Author of The Blackout Book and the online course Bloom Where You’re Planted
Lots of folks have mentioned that their grocery stores never fully restocked after the rush on food and supplies back at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown. And with the current news stories about spiking COVID numbers, it may not be long until we’re locked down again.
Work on what’s within your control
It’s important to note that even if you are unconcerned about the virus, there are a lot of things that could be out of your control in the event of another governmental series of actions:
- Workplaces may close back down
- Supply chains may be further damaged
- The economy will take another hit
- You may not be able to go where you want
Real, or not real; dangerous or not, the end result for us is the same.
It’s just like the debate over whether a terror attack in the news is a false flag or an actual terror attack. Every time I write about surviving one of these attacks, people flock to the comments to tell everyone that it was all crisis actors, the whole thing is a hoax, or our own government did it to take away our guns.
But we’re talking about survival. If you’re there when the bullets are flying or the bombs are going off or the planes are crashing, it doesn’t matter who’s behind it. Your only goal at that point is to survive it.
With COVID, does it even matter if the numbers are accurate or not? Because the government is using it as an excuse to exercise rigid control over all of us – telling us when we can go to work, when we can visit with loved ones, keeping us away from hospitals and leaving our ailing relatives to die alone, and enforcing laws about masks and appropriate distances.
Whether or not there’s another lockdown isn’t within our control. There are those who believe the entire thing is baloney and that we locked down for no reason. There are others who believe the lockdown saved countless lives. As it’s impossible to prove a negative, we really have no way of knowing if our lockdown worked or not.
If stores aren’t open or supplies aren’t available, the end result is the same whether the virus is as deadly as it’s portrayed or not. You may not be able to get what you need.
This article is about what you CAN do – you can be prepared. With that, at least, we have some control.
Things to buy every time you go to the store
We can reasonably predict that some of the things which were out of stock during the last run on the store will be low again. People will remember the things they couldn’t find and they’ll be determined to get them this time. Most stores still have limits on certain products, so I suggest that every time you go to the store, you add the following items to your stockpile:
- Toilet paper (or you may be stuck with one of these TP alternatives)
- Bleach
- Hand sanitizer
- Canned goods
- Yeast
- Baking supplies
- Powdered milk
- Rice
- Beans
- Meat
And if you have a baby in the house, don’t forget to grab:
- Infant supplies like diapers, wipes, formula, etc., if applicable
You may not need to get these items every time but definitely pick up a few extras:
- Paper towels
- Disposable plates and cutlery
- Disinfecting wipes
- Disinfecting sprays and cleaning products
These were some of the most common things that people ran out of or couldn’t purchase the last time around. Allocate some of your budget to purchasing some of these items to put back every time you see them. This will help to replenish your stockpile, which isn’t necessarily an easy task in these days of purchase limits.
Other things you may want to do
A lot depends on whether or not you are considered an “essential worker.” If you are, your life may feel somewhat normal. If you’re not, being home all the time could feel like a pretty big change.
- Save some money – another stimulus check and another round of unemployment + $600 are not guaranteed.
- Gather the supplies needed for projects to stay productive – organizational containers, paint, hardware, fabric, etc.
- Get what you need to work comfortably from home – laptop, office chair, headset, etc.
- Take a look at different homeschool programs for your kids – here are some suggestions for places to start.
Check out this article – it’s a thorough guide to preparing for the second lockdown.
Now is the time to prepare
If you prepare little by little, it’s a lot easier on your budget than buying your entire lockdown inventory all at once. And keep in mind, everyone is thinking the same thing – “I’m not going to run out of toilet paper this time.” You may not even be able to find what you need if you wait until another series of lockdowns are announced.
By adding an extra $20 or so of supplies each time you visit the store, you’ll be better prepared next time around.
Do you think we’re headed for Round 2 of lockdowns? What are the things that you’re picking up every time you go to the store? Share your thoughts in the comments.
About Daisy
Daisy Luther writes about current events, preparedness, frugality, voluntaryism, and the pursuit of liberty on her website, The Organic Prepper. She is widely republished across alternative media and she curates all the most important news links on her aggregate site, PreppersDailyNews.com. Daisy is the best-selling author of 4 books and runs a small digital publishing company. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Buying a little extra each time you shop and as the stores restock is a good idea to prepare for the potential second wave (even if it never happens). If the second wave happens this fall, it will coincide with the flu season. Inflation is likely in the coming months as well so having a well-stocked pantry is a good idea no matter what may come our way.
You are always on point…without fail. Thanks Daisy.
Other things I am trying to stock up on:
Alcohol (the kind you get in the pharmacy department but I still can’t find it.)
Hydrogen peroxide (It has a shelf life and may lose effectiveness.)
Beef & chicken bouillon
Beef & chicken gravy packets
Eggs (I scramble them & put in the freezer. I can’t keep chickens right now.)
Chewing Gum (keeping life fun for the grandkids.)
Supplements
Essential oils (My favored source is out of some so I have expanded to a couple of other sources.)
Pet food & litter
Pet flea treatment
I still can’t find hand sanitizer but I do have alternatives.
Sams Club and Costco have had good supplies of bouillon, gravy mixes and supplements
Thanks, Arlene. I no longer live close to a Costco but I could still buy online from them.
If it helps I’ve started using Revive Oils in the past year and they are great quality, It’s not MLM so prices are much more reasonable but quality is still there. They also have similar blends as all the larger MLM companies.
Thanks Jessica. I don’t use MLMs either. Bulk Apothecary has always been my go-to and their quality is outstanding. The secondary sources I have added are Plant Therapy & Eden’s Garden. I will check out Revive Oils as well.
You can try Mountain Rose herbs. They sell oils, bulk herbs and spices and a host of other good stuff!
My go to also!
I have also switched to Revive! Love their products.
