midjd
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Post by midjd on Jul 2, 2011 21:46:10 GMT -5
I sort of stole this thread idea from someone - maybe Dancinmama? - who mentioned that a friend had been laid off but managed to live for months off her stockpile. If something happened, how long could you go without buying any new food/HBAs? For us, I think we could get by for at least a few weeks without buying anything new, but we'd be eating a lot of spaghetti toward the end It would also depend on whether I could spend $10-15 a week on milk, eggs, and other fresh things - if so, I could probably stretch it to 1.5-2 months. It would be nice to have enough to get by for 3 months or so. How about you guys?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2011 22:16:36 GMT -5
I went 4 months without buying HBAs and used from my stockpile because I was working and going to school and had no time. For food, I'd say just a few weeks unless I could spend 10-15 and then it could last a month or two as well.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jul 2, 2011 22:45:14 GMT -5
I sort of stole this thread idea from someone - maybe Dancinmama? - who mentioned that a friend had been laid off but managed to live for months off her stockpile. If something happened, how long could you go without buying any new food/HBAs? How about you guys? Well, technically we could probably go a very long time (6 months +) because I use dry milk for cooking so I have a stockpile of that (but I really wouldn't want to drink it). I also have a lot of meats in the freezer as well as shredded cheese, bacon, margarine, and butter. I also have rice, potatoes, pasta, canned fish, and canned veggies and most staples. I wouldn't want to go without FRESH fruits and veggies, but we could if we had to. Non-perishables: over a year EASILY.
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on Jul 3, 2011 6:24:21 GMT -5
Like dancin I have a good stockpile of assorted meat & fish, pasta, rice, frozen bread, cheese and canned fish, veg and some fruit.
I could probably live near a year. HOWEVER, like others have said I would need a small amount of spending each week for salad stuff & my preferred FRESH veg & fruit. Also, health/dietwise I eat either cottage cheese or non-fat yougurt 3-5x/week so I would need that too.
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cathysmom
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Post by cathysmom on Jul 3, 2011 11:08:42 GMT -5
Assuming that I could buy milk/cheese/produce and a few other perishables each week we could probably last at least six months on our frozen and pantry items.
Some things would last much longer-- especially HBA, which is probably a year or more. I have two+ years worth of body wash and actually had to pass up the last several 'free' offers because of that.
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Jul 3, 2011 11:17:02 GMT -5
Because I really like pasta and keep the makings for pasta dishes stocked, I could go several months. I would have to buy veggies at some point because most of my veggies are frozen and we are not allowed to have deep freezes here. When my stockpile is at full capacity, I would say about a year.
I feel an experiment coming on...
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leanna
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Post by leanna on Jul 3, 2011 12:34:32 GMT -5
The only food we have stockpiled is candy...so I suppose we could live about 2 weeks on it...but I would be seriously jacked up on the caffeine from the chocolate and would probably end up sick as a dog!
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Jul 3, 2011 13:18:33 GMT -5
I could go a year or more on HBA, cleaning, and paper products. Food, probably 6-12 months, assuming I could buy milk, bread and occasional fruit or veggies as others have mentioned.
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shelly527in
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Post by shelly527in on Jul 3, 2011 14:06:56 GMT -5
I could go more than a year old HBA and cleaning supplies. A month or two on food.
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dogmom
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Post by dogmom on Jul 3, 2011 14:09:42 GMT -5
Health and Beauty, Paper Products, Cleaning Suppies, Coffee/Tea, Pantry Items, 6 months, maybe longer. Meat and Cereal, 3 months. Cheese, butter, bread, 2 months. Milk, fresh produce, fruits, 1 week. (I buy what I need only on these items.) Eggs, two weeks. I'm low on dog food and treats, so, right now, about a week. I'm comfortable with those levels.
On another note, usually I pay attention to what sometimes people don't have, rather than what they do, and if I can help, I do. DH and I went to a party yesterday and helped with some cleanup today. A friend that we have, and yes, she also coupons, has storage PACKED for her fiancee and she that would last easily two years. (okay, my guess, but, wow) One freezer, upright for meats and prepared foods. It as all meats...you name it, it was there. Three refrigerators with freezers (side by side). FULL. I don't know what she paid, but, honestly, I wouldn't want the electric bill.
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Tired Tess
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Post by Tired Tess on Jul 3, 2011 19:52:23 GMT -5
What is HBA? Thanks.
