My good pal and Coupon Project reader Kelly left an intriguing post idea on my Facebook wall last week. She writes:
“I was thinking it would be cool to do a post about stocking up before a big storm. I don’t know if we’ll be getting one or not here but it’s crossed my mind to make sure we have what we need.”
Well, Kelly. Let me first report that we have had a bit of a snowfall last night here in Western Washington. As the weathermen predicted, it was a huge storm and we’ll likely be snowed in for weeks. Let me check out my window and see how much has accumulated…wow! Looks like it’s gone! Good thing they cancelled school today, just to be safe. At any rate, I’m staying indoors. That wet weather looks troubling. Could be dangerous.
Snarkiness aside, this is a pretty good question.
What most people do? They don’t stockpile when prices are low. So at the first sign of a “Winter Storm Watch,” they race to the store in a ridiculous frenzy and clear the shelves of toothpaste, toilet paper, canned soup, and frozen meatballs.
This is why there is added advantage to being a couponer! When you hear of said “Winter Storm Watch,” you can cozy up by the fire with a good book, or perhaps make a bowl of popcorn and laugh at all the weather people on the news trying to drum up more drama than there really is.
Here are a few things I like to have on hand at all times – regardless of pending storm, power outage, or zombie apocalypse:
- Pasta & pasta sauce
- Milk, eggs, cheese & butter
- Produce
- Bread
- Peanut butter & jelly
- A few meals prepped in my freezer
- Cereal & oatmeal
- Coffee & hot cocoa
- Batteries
- Toilet paper
You’ll notice some of the items I’ve shared are perishable. That means I’ll need to make sure I’m doing a good job of doing a trip once a week to get those things I need. But I’m a firm believer we can always make do. No milk? Eat oatmeal instead of cereal. No bread? Make some. No produce? Eat fruit snacks. You’ll survive.
A good place to start is by asking yourself, “what items do we use every 2-3 days?” Begin to list them out. Make them a part of your “stockpile wishlist.” If the concept of stockpiling and/or couponing is new to you, please check my Coupons 101 page for more I’ve written on these topics.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. What other things do you try to always keep in your pantry? And if you live in Western Washington, are you surviving the storm of the century? I sure hope so.
Photo credit Darrick Hurst (Note: picture was NOT taken of today’s WA snowstorm. It was probably taken somewhere that actually gets snow.)
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
actually the reports of being snowed in were all east of the mountains. our area was only for the night, then back to the 40′s as u see today.
And yet…many schools over here were delayed or cancelled. I think that Western Washington just wants to pretend it’s a part of the action too. We don’t like to feel left out.
Great topic! Before I started couponing I would have had a panicked, $100 trip to the grocery due to a 1 in a million chance we’ll be snowed in. Now? I just made sure we had enough milk to last a few days since I have a young one that still goes through a ton of it. Other than that? We have enough food and necessities for ourselves and any neighbors that may need anything!
I was laughing so hard at your post “zombie apocalypse”..rofl!! That aside, I have a little experience with this topic, I lived in Texas when Hurricane Ike came through and rolled over the top of Houston. We were without power for 2 weeks. That included the stores, so no frozen foods, dairy, limited produce, plus the checkout stands were dead so the cashiers that could make it in with no gas were tallying up groceries by hand. Not a fun place to be. We had block parties and everyone emptied their freezers and refrigerators first, and shared with everyone to not lose food if possible. After that we ate soup, oatmeal, pasta, it really was not difficult to survive because I had my stockpile. The things I wish we would have been smart about: batteries and a big fat generator. When we knew the hurricane was heading our way we filled up all the bathtubs and any pitcher or bucket we had with water, so that worked for washing and I had a massive stockpile of bottled water.
All that to say, I completely agree with you, the couponers who stockpile will survive and probably help the next door neighbors with dinner.
OK now what you described? THAT is an event. NOTHING like I’ve ever seen here!
Your comment gave me chills!!! Thanks for sharing how one can be generous to others in times of crisis. Very inspiring!
Do you remember back to 1997 we lost power for a couple weeks I believe. We had alot of snow and everything froze solid. I have pictures of Auburn where there was icicles hanging on everything.
I have one pic where the stop sign bent in two. I did not like that at all. And the cold water baths were quite invigorating.
Woo! The storm of ’97! That one brings back memories… Walking down to Albertson’s in snow as high as my knees — & they were CLOSED!
Ended up with junk food from the AMPM across the street because we were dying for something warm to eat.
I live up in Bellingham and we also were forewarned by NOAAs “winter storm warning” and the prediction that there’d be 3-5 inches accumulating up until 10 am. hahahahahaha. My husband thinks some disgruntled school kid is paying off the weatherman!
But I love snow days even without snow because the kids are home.
My stock up foods in case of snow are for the baking I always want to do and the hot chocolate we like to drink – so butter, sugar, flour, cocoa and milk.
Thanks for another funny, interesting post.
Thank goodness I have watched my brother play enough video games to be prepared for the next zombie apocalypse..
We always have milk because we have kids who go through it like crazy (we do freeze a few gallons as well). I always try to have beans, rice and canned veggies that I can make something presentable out of. Lots of pasta, generally some kind of protein in the freezer.
