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, the majority of Americans will still see them spending more on everyday items and food costs will increase.
10 Items To Stock Up On During Inflation
Items you should stock up on during inflation are foods and essentials with a long shelf life. 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 toilet paper requires a lot of space. Don’t go crazy and panic buy, but have enough that will last you and your family quite a while.
Seeds
Growing your food is not a possibility 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 couple of bucks and potentially provide food for years to come.
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 amongst the lower price food items list, you can live off canned food for a long-time.
Buying a few extra cans each time you shop is the best tactic. 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 has 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 Mum’s looking to save money during inflation. Cheap and long-lasting, pasta can be stored for decades in the right conditions 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 quantity of 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 on a rotating basis (add canned gas to the car and fill the small tank with fresh).
If you use propane for cooking, having small propane tanks on hand and a gas grill will also help when propane prices go up.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a tasty delicacy that has plenty of protein. Many dishes can be made from peanut butter, including sandwiches, pasta, chicken, and even soup.
Diversifying, long-lasting, delicious, and a type of low-cost food make it a popular choice for mums during inflation.
After opening, peanut butter can last 6-9 months if refrigerated. Ran out of peanut butter? The good news is that you can make different nut butters if you have some peanuts lying around.
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 the prices get crazy during inflation.
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 a much more expensive endeavor during inflation. The meat will go bad eventually, so 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 each year 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 to buy 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 are shopping 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
The items to stock up on during inflation are essential everyday products. Unfortunately, inflation will see you having to spend more on food, fuel, medicine, and much more.
The majority of items will have higher prices, and your income will likely be the same.
Staying conservative on purchasing and reducing spending may help you weather the inflation storm.
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.