10 Items To Stock Up On During Inflation

Stocking up on items during inflation is an intelligent move. Food prices will go through the roof, and a food shortage at the grocery store is possible.

Ensuring your family is prepared for a long time could save you money and stress. Buying in bulk should keep your grocery bill down.

Inflation is the rising costs of goods and services over time. Panic buying could set in, and there may be supplier chain issues when dealing with the demand.

Don’t be surprised to see empty shelves and out-of-stock signs in supermarkets. 

The Federal Reserve tries to curb the effects of inflation and keep it as low as possible. Unfortunately, most Americans will still see them spending more on everyday items, and food costs will incur.

10 Items To Stock Up On During Inflation

Foods and essentials with a long shelf life are items you should stock up on during inflation. Think of everyday things you use or that are important for your daily life. You should consider stocking up on some of the items below.

Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is an item that sells out quickly in most supermarkets during inflation. During the height of Covid and lockdowns, paper products, including toilet paper and paper towels, were selling like hotcakes. 

Products that are used daily will, of course, be the first items that are sold out.

Stocking up on toilet paper requires a lot of space. Don’t go crazy and panic buy, but have enough to last you and your family quite a while.

Seeds

Growing your food is not possible for everyone, but it’s an ideal opportunity for those with a garden. Vegetables and fruits are both a long-term solution and a healthy option.

Seeds can be bought for a few bucks and provide food for years. 

Growing enough fresh produce will allow you to swap vegetables for other essential items with your neighbors, friends, and family. Veggies and fruits will be sought-after commodities during inflation.

Canned Foods

Canned food is a cheap and long-lasting commodity that should be on your grocery list during inflation. With a long shelf life and being among the lower-priced food items, you can live off canned food for a long time. 

The best tactic is to buy a few extra cans each time you shop. Filling your trolley to the brim with canned food isn’t necessary; build up your stockpile over a month or two.

Inflation is not worth panic buying over, leaving others unable to purchase everyday groceries. 

Pet Food

Pet food is another item that will see one of the most significant price increases. Keeping enough pet food for your dog, cat, rabbit, or any other type of pet will save you from spending more cash in the future.

Feeding kids and pets is a costly undertaking. So, finding pet food with a long shelf life is essential. Dry and canned food typically have a long shelf life, but if your dog eats raw food, you will need to freeze or refrigerate it.

Pasta

Pasta is a must-have for mums looking to save money during inflation. It is cheap and long-lasting, and in the right conditions, it can be stored for decades without losing its taste. 

Stocking up on different types of pasta will allow you to create a different dish and meal plan for the family.

Long-term storage without losing quality is why pasta is one of the most popular food choices for preppers (people who prepare for cataclysmic events or the collapse of a government)

Fuel

Fuel prices tend to increase dramatically during inflation. Everything you buy is affected by the cost of fuel.

Grocery prices will increase as local farmers need to use fuel to produce and deliver their fresh produce, and companies need to use fuel to deliver their products to supermarkets. 

Everything is correlated. Taking your kids to school, driving to and from work, or running errands can be costly during inflation. 

Storing a large fuel isn’t practical, but filling an extra jerry can or two when filling your tank might be the best option. Keeping the fuel in a safe place outside the reach of children is recommended.

Also, be aware that gas goes bad. Consider a preservative or use it rotating (add canned gas to the car and fill the small tank with fresh).

If you use propane for cooking, having small propane tanks and a gas grill will also help when propane prices increase.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a tasty delicacy with plenty of protein. Many dishes can be made from it, including sandwiches, pasta, chicken, and even soup.

Diversifying, long-lasting, delicious, and low-cost, it is a popular choice for mums during inflation. 

If refrigerated after opening, peanut butter can last 6-9 months. Have you run out of peanut butter? The good news is that you can make different nut butter with some peanuts.

Olive Oil

Vegetable oil doesn’t have a long shelf-life compared to olive oil but can still last many months in the right conditions.

Olive oil can last up to 24 months if kept in a cool, dark place. Most mums will use olive oil daily when cooking, so stocking up on a few extra bottles might be a good idea.

Medical Supplies and Prescriptions

Medical supplies could be essential items to stock up on during inflation. People who require specific tables or medicine might need them if supply issues or prices increase.

Bandages and a first aid kit could be some of the most important things you may need during inflation or at any time. Even medical items will increase in price during inflation.

Meat

Grocery shopping for meat will also become much more expensive during inflation. Since meat will eventually go bad, you can vacuum seal it and put it in the freezer to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

Meat can be stored in the freezer for months. Keeping a variety of meat will ensure you and your family have plenty of options for dinner.

Tips For Stocking Up On Items During Inflation

Following a few handy tips for stocking up on items during inflation will ensure you get the best value for your money. 

Don’t Waste Food 

Food waste can be reduced dramatically by reducing the quantity you cook or letting the food go bad. Food sitting in your fridge or cupboard until it goes in the bin is not doing your purse any favors. 

According to Feeding America, over $408 billion of food is wasted yearly in the United States. Not to mention, wasting food is environmentally unfriendly.

Impulsive Purchases

Keep your grocery budget at a minimum by not making any impulsive purchases. Plan exactly what groceries you want before going to the supermarket, and stick to the list as best as possible. 

Ignore any ‘buy now, pay later’ ads you see at the store or online. Shop for the necessities for you and your family and leave the expensive items until you are in a better financial position or the inflation era is over.

Bargain Hunt

Looking around at different supermarkets, gas stations, stores, and whatever else you shop for can be an excellent way to find the best deal.

Shop comparison-type websites might be a good way to compare the prices of supermarkets in your area. 

Keeping an eye out for discount tokens and other ways to save money could help lower grocery prices.

Supermarkets tend to have discounted items close to their ‘sell by’ date, and you could save a few dollars by buying them in bulk.

Final Thoughts On Items To Stock Up On During Inflation

Stock up on essential everyday products during inflation. Unfortunately, inflation will cause you to spend more on food, fuel, medicine, and much more.

Most items will have higher prices, and your income will likely be the same.

Staying conservative on purchasing and reducing spending may help weather inflation.

Looking out for deals, buying in bulk, growing your food, buying long-lasting food, and not making impulsive purchases can help keep your costs down.

Stocking up on items like medicine, canned food, meat, peanut butter, pasta, and other foods that will last for months can help keep your grocery costs down.