Show Me the MONEY!

It's no secret that storing food and supplies CAN be extremely expensive. But with good planning, research, and savings, it really doesn't have to be. And there is a fool proof way to be sure the money is there when you need it. I try my best to work within a budgeted amount set aside just for food storage. I've written about budgeting inside of budgets before. I cannot stress enough how important this concept is. Breaking down the allotted monies for various needs and then adding the element of savings to those monies is essential to having the funds you need when you need them. For instance:

Let's say you have $300 a pay period for household needs.

First make a list of those needs and assign a dollar amount to each category:

BABY - $40 (bi-weekly) $80 (monthly)

FOOD - $260 (bi-weekly)

Then break down your categories even further:

BABY (monthly purchases)

Diapers - $40

Wipes - $20

Pull-ups - $20

These items are expensive and rarely go on sale, no room in this category for savings until baby grows out of these needs.

FOOD

Week 1 Groceries - $100

Week 2 Groceries - $100

Food Storage - $60 (bi-weekly purchases)

Include savings for these categories:

FOOD

$90 to spend now, $10 to save for future

Week 1 Groceries - $15 snacks and treats, $15 Staples (milk, eggs, bread, cereal), $30 meats or proteins, $20 Fresh Produce, $10 extras needed for the week's dinner menu.

$90 to spend now, $10 to save for future

Week 2 Groceries - $15 snacks and treats, $15 Staples (milk, eggs, bread, cereal), $30 meats or proteins, $20 Fresh Produce, $10 extras needed for the week's dinner menu.

$50 Food Storage, $10 to save for future

This pay period you might be low on canned fruits and vegetables:

$20 canned Green Beans, $30 canned Pears.

The "Save for Future" Grocery monies are then set aside for the things that need to be purchased once every few months.

Things like: Cleaning supplies, toilet paper, kleenex, shampoo, soaps, etc.

The "Save for Future" Food Storage monies are set aside for large price tag purchases made every 6 to 12 months. Or the steal of a deal opportunity that arises unexpectedly. (But falls within the food storage bounds, of course.)

Things like: Case lot sales, incredibly priced meat, vegetables, or fruit that you want 40lbs of for canning, or a piece of provident living equipment you found on sale and have been needing.

The $ amounts used in this example can, of course, be adjusted to your own situation and needs. The list of categories is longer at my house than what is listed above. I'm just trying to show the concept here.

By including assigned savings within your budgeting, you won't ever have to sacrifice milk money to buy 25 boxes of cereal when the price per ounce just can't be beat. Or give up purchasing fresh produce for the week because EVERYBODY needs new toothbrushes at the same time AND you're out of laundry and dishwasher soap as well.

I'm a big fan of the envelope system and use it religiously. This post, however, is prompted by my LACK of proper planning these last few months. I have been following my budget plan, but without the savings portion. I used to save like this without fail and always had what I needed when I needed it. But here I am, having not saved well and wouldn't you know it:

This week alone I had a Food Dehydrator I've been wanting offered to me, used, at a really great price. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts are on sale at Buy-Low for $1.38 a pound! My friend who orders spices from San Francisco Herbs Co., (GREAT quality for KILLER prices) is placing an order and I have 8 different items I need to get into that order. If I had followed my own savings plan, I would not feel any stress over this and would be completely prepared. But instead I'm learning a lesson and being reminded that savings and preparation is always key! As it stands I am having to figure out how to make this all happen, which means I'll probably have to cut corners on my usual staples shopping. Or just plain miss out on a great opportunity. When I should be able to open up my savings envelopes and have no problem making it all happen. Just something to consider.