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Admit it. You’ve seen how people respond to natural disasters like hurricanes and blizzards.
Grocery stores get ransacked and people can go to crazy lengths to get food and water!
We never think about the worst until it happens, so why not spend a few dollars to be prepared for if any emergency happens to you or your family?
No one likes to think about what terrible things could happen to us. Of course! But, it is important to keep our families safe during rough situations, and it takes very little time to stockpile some foods that will keep your family healthy until you can return to normalcy.
Therefore, we have listed out 15 different food types that can be purchased in large quantities and at very low prices!
(We always love to save money!)
There is no need to purchase a ton at the very moment, but do some research and consider picking up extra packages of these foods when you regularly shop, to begin your emergency food kit!
We’d love to hear of any other suggestions, down in the comments! Let’s help eachother out!
15 Inexpensive Foods to Always Have Stored for Emergencies
1. Honey
Honey is one of our top recommendations! Honey not only lasts forever, but it can also be used for treating small injuries, as it is a natural antibiotic! Plus, you can use it as a face mask!
When without electricity or food, honey can provide you with sugar for energy and can be added to other foods for taste.
2. Dehydrated Fruits
Pretty much anything dehydrated will last significantly longer than in it’s normal state, but dehydrated fruits are a good option to keep your nutrition while in an emergency situation.
There are countless fruits, from bananas to apriocots, to mushrooms (yes, we know that isn’t a fruit!). But that is to say that a few packages will keep you satisfied, no matter your food preference!
3. Oats
Oats are an amazing, and cheap, food to keep around. It can be stored easily and in big quantities. You can use it for more than just breakfast!
As a carbohydrate, oats will provide energy that you need in times that you absolutely need it. Be sure to keep a tub of rolled oats in the home!
4. MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat)
If you don’t already have MRE’s in your home, now is the time to check them out! Whether you get stuck in a natural disaster, your electricity is off for a few days, or even if you are going out on a hiking trips, MRE’s are always great to keep around!
Plus, there are so many types of food combinations and options you can choose from. If you have a family, it is typically recommended that you keep around at least 1 month of food for your family to survive on!
5. Sugar and Salt
Sugar and salt provides nutrients that your body needs to survive in dire situations, and can always be nice to add flavor to other bland ingredients that you will have stored. These last a long time, but be sure to have it sealed properly to prevent any water or bugs from entering!
6. Crackers
Although some crackers can go stale after opening, keeping some crackers on hand are great for times when you have small emergencies. This food is filling and can be seasoned to be for tasteful than your typical saltine, for example. Be sure to keep a few boxes on hand!
7. Canned Beans
These can last forever! Canned beans are popular as long-term storage foods, and will always be flavorful! If you put together an emergency food supply, this is a great addition, because they can be eaten as a full meal, and without any additions!
8. Instant Potatoes
Another carbohydrate option, instant potatoes, can provide a filling food for when you are out of food. Plus, they are easy to prepare, and make a lot! Instant potatoes are a type of dehydrated food, like mentioned above, so it’d be good to go research all types of other dehydrated foods to see what else you may be interested in!
9. Pasta
Keep tons of pasta on hand! Everyone loves pasta, and it can be very filling. It, too, is a carbohydrate option!
You can always buy pasta sauce, which always lasts a long time, and add it in for a very quick and cheap meal.
10. Tuna
Canned tuna is a great way to ingest protein when necessary! They are cheap and the salt in the cans keep it lasting a very long time. There are other options like canned chicken, oysters, and other meats that are great as well!
11. Nuts
Nuts are another protein option to keep around in your emergency food storage! There are plenty of nut types, and they can be purchased a huge quantities! Like other foods mentioned in this list, be sure to store them air-tight and to prevent bugs from reaching them!
12. Beans
Yes, canned beans are awesome to keep stored, but dried beans are also a must-have! They are filling and can be prepared in plenty of ways. Plus, they can be purchased in big packages, for cheap!
13. Rice
Rice is similar to pasta, in the way that it is extremely versatile. You can add it with many of the other foods in this list, and can be made fast. Plus, it can be enjoyed without any additional sauces, seasonings, or spices. As a long-lasting food, rice can be bought in large bags, and should be a staple in your food storage!
14. Ramen
We all know that ramen lasts a long time. Sure, it may not provide much nutrients, but it is a very inexpensive food that can be added to your emergency kit! It can be made very quick, and most people find it satisfying.
15. Water, Water, Water
When you prepare your emergency food, you absolutely cannot forget about water! We can last far longer without food than we can without water.
Our body lives on water, so you cannot forget about keeping a handful of gallons in your basement or other storage place! What’s great is that it is cheap to buy, and it lasts a long time. It may seem silly to buy water right now, but you’ll be thankful if anything were to happen in the future!
Let’s Summarize!
- There are tons of cheap foods that you can purchase to last for years, in case of any emergency you or your family may face. It’s always smart to be prepared!
- Be sure to not forget about water! Keeping a few gallons is not often thought about, but is important to prepare food and keep you hydrated!
Never stop learning!
ThirtyEight Investing
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