How often have you encountered a situation when you have no time to run to the store, but the refrigerator is empty? Or vice versa: the shelves are full of products, but in the end nothing can be prepared quickly from them? As a result, the products spoil and go straight to the trash. Surely this is familiar to every housewife. To prevent this from happening, we present a good way to solve this issue.

Purchase of products

You don’t want to leave your household hungry, but buying tons of food that is simply not eaten later (which means money is wasted) is also not an option. Therefore, the list of products that should always be in the refrigerator is everything. That is, not the list that you write every week, but a more “global” one - forever.

One hour of time and freedom forever

It only takes one hour to create your personal strategic grocery inventory list. What is one hour compared to how much time we have to spend thinking about upcoming purchases every time we go to the store or our spouse is going there. A whole detective story unfolds with real observations and rummaging through the refrigerator. And this happens almost every time, because you must not miss anything and not forget about anything. But you still often forget something.

Making a universal shopping list

So, you need a list that will be basic - once and for all trips to the store.

1. To write such a list, you first need to create a basis: a list of all the products that are in the house. You will have to inspect every corner of the kitchen in which any food is stored. We mercilessly write down everything we find on a piece of paper. Having made a list, start working on it.
2. Cross out what spoils very quickly.
3. Think about what foods in your family are eaten very quickly. For some it’s cheese, for others it’s apples or pears, others are ready to go to the store even in the middle of the night if the house is out of cookies, and someone can’t get enough buckwheat, because their families are ready to eat it every day. If this product (or products) is not yet on the list, add it.
4. Finally, look at the list and think, can you prepare some simple dish for your family for dinner using only these products? If something is missing, add it (again, avoiding perishable food).

What then to do with this list? It needs to be stored somewhere handy: for example, on the refrigerator. This way you can always quickly answer your spouse when he receives an unexpected call with the question: “I stopped by the store. What should I buy? Because with a list you will know what should be in the refrigerator, and you will quickly figure out what is missing from it. In addition, at any moment of the day or night you can prepare a delicious dish for your family.

Sample list of “strategic reserves”

Of course, for each family the list of required products must be individual. But no matter how much we compared the lists of different housewives, there was always a set of repeating dishes. We will introduce you to him. Then it’s a matter of small things: just add a few must-have products for your family.

• Eggs, butter, milk.
• Pasta, cereals.
• Sugar, salt, seasonings (write down which ones literally “fly away” in your family).
• Tea coffee.
• Potatoes, carrots, onions.
• Frozen meat, fish.
• Various sauces (choose which one).

Of course, baby food or canned food for a pet is added to this list, if available. But in general, even this small list will allow you not to go hungry. And finally, a little advice:

NEVER GO TO THE STORE FOR GOODS ON AN HUNGRY STOMACH! :)

This will only lead to you buying more products than you can handle. Why do you need extra spending? Therefore, take a piece of paper and a pencil in your hands and make your own personal list of strategic food supplies. This will make your life much easier, you'll see.

Fully packed shelves in the pantry are a guarantee that you won’t have to constantly run to your neighbor because the salt has run out and the soup is already boiling. Great, but there is one thing.

Wholesale purchasing is almost an art. It takes careful planning to appreciate the benefits of a full home storage facility.

Advantages of wholesale purchasing

If you've ever looked at the price tags for your favorite products, you've noticed that larger packages tend to be cheaper than smaller packages. Wholesale - saving on the obvious, on the difference in cost.

What other advantages does wholesale have?

• When you buy groceries and things in bulk, you are on the hook for travel, gas, and other overhead costs.
• You save time on constant trips to supermarkets. Even if you are tired after work and don’t want to go to the store, you know for sure that you have something to cook dinner from.
• Buying in bulk helps you stick to your meal plan. Judge for yourself: fewer trips to the store mean less chances of taking away unhealthy tasty treats.
• Well, a fashionable reason. Less packaging means less waste and less environmental pollution. Let's be honest, like everything related to environmental concerns, this reason is controversial.

What to buy

There is no point in buying perishable goods in large quantities. What to look for?

Products:

• Cereals, flakes, instant porridges.
• Peas, beans and lentils.
• Nuts.
• Vegetable oil.
• Spices.
• Pasta (all types and forms).
• Dried fruits.
• and salt.
• Flour.
• Candies.
• Tea and coffee.
• Ready-made sauces: ketchup, mustard, soy sauce.

