Stock Up Challenge Week 1

It’s time to start stocking up. Even if you can’t afford a $10 or $20, just do what you can, but do it weekly and you’ll see your cabinets fill up. You can keep these items in a spare cupboard, closet or even in a plastic bin under your bed. I don’t suggest you keep it in your garage unless it’s temperature controlled. I will post more suggestions about storing your food later. Buy any combination of the following up to $10 or $20. If you have money left over, try to stick it away in an envelope for emergency use later.

Week #1

2 Packages Spaghetti

2 Jars or Cans of Spaghetti Sauce

4 Cans Green Beans

4 Cans Tuna

2 Cans Spam (any type is fine)

Don’t worry too much about buying named brand items, but do buy brands whose quality you’re familiar with. It’s not inexpensive if the quality is bad and no one will eat it. You should check stores in your area for sales and if there are canned peas instead of green beans on sale, by all means buy that. The idea is to have a regular schedule to follow and an itemized list if it helps you. My kids like Alfredo sauce instead of regular tomato all the time, so I buy one of each. Also, you may not care for Spam, so there are other options - you could buy two cans of Vienna sausage, or more cans of tuna. Don’t be afraid to adapt this to your own needs. The idea is to help each other stock up weekly.

Here are a couple of websites that are useful for people preparing who have little or no knowledge of making that dollar stretch:

http://www.ellenskitchen.com/

Make sure you visit Ellen’s “Facts and faqs” section.

http://frugalcuisine.blogspot.com/

Eat very well on $3.00 per day. If you follow the tips in this blog, you can actually eat well for much less if you prepare large batches and freeze or refrigerate the extra.

As far as getting kids to eat beans, try this recipe for Hoppin’ John. Excellent with corn bread.

http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/special/1999/american_home/hoppin.html

You can use other legumes in this recipe. The ham hock can be omitted for a vegetarian version, or bacon can be substituted.

If you’re looking for an awesome site that has 107 recipes for beans:

http://www.justbeanrecipes.com/inxbre.html

Original at: http://survivallady.com/?m=200810