camouflage or isolation. I don't hate nor am I frightened by the Government, other countries, Democrats, Republicans, Whites, Blacks, Christians, Muslims or Jews. I don't care if you are Gay, Straight, Blue or Green, blind, in or out of a wheelchair. I care if you are happy, well-fed, well-read, fair, even handed, open-minded and curious...but I don't hate you if you aren't and I don't blame anyone/race/party/country for the economic mess the world is in: it is the nature of all things...every living thing reaches it's carrying capacity and then collapses upon itself....I just plan on being well fed and home when it happens!
Oh Dear! I went on a rant when all I wanted to say was I bought 6 Gamma Lids and a new pair of Dansko shoes for work (I'm full time now and not a sub)!!
(So do you think I'm a middle-aged hippy or a prepper?)
15 comments:
I think the occasional rant is allowed. I think The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is giving wise council and helpings its members and nonmember to be more self sufficient and secure in life. It is also a frugal choice. I have a large stockpile. It helps me feel secure and safe. I love the little store in my house.....Melissa
I can't agree more, Melissa. Almost all of my storage information I gleaned from LDS preparedness web sites. I learned to dehydrate correctly from the dehydrate2store web site...the LDS have and share loads of information. I love my little "store", too!
I don't think what you are doing is in any way extreme or weird. I think it's called being smart!
I always have a years supply of my staples on hand. Why? They were all bought on sale. I have NEVER paid full price for flour, sugar, coffee--any staple. I think paying full price is weird!
And, let's face it--no matter WHAT happens in the world, I have what I need to get by until the worst passes. Have you SEEN what a can of coffee costs now???? I have a dozen cans on hand that cost $5 on sale. That will last me until the prices drop again (they always do).
Your ok, Lynda. And I'm ok, and so is everyone else.
I have the same thing, I do the same as Sue, buy on sale, and run a full pantry as I HATE to shop, and also it is getting harder for me to get around, so I stock and it is so nice to go in and "shop'" my grocery and garden.
I am trying to shop once a month for most things, I have to stop to get milk, and maybe a few things, but other than that, no buying.
I know that I have mentioned that where I live, the sheriff's department is taking bulk buying notice, so I am careful where I buy and who I talk to. And if something is on sale, I go to one of the grocery one day and then the other maybe day or two later. I buy a lot of bulk items from a wholesaler who supplies institutions and has leftovers from that, and I find that that is more secluded as to anyone taking notice of your purchases.
My storage habits has gotten my family through job loss, no job, no money, hard times, because at one time, my family was homeless, and no money for about seven years until I could find a affordable place to live without going to the bank to borrow money just to find a place to rent. That is rough enough being homeless and living out of a pickup and then your parents very cold garage.
PS
You can rant all you want, you are allowed to rant, we need more ranting and a revolution also.
That was a good rant Lynda! I don't think you are weird at all! We have some bulk staples in storage, but not enough! We are working on it though.
I do have quite a bit canned, dried and frozen. We don't buy any veggies, herbs and very few spices. Since we live in a city, we can't have chickens for eggs. But, I do have an egg lady.
It's smart to buy in bulk....and very healthy to preserve your own food. Who wants to eat that fake food people buy in the store?
I agree with everyone Lynda. It's ok to buy in bulk and no you are not weird. I wish I had more room to store things.
Thanks for the info on the dehydrating site, I'll check them out at lunch.
Oh yeah, when I first read your blog title I thought it said pepper. I'm thinking, I didnt know they had Dr Pepper in California!
Well, I'm feeling better...I guess I am closer to "normal" than I thought! And Terry we do have Dr. Pepper here in California...my son's favorite soft drink! Maybe I should add that to my food storage!
Well, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. As with others, I resonate with much of what you wrote. I cannot buy that much bulk because our house is small and there is no spare room...but we do prepare for "emergencies" as best we can. I think all humans have a tendency to "stash" what they value and shudder when they think of being without it. For me, in addition to staples and food, I would have to include yarn and books!
Great post Lynda, and isn't it a great feeling to know we have lots of food on hand.
Illness, job loss as Denimflyz mentions above can happen to anyone, anytime.
It's good to be prepared :)
Good post, Lynda! I'm lucky that my husband shares my desire to keep a store of food on hand. We think of it a hedge against inflation as well as emergency preparedness. I just checked and there is a Cash and Carry in Sacramento. I think you would have a lot of fun shopping in one of these ... This chain caters to food service businesses but is open to the public ... think 40lb bags of Bob's Red Mill polenta and rolled oats, 25 lb bags of sugar, rice and flour 25 lbs of clear gel (great for canning pie fillings) and more that I don't remember ... I have one storage area for the dry goods, a root cellar full of vegetables and 2 freezers full of meat, fruit and more vegetables. I honestly think that except for eggs and dairy we could get by for at least 2 years on what I have put away ...
I loved this post. And I just think you're very wise in regards to food storage! At one time this was considered normal. Now, because of consumerism, this sort of thing is frowned on. They want us to be running to the store several times a week because we buy more stuff that way! I really wish my food storage was like yours. I'm working on it.
I use our only other spare bedroom for storage too, so you are not alone in this.
I do struggle with spending too much on food items (sugar, flour, etc.) although I know we will eventually use it. Just bought 25 pounds of flour and 20 pounds of sugar as they were about 1/2 price this week. :)
I don't know about all of those stereotypes you listed... I don't think you are any of them.
I just think you are incredibly smart!
Why should you buy things in small packages when you know you will just have to go out to the store next week and pick up yet another bag of flour or sugar? You get a great deal, waste much less time, and always have what you need on hand.
On a different note, thanks for the post. Now I know where to head when the zombie apocalypse goes down!
Lynda,
Guess I am echoing what others have said, but it seems to me you are just being prudent. We have the same thoughts, desires and fears with the current economy. Now with the addition of a nephew living with us we have another mouth to feed and a desire to store even more.
Steve in Central CA
In agreement with Leigh. You are simply being conscientious family member making sure the household is well taken care of. Planning is not a horrible thing at all. Non-planning can after all be a detriment.
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