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Costco Survival Food Items

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Yesterday, Lauren and I made one of our periodic shopping trips over to Costco warehouse, where there are always great price deals to be found. We approach the occasional Costco visits with two objectives, to find deals on items that we consume on a regular basis and to find deals on items to add to our long term storage as part of our overall survival preparedness plans.

Costco is a membership-only warehouse club chain, the largest in the United States, with other locations in the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. They are the third largest retailer in the United States, and the ninth largest retailer in the world. This gives them extremely powerful leverage for price discounts.

No matter your objective, buying products for survival preps or for every day consumption, shopping at a major warehouse chain store (e.g. Costco, BJ’s, Sams, Makro, or Price Smart) can definitely save you money. You will be forced to deal with larger quantities at these stores, but that’s Okay if you shop smart. That is, don’t buy something that will spoil before you can consume it all, or otherwise have a way to re-package into smaller quantities for later (this does not work for everything).

Here are a few examples of some things we purchased during our last Costco trip, and why.

Costco (Kirkland) Roast Beef in a can

These 12 oz. cans are a good choice item to add with other foods in a 72 hour survival kit and are also a good item to keep in with your other longer term food storage items. The price was $2.50 per can.

Some reasons why this is a good food storage item

• It is Beef (meat – protein)
• No refrigeration required
• It will last years (I recently consumed the contents of an older can that I had, dated “Best By” 2 years ago. It was absolutely fine)
• It is Fully Cooked (perfect for a survival kit)
• Each can contains 320 calories

Jif Peanut Butter Twin Pack

These are seriously big jars of peanut butter (48 oz. each) that we bought for $8 for both. That seems like about half what we would pay at the local grocery store. We buy peanut butter for regular (occasional) consumption and also for survival food storage.

Peanut Butter is a very good survival food because of its very high calorie content. If you eat too much of this, it will be showing up on your waistline before long… each of these two 48 oz. jars contain more than 8,000 calories! I keep a smaller jar of peanut butter in each one of my 72 hour car kits along with the rest of the variety of foods.

White Rice

We picked up two 25 lb bags of white rice for $7 each. White rice will last a very long time, especially if packaged properly (freeze for 24 hours kills any possible buggies, return to room temperature, 5-gallon food-grade pails with oxygen absorbers). Do not use brown rice for long term storage because it will spoil quickly from the oils it contains.

Gallon size Ziplock freezer bags

This has to be one of the greatest inventions ever. We use quart and gallon size Ziplock bags for all kinds of things, not just foods. We picked up this monster box of 152 gallon size bags for $10. That’s only 6 cents per bag! You will pay a lot more than that at your local supermarket.


So, although I advocate supporting a locally owned community grocery store (if you even have one in your area these days), there are times when saving money on items is just a bigger priority. Warehouse clubs don’t have everything, but it is well worth an occasional trip to extract the deals that fit with your needs and budget.

Shop Smart.



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Buy In Quantity Buy Generic

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The other day, I was digging through the medicine cabinet for a few Ibuprofen tablets to ease a few aches and pains from having just finished putting up a new drywall ceiling in the kitchen. Normally we have a big bottle around but they must have all been used up. I did manage to find a new small unopened bottle, so I proceeded to open it. To my surprise, although the bottle was small, after pulling out all of the cotton stuffing, 70 percent of the bottle was empty! I looked at the label and then realized that there were only 40 tablets in there, but once again I shook my head and muttered a few choice words towards something that I see all too often, large packaging with little product inside.

It is one of those things that aggravate me to no end. I know that you know what I’m talking about… you’ve all opened a bag of potato chips only to discover that two-thirds the bag had been pumped up with air or nitrogen to make it look full. How about a box of cereal that is gigantic, only to discover that the box is only half full. I know, it’s been going on for a long time, but I swear it’s getting worse.

My experience with the Ibuprofen inspired me to write up a quick post to remind everyone to buy in bulk, the products that you will consume over time. You will be amazed to discover the huge markup that you are paying for most products packaged in small quantities versus large quantities. Normally we do buy products in bulk that we use often enough to justify the up front price, but somehow this particular small bottle of Ibuprofen was purchased under the radar

It also reminded me of the fact that you can very often purchase generic or store brand products rather than name brand products, and they work just as well, or even consist of the same exact ingredients! We all know that we will pay a premium for name brand.

