Taking Stock

To Stock or not to Stock, that is the question or at least it could be the question when considering how to spend for the essentials and how much to spend for those essentials.

(c) 2013  

I started this post on the eve of a snowstorm, Derby, and as it turns out I find myself finalizing this post one week later on the eve of another snowstorm, Easton or Pax, expected to drop a good 10 inches or more of snow here in New England.

I don't typically stock because there are 5 good stores within a 2 mile radius of my house. However, when I know that I will be on trial for the next two weeks, I aim to take an ounce of prevention approach over a pound of cure. Typically, on busy trial days I throw in the "simply homemade" towel for the fast food drive-thru options that also abound in my neighborhood. There are at least 5 fast food establishments within a quarter mile of my house. Ode to urban sprawl.

I went to the store to stock. So when all was said and done what was the damage? Don't gaff...$98. My total Giant Sale savings were $47. Some of you might be saying to yourselves, I wish I had a grocery bill that was that low for a two week period. However, keep in mind that this isn't really about my dollar figures or my budget. It is about knowing your figures and your budget. All of our circumstances are custom fit to our lives. As for my circumstances, my boys go to their father's on Wednesday and then again every other weekend.

Stocking up on gas is also warranted especially if you can get discounts from certain grocery stores (BJ's, Stop&Shop and others). One time I had 303 gas points which equates to a .30 cent per gallon discount. I could go about two weeks on a tank of gas; that's a deal that has some mileage to it. However, these days I am focusing on keeping gased up, especially with the long travel times associated with the inclement weather.

I recently timed my homebound commute. I realized it takes me 20 minutes to get home even though my office is 3 miles away; and that's in moderate traffic. Once it took me 1 1/2 hours to get home along the same route; that was the big snow storm back in 2008.

Here are some suggested items to stock for emergency reserves (think snowmaggedon, think layoff), take it for what it's worth:

1. 20 lb bag rice



Yum!  (c) 2013.



2. 20 lb bag beans

3. 20 cans of fruit



4. 20 cans of vegetables

5. 20 cans of meat

6. 2 large jars of peanut butter

7. 2 large cannisters of tang

8. 2 containers of powder drink mix

9. 2 bags of flour

10. 1 bag each of sugar, salt, and oats

11. 1 gallon of olive oil

This list is courtesy of youtube.com (Note: it doesn't mention water, which of course you would need plenty of in an emergency.)