Currently in our world, there are several emergency situations that could develop into disasters in the blink of an eye.  Pandemic, war and financial collapse are the headliners, along with the usual suspects of earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes.  It’s easy in the lazy days of Summer to forget our preparations and say we’ll get to it later.  Use this time wisely.  I’m just as guilty as the next person.  In the rush of end of school and getting the kids settled into their Summer routines, I’ve let my supplies dwindle too.  I keep telling myself I’ll get to it this weekend, but I inevitably find something else to occupy my time. 

I thought you could use some help too, especially if you’re new to prepping, or if you’d just like to be prepared for the coming Winter Flu Season.  Jobs are always easier with a bit of a challenge, so let’s start a new $20 a week stock up challenge.  I know times are bad for some people, and this can certainly be altered to $5 per week, or even less.  Commit to doing what you can, even if you can manage one extra item a week, you’ll be better prepared than the majority. 

Flu Pandemic Stock Up List

Acetaminophen

Adult Diapers

Anti-bacterial Wipes

Baby Wipes

Chamomile Tea

Chlorine Bleach

Cool Mist Humidifier (it’s better if you have more than one)

Extra Humidifier Filters

Expectorant Cough Syrup (this is the “Tussin” type)

Face Masks (whichever kind you decide to stock up on)

Hand Sanitizer

Heating Pad

Hydrogen Peroxide (disinfectant)

Ibuprofen

Isopropyl Alcohol (disinfectant and can be used to cool down patient)

Kleenex

Latex Gloves

Lip Balm

Listerine

Lubricating Eye Drops

Mucinex

Oscillococcinum

Disposable Shower Cap (can be worn multiple times)

Trash Bags

Vitamin C (stock up on chewable and powder also, sick people sometimes can’t swallow pills)

Don’t forget:

Food

Water

Household items you use regularly like laundry and dish soap

If you’re a regular, you know I only stock up food items my family will use.  Feel free to alter any of these items to fit your needs.  Hopefully this will help you be prepared for whatever awaits us this Fall.

Hopefully you’ve been visiting every day and wondering, what’s up with the Stock Up Challenge?  I know I haven’t posted it in a few weeks, I had some problems with my camera and really, it’s no fun without a picture of the food I bought!  Here it is, what I bought for week #14:

1 Bottle Canola Oil

4 Cans Beans

Total spent for week #14:  $6.69

Keep in mind over the next couple weeks that prices are going up.  Rice has gone up and because of the water shortage in California, everything from almonds to lettuce will be going up in price.  Stock up on extras of things you use the most. 

Here’s the list for this week:

Stock Up Challenge Week #15:

2 Bags Rice

10 Packages Ramen Noodles

2 Cans Spam

Happy Shopping!

Even the most prepared person may face a natural disaster that tests their survival know-how.  You’ve hopefully take steps to have enough food, water and first aid supplies to get you through a period immediately following a disaster, but have you thought about your game plan during the emergency?

I live in earthquake country, although thankfully I’ve been well away from any major earthquakes that have caused serious damage.  Our last major shake was last year and it happened while I was at work.  Thankfully I knew where to go, but was dismayed to see a bunch of co-workers clinging to a corner right next to the soda machine.  Bad move guys.  That thing is on wheels.  The shaking only lasted a few seconds, but it did shake us all up and we ended up evacuating the building.  I’ve since thought about what I would do next time.  I don’t want to rely on my desk since it could collapse easily under the weight of things dropping from the ceiling.  I know better than to try and run down the steps during the shaking, so the best option for me is to use my chair and desk to create a triangle of life.  Sometimes the best option is to be next to a large bulky item that will collapse slightly, but create a void next to it.

This same principal can work at home also.  Let’s say you’re sitting on the couch when an earthquake strikes.  If you lay on the floor next to the sofa, falling debris will create a void that could protect you from larger items, like the roof.  Of course you want to stay away from obviously dangerous items, like glass, mirrors, appliances and tall furniture that could fall and crush you.  You should definitely do a walk through your house and envision where these triangle voids will occur - like if a dresser falls towards your bed, there is a void beside the bed, under the dresser.  This area will protect you and prevent other, items from hitting you.  Don’t get under the bed as it could collapse and crush you under the weight of the roof. 

Also think about what you’ll do if in your car during an earthquake.  Of course pull off the road, but you want to be aware of what’s above and beside you that could fall on your car.  Trees, power lines and buildings could all cause problems.  My biggest fear is I’ll be on a highway overpass during a large quake.  It’s a scary thought, but unfortunately we can’t predict when an earthquake will happen - just use your common sense and be aware of your surroundings.

Schedule an earthquake drill every three months at your house.  Make the kids go through the motions so they’ll know what to do in the middle of the night if you can’t immediately reach them.  Make sure your preparations are accessible and won’t be crushed by falling debris.  You might even want to consider keeping items in several places in your house in case one area is unreachable. 

Learn how to shut off your gas main and your electric main.  Prepare for the aftermath because if the big one does hit, you may need to be self-sufficient for a few weeks.  Think about your water storage and where it will be most protected.  You don’t want to survive to find out all your water is gone, crushed in its plastic bottles.  A “triangle of life” could save your preps as well as your life.