One example related to my little Ibuprofen experience is how I used to always purchase a name brand, in this case it was Advil. Well, years ago, my wife suggested that I try a store brand because it had the exact same ingredient which is ‘Ibuprofen’. So long as I bought the same milligram dosage, all would be exactly the same. So I tried it and sure enough the result from the medicine was the same. Why is it that so many of us pay to buy a name brand? I know, it is because of the constant onslaught of marketing and advertising. We get brainwashed. The point is, be aware of the fact that we all are brainwashed to some degree. Question your purchases! You will be surprised how much money you could save by being conscious of our preconceived notions about products that we purchase by habit.


So I thought I would do a little exercise to discover the price breakdown of this generic Ibuprofen, if purchased in larger quantities.

The bottom line is, the difference between the lowest quantity and highest quantity pricing for this Ibuprofen is huge, 700% !


You might think that buying such a large quantity is silly or you will never use it, but think about it. If it is a product that you normally use, and you are simply used to re-purchasing it every month (or however often the regular interval is), then seriously think about large quantities. If you think this way for all of your consumable products, you will be able to save a substantial sum in the long run.

Oh, also, the difference between the name brand ‘Advil’, and this one, was 20%. Again, why pay a 20% premium because the label looks different. Do you have any idea how much research goes into name brand labels to attract your attention and to ‘fit’ the product to your mindset? Colors, text, layout, design, case studies, consumer research studies, on and on…

Don’t let big corporate names brainwash you. Give generic a try. Think quantity. Think local – community. Buy local. Don’t forget your local farmers market. Support your neighborhood store and community with your purchases. Just like it used to be…



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Economic Recovery and Survival Preparedness

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economies-of-the-world-are-like-a-house-of-cards

Don’t let an ‘apparent’ economic recovery fool you into spending more of your money foolishly!

Economic Recovery? Are You Kidding Me?

If you have pulled back on your spending during the past year or two since the meltdown of the stock market in 2008, go ahead and keep on scrimping and being smart with your money. The main stream media and government politicians want you to believe that things are much better now and they are hoping and planning that you will start spending more of your money.

There are ongoing efforts to maintain the philosophy of a throw-away society, and a society where we should keep up with the Joneses by buying the latest shiny things, bling, new cars, gadgets and toys. Instead, in our opinion, you should be spending your discretionary money on survival preparedness, a well stocked and secure home, and on tools and skills for self-sufficient living.

Not a whole lot has actually changed to justify the Wall Street comeback since March, 2009 other than massive company layoffs and other tricks to maintain or squeeze higher profit margins. The majority of consumers have not much, if any more money to spend than they did immediately before the 2008 crash. So why then does the main stream continue to spout off that things are getting so much better? Maybe the bankster gangsters of Wall Street are flush with money, but Main Street is not. How many vacant store fronts do you see around you in your travels? Lots, I’m sure.

Don’t let the attempted brainwashing get to you. Stick to your plan and keep preparing for worse times ahead. The economies of the world are teetering, and are essentially intertwined as a stacked house-of-cards that could come tumbling down at any time, and very quickly.

Many (or all?) fiat (paper) currencies are currently being challenged for their worth. Governments are severely in debt and owe billions and trillions of dollars. Lenders are realizing that there is little or no chance of being paid back at present levels of value. Governments would like nothing more than to continue to dilute the value of paper money (print and create more out of thin air) so to pay back existing debt with future money which is worth far less. This means that your money will continue to purchase less and less product as time goes on. Governments will (are) also looking for new ways to tax us. Hide your wallets.

What Should We Spend Our Money On?

So, what should we be doing with our money? In my opinion, first and foremost, check for spending hemorrhaging and stop the bleeding! Are you shopping for essentials or wants? Are you shopping smart?

Any debt should be paid down, especially any non-house-mortgage debt like credit cards, car loans, or other higher interest rate loans. Debt is THE life blood of the beast that keeps people shackled.

