emergency rations

[francesbean]

I realised the other day that I really didnt have a good supply of emergency rations -'just in case'. Like a lot of people I have my store cupboard and freezer, but did a quick calculation and realised that would only keep us going foodwise for about 2 weeks. I went out and bought another 2 weeks worth of tinned and dried stuff.

Its all this talk of bank closures and global recession. I dont want to panic but as a single mum with no family backup just wanted to be cautious. My worry is that things might escalate quickly and I wont be able to get cash out of the bank. So I withdrew £100 as well for emergencies.

I did feel silly trundling around tescos in my tin foil hat though.

francesbean

[minskey]

Crikey! you are so right, I never thought about not getting money out etc. This 'credit crunch' just seemed to be for the big boys & not ordinery bods but you posting this has brought it home. Off to do the same as you.

[HayleyB]

I did feel silly trundling around tescos in my tin foil hat though.

francesbean

LOL darned aliens

I think that you are just being prudent and that is never a bad thing. I have been growing and freezing and watching the pennies for a few months now as we have no income at the moment due to this bl**dy crisis.

I wouldn't panic though. I have been monitoring the economy for over a year now as it affects my business. The last week has been an absolute mare.
BUT, whatever happens there will still be T**co et al and their competitive nature will keep food in our cupboards. As for the banks it's the smaller building societies that may be at risk but the biggies will get bailouts as the effect of one of those collapsing would be too devastating to a voting public. Bumbling Brown cannot afford to upset any more people than he has already done

[Stacey Steve]

When we had the extension built over the garage several years ago, as we have never used the garage as a garage, I had the up and over door removed and double glazed windows and door put in.

This is now our store room or a big lader as my mum put it.

We have a large chest freezer, a big upright freezer and separate big fridge out there as well as storage cupboards and shelving.

Rice, noodles, tinned foods and even our meat we tend to buy in bulk. We have all the dried fruit stored out there from the lotties.

I reckon that if push comes to shove, we have about 3/4 months worth of food out there.

We built this up over a period of time, as if you had to buy it all in one hit, it would cost a fortune but we "reinvested" the savings from bulk buys in other produce over time.

It was not because of the current situation of world finance but more to help us over any periods of unemployment and high spend periods like Christmas.

[Two_Sheds]

I'm now going to the shops to buy up all the bread. I don't need it, but I don't want everyone else to have it

[Finedon.Dandy]

I am so glad we have now got a chest freezer but do worry that things will get forgottenas its so easy for things to be burried. Has anyone got any tips on how to keep track? When I first stocked up I did a list but it only lasted 3 weeks as it started to get complicated. Also do you keep like with like - I have as I figure that will help indicate when you are getting low on certain things. Oh this thread has just reminded me I have got 2 four pintas in there - dont have to go to the shops today now! Thanks!

Tammy

[Hilary B]

The ONLY reliable way to keep track of freezer contents is, whatever else you do (and keeping similar items together helps) label EVERYTHING with the date it went in, in LARGE writing!
Hamster Baskets (if they still make them) make it easier to keep control in a chest freezer (which is more efficient for the same volume)

[tootles]

I had a chest freezer in our last house, when we left there were things still in it that the last people had left behind (six years previously).
We left it empty though.

[Hilary B]

Hamster Baskets - Freezer Baskets Prices and Ordering

[smallblueplanet]

Is this thread for real or is my sense of humour slipping?

[BrideXIII]

Is this thread for real or is my sense of humour slipping?

not sure hun, but it gave me a nasty flash back to my first job, the 3 day week, and people panic buying flour and yeast because of the bread shortage.

as for getting cash out of the bank, well i don't have any so tough luck on me i guess!

[mapcr77]

If things get too bad... there's always nettle soup!

[BarleySugar]

Anyone see the Jodie Kidd, who do you think you are? Her ancestor was done for food hoarding, it was an offence in WW1.
I usually make the most of special offers for the freezer etc, and we have a printed sheet with all the freezer contents listed with check boxes against each one a / marks it in, and a \ is put through once it is used. About once a month or so I rewrite it so it looks neater. We have taken to planning the menus for the week on a Sunday, using the freezer list, and then making up the shopping list at the same time. It means we do not buy more stuff than we need, unless as I say, there is a special, and then that is built into menus the following week. We are not too rigid, meals get swapped round to fit circumatances, but we cut down on shopping trips and thus on impulse buys.
This website is interesting Organized Home | Clean house, cut clutter and get organized at home!, I just wish I could get that organised.

[Rhona]

Anyone see the Jodie Kidd, who do you think you are? Her ancestor was done for food hoarding, it was an offence in WW1.
I usually make the most of special offers for the freezer etc, and we have a printed sheet with all the freezer contents listed with check boxes against each one a / marks it in, and a \ is put through once it is used. About once a month or so I rewrite it so it looks neater. We have taken to planning the menus for the week on a Sunday, using the freezer list, and then making up the shopping list at the same time. It means we do not buy more stuff than we need, unless as I say, there is a special, and then that is built into menus the following week. We are not too rigid, meals get swapped round to fit circumatances, but we cut down on shopping trips and thus on impulse buys.
This website is interesting Organized Home | Clean house, cut clutter and get organized at home!, I just wish I could get that organised.

Blimey. You sound pretty organised to me!

[Alison]

I have a spreadsheet with what's in the freezer catagorised into meat, fish, veg and other. Tend to know what fruit etc I have so don't bother with that but it really helps when planning meals and as it's electronic I don't have to worry about all the crossings out. I know it sounds a bit nerdy but otherwise I just lose track as my memory isn't good enough - oh yes and label EVERYTHING!!!!!!

Back to the original post though, not stockpiling, don't feel the need but do always have a well stocked store cupboard.