Prepping on a budget?

HillRunner · #1 02/22/12, 12:59 PM

I was wondering if anyone could share some budget prepping tips? Thanks!

Ohio Rusty · #2 02/22/12, 01:09 PM

Since I have very little to spend ... I buy a little every month to add to my prepping larder. Driied packages of spaghetti sauce, soup mixes, gravy mixes, etc. Those last a long time. Sometimes I don't have to buy it at a store, it may be adding some jugs of water to the water storage.

I also save the little sugar, creamer and coffee packets when I can get them. Those are free. Very convenient in an short outage to just open the little packs and pour into hot water that was stored. No bottles to try and find find or break ...
Ohio Rusty ><>

When online, you are on a stage, performing for others in the "Theatre of Self".

Becka03 · #3 02/22/12, 01:10 PM

I try to buy one thing each trip to the store- nothing real pricey- even just a can of tuna when on sale- adding one or two to my basket won't break me!

Becka03 · #4 02/22/12, 01:12 PM

also -hitting "home shows" or trade shows- there are lots of freebies- I got little pill holders that go around your next and little containers that hold bandaids and stuff for free this summer for the family- to put in BOBs-
I never take more than what my family needs and I always ask - if it is okay if I take not just one but 4 for each member of my family- if they say no that is okay- at least I asked

SquashNut · #5 02/22/12, 01:48 PM

If I find some thing on sale I buy bulk amounts of it. And i buy enough to last till it comes on sale again. At first you will find your shelves to have just a few different items. But the variety will come as you go. Just buy waht you use any way, but more of each of the non perishable items.

OnlyMe · #6 02/22/12, 02:11 PM

I reuse water bottles & refill them - this way I'm not digging into my stash & I use towels rather then paper towels whenever possible. Additionally, I do a lot of the drugstore "deals". Let me know if you'd like me to elaborate on how they work. Lots of free toothpaste etc this way.

I'm pretty frugal so I also wash out butter containers etc. and save them & before throwing anything out will save any screws or other items that might be useful. I save these little items in the butter containers.

I also keep an eye out for free samples. I've acquired a lot of shampoo, ladies' products, boxes of cereal (small) etc this way. All You sends an email daily with a free sample offer (these are all legit free samples). You can sign up at the link below (I am not affiliated in any way with them).

http://www.allyou.com/coupons-deals/...0411000069695/

I'm looking forward to hearing other ideas.

mpillow · #7 02/22/12, 06:47 PM

coupons/sales....buy extra of the coupons at coupondede (google it)

I've also increased my "prep" money with swagbucks ....amazon gift cards, sears/kmart, cvs home depot gift cards and paypal....go up to the "work at home forum" FMI

http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/misspillow

between the various websites similar to swag and swagbucks primarily...I've earned just this month....$90 at Amazon, $15 kmart/sears, $10 Home depot(seeds and stuff) and I'll likely get another $25 by the end of the month at amazon or kmart....

I'm on it a lot but I also manage to clean house, make 3 meals a day from scratch, milk a herd of goats by hand, chickens rabbits, homeschool a 10 yo and oldest has college papperwork as he is a senior in HS....when you need the money its all possible!

emdeengee · #8 02/22/12, 07:25 PM

You should create a budget for your prepping as you do for your regular grocery stock up. I do this all the time. Set aside money so that when items do come on sale I have the cash to buy them both for the preps and for the regular pantry. When we started all I could put was $50aside a month and but we also added to this by selling some items and making extra money It takes time but it takes money so that when you can buy on sale you save a fortune. Last year I bought emergency/safety candles on sale. Saved $8 a box so with the $64 I saved I was able to buy 3 more cases of toilet paper which was also on sale.

**Terri** · #9 02/22/12, 09:11 PM

I pick out sale items that we like.

When green beans are on sale, I put a can in the larder. Aldi's has mac 'n cheese at 35 cents a box and it is GOOD mac 'n cheese!

Rice is 60 cents a pound. One month I used the prep budget at one go and bought 45 pounds of rice for $26 dollars.

