What do I need BEFORE setting up a budget?

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Make your Wants Few

When I read this, I had never heard of it before... but yet, I live it.  

My husband always makes fun of what I "want" for Christmas or my Birthday.  I quote "Those are not wants... those are needs". 

I grew up this way... if I really wanted something... it was more because I needed it.  By making my "wants few"... as a single adult, I was able afford college while working WITHOUT taking out a loan.  

Distinguishing between our WANTS and NEEDS is a major step in budget management.  

Month 12: Other Food for Easy Living

If you look really close you can see "Use Me" written on my peanut butter.  This was because as I was checking my food, this was dented with a bulge.  Even if  I only bought it a month ago, I wanted to use it before it went bad.

Shopping List: 

Walmart

     *6 6lb Large Peanut Butter.  $77.04.  OR 510 (2 Tablespoon) servings.

     *2 6lb Large Shortening.  $19.56  OR 454 (1 Tablespoon) servings.

     *3 6pack (makes 2 Quarts each) containers of Drink Mix.  $6

Total:  $102.60

Other Food For Easy LivingHere is a list of other food items such as snacks and spices that will make your “time” living off food storage more pleasant. It's important to have other options if you have kiddos at home. (We all know how picky a baby, toddler, child, teenager, college student is...)

Pepper
Salt
Chili powder
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Cinnamon
Bay leaves
Parsley
Oregano
Meat spices
Mrs. Dash
Cajun seasoning
Honey
Dried Fruit
Freeze Dried fruit or vegetables
Crackers
Snack bars such as granola bars, protein or high power bars
Gatorade, or more drink mix powder to flavor water

You know better than I do what you family enjoys.  Put snacks in there that YOU would use to make for easy rotating and nothing wasted.

PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS CHALLENGE:
Food Storage Challenge Introduction
Month #1:  What are #10 cans?
Month #1.5: Storing Bulk Items
Month #2:  Breakfast Recipes
Month #3:  Money Saving Tips
Month #4:  Storage Part 1
Month #4.5:  How to Rotate Food you Don't Like
Month #5: Storage Part 2
Month #6:  Dinner Recipes
Month #7:  H2O
Month #7.5:  Keep Items Fresh
Month #8:  Conversions
Month #9:  Lunch, Drinks, Desserts
Month #10:  Non-Food Items
Month #10.5:  Easy Way to Keep Track of Items

Month #11:  Cooking Utensils

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***Disclaimer:  I am not an affiliate for Honeyville, Thrive, or Augason Farms.  I am the author of "A Practical Guide for Food Storage" so I do receive some payment from those purchases.

Being prepared for service

One of the biggest reasons we have chosen to collect a year supply of food storage is to be able to support our friends, family, or neighbors in time of need.  

If there is a flood, tornado, or some other disaster that wipes out food supply for a few days or a week... our "Year" supply off food will be gone very quick.  But in turn, we will receive blessings from serving and helping others.