Vegetables and fruits can also be purchased in bulk. This is beneficial if you buy seasonal fruits (the healthiest ones), and then process them: or freeze them.

It is profitable to buy meat if you have a large freezer. Then you can work hard and find a farm where you can directly purchase large quantities. But it is important to ensure that the farmer does not neglect veterinary control. Considering current prices and the quality of meat on the shelves, a trip to a reliable supplier is worth the time spent.

Household goods:

• Washing powder, dish soap, cleaning products.
• Toothpaste, soap, shampoo.
• Toilet paper and wet wipes.
• Batteries.
• Packages.
• Foil for baking.
• Sponges for washing dishes.

Everything is just according to plan

Naturally, each person has a different set of goods that are used every day.

If you cook, for example, buckwheat four times a week, then you should buy it in large quantities. And if you use peas once a month, then a large bag will spoil long before you eat it all.

Write down what and in what quantity you need to buy. And no more. In the process, it’s easy to go crazy and grab too much. Remember that you are going to save money and time, and not form the country’s military reserve.

Where and how to buy

For large purchases you need to go to the market or wholesale center. There are several lifehacks for additional savings:

• Go shopping with your own containers. This is especially true if you decide to go to a wholesale hypermarket. In such places there are always bags, packages, bags and boxes. But if you buy them again every time, then all the savings on wholesale will go down the drain.
• If you prefer products of one brand, call the branded point of sale and check the minimum quantity for sale.
• In large 24-hour stores, shop at night: there are fewer queues at this time.
• Don't let yourself be weighed down in the markets. Check the goods on check scales or take a steelyard with you.
• And don’t let the sellers pack the goods: do everything yourself so that you don’t get a spoiled product.
• At markets and wholesale stores, ask for a sample. As a rule, sellers will accommodate you halfway if possible. The appearance of a product can be deceiving; take the opportunity to check what you are buying. Just don't forget about hygiene.
• It is also common to bargain at markets, especially in the evenings. And if you constantly buy from one seller, the discounts will be greater.
• Unite. Make a joint list with friends and family: divide a large pack of product, saving on cost.

How to store

Before you go for bulk purchases, you need to decide where you will place it all. There are no universal tips here, because there are no identical conditions. Some people only have a free shelf on, others can allocate the basement of a huge house for storage. But this refers more to the number of goods you can buy.

Look for empty spaces that can be converted into storage. Right down to the emptiness under the beds, where you can safely send household goods.

If we talk about maintaining freshness and ease of storage, then the principles are the same.

1. Choose good packaging

Keeping food in bags is not a good idea. It is better to store all food in plastic or glass containers, and cereals and flour - not in a huge container, but in many small ones. The same applies to oils. Transfer them into small, clean bottles rather than storing one hefty one. If some food spoils due to improper temperature or humidity, you can salvage the rest.

Most likely, you will have to spend money on containers. But only once, then it will be easier. Buy them in bulk too. At the same time, make sure that they are compatible: approximately the same size and shape. This will make it more convenient and easier to group storage containers.

All containers must be washed, dried well (this is very important!), and then sealed tightly.

2. Take apart what you already have

First, clean the kitchen counter completely. Place a trash can nearby.

Then open all the cabinets, drawers and shelves. Place all their contents on the table.

Already on the table, sort out all the supplies that are mercilessly spoiled. Think about why it went wrong so you don't repeat the same mistakes.

Clean the shelves before putting food back in the cabinets.

3. Increase shelf life

If you buy cereals or seeds, especially at the market, you will have to process them before packaging. Dry, bake or freeze for a couple of days (dry only). This way you destroy microorganisms, that is, you extend the shelf life. The flour needs to be sifted.

4. Label containers

On each container you need to write what is there when it was placed. Ideally, until when to use it or at least when to review the content. This way you will insure yourself against unpleasant surprises.

5. Label containers with instructions for use.

This is relevant if a large number of people use the storage. For example, someone uses only special. But some people don’t care what the side dish is made from. Then it’s better to write a warning: “Do not touch if you are not Sasha.”

6. Make a general list of products

It’s not enough to label all the containers; a general list is still needed. Write in a column the names of all the products you have stored. In front of each one, put as many dots or checkmarks as there are containers you have filled. As the contents of the containers come to an end, you will cross them off the list. And you can always notice in time that it is already over.

7. Prepare according to plan

The meaning of storing large quantities appears if everything purchased is used up on time. To do this, you need to consume foods according to plan. Make a sample menu for 2-3 weeks and stick to it so that there are no distortions when you use one type of product and don’t touch another at all.

