Living Smart 101: A Prepared Pantry is a Pure Pleasure!

Many of you experienced the frigid cold and our first snow/ice in Georgia for 2010. I’m thinking there are a couple more to follow before Spring finally thaws us out!
One of the neat things about stockpiling, buying multiples of items and trying new items when they are at their lowest price is you are 99.9% prepared for just about anything. Weather is never “for sure” in the South so what’s the first thing we do? Head to the grocery store to get bread and milk! But already having that- it was neat to just look in my pantry and find everything we needed to rough it out until the snow and ice melts.
I had a chili starter kit and diced tomatoes so a huge pot of chili was started. I had the makings for baked potato soup so those two were perfect for the low temps and comforting when we came in from playing in the snow. Then the girls and I had fun baking cookies, breads and cakes because I had all the different kits and such in the pantry! People make fun of us snow rookies but it’s nice a couple of times a year to just have to stop and do nothing. We had fun in the kitchen and afterwards, had everything cooked and ready to go so we could relax and enjoy our unexpected family time.
The stockpile brings peace of mind also during inclement weather. I know I have supplies of medicines in case someone gets sick. I have my first aid stockpile, all the various personal items so there is no one risking getting out on the icy roads. Having the essentials always at hand is a comfort all the time but even more so when you’re stuck with no way to go!
The best about the pantry was the fun the girls had “shopping” and making goodies. It’s a nice feeling to be able to create memories and fun times with little effort. Many comment that couponing takes a long time or not worth the hassle but few think further into the fact that the effort you make on a Sunday and follow the system rewards and benefits you and your family in many many ways.
And if you ever experienced a bunch of crazy eyed Southerners fighting over white loaf bread and milk in a Piggly Wiggly (insert visual here)- you might consider re-thinking this coupon thing!