This lesson is being posted just a couple weeks before Thanksgiving. As we approach the holiday season, grocery stores will be running tremendous sales on many things we’ll want to stock up on for the pantry.
The first thing that comes to mind this time of year, of course, is turkey. Great big birds for pennies a pound. This is where having the means to can food at home is extremely handy. Pick up a couple birds and make/can batches of turkey meat, turkey soup, turkey ala king, that sort of stuff. Even a single 12lb turkey can go quite a long way. Be sure to use the carcass to make soup stock too. Don’t let anything go to waste.
Next up are veggies. Canned vegetables will be very cheap so stock up. Granted, store bought canned vegetables pale in comparison to home canned from the garden but often they’ll go on sale so cheap you can hardly pass them up.
Baking staples will be on sale as well in the coming weeks. Flour, sugar, baking powder, all that good stuff. Remember, when storing any of these sorts of items for the long-term, freeze them first for a couple days. This kills off any mites and such that may have found their way in. After freezing, put them into five gallon pails and seal tightly. I leave them in their original packaging before putting them in the buckets.
Before any “feast” holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day), there is usually a decent sale on paper goods too. Plates, cups, napkins, etc. During a short-term emergency, you’re not going to want to waste water on washing dishes. Stock up on plates and plastic utensils now.
Following many of those holidays, you can pick up themed products on clearance too. Candles can be had for a steal right after Christmas, for example.
One of the best ways the frugal prepper can stretch a dollar is by taking advantage of these seasonal sales.
Your assignments this week:
1) Stock up as your budget and sales permit. Watch the sale ads and use coupons to get the best bang for your buck.
2) If you’ve not done so already, begin making out your gift lists for the holiday season. When and where possible, concentrate on prepping related gifts, such as crank radios and emergency blankets.
