image by RambergMediaImages

We are taught to think in a monthly budget or a paycheck-to-paycheck budgeting manner. What would you say if I said it’s time to throw that idea out the window for your food and supplies?

image by GranniesKitchen

This information is great. Realize that I won’t cook this much ground beef every week. Some weeks I might be veggie heavy or chicken is on the menu. If I get this amount of ground beef, though, I know that I have five meals a week fully covered.

© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by timetrax23.

Often a new skill is as close as your public library.  No special training is required to learn about medicinal herbs, for example.  Other skills can be learned by watching free videos on YouTube.  That’s how I learned some of the trickier knitting stitches.  Some of the videos I’ve watched recently are a treasure trove of preparedness knowledge and skills.

Canning chicken breasts

How to can ground beef

Building a shelter in the wilderness

Camping in comfort

See what I mean?  Free information is out there, everywhere.

One approach that works for many families is to find and learn a skill that involves everyone.  Orienteering is a great life skill for kids and parents alike, and one that might save a life someday.  Geocaching combines the great outdoors with navigation skills, and of course, target shooting doesn’t have to cost a ton of money and is a great sport.  Our kids have trained using inexpensive .22 rifles whose ammo sells for less than $20 for 500 rounds.  4-H clubs teach kids, and families, important agricultural and homesteading skills and provide a new circle of friends with similar interests.

Grab a phone book and browse through the various government agencies in your area.  They’re supported by your tax

image by GoodNCrazy

dollars and many of them have free resources.  The Game & Fish Department often has low-cost and free training available to would-be hunters and sharpshooters.  Cooperative extension offices, run by the USDA, offer an amazing assortment of free information on everything from food safety to disaster preparedness.  You’ll find them to be a source of hundreds of articles, perfect for your Survival Mom binder.

Another source of free training can be found in your circle of neighbors, relatives, friends, co-workers and their circles of friends and family.  Just find someone who is completely nutty about their hobby or interest, and believe me, they’ll give you all the information and training you could ever want!

A few years ago I was a knitting maniac and started a homeschool knitting group, made friends with other knitters, and spent tons of money and a lot of time at the yarn store.  I loved nothing better than to help someone learn how to knit.  Now that I think of it, people began to avoid me when I took out my yarn and needles…hmmm.  But my point is, by asking around you are sure to find hunters, fishermen, home canning experts, piano tuners, and experts in all sorts of areas who are passionate about their special talent and would love to mentor an enthusiastic learner.

Skills and Knowledge are an important area of preparedness.  Your dollars might not be stretching as far as they used to, but in tough times, others may be willing to exchange food and other goods for what you can do or for what you can teach.  The best thing is, you can develop many of these skills and gain massive amounts of knowledge without spending a dime!

© 2010 – 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by lorelei

“I don’t care what it costs!  I’ve got to have a pair of black beaded pumps by tonight!”

Been there.  Done that, and done it again and again and again!

In the world of preparedness, having your back to the wall and being desperate for one supply or another is a sure way to put yourself and your family in a vulnerable situation and spend excess money needlessly.

Here’s an example.  A case of 24 bottles of water runs about $3.99 at my local grocery store.  On a hot day at the ballpark, I would probably pay $2 for a single ice cold bottle, especially if my kids were whining.  Now, imagine a disaster has struck my town.  Electricity has been out for four days, we have to purify whatever water we have with bleach or our SteriPEN.  Now how much would I pay for a bottle of water or an entire case?

The time to prepare on a budget is right now before your survival depends on it, and cagey entrepreneurs discover an easy way to get rich by charging desperate people outlandish prices for basic goods.

What’s stopping you from clipping coupons or printing out money-saving coupons online?  Is there a reason why now isn’t a good time to spend a couple of hours on weekends cruising garage and estate sales?  Have you checked your local dollar stores for bargains on your survival lists?

Don’t let time slip away from you and discover the only way to get the most basic necessities is by paying cutthroat prices.  Prepare now while time is on your side!

© 2010, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

Of course there are plenty of ways for moms to save money in these tough economic times (clipping coupons, shopping sales, cutting back on extras, etc.).  But minimizing expenditures is not the sole province of mothers, and everyone in the family can pitch in to make sure that all the pressure of surviving the recession is not placed squarely on the shoulders of only one person.  Spouses can certainly help, and there are even a number of ways to get the kids on board, so here are a few tips that everyone can embrace to keep the family going throughout the economic downturn.