Thinking back to the days of our grand parents and great grand parents, debt was unheard of. People knew how to take care of themselves back then. What I mean by that is, people were able to survive without the help of government and social programs. They were largely self-sufficient. It is incredible what has happened in just a few short generations. The problem is, it is so bad now, that those of us who are somewhat self-sufficient will be adversely affected by those who are not – when TSHTF. Desperation will lead to unrest and violence.

Pay down all debt beginning with the debt with the highest interest rate. Pay the most you can afford on that one while paying minimums on whatever else you have. It is extremely important and beneficial to pay more than the minimum payment itself, the extra of which will go directly to the principal balance and greatly reduce the time to pay it all off. Once it is paid off, move to the next highest interest debt and continue until it is all gone. Being debt free will bring on an amazing feeling of joy. While you are paying off your debt, it is important to visualize and imagine this feeling. It will help tremendously. Believe it! It will happen!

While you are paying off your debt, it is advisable to spend some extra money on developing at least a minimal food storage supply. Your survival is more important than that of the bank. The amount of food storage is a personal decision and will depend upon the number of people in the household that you will be supporting. It should be fairly easy to save up at least a one month supply of extra food that could be used in the event of a minor disruption. Once you have established that minimum, go ahead and build up more if your instincts tell you to. I personally would recommend a next goal of a 3 to 6 month supply before challenging yourself for even more.

If you buy the foods that you normally eat, and if you rotate your stock, you will be saving money in the long run because food prices will always continue to rise. The more usable food storage that you have, the more money you will have effectively saved. The peace of mind of having significant food storage will surprise you. Knowing that you have in your possession, a quantity of an essential element of survival, you will discover that you have a new outlook and attitude towards life. You will feel empowered like you never have before. You can snub your nose at ‘the system’ and continue to move on towards other self-sufficiency preparations. It really is a rewarding way of life, and one that will give you a calm sense of happiness and satisfaction. You will sleep better at night.

A warning though, if you take the Red pill and go down this road of survival preparedness, your eyes will open to many things including what is really going on around you in this crazy world. Once you see it, there’s no turning back (for those of you that have watched The Matrix). If you would like to remain ignorantly bliss, just take the Blue pill and go down with the ship…

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Cheap Breakfast for Surviving Hard Times

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9 Grain Cracked Cereal Mix

Nine Grain Mix is a very nutritional, good tasting healthy and economical breakfast. For only 10 cents per serving, you will save lots of money and will enjoy the side benefits of the ingredients.

Many people today are affected by hard times and are searching for hints and tips to squeeze a bit more out of their money. With rising food prices and inflation, even small changes in our spending habits can add up to big savings over time. This particular breakfast tip is one that I take advantage of several times throughout the week. It tastes good, and is healthy!

9 grain is just that, a mixture of nine cracked grains. There are many brands and varieties available out there. One that I like is available from Honeyville Grain and contains Spring Wheat, Winter Wheat, Soft White Wheat, Corn Grits, Barley Grits, Steel-Cut Oats, Cracked Rye, Millet, and Flaxseed.

The most economical way to purchase this is in a 50 pound bag, which as of this post is priced at $54. As with anything, your money is stretched much further if you buy in quantity.

To calculate the cost per serving, which is 1/4 cup,

• 50 pounds = 800 ounces
• 1 cup of this mix weighs 6 ounces, so there are 133 cups in this 50 pound bag (800 / 6)
• 4 (servings per cup) x 133 (cups in this 50 pound bag) = 533 servings per 50 pound bag
• $54 / 533 servings = $0.10 per serving

Simple 9 Grain Recipe

Add 1/4 cup of nine grain to 1 cup of water and heat slowly for about 20 minutes (or microwave for 2 minutes – let stand for a few more).

After cooking, you can add additional toppings for added flavor such as a pinch of salt, butter, sugar, or honey. My favorite is to simply add a tablespoon of honey.

Not only does it taste good, but this small quantity of grains will keep you feeling full for many hours and entirely eliminate cravings (a great way to help lose a few pounds!).

One serving contains

• only 140 calories
• only 10 fat calories! – 1 gram
• 28 grams total carbohydrate
• 5 grams fiber
• 5 grams protein

This 9 grain mix is a great survival preparedness food to include in your food storage because it is easy to store, inexpensive, and has over 500 servings per 50 pound bag!

