Food is not exactly cheap anymore and it’s getting harder to find a good deal. Prices have increased on many goods, but there are still some good deals to be found.

In your food shopping, you need to think outside the box whenever possible. Dollar stores are a great place to purchase cheaper food, but they may also have smaller quantities. They also carry more processed foods which can be a turn-off for most people. Discount or salvage grocery stores offer terrific deals, but keep an eye on expiration dates. Shopping for the loss leaders and sales at grocery stores can also help you increase your food storage. You should always calculate the unit price to ensure you get the best deal.

Some of what you purchase will depend on your diet and your daily eating habits. Some people refuse to stockpile any processed foods (however, if you buy it at a store, it’s been processed). Some people only eat processed foods. Some people like to eat a protein-heavy diet, while others prefer some protein with their carbs. However, fed is better than hungry when you have a tight budget and need to stockpile.

You may have something to say when you see this list. It is called 15 Cheap Foods to Stockpile in Your Pantry. This list will not be considered high-quality foods for some people. Some of us do not have the money to purchase organic and higher-priced specialty items. When I started my food storage, it was food that I could afford on a tight budget so there were no organic or non-GMO foods unless I found them on clearance. Plus, many food labels are misleading. There are also creators on various platforms who make their money from scaring people. You need to consider that, too, and do your own research.

Many people have to make some decisions on their grocery budgets and feeding themselves and their families comes first. You do what is best for your family, but I wanted to make this list to help you get started with food storage on a budget.

1. Rice. While its price may have gone up, rice is still a cheap addition or base for your meals. Buying it in larger quantities does help lower the cost per serving. Check out the Asian markets/stores for even more savings.
   
   
2. Ramen Noodles. Ramen noodles are ridiculously cheap, depending on how you purchase them. The little ramen packets are more affordable, but are not necessarily considered healthy. You can also buy them in larger quantities. They are also a good base for soups and one-bowl meals.
   
   
3. Sugar. Regular white sugar can be purchased for a reasonable price at most stores. If you watch the holiday sales, you can stock up at a sale price. Sugar lasts indefinitely when stored in a dry, cool place. When times are hard and chaotic, a little sweet treat can help brighten the mood.
   
   
4. Salt. Salt is an essential mineral for the body, especially if you are working hard. It will also make your food taste better. Like sugar, salt can last indefinitely when stored in a cool, dry place.
   
   
5. Instant Potatoes. A box of instant potatoes is still reasonable. They are a cheap way to stretch a meal. You can buy the pouches or boxes and both are storage-friendly.
   
   
6. Tuna and Chicken – canned or packets. Protein is essential to any diet so you need to plan on finding ways to incorporate it into your food storage. Buying tuna or chicken in pouches or cans can be very reasonable, especially at the dollar stores.
   
   
7. Pasta. Pasta makes stretching any meal easy and filling, especially if you have younger children to feed. Pasta is on sale frequently which makes it easy to stock up.
   
   
8. Canned vegetables. Another food that is on sale frequently is canned vegetables. Vegetables are a good addition to meals, soups, and sauces, and can be consumed straight from the can.
   
   
9. Condensed soups. Condensed soups can be purchased for under a dollar a can if you buy generic. They help bind casseroles together and make a sauce to put on noodles. You can also just eat them as soup with some milk or broth.
   
   
10. Chicken, Beef, and Vegetable Broth. These are usually on sale or can be found for a reasonable price. You can also make your own stock/broth which can be considerably cheaper.
    
    
11. Dried or Canned Beans. Another good protein source is beans, lentils, or other legumes. Whether you want to store them as canned or dried is your preference. Both are relatively cheap to purchase. You will get more bang for your buck if you buy them dried.
    
    
12. Canned Tomatoes. Having canned tomatoes on hand can be a flavor booster and a lifesaver. You can make sauce from them, add them to soups and casseroles, make a meatless chili with your stored beans, and add them to meat to have over pasta. They are healthy and can be purchased cheaply on sale or at dollar stores.
    
    
13. Boxed Meals. Many people sleep on boxed meals, but they don’t realize that they can be a good start to a meal. Yes, some of them have a lot of preservatives, but when your kids are hungry, they will help you get a meal on the table quickly. Macaroni and cheese, rice mixes, pasta mixes, and ‘just add meat’ meals can be a cheap addition to your food storage and are worth consideration. Also, macaroni and cheese is a comfort food for many people.
    
    
14. Flavored Powdered Gelatin and Pudding Mixes. Those little boxes can be an easy dessert or snack for not very much money. I keep these regularly stocked in the cabinet for a quick treat. Also, those gelatin mixes are handy for someone who needs to be on a clear fluid diet.
    
    
15. Vegetable Oil. You will need some fat for cooking. Vegetable oil is reasonably cheap and will last for a while on your shelves as long as you keep it out of direct light. While some will say it’s bad, if you are on a tight budget, it will do nicely for cooking.
    

Let’s remember that this is food storage. You will need to practice regular rotation. Some of the listed food items will never really expire, like sugar and salt. Some of the food items will need to be in regular rotation to keep the ingredients from going bad. Please be sure only to store foods you and your family will eat.

If you are interested in doing more for your food storage, check out these articles:
100 Shelf-Stable Foods To Store In Your Pantry/Stockpile
30 Pantry Staples I Must Have In My Food Storage
10 Non-Perishable Food Preps You Should Be Buying Every Month

Thanks for reading,
Erica

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