I’ve been able to find hand sanitizer in very weird places. Like ace hardware, gun stores, etc! So look in different places. I even found some in Albertsons. It’s not apparent. You’ll have to look in weird places.
Most of the shopping places around here are in the county next to mine and their Covid-19 case numbers have exploded. A friend told me people there were taking ibuprofen whenever they knew they would have to get their temperature checked so that they didn’t get sent home.
My shopping has mostly been curbside pickup or online but there is a little hardware store I can check. Thanks.
Walmart website currently has rubbing alcohol, peroxide, and hand sanitizer.
Andersonseedandgarden website has heirloom seeds in $1 portions.
Thanks! Just placed an order.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this affordable tesource!
See if you can find Everclear in the liquor department. It’s 190 proof grain alcohol. It’s better than Isopropyl. I use it to make my own hand sanitizer (with Aloe Vera Gel) and sanitizing wipes.
Spot on! And stocked up.
Anything more than 70.% alcohol is wasted.
Drink the other 120 proof
Be careful if you do find hand sanitizer. See FDA warning with methanol contamination hand sanitizer VERY dangerous,
see link to FDA website:
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-methanol
Fleas seem to be bad this year. So i have stocked up on different flea treatment products (collars, pills, neck treatment, spray, house bombs, flea powder, diatomaceous earth). For the house critters and barn critters. Also went through several treatments of worming meds…it seems that the fleas brought intestinal parasites too – tapeworms. Ugh!
Also, don’t forget extra feed and treats for any chickens or other farm critters, as well as their bedding. I bought pine bedding from Menard’s last month at 4.99, and it just went up to 5.99.
Other items to get extra of when you find them – tooth paste & brushes & emergency dental items, feminine hygiene items, next size up of your kiddos clothes & shoes (hard to find shoes with Payless gone), Chocolate chips or other go to comfort food.
Buy a cheap alcohol still. You can make you own hand sanitizer. Its an essential for preppeds imo
I ordered 8 quarts of 99% anhydrous alcohol from Walmart for about $30. 99% alcohol has disappeared from stores around here but we can get 50% and 70%.
Great list JB especially the pet items . I find they are always out of stock lately.
I think the next big run will be on canning supplies. While many people do not know how to can or have the equipment there are plenty who do that will be pulling it out of storage, from grandma’s basement, etc. to bottle the surplus from the garden they grew for the first time (or in years) or to preserve fruit. Right now there are supplies and I’ve been able to price shop but it will get tougher when canning season hits. Along with that grab sugar or whatever else you need to preserve fruit, tomato products, etc.
Also make sure you have comfort foods like some cake & brownie mixes, chocolate in whatever form you like, etc. Avoid nuts or anything with it in unless you can refrigerate/freeze it. I’ve had to toss brownie mixes I bought with walnuts in them whereas the ones without nuts have stored fine for at 5 years plus in dry, dark, cool conditions.
Also add pasta to the list – it stores a long time and can be used with many recipes. My local grocery store even ran a sale on American Beauty pasta for 88 cents a bag. If you have flour, rice, beans, and pasta plus a vegetable and meat you have the basics for dinner. Buy whatever potatoes you can keep without them going bad – or better yet hopefully you are growing them.
You are right to stock up on canning supplies, Arlene. The price of canning lids (online) is double or more what I remember paying at Walmart pre-covid-19. The Mainstay kind, which is apparently a Walmart brand, was not doubled in price but it was not allowed as an online purchase. I will check the local grocery store as they have been less likely to balloon the price.
Gardening supplies is another thing to grab. Who knows what we will find next spring.
Canning lids for wide mouth jars are very difficult to find around my neck of the woods. I think I have enough for this season but it’s unnerving to not be able to find more.
Tattler re-useable libs. Order from their site on-line.
Love my Tattlers! I’ve been going to the farmer’s market every time it’s open (fridays in my area) and seeing what’s available that the family and I will eat that I can jar up. I’m thinking many smaller batches this year, and certainly fewer stringbeans! (had to ditch a dozen jars that were so old they unsealed! ugh…) I think next up in my area is peaches, if the many late frosts/ snowstorms didn’t kill the crop!
I’m going to see if I can’t get some additional strawberries this friday…
I wouldn’t use the Mainstay lids. They have a high failure rate.
Agreed. And I’ve had the Mainstay jars break when pressure canning. I won’t use those for anything but jam that only has to be in a boiling water bath for a few minutes.
Arlene, you are so right about the pasta! I stock up in a big way when it’s less than a dollar per lb. I put it in half-gallon Mason jars, then use my Food Saver to pull a vacuum on it and seal. These are air tight, moisture proof, dust/insect/rodent proof. Done with a good seal, I think my pasta will last over 5 years minimum.
Dont forget about the furry four legged companions too!
Other things to consider:
Quality hand tools.
Screws, nails, wood glue, spray foam insulation, chalk or silicon.
Light bulbs.
Flash lights and extra batteries.
Sharpening stone of some kind. And, learn how to use it. Nothing more dangerous than a dull kitchen knife.
and not the cheapo brand spray foam that you can find at Wally world. One of my neighbors threw out a can cause it didnt spray right..leaked all over.
Spray foam insulation doesn’t store well. Keep the cans upright and at room temperature. There’s also different amounts of expansion you can buy as well.
Wonderful points! This is my favorite way of stocking up – not so hard on the wallet, easier on everyone else, and less likely to attract suspicion. I add vitamin enriched protein powders and bars to my list because (a) I’m dieting and (b) they make great meal replacements if other things aren’t as available. Some people don’t like them but if you’re someone who does, they also have a fairly decent shelf life.
Daisy,
Your advice is always spot on. Adding a bit at a time is not only more affordable but it allows you to prepare within the purchase limits set by a given store.