The “triangle of life” is a survival method developed by Doug Copp of the American Rescue Team International.

No, I haven’t fallen off the face of the Earth.  Just had a minor thing like my washing machine stop working this week.  If you ever take a piece of my advice, please let it be the post about keeping your laundry maintained.  I usually let it pile on up until the weekend and then hurry and get it done.  No more of that for me!  Thankfully I had done a few loads, but then it happened.  Just what the problem is I’m not sure and we’ll have to wait until Thursday to find out.  Too bad I didn’t marry an appliance repair man!  Just kidding!

Okay, here’s what I bought this last week.  Yes, I know I skipped a week.  You don’t need to remind me.  Anyway, here’s what I bought last week:

1 Box Cornmeal

2 Jars Pears

2 Cans Ravioli

Total cost for week #13:  $9.98

Not bad for trying to cut costs and still stock up.  I’ll try to keep the challenge around the $10 price tag so it’s not such a burden on the budget.  You could even cut this down to $5 per week and still have a nice stocked pantry in a few months.  Do it now - prices are just going to go higher.

Stock up challenge week #14:

4 Cans Beans - whatever kind you like and use

1 Bottle Canola Oil

Have a great week!

I went a little light this week for the challenge.  I know a lot of you may be facing some difficult times this year, and I want to show that even small additions to your food pantry can make a big difference in the long run. 

This is what I bought this week:

1 Bag Flour

1 Bag Rice

1 Pound Great Northern Beans

2 Cans Vegetarian Chili

1 Box Baking Powder

Total spent for week #12:  $12.85

Stock Up Challenge Week #13:

1 Box Cornmeal

2 Cans Pears

2 Cans Ready To Eat Pasta

Happy Shopping!

How did your shopping go this week?  I managed to get everything on the list for a decent price so saved some money.  Here’s what I bought:

2 Cans Spaghetti Sauce

2 Packages Spaghetti

4 Cans Stewed Tomatoes

2 Cans Tuna

1 Bottle Mustard

Total spent for week #11:  $15.98

Here’s the list for the Stock Up Challenge Week #12:

1 Bag White Rice

1 Bag Flour

2 Cans Chili

1 Box Baking Soda

1 Bag Dried Beans - any kind you like

Happy shopping!

Are you ready to get back into stocking up mode?  I’ve noticed that EVERYTHING has gone up in price.  So, in addition to survival insurance, stocking up will be inflation insurance too!

Why is it I’m always replacing my pasta and sauce?  My kids love it and sometimes we have it twice a week.  So, I’m always replacing stores.  Buy what you like and will use and you won’t have to think too much about rotation - it’ll take care of itself.

2 Jars Spaghetti Sauce

2 Packages Spaghetti

2 Cans Tuna

4 Cans Stewed Tomatoes

1 Bottle Mustard

Something interesting.  I noticed at Costco they have a new plastic organizer for all your canned goods.  It fits in a cabinet or closet shelf and I think holds up to 20 cans.  You don’t need anything fancy though, and certainly don’t need to buy anything.  Keep your cans right on the shelf and first in is first out, so add new stuff to the back.  If you don’t have room in a cabinet, put your stores in inexpensive plastic boxes and stick just about anywhere, except the garage.  Moderate temperatures are a must when storing food items. 

Happy shopping!  Check back on Friday to see what I bought.

Did you go shopping this past week?  Here’s what I picked up:

1 Bag Flour

2 Cans Corned Beef

4 Jars Peanut Butter

2 Containers Salt

Total Spent:  $21.50 - I did not pick up the cornstarch because they were out of my usual brand and I refuse to stock up on something I know I won’t use.

I’m going to put the Stock Up Challenge on hold until after New Year’s.  With all of the last minute necessities for the holidays and the extra visitors we all have, the $40 for the next two weeks will be a help on the budget.

Check back though because I’ll still be here blogging away!

Are you wondering what ever happened to week #6?  I am.  For some reason I skipped a week.  I don’t remember why…..oh well!  If you’re like me, you find it more difficult to stay up with your stock up schedule during the holidays.  I understand and want to say just do what you can.  If you only buy one extra item, you’re that much more prepared. 

Here’s my haul for this week:

2 Cans Spaghetti Sauce

2 Bags Whole Wheat Pasta

2 Cans Tuna

2 Cans Beans

4 Cans Corn

Total spent for week #8:  $19.50

Now for next week - Stock Up Challenge Week #9

1 Bag Unbleached Flour

1 Container Corn Starch

2 Containers Salt

4 Jars Peanut Butter

2 Cans Corned Beef

Happy Shopping!

How’d you do this week?  Moving the Challenge to Fridays was the best thing for me to do.  This is what I bought this week:

2 Cans Green Beans

2 Packs Peaches (4 containers each)

4 Boxes Macaroni and Cheese

1 Container Honey

Total spent for week #7:  $18.40

Now for next week……

Stock Up Challenge Week #8:

2 Packages Pasta

2 Jars Spaghetti Sauce

4 Cans Corn

2 Cans Beans (any kind)

2 Cans Tuna

Have a great week shopping!