Be aware of allergens that may affect you and check with the manufacturer (some people may be allergic to wheat products, nuts, etc…)

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Borax Multi Purpose Cleaner Will Save You $$$

Borax is an affordable, natural cleaning, odor eliminating, eco-friendly cleaner that has seemingly endless uses around the home. You can potentially save a lot of money by using this product instead of other special purpose cleaner products which are much more expensive.


Today there are so many branded cleaners to choose from. Most of them are marketed towards specific cleanup purposes with their special formulas while just a few seem to be marketed towards multipurpose use. You see, more money is made from these companies if they convince you that you have to purchase different cleaners for different cleanup purposes. Also, every so often these products are re-formulated and ‘improved’ to an ‘advanced’ formula to recapture your attention, or to have an excuse for a higher price.

The brands are constantly reinventing themselves and offering more choices of formulated cleaners to train you into believing that you need many different types of cleaners, each with their own specific special purpose. Take a look in your closets to see how many different cleaner solutions that you have.

What in the world did our grandparents do back in the day, when these miraculous cleaning formulas were not available? There homes must have been a dirty filthy mess without them! Wait a minute, I have an idea, lets find out what they used back in the old days…

BORAX

One popular cleaner that I can remember being used is something called BORAX. Borax is a multipurpose powdery cleaner whose ingredient comes from a naturally occurring mineral compound of the element, boron. Much of the world’s borax comes from the Rio Tinto Borax mining operation in Boron, California.

The most common brand is “20 Mule Team Borax”. It has primarily been known as a laundry booster for whiter, cleaner clothes, but it has many more household uses. It cleans, disinfects, deodorizes, softens water, and neutralizes many bugs. Lets look at a few borax recipes.

List of Uses for Borax

• Floor Cleaner (1/3 cup Borax, 1 gallon warm water, squirt of dish washing detergent, splash of ammonia)
• Window Cleaner (2/3 cup Borax, 1 gallon warm water)
• Disinfect and Clean Toilet (1/2 cup Borax added to basin water, let stand for awhile, then clean with toilet brush)
• Car Wash Cleaner (1/8 cup mixed with about 1.5 gallons of water)
• Eliminate Urine Odor on mattress – handy for accidents while toilet training a youngster (dampen area, sprinkle and rub in Borax, let dry and vacuum)
• Ants (mix equal amounts of Borax and powdered sugar, place near ant problem area – keep away from pets)
• Carpet Stains (mix Borax with water to make paste, rub into stain, let dry and vacuum)
• Unclog drains (dump 1/2 cup Borax into drain, let stand for 15 minutes, then dump in hot or boiling water )
• Prevent Weeds from growing in pavement cracks (sprinkle Borax in cracks)
• Garbage Disposer clean and sanitize (dump 1/4 cup Borax into disposer, splash in just a little water and let stand for an hour or so, rinse with hot water)
• Tile and Grout Cleaner (sprinkle Borax with just enough water to paste, scrub with brush)
• Laundry Booster (add 1/2 cup Borax to wash load for brighter, cleaner, deodorized clothes)
• Carpet Powder Deodorizer  (sprinkle Borax on carpet, let stand overnight and vacuum)
• Flea Killer (sprinkle Borax on carpet, let stand overnight and vacuum)

The takeaway from all of this should be to consider alternatives to what we are being marketed and sold today. Thinking and using common-sense is a learned way of life. Don’t be stuck in ‘the system’. Discover what our ancestors used for frugal solutions to problems. Although many advancements clearly win out over past solutions, not all new products are any better as a solution than what our grandparents and great grandparents used. I believe that Borax is just one of many nuggets out there, waiting to be picked.

What inspired me to post on this topic was having used some ’20 Mule Team Borax’ yesterday while cleaning our patio furniture, and realizing its versatility and effectiveness. Although I have been using this product for some time now, each time I do, I am reminded of how simple solutions such as this can save time and money.

Update: I must say that using a borax solution for car wash cleaner is very effective. I have been using this solution as a car wash soap for some time now, and it definitely cleans better than other special purpose car wash soaps that I have used. I have not had any scratching of the paint whatsoever and it really cuts through the road grime, bug residue, and dirt. I’m still amazed at how much cleaning solution can be made from one box of borax, all at a fraction of the cost of other manufactured soaps.


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