Self-Reliant Saturday-- Don't Forget The Flavor In Your Food Storage!

Summer is here and that means BBQ's, picnics, and outdoor fun!  This is also the perfect time to stock up on all the foods that go along with those cook-outs.  Watch the grocery ads for ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, bbq sauce, relish, mayo, and spices.  These types of foods add flavor to your cooking.  Basic food storage will only be tolerated for so long by a hungry family.  Don't forget to stock up on the condiments and spices that add flavor to your food storage!  Paper products like plates, bowls, napkins, cups, plastic utensils, and paper towels are also on sale.  Who wants to do dishes in an emergency?!  Your challenge is to stock up now while the prices are LOW!

 And don't forget about all the camping deals out there. Take advantage of the great prices on tents, camp stoves, sleeping bags, and all the gear that goes along with camping.  Restock your 72-hour kits and car kits with camping tools, gloves, collapsible shovels, tarps, etc.  Father's Day and Fourth of July sales are the best time to purchase larger items for a great price.  Sometimes you can find great deals at the end of the summer season, but if you really need a tent and find a great price, buy it!

Butter Sale!

If you have a Kroger grocery store near you then I have a deal for you!  Butter is on sale for $1.99 when you buy 10 participating items in their Buy 10 Save $5 sale.  Ronzoni and American Beauty pasta are also part of this sale and are only .49 after buying 10 items.  It's a great food storage stock up sale.  But there is only one problem....the butter sold out the first day of the sale! Butter has been really expensive lately so this is an amazing price! If your store is out of butter make sure to get a rain check to secure your price of $1.99lb.  

 Even though my store was out of butter, I took my store ad to Wal-Mart and price matched the butter.  This butter sells for over $5 a pound!!  That is crazy expensive!!  As I was checking out the checker noticed that there were coupons on the front of the package for .30 off of each box.  I got 10lbs of butter for $17.50! 

 I was so excited!  What a steal!  They went right into my freezer.  And I also have my rain check to get more when my store is restocked.  I hope some of you have a Kroger store in your area to take advantage of this deal.

Grocery Deals 4/18-4/24

These are the grocery deals I feel are stock up prices (better than the big box and membership stores). You should buy what YOUR family needs and buy as many as your BUDGET allows! ** Remember we are shopping for items in our 3-month supply along with longer-term items that fit into your meal plan.**   I only list Smiths, Harmons, and The Sunflower Market because they are the stores in my area but you can look at the Grocery Smarts lists to see other stores for your area.
 
{I use the Grocery Smarts lists to find all my deals. If you don't live in Utah there are grocery lists for other states too!!  Click on the box at the top of the grocery list that says "Select Your Store" and scroll down to find your state and store.  You can see the Utah lists & all the other lists HERE)

**I am going to start adding some coupon deals to the lists.  They will be in red so you know to only stock up on that item if you are using coupons.  SS=SMART SOURCE INSERT, RP=RED PLUM INSERT.  The inserts come in the Sunday paper and the weekly grocery ads. Please contact me for further info. on using coupons.**

Smiths case lot sales are over but Maceys grocery store is starting their sales today!!  It may seem like quite the drive to Macey's (7800 S. 1300 E) but it is worth the drive twice a year for the food storage deals.  (WF= Western Family brand)   I love Macey's because you don't have to buy the whole case to get the case lot price.  You can buy as little or as much as you need!!