If another lockdown were to happen in the fall (or even just trade disruptions from a second wave in Asia etc), that could encompass Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas (and of course other important holidays for different faiths). Once the basics are taken care of, folks may want to consider stocking up ahead for the meals and traditions that are specific to those holidays. If by chance you are locked down but you can still host a relatively “normal” Thanksgiving donned, or have some of the gifts you planned for Christmas and the ingredients for your special Christmas cookies might be an important moral boost. Plus you will buy the stuff anyway-so it won’t go to waste. It’s just purchasing it early.
Personally I already purchased the electric keyboard my daughter wants for Christmas…
I, too, have been thinking about pre-purchasing birthday and Christmas presents, especially things that are made primarily overseas. I know that may sound “frivolous,” but creating some sense of normalcy and tradition is important for mental health.
I’ve no issue find anything but disinfectant sprays and true 95 masks. We are re-stocked. Ammo is still running short but can be ordered online for those who live freely enough to do so.
Are we heading back to a lockdown yeah BOHICA. It won’t go smooth this go round which is what some groups on all sides want for different reasons. That only makes it worse for those of us just trying to live and run agendas.
Online ammo sources are drying up, too.
ok, I have been trying to figure out what BOHICA stands for, but just cant come up with anything that fits. can you please enlighten me?
From Urban Dictionary:
Top definition:
BOHICA
acronym, although pronounced as if it is a single word, for “Bend over! Here it comes again.”
Thank you!!!
Lol my bad
We used it a lot in the military. They would brief us on something that had happened before and was going to happen again in the negative aspect and we would all sound off with BOHICA.
It’s just our way of “Embracing The Suck” and keeping the spirits up.
You know we are heading for another lockdown, jobs are laying off left and right and as many have mentioned inflation and shortages.
It’s gonna happen, ain’t nothing I can do bout it and it’s not gonna be good so BOHICA
Same here. I looked it up.
Bend Over Here It Comes Again. Apparently military slang. 🙂
Lol. Haven’t heard BOHICA in a long time.
I personally believe we’re headed into inflation,big time. So get what you can now and avoid paying much more for the same items later. If I’m wrong you’ll just be well stocked ????.
I agree with you, sis. I have bought us all new clothes and set them aside, as well as new winter gear, and set it aside, for when the day comes that we cannot afford new clothing.
I’ve also gotten new clothing, not so much because of affordability but availability. I’ve noticed that there’s not much selection these days and I doubt it’s going to get better. I got extras of sturdy jeans, sweats, hoodies, socks, jackets, and boots for all of us.
I’ve gone back to making my own when I can find the fabric for it. Have already told husband that I’d like to order a couple bolts of sturdy fabric once I find the right one that will suit the whole family. Also leaning more towards wool and cottons, natural fibers that will hold up a bit better. (would love to get linens, but it’s just too expensive for me right now!)
Fabrics-store.com has some great linen’s – lightweight, middle weight and heavy weight. Prices are pretty steep but they are wonderful fabrics and the company ships very quickly. I get the sale emails and occasionally they have reduced prices. I love the look, feel of this linen compared to linen I have purchased from Joann’s! Also, I like the fact that it is a natural not synthetic product.
I agree with this sentiment. I have bought some natural fabrics as well. Wool over linen will keep you extremely warm.
Yes, extra footwear for everyone, PLUS socks!! And more socks!!! You know, they don’t last as long as the shoes/boots!! I never even thought about availability. I never imagined a day where we could not FIND what we wanted. Lived too sheltered a life I guess!
I recommend Darn Tough socks from Vermont. They are made here in VT and are guaranteed to last. They cost more but are so worth it. I only wear their socks. I’m lucky to be able to shop in person at their deep discount weekend sales held in November where they sell their irregulars, unsold pairs etc(these aren’t guaranteed). You can buy them online too.
Salvation Army for shoes and clothes
Question: do you feel safe shopping salvation army/ goodwill during the pandemic? That is normally my first goto but hesitant since covid
Also, set aside new sheets and towels. In low times in my life, having new linens was such a morale boost. Simple, I know, but I comfort myself where I can.
Thank you Erika! I am going to do that, too! New linens are as good or better than chocolate.
Great list, Daisy! I too am having a hard time finding isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, but many items you listed are back in stock. I’m getting gallon size zip lock bags, which come in handy for many things, as well as quart size canning jars. I’ve also stocked up on boullion and spices which can make dull food taste a ton better!
I was able to order Isopropyl alcohol from Wal-Mart.they allowed 2 bottles of 70%.(hope this helps)
Thanks, Susan- I’ll try that!
You’re right on Daisy. The lunacy will not stop until they have total control including taking our stuff which won’t happen over night. Whatever the cause it’s wise to be prepared. I’d add white vinegar to the list. Good for disinfecting and cleaning. There were limits placed on this too. We get canned meats and fish, ramen noodles, canned fruit, coffee, olive oil, coconut oil, canned soup, honey, black strap molasses (has potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium). To save on tp I use a small flip top squirt bottle (former facial oil bottle) as a bidet and only use 1 tp instead of multiples wipes. Rather than using 1 roll of tp every few days one lasts a week plus. Medicinals like wild mediterranean oregano oil (keep in fridge until opening), elderberry syrup, and vitamins. It’s going to be really difficult for folks when they roll out the next (fake) phase. We need to read our Bibles, ask for forgiveness and pray for wisdom, discernment, and protection. This country has done horrible things inside and outside the country. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me.” Hosea 4:6. Also please read Ephesians 6:10-18 The Full Armor of God, https://biblehub.com/kjv/ephesians/6.htm
If you have a baby, use cloth diapers, get a bedit kit for your toilet. People need to think outside comfort and the norm. Also get a SquattyPotty. You get more out and us less TP.