Fruit snacks are not produce?? I didn’t get the memo..
LOL!!!! Your comment made me laugh!! Thanks for the smile!
I’ve been thinking about this too, particularly after watching that Extreme Couponing show. How much is enough and how much is too much? I came to the decision that I will allow myself to have a stockpile that would last us up to 1 year. I plan to add a pot, can opener, cooking utensils & some method of heating to keep with the stockpile and that will serve double-duty as an emergency stash of food for earthquakes, snowstorms, etc. With a nice stockpile, yesterday I only needed to go out and get milk, fruit & mustard (because you can’t survive a snowstorm without mustard!). It was great not being a crazy-lady at the grocery store.
I am curious how much other couponers have in their stockpile & how they manage it. My goal is to be a wise steward of our resources, and not let my stockpile/couponing become a controlling obsession.
Even with the 2 hour delay of start of school, my 16 year old daughter still couldnt get out of bed in time to make it at 9:30!
For the “extreme weather events” I keep Milkman powdered milk on hand (bought on sale in the summer), and yes the 16 year old girl will drink it when we are out of milk! Ok, maybe only when its mixed with Carnation Instant Breakfast or one of her Chai Tea mixes from World Market (bought with their $10 of $30 coupons). We also stockpile cans of propane when they go on sale in the summer to use with the Coleman stove (bought on sale at REI years ago during their Memorial Day sale) on those rare occasions when the power goes out in Tacoma.
Oh yes, the girl also asked if I’d sign her up for KING 5′s new text alerts when school is closed. She practicaly sleeps with her phone, but I still doubt that a 5:40 am text will wake her up!
Yes, we barely survived the slush covering our streets, as I drove my son to school, 2 hours late, here in Olympia.
I really do wish it would have been all they made it out to be.
Since I’ve only started couponing about 2 months ago, I don’t have a very large stockpile, but it is accumulating quickly thanks to all the great advice I am finding. My oldest is 18, and thinking about moving out soon, and my other son is already teasing that I am going to be turning his room into a “stockpile” storage area as soon as he moves out (we all watched Extreme Couponing together, yikes on that!!!).
I do find it difficult to pass on really great, free stuff when I get my inserts, even though I have several of whatever-it-is at home. Right now I have plenty of cereal, lotion, body wash, shampoo and cold medicine…so even if I get great, or free coupons, I am learning to pass on certain things. It’s hard to tell how much is just right, and I am hoping as time goes by, I will get a better hang of it. I think it’s also been helpful to see pictures of reasonable stockpiles, especially for those of us starting out
You will get the hang of it! The other thing you’ll begin to learn is how much to stock of each item.
We don’t get a sick a whole lot around here (knock on wood), so I don’t need to keep 20 boxes of Maalox or Vicks on hand. We do like to eat an awful lot of cereal and oatmeal, so for us even 20-30 boxes of each isn’t abnormal (though for many that is WAY too much).
Some of it is trial and error!
A great article! Thank you for sharing with us! I shared it on Become Shoppertunistic’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/?tid=1566856536913&sk=messages. I always tell my class that you have to stock up when there is a shoppertunity and not when there is a need. The money you don’t have to spend on last minute full cost items, you can pocket for items you want.
You’d think that with the frequent snowfall we get here in eastern Pennsylvania, people would know how to stock up. Not so. Every time the forecast contains the word “snow,” people rush the stores. Not too long ago I had the misfortune of doing my regular shopping not knowing that snow was in forecast. I couldn’t find any bread, milk, or eggs left on the shelves.
I don’t think all the snow talk has made anyone over here in eastern washington worry at all lol
Oh my lol. I’m in lower eastern wa and the snow(2inches) was melted by noon.
There have been times in the past though where snow was bad and trips to the store were just not advisable as its about 15min to the store. My mom was not/is not the best at being prepared so I learned from those experiences. She is also not a cooker or baker, which I have purposely learned to do in case of “emergencys”.
I also learned from being trapped in our car for 24hrs in BFE north Dakota during a REAL blizzard.
Not only do I like to keep stocked up on food staples but emergency items like first aide kits in the house and car. Protective gear for us all- which we did not have when stuck in our car but could have been a big help. Maps and compass in house and car. Jugs of water are a big one too!
You’re so funny! I always laugh at the people racing to the grocery store to ‘stock up’ for the storm! I can’t believe most wouldn’t manage for a few days on what’s on hand – even when I was low income, visiting food banks, we still would have managed!
I’m here on Camano Island – NO SNOW! I’m heartbroken! I’m currently home and not working due to work injuries/surgeries. And I’m ready to curl up with a book in front of the fire – bring it on!
As for the schools, most are closed today because it’s a federal holiday – MLKing, Jr, day.
I love the people who have to run to the store to stock up! I like to go eat lunch at Costco ($1.50 hot dog and soda) and watch them go crazy with tons of toilet paper and milk. If they didn’t do it I am not sure what I would do for entertainment.
Oh yeah and this is in Marysvile, WA where we got less than an inch of snow.