Collecting Water in a Crisis? Let Me Count the Ways
We’ve all been taught the importance of storing water for an emergency. It’s kind of a no-brainer, if you think about it.
We know our main water source could be cut off following a disaster. Such as the one occurring recently in East Palestine, Ohio. That’s where 38 train cars derailed, including 11 carrying hazardous materials, threatening the quality of drinking water.
And we know we need water to survive. So, the more drinking water we have stored in a safe place, the better off we’ll be.
But no matter how much water we store, we could run out eventually. That’s why it’s crucial to know both where you can find water and how to collect it. There’s one more key component to this process – filtering that water – and I’ll get to that at the end.
In the meantime, let’s look at ways to find and collect the water we will need to survive if an emergency halts our normal access to water.
Collecting rainwater
First, it’s important to know in advance exactly where water sources near you are located. This could be a stream, river, pond, creek or lake.
But if rain is your only option for collecting water, there are ways to do that. Including developing a homemade system or purchasing a ready-made one.
The most simple DIY way is to cut one of your drain pipes and divert it to a large barrel. Make sure to have several barrels available so you don’t lose out during a heavy or extended rainfall.
An elaborate system features underground rainwater collection tanks. This is costly but does have the advantage of allowing you to collect water covertly.
Underground water still
Another option for collecting water is creating an underground still. First, choose a location that gets plenty of sun during daylight hours. And that is in a low-lying area.
Next, dig about 15 inches down. The sides of the hole should not be straight up and down. Rather, aim for a bowl shape.
Place your collection container in the center and cover the entire hole with plastic sheeting. Including the container.
Place a rock over the container and use other rocks to hold down the sides of the sheeting. Condensation will gather in your container. It might be difficult to collect more than one quart per day, but that’s better than nothing.
Swimming pool & hot water heater
Yes, I know what kids do in pools. But if you have a pool used by your children or grandchildren, you may need to access that water for survival.
Drain water from the pool into your barrels and other containers. Due to chemicals and other impurities that might be in the water, filtering is a must.
Another place from which to collect water is inside your home. You may have as many as 30 to 60 gallons in your hot water heater.
Most hot water heaters have a valve from which you can access the water. But you will need a hose or pump to make the collection easier.
Wells and cacti
If you don’t already have a well on your property, you might consider installing one. This water could become contaminated by whatever problem is affecting the general water supply. But perhaps not as quickly.
Some of you live in Arizona or other states containing cacti. Some types can be a source for water in an emergency. But some are poisonous.
There is an art to gaining water from a cactus. I’d recommend doing an Internet search if this is an option for you.
Whatever you do, don’t just hack away at it with a machete. You may wind up wasting what precious little water it contains.
Dew, transpiration bags & toilets
Early in the morning, tie one clean rag around each of your feet and walk through an area of grass where dew has not yet evaporated. Then squeeze the water from those rags into a bowl.
Another option is a transpiration bag. Tie a clear plastic bag around a branch with plenty of green leaves. Water should collect in it throughout the day.
I was hesitant to mention this ninth and final one because of how gross it is. But desperate times call for desperate measures.
Personally, I wouldn’t touch water in a toilet bowl unless I absolutely had to. But the six or so gallons in a toilet tank are somewhat cleaner.
5 more you can’t do
These next five methods of collecting water are impossible for the average person. I’m only mentioning them because I find them interesting.
One is catching fog. A large vertical mesh made of screen materials can intercept the droplet stream and collect it in a storage system.
A second is cloud seeding. This technology involves dispersing small particles into clouds. This has the potential of increasing the volume of water those clouds drop.
A third is minimizing evaporation. This can be accomplished through a catchment area in a small reservoir of a cultivated area.
A fourth is desalinating seawater. If this were easy and inexpensive to do, no one in the world would ever be thirsty. But they are making strides in this area.
A fifth is iceberg harvesting. Theoretically, it is possible to move an iceberg, although there are countless environmental concerns about it.
Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn
The following recipe for Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn is from Mrs. Alaska. She writes: Popcorn deserves a place in long term food storage pantries. It is inexpensive, lightweight, long-lasting, filling, and a versatile, easy snack that can be enjoyed sweet or savory, pleasing almost everyone. Archeologists have determined that the popping form of corn was domesticated […]
How to Make Your Fruits & Veggies Last Longer
Just about everybody loves fruits and vegetables. And knowing how good they are for us adds another positive dimension to eating them.
But there is a downside. If you don’t eat fresh fruits and vegetables during the first few days after you buy them, they usually go bad.
We promise ourselves we won’t let it happen again, but a week later we look in the fruit bowl and see dark brown bananas or soft oranges. Or we open the veggie drawer in the fridge and smell something we know doesn’t belong there.
Today I want to provide you with two valuable pieces of information. The first is tips on how to make your fresh fruits and vegetables last longer. The second is an easy way to always have delicious and long-lasting fruit on hand and ready to eat.
Let lettuce leaves go AWOL
If you buy bagged salad at the grocery store, you know how great it looks when you place it in your refrigerator. But after it’s opened and you use some of it, watch out. The lettuce will start wilting quickly.
