That Time of Month... Bills and Inventory

I know you read the first part of that title and started to skip this entry.  A ridiculous title I know, but I was trying to have a little humor this morning.

 

My husband still works a full time, regular job, but being a salaried position in his company he gets paid just once a month.  Believe it or not, I like this better than every week or every two weeks, because I can sit down, run the budget, balance the checkbook, pay the bills, and get on with my day. 

 

Payday has become a number of other things as well - it is also the day I give our Pyrenees his monthly heart worm preventative, evaluate the critters' health, and take inventory.

 

I'm sure that sounds a little strange.  I mean honestly, how many of us do an inventory of anything at home, especially monthly?

 

Well, as a prepper and homesteader, I do.  Every month.  I keep a spreadsheet on the computer and I go throughout my storage areas and take a complete count of my canned goods and staples.  The only thing I don't really count food wise is my freezer and refrigerator items.  Sure, I have a large supply of meats and some vegetables in the freezer, and in a power down or other catastrophic situation I have a backup way to home can those items (although limited).  However, if something happens to me, my family doesn't know how to pressure can and may loose those meats.  Best to be prepared with items already canned and use what's in the freezer as a bonus.

 

My food storage spreadsheet is my own creation, and breaks down into categories, such as Rice & Grains, Beans, Meats, Sugars, Fruits, Vegetables, Dairy, Cooking & Preserving Items, Fats & Oils, Baking Items, and Water.  Under each category is a listing of items (for instance, under Dairy is Dry Milk, Evaporated Milk, Cheeses [powdered], Cheeses [freeze dried], and other).  I then have a column for entering my on hand quantities, in whatever units of measure I am using (for vegetables and fruits it's cans; jams are half pint jars; dairy items are usually by lbs except for evaporated milk which is by cans)  Columns are as listed that show me my target for 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.  I've gotten sorta advanced, and the spreadsheet will take my on hands, compare them to my target values, and tells me if I am over or under for each area.  Very helpful to know exactly where you stand, and gives you a chance to identify areas where you are week.

 

Monthly paydays also mean a monthly shopping day, which I usually do about mid-month.  I take a list of what I am lacking from my food storage, compare it to coupons and local ads, and try to build up whatever areas I am week in.  Sure, this doesn't always cover the things I need for my storage, but for most items it helps a lot.

 

In my next blog I'll talk a little about what goes in to a comprehensive food storage program.

 

Have a great day!