• WF MUSHROOMS 24CT CASE $12.00=.50EA
• WF REFRIED BEANS 24CT CASE $12.00=.50EA
• WF SOLID ALBACORE TUNA 24CT CASE $23.76=.99EA
• WF BEANS 24CT CASE $12.00=.50EA
• WF 24 PACK WATER $2.50
• WF TOMATO SAUCE 8OZ 48CT CASE $15.84=.33EA
• WF CANNED VEGGIES 24CT CASE $12.00=.50EA
• WF WATER CHESTNUTS 24CT CASE $10.56=.44EA
• AUGASON FARMS BROWN RICE 20LB BAG $9.99
• AUGASON FARMS 50LB BAG OATS REGULAR OR QUICK $22.99
• 5 GALLON BUCKET WITH LID $3.50
• 5 GALLON WATER JUG $.50
• WF 25LB BAG FLOUR $9.99
• WF TOILET PAPER 36 SINGLE OR 18 DOUBLE ROLL $6.49
• WF PAPER TOWEL 15 ROLLS $6.49
• DINTY MOORE BEEF STEW 12CT CASE $15.00=$1.25EA
• HUNTS PASTA SAUCE 12CT CASE $10.56=.88EA
• SHURSAVING PEACHES OR PEARS 29OZ 12CT CASE $11.88=.99EA
• WF APPLESAUCE 15OZ 24CT CASE $14.16=.59EA
• WF CANNED FRUIT 15OZ 24CT CASE $18.96=.77
• WF CHOCOLATE CHIPS 24CT CASE $40.00=$1.67EA 
• WF DICED TOMATOES 24CT CASE $12.00=.50EA
• WF KETCHUP 24OZ 12CT CASE $10.56=.88EA
• WF MAC N CHEESE 24CT CASE $7.92=.33EA
• WF MANDARIN ORANGES 24CT CASE $12.00=.50EA

**Fresh Market grocery store also has the same prices on these case lot items.  If you have a Fresh Market closer to you than a Maceys that may help you get the good deals without the drive.

•  APPLES .99LG
• AVOCADOS .69EA
• SMITHS SPLIT CHICKEN BREASTS .99LB
• MT. DAIRY MILK $2.39 (USE .75/1 FROM COUPONS.COM=$1.64 GOOD ONLY IN UT & ID/PRINT 2 PER COMPUTER PER MONTH)
• MINUTE MAID OJ OR SIMPLY LEMONADE $1.99
• HEINZ KETCHUP 32-40OZ $1.88

•  AVOCADOS .50EA (CLICK HERE TO SEE A GREAT WAY TO FREEZE AVOCADOS)
• LARGE ARTICHOKES .88EA
• CUCUMBERS OR GREEN BELL PEPPERS .50EA
• APPLES $1.00LB
• ALL NATURAL CHICKEN SALE 40% OFF

BULK BIN SALE

• RAISINS $1.99LB
• CHIA SEEDS $4.99LB (ADD CHIA TO ALMOST ANY DISH OR YOGURT FOR A VERY HEALTHY ADDITION)
• ORGANIC OATS .99LB
• SHORT GRAIN BROWN RICE .99LB

• HARMONS SOUR CREAM 16OZ $1.00
• GREAT GRAINS BREAD $1.25

Grocery Deals!!!

This week is a hot week to shop at Smiths!!  There are some amazing stock up deals!  I am a coupon user and I save a lot of money by clipping coupons.  Today I bought 80 items for $32.78, with my total being $94 before my coupons were scanned.  I am telling you this because even though the sale at Smiths is really good, with coupons it is amazing!!  I got free pasta, toothbrushes, cough drops, .24 Propel waters, Stove Top Stuffing for .25, etc.  I am willing to help anyone who would like to coupon shop.  Contact me and I can show you how!  


The following amounts are what a person or family would need for a year storage. I only show these so you understand what it will take for a family to live off of storage. Work on your 3-month storage until that is complete and then work toward the year long storage.