Your comment about never being able to prove a negative is not quite accurate. In science, the phrase is you can never prove a positive, because although you may have 100 scientists swearing that a theory is true, all it takes is one scientist showing that the theory is false to destroy the theory. In like vein, you may have 100 health “experts” swearing that the coronavirus lockdown was necessary and saves lives, but all it takes is one true health expert to demonstrate that the premise is false to destroy the validity of the statement.
Dont forget your animal friends. Food, treats, litter etc, pet meds.
I found it really hard to get certain herbs and vitamins and still backordered on some.antioxidants, multiple vitamins, herbal teas.
Definitely flour, yeast, salt and sugar.
Bulk Apothecary sells dried herbs. My husband has an ear ache and I just used garlic and BA’s dried mullein to make ear oil for him.
I grew mullein last year and hoped it would self-seed but it didn’t. I will have to plant more.
Mullein is a bi-annual, meaning it grows as a plant the first year and the next year the same plant returns and will flower and seed that year. I had a plant seed dropped by a bird and now it has reseeded more plants in my yard.
CB
I may have missed this, but I don’t see Masks on the list. Our WM Supercenter has them again now. Even if you don’t believe they help (and some don’t), there are more and more places demanding you wear them to be allowed entry. I live in NW Arkansas and we are now a “hot spot,” and our state may be put on lockdown again, Round Two. Even now. to enter a restaurant you must wear one until you order or your first food/beverage is served. And some businesses just require them.
Even if you don’t use them, there may come a time when you or someone you know will need them.
Agree on the pharmacy style alcohol. When the virus first hit, my spray disinfectant ran out fast and I couldn’t get any more. Luckily I had two bottles of alcohol and paper towels to wipe everything down instead. From what I’ve read, this works instantaneously too. Still have lots left over. A little goes a long way. Also on the vinegar………so many uses. But it sure comes in handy to preserve all the garden veggies when you don’t have a pressure canner. Can pickle everything! And it will unclog a drain with a good helping of baking soda – non toxic. Also great as a fabric softener. Stock lots!!
Love the list!! I’ve been stocking up on TP and other necessities for a while. Toilet paper and medical alcohol sometimes are hard to get when shopping online, especially Walmart pickup! Sanitary wipes, hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap are like looking for hen’s teeth sometimes, and when you DO find it, it’s limited to like 1-4 per purchase.
Unfortunately, with all of the hand sanitizer usage, there have been people who have had adverse reactions to it, including children who have had bad reactions to the sanitizing solutions that the stores have used on there carts. I saw pictures posted of a child who looked like they had a severe sunburn on the back of their legs from sitting in a store cart. It wasn’t pretty looking.
I have problems with wearing masks. I’ve had a problem with things being over my face since I was a child. I feel like I’m being suffocated and it makes me feel very anxious and panicky, and I want to punch someone, and at 64 it hasn’t changed any. I wear them when I have to, but I’m only in the store for less than 10 minutes….. yup… short usage is fine, but longer than 10 minutes and I begin to have anxiety and panic attacks. I’m thinking about making some of my old light weight T-shirts and a cotton caftan into single layer masks so that I have one on but maybe I can still breathe! If I’m going to get it, I’m going to get it. GOD IS IN CONTROL….. not me.
I have ordered face shields because here in south Texas, nobody will want to be wearing a mask in July. AARP had an article about them (which a lot of people disagreed with because they felt they were not recommended), but I suspect that face shields will do a pretty good job. In the comments section of the article, a physician said that he had been using face shields for 15 years in his family medicine practice and he had never gotten sick. That was enough for me! I ordered mine from the Henry the Hand web site (the site recommended by the doctor). I ordered a pack of 5 face shields for $30, and you should be able to clean them for reuse. You will see medical personnel wearing face shields as well as masks, so they must be somewhat useful. You can research this yourself, but I don’t think it would hurt to have them available. For those of you who find it difficult to breathe with a mask, this might be an alternative.
I teach at a public preschool. When/if we open in the fall we have been talking about the teachers wearing face shields so that children can see our faces. Personally, I’d rather wear a face shield over a mask for long hours at a time. I’ve had to wear a mask several times for an extended period and it was hard. After a while you start feeling claustrophobic and I think it tires you out quicker.
Actually you are in control of yourself and your behavior. Make some comfy masks you can wear. If you use t-shirt material make sure the holders around your ears are sewn a little tighter. the t-shirt material has a tendency to stretch out after multiple wears. Take care. You can breathe and you can stay safe. Pray before you go into the store.
I also experience the same anxiety & anger covering with face masks. It must have something to do with the lack of oxygen. I have had good results in most stores, etc. with wearing a mask but not pulling up over my nose. So I appear to be wearing the mask but can survive it fine as my nose is free to breathe. Might work for you as well.
Until about mid-March I’d stock up every 3 months on everything but fresh produce and dairy. Then things changed and I decided to stock up and not buy anything, and I mean anything, from July 1st to December 31st unless it was absolutely necessary. Birthday and Christmas gift cards for the grandkids are an exception but the money has been put aside. It took me 6 weeks to figure out how much of everything I needed to buy to sustain the 2 of us for 6 months. Hubby will continue to buy dairy and some fresh fruit. Can’t get him to see it my way, but that’s okay.
I’ve been questioned on where I’ve stored this stuff – live in FL & have no basement, attic or suitable outdoor/garage storage. So..guest bathtub holds all the paper goods, dishwasher holds cleaning supplies, guest room closet holds food, water, etc. Regular pantry has everyday food. Bathroom and bedroom closet have feminine products, lotion, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. I was actually surprised at how much of some things we use and how little of other stuff that I had previously thought of as essential.
This is all on top of the hurricane supplies we have to have. The money we will not be spending will be set aside for future purchases. Fortunately, we can grow pretty much all year and I have lots of seeds and sprouting seeds. It should work out but only time will tell.
