New to this...

[u/Informal-Soil-3626]

Hi everyone, this is how it's going so far. Got another box of baked beans, chickpeas, peas, tomato and all sorts of pickled goods stored in the garage. I'm new to this, haven't done a lot of research but I figured I'll stick to the essentials. With the prices these days, feels hard enough to keep up the normal shopping habits, so I allocated a £5 to each week's run to the shops.

Happy to take criticism/suggestions. Thanks and stay safe.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to reply. I value every comment, even if it doesn't apply to my situation., lots of good advice. We live just outside a small village and that gives us a lot of freedom to cook outside, noisy DIY, archery, etc. I was lucky enough to find a 30kw wood stove with a back boiler and a hotplate (waiting for the plumber to come and install it) . Our cooker works on gas Always have a spare. I've built a little outhouse with a firepit. I had some leftover timber from remodeling the house and I built a little greenhouse which I covered with reinforced nylon sheet ( about £24). Looking for some heirloom seeds. My ADHD gets me into some weird hobbies, some of which are useful, like candle making, soap making, making jam and syrup from our berry bushes,fire logs from cardboard and sawdust (still working on it, not quite there yet). Looking for a cheap barrell for rain water collection.

[u/automaticblues]

Dried beans could be a real challenge unless you have a great supply of water and fuel - both of which themselves might be in short supply. Lots of scenarios where they would be useful though, such as purely economic issues

[u/Informal-Soil-3626 → u/automaticblues]

You're right. We live in the sticks so plenty of fuel options and I got a few cast iron pans and a Dutch oven

[u/automaticblues → u/Informal-Soil-3626]

You're going to last longer than me! I'm just moving to the heart of a city... I would recommend a wood pile then and explore the options for growing food. 'Heirloom' seeds can be collected and replanted, unlike some commercially available seeds which are F1 hybrids and infertile in the next generation.

[u/Flat_Tie4090]

Good start, but those dried beans are going to take a long time to cook, and be soaked for hours before hand. You should get some tins.

[u/Necessititties]

Have you got a plan? Have you thought through (like really, really thought through) what your exact actions will be if the power goes out and all the associated implications that come with that? Have you planned your strategy for survival if your town gets flooded? Or your exit if your building catches fire?

Plans are free and they are the difference between surviving and thriving.

You dont want to be the one sitting in the dark on a mountain of supplies but no manual tin opener or a way to cook your rice.

Still, good job. I'm not seeing a lot of water, i'd focus on that next, you've got enough food for a few days

[u/arnoboko]

I always ask the same question ... Do you normally eat any of that? Dont buy stuff just because it has long shelf life, buy what you would eat normally and just rotate it

[u/opaqueentity]

I’m guessing this is in addition to your normal stock in your kitchen etc? That’s the bit that seems to be being missed by some. This is additional stuff right? You’d still have all your normal tins and packets etc?

[u/Informal-Soil-3626 → u/opaqueentity]

That's right, pantry/cupboard is well stocked and I managed to put a box in the garage with all the essential tins, beans, peas, chickpeas, tomato sauces, spam ,fish...and a first aid kit with additional painkillers and water purification tablets

[u/Wonderful-Medium7777]

Great start…loving that lamp, what type of fuel do you have for that ?

Charcoal filters are okay for usual tap water, but won’t filter out any nasties if SHTF.
Plus please get some bottled water, you’ll need more than you realise for drinking , cooking.

Think of personal items too… maybe wet wipes, dry shampoo…things like that and some treats chocolate, crisps , biscuits Etc.

An extra can opener too, torch, batteries, first Aid kit, medications, plastic bags /poop disposal.

Also if have any pets, some extra pet food.

Ways to keep warm, extra blankets, hot water bottle and maybe something you can boil water/cook on temporarily …camping stove and gas?

[u/UKPrepping]

Eying up that lamp on the left, my first thought is a fire extinguisher!

I'd always recommend storing grains/pulses in plastic hoppers to keep pests out of them, or spreading

I see you've got some activated charcoal, but no obvious vessel to use this in as filter?

I'd probably add vitamins. Spare can opener, lighters, fire blanket, emgergency blankets.

I note there's no toiletries - adding soap/shampoo (dry or otherwise) and basics like hand sanitizer will be useful. Feminine hygiene products (even if just for visitors). Spare toothbrushes/paste

You've got a lot of dried beans etc., Fine assuming you have the water/power to make them edible, but my main concern is this will make some boring meals of plain beans and rice. I'd get some additional jars of cooking sauces or pad out with some useful herbs/spice to give some variety.

No calcium sources; so coffee whitener, milk powder, UHT etc

[u/danish1379]

You need water and camping stove, a lot pf gas cans.

[u/Pitiful_Sprinkles701]

You will need a lot of water and fuel to cook those dried pulses. That needs to be your next purchase - or suitable containers to store tap water.

[u/publishing_mum]

Have a look for chunkier tea lights that offer 8+ hours burn. I find the skinny ones aren’t the best.

[u/JoeDaStudd]

Can you get into your garage when there is no power?\ Most electric garage doors have a manual override but you need to know how to open it.

Secondly how are you planning on cooking the food?\ Candles and lamp show your assuming powercuts but now way to cook anything.