1. Turn off the lights when you leave a room!  We all heard this from our parents, and although you swore you’d never turn into them, you’ve caught yourself repeating it to your own kids.  Here’s the thing; waste is just wrong.  If you’re tightening the belt, the last thing you want to see is an astronomical electricity or water bill that could be easily avoided.  So instruct everyone in your family to turn off lights, unplug electronics (which draw phantom power even while off), use the clothesline, and stop leaving the water running.  You’ll be surprised how much you can save and participation is a snap.
2. Recycle.  Having kids collect cans and bottles is not only a good way to save money (you can use profits from recycling to supplement your child’s allowance, or put it towards the grocery bill) it is also an excellent way to save the environment.  It will also teach your kids the value of work and instill in them a sense of environmental consciousness.
3. Allocate household duties.  Time is money, and both are stretched pretty thin for you.  If you work outside the home (as well as run a household), you don’t want to become so overwhelmed (and overworked) that you get sick (thereby missing work and losing pay).  Good mental and physical health demand reduced stress.  So don’t forget that you have several pairs of idle hands at your disposal.  Set up a chart for chores and demand follow-through!  Everyone enjoys a clean house and they should learn personal responsibility and cleanliness sooner rather than later.  Just a note: don’t be too nit-picky.  Teach other family members to do it right, and then let them do it themselves (unless they’re just being lazy or sloppy).  We all have different standards and nothing sours the desire to help more quickly than constant and unwarranted criticism.
4. Learn to cook.  Eating out is a huge expense, and usually the first item to be cut when a strict budget is implemented.  But that doesn’t mean you have to do all the cooking.  Make it fun by letting your husband or the kids pick recipes that they can make one or two nights a week (try a frugal cookbook for ideas that won’t jack up your grocery bill).  When they’re out on their own, they will appreciate the knowledge and skill.
5. DIY.  If your daughter loves to sew, encourage her to make her own outfits.  Or if the kids are artistically inclined, buy inexpensive t-shirts in bulk and let them decorate with fabric paint and stencils (you can find them free online) for a fun weekend activity.  If your son is into tinkering, have him help Dad with home repairs.  Or get the whole family involved in planting a garden to cut food costs.  There are a million things you can do on your own if you’re handy, or even just motivated, so don’t hesitate to try something new.  You can feel good about your accomplishments and save money at the same time!

Breana Orland is a writer for Student Grants. Breana also gives advice on the pursuit of higher education and career options for young adults.

© 2010, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

You can read more about it here, but start making your wish lists now, preppers!  Do some shopping around, too, so when a bargain pops up, you’ll recognize it right away.

Thanks, Erich, for this great idea!  Fortunately, I think this country and all the Craigslist sales are big enough for all of us!

© 2010, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

Our family is simultaneously trying to become debt-free, save as much money as we can, have at least six months of food on hand, and take care of some badly needed DIY home projects.  Believe me, I need every cheap resource I can possibly find to help me toward my prepping goals!  The four cheapest resources I have found are all available to you, too!

1.    Garage and Estate Sales

Been there, done that?  Aren’t thrilled about buying other people’s junk?  When you’re prepping, your shopping will have a focus, and I think you’ll find these sales a useful resource.  Keep a list of items still needed for your 72 Hour Kit or general preparedness.  This list will help you visit more garage and estate sales in less time because usually, with a quick glance, you can tell if a sale has what you need.

Even better, use online garage sale locators.  Google “local garage sales” or something similar.  You’ll be surprised at what pops up!  Often, these sites will list items at the sale, and this can help you choose which sales to visit.   You can also find estate sales in your area here.  I prefer estate sales since everything in the house will be sold, down to half used bottles of Windex.  Here are a few things I’ve been looking for:

• tools — I don’t want to count on, “Made in China” if we’re ever truly in a bind.  Tools made decades ago will be high quality with lots of years still left in them.
• backpacks, gym bags — I need two more backpacks for our personal 72 Hour Kits and miscellaneous gym-size bags are great for holding all kinds of gear to take camping.
• camping equipment — we have a tent but nothing else.  My husband is hardly Grizzly Adams!  I would especially like an outdoor cook stove.

Remember, once you know what you want, the search goes much more quickly!

Oh!  BONUS TIP!  Retirement communities often run their garage sales Thursday through Saturday..  You can get a jump on all the other bargain hunters by heading to these neighborhoods early on Thursday mornings!

2.    Freecycle.org

Freecycle is exactly what it sounds like.  Recyling things you own by giving them away for free. Once you’ve signed up with a Freecycle email group in your area, you’ll begin receiving regular notices from other members with offers of free “stuff”.

I’ve seen some great items offered on Freecycle that would help out any prepper.  Watch for glass canning jars, camping equipment, water barrels, dog crates, and so much more.  Usually what is offered is mentioned in the email’s subject line so you can scan through them quickly.  Remember to offer things hanging around your house or garage that you no longer want or need!

3.    Dollar Stores

Don’t forget to visit your local dollar store!  Apparently, dollar stores are becoming quite trendy.  Who would have guessed?

I took a stroll through one near my home last weekend, and here are some of the best bargains I found.

• binders starting at just $2
• a package of 8 small memo books for $2.  These are great for keeping in your car, your 72 Hour Kits and your purse.
• vinyl shower curtain, $2   Multiple uses for this including a ground cover and a quickie tent.
• can opener, $1.25
• chess game, $4.  Would be useful in providing entertainment during a crisis.
• triple antibiotic cream, $2.30, along with a good variety of other pharmaceuticals
• large bottles of spices for $1
• a can of Quick Flat Fix, $3
• a 6-pack of Top Ramen, $1.10

Not everything is a great bargain, but you won’t know that unless you’re paying attention to prices at regular retail stores.  Would you believe, I didn’t think my town even had dollar stores until I checked out these websites.  What a find!

