3-month supply: Paper goods

It's been almost a year and a half and we are finally on the last category for building our 3-month supply!!

 

Don't worry, we're going to start over again. We always need reminders and new ideas. Plus, who has been able to collect their entire 3-month supply in the last year??

 

Anyone?

 

Not me.

 

I am a lot closer than I was before I started this blog, but I still have lots to do.

 

For example: I need LOTS more meat and I am planning on canning some chicken very soon, but I am due with baby #5 on May 16th, so it doesn't really sound fun to spend hours in the kitchen with a pressure cooker. My mom may come hang out with us next week so maybe we'll do it then. If not, I will have lots of frozen chicken for a while.

 

Another thing I am dealing with is space. I need to put a few shelves up in my storage room, which shouldn't be hard, but again, I am WAY prego and although I want it done it's not a top priority. I mainly need room for toilet paper. Sounds funny, I know, but I don't want to store TP on my heavy-duty shelves and I have been stocking up on TP a lot lately. There have been some great deals on Amazon lately...plus, I have 3 boys who don't seem to understand how precious that roll of paper is and it seems like we go through a roll a day!!!

 

I'm rambling.

 

Let's talk about our 3-month supply of PAPER GOODS!!!

 

Like a few other things we've talked about, this area is not the most crucial, so I wouldn't go out and buy a ton of paper goods if you don't have your basics. BUT, paper goods can make life SO much easy. Accumulating a little at a time and watching for sales can help you to eventually have quite a supply.

 

First, you make a list of what you use. Here's my list:

 

Paper towels

Paper plates

Paper bowls

Paper cups

Napkins

Plastic utensils

Freezer bags

Plastic wrap

Aluminum foil

Wax paper

Parchment paper (a splurge, but way nice for baking)

Freezer paper (I wrap all of my beef in freezer paper! One roll has lasted more than a year!)

 

 

Then, you decide how much to store of each item.

 

As a general rule with most things I want to store, I plan on having ONE extra on hand. That means one unopened box or container. Once I need to open it, I try to replace it with a new EXTRA. This way I always have one available.

 

This rule is good for most paper goods. I try to have one extra of all of the above. (Obviously, this doesn't mean one extra roll of paper towels, but a PACK of paper towels.

 

As far as prices go, these kind of items are hand to compare. There are so many types and you may prefer a particular brand. I usually go generic and buy the cheapest thing at Wal-Mart or one of the big warehouse stores. These stores are almost always cheaper than local grocery stores when it comes to paper goods. But buy what you will use, because this storage is not only for emergencies, but mainly for your every day use.

 

Remember:

 

Make a list

Decide how much you need

Watch for deals

Rotate!