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Jul 3, 2011 20:01:06 GMT -5
Rose- Health and beauty accesories- I think
The Grocery Challenger's Handbook has almost every abbreviation and all kinds of helpful hints when it comes to couponing and stockpiling if that would help. It's available on the first page of the Grocery Challenge thread every month- usually within the first 3-5 posts.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jul 3, 2011 22:32:46 GMT -5
Because I really like pasta and keep the makings for pasta dishes stocked, I could go several months. I would have to buy veggies at some point because most of my veggies are frozen and we are not allowed to have deep freezes here. When my stockpile is at full capacity, I would say about a year. I feel an experiment coming on... mizbear: Hope you were able to stockpile the Garden Delights pasta when it was $.08/pkg after Qs at Walmart. I really like it. I bought both spaghetti and corkscrew noodles for pasta salad.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jul 3, 2011 22:43:39 GMT -5
On another note, usually I pay attention to what sometimes people don't have, rather than what they do, and if I can help, I do. DH and I went to a party yesterday and helped with some cleanup today. A friend that we have, and yes, she also coupons, has storage PACKED for her fiancee and she that would last easily two years. (okay, my guess, but, wow) One freezer, upright for meats and prepared foods. It as all meats...you name it, it was there. Three refrigerators with freezers (side by side). FULL. I don't know what she paid, but, honestly, I wouldn't want the electric bill. dogmom: Wow, that's a lot of perishable food. It's okay for some things, but I can imagine having (3) refrigerators. In addition to the cost of electricity, I would be afraid that the food would spoil or freezer burn. We have an upright freezer, but the meats that I focus on stockpiling are the ones that are pre-packaged to resist freezer burn: corned beef, ham, Hormel pork tenderloin, ribs, bacon, etc. I have found that those are the only ones that last a REALLY long time in the freezer. When I see them at rock bottom, I'll buy several to add to my meat stockpile.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jul 3, 2011 22:47:42 GMT -5
The only food we have stockpiled is candy...so I suppose we could live about 2 weeks on it...but I would be seriously jacked up on the caffeine from the chocolate and would probably end up sick as a dog!
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Post by bluecluessubtlety on Jul 4, 2011 9:51:51 GMT -5
Glad you mentioned Garden Delights. I got a few free at Fry's but haven't tried it yet.
I have cleaning for over a year and H&B for about two. Food if it was something like a job loss where I really had to tighten I could probably go 9 months. Tons of pasta, pb, frozen...
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Jul 5, 2011 10:45:19 GMT -5
The only food we have stockpiled is candy...so I suppose we could live about 2 weeks on it...but I would be seriously jacked up on the caffeine from the chocolate and would probably end up sick as a dog! Leanna you crack me up! I don't have much of a stockpile for food so much as what I like to think is a well stocked pantry. I would think we could last a month on it but I would need to at least buy dairy, bread and vegatables every week. I could last a while longer with HBA and cleaning supplies, maybe 6 months. I would think if I had to I would also be able to make what I have stretch longer plus switch to using cheaper alternatives if money was an object.
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daisylu
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Post by daisylu on Jul 5, 2011 10:56:24 GMT -5
Right now, we only have a small chest freezer - but we could easily go 2 months just buying milk, bread, and fruit.
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Jul 5, 2011 11:31:30 GMT -5
I think I might clear out my meats this month and see how far I could go on my regular stock purchases. Pasta, veggies, etc. Plus I might lose a few pounds this way.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jul 5, 2011 11:40:35 GMT -5
3 - 4 weeks, but the last week or so wouldn't be pretty or very tasty.
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leanna
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Post by leanna on Jul 5, 2011 14:27:26 GMT -5
I'm glad you all liked my response - lol. Funny thing is, it wasn't a joke. We really don't have much food stockpiled.
But I do plan to have a separate freezer (someday) and when I get that, I'll actually have food stockpiled.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Jul 5, 2011 14:37:50 GMT -5
HBAs years. Plus I give many of what I get away as gifts for my special needs son's therapists, teachers, bus drivers, helpers etc. Last year with my other son's one teacher I gave away 14 goodie bags at Christmas.
My father is having a cow processed so I am going in with him on that. I would say 2-3 months (not including the pending meat delivery) but my kids would not be happy. Again I would also need to purchase milk, fresh fruit and veggies. Next year I hope to get my garden going better then I could go all summer only buying milk and fresh fruit.
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Tired Tess
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Post by Tired Tess on Jul 6, 2011 15:48:13 GMT -5
Ok. I need a little help with this. Some folks here are saying they can go 6 - 9 months ? Really, how is that possible? How much meat do you have in your freezer or are you counting on pasta 4x a week? I understand stocking up on detergents, health aids, and cleaning products, but 9 months worth of meat? Or do you mean meat, peanut butter, cheese, fish etc.??
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Jul 6, 2011 16:55:23 GMT -5
Ok. I need a little help with this. Some folks here are saying they can go 6 - 9 months ? Really, how is that possible? How much meat do you have in your freezer or are you counting on pasta 4x a week? I understand stocking up on detergents, health aids, and cleaning products, but 9 months worth of meat? Or do you mean meat, peanut butter, cheese, fish etc.?? Rose your post had me First off nobody said it would be pretty. ;D I think most of the poeple who said they can last more than a month have more than just a standard fridge/freezer. I have frozen meats and well wrapped they will last 6 months easy. I don't have a big chest freezer so that normally isn't something I have to worry about though. People who have that type of stock pile I would think include things like peanut butter, canned fish, canned or dried beans of all kinds plus meats and fish that have been frozen. Plus I am sure some people even freeze things like cheese dairy. As well as the pantry staples of pasta, rice and flour etc. I think we could last a month but we sure would be one pissed off family by the end.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Jul 6, 2011 17:58:28 GMT -5
beachbum: My family is totally with yours!