Bellen, I also struggle to find storage space – I’ve concluded that I have too much stuff. Rather than have heaps of toilet paper, I’ve tried the “family cloth” method. I went to Wally W, purchased a big pack of their cheapest washcloths, then cut each into 6 pieces. I zigzagged around each piece. I only use them for liquid ‘deposits’; solids get the toilet paper to use. Ladies, this is awesome! So much cleaner and softer when wiping! I have an empty detergent bottle (kept close by in the bathtub) filled halfway with water and a few drops of detergent to put the cloths in after use. When you add a cloth, screw the lid back on and agitate by giving the bottle a few shakes.
I tried this and realize how easy this is. I am saving tons of toilet paper. Since I have been successful with this ‘proof of concept’, I am now confident that should another TP shortage happen, I will be fine.
Great comment, Bellen. Lots to think about.
Seems like a bad year to do that type of thing. You could be stuck with 1/2 as much food as you need. But you do you n
I live in NC and have noticed a definite shortage on canning jars starting back in April. There was a problem with Wal-Mart’s on line order of jar lids. I ordered some and the price reflected one thing. I got charged about 5x what they were advertised. I went to a local WM and spoke with the manager who advised me to return them on line. Oddly when I went to the site the lids showed the initial lower price I had originally seen. When I hit the order button, the price instantly changed to a higher one. At the time WM’s online chat was down as well. When I finally did reach someone and told them the situation, they were unable to reach the vendor and did a refund and told me to keep the lids. That worked out for me because I had ordered several boxes so it was an unexpected blessing. Just suggesting that if the price seems way out of line, there may be a technical glitch.
So many excellent suggestions. There are so many possible needs! I’ll add a few ideas to those already in the comments.
–For sanitary needs: (This may sound extreme but the knowledge should be a top priority).
Large, heavy-mil trash bags and powdered lime. If electricity is down for an
extended period you can empty any residual water from the toilet bowl and insert the trash bag into
bowl as a bowl liner and close lid. After use, sprinkle with powdered lime. Use this bag for solid
waste only, if that is possible.
One bag heavy bad is good for a few days depending on usage. Close bag securely and bury. Double bag at the beginning of use if not heavy mil bag. Poor sanitation has killed more people world-wide than all of the wars combined!
— A standard shovel to bury bags of waste or trash if you have an area where that is feasible.
— Learn where to place and how to dig a “Cat Hole” for proper waste disposal. Practice doing this
before it may be needed.
–If possible, store barter items. There have been lists on The Organic Prepper and other sites as well.
–Consider alternate modes of heating your house or apartment that do not depend on outside
sources.
–Alternative easy food prep methods that do not require a stardard out-sourced power like electricity.
–Learn how to pressure can meats. Once they are canned they are fully cooked….. chicken, beef,
venison etc. Very easy, quick and nourishing. Easier to can than most vegetables.
–Learn to dehydrate and seal foods. Useful if you must abandon your location and carry food.
–Keep a running list of your stored food with expiration dates. (These dates are usually longer than dates on the food containers state) Don’t store in cardboard boxes. Learn how to store foods long-term! Mice, bugs, heat and humidity, cemet floors and attics are not your friend.
–Sleeves of canning lids can be ordered online. Usually 10 dozen per sleeve. Cheaper that buying in
1 dozen size boxes but they are a sizable investment.
–Do as many repairs to your house and tools as you can…now. ie: insulating, roof repair, safety
measures.
–Gather resourses for home teaching.
–Put drier sheets around your stored of TP to deter mice. Best if contained in a tote or closet. Even
plastic bags with drier sheet and wrapped TP will be helpful.
–Stock up on mouse traps and other critter deterrents. Keep open foods in airtight containers…or
reseal them with a Food Saver Jar Sealer Lid 2 sizes.($10 ea.) Sealer is a great food investment.
Need a Food Saver Hand-Held Vacuum Sealer ($25 at walmart) Both devises small and easy to use.
If you want a non-electric way to seal then get a hand brake bleeder at a hardware store or on-line.
— When considering Christmas or other holiday gifts perhaps make gifts of the things that may be in
short supply ,food staples, seeds, paper goods, vitamins, their hobby staples like yarn, fabric,
woodworking tools etc. Just consider the possible needs for the family or individuals.
Wrap the gifts with pizazz to add to the normalcy of the holiday.
— Learn to forage properly both for food and medicinal plants. Know how to use the things you
forage. Possibly purchase a good plant book for your geographic location now and prepare as you
can.
–Do all that is possible to obtain any chronic medications for as many months as you can. (This is easier said than done). You may have to pay out of pocket to extend your supply. There WILL be shortages. China produces, along with India, most of the western world’s medications.
— Having spent increased time with your clan during this Spring/Summer lockdown use that
experience to prepare for a full cold weather lockdown with them! Depending on where you live
those conditions will be different.
–Teach children to participate in family preapredness and in work. They can often do more than we imagine if taught and given the chance and appreciation.
–One last thing: As we prepare physically and emotionally, it may be very helpful to make sure we have prepared or begin preparing, spiritually and humbly. If we look at what is happening outside of the “lockdown” ,as illegally restrictive as that may have become, it seems that one of the goals of the very bad apples is to tear down right-thinking ideals of a free society, including God,speech, thought, prayer, independence…really any vestiges of the history, both good and bad, of our once great republic and replace them with hate, fear , destruction and control. One thing we can do is to spend time alone and/or with family and friends, teaching, learning and building up a stronger knowledge of our faith in what has and still does make America a bastion of Freedom and how we can individually and as a people, return to those principles of Godly righteousness.
2 Chronicles 7:14
I am always stocked ahead except fresh but the freezer is helping with the dairy issue of that. I went to Costco in the middle of this last week. I went to price new appliances but while there I looked for canned fruit. They had tomatoes and that was it. The only canned vegetables they had were beans and not the green ones. There was plenty of fresh but no canned. I will be adding that to my rolling list. Thank you for all the other ideas also. I feel so blessed to be able to read and drink in all your knowledge.
Where I am, the are lots of canned veggies and fruits. I expect such will turn up from time to time, so the thing is to grab extra when you see them–without being too selfish. Let others have some, too. Also travel is rarer than 2019, and full of karen dangers. But you will see stock-up opportunities in different places, if you do travel.
The toughest thing for me was finding fresh produce, especially lettuce to put on a sandwich. So I tried learning to grow microgreens – fast, fairly easy, low-input. This winter should go better for me …
So I am letting my lettuce plants go to seed, along with many other plants, to use for growing microgreens this winter. I also bought a big bag of the black oilseed sunflower seeds to either use for sprouting this winter or growing for chicken feed next summer.
Seed saving is a nice skill to have and will provide you with seeds to plant next year and microgreens to have this winter.
Black oilseed sunflower sprouts are wonderfully crunchy – I found that I could not grow them easily inside, but can outside in pots. They must be grown as micrgreens, not as sprouts in a jar. For indoor jar sprouting I really like fenugreek, red clover and radish sprouts to put on sandwiches,in salads or a garnish on cooked dishes. Of course, mung bean sprouts for cooked dishes and raw on salads, I stick to the least expensive sprouting seeds – cabbage instead of broccoli as the cabbage is almost as good nutritionally as broccoli but costs about 2/3’s as much.
for folks with mask wearing concerns, why not make your own Shemagh using cotton or other natural lace-type fabric?
just a thought
How about an ample supply of birth control products? Or else a comprehensive collection of home baby delivery products.
White and apple cider vinegar ,yeast,TP,cleaning supplies of all types, laundry detergent. Canned fruit and tuna ,salmon,,oysters,clams,seeds,mackeral in cans,filling freezers with meat.
live poultry,garbage bags.Building supplies .Garage sales for gardening tools, matches,candles. here cleaning supplies low. toilet paper very expensive, yeast and canned fruit very low! Seeds scarce.
Lord God I pray that we’re not but everything points to it happening again. I’m afraid that this time it won’t be good enough to be prepared for what you can’t buy but you will need to be prepared to hold on to it.
If there are enough people that can’t get what they need we may jump to riots for another reason. It really isn’t that far fetched. It only depends on people’s frame of mind and I’ll tell you. The way that they are believing everything they hear right now, I don’t think that it would really take that much to set them off.
I saw one person mention coconut oil in passing, and I think it deserves a bit more attention. As a cooking oil it helps to make really good scrambled eggs per the Fannie Farmer methodology. As a shaving cream oil it works for both male and female. As part of a fire starting kit, I got a strong six minute burn after taking a match to a half tablespoon’s worth poured onto a cotton ball (for anyone who’s ever had trouble getting a fire going in a camping or backpacking stove…). As a substitute for butter, it doesn’t need refrigeration. There are considerable health benefits I didn’t mention. Bruce Fife (ND) has a whole book about coconut oil on Amazon — short titled “the coconut oil miracle….” It is an incredible multipurpose item.
–Lewis
Guns and ammo. I missed this last round as I wasn’t in a permanent place of residence in time before the virus panic began. Now it’s the riot/looting panic buying of guns and ammo. Hopefully I’ll manage to get what’s needed if we get a lull in the action.
Add to this list a pressure canner if you don’t have one, although they don’t seem to be available. Not sure about water bath canners as I already have one. And canning jars and lids of course. Definitely purchase yeast and flour if you can find them as well as sugar and honey. Pasta, beans and rice. Vinegar. Tomato products unless you are positive you will have enough to can.
Garden seeds are a problem- bought extra so I’d have for next year as well (for most things) but discovered too late that one seed company has had a lot of “issues” so the seeds don’t germinate, some are not what were supposed to be in the packet etc. This left me really short in some categories and I’m playing catch-up trying to score seeds in those missing areas from better more reliable seed companies. Also, if you can find garden supplies such as row cover, etc, buy it now- have never been able to get the insect-grade row cover I needed as it’s sold out everywhere. And seed starting supplies for next year if you need them- flats, plots etc.
A freezer if you still want one and don’t have; they were sold out and had long waiting lists. So get one(or get on a list) if you still need one.
Any type of equipment that allows someone to work from home- huge gaps in what’s available now. My headset broke and I was shocked to see that most are out of stock.
Vitamins; espec. D and C and maybe zinc. Elderberry syrup/gummies.
Some resources
For flea meds, try flea assassin. Same ingredients as the big name brands with great prices.
Woot has hand sanitizer and masks right now.
Etsy another place for masks and hand sanitizer
Disinfectant spray. Wally world, but it goes fast so the timing needs to be right.
And yet another source for essential oils is Eden botanicals.
I would also suggest:
Crafting supplies, especially for people with kids.
Sewing and knitting supplies.
Crossword or word search puzzles.
Repair items like glue, duct tape, nails and screws, screening, etc.
Replacement filters for (de) humidifiers, a/C’s, vacuums
Masks or materials for diy, especially elastic strips.
My grocery store finally has yeast packets again (still no instant yeast though), and the bags of frozen mashed potatoes and bags of organic chicken breasts that I always bought in the past but hadn’t seen for months. I’m stocking up on things like that that my family eats and that will probably be hard to get if/when things go south again. I usually get a bag of dog food every time I go to the store so that I’m building up a good stockpile for my two dogs. Laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, white vinegar, and toilet paper. And flour now that I’m baking bread regularly. We have two freezers but I bought a mini one for the basement kitchenette for increased storage. We also invested in a whole-house generator. It all adds up to increased security and preparation, which is what this is really all about–preparing for the hard times that are probably here to stay for awhile.
Good article, thanks for sharing. I have been volunteering at a food pantry to help out and occasionally get “rewarded” with some extras. Costs me nothing but some time, meet good people, have some fun as well, and, the obvious, helping out others. Typically, what is donated to the food bank arrives in HUGE quantities…..more potatoes or apples or whatever than most people can handle,,,,,and surprising,,,,almost nobody cans or preserves…… So, once in a while, get very lucky when there is just too much for the food bank to handle!
My motto: Preps are all about the steps! Steps turn into miles when you just keep stepping….Don”t look to start a marathon, look to take a short walk,,,,and before you know it, you will be ready for a marathon.
We have been the most blessed when we share. I am NOT saying share your preparedness plans or stores,,,,,we keep that VERY PRIVATE…..but when you get something you can share,,,,just do it! If you get more apples than you can realistically use or process,,,,,share! I cannot tell you how many times we have been more than blessed after we have shared something that we probably would have wasted some of………. 2 bushels of tomatoes the night before an early morning vacation departure……….gave them away,,,,,begrudgingly I might add,,,,,but when we got home,,,,we had more tomatoes given to us than we had before we left. Happens all the time,,,,so yep, prep, but don’t be afraid to share. We also like to help keep our local volunteer fire department pantry stocked for when they have extended calls or storms, power outages etc.
Daisy, Thank You So Much for all of your hard work, if it wasn’t for you, I would not know half the things that I know about concerning surviving. Thank you for sharing and reminding all of us that we need to be smart about this virus. I take your advice very seriously, and I will be buying extra supplies that we ran out of with the first pandemic. Thank you so much for caring about the safety of people you don’t even know! You’re a hero, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your excellent advice! God Bless You and Your Family. Tammy Mohl
I even stocked up on playing cards,books,and game boards. No sense watching t.v. news or anything that passes for entertainment these days
another lockdown?
you should already be prepared.
if you have a full stock you should be prepared to defend it.
the lockdown could be for civil unrest.
i’m guessing in early november.
How is what the govt is doing to get COVID under control exercising control? Ultimately it is wanting us to make a sacrifice for a greater good, the overall health of American citizens. No different than rationing of gas and other commodities to support the war effort during WW II.
I’m stocking up on dehydrated/dried fruits and veggies as well as many varieties of nuts and seeds. If you can get these with a vacuum seal even better. I am also making tinctures, salves, drying herbs, and making sure that first aid items are well stocked. Water is also important folks even if you just filling a bunch of mason jars. Meat and grain shortages are being predicted with the Salmonella outbreak here in the U.S. and a pig flu rumored as a new pandemic from China so, chicken and pork will likely see inflation and scarcity soon. Rice is another one that is already starting to be controlled in parts of of southeast Asia. Many sheeple will only have enough supplies for a couple of days or weeks at most (even after the first lock down). These asleep will line up as they did for the food pantries already only this time at the local Walmarts/Costcos. Also, I’m not concerned about hand sanitizer or tp, but am about having enough vitamin D3, C, zinc, and Chaga mushrooms. If Celeste Solum is right, ammo, ready to eat food, and water are what will keep us away from FEMA camps and guillotines like the one they just setup outside a complex owned by Jeff Bezos.
I don’t want to cause a panic but I just discovered that there is a beer can shortage. A couple of months of quarantine has created a huge demand for beverages in cans rather than our normal method of getting a glass of pop or beer from a restaurant or bar. For those that only buy in bottles, you aren’t exempt. A can shortage means others will switch to bottles. This explains it better.
https://www.inside.beer/news/detail/usa-brewers-face-severe-shortage-of-12-ounce-cans.html
You may want to consider building a keezer or kegerater! I went the easy route and stocked a bit. My sons home brew but we’re set for the summer at least. Can’t keep beer too long so stocking in large quantity is out. Soda is also affected by the can shortage so you’ll be seeing a lot more plastic bottle sales.
Other then that, vinegar is something I’m stocking along with Sure-Jell for making jam. At least when the big harvests of home planted cucumbers arrive I can pickle mine without searching for vinegar at the last minute. It’s one of the only things I clean with, and rinse my fruit (diluted with water) to stop mold.
I agree with getting things to stay or get prepped for a 2nd wave BUT…
I live in an apartment on a fixed income and limited storage space. Under my bed and the bottom as well as the top of my closet are jammed with supplies. My cupboards are full as well. I have only the freezer on the top of my apartment sized refrigerator and no $$ to purchase a free standing freezer nor a place to put it. SO, what I have done is prepare for alternatives for things like paper towels, TP, a plant based diet.
I have decided to change my mindset regarding things like “you may be stuck with one of these TP alternatives” to “what are my alternatives and how can I incorporate them NOW”. There are still some things that are in very short supply or not available at all where I live. Haven’t seen yeast on the shelves for at least 3 months. Fortunately, I have a supply but I now have sour dough starter and have learned how to make a very good flat bread that doesn’t require a yeast or leavening at all. I am also learning new skills or relearning skills that will be a necessity for 1) making useful items for survival; 2) keeping my hands busy; 3) just to be creative.
I learn a lot from each article and the the comments section on this site! Thanks so much for getting the conversation going on this topic Daisy.
Daisey, I am looking for the jalapeno relish recipe that you posted Last year? Where can I find it? Please, please.
Hi, Sharon – here you go! https://www.theorganicprepper.com/holy-jalapeno-relish/
Hello,
Still having trouble finding TP, paper products at the big box stores, like Costco. Went to a discount grocery store the other day and was told I could only purchase 4 cans of any bean type; not much else on the shelves either. I did find yeast packets SCORE. No Clorox wipes or any Clorox products of any kind to be had, can’t find them at the big box stores or large chain stores either. When knock off disinfectant products come into stock they are limited and go quickly.
Been trying to hit up unusual places to shop, drove an hour each way the other day to an Amish warehouse store. Took advantage of some good finds. One find was 10 lbs of pasta for $5.99 Whaaaaat? So, I purchased 3 different types YIPEEEE Pasta tonight, the next night….. LOL
Hope this helps… keep on PREPPING!!!
The grocery stores in my area are fully stocked. Some items are even overflowing at times. Toilet paper packs sitting on the floor in the isle in front of a full shelf of the stuff. Ham section was overflowing also.
Steel Wool and 5 gallon buckets are a must have.
I saw on your list to buy bleach every time, but doesn’t bleach lose its effectiveness relatively quickly? I’m using it more frequently than before – diluted for sanitizing spray – but I’ve only used maybe one gallon since the kids were sent home in April.
I’d hate to buy several bottles, and have them become useless before I could get to them. Is there a way to store bleach to extend its effective life?
Ravenamore,
You heard correct! It’s about half strength after six to eight months, depending on storage conditions. There is no way to extend its shelf life. However, you can buy pool shock (calcium hypochlorite) in powder form and make your own bleach. It saves a bunch of money, and in powder form it lasts years. It must be stored in a dry place, and not in metal. A plastic container works fine. Look for the highest percentage of the active ingredient, and don’t buy any with other additives if you can avoid it. Check with your local pool supply.
I use Ultima TKO which is 73% pure. A one pound bag costs about $8, last time I checked. That makes a lot of bleach! One and a half tablespoons per gallon is a good start. You can adjust from there as needed.
It also works great for cleaning horse watering barrels and such. Hope this helps!
The grocery stores in my area are fully stocked. Some items are even overflowing at times.
Don’t forget supplies for your pets, if you have any. When the lockdowns first hit, I noticed certain types of cat food weren’t as available. And Costco still doesn’t seem to have the depth of back-up on some kinds of canned cat foods as I recall seeing before March of this year.
Be sure to get seeds for next summer as soon as they become available. Get open-pollinated non-GMO types and learn to save seeds (Seed To Seed is an excellent book).
And speaking of books, old-fashioned, printed-on-paper books can always be read even if the grid goes down. Just sayin……
Dishwashing detergents and laundry powders, vinegars and our medicines are important important for our household.
Canned oysters ,sardines,tuna,salmon .Any canned food on sale .Rice on sale,canned sweet potatoes,garlic chopped in jars,large 25 pound flour ,sugar, rice yeast. Butter,olive oil,lard,canning jars and lids,apples,beets carrots,parsnips,squash,oranges, grapefruits.cabbages,celeriac. Garlic fresh from farmers market. I grew 120 pounds potatoes so don’t need to buy. large pails honey from local farmer.11/2 beef from local farmer.(to be shared) looking for pig too. Leeks from farmers market to store in frig.Onions ,shallots.lemons and limes and prepared lemon and lime juice in bottles. vitamins,elderberry,vinegar,echinacea.Fuel ,wood, socks,shoes Blankets, towels, coats and gloves. Hoes,trowels,shovel, seeds, canned ham. Lots of these ideas from you daisy!
I’m done with this site! It’s a shite hole of messy ads and does not deliver what is promised in the headlines.
Greedy Daisy doesn’t want to help people, she wants clicks. Good riddance!
Yeah. You’ve figured me out. I don’t want to help anyone – I just want to take their money. That’s why all 3000 articles on my website are free for anyone to read and why I fund the thousands of dollars per month it costs to run my site with ads instead of a paywall. It’s why I offer every book I publish myself for free to people who can’t afford it. Greed, greed, greed.
Wow, you sure busted me. I’m so sorry you’ll never be back.
Don’t forget to add extra pet food and supplies each time as well.
I’d also add bottled water as something to pick up at least every 2nd or 3rd shopping trip, to keep a 30-day supply on hand. When chaos is pending, water is one of the first things stripped from the shelves.
I just made bread from flour I dry canned in 2013. It was as fresh as when I put it in the jsr.
This is how I routinely shop. Early in 2020 I decided that we were not using food in a timely manner. Lots were used and then the restrictions happened. In Australia the shopping chains themselves set limits. These limits did not consider if a family was small at two or three, or bigger like some up to 16 or more. Last week we were put under a very strict three day lockdown and the brawling for baby formula and paper goods happened again. This household faced those days with calm. We had plenty to eat, read and do. I found we low on masks but that is on its way to rectified. I need to use surgical masks…the fabric ones are useless for me.
We follow the “One is none. Two is one” rule. Whatever is in the fridge or the pantry there is at least one spare out on the storage shelf. If its something we eat a lot of there may be two or more spares. Once one item is used up we replace it next trip out, put it in storage and move one in storage into the house. Keeps rotation going properly. My wife is a fanatic over “use by” dates so that helps.
Don’t forget the OTC medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, antacids, anti-diarrheal meds, anti-septic medications, and wound dressing supplies. A small cut or even a splinter can become infected quickly if not properly cleaned and cared for and getting professional help may be difficult.
Great tips!
Find a lot of things mentioned here that are hard to find by visiting a farm supply or farmers Co-Op. Read the posted list of things available home grown.
No shots or mask here, use Ivermectin instead from local co-op and have given some to folks diagnosed with covid and they were well in 3 days.
For fleas use 20 mule team Borax sprinkled on animals back and sprinkle next to walls.
Stores stocked up here in Alabama, no shortages. Specials do run out so go early to get them. Plenty when special is over.
Read up on, or talk to a Native American about what foods are available in fields and woods since by far most of it out of ignorance goes to waste.
DONT FORGET THINGS FOR THE PETS OR ANIMALS!!!! food, litter, toys, bedding, medicines, etc….they are family also…..
coffee filters