Hello all, as most of you know I'm very new to this site and to prepping. I have a BOB and its well stocked for a few days I'm getting my ammo situation started and will add a little to my supply every pay check. I'm going out tomorrow to pick up a few things in regards to storing food. This is where i need some of your help. I have ordered three boxes of MRE's (12in a box) I will pick up 4, 5 gallon bottles of water and plan on grabbing a variety of can goods like beans, vegetables, Spam, A large bag of brown rice, tuna and what ever else catches my eye. Hoping to buy 50 cans of each (beans, tuna, vegetables, some chunky soups) on my list is 4 bottles of bleach as well and 3 bags of white sugar. This is all i can afford this pay. I want to know what else you would recommend in regards to food, there is only me and my six yr old son that I'm immediately concerned about. I will add more things as money permits. I have a propane camping stove as well as a camping heater both run on the small propane bottles I have 5 now and will get more over time. I would only use in well ventilated areas!! I also have an alcohol stove in my bob. I live in a small town but don't have a great deal of room for storage. I have been told the bottled water is only good for six months!! Is there a way to extend this? I'm aware of dehydrated foods but would have to order them on line I don't think they are commonly available around here. I'm looking for suggestions on other types of canned food that has a long shelf life isn't to expensive and good nutritional value. Thanks
You can dehydrate the food yourself, it's for the most part simple to do. Grouchyprepper has some good YouTube videos that explain the process at home.
Bigred, white rice will last longer than brown rice.
Russell Coight....outback legend
I think but dont quote me on it that Wallmart is carring the dehydrated stuff in the big tins. i will take a look tomorrow. i know they do in the USA. Mres are big $ you can get alot of other food or make your own with a dehydarter and some mylar bags for less then half the price. I know im cheap but im also broke 😆
:twisted:I`m not carzy everyone else is!:twisted:
A few suggestions. Re: water... instead of getting bottled water purchase some 5 gallon water containers for camping. Fill them with tap water. So long as the water is clean and treated from your source it will be good for 6 months as well. You can empty it on the garden or use for laundry when it is time to cycle it. That way you have good containers you can use over and over and will save a ton of money in the long run. As well you will have good containers if you have to get water from another supply if the tap stops. About the propane there are ways to refill the 1lb cylinders from a 20 lb tank. You can also get an adapter hose to attach your stove directly to a 20 lb tank. You can research online. Salmon is a good storage food as well as pasta sauces in glass jars. You can also make your own and can it. Other things to keep in mind are iodized salt, some herbs and spices to vary flavoring and candy.
ok, stop buying the small bottles of propane, go buy a hose to connect the 20-40lb bottles to the stove and heater. You get a splitter at the bottle and then run two hoses into the appliances. Cost about $35 each bottle, so much cheaper than buying a lot of bottles.
Water, saw a good idea over at http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2011/11/21/new-product-water-barrel-towers/ 
closeup showing how easy it is to set this up and drain, rotate the water!
Stop buying Spam and buy Klick, at least it tastes good! spam, yukky...
MRE's are good but do not use them for general meals, keep some in vehicle, light backpacking, etc. Very long term storage. They are about a Meal and a Half per package, so not as bad as some people think.
Buy a little extra every visit to the stores, then keep the extra in the closet etc.
cheers
ps do a search and there are other threads that have lots of info on this topic as well.
That looks like the cats meaow for water storage in a static situation. I think you would still need 5 gallon containers to refill it though and to have on hand if you had to move... just sayin"
Are you permitted to install rainwater tanks in Canada?
We weren't allowed to install tanks (really stupid law!) until the last drought. Now everyone has at least one because the government decided we should have one to reduce the pressure on the water reservoirs. (go figure) Anyway the minimum size tank here is about 500 litres ($300-400 au approx)
Russell Coight....outback legend
Also milk powder and a source of fats... maybe Crisco. It stores well.
If you are watching your cholesterol levels then fish oils (omega 3 & 6 - in large packs) and olive oil are probably better fats than any trans fat sources.
Trans fat = If a fat has been solid once then it will become solid again (in your arteries) 😯
Russell Coight....outback legend
If your storing grains, don’t forget the Oxygen Absorbers. When it comes to storing, Oxygen is enemy #1. In bulk grain storing , a nitrogen flush combined with OA’s and a vacuum pack seal is best.
"We 'Prep.' to live after a downfall, Not just to survive."
You may want to spread out buying 50 cans of each food, that way the best before date wont creep up and happen at one time. At least I try to but I cycle through my canned goods buy eating oldest first.
I would put a small water purification kit on that list as a top priority. Drinking water only. Also Lots of salt. Ionized and natural sea salt. If you have the time and a few dollars to invest. Start canning. A good presure canner will meet all your canning needs. $200.00 will get you started. But you do get to enjoy fresh foods you like for a long time and of course are reusable. As far as ammo. 22 long goes a long way for most needs. A well placed shot will bring even a deer down at 50 yards, not legal for deer in most municipalties. and practice of course is cheap. You can plink all day for about $50 bucks. Thats 1000 rounds. and that will fit into your front pocket.
Good luck and welcome
6 gal camping plastic water cans and replace it every 6 months. Having a way to treat or filter water is key to making water safe. Even if its a backpacking filter set, bleach is good too but kinda yucky. Berkey filter is best.
The best way to prep on modest budget is to just do a bit at a time. A little extra food at the store when it's on sale. I've been at this for a few years now and I still don't have the mylar bags yet!!!
Are you permitted to install rainwater tanks in Canada?
We weren't allowed to install tanks (really stupid law!) until the last drought. Now everyone has at least one because the government decided we should have one to reduce the pressure on the water reservoirs. (go figure) Anyway the minimum size tank here is about 500 litres ($300-400 au approx)
yep, can even hook up the roof to drain straight into the cistern (if you have cistern of course)
"I think that I am very reasonable therefore ......." ICRCC