A good way to avoid this is by removing the lettuce leaves from the rest of the salad items, washing them off, and placing them in an airtight, zippered bag.
If instead you purchase a head of lettuce, remove the individual leaves and soak them in a bowl of cold water for a couple of hours.
Then rinse them off and put them in an airtight, zippered bag, then place it into the fridge. Your lettuce leaves will stay crisp and fresh much longer this way.
Onions, asparagus & herbs
Onions are another item that can go bad, sometimes even before you use them. To avoid this, chop them up when you get home from the store, put them in a resealable bag, and place them in the freezer.
Remove the bag and grab what you need next time you’re preparing a salad, then return the bag to the freezer.
One of the reasons other vegetables such as asparagus start wilting too soon is because they lack hydration. To offset this, store them upright in a glass with about an inch of water in it. Or, wrap a damp paper towel around the base of the asparagus.
You can do the same thing with herbs including parsley, basil, coriander, dill, mint, and others. If you want to be frugal, you can store leftover herbs in an ice tray in your freezer and pour water over them. Other herbs such as rosemary and thyme can go in an airtight bag in the fridge.
Fruitful strategies
If you’d like items such as tomatoes, apples, pears, melons, avocados, and mangoes to ripen because you want to use them in the next day or so, leave them in a bowl on a countertop where you’ll see them and not forget about them.
But items such as grapes, berries, and citrus should be refrigerated so they don’t deteriorate too quickly.
If you cut fruit and only use some of it for a meal, protect the remainder from softening too quickly with an airtight seal.
Then place that bag or container in the fridge. This will help your fruit last much longer.
Bacteria-fighting vinegar
One thing to keep in mind when ensuring that fruits and vegetables last longer is not storing them together in the same bag or container.
Some fruit produces ethylene gas, which can make vegetables (and other fruit, for that matter) ripen too quickly.
When you get berries and other fruits back to your home from the store – or from picking them outdoors – wash them in a 3-to-1 or 4-to-1 ratio of water to vinegar. The vinegar will help kill any bacteria found on fruits.
Let them dry on parchment paper, then store them in a container with the paper. But leave the lid slightly open to give moisture a chance to escape.
A few more tricks
- For fruit that has not ripened yet – such as apples and peaches – put them in a paper bag and place it on a windowsill.
- You don’t need to wait until you’re ready to eat your fruits and vegetables to wash them off. Do it as soon as you return from the store or your garden and they’ll be ready to eat as soon as you want them.
- Most fruits will last longer in a fridge than in a bowl on a table or countertop. Including apples, berries, grapes, apricots, pears, peaches, nectarines, and cherries.
- But some fruits will do better at room temperature. Such as bananas, oranges, grapefruit, cantaloupe, watermelon, lemons, and limes.
- If you wait a little too long to eat fruit but you’re still not ready to eat it, chop it up, place it in airtight bags, and toss it in the freezer. You’ll want to use it later for smoothies.
Utilizing these tips and tricks to making fruits and vegetables last longer will reduce food waste and help you save money by preserving precious resources.
Freeze-Dried Berry Super Pack
A moment ago I mentioned berries. They are among the many fruits that are both tasty and nutritious. Picking your own berries while hiking is a fun activity – as long as you know which ones are safe and which ones aren’t.
But if you’d prefer a one-stop shopping experience for berries, I’ve got one for you. It’s the Freeze-Dried Berry Super Pack from 4Patriots.
It gives you 96 servings of freeze-dried blueberries and strawberries (48 servings of each) designed to last 25 years under proper storage conditions.
Packed in triple-layer Mylar pouches, the freshness and flavor stays in. Eat them right out of the bag or combine them in your favorite recipes. To cook, just boil, simmer and serve.
Save Money While Preparing for a Crisis
Inflation is in full force. For many of us, money is scarce right now and we’ve had to tighten our belts.
But here’s the irony. Stockpiling emergency supplies including food is more important than ever. So, how do we prepare for an uncertain future without spending a lot of money?
The answer is to spend smartly. And that’s what today’s communication is all about. I’m going to give you some budget-friendly ideas for stockpiling food you’ll need for the next emergency.
And in addition to having the benefit of a food supply with a long shelf life, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re prepared when disaster strikes.
Focus on long shelf lives
Following an emergency, it’s likely the electrical grid will not be functioning properly. So, you want to make sure a vast majority of your food items are non-perishable and have a long shelf life. In the meantime, for items that don’t, rotate them out periodically so they don’t go bad.
Among the philosophies that must become part of your daily life regarding food are the following:
- Never pay full price for anything. Always look for bargains. Watch for flash sales. These one-day events offer great savings, but you have to act quickly.
- Buy items in bulk at places such as Sam’s Club or Costco. Or when they’re on sale in regular stores.
- Cut and use coupons.
- Find and use in-store-only offers.
- Grow your own food and preserve it. There is tremendous savings in growing fruits and vegetables. And storing some of them for the colder months of the year.
- Watch for the best deals on websites such as Amazon. They could have exactly what you’re looking for, at a price much less than what you’d spend at a local store.
