I started prepping just like you, as a frugal mom, stockpiling items I found at drastic discounts. I built up a stash over time. If I found Planter’s peanuts for 50 cents, I bought ten.

I’m sure you know the drill!

With that said, I would buy ONLY what your family uses and likes. Forget about stocking up on beans. If you don’t like them, don’t bother buying them. A crisis won’t make you like beans. 😃

The coming crisis, due to the Strait of Hormuz closure and a widening Iran war, will involve worsening inflation and supply-chain glitches.

This means it’s important to buy at today’s lower prices so you’re not forced to need so much when things are expensive. And also, you may not be able to get many things due to supply-chain disruptions and shelves being wiped out if everyone is panic buying, which is likely.

So buy what your family likes and will use. Buy multiples to build that cushion at lower prices.

If you have the time, start shopping multiple stores and looking for deals. Treat it like a job. You’re a savings-stockpile girly, so you know how to do this. I’ve been going to different stores, scouring for discounted items and looking at clearance sections. I’ve found many things reduced because people are really cutting back and stores have excess inventory. I really look at those price tags, on shelves and in the refrigerated and freezer section.

I also study the grocery flyers, sales and online promotions, and buy the loss leaders—the really cheap stuff they use to lure you into the store. Make lists for each store to hit your targets.

Also, buy fruit and veggies in season when they’re cheap and freeze. Yesterday, I found strawberries at Aldi for $1.67 lb. I bought several pounds, sliced and froze them for smoothies. A good way to get vitamins and the benefits of fruit for cheap. I also freeze orange sections and watermelon chunks in bags or a big plastic container and use for smoothies later.

When I find cheap onions, green pepper or broccoli, I chop and freeze to use in quiche, pasta, soups, stir fry. Red peppers were $1 and I bought 10, diced and froze. Perfect in scrambled eggs or stir fry. I also buy cheap, fresh spinach, freeze in a big bag and smash with a hammer. I pour the frozen, spinach bits into smoothies, eggs, pastas, soups.

Also, i find lots of discounts in the meat and seafood department. People are cutting back on expensive meat and seafood and often packages will have red “manager special” stickers, with 50% or more discounts. This month I found $2.99 hamburger, half-price frozen shrimp and $1.99 ground turkey. I also noticed boneless, skinless chicken breast was $2.29 lb at Aldi this week. I stocked up, wrapped it in butcher paper and put in freezer.

My find of the week was 59 cent lbs of store brand unsalted butter. You never know what you’ll find!

And don’t skip the pricier stores. The priciest store in my area often has the best markdowns. I think more people are avoiding these stores and often deep discounts can be found because these stores have excess inventory.

Asian and Hispanic grocery stores are great too. Bulk ramen noodles are cheaper and large bags of rice are less per pound.

If you belong to Costco, there are always markdowns there too. They heavily discount items they’re phasing out. You just have to hunt!

I’d start by making a list of what your family likes and eats regularly. Start buying multiples and checking off your progress.

Here’s a list of general items to consider:

Peanut butter Oatmeal Breakfast cereal Shelf-stable almond, oat and coconut milks (Trader Joes/Dollar Tree has the cheapest) Pasta, pasta sauce Orzo Brown rice/white rice Rice packets which include seasonings Canned tuna, chicken, salmon Soups Canned chili Canned Dinty Moore beef stew, chicken and dumplings, tamales Ramen noodles Cooking oils, non-stick sprays, olive oil Spices like pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, taco seasoning, ginger, dill, paprika, ranch powder, Italian seasoning packets, onion soup packets, etc. Condiments, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, mustard, ranch dressing, Italian dressing Basic baking ingredients like sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, brown sugar, vanilla, Protein bars, cereal bars Nuts like peanuts, almonds, cashews, mixed Trail mixes Canned veggies, carrots, peas, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes and tomato sauces. Instant Potato flakes Canned fruits Coffee, powdered creamer Powdered drink mixed, teas Juices Snacks, such as chips, cookies, graham crackers, crackers, pretzels Chocolate, candies, chocolate chips for baking. Loose popcorn, seasonings. Pet foods, treats

Non-food TP Shampoo, conditioner, Deodorant Feminine supplies Toothpaste Toothbrushes Laundry soap Bleach Household cleaners (cheapest at Dollar Tree)

Best to you! Happy shopping. Just take it one day at a time! I hope you can find some great deals. Very good news that your husband is on board!