Save time on cooking. Cut meat, fish and vegetables immediately and turn them into...

8. Keep records

If you are not yet tired of putting things in order and accounting, then remember that you also need to save receipts. Then look at where it’s cheaper to buy and how much you can save.

Share your “wholesale” life hacks! How do you help save household supplies?

Illustrative photo

PHOTO: MIHKEL MARIPUU/PM/SCANPIX BALTICS

Estonia has already experienced both the sugar and buckwheat panics. Now an egg one has been added - eggs have simply disappeared from some stores. Although stocking up on them for future use is a hopeless task, because the shelf life of eggs is very short. MK-Estonia has compiled a list of strategic reserve products that are stored for a long time and can be kept on hand by a thrifty housewife “just in case.”

Surely our mothers and grandmothers have a kilogram or two of pearl barley hidden in the back cabinet in the kitchen, and canned meat is stacked like a pyramid in the refrigerator. Sugar, salt and matches are a given.

Stock up on food for a rainy day, in case there is a war tomorrow, be prepared for the worst - these expressions and fears have become so firmly ingrained in our flesh and blood that they have become part of our mentality. And there’s nothing wrong with that. This is a practicality based on historical events that taught the older generation to stock up.

The problem is that when it comes to putting their plans into practice, many will panic and act thoughtlessly.

As a result, most of the created emergency reserve will easily go to the trash in a few months.

What could be the TOP shelf-stable products? Having reviewed many products on store shelves, MK-Estonia chose those that have the longest shelf life in an ordinary apartment.

Water
Shelf-life Unlimited.

Salt
It is a natural preservative and never spoils. The only condition is to keep the packaging sealed so that the salt does not turn into stone and become damp. Although these external changes are not reflected in its taste. On some packs of salt it is written that “shelf life is unlimited”, on some – until 2017. There are traditional ways to keep salt dry. For example, you can add potato flour or a few grains of rice to it.

Sugar
Both refined sugar and granulated sugar can be stored for up to 8 years. It is advisable that the room temperature does not exceed +25 degrees. Moisture also does not affect the taste characteristics of sugar. The disadvantage of sugar is that it absorbs moisture and all foreign odors, and its taste deteriorates. If you buy sugar today, its shelf life is until 2015.

Frozen meat
Can not spoil in the freezer for up to a year if stored correctly. To do this, the meat needs to be washed, wrapped in foil, then in a bag. The taste in a year will, of course, be at zero; you will chew a piece of paper, but in times of famine it will do.

Jam
In fact, it is best to store sugar in the form of jam. The jam does not spoil for years. Even if the top layer becomes moldy, it can be removed, and the rest of the contents of the jar will not change the taste. Jars of jam sold in stores indicate a shelf life of up to 2013-2014.

Honey
The shelf life reaches several years. Some of the beneficial properties disappear over time, but honey does not spoil. It itself is a powerful preservative.

Stew
Shelf life up to 7-10 years. Although it is difficult to find an expiration date of more than three years on the jars we sell. According to nutrition experts, stewed meat should not be stored for more than a year, since after this time, canned food becomes life-threatening. In reality, if all production technologies are followed, then it is impossible to get poisoned from stew even after several decades. The only thing that changes is the taste and consistency. The meat turns into mush and won't be very tasty. For example, canned chicken in jelly is valid until October 2015.

Canned fish
They are stored for a maximum of two years. For example, tuna in its own juice has a shelf life of up to July 2013. Sprat in tomatoes spoils faster, it lasts for six months.

Condensed milk
Are you going to store it in case of nuclear war? Buy it in a tin, not in bags like yogurt is sold in. If condensed milk contains vegetable protein, it will not help you survive. It is good for three years in advance, although the consistency changes somewhat, but the sweetness does not disappear.

Canned vegetables
The shelf life of green peas, beans, corn, tomatoes and cucumbers is a maximum of four years, according to what is written on the labels. The record holders are green peas, which will survive in a jar until the summer of 2016, and canned fruit, which can be consumed in October 2017. During this time, the taste changes from good to less good, and the legumes slowly but surely turn into puree.

Flour, cereals, pasta or so-called starchy products
Flour, oddly enough, is not suitable for the NZ hit parade - bugs grow in it, it quickly absorbs moisture, it lasts for a maximum of six months. All cereals are also at risk. The bet should be placed on rice and legumes, which are stored for two to three years. For example, beans - until July 2014. And the palm is held by pasta in sealed packaging with a shelf life of up to 5 years.