Other tips & tricks
One of the first places you want to look at to save money is your weekly grocery bill. If you’re not paying attention, it can really add up. These days, the average couple spends well over $500 a month on groceries. Let’s look at a few simple ways to save.
Make a list. Grocers know how to position products so shoppers will purchase them. If you have a list, you know just what you need (and what you don’t). And of course, if you avoid shopping when you’re hungry, it’s that much easier to resist tempting displays.
Also, choose foods your family will eat. Variety is important, both physically and psychologically. You could buy some of the healthiest food in the store, but if your family won’t eat it, you’ve thrown your money away.
Shop at Aldi. This no-frills chain offers a smaller variety of products. Usually one store brand of each item. If there is an Aldi in your area, you can easily save money on your grocery bill. Prices are often even better than at Walmart.
Aldi stores now offer imported foods, fancy cheeses and lots of fresh (even organic) produce. And you’ll save a few pennies by taking your own grocery bags.
Buy store brands. Buying store brands alone can take a huge chunk out of your grocery costs. Sometimes there will be a brand name item or two you can’t do without. But more often you won’t notice the difference. Except when it’s time to check out.
Buy in bulk. I’m not talking here about warehouse stores, which have membership fees. And usually a minimum price tag of $10 per item. Even in a regular grocery store, you don’t want to buy large amounts of just anything on sale.
It’s about buying more of things you already use often when there’s a significant sale. If it means you shop less often, this can add up to even more savings.
Another item to purchase in bulk is produce. Onions, potatoes, apples, and lemons are almost always cheaper when you buy the bag. Just make sure you actually use them so they don’t go to waste.
Buying beans and grains in bulk can also stretch your dollars while providing hearty, healthy meals.
Use digital coupons. Many stores offer digital coupons not available in the weekly newspaper. To acquire these savings, you’ll likely need to set up an account and check off the coupons you wish to use each time you shop.
Doing this ahead of time as you scan the weekly circular can help you write your shopping list around items with the biggest savings.
Stick to the store perimeter. Center aisles have many expensive, processed foods full of salt, sugar, and other additives. The outside ring of the store is where you’ll find more foods such as produce, meat, and dairy.
You’ll still need to visit the center aisles for a few things. But focusing on the perimeter will give you more bang for your buck. Try leaving your cart at the end of the aisle, and just dash in for the item you need.
Freeze meals. If you’re buying in bulk, you’ll want to make sure things don’t go to waste. You can freeze many items including bread, milk, and chopped vegetables, as well as whole meals. Just remember your power could go out in a crisis.
There are cookbooks with recipes for freezing meals in bulk. When you make a meal, cook enough for two meals so you can serve one and freeze the other. It requires almost no extra work, but will save you time and money.
Use fewer ingredients. Sometimes the simplest food tastes best. But you wouldn’t always know it looking at some of the complicated recipes out there.
Sites such as Allrecipes are great for finding different options for your favorite recipes. And usually the top reviews will include tips on how to make them even easier.
Even more ideas
Here are a few more money-saving strategies when food buying:
- Eat before you go to the grocery store. It’s amazing how much more food we buy when we walk the aisles with an empty stomach.
- Buy plenty of groceries. Wait, I thought we wanted to save money. We do. This is a good way to do it because it will lead to eating in instead of eating out or ordering in. Just make sure to consume what you purchase.
- Watch for daily deals. Websites such as dealnews.com and dailysteals.com offer prices you rarely see anywhere else on a variety of items. Just remember not to buy anything you wouldn’t have otherwise bought.
- Look for free food offers and BOGO deals. Usually with free food offers, you only pay shipping and handling. In addition to getting free food, you can determine whether you want to buy more survival food from that company.
We’ve all learned that preparedness is crucial. Regardless of how tight our budgets are. By following some of the suggestions above, we can all afford to be prepared for whatever life throws at us.
3-Month Survival Food Kit
Here’s a great way to add to your stockpile quantity at an affordable price:
The 3-Month Survival Food Kit from 4Patriots comes in two water-resistant, stackable totes. Inside, each food item uses top-of-the-line Mylar pouches – the same material used in NASA’s space suits – to keep air, moisture and light out. So your food stays fresh.
And this is the perfect time to purchase our 3-Month Kit because it’s back in stock. It’s bigger and better than ever. With tons of variety. This is the “done-for-you” solution to your survival food needs.
Designed to last 25 years, this Kit features 688 family-favorite servings for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That’s 135,440 total calories.
Plus free gifts including a 72-Hour Survival Food Kit and a Victory Garden Seed Collection, free shipping, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Here’s how to get yours…
Start the New Year Fresh by Decluttering
One of the best things about turning the calendar to a new year is the fresh start it represents. There’s no guarantee things will be better in 2023 than they were in 2022, but we can always hope.
In fact, we can do more than hope. We can prepare. One of the ways to gain a fresh start AND prepare is by decluttering our homes. Especially if we’re feeling overwhelmed by our home environment.
For a few of us, this might be an easy task because we’re already pretty well organized. For most of us, however, it will take some work because we’ve let too many things slide for too long. Stuff has piled up that we should have taken care of a while ago.
