10 reasons I have my food storage...
I keep food stored in my house. I would really like to have 6 months of food and supplies stored for us. That is for the 5 of us and a few extras people plus 2 dogs. I never know who will be here so I would rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. I am not worried about the end of the world. If it is the end of the world and only a few are going to survive, I would rather go to Heaven to meet my Heavenly Father. But there are plenty of reasons to have food storage without worrying about an apocalypse. Here are a few.
1. Job loss. This is probably one of my biggest worries. I work part time. I do not make much money. Hubby and I are very aware that I could work full time and make a lot more money but we choose for me to be home. That is my "REAL" job. I am a mom, wife and homemaker. If Hubby were to lose his job for whatever reason, we would not be able to survive long term. We have an emergency fund. I count our food storage as an additional emergency fund.
2. Sickness. Anyone ever have the flu? How long did it last? A week? 2 weeks? A month? Throw in some sick kids and see if you want to worry about food shopping. I sure don't. I know too many people who have long term sicknesses such as cancer. When you are running around with a ton of doctor appointments and possibly chemo I wouldn't want to worry if I have pasta in the house. Emergency surgeries are not planned. If my appendix were to burst, I know my kids would have food to eat while I was in the hospital. Also I like to cook for friends and family when they are sick. If I have everything I need on hand it makes it much easier.
3. Death. People die. I don't want to have to run to the store to get ingredients when my friend's mom passed away. I want to cook her dinner and go be with her.
4. Snow storms. We get these every year in the winter. I crack up because people run to the store and get milk and bread. Some people don't have enough food in their houses to last 2 days because where I live everything is back to normal after a snow storm in 2 days. I'm already home enjoying my cup of hot chocolate while they are waiting in line at the supermarket.
5. Hurricanes and other weather issues. Super Storm Sandy knocked out power in our neighborhood for 2 weeks. Stores were not allowed to sell anything refrigerated or frozen. Stores do not keep extra food for emergencies. When it sells out, it is gone and it sells out fast. I fed my family, extended family and friends without a problem.
6. Gas shortages and transportation problems. After power was back on after Super Storm Sandy there were still food shortages. Trucks couldn't get here because other areas still didn't have power. They couldn't get gas for the trucks to move the food. Without trucks to bring the food to the stores, there is still no food.
7. Strikes. I would hate to think what I would be like if Hershey employees ever went on strike. Thankfully I keep a secret chocolate stash. Unions go on strike all of the time. Are you going to be able to get what your family likes to eat?
8. Prices. They are just going up up up! I get our food at the lowest price possible. If I want pasta this week I have it. I don't have to pay full price for it. EVER! Sales and closeouts are my friends.
9. Safety. After the Boston Marathon bombing people were told to stay inside their homes. I do not want to worry that I am out of bread or I have nothing for my kids to eat. People were calling the police during the search because they were out of milk and bread. The police had more important things to do then go to the store and get people milk. Riots and demonstrations are happening more and more. I am not going anywhere near a bad situation. We can eat what is in the house.
10. Convenience. I can be lazy. I do not want to have to run to the store because at 8 pm when I am in my PJ's my daughter remembers that she signed up to make something for a bake sale the next day. She can go make whatever she likes because I keep all the basic staples on hand, (she better wash the dishes too). If I am in the middle of making a big pot of chili and company is coming soon, I don't want to have to run to the store because I ran out of chili powder. Having my stockpile means I never have to run to the store for one item.
I love having my food storage. It makes me smile when I look at it. I am very thankful for it. It brings me a sense of peace knowing that no matter what is ahead a meal will be included.
1. Job loss. This is probably one of my biggest worries. I work part time. I do not make much money. Hubby and I are very aware that I could work full time and make a lot more money but we choose for me to be home. That is my "REAL" job. I am a mom, wife and homemaker. If Hubby were to lose his job for whatever reason, we would not be able to survive long term. We have an emergency fund. I count our food storage as an additional emergency fund.
2. Sickness. Anyone ever have the flu? How long did it last? A week? 2 weeks? A month? Throw in some sick kids and see if you want to worry about food shopping. I sure don't. I know too many people who have long term sicknesses such as cancer. When you are running around with a ton of doctor appointments and possibly chemo I wouldn't want to worry if I have pasta in the house. Emergency surgeries are not planned. If my appendix were to burst, I know my kids would have food to eat while I was in the hospital. Also I like to cook for friends and family when they are sick. If I have everything I need on hand it makes it much easier.
3. Death. People die. I don't want to have to run to the store to get ingredients when my friend's mom passed away. I want to cook her dinner and go be with her.