Strong alcoholic drinks
The leader of our TOP is vodka. The expiration dates on the bottles are different - until November 2011, until October 2018. Vodka can be stored for up to 10 years because the alcohol does not spoil. True, the liquid will evaporate a little over the years, the taste will deteriorate a little, a sediment will appear, but the strength will not disappear. So, when all food supplies run out, you will have to rely only on drinking places. This has its advantages: in a drunken state, any problems seem solvable.

Do you know what distinguishes a truly thrifty housewife? She never runs out of food. After all, even from the remains of a dinner two days ago, she can prepare lunch, snacks and a light dessert. But jokes aside, some products are simply created to be used as strategic reserves in case of a hurricane or the sudden arrival of relatives. After all, their shelf life is practically unlimited. The main thing is to store it correctly. And, no: this is not stew.

Fresh food is the key to health. At the very least, healthy digestion. Therefore, do not be lazy to check the expiration dates and better not make too ambitious inventories. But some products, to the delight of thrifty owners, can be stored for a long time and even for a very long time. So, don’t rush to throw it away...

1. White rice

Laboratory studies have found that rice does not lose its nutritional properties even after 30 years. But only if stored correctly: in a dry container without access to air. But brown rice, alas, cannot boast of such impressive terms.

2. Honey

Honey is an amazing product, to which it was not for nothing that almost magical properties were attributed at different times. Just think: the oldest “jar” (more precisely, a jug) of honey – whole 5,500 years! And, yes, it's still edible. In any case, that's what scientists think.

3. Salt

Salt has been used for centuries as a natural preservative for foods, extending their shelf life. And all thanks to the unique ability to absorb moisture. It is not surprising that the mineral itself has an almost unlimited shelf life. But only if the salt is not iodized: its shelf life is “only” 5 years.

4. Soy sauce

Even after opening the bottle, soy sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for years without losing its properties. Perhaps due to the high salt content. And if you take into account its compatibility with another “long-liver” - rice, you get the perfect stock!

5. Sugar

Granulated sugar can be stored for decades, but under one condition: the absence of air.

6. Dry beans

The same researchers who tested rice for resistance to aging also found dry beans to be long-lived. And although over 30 years of storage the overall quality of the product deteriorated somewhat, it was still considered edible. After all, time has hardly affected its protein structure and has not affected its digestibility for the human body.

7. Maple syrup

Another sweetener with a shelf life that can only be rivaled by honey. Moreover, researchers claim that maple syrup is not afraid of even mold on the surface. If such a misfortune occurs, the syrup should be poured into a saucepan, put on low heat, brought to a boil, carefully remove the mold, and transfer the purified liquid to a new, clean container.

8. Powdered milk

Having searched for information on this issue in the Russian segment of the Internet, I was shocked by the “rational” proposals of some “experts”. For example, to create a home supply, it is recommended to use fresh chicken eggs. Or powdered milk in vacuum packaging. Or sour cream...

First of all, I have compiled for you a general list of products suitable for stockpiling and products that are unsuitable for stockpiling.

Suitable for creating a home stock of products:

Sterilized canned meat in classic metal cans
Sugar GOST 21-94
Parboiled long grain rice
Pasta group "A", premium grade
Tea
Sublimated coffee
Spices and seasonings (black pepper, vinegar, red hot pepper, bay leaf, paprika, etc.)
Alcohol

Suitable for storage only after careful processing:

Breadcrumbs
Ready-made cookies (biscuits)
Flour
Buckwheat
Other cereals (peas, millet, pearl barley, oatmeal)

Not suitable for storage:

Fresh vegetables
Fresh fruits

Butter
Chicken eggs
Bread

Without freezing, you can safely forget about them; they will rot in the shortest possible time, even if they are in the refrigerator.

Powdered milk
Chocolate
Vegetable oil

They will not last for more than a year, and, in addition, they require mandatory storage in the refrigerator. The whole problem is in the fats of these products, and fats oxidize over time.

Dried fruits
Candies
Homemade canned meat

Made, as a rule, illiterately, without following proper technical processes. Consuming such products after long-term storage can lead to anything, including botulinum toxin poisoning.

Canned fish

The permissible storage limit is usually no more than 2 years.