And in most cases, it’s not just one room that has become cluttered. I have several rooms to go through. You may be in the same boat.
The more organized our homes become, the better prepared we’ll be to deal with the problems life will throw at us this year. If nothing else, it won’t take us 30 minutes to find batteries for the thermostat or a remote. (More on that in a moment.)
Decluttering tips
So, today I’d like to provide you with some tips for decluttering your home. First, though, gather some supplies that will help you in this task. Including garbage bags, plastic gloves, labels, and some empty boxes. Here we go…
- 4 is all you need. When you’re going through your clutter, put things in 4 boxes: 1 to keep, 1 to throw away, 1 to sell, and 1 to donate.
- 6 is enough. I’m referring to months. If you haven’t used an item in the past 6 months and don’t see a need for it in the next 6 months, it’s probably time to get rid of it.
- Start with your closets and drawers. Once you’ve tossed out, given away, or sold some of the clothes and shoes you rarely wear anymore, you’ll have additional space for things you really want to keep.
- Next, tackle your food pantry and refrigerator. If you’re like most people, you probably have a number of expired items in each.
- Same with your medicine cabinets and toiletry bags. This is a great time to get rid of expired items and things you don’t use any more.
- Your desk drawer is now in the spotlight. With many of us working at least some hours at home these days, desk drawers are fuller than ever. There are certainly items in there that you can do without.
- Now it’s time to attack those junk drawers. Usually we just toss things into these drawers; seldom do we empty them to see what we need to keep. You may end up with a drawer that’s only half-filled instead of completely filled.
- Entertainment and leisure items also need to be organized, thrown out, or donated. They include your board game collection, craft supplies, books, and magazines.
- Let it go. You probably have some other items you plan to get to some day. Such as a couch you want to upholster or a chair you want to paint. If it’s something you keep putting off, it might be time to say goodbye.
- Share the fun. Decluttering will go much smoother and faster if you have a partner in this venture. If you can get your spouse or roommate on board, it will become a more enjoyable experience. If they say no, you can always reply, “OK, I sure hope I don’t toss out anything you wanted to keep.” That should do the trick.
An ongoing project
Once you’ve decluttered, the worst thing you can do is allow clutter to take over again.
Vow to keep it from happening by devoting 1 hour per week (or whatever it takes) to determine what to keep, toss, sell or donate.
These mini-sessions will be much easier to deal with than your original major decluttering project that starts off your new year.
And if you keep up with this for the entire year, you won’t have a large decluttering assignment waiting for you in early 2024.
About those batteries…
Earlier I used batteries as an example of something you want to keep organized in your home so that you can find them immediately when you need them. I’ve got the perfect way to do this. And it won’t merely save you time. It will also save you money.
Standard batteries have a bad habit of dying just when you need them most. And when you open that kitchen drawer, you find every type of battery except the one you need.
My suggestion to remedy this situation is the 4Patriots USB-Rechargeable Battery Variety Pack. It features five different battery types (AAA, AA, C, D and 9-volt) – 50 altogether – each ready to go at a moment’s notice.
You can charge radios and flashlights with these rechargeable batteries. As well as smoke detectors and fire alarms. Plus emergency lights, TV remotes, toys and other items. And all of your batteries are protected in hard-shell storage cases.
Why depend on single-use batteries? They could die at the worst possible time. Especially when you could use batteries that recharge up to 500 times.
Get your USB-Rechargeable Battery Variety Pack here >>
4Patriots Helps VetLinx Connect Vets to Services and Resources
4Patriots recently participated as a sponsor of VetFest in Brentwood, Tennessee, donating a 2-Week Survival Food Kit and a Patriot Health Alliance Slimline Zero-Gravity Massage Chair for drawings, as well as Emergency Food Bars for veterans’ gift bags. The event featured a Heroes Stroll, presentations, live music and prize drawings.
There are approximately 16.5 million veterans in the United States. There are also many organizations devoted to helping them acclimate to life back home and access programs established to benefit them.
But due to the wide variety of ways these organizations function and the documents they require, many veterans struggle to get connected and find the help they need.
That’s the main reason VetLinx was established in 2011 and became a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization in 2013. It’s a collaborative community partnership program designed to identify the main barriers veterans face in accessing resources and services, and to develop a pocket guide to improve access to services and care.
“Our main goal is to be a bridge,” said Faye Baldwin, Chief Operations Officer for VetLinx. “There are thousands of programs and institutions that help vets, yet there are more vets that are dropped through the cracks because each institution does something different.
“Vets can call an 800 number, sometimes with desperate needs, and get turned away for missing documentation. We can help them find the missing information and get them what they need.”
Always looking to help veterans
In one of many examples where VetLinx stepped in to help, a 36-year-old veteran with a family including one developmentally challenged child was fired from his job for missing work due to a doctor’s appointment. VetLinx provided financial aid to help the veteran through this trying time.
VetLinx provides services in the community with a registered nurse and an accredited veteran service officer who teaches veterans, family members and others in the community how to access veteran resources, VA benefits, health risks based on an era of service and much more.