PP=per person and PF=per family

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 185LBS EACH PF (fresh, canned, and dehydrated)
MEATS 20LBS PP(frozen, canned and fresh)
DAIRY 16LBS PP
GRAINS 300LBS PP (this includes pastas, cereals, crackers, rice, oats, wheat and flour)
OILS & FATS 25LBS PP (salad dressings, peanut butter, shortening, butter, mayonnaise, and oils)
SUGAR 60LBS PP (honey, white sugar, powdered and brown sugar, molasses, corn syrup, jams & jellies, flavored gelatin, and powdered drink mix)

WATER 14 + GALLONS PP FOR 2 WEEKS

**REMEMBER THAT I ONLY LIST THE DEALS THAT I FEEL ARE THE BEST PRICES**

• GALA APPLES 3LB BAG $3.99
• APPLES-GRANNY, RED OR GOLDEN $.79LB
• PETITE CUT SIRLOIN STEAKS SUPER VALUE PACK $2.49LB
• TOP ROUND ROAST SVP $2.29LB
• LOIN ROAST-PORK SOLD WHOLE IN BAG $1.99LB
• KROGER CHEESE 32OZ $4.99 ($3.99 IF YOU USE COUPONS)
• KROGER CREAM CHEESE $1.00
• KROGER DIPS, SOUR CREAM .88
• SMITHS DOZEN LARGE EGGS .99
• HERSHEY'S MORSELS 8-12OZ. $1.79
• PILLSBURY BROWNIES $1.00 (.50 EA IF YOU USE COUPONS)
• KROGER VEGETABLE OIL $1.99 
• KROGER BAKING CHIPS 16OZ $1.69

 MEGA EVENT PROMO-BUY 10 ITEMS GET $5 OFF/PRICES SHOWN BEFORE & AFTER DISCOUNT

• AMERICAN BEAUTY PASTA .99/.49 (THE QUICK COOK AMERICAN BEAUTY PASTA IS FREE IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• ANNIE'S MAC N CHEESE .99/.49 (ORGANIC)
• BOULDER CANYON CHIPS $1.49/.99
• CAMPBELL'S CHUNKY SOUPS $1.49/.99 (.49-.79 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• CAMPBELL'S CREAM SOUPS .99/.49 (FREE IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• CAMPBELL'S HARVEST SOUP OR CHOWDER $1.49/.99 (.49-.74 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• CARNATION EVAPORATED MILK $1.19/.69 (.44 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• COLGATE TOOTHPASTE OR TOOTHBRUSH $1.50/$1.00 (THE TOOTHBRUSH IS FREE IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• DEL MONTE TOMATOES .99/.49
• GATORADE .99/.49
• JELLO OR PUDDING $1.29/.79
• KROGER CANNED FRUIT .99/.49
• NESTLE HOT COCOA .99/.49
• OCEAN SPRAY CRANBERRY SAUCE $1.25/.75
• PROPEL FITNESS WATER .99/.49 (.24 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• SIMPLY POTATOES $1.49/.99
• STOVE TOP STUFFING $1.25/.75 (.25 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS)
• RICCOLA COUGH DROPS $1.00/.50 (FREE IF YOU USE COUPONS)
• SWANSON BROTH .99/.49 (.34 IF YOU CLIP COUPONS) 

So you see if I had just gone to the store and purchased my items without using coupons I would have saved quite a bit, but I would also have paid $94.00.  With clipping coupons my total went down to $32.78.  That is quite a savings!!

November is here and we have new goals to start.  This month will be all about storing cooking essentials and personal hygiene items.  In November the stores have many baking sales and we need to take advantage of these low prices and stock up!!  Watch for yeast, baking soda, baking powder, oil, spices,salt, etc. to be at rock bottom prices.  Flour and sugar are also great deals, and we will be storing those in Dec., but feel free to purchase those if you find a great price on them.  Watch for canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce, stuffing mixes, olives, cake & brownie mixes to also be on sale.  It is kind of a big month for stocking up on groceries so pace yourself and stay within your budget!!

November Goals:

1. Cooking essentials-yeast, baking powder, baking soda, spices, oils, flour, sugar,salt, etc.

1. Personal Hygiene supplies.  Watch for sales and buy enough to last for 3 months.  This includes all feminine hygiene items, diapers/wipes, soaps, shampoo's, deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, hand sanitizer,etc.  And if you don't have a portable potty, this is the month to finally get one put together.  Click HERE to view a previous post on luggable loo's.  

Enjoy the journey!

Enjoy the blessings!

Feel the peace!!

