Food Stamps or Food Storage?

The latest statistics surrounding food stamps and other food assistance are astonishing. Food stamps feed 1 in 7 Americans. (The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, counted almost 43.6 million people in the program in April 2016, the most recent data available. Source: Politifact.com)

The economy has taken a toll on many families who are struggling to put food on the table. So how do you stock up on food storage during hard times? That’s a tough question, but it’s not impossible. Here are five things you can do that might help:

1. Budget Wisely

There are surely people that are spending their money wisely and don’t have extra money leftover, but the majority of Americans could change their spending habits and invest the savings into some extra food storage each month. The Department of Labor conducted a survey and 43% of the money spent by a family on food went to “food away from home”. Cutting back on eating out or other frills could go a long way towards building your food storage and emergency preparedness plans.

2. Grow a Garden

Gardens are a fantastic way to fill up your pantry for a lot less. Even if you have limited space, or you need to grow indoors, it's worth it. Gardens will not only make you more self-reliant, but they will also help you eat a more healthy diet. Square Foot Gardening is a great space saving option for some people.

3. Food Co-ops

Check the internet for local food co-ops. Many times you can save big on fruits, veggies, and even meat through a co-op. You get way more for your money this way.

4. Coupons

With a little extra effort, you can find amazing deals on food with coupons. Check your local store ads and the internet for fantastic websites that help you find the very best deals anywhere. Of course, you will need to be focused on buying needs - not wants.

5. Buy Extra

Buy a little extra each week. Instead of two cans of soup, buy three. Instead of one bag of pinto beans, buy two. You get the idea. Using this method will work - it all adds up to a full pantry eventually.

6. Pool Your Resources

Many times companies will give bulk discounts to groups of people who are willing to pool their money together to buy in bulk. This is a win, win for both you and your family and friends.

We all have had to learn many tough lessons from time to time. If we continue to rely on the basic principles of self-reliance that our parents and grandparents taught us, we will be able to weather the storms of life much better.