Lastly, if you have cans of meat you do not need fast food when you are too busy to cook: nuke some potatos or cook some rice and dump a can of roast beef in gravy on top. This is MUCH healthier than fast food! It is also cheaper, and at the end of the month your budget will thank you for it!

#10 02/22/12, 09:37 PM

I buy all I can of a particular item/item's (on sale w/wo coupons) that we eat alot of and won't expire before we consume it..I don't have a set prepping budget right now because I'm stocked..But, I buy when the price is right like today I added 51 jars of Ragu Sauce that I paid less than .60 each after sale & coupons..I already have that many stockpiled... BUT I felt that it was to good of a sale to pass up until my garden hopefully produces this year to can my own..I slowly built up my stockpile this way.

Faith · #11 02/22/12, 09:44 PM

This year I will can, dehydrate, freeze all my needs for next year out of my garden.
One year when the kids were young I canned 800 pints of vege's and fruit. Hope to do that this year but from my own homestead.
I also try to buy one sale item per week to add to my stock.

radiofish · #12 02/22/12, 10:11 PM

Here is a link to a thread on stockpiling items for a year - that I had posted on last week..

Looking for an Old post?

The last list I had posted is of a copy of the 'outdated' as to the prices : "The $5.00 per week" stocking guide.

Plus there is a link to a site for stocking up during the cycle of coupon sale items during the year.

Plus do a search in S&EP - and one of the posters here was doing a budget of $20.00 per month used for stocking a 5 gallon bucket from the dollar stores.

But remember to stock up what you actually use, instead of something that is on a posted list and your family will never want.

I tend to re-use, re-purpose, or recycle many items, in my prep stockpile of goodies.

manygoatsnmore · #13 02/22/12, 11:46 PM

Ask, ask, ask! The most anyone can do is tell you no - they can't take away your BD, and if you hear no, you're no worse off than you were before you asked. This works for collecting buckets, pallets, leftover food, and so much more. I get free food that would have been thrown away, 1 and 5 gallon buckets and more at work, and I have a free pallet route! Pallets are great for making compost bins, fences, sheds, and raised bed frames. The leftover bits and broken beyond repair pallets make great firewood. Buckets are great for storing food or water, dog or cat food, and whatever else you want.
Ask on CL or freecycle for canning jars, building supplies, etc. Anything you can obtain for free saves that much more for preps you have to pay for.

I will also add my endorsement for swagbucks. I've used the amazon gift cards from sb to buy a kindle, Spam, prep books and Led solar lights, among other goodies.

I know you already know this one, HillRunner, but I'll add it for others. Seed trains and seed swaps can be a great source of garden seeds, and watching the garden board for seed offers can help build a seed stash on the cheap. Buying open-pollinated seeds and learning to save seeds can not only save money, but is a valuable prep in and of itself.

jwal10 · #14 02/23/12, 07:08 AM

I find I save more money extending my growing season with small hoops, the little leanto greenhouse and raised beds strategically placed to take advantage of solar heat gain, I don't have to spend money canning, dehydrating or running a freezer. I find I can grow things year around, have a more varied menu, need less storage room and it keeps me healthier, more independent of the grid. Evens out the work load so I can concentrate on adding more in season ingredients. Smaller heated living space keeps cost down. Life can be so simple. Fresh is best, less additives, more flavor, healthier....James

Vickie44 · #15 02/23/12, 08:17 AM

As my growing and canning started to make a real difference in my grocery bill I kept to the same budget and went to the store every week ( even if I didnt need anything ) and stocked up on sale items. Over time the things you need immediatly becomes almost nil and you only purchase bulk ammounts on sale of things you will need in the future Remember to rotate.

Packedready · #16 02/23/12, 09:01 AM

I am like Squashnut, I also buy on sale and then buy large quanities. Today 1 lb package of bacon called "Del Pueblo" that is manufactured in Kansas and is the best we can find around here is $1.99 per lb. They have the thick cut and it is like old fashioned bacon. I will buy 12-15 packs and freeze them.