Grocery Deals & Grab-n-Go List!

Would you be ready to evacuate your home in 5 minutes? Herriman residents were asked to do this and we need to take note of what happened and BE PREPARED!!! Today, write a list of the items that you would need to grab-and-go. This is called a grab-and-go list and should be posted in several places in your home. Have a trial run with your family and have your 72-hour kits ready and accessible. Don't procrastinate, do it today!!!

Grocery deals are slim this week. I wanted to mention that if you haven't been shopping for your 3-month supply, you could get many items in one stop and save a lot of money by shopping at Winco. They are located on 7200 S. just west of I-15. I LOVE this store. Many canned and boxed goods are the same price as the case lots sales. Their bulk bin area will save you money on spices, cocoa powder, pastas,etc. Produce is also cheaper in general at Winco. If you are ever out that way I would stop in and take a look. I will make my shopping list for about a month and then shop at Winco.

The following amounts are what a person or family would need for a year storage. I only show these so you understand what it will take for a family to live off of storage. Work on your 3-month storage until that is complete and then work toward the year long storage.
PP=per person and PF=per family

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 185LBS EACH PF (fresh, canned, and dehydrated)
MEATS 20LBS PP(frozen, canned and fresh)
DAIRY 16LBS PP
GRAINS 300LBS PP (this includes pastas, cereals, crackers, rice, oats, wheat and flour)
OILS & FATS 25LBS PP (salad dressings, peanut butter, shortening, butter, mayonnaise, and oils)
SUGAR 60LBS PP (honey, white sugar, powdered and brown sugar, molasses, corn syrup, jams & jellies, flavored gelatin, and powdered drink mix)
WATER 14 + GALLONS PP FOR 2 WEEKS

**REMEMBER THAT I ONLY LIST THE DEALS THAT I FEEL ARE THE BEST PRICES.

• CANTALOUPE .39LB
• KROGER COTTAGE CHEESE, SOUR CREAM, DIPS .88EA
• BREYERS ICE CREAM $2.48
• MICHELINAS ENTREES .88

• APPLES .89LB
• CANTALOUPE .33LB
• YELLOW ONIONS .49LB
• SIRLOIN PORK CHOPS OR ROAST BONE-IN $1.59LB
• SHUR SAVING MILK $1.89
• WF PASTA 22OZ .99
• WF SALAD DRESSING 16OZ .99

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH MEAT SALE

• LEAN GROUND BEEF SOLD IN 2LB CHUB $1.79LB
• OVEN RUMP ROAST BONELESS $1.79LB
• SANDERSON FARMS WHOLE CHICKEN FRYER .89LB

SEPTEMBER GOALS:

Case Lot Sales: This is the month for case lot sales at most grocery stores. It is a great time to stock up on items that you will use all year long. I love to get broth, cream soups, chicken noodle soup, canned fruit, mandarin oranges, honey, paper towel, toilet paper, etc. Smiths stores start on the 8th and Macey's starts at the end of the month on the 29th.

Fruit: The recommended amount of fruit for a one year storage is 185lbs per person. This is a great month to get canned fruit at the case lot sales. Dehydrating fruit is another way to store fruit. Tell your friends and neighbors that you will take their extra bounty off their hands for them. Then you can dehydrate the fruit and store it is mason jars that are vacuum sealed with a Food Saver. Think of things like raisins, canned mandarin oranges, canned pears & peaches, dried apples, etc.

Non-Food Goal: Sewing Supplies-This month you will need to collect thread, scissors, needles, buttons, zippers and extra fabric. We could see a time when we will be wearing and using our clothing items a lot longer than we are used to. Kids grow fast and knowing how to sew and repair clothing will be a necessity.

Enjoy the Journey!
Enjoy the Blessings!
Feel the Peace!