Ready-made solutions on the Russian market

There are several types of ready-made solutions for long-term stocks

And also a number of other, simpler ones, and all of them are available for you to review in the “All Our Products” menu of our website.

Why do we stock up on food?

Stocking up on food in case of a crisis is the only way to feel confident in the conditions of constant Russian inflation, the threat of social collapse and an unstable social situation. There is no “paranoia” - just a reserve allows you to stand on your feet differently. Firmer, calmer; a strong rear is always good.

Some argue that hoarding is a waste of money with the risk of losing it due to spoilage of the stored food. We know many of these skeptics as figures from statistical columns “died of hunger during the period...”. Civil war, world wars, social collapse, rising crime rates - there are many dangers in the world, and one of the truly effective ways to insure yourself against them is autonomy.

Autonomy is the essence of a home emergency food supply. I have been asserting for several years now, and will continue to assert, that a real, healthy human being is a family man who lives completely autonomously in an ecologically clean area. A person independent of the “benefits” of “civilization” with its rampant consumerism, disgusting mass culture, and eternal squabbling.

Now we are in the Golden Age, no matter how strange it may sound. Never in the last millennium has man enjoyed such personal comfort on such a massive scale. Today, every laborer can afford a heated toilet, soap, a variety of imported food from all over the world, and even a personal car!

But at what cost did we get all this? And have we become harmfully dependent on all this?

The law of conservation of energy has not been repealed, and enormous material benefits are achieved by wasting resources, as well as the labor of third world countries. The very resources that should have been used for the decent education of children, knowledge of the world around us, the conquest of space, the best armed forces in the world...

Thanks to the “optimization” of natural resource expenditures, we find ourselves in a vulnerable position. We, Russia. And this situation is that of a college girl returning home through dark alleys, with an expensive phone instead of a pistol.

The social situation in Russia today is frankly explosive. Citizens confident in the future walk the streets, and meanwhile the level of unemployment and food imports are growing, and the police, hastily converted from the police, are acquiring water cannons and expanding their weapons.

What is it for?

It doesn't matter what for.

It is important to be prepared for any situation. This is how I live myself, and I recommend you to live this way.

Simple guide.

During the twentieth century, famine occurred DOZENS of times in Eurasia. And each time there was a need for the same components of the food supply:

Animal protein (absolutely indispensable for the development of children and during pregnancy)
Carbohydrates (the main source of energy. Up to 60% of a person’s diet should consist of them)
Fiber (essential for healthy digestion)
Animal fats (a source of energy needed during heavy workloads. In addition, they contain fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins)
The main vital vitamins are A, C and D.

There are two fundamental approaches to stockpiling. You can make them up either from products that require cooking (cereals, flour, etc.), or from ready-made products - canned meat, canned cereals, canned soups, sublimates. The second option listed above is more expensive, but much more convenient and easier to prepare - you only need to protect the jars, and not sort through and pour groceries into more protected containers. However, neither the first nor the second contains a sufficient amount of vitamins.

Therefore, I recommend combining both methods and complementing them. Of course, it is better to provide with more expensive methods what cannot be provided with cheaper ones. Canned meat, the source of animal protein in our food supply, cannot be replaced by any cereal.

Now let me touch on the proportions.

A person’s needs per day, if we talk about days of heavy physical activity, are at least 400 grams of meat, at least 0.4-0.5 kg of cereals, and always fresh plant foods.

Everything except fresh plant food and vitamins can be stored (multivitamin complexes, unfortunately, are not suitable for long-term storage).

1) 1 can of beef stew GOST 5284-84 premium, net 525 g
2) 0.4-0.5 kg of cereals - pasta, rice, oatmeal
3) Fresh plant foods (I recommend white cabbage)

A food supply compiled using this formula can protect you and your family from hunger. But what about plant foods that cannot be preserved fresh except by deep freezing, and which are stored for no more than a year?

The answer takes me back to the thesis that I have already voiced in this article. Be autonomous! Don't live in cities, this is a dubious convenience bought at the price of physical and mental health.

Besides, stocking up in the city is useless anyway. After all, food must not only be available, it will also need to be protected if it becomes scarce. And this also happened many times during the twentieth century...

Order a supply of non-perishable food products now, and for a long time you will not need to drag your hands with bags, waste time, gasoline, or trust unknown suppliers. And most importantly, you will insure yourself against events that have occurred many times in the history of Russia - crises, shortages, rises in prices, socio-political collapses. Call us!