The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

DawnW

GreyQueen said:

   If you have a food processor, you can turn granulated sugar into caster sugar any time you need it. Granulated sugar always seems to be available. HTH.

To be honest, I never buy caster sugar, but use granulated for everything, just as it comes. It doesn't seem to make any difference.

Si_Clist

DawnW said:

To be honest, I never buy caster sugar, but use granulated for everything, just as it comes. It doesn't seem to make any difference.

Ahah!  We feel better now.  We thought it was just us two who have never used anything but granulated ...

MingVase

I don't suppose you can pop sultanas in the freezer to store? The best-by date is only Jan 2021.

Thriftygifty

Thanks for the tip about granulated and it's a lot cheaper.  I made a Victoria sponge last week, we haven't really had cake for quite some time and it was beyond sweet, it's weird what you get use to/without. 

DigForVictory

MingVase said:

I don't suppose you can pop sultanas in the freezer to store? The best-by date is only Jan 2021.

Google says yes. I confess if the power went I might suddenly be wondering how well they store defrosted (badly, I’d suspect) but while everything works, freeze away!

MingVase

I could put one 500g bag in the freezer just in case I need an urgent cake at some point

wondercollie

What do you consider a normal amount of meds to have on hand?  How much do you use in a month?
How are you planning on disposing of the out of date meds?

I've just got rid of Advil I bought in 2013!  Jar of 100 and I counted.  I'd used a grand total of 13.  That was an expensive lesson.  

OTC drugs in Canada aren't cheap.

GreyQueen

wondercollie said:

What do you consider a normal amount of meds to have on hand?  How much do you use in a month?
How are you planning on disposing of the out of date meds?

I've just got rid of Advil I bought in 2013!  Jar of 100 and I counted.  I'd used a grand total of 13.  That was an expensive lesson.  

OTC drugs in Canada aren't cheap.

In the Uk, common otc meds like paracetamol (Tylenol in the USA I think, I know you’re Canadian) and also ibruprofen, are sold in packs of 16. Basic brands are as cheap as 30p each. The ones I see have about 2 years’ date on them. If you want heavily advertised versions, you’d pay about £4 for the same. In the otc drug crisis earlier this year, all the cheapies were out of stock for weeks. Retailers cap purchases at 2 packs per customer due to paracetamol having been a favoured drug choice for suicide attempts for years. Discount store chain P0undland will sell 3 packs for £1, though.

Most folk have a few boxes of 16 at home and pick up replacements with the weekly shop. Because they’ve always been cheap and easily available, no one gave much thought to their supply, which seems to be India .

Going forwards, I expect many of us will be keeping more in!

pollyanna_26

Only just found out you finally had your op GQ. best wishes for a full recovery those slugs will be partying. Hope you and your sharpened steel are on the case asap.

pollyx

Thriftygifty

I sorted out our first aid box and had 1 bottle of Benylin out of date and 2 baby snuffle rub tubs.  You can take OOD medicines back to the pharmacist to dispose of.  I haven't worked out quantities yet, Calpol is my concern as when this kicked off I saw on the news that one pharmacist up country was charging an eye watering amount for one bottle which I thought was disguising.  Hayfever tablets for DH I need to look at as he has run them low and becomes a zombie when he's hit with hayfever/allergies.  I've told my parents to try and get some back up medicine however my Mum is insistent that they can't from the doctors.