Should You Have A Stockpile?

 

A lot of things are going on in the world right now.  Many of these things aren’t new and have also happened in the past.  Because of this I choose to learn from past events and use that knowledge and information to shape my future.  I’ve talked about this before, my first experience with food and nonfood shortages, as well as people acting out as they panic shopped, was on the eve of the lockdown in 2020.  It left a lasting impression on me, to be sure, and heavily influenced how I stockpiled food and nonfood goods for me and my family.

 

As I was moving into my new home and settling in I listened to some of my favorite Youtubers from outside the U.S. talking about how their governments were recommending people start a stockpile in anticipation of future shortages due to rising fuel costs, potential job losses, as well as anticipated inclement winter weather.  I paid attention to what was being said.  No one was recommending an excessive stockpile or the hoarding of goods, but simply keeping enough food on hand to take care of your household’s needs for an extended period of time, just in case.  It their government is expressing concern and making those kinds of recommendations I think it is worth considering.

 

Everyone’s reasons for keeping and maintaining a stockpile can vary.  Right now my reason is to give myself a long term cushion so I am not required to grocery shop often.  I now live in a rural community and I’ve already experienced not being able to get what I wanted when I wanted it.  Sometimes deliveries here are delayed for reasons I’m unsure of, although I would assume it is in large part so trucking companies can make sure their trucks are full before they hit the road making these runs more efficient.

 

I have no idea what winters are truly like here.  I’ve been told by multiple people what to expect, but I’ve yet to experience it myself.  In the past I’ve relied on my stockpile so I wouldn’t need to grocery shop when the weather was bad and also to save money to put toward the higher heating bills.  I still want to do that.  I know that while living in the city inclement weather causes supply chain issues when trucks get stopped along the way until storms pass and the roads are cleared.  I’m sure this is even more the case where I live now.

 

Another reason I am glad to have a stockpile is because if I’m tired, busy or ill I don’t have to go to the grocery store in order to feed myself.  I’ve already experienced the tired and busy part when I was settling into my new house.  I am also prone to migraines.  The last thing I want to do in these instances is have to stop and head into town to go grocery shopping.  With a stockpile I can always find something suitable to eat.

 

Having a stockpile also allows me the ability to wait to grocery shop until the prices are right.  I can pick and choose what I am willing to purchase and at what price based on the sales cycles.  My stockpile allows me to be able to take my time and make sound decisions saving me from overspending and busting my budget.  Because of this my pantry is basically recession proof.

 

There are so many good reasons to keep a stockpile, something I have always done my entire adult life.  Since 2020 I have definitely expanded what I keep on hand and created a long term food storage system (LTFS) in my home that will keep me well fed for six to nine months, quite possible up to a year if I was really careful and not too picky.  Just that knowledge alone gives me great peace of mind.  Do you have a stockpile?