4. Snow storms. We get these every year in the winter. I crack up because people run to the store and get milk and bread. Some people don't have enough food in their houses to last 2 days because where I live everything is back to normal after a snow storm in 2 days. I'm already home enjoying my cup of hot chocolate while they are waiting in line at the supermarket.
5. Hurricanes and other weather issues. Super Storm Sandy knocked out power in our neighborhood for 2 weeks. Stores were not allowed to sell anything refrigerated or frozen. Stores do not keep extra food for emergencies. When it sells out, it is gone and it sells out fast. I fed my family, extended family and friends without a problem.
6. Gas shortages and transportation problems. After power was back on after Super Storm Sandy there were still food shortages. Trucks couldn't get here because other areas still didn't have power. They couldn't get gas for the trucks to move the food. Without trucks to bring the food to the stores, there is still no food.
7. Strikes. I would hate to think what I would be like if Hershey employees ever went on strike. Thankfully I keep a secret chocolate stash. Unions go on strike all of the time. Are you going to be able to get what your family likes to eat?
8. Prices. They are just going up up up! I get our food at the lowest price possible. If I want pasta this week I have it. I don't have to pay full price for it. EVER! Sales and closeouts are my friends.
9. Safety. After the Boston Marathon bombing people were told to stay inside their homes. I do not want to worry that I am out of bread or I have nothing for my kids to eat. People were calling the police during the search because they were out of milk and bread. The police had more important things to do then go to the store and get people milk. Riots and demonstrations are happening more and more. I am not going anywhere near a bad situation. We can eat what is in the house.
I love having my food storage. It makes me smile when I look at it. I am very thankful for it. It brings me a sense of peace knowing that no matter what is ahead a meal will be included.
Preach it Sistah!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! There are definitely a LOT more reasons to stockpile than just the apocalypse! =)
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThose are all excellent reasons for having food storage!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteHi Mcoia and I love having food storage for all of those reasons too and thank you for bringing up a great subject :) . I might add I admire your ability to store food with a young family as it is much harder, takes more organisation, dedication, time and finances to store for more people.
Delete- First major reason for having food storage for us is, that we are counselled to do so in our religion. There is also biblical references to food storage too for us being D&C 109:8 - "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;" . We can also refer to Joseph storing grain in Egypt too during the drought.
- Mostly it gives us peace of mind should anything happen we are covered and will have food.
-The sickness one really stands out for our family as DH has disabilities from injuries he sustained in a military accident and sometimes can and does spend a considerable amount of time in bed unable to walk any distances. I am at home caring for him during these times and don't have to worry as we have food storage to get us through without shopping.
- Another good reason to store food is that my food storage as I have purchased mostly on good specials earns better interest than having money in the bank and insulates us against inflation. In one week our butter we had in storage earned us 20% interest and the following week it went up more again in price. Studies done not so long ago suggest you at least earn 5% interest on your food storage and as you can see sometimes and usually more.
- Our food storage also insulates us against food shortages which are happening more and more with adverse weather conditions such as droughts, floods and diseased crops.
No doubt there are many more and each family will have their own reasons for doing so. Isn't it great to know that we do not have to worry though :).
Sewingcreations15.
Great list. Every family does need to do it for their own reasons. I just don't see very many doing it. That is why I love the community I have met online. I learn new things from all of you everyday.
DeleteI love having my food storage, too. I have mine stocked up and organized really well right now, because there was a chance that my husband's one-year contract with the school district would not be renewed. We found out Thursday that it was not. Last year, it was. So, after 2 years of work, he is out of work, again. We are fine for the summer, because we purposely put ourselves on a 12-month paycheck plan, and he is already looking for a new job.
ReplyDeleteThe stockpile and the garden are going to come in handy, though.
I love buying at a low price and using the food at a time when I would have to pay more at the store for the same item. I love being able to cook almost anything when I want to.
I also like the fact that I have sewing supplies on hand. This morning before church, a hook was found missing on one of the girl's dresses. It took a few minutes, because that is another area that needs organizing, but I found a new one, and sewed it on, and off we went to church with everyone properly fastened into their clothes:)
I am really sorry to hear about Rob's job. That stinks. That was great planning ahead putting it on a 12 month paycheck plan. I will pray that he finds an even better job then the last.
DeleteThat is the #1 reason I stockpile. I cannot tell you how many people I know over the years that have lost their jobs and had less then a month's food in the house. I cannot even image the stress that would be to have a major loss of income and no food. I am so glad that you are prepared with your food storage and all of your wonderful home canned goods.
Having items beyond food is smart to have also. We also have sewing supplies on hand. Glad you were able to make it to church without worry.