topic Re: Planning ahead in Community Chat

Planning ahead

happycat — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 22:34:25 GMT

Are any of you trying to think of things you may need a month or so from now?

I have been trying to, hopefully things will be much better. In case they aren't I did order stuff to make my own laundry detergent. I have plenty of food. Paper towels will last a while, as well as toilet paper.

I have always just run to the store when I need something, thats out the door now. I order online and try to go once a week.

DH said I need to get more rice and beans, salt, flour just in case.

Is anyone stocking up on anything?

The reason I am concerