Frugal emergency preparedness

Bernadette · 07-28-2008, 09:43 AM

It seems nearly everybody is worried that economic times might hit hard. And since 9/11, Katrina, etc. nearly everybody in my neighborhood worries about natural or unnatural catastrophes, to the point where they're laying in serious emergency supplies (way more than the 3-day kit the Red Cross used to recommend).

But with food and fuel prices going up, it seems harder to set aside money for preparedness supplies.

I found an article (here: http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/hagan59.html ) that talks about how to get started on food storage for just $10 a week.

I thought I'd toss that out for consideration & also ask if others here are into emergency preparedness (not just food, but other supplies) and how you do it in a frugal-minded way.

purplefdu · 07-28-2008, 05:24 PM

When I first started couponing to afford a puppy I decide I would approach the idea of stockpiling slowly and methodically. First I focused on getting more food/items for the $50-60 we spent weekly on groceries and supplies. Then I worked on getting the amount we spend down. We're limited on space for stockpiling since we rent an apartment, but if I had the space we'd have enough for the neighborhood by now. We normally spend $30 a week, including stockpiling supplies with a couple exceptions when meat is on sale or we get a good markdown on dog food.

hmsw123 · 07-28-2008, 06:53 PM

I use a new website - http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/ . These ladies who run the site tell you exactly what to buy each week in order to get your food storage, and to be prepared for emergencies. They are doing car kits step-by-step right now, and next they will be doing 72-hour kits, step-by-step. This is really great for people who are just so overwhelmed with it all... it breaks everything down and makes it doable!

Myscha Theriault · 07-29-2008, 07:46 AM

That safely gathered link sounds great. I'm heading there to check out the car kits right now. As for saving money on the storage, my favorite tip (that I also use for bulk buying) is the white buckets with covers from Home Depot / Lowe's types of stores. They are way cheaper than buying ones that are marketed as food storage buckets. Just make sure to get the white ones.

mcnerd · 07-29-2008, 08:02 AM

Yah, if you buy the buckets that "aren't" rated for food storage, you will just poison your stored food and not have to worry about long-term. Is "White" supposed to mean they are safe? I don't think so.

Myscha Theriault · 07-29-2008, 08:05 AM

Actually, that was a tip I was given from someone who works with a food inspector for commercial applications on a regular basis. The inspector was the one who gave the tip. White, at least at the time the tip was given and according to this particular inspector, was the indicator that it hadn't been used for anything else. So, yes, it was recommended as a safe affordable alternative to the expensive food storage buckets.

mcnerd · 07-29-2008, 11:01 AM

"There is a common misconception that all containers made of white HDPE plastic bearing the

symbol are food grade containers. This is not true.
If you are considering the purchase of a container from some place other than a kitchen or restaurant supply store, and the container is not clearly labeled as "food safe" or being made of food grade plastic, then you should assume that it is not food grade.

http://virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html

Myscha Theriault · 07-29-2008, 11:44 AM

I'll check out the link.

All I know is, this inspector was in charge of this person's passing or failing for food safety and both authorized and recommended the use of the white buckets from the home box stores.

Considering all the other issues out there, I'm personally comfortable with this as long as the buckets have been sanitized. However, I recognize it is certainly a personal choice and will check out the provided link.

mcnerd · 07-29-2008, 12:07 PM

It's not an issue of being sanitized, but the leeching of the chemicals out of the plastic of non-food-grade containers. We see this problem with plastic bags and some plastic containers in a microwave. Also recently with water and juice bottles.

Myscha Theriault · 07-29-2008, 02:27 PM

Well, now that you mention that, it does sound familiar. However, and I could be misremembering here . . . wasn't that only for pickling and things with liquid acidic ingredients?

07-28-2008, 09:43 AM	#1
Bernadette Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (17)	Frugal emergency preparedness It seems nearly everybody is worried that economic times might hit hard. And since 9/11, Katrina, etc. nearly everybody in my neighborhood worries about natural or unnatural catastrophes, to the point where they're laying in serious emergency supplies (way more than the 3-day kit the Red Cross used to recommend). But with food and fuel prices going up, it seems harder to set aside money for preparedness supplies. I found an article (here: http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/hagan59.html ) that talks about how to get started on food storage for just $10 a week. I thought I'd toss that out for consideration & also ask if others here are into emergency preparedness (not just food, but other supplies) and how you do it in a frugal-minded way.

07-28-2008, 05:24 PM	#2
purplefdu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: York Beach, ME Posts: 627 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (29)	When I first started couponing to afford a puppy I decide I would approach the idea of stockpiling slowly and methodically. First I focused on getting more food/items for the $50-60 we spent weekly on groceries and supplies. Then I worked on getting the amount we spend down. We're limited on space for stockpiling since we rent an apartment, but if I had the space we'd have enough for the neighborhood by now. We normally spend $30 a week, including stockpiling supplies with a couple exceptions when meat is on sale or we get a good markdown on dog food. __________________ Homeward Bound Puppy Blog&Personal Blog best general coupon site & organic grocery coupon help

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07-28-2008, 06:53 PM	#3
hmsw123 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	I use a new website - http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/ . These ladies who run the site tell you exactly what to buy each week in order to get your food storage, and to be prepared for emergencies. They are doing car kits step-by-step right now, and next they will be doing 72-hour kits, step-by-step. This is really great for people who are just so overwhelmed with it all... it breaks everything down and makes it doable!

07-29-2008, 07:46 AM	#4
Myscha Theriault Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (15)	That safely gathered link sounds great. I'm heading there to check out the car kits right now. As for saving money on the storage, my favorite tip (that I also use for bulk buying) is the white buckets with covers from Home Depot / Lowe's types of stores. They are way cheaper than buying ones that are marketed as food storage buckets. Just make sure to get the white ones.

07-29-2008, 08:02 AM	#5
mcnerd Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (17)	Yah, if you buy the buckets that "aren't" rated for food storage, you will just poison your stored food and not have to worry about long-term. Is "White" supposed to mean they are safe? I don't think so.

07-29-2008, 08:05 AM	#6
Myscha Theriault Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (15)	Actually, that was a tip I was given from someone who works with a food inspector for commercial applications on a regular basis. The inspector was the one who gave the tip. White, at least at the time the tip was given and according to this particular inspector, was the indicator that it hadn't been used for anything else. So, yes, it was recommended as a safe affordable alternative to the expensive food storage buckets.

07-29-2008, 11:01 AM	#7
mcnerd Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (17)	"There is a common misconception that all containers made of white HDPE plastic bearing the symbol are food grade containers. This is not true. If you are considering the purchase of a container from some place other than a kitchen or restaurant supply store, and the container is not clearly labeled as "food safe" or being made of food grade plastic, then you should assume that it is not food grade. http://virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html

07-29-2008, 11:44 AM	#8
Myscha Theriault Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (15)	I'll check out the link. All I know is, this inspector was in charge of this person's passing or failing for food safety and both authorized and recommended the use of the white buckets from the home box stores. Considering all the other issues out there, I'm personally comfortable with this as long as the buckets have been sanitized. However, I recognize it is certainly a personal choice and will check out the provided link.

07-29-2008, 12:07 PM	#9
mcnerd Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (17)	It's not an issue of being sanitized, but the leeching of the chemicals out of the plastic of non-food-grade containers. We see this problem with plastic bags and some plastic containers in a microwave. Also recently with water and juice bottles.

07-29-2008, 02:27 PM	#10
Myscha Theriault Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (15)	Well, now that you mention that, it does sound familiar. However, and I could be misremembering here . . . wasn't that only for pickling and things with liquid acidic ingredients?