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Buying in Bulk, What We Have Learned – Part 2, by JSP
A couple of years ago I wrote the initial offering on this subject of buying in bulk for Survival Blog readers, without thinking there would be a second part. However, since then we have learned some new ways to leverage our buying power, I will share that below.
Update on Part 1
First, I will give an update on the strategies in the original article. We continue to buy in bulk, as described in the article. Currently, we access wheat for $200 per ton and whole, clean, food grade, non GMO corn for $300 per ton. Much has been written on this blog about prepping on a budget, and I would continue to argue that based on cost per pound or cost per calorie, it doesn’t get any cheaper than this. Granted, it’s not easy, as you will have to “shop” in ways you’re not used to, but let’s do a quick comparison.
I recently checked; a large, national brand, online retailer of survival type foods sells 40 lbs of wheat in five-gallon pails for $56 each and 50lb bags of wheat for $38. In the pails, that is $2,800 per ton, and in bags that is $1500 per ton. This does not include shipping. Granted, that’s an easy way to buy your grains. You just go online, swipe your card, and it shows up at your door; however, it’s also an expensive way to buy.
I have mentioned that I am sure bulk grains, as I have described, are not available in all parts of the country, but with a little planning that too can be worked around. I had a friend who lived in Missouri and wanted to buy in bulk but couldn’t find any. He and his family were traveling by SUV to Phoenix to visit family. We made arrangements for their return trip home for them to route through Salt Lake City and rent a trailer, pick up grains, and return them home to Missouri. The one way trailer rental was well under $200.
I get asked about storage from time to time. We simply put the grains in the food-grade barrels, as described in the first article, and place the lids and bands on them. We have not used any of the more elaborate storage methods described on this blog, such as using food-grade diotemaceous earth, dry ice, Mylar bags, and so on. Yet, to date, we have not lost any grains or legumes to infestations. We have some products that have been at our location for over seven years.
The Non Essentials
Part 2 of buying in bulk is about laying in supplies of the non-essential items. For example, consider toilet paper; we can all live without TP. However, as good a “sport” as my wife is and as supportive of our prepping as she is, I know that if she has to start wiping her “behind” with leaves she is not going to be a “happy camper”.
This also requires shopping in ways you may not be accustomed to.
Source: http://survivalblog.com/buying-in-bulk-what-we-have-learned-part-2-by-jsp/
