How I restock as a prepper and garden stuff

I think my approach on restocking my preps tends to hit the “ideal” based on most prepper/survival sites.  It’s not because I’m brilliant, I just have limited funds and I must make the most of sales for my future needs, items may be cheap this week and I have money on hand to get that product. I get “paid” the 1st of the month and the 3rd Wednesday of the month. I used to miss quite a few sales because I was broke and since I gave up credit cards a few years ago. No cash means no buying sales if the timing is off.

I call it “mad money” but it is just some cash you have on hand to take advantage of a great buy/sale.  A $5.00-$20.00 bill on hand can make a huge difference on building your pantry.  I have bought bags of grains that had a hole in the bag and went on discount. I store my long-term grains in buckets/barrels so I don’t care if the bag has a small hole that has been taped.

For example: I have an Albertson’s coupon for IAMs dry dog food good for the month of March. A 15 pound bag for $10.00, anytime you can get IAMs dog food for less than a dollar per pound you are getting a good deal.  I’m also buying up toilet paper and paper towels when they go on sale/coupon is in a sales flyer. I use both products though I have back up systems if the economy goes sideways.  Tissue and paper towels may be a good barter item in the future. At the very worst I am wrong about an Economic collapse/disaster and I don’t have to buy any dog food,  toilet paper or paper towels for several months.

Getting stuff you need cheap, or buying stuff with a coupon or 2 seems logical. I understand “loss leaders” and most stores are trying to survive work on a 6% or less profit in this economy. I will take advantage of low prices. I’m also a person paying cash and shop a lot before I make a purchase.  I’m buying for cash today, so I will be stocked up before anyone declares I’m a hoarder.

I’m not a hoarder, anyone can do what I do stocking a pantry. If a disaster hits, I won’t be at any store trying stocking up at the last minute.  I have spent the last 8-10 years of my income stocking up, buying gear and equipment and learning how to grow food +buy tools too overcome my disability. I pay my bills and my credit rating is in the 800s  because I didn’t use much credit for 5-7 years and paid my bills on time.

Life is simple, that does not mean it is easy! Planning ahead gives me “peace of mind” plus gives me extra time to react to any disaster.

Mom and I hit a garden class for starting garden plants at Zamzows. It was a good class and I learned some stuff.  This year, I seem to be panicking in March about plant starts. Rather than panicking in May getting plants in the ground after the frost. Well at least I’m hitting panic mode a bit early on getting the plants started. Worst thing that happens if the plant starts fail, I can panic plant starts from the local farm stores in May.  I have done that already!

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