The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

annieb64

What about a large pack of toilet rolls, detergent etc. Also a small sewing kit and tool kit.

Floss

Why don't we start a new thread for the post COVID / BREXIT era...

MingVase

I'd go for that Floss.

annieb64

Good idea. Things have changed since Covid/ Brexit . We now have the war in Ukraine and inflation to worry about.

Floss

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6450150/prepping-the-new-world#latest 

euronorris

I would just remind him that trying to get to the shops for loo rolls, food and medicine is no fun when you're ill. And that starting off (and maintaining) a good stock of those is a good place to start.

She says, speaking from experience. Never again.

DigForVictory

I was thinking I might set him up with a (nonstick) saucepan, wooden spoon, tin opener, chopping board, kitchen knife & washing up gear, as well as a few tins but I don't want to dent his pride or autonomy. (He's perfectly likely to have scouted out the local takeaways!) Maybe a box with breakfast cereal, a sliced loaf & vacuum packed sliced meat that doesn't require refrigeration, and possibly some "add boiling water & wait" sachets of office food. (Not that I know what offices eat - I may send him on his way with a cake & a roll of binbags.) Just I've no idea if the fridge will be working, & it's his job to figure out what he needs & wants & how to run a house & sort his food & laundry as well as work & social life.
The last Costco trip saw me back with dozen slabs of plum & chopped tomatoes & snarling they didn't have Branston beans. Seeing him off with a tub of Italian seasoning is only kindly if he has real food to put it on  & it isn't quite hot chocolate season. I'll try again for the beans as I know he eats them (and only them - other brands and non-label beans Are Available...!)

Floss

DfV, post your question on the new thread too 😊

DigForVictory

@Rosetta, here's my default Costco list - I don't get it all every time (!) but some of the things I can only get at Costco, like the Kirkland balsamic vinegar.

Persil - the heaving great big boxes slide onto the shelf under the trolley just fine & so long as you keep them dry leave you laughing off supermarket special offers for months. I used to buy 3 at a time & have a totem of Persil when doing school uniform washes every week. (Several other brand powders as well as Kirkland's own - plus other formats but All Biggish - not ideal for experimentation but great for steady Money Saving once you know what does the job for your household!)

Bin bags - in a roll, big up front hit but then you're good for ages.

Galaxy Hot chocolate (Big tin!) In the autumn term I buy two at once (& Hide the second.)

Enchilada kits (packs of 4 old el paso, if you use them, saves a bundle on supermarket costs)

Plum tomatoes (in slabs of a dozen)

Chopped tomatoes (in slabs of a dozen)

Kirkland Balsamic Vinegar (1L bottle)

Spam (pack of 6, still undercuts supermarket)

Italian seasoning (Big Shwartz tub, pink cap,) Costco own salt & Tellicherry black peppercorns also excellent

Hummus (if they have it amongst the deli stuff - Big tub, you may need several vegetarians to get through it before it goes out of date)

Olive oil (Kirkland is fine, brand name if you prefer - depends on how big a bottle you trust yourself with!)

Lea & Perrins (2 pack, hearty sized bottles)

Gojo/Swarfega - in the car section, a tank with pump that really does shift the mechanics grease etc. If you do not need the specialist chemistry, don't bother but if your hsouehold does, it's here & potent.

Loo Roll - can be on promotion with kitchen roll (you'll see everyone with it if so - if you have the car boot space, glorious peace of mind!) 

T Gel shampoo - if you have an awkward soul for whom this is essential, buy at Costco!

Tresseme - so long as you know what you need exactly, you can get the multipacks of big bottles - these may not be easy in wet hands but are a generous kindness to the wallet.

Ketchup - it really helps to know what your supermarket will do on promotion by the litre to compare & also to have tried your family on Lidl's own (Betts?) before you lay in on the genuine Heinz

Grab a cake leaflet so you know what Can be done - you may never bake a birthday cake again. 

Run a thoughtful eye over the croissants, cookies, muffins & other easy nibble temptations - this is where shopping with a friend feeds a Lot of people but doesn't trigger diabetes.

Also eye the carrot cake, the chocolate cake etc just so you recognise where the coffee shop probably got their supplies from.

The are icecreamtubs of Haribo of various sorts. The school bursar adored me as I could turn £100 of cash into £1000 quid+ of little packets of mischief - just do not buy without at least 20 people to distribute amongst?!

Stamps - again, for any charitable organisation you work with, you can get stamps for less at Costco than you do at the post office. Bonus points for leveraging the pitch by pointing out the imminent price rises planned learned from the weekly email!

The catch? You have to pay up front & then fit it all into your car. Costco Tetris is a definite thing & if you must take a male with you (they can get Expensive on the tools & car aisles) pick one with demonstrably good spatial awareness. Then of course you have to Put It All Away when you get home, and remember where you have put it.
If you must take children with you, bribe them ruthlessly. They are to be impeccably behaved, quiet helpful & obedient, and at the end, they will each get a muffin. Any backsliding & You Eat Their Muffin. (Only say this if you are able to deliver on this - but you need only do it Once & the little darlings really do remember. Trust me on this.)  

Living_proof

Costco must have is the large Kirkland rolls of tin foil. Expensive but lasts indefinitely and can be reused.