• Dollar Tree
• Family Dollar
• Big Lots!

4.    Friends, Relatives, Neighbors, Casual Acquaintances…

You get the idea!  Every one of us has stuff around the house, in the attic, out in the garage, in a storage unit, etc., etc. that we’ll never use again, and so do your friends, relatives, neighbors, and so on.  When you get to the end of your prepping list, and you still have items you need, why not ask around?

Consider a casual barter agreement to get what you want, such as a few hours babysitting in exchange for a tent or a set of sleeping bags.  Here’s a great article on the age-old practice of bartering.

We don’t know when an emergency will happen, and it just makes sense to get your preparations in order as quickly as you can.  If you’re like me, your don’t have an infinite amount of money to prepare for everything, perfectly, all at once.  I decided to jump in and do what I can, when I can, and I’ve been pretty impressed with how quickly my prepping has come together with these four money-savers!

Check out these four cheap resources and see if your dollar doesn’t go a whole lot farther!  Soon, you’ll be ready for just about anything!

© 2010, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by amanky

It’s official.  I’m addicted to prepping.  No longer can I enter a store of any type and not look for bargains for my food storage, 72 Hour Kits or just basic preparedness.  Whether it’s an all-time low price on bottled water, laundry soap at $2.50 or cotton balls on clearance, I’m a sucker for bargains in the name of preparedness.

Today I entered a grocery store with six items on my list: dog food, cat food, dishwasher soap, zip-loc bags, ice, and milk.  When I left, my bill was $95.  Why?  Well, the store brand laundry soap was on sale two bottles for $5, so I bought six bottles.  I picked up a bottle of canola oil for just $2.49, and then the cans of pasta sauce were only ninety-nine cents each.  See what I mean?  Once I spot something I know I need in my stash, I’ve got to have it! 

Stocking up on food and supplies takes money, and the one warning I would pass along to my readers is to not over-spend.  Let’s face it.  Most of us are trying to pay off debt, save money andstock up all at the same time.  To help make this happen, many preppers clear out cupboards and closets of unwanted goods, sell them on eBay or in garage sales, and then use the proceeds to buy more rice and beans.  Others cut back on monthly expenses or look for ways to bring in a few extra bucks each week.

Before you start stealing money from your kid’s piggy bank, remember to pace yourself!  Virtually every type of supply is still plentiful.  Unbelievable bargains can be found at estate sales, on Craigslist, and in thrift stores.  You and your family really can become comfortably prepared on a budget.  Just beware the addict’s high!

© 2009, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by roadsidepictures

For most of us, our food storage pantry is being filled on tight budgets.  Most SurvivalMoms are watching the food ads and clipping coupons.  However, grocery prices aren’t always what they seem.  One grocery manager told me that before an item goes on sale, they often increase the price a few cents the week before to help make up the difference in their bottom line.  He also told me that sometimes they just change the color of the price tags with no discount, but a bright yellow or orange makes it seem like the item is on sale.  Sneaky!!!

So, if you’re on a budget, want to have at least several week’s worth of food on hand and you want to outwit the grocery store manager, here’s what you need to do.  Know when a grocery item is truly a bargain by keeping a price book.  This is an old fashioned concept that really works.  A price book is just a list of the lowest prices you’ve paid on specific food items.  Once you have these prices in your price book, and in your head, you’ll know when you’re looking at a real bargain.

For example, if the lowest price you’ve ever paid for a gallon of milk is $1.89 and you see it advertised as an “In-store Special!” for $1.99, you know it isn’t a bargain.  Buy it if you need it, but otherwise, for stocking up purposes, wait until you see it at that lowest price or lower.

Organize your price book by grocery categories, such as frozen foods, cleaning supplies, meat, dairy products, canned foods, etc.  I’ve seen some SurvivalMoms set up Excel spreadsheets for their data.  It really doesn’t take long at all to activate that bargain lobe in your brain when you become accustomed to recording prices on a regular basis.

© 2009, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

© 2009, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

photo by fsse8info

For some time now I have been getting some great freebies in the mail directly from Wal-Mart.  I’ve been stocking our 72-Hour Kits/Bug Out Bags with things like over-the-counter medications, energy bars, and feminine products, and I haven’t spent a dime on them.  With a little determination, free product samples can be found all over the internet.  Read this, Freebies 101, and then check out some of my favorite sites.

Wal-Mart

The FreeSite

Cool Freebie Links

Be aware that you’ll have to register your name and address, since the freebies will arrive in the mail.  If you start getting unwanted newsletters from the websites or manufacturers, just click on “unsubscribe,” and you’ll be free of them!  Nothing beats going to the mailbox and finding it full of free stuff!

© 2009, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.