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Jul 6, 2011 19:32:10 GMT -5
Rose- Living of of my stockpile would not be pretty, but it could definitely be done. I have the makings for a pasta dish for every day. I fix the 2 oz serving size. I keep beans and lentils on hand as well. I do not have a chest or deep freezer because I live in an apartment, but I grew up on fast food- eating different pasta and bean dishes (and Spaghettios) for a year is gourmet cuisine compared to what I was raised on.
Out of past necessity, I also know how to build a "no cook" stockpile. As long as you can fund it, you can live off those for years. Most of your canned goods fall into this- tey may not taste as good as they do cooked, but you can survive off them.
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Tired Tess
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Post by Tired Tess on Jul 6, 2011 19:52:07 GMT -5
Thanks, guys . If "not pretty" is ok, then my family would last 2 months. I'm interested in improving this. Slow and steady wins the race so a little every shopping day will get the job done. My goal is 6 months of food/supplies.
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Jul 6, 2011 20:05:16 GMT -5
Ok. I need a little help with this. Some folks here are saying they can go 6 - 9 months ? Really, how is that possible? How much meat do you have in your freezer or are you counting on pasta 4x a week? I understand stocking up on detergents, health aids, and cleaning products, but 9 months worth of meat? Or do you mean meat, peanut butter, cheese, fish etc.?? Personally, I have plenty of meat for 6-9 months. It's just me, and I don't eat huge portions of meat in my meals. I have a 1/8th of a cow in the freezer. That alone could get me close to 6 months. One pound of hamburger, for me, will make AT LEAST 3-5 meals, easily. One night will be spaghetti with meat sauce, the next will be something with taco meat (taco, taco salad, etc.) and then maybe just a burger, or Hamburger Helper, etc. Besides the beef, off the top of my head, I have 2 whole turkies, 1 or 2 whole chickens, 1 ham, around 8 ham steaks, 3-4 pounds of bacon (need to start looking for a good sale on this again! I got close to 20 pounds a year or so ago for around $1/lb.), several small packages of boneless/skinless chicken breast, not sure how many, maybe 6, but again, one chicken breast will be 2-3 meals for me, a few frozen pizza's, a few pounds of frozen hot dogs, a couple packages of breaded chicken patties/nuggets/tenders,etc., several pork chops, tilapia, some other various frozen fish (fish sticks, crab cakes, shrimp, imitation crab). I have several bags of frozen shredded cheese. In my pantry, I have plenty to round out complete meals, probably 10-15 boxes of pasta, maybe 20 (probably more with the 6 I bought today) of pasta sauce (red sauce, alfredo, pesto), tons of cans of soup, maybe 10 boxes of Hamburger/Chicken Helper, lots of canned and frozen veggies, probably 5-7 frozen dinners (Healthy Choice/Weight Watchers), 4-5 boxes pierogies, several boxes of instant mashed potatoes, several boxes of minute rice and mixes, noodles, probably 10 pounds of frozen butter, plenty of baking supplies...I did notice I'm getting a little low on coffee (the horror!) so will be looking to stock up soon. I think I have 3-4 small cans left. I have about 6 boxes of cereal, but I'm not a big cereal eater. I have plenty of snacks (chex mix, tostitos, sun chips, pretzels, etc.), chocolate and candy out the wazoo, about 10 cases of diet coke and 10-15 2 liters, I am low on bottled water, but, could drink from the tap if needed. I did discover last night, after making a taco salad, that I had NO salsa! LOL! That is on my grocery list this week!
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jul 7, 2011 1:23:17 GMT -5
Ok. I need a little help with this. Some folks here are saying they can go 6 - 9 months ? Really, how is that possible? How much meat do you have in your freezer or are you counting on pasta 4x a week? I understand stocking up on detergents, health aids, and cleaning products, but 9 months worth of meat? Or do you mean meat, peanut butter, cheese, fish etc.?? We have an upright freezer in our garage. In the last several months because of the bad economy, I have focused on stockpiling meats that are pre-packaged to avoid freezer burn (thick, heavy, plastic packaging). For example, corned beef was deeply discounted for St. Patrick's day. I picked up 4-5 extras. Hormel Always Tender pork tenderloin has been on sale a couple of times for $5 and I have had $1/1 coupons both times so I have picked up a number equal to the number of coupons that I had both times. Rinse and repeat with beef fillet, bacon, etc. Meats packaged this way have a very long storage life in the freezer with very little risk of freezer burn. DH and I could cook up a pork tenderloin and have it for dinner one night and a couple of nights later dice up the leftovers with an onion and some peppers and seasonings and eat as a fajita or add to beans and make burritos. You just have to get a little bit creative with your leftovers. My non-perishable stockpiles will last us A LOT longer. I have shopped this way for the last 24 years, but the past couple of years has been different. The bad economy has encouraged me to be very focused and more strategic about it than ever in the past.
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kathyattraverse
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Post by kathyattraverse on Jul 7, 2011 8:47:49 GMT -5
The only food we have stockpiled is candy...so I suppose we could live about 2 weeks on it...but I would be seriously jacked up on the caffeine from the chocolate and would probably end up sick as a dog! How funny!!
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