Every year VetLinx representatives march in the Nashville Veterans Day Parade. This year they also hosted a pre-parade breakfast, sponsored by 4Patriots.
The organization, which is funded through corporate sponsorships and aided by the fundraising efforts of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, hopes to host a military ball and silent auction in 2023.
VetFest draws a big crowd
Vetfest is a family-friendly event featuring entertainment for all ages, music, military history, food and resources including medical and community outreach. The recent 5th annual event celebrated military family service and veteran-owned businesses, and offered resources.
Funded by businesses and donations via sponsorships – and helped by the National Guard – it featured onsite resources for benefits, housing, medical, education, employment, food and mental health. Recognition ceremonies included Quilts of Valor, Missing Man Ceremony and a Flag Folding ceremony, including the meaning behind each fold.
There were also military displays and art and activities tents featuring card games, art projects, yard games, and a Branch of Service war game. The Kid Zone featured prizes, activities, yard games and face painting.
There was also a Time Machine Landing Zone in which community members were encouraged to adopt an era of service and make a display or dress in military clothing from the era they were representing. The Heroes Stroll included young Marines in a color guard forming an arch for veterans to go through.
“The veterans love that the Heroes Stroll is short and that they can do it in a wheelchair,” Faye said. “This year a vintage Harley Davidson motorcycle with an American flag led the Stroll. Local musicians donate their time and talents, with the same musicians coming back each year.
“In addition to the color guard, we played the National Anthem, had a prayer and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. We also honored VetFest volunteers who had passed away in the last year and presented a Quilt of Valor to Renee Wall.”
4Patriots participates in event
4Patriots hosted an exhibit space at VetFest at Granny White Park in Brentwood, Tennessee in October.
Attendees tasted our Emergency Food Bars, tested our Patriot Power Sidekick and learned about survival food offerings.
“I can’t thank you enough,” Faye told us. “What you have done to support us and our veterans is wonderful. The monetary donation was a wonderful surprise.
“I am lost for the appropriate words to tell you just how much that helps us support our veterans in need. It’s like Christmas for these veterans.”
To learn more about VetLinx and how they help veterans, visit www.vetlinx.org.
As we’ve mentioned many times before, the type of donations we are able to make to worthy organizations such as VetLinx are only possible because of your purchases of 4Patriots products. Thank you for helping us help them.
You Can Stockpile Survival Food While Budgeting
Do you have a stockpile of survival food ready in case of emergency?
If your answer is no, I’ve got a great, free way to get you started. And if your answer is yes, I’ve got a great, free way to add to your supplies. Either way, you win. More on this in a moment.
Winter is on its way. And while there’s never a good time to be out of food, winter is the worst season for this to happen as far as most of us are concerned.
There are a number of problems that could cause additional food supply chain issues this winter. Extreme weather, a pandemic, a rail strike… But when you have a survival food stockpile, you don’t have to worry about that stuff. You have peace of mind.
Nearly 2/3 of Americans living paycheck to paycheck
Now, it’s easy to say, “Get a stockpile of survival food.” It’s another thing to be able to afford it. Inflation has hit all of us very hard.
According to a recent report from CNBC, 63% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. That’s nearly two-thirds of us.
Why? Because rising prices are outpacing income gains. There is less cushion in monthly budgets. Anuj Nayar is the financial health officer for the LendingClub report. Here’s what he says.
“Consumers are not able to keep up with the pace that inflation is increasing. Being employed is no longer enough for the everyday American.”
Things are tough; we need to be tougher
As a result, many people aren’t even thinking about trying to stockpile food. They’re focused on surviving until the next paycheck.
And if they are thinking about it, they’re saying they’ll start or continue stockpiling food when things improve.
Well, that seems like faulty thinking to me. There is no guarantee things are going to get better in the near future. In fact, there’s reason to believe they could get worse.
The way things are going in the world, we need to be prepared. Fortunately, there’s a way to prepare for an uncertain future. Even on a tight budget.
Watch for long shelf lives
Today I want to discuss the importance of stockpiling healthy, nutritious food for an emergency. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to do this. There are some simple and inexpensive things we can do now to get ready for a crisis.
Following an emergency, it’s likely the electrical grid will not be functioning properly. If at all. So you want to make sure a vast majority of your food items are non-perishable.
In addition, we don’t know how long an emergency will last. So it’s best to have as much food stockpiled as possible. And make sure most of it has a long shelf life. In the meantime, for items that don’t, rotate them out periodically so they don’t go bad.
If you’re not already in budget mode, try to get there. That means always thinking about how you can spend less and save more. Among the philosophies that must become part of your daily life regarding food are the following:
- Never pay full price for anything. Always look for bargains. Watch for flash sales. These one-day events offer great savings, but you have to act quickly.
- Buy items in bulk at places such as Sam’s Club or Costco. Or when they’re on sale in regular stores.
- Cut and use coupons.
- Find and use in-store-only offers.
- Grow your own food and preserve it. There is tremendous savings in growing fruits and vegetables. And storing some of them for the colder months of the year.
- Watch for the best deals on websites such as Amazon. They could have exactly what you’re looking for, at a price much less than what you’d spend at a local store.
Tips and tricks
One of the first places you want to look at to save money is your weekly grocery bill. If you’re not paying attention, it can really add up. These days, the average couple spends well over $500 a month on groceries. Let’s look at a few simple ways to save.
Make a list. Grocers know how to position products so shoppers will purchase them. If you have a list, you know just what you need (and what you don’t). And of course, if you avoid shopping when you’re hungry, it’s that much easier to resist tempting displays.
Also, choose foods your family will eat. Variety is important, both physically and psychologically. You could buy some of the healthiest food in the store, but if your family won’t eat it, you’ve thrown your money away.
Shop at Aldi. This no-frills chain offers a smaller variety of products. Usually one store brand of each item. If there is an Aldi in your area, you can easily save money on your grocery bill. Prices are often even better than at Walmart.
Aldi stores now offer imported foods, fancy cheeses and lots of fresh (even organic) produce. And you’ll save a few pennies by taking your own grocery bags.
Buy store brands. Buying store brands alone can take a huge chunk out of your grocery costs. Sometimes there will be a brand name item or two you can’t do without. But more often you won’t notice the difference. Except when it’s time to check out.
Buy in bulk. I’m not talking here about warehouse stores, which have membership fees. And usually a minimum price tag of $10 per item. Even in a regular grocery store, you don’t want to buy large amounts of just anything on sale.
It’s about buying more of things you already use often when there’s a significant sale. If it means you shop less often, this can add up to even more savings.
Another item to purchase in bulk is produce. Onions, potatoes, apples and lemons are almost always cheaper when you buy the bag. Just make sure you actually use them so they don’t go to waste.
Buying beans and grains in bulk can also stretch your dollars while providing hearty, healthy meals.
Use digital coupons. Many stores offer digital coupons not available in the weekly newspaper. To acquire these savings, you’ll likely need to set up an account and check off the coupons you wish to use each time you shop.
Doing this ahead of time as you scan the weekly circular can help you write your shopping list around items with the biggest savings.
Stick to the store perimeter. Center aisles have many expensive, processed foods full of salt, sugar and other additives. The outside ring of the store is where you’ll find more foods such as produce, meat and dairy.
You’ll still need to visit the center aisles for a few things. But focusing on the perimeter will give you more bang for your buck. Try leaving your cart at the end of the aisle, and just dash in for the item you need.
Freeze meals. If you’re buying in bulk, you’ll want to make sure things don’t go to waste. You can freeze many items including bread, milk and chopped vegetables, as well as whole meals. Just remember your power could go out in a crisis.
There are cookbooks with recipes for freezing meals in bulk. When you make a meal, cook enough for two meals so you can serve one and freeze the other. It requires almost no extra work, but will save you time and money.
Use fewer ingredients. Sometimes the simplest food tastes best. But you wouldn’t always know it looking at some of the complicated recipes out there.
Sites such as Allrecipes (AllRecipes.com) are great for finding different options for your favorite recipes. And usually the top reviews will include tips on how to make them even easier.
We’ve all learned that preparedness is crucial. Regardless of how tight our budgets are. By following some of the suggestions above, we can all afford to be prepared for whatever life throws at us.
Free 72-Hour Survival Food Kit
Earlier I promised a free way to get you started on your food stockpiling journey or a free way to add to your stash.
Right now, you have access to a FREE 72-Hour Survival Food Kit from 4Patriots. All I ask is that you pay shipping and handling, which I think is fair.
This kit features a total of 16 servings, with Grammy’s Sweet Oatmeal for the morning, America’s Finest Mac & Cheese for noontime and Creamy Rice and Vegetable Dinner for the evening.
Simple to prepare, this delicious and nutritious food will carry you through a rough 72-hour stretch. And it’s designed to last 25 years under proper storage conditions.
Stock Up on Inexpensive Survival Gear
Perhaps the most common reason people give for not preparing is money.
They say that because they live paycheck to paycheck, there’s never anything left at the end of the month for stockpiling supplies.
It’s not that they don’t believe in the concept of preparing for an uncertain future. They’re fully convinced they’d be better off with survival food, water and a bunch of other items that will be essential for dealing with a crisis.
It’s just that when they finish paying for all the stuff they absolutely have to have, everything else is a luxury.
Thrift store prepping
I completely get that. And I sympathize with the plight of those who are barely scraping by.
But I also know that occasionally some unexpected money comes in. It might not be often and it might not be a lot, but it could sometimes be enough to get a survival stockpile going.
How? By purchasing items at the lowest possible price. And by doing it over time, rather than trying to gather everything at once.
So, whether you want to get started stockpiling necessary items for an emergency or you just want to economically add to your existing stash, here are some ideas for grabbing items from a Goodwill store or other low-cost venue. They might include Dollar Stores, Navy recycle stores and garage sales.
An economical goldmine
Winter clothes. Coats, gloves, hats and boots can usually be found at bargain prices at Goodwill or another thrift store.
First-aid kit. This is a kit you can form by purchasing bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, etc. You might even see a pair of crutches, a brace and a sling for sale.
Backpack. Yeah, it will be used, but so what? It will be far less expensive than a new one in a retail store. Make sure it has wide shoulder straps and a reinforced bottom.
Ponchos and other rain gear. Most of your winter clothes won’t be waterproof, so you need stuff that is. Grab an umbrella while you’re at it.
Sewing kit. Fabric, needles and thread will come in very handy when stores are not open and you have to mend clothes or a tent.
Gas can. If the grid goes down and gas stations close, a gas can filled with gasoline will be a precious commodity.
Tools. No one is going to care how shiny their tools are in a crisis. Pick up some used hammers, screwdrivers, shovels and rakes.
Blankets. Even if the inevitable disaster occurs during the warmer half of the year, nights will get cold. Wool blankets will feel like lifesavers.
Camping equipment. Look for used tents and camp stoves, which will be much cheaper at thrift stores than elsewhere.
Pots, pans and other kitchen gear. Very expensive when they’re new, these items can be found at great prices in thrift stores.
Survival items. Multi-tools, Mylar blankets and other survival gear can often be found at these types of stores. Not all of ‘em, but some.
Books/games/crayons. If you have to bug out and TV is a thing of the past, these items will provide boredom relief for you and the kids or grandkids.
Hunting gear. Even if you’ve never hunted before, grab some camouflage clothes, game bags and boots. Someday you may have to hunt for your meals.
Buy 1 Get 2 FREE Survival Food Kits? YES!
By saving significant amounts of money on items listed above, you could have funds remaining for life-saving survival food with a long shelf life.
And this is the perfect time to both stock up on survival food and save money. Why? Because for a limited time, we’re offering a Buy 1 Get 2 Free 72-Hour Survival Food Kit deal.
This delicious food for breakfast, lunch and dinner comes in disaster-resistant packaging and is designed to last 25 years. So you can lock in savings & peace of mind for the long haul.
With this Buy 1 Get 2 free deal, you’ll also get a free $25 gift certificate and a free Ultimate Survival Handbook. Not to mention we offer a military and senior discount.
Californians Lose Power in Triple-Digit Temperatures
The recent extreme heat wave in the West was yet another vivid reminder of the vulnerability of the nation’s electrical grids. There’s only so much power the grids can generate – and that’s when they’re working perfectly. Heat waves put too much demand on the system.
In today’s News4Patriots, I’ll tell you how severe conditions were in California and what residents were asked to do to keep the grid functioning. As well as reminding you that blackouts can occur at any time… and in any situation.
When a heat wave takes a grip on an area of the country and doesn’t let go for an entire week – as it did in the West earlier this month – people and the infrastructure suffer.
Government officials must decide whether to launch rolling blackouts so that the grid doesn’t completely collapse.
People already sweltering then lose power for at least several hours. Often during the hottest part of the day.
This is much more than an inconvenience. It’s a safety issue, especially for children and the elderly. When the grid is down, there’s no escaping extreme heat.
Demand Exceeds Supply
How high were the record-breaking temperatures? In Sacramento, California’s capital, the temperature reached 116 degrees. It was 110 in Fresno, 117 in Fairfield and 108 in San Jose. Plus 107 in Las Vegas, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah, and 101 in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Across six states, 52 million people were under extreme heat warnings and advisories. More than 500,000 Californians were warned their power could be cut off at any time to avoid a grid meltdown. Power was also cut off in six Oregon counties due to high winds.
Tens of thousands did lose power, mostly in the Bay Area. People were seen sitting outdoors with bags of ice on their heads and popsicles in their mouths. Others flocked to the beaches, spending most of their time in the water.
California Governor Gavin Newsome tweeted, “These triple-digit temperatures throughout much of our state are leading, not surprisingly, to record demand on the energy grid.”
Emergency Alerts on the Rise
In California, emergency energy alerts (EEA) come in three tiers. EEA level 1 is used when real-time analysis shows all resources are in use or committed for use, and energy deficiencies are expected.
EEA 2 occurs when the ISO (Independent System Operator Corporation) requests emergency energy from all resources and activates its emergency demand response program.
EEA 3 is issued when the ISO is unable to meet minimum contingency reserve requirements and controlled power curtailments are imminent or in progress according to each utility’s emergency plan.
ISO President Elliot Mainzer said that conservation of the use of the grid would be “absolutely essential” to keep it running. And that could only be accomplished with citizen cooperation and/or rolling blackouts.
Grid ‘Pushed to Its Max’
During the first week of this month, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) was bracing for “a new, historic all-time high for the grid.” The demand was predicted to be 52,000 megawatts.
Newsome urged his state’s residents to voluntarily limit their power consumption. And prepare for rotating outages.
“Californians have stepped up in a big way during this record heat wave,” Newsome said. “We all have to double down on conserving energy to reduce the unprecedented strain on the grid.
“Our energy grid is being pushed to its max. We need everyone – individuals, businesses, the state and energy producers – to do their part in the coming days and help California continue to meet this challenge.”
Public Cooperation Requested
Specifically, people were asked to raise their thermostats to 78 degrees or higher. And to turn off unnecessary lights.
They were also advised to avoid using electrical appliances as much as possible. And keep their blinds and drapes closed.
Those owning electric cars – which have been recommended to drivers in order to cut energy usage – were asked to avoid charging them during peak hours.
Adding to the extreme heat from the sun was heat from wildfires. Including the Fairview Fire in Southern California and two others near the Oregon border. They’ve killed at least four people, destroyed more than 100 homes and forced thousands to evacuate.
Taking Help Wherever It’s Available
California’s electric grid runs on a combination of solar energy and natural gas during the day. As well as with the assistance of some imported energy from other states.
In the late afternoon and early evening, solar power falls off. Unfortunately, that’s also often the hottest part of the day.
Compounding the problem is that some of the aging natural gas plants the state depends on for backup power are not as reliable in hot weather.
The state was even employing four emergency power generators from the Department of Water Resources in northern California to help.
Blackouts Are Always Looming
The worst of the heat wave in the West is over. But it’s just a matter of time before it happens again. There or elsewhere.
And that’s what we all have to remember. Blackouts – whether planned or not – can occur anytime and anywhere. And we never know how long they’re going to last.
As always, preparedness is the key. No matter where you live, please don’t get caught off guard.
Debunking the Freeze-Dried Food Myths
Survival food experts know that freeze-drying food is the best way to make it last for a long time. And still retain its taste and nutritional value.
But those who don’t want to go to the trouble or expense of freeze-drying food have created myths about it.
They question freeze-dried food’s taste and nutritional value. They say it costs too much. Or that you can only freeze-dry a small variety of foods.
You’ve probably heard some of those myths about freeze-dried food. Hopefully you haven’t believed them. Those myths may have kept some folks from stockpiling freeze-dried food that could have fed them and their families during an emergency.
Moisture removal is key
Today I’m going to debunk those myths. As well as a few others. First a little background information.
The ancient Peruvian Incas of the Andes were the first to utilize the freeze-dried process. At least as far as we know.
They stored potatoes and other crops on mountain peaks. The cold temperatures would freeze the food. Then low air pressure in high altitudes would slowly vaporize water inside the food.
These days, food is quickly frozen to begin the freeze-drying process. Then the ice is turned into water vapor and removed by placing the frozen food in a vacuum. This results in a dehydrated product.
Now, let’s put those myths in their proper place…
Myth #1: Canned food is the answer.
Having some canned foods in your pantry is not a terrible idea. It can’t hurt. But shelf lives probably fall well short of what you and your family may end up needing someday.
Freeze-dried foods last much longer. And they will taste as fresh in many years as they would today.
Freeze-dried food can stay good for up to 25 years. Assuming it is properly stored. And that means keeping it in a cool, dark, dry place. Where air, light, moisture, insects and rodents can’t get to it.
Myth #2: Freeze-dried food tastes bad and loses nutritional value.
Unlike canned food that can lose its taste and nutritional value over time, freeze-dried food tastes as good and fresh as the day it is packaged.
Natural food has moisture in it. That’s what helps it taste good. But that moisture also makes it vulnerable to microorganisms that cause spoilage.
When food is frozen, microorganisms are unable to grow. Freeze-drying food removes nearly all moisture.
Once food is freeze-dried, it’s simply a matter of packaging it properly in airtight bags. Such as bags made of Mylar. And then storing it where it can’t be contaminated by the elements.
This process also helps freeze-dried food retain its nutritional value better than canned food. Without the use of harmful chemicals.
Myth #3: Freeze-dried meats don’t break down well in the body.
Some people have concerns about how freeze-dried meat might affect their digestive systems.
But freeze-dried food is usually more easily digested than canned food. That’s due to the fact that it does not contain additives or preservatives.
Myth #4: Freeze-dried foods are expensive.
People sometimes worry about the cost of freeze-dried food. Prices may seem higher because freeze-dried food is often sold in bulk.
But by using a calculator, you realize you’re saving money by purchasing freeze-dried food.
Myth #5: Your options are limited.
When many people hear “freeze-dried,” they first think of fruits and vegetables. And those are certainly items you should stockpile.
But freeze-dried meat can also provide plenty of nutrition. Including much-needed protein, minerals and other nutrients.
Why is this important? For one thing, if a crisis goes on for more than several days, you’re going to desire something other than fruits and vegetables.
For another, the stress you’ll experience during an emergency will raise your cortisol levels. That means potential muscle loss. Maintaining strength will be a must in a crisis. Meat will be key in your diet.
Meat & Protein Deluxe Survival Food Kit
If you’re like me, you don’t want to be the victim of a meat and protein shortage. Whether it’s caused by a pandemic, extreme weather or anything else negatively affecting the supply chain.
Many of us receive the bulk of our protein from meat. We’re concerned about how that lack of protein could affect us.
The answer to ensuring meat and protein security – and peace of mind – is the 4Patriots Meat & Protein Deluxe Survival Food Kit.
It features 85 servings of real beef, real chicken, and three different kinds of savory beans (pinto, black and red). For a total of 697 grams of protein per kit.
The food is stored in four airtight, disaster-resistant, space-age Mylar packages. And guaranteed to stay fresh for up to 25 years. No refrigeration required.