What I Am Buying

I had a friend this week ask me where I buy some of my food storage. I realized that I haven't done a post of what I buy and where I buy it from. Most items can be purchased at the grocery store, but to get the best price when you are buying in bulk there are better deals out there. I will go through the items that I use for my family so this is not a comprehensive list by all means. It just helps to know what my bottom line price is and what I will and won't pay for certain items. Buying items at their cheapest price point allows you to save a LOT of $$$.

If you would like to read a wonderful price comparison list click HERE . The list was put together in April during the case lot sales, and compares the case lot prices to Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, & the LDS Cannery by preparedldsfamily.com. I actually printed it out and keep it in my purse so I am prepared at the store if I find an item on clearance and I know whether or not it is a stock up price. FYI: case lot sales are in April and September for Smiths and Macey's grocery stores.

Here's What I Am Buying: Prices are from May 2011 (add about 10% for 2013 prices)

Frozen Items

• I buy frozen veggies at the grocery store and I wait until they are .88 or less for 16oz.
• I buy Kroger frozen chicken in bags and I wait for it to go on sale for $6.96 or less.

Meat- I have to add a disclaimer here. I don't eat meat and my family really only eats chicken. I buy ground beef TVP, aka "fake" meat at Honeyville grain in 25lb bags.

• Tuna- .50 or less at the grocery store during case lot sales. Fresh Market & Macey's is where I purchase it.
• Canned chicken is the best price at Costco. You get 6 12.5oz cans for $9.99 (bottle your own chicken and buy chicken in bulk on sale to save the most money)
• The best way to get meat for cheap is to wait for a sale and buy enough for 3 months and freeze it well.

Beans

• Canned beans are cheapest at Smiths during the case lot sales. .50 a can
• Dry beans are cheapest at the cannery. Black beans 25lbs $14.50, white navy beans 25lb bag $14.10, pinto beans #10 can $4.65
• Pinto beans are cheapest at Costco 25lb bag $13.99

Pasta

• I always get pasta during the case lot sales 8 48oz bags for $14.55
• I also found great sales at Smiths this year and got 1lb bags for .29-.49 and with coupons I got 25 boxes of spaghetti for free (it is really worth it to coupon)
• Mac'n Cheese is also cheapest at the case lot sales. WF mac'n cheese. 24 boxes for $6.00 at Macey's, If you have to have the Kraft brand it is cheapest at Walmart.

Soups

• Ramen noodles I buy at the Smiths case lot sale. 12ct for $3.00
• Kroger broth at the case lot sale. 24ct for $11.99.
• Chicken Noodle soup, WF at Maceys 24ct for $11.28
• Kroger Tomato soup at Smiths case lot sale 24ct for $10.68
• Creamed soups I bought at Macey's. 24ct for $11.76
• Progresso soups I buy in the winter during sales at Smiths and Walgreens

Vegetables

• Canned tomatoes from Smiths case lot sale. 24ct for $11.99
• Kroger tomato sauce 8oz cans from case lot sale. 24ct for $5.99
• Kroger tomato paste from case lot sale. 24ct for $7.99
• Hunt's pasta sauce from case lot sales and other sales during the year. I don't pay more than .75 a can.
• Canned veggies from Macey's case lot sale. 24ct for $10.56
• Dehydrated carrots from LDS cannery. #10 can for $7.10
• Canned mushrooms from Winco .45 ea and Walmart for .46
• WF diced green chilies from Macey's case lot sale. 24 for $12.00 (these go on sale all year for .50, don't pay more than that)
• Dehydrated onions from LDS cannery. #10 can $6.00 (I rarely buy real onions, I use these in all my cooking)
• Potato flakes from LDS cannery. #10 can $2.85 (shelf life of 30+ years)

Fruits

• Raisins are cheapest at Macey's during the case lot sale and at Sam's Club for 32oz for $3.49ea. Costco's bag is only one penny more at $3.50 for 32oz.
• Dehydrated apple slices from LDS cannery. #10 can for $4.90
• Applesauce from Costco in #10 cans are $3.xx. I can't remember the actually price, but it is natural applesauce with no sugar and it is great for substituting for oil in baking.
• Kroger mandarin oranges from case lot sale. 24ct for $7.99
• WF canned pineapple is cheapest during the Macey's case lot sale, but I have found Dole pineapple for under .70 with coupons during the year.
• I buy canned pears from the case lot sales and it is always a little different between Smiths and Macey's, but I don't pay more than .68 a can.

