Stock-Up Pantries
A well-stocked pantry is like a safety net—providing financial stability and peace of mind during emergencies. However, it can feel a little overwhelming when trying to start building a well-stocked pantry. Below are ideas to help you create a practical, helpful, and resilient pantry for yourself.
Levels of Food Storage
Think of your food pantry as divided into 3 sections. This can help you decide what items to purchase and when to purchase the items.
1. Working Pantry
This pantry is one almost everyone will have. It is typically housed in your kitchen as this is the food you use every day or plan to use soon.
Most have anywhere from a few days to 1 or more months’ worth of food stored in this pantry.
2. Extended Pantry
Acts as a Personal Warehouse
This pantry houses a stock of the common, every day, shelf-stable items you typically use.
This can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 12 months’ worth of shelf-stable foods you can shop from to restock your working pantry before heading to the store.
Money-Saving Tool
Some items rotate when they go on sale. Stock up when your essentials are on sale, so you can, hopefully, wait for another sale to restock, maximizing your savings.
Be an Extension to Your Emergency Fund
An extended pantry can serve as a buffer against unexpected expenses. Like an emergency fund, a well-stocked pantry lets you rely on stored food during tight financial situations, freeing up cash for urgent needs.
Step 1: have a cash emergency fund
Step 2: have a fully funded emergency reserve of at least 3 to 6 months
Step 3: have a stocked pantry of 2 weeks to 12 months’ worth of food and supplies
3. Long-Term Pantry
This is anything you will store long-term (longer than one or two years). Be sure to research how to store these items properly.
Suggestions:
Be sure you’re investing before focusing on long-term storage as your investments are what will help you reach financial independence.
Focus on having a 9-month to 1 year’s worth of water, food, medications, and supplies before looking into freeze-dried foods.
Creative Storage Solutions:
Finding space for your stock-ups is sometimes a challenge. They say older homes often had larger pantries and smaller closets, but modern homes typically have smaller pantries and larger closets. Be sure to prioritize what is important. This calls for creativity. Consider using the tops of closets or totes under beds for storage. Some even raise beds a little to create more space for their stock-ups.
*Remember to avoid excessive heat and moisture, as these can affect the longevity of your items, and ensure your storage is kid, pet, and pest-proof.
Items to Consider for Your Stock-Ups:
3 B’s - Beans, Bullets, & Band-Aids: Essential items to have on hand to help you navigate stressful times.
Beans = Anything food-related with a stable shelf life. (beans, rice, canned goods, water) Be sure to research how to store these items properly.
Bullets = Anything security related. (weapons, ammo, locks, lights, batteries)
Band-Aids = Anything medical related. (medications, vitamins, hygiene)
3 Metals - Gold, Silver, and anything backed by gunpowder (as Robert Kiyosaki says):
Metals are usually not considered an investment and will not make you rich, but they are generally considered a store of value. You may store these on your own or in a vault. Research what’s best for you.
Easy Stock-Up Methods
Fitting stocking up in the budget can sometimes be challenging, so here are a few methods that might make it feel a little easier on the budget.
Buy one (for now) Get one (for later)
When you need one of an item, go ahead and buy two (or 3 depending on the budget) and store the extra. This is a great way to slowly work on increasing your stock-ups as it ensures you are buying the items you will use.
Half and Half
When you are halfway out of an item, go ahead and buy another. Then when the first is out, buy another and repeat. This method also ensures you are buying the items you will use maybe without a big hit to your budget.
5 Can Plan
Buy 5 extra cans (or other shelf-stable items) every time you go shopping for groceries and/or supplies. This could also be done with any other number that works best for you. If you want to do more (i.e., 10 Can Plan) you can, or if you need to decrease the amount, you can use a lower number. Did you buy your 5 cans today?
Links for long-term storage ideas and information:
USDA – How long can you keep canned goods?
FoodKeeper App - Food and Beverage storage information for the best freshness and quality
US Emergency Supply – Storage Life Of Dry Foods
**Reminders for Stocking Up**
IMPORTANT: While preparing and stocking up can help you avoid setbacks from unforeseen circumstances, DO NOT get hung up on stocking up as your investments are what will propel you to financial independence.
If a stocked pantry is important to you, start with a small stock of 2 weeks to 1 month’s worth, then get your investments going, and come back and expand your stocks later.
Check the expiration date and package integrity of the items you buy, especially on the ones you plan to store. You will want to make sure the items will last the length of time you need them to. It is never fun when something expires or goes bad on your shelves wasting your hard-earned money.
Rotate your stocks just as a store would by placing newly bought items toward the back and bring forward items that will expire the soonest.
Write the expiration date or purchase date in Sharpie on the front or top of your items.
This can help save you time as you will easily be able to see the items you should use first.
Check out the videos below for more ideas:
Prepare for your needs, not against your fears.
Here are a few other links that might be helpful.
Stocking Up / Preparing Lists (Why, when, and how we use our stock-up lists.)
Lessons of 2020 (Page dedicated to becoming more self-sufficient in all things including finances, food, safety, and health.)
Pantry Meal Kits (Benefits of pantry/shelf-stable meal kits.)
