Food and Supply Storage

Recently I taught an information session at my church, introducing women to the concept of couponing. The reaction I received was somewhat surprising - many women felt that they would only end up buying things that they would never use. Yet these same women would spend large amounts of money at once when purchasing the same-old food and supply storage and/or emergency preparedness items. How silly!

It is my opinion that food storage should be more than just a few $10 cans of wheat and canned chicken chunks. I would rather have things like $0.05 pasta and $0.67 spaghetti sauce, or $0.50 granola bars and $0.67 peanut butter any day. Not only will my family actually enjoy these items in the event of an emergency, but it also makes it much easier to rotate through.

Additionally, I have found that a good storage is useful not only in times of disaster but in times of economic crunch. Keeping a supply of cheap (and especially free) toiletries, laundry items and other supplies has allowed us to have items we need on-hand, rather than forcing us to pay full price later.

A portion of our toiletries and supplies collection. I am especially proud of the Up and Up facial tissues - only $7.49 for 20 boxes.

A quick look at our pantry - filled with items our family uses on a regular basis.

We are particularly excited about the General Mills cereal - every two boxes earns us a free $12 movie ticket. Boxes were purchased for as little as $2 a box - that's like paying only $4 a movie ticket (and having free cereal.)

Slightly embarrassing, but come on, we all use it! And these rolls only cost us $0.18 a roll (except that one package of Great Value brand at $0.30 a roll - who says generic is less expensive?)