Sugars

• Sugar is cheapest during Nov. and Dec. I stock up when there are sales. I don't like to spend more than $12 on a 25lb bag.
• Powdered sugar and brown sugar are cheapest during the holiday's as well. Don't pay more than a $1.00 for a 2lb bag.
• Honey can be found at Costco all the time for 6lbs for $11.99. Macey's also has really great prices during the case lot sales. 6 5lb containers for $59.88

Grains

• I buy rice from Costco in 50lb bags for around $15.00. The price goes up and down all the time. You just have to watch it. Sams Club has 50lbs for about the same price. The cannery has 25lb boxes for $8.45 and are really easy to store.
• Oats I buy at the cannery. 25lbs for $7.60. Winco also has oats in their bulk area for .58lb!
• Flour is cheapest during the holiday's but there are also great sales during the year. I like to wait until I can get 5lb for $1.50 with coupons.
• Hard White Wheat is a great deal at Macey's case lot sale. 45lb bucket with lid sealed for $11.99. LDS cannery 25lb bag for $5.80.

Milk/Dairy

• Powdered milk from the cannery. #10 cans for $7.05. I bake with it a lot and make yogurt from it. Mozzarella cheese and cottage cheese can also be made from powdered milk. You will need it whether you like to drink it or not. It also has a shelf life of 25-30 years.
• Morning Moos dried milk alternative. I bought a 50lb bucket a Costco last year for around $60.00, now the best price is a 37lb bucket at Costco for $39.97. #10 cans for $10.99 can be found at Macey's during the case lot sale.
• Evaporated milk at Smiths case lot sale. 24ct for $15.60
• Cheese- don't pay more than $1.50 for a pound of cheese. It goes on sale ALL the time and is good for a LONG time. Look at the expiration dates on it when you buy it. Tillamook goes on sale at Winco for $3.98 for 2lbs all the time, and it lasts for months.
• Dried eggs-I cook with these now instead of real eggs. I only use real eggs for boiled eggs. Canned eggs are best at the Macey's case lot sale, #10 can for $14.00. I found some at Honeville Grain for $12.00 last month, so keep a look out for sales. Don't pay more than .99 for a dozen of eggs. Costco has great deals and so do the grocery stores.

Baking Items

• Salt is cheapest at Walmart. 26oz for .38
• Yeast- I use instant yeast and wait until it is $2.99lb. Emergency Essentials had it in May on sale. I stocked up. Yeast keeps indefinitely in the freezer. Costco and Sam's Club have great prices on yeast.
• Lemon juice, vanilla I get at Maceys during the case lot sales.
• Cake mixes and brownie mixes from case lot sales at Macey's and also during the holidays. .78 is an awesome price for mixes. With coupons I have gotten them for .50 and less.
• Baking cocoa is the best at Costco. 23oz for $5.59. It also has an indefinite shelf life.
• Spices are cheapest at Winco in their bulk area. You can fill a whole spice container for mere pennies. I filled my chive container for .11, it really is an awesome store!!

Oils and Fats

• Kroger oil was $2.00 for 48oz at the last case lot sale, but they had a sale in April and I got them for $1.48 so watch. (This is why it is great to have the price list printed out and with you)
• Cooking spray-Pam goes on sale, but Walmart has it all the time for $1.58 for 8oz.
• Peanut butter is cheapest at Smiths during the case lot sales. 18oz for $1.00 and it is the Kroger brand or Skippy.
• Olives are cheapest during Thanksgiving time for .88. Case lots and random sales during the year also have that price. I found some at Reams today (5/29) for .88.
• Ketchup is cheapest during Memorial day and Fourth of July sales. Try not to spend more than .80 for 24oz. Case lot sales have them as well.
• Mustard is cheapest during summer holiday's as well. Under $1.00 for 32oz is a great price.
• Salad dressing goes on sale all the time. It doesn't have a long shelf life so watch the dates if you are stocking up. With coupons you can get it free a lot of the times too.

