Creating a Store Cupboard to see me through a lean patch

islandhoppa

I have a (planned) drop in income coming from Jan 2024 which will last until August 2024. The drop is not huge but will be noticeable - it’s a similar amount weekly as I spend on groceries.

I have 8 months to put together as much in savings as I can to bridge the gap but find cash saved often ends up diverted to other things 🙄 so I have decided that boosting my storecupboard will reduce the grocery spends needed over the period.

The general advice for creating a storecupboard is ‘store what you will eat’ but I also wondered if you lovely people had any other advice - space is limited so I’m aiming more for higher cost, smaller items (laundry powder, toilet rolls etc) rather than trying to store 8 months of tinned tomatoes! (That’s not to say I won’t be storing tins because I will, but won’t be able to store enough to see me through. We eat most things, cook from scratch (mostly) and will also be storing reduced meat etc in the freezer but nearer the time as freezer space limited.

Any great advice for me? 

joedenise

If you eat beans and pulses I would stock up on dried ones.  They take up far less space than tins.  Also make. Sure you have a good supply of herbs and spices as they make so much difference to a lot of meals for little cost.

Floss

Stash your savings somewhere out of sight so they aren't visible & don't get diverted  - maybe in a different account? 

bouicca21

I second @joedenise on dried pulses, herbs and spices.  Much depends on what sort of things you cook but I’d also have extra packets of flour and sugar and I always have pasta, passata and cans of coconut milk, tuna and anchovies in the cupboard.  Stock cubes? Dried fruit? 

Katiehound

Some of your space might be given over to health/beauty products such as shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste especially if what you like is on offer. or, stock up when loyalty points are double etc. (I'm mainly thinking Superdrug more generous than Boots)

look at what you normally cook so that you have the basics to make most of a meal in store. If you like them buy the cheap ranges before they get even dearer! For example you can still get 1 kg rice for under 50 pence.
Using online trolley website is handy so you get the best prices.....

Nelliegrace

 I would start adding a few non-perishable items first, and look out for special offers on things you use. Check use by dates, pulses in the shops now may be last year’s harvest. 
Try putting some money aside and get used to living on a lower budget before you need. 

Brie

sign up for things like community cupboards etc so you know how to use them, where they are etc.  (I haven't figured this out yet myself).  I know that's not a store cupboard but means you might get some nice fresh stuff if and when it comes available.  Also check out the BOGOF type apps as well as looking for places like Rogers Wholesale for proper bargains.  I got boxes of Taylor coffee pods - I think it was 6 boxes of 10 for £2 instead of the box of 10 for £4 in most shops.  Didn't matter that it was best it's BBD as it's coffee.   

maisie_cat

We have several months storage of everything we buy except fresh veg including tins, dried pulses and cleaning supplies.
Start with what you normally buy and if you are going to become cash poorer/time richer will anything change? Buy some extra every shop starting now. You will need a storage space, I have a cupboard in a hallway and some really useful boxes with tins in the garage. Under beds is a popular choice for tins.

In lean times I cook more from scratch and replace meat with pulses.
Have as many herbs, spices, flavourings as you can, makes a massive difference. If you can grow some veg, leafy salad and spinach are easy and don't take up much room.
We've had a skint month this month and only spent half our food budget, instead using store cupboard and freezer supplies.

RAS

Hi, I'd think a bit beyond your store cupboard when looking for savings.

The early part of your reduced period is the worst part of the year weather wise. Are there low-cost thing that you can do to reduce your energy costs, make life more pleasant? Hot water bottle? Fluffy bed socks, draught-proofing? Can you stash a little extra money in funds in advance?

Do you have any outdoor space to grow things? Even a pot with sage, thyme and chives started now would be mature enough to give you flavourings next spring onwards. Alternatively a bed of leeks, kale, sprouting broccoli and Swiss chard could boost your diet for the price of a few seed packets (5 for £2 in Lidl, 50p upwards in Wilko). Add a pack of mixed lettuce for cut and come again in spring as you clear the ground and add a few to heart up.

Check through things that might break down, need replacing? Whether it's the gutters, screwdriver or dodgy socket, you won't necessarily save money but you will reduce the stress of fixing it urgently.

islandhoppa

Thanks everyone, I knew it was a good idea to post here.

I will be time richer and I hadn’t thought of dried beans which seem a faff at the moment due to being time poor (tend to use tinned, although I do use dried lentils for adding to stews etc.). They shouldn’t take up too much room either which is a plus.

Also I had planned to start growing on a small scale due to having more time but didn’t really think of early / winter crops so that’s a great idea, thank you. 

Also will check out Rogers Wholsesale, I’ve not heard of them before.

Savings wise - I do have ‘hidden’ pots in a Zop@ account which have helped me with my saving, however I think having physical stores will just make me feel more secure that we won’t be starving or eating beans on toast for 8 months (which is actually one of my favourite meals but I don’t want I every day!!).

I have just discovered @mumtoomanys thread from last year and that is also providing lots of inspiration!

gwynlas

Meal plan store cupboard meals for a number of days per week  so that you know you only need to buy/create a few more to cover the remainder. Several bloggers have demonstrated challenges such as war time rations, store cupboard, £1 per day etc .