Water

• 24 packs of water for $2.50 or less is a great deal. It goes on sale all year long, just watch for the price.Costco has a 35ct of water for $3.45 if you don't want to wait for a sale.

Misc.

• 5 gallon buckets with lids- $3.99 at Macey's during the case lot sales
• 5 gallon Gamma lids (these are amazing) Don't pay more than $5.99 for these. Macey's and Honeyville have these on sale during the case lot seasons.
• 55 water drum- don't pay more than $39.99 for these. During conference these go on sale at Emergency Essentials and Macey's has them at the case lot sales.
• Paper towel and toilet paper I buy at Macey's during the case lot sales. It was $3.98 for 12 double rolls of TP and 8 big rolls of paper towel. I buy enough for 6 months which is the time until the next case lot sale.
• Laundry det. goes on sale all the time. I wait for sales with coupons so your best bet would be to watch for sales and learn what the bottom line price is for the brand you use.
• Dishwasher detergent I also get for free with coupons but watch for sales for what brand you like to use.

Ideas to get the best price:

1. You can't be brand specific, a lot of store brands are made in the same facilities as name brand.
2. Know what you use. Buying 50 cans of stew because it is cheap and finding out no one likes it, saves you no money.
3. Know what price you are willing to wait for and pay for.
4. Be patient and know that food goes on sale about every 3 months. You will catch the good deal the next time around.
5. Watch the blog on Wednesday's for the weekly grocery sales. Knowing what is a good price will help in saving you a lot of money.

MAY GOALS

1. PURCHASE VEGETABLES THAT FIT INTO YOUR 3-MONTH MENU. THINK OF CANNED, DEHYDRATED, FREEZE DRIED, AND FRESH. (185lbs per family is a year supply)
2. PLASTIC BAGS OF ALL SIZES, ALUMINUM FOIL, AND PLASTIC WRAP.

Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace!

Prepare Today Homemade: Pumpkin Pudding

DECEMBER SELF-RELIANT GOALS:
Short Term and Long Term Goals: December is a great month for baking supplies to be at their lowest prices. This is a great time to stock up on flour, brown or powdered sugar and notice that spices are 40% off at Smiths. Our self-reliant goal this month is all about baking supplies. Take stock of what you have and of all the spices that you use. Do you have enough for at least 3 months? or how about a years worth?
 
Water goals:  Keep some in your car kits and make sure everyone has some in their 72-hour kits.

72-Hour Kit Goals: Hotties heat packs (the small pouches that heat up when you crush them) Also check everyone's sleeping bags for wear and tear or wash and store for the winter.



I made a great recipe this week and it uses food storage items, try it out. And for all those that have evaporated milk and don't know what to do with them, this one's for you :)

Pumpkin Pudding (really like pumpkin pie without the crust)
1/2 C sugar
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t salt
1/4 t each ground ginger & ground cloves
2 large eggs (I bake with powdered eggs)
one 15 oz. can pumpkin
one 12-oz can evaporated nonfat milk

Mix sugar, spices, salt in small bowl. Beat the eggs in a large bowl (if you use powdered eggs just mix in with other ingredients, it saves a step) Stir in the pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually add the evaporated milk. Pour in 13X9 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. It should still be wiggly in the middle. Cool and enjoy warm or cold.
Refrigerate leftovers if you have any :) I make graham crackers to eat with it. My kids love this stuff!

Grocery Deals & Food Storage Excuses

It's Wednesday and that means new deals for us to find. The prices listed are the great sale prices for this week and are stock up prices. Find what items are on your meal list and stock up. Try to get a 3 month supply for at least one ingredient. I abbreviate some terms, here is the guide:

PP=how many you need per person per year
PF=how many you need per family per year
PP/Month=how many you need per person per month
WF=western family brand


**These deals are from 2009
Smiths

• Campbells Chicken Noodle, Tomato soup 2/$1
• 7-up products Buy 4 get 1 Free = .80 each (great to have on hand for sickness)
• Colgate toothbrush/toothpaste .94
• Kroger butter $1.66
• Kroger Ketchup 36oz. $1.09 (25 bottles PF)
• Large eggs 18ct $1.50
• Kroger apple juice 64oz. 4/$5
• Kraft Mac' n Cheese 2/$1 (40lbs of grains PP)
• Kroger instant oatmeal 4/$5 (20lbs of oats PP)
• Kroger assorted cereals up to 14oz. .99 (10 boxes PP)
• John Morrell spiral cut half ham $1.99lb (freeze up to 1 year- 1lb PP/Month)
• Tyson Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.79lb. (1lb. PP/Month)
• La Banderita flour tortillas 8ct. $1
• Smiths buttertop white or wheat bread 4/$5
• Cottonelle bath tissue 24 rolls $5.99
• Kroger peanut butter 18oz. 4/$5 (4 jars PP)
• Red/Green Seedless grapes .89lb
• Tomatoes on the vine .99lb

Albertsons

• Propel fitness water .47 (great to have on hand for sickness)
• Lean fround beef 96% lean 1lb. chub buy 1 get 1 free 2/$4.79 (freeze up to 1 yr)
• Keebler snack crackers up to 16oz. 2/$4 (1st 2)
• Nabisco Crackers up to 16oz. $1.75 each when you buy 4

Reams

• WF cottage cheese 16oz .88
• Boneless, skinless chicken breats $1.39lb (sold in family packs) (freeze up to 1 yr)
• Colgate toothpaste .99
• Mennen speedstick deodarant .99
• Apples, red/goldes/gala/washington .69lb
• Avocados .50
• Celery .69 each
• Green peppers .50
• Yellow onion .39lb

Harmons

• WF Cake mix .79 (10-15 PP)
• Sour Cream 16oz. $1
• 7-up products 2 liter .79 (great to have on hand for sickness)
• V05 shampoo/conditioner 15oz. .69
• Fresh broccoli/cauliflower .58lb
• Green bell peppers 2/.98

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses............
One of the excuses that people have for not having their food storage is that they can't afford it. I am here to tell you that you CAN afford it.

• Eat out less
• Take advantage of sales
• No impulse buying
• Cook from scratch (anything a manufacturer can make, so can you)
• Plan menus!!
• Entertainment: stay home, use the library, buy second hand
• Keep your car longer
• Have a money jar for spare change (cash in the change and use for your 72-hour kit or to buy food storage items)
• Be Thankful: if you are constantly thinking of things you have to have you won't appreciate what you are blessed with.

Most of us DO have money we could channel into food storage but without focus it is all too easy for the money to slip through our fingers. Keep this in mind: (all the cans are #10 cans size)

• magazine subscriptons for a year can be around $40=1 year supply of canned spaghetti
• Wii games are $49.99=6 cans of sugar, 6 cans of pinto beans & 3 cans of oats
• Movie tickets for 1 child and 1 adult (no snacks) $17.50= 6 cans of potato flakes
• DVD's cost $19.99=7 cans of white rice
• CD's cost $14.99 (average)=8 cans Hard Red Wheat
• Red Lobster dinner for 2 $50= 9 cans of apple slices
• New hardcover books $17-$25= 6 cans macaroni

Just keep in mind where the money spent is going and think of some alternative ways to find the items that you feel you have to have. Renting dvd's and borrowing movies and cd's from the library are some options. If you make your food storage a priority you will find ways to finance it. I love this quote: "The money slips through our fingers as we munch our way through life's countless Burger-McWendy's or avert out attention from the fact that PayPal really isn't always our pal". All we have to do is to decide, commit to it, and then keep the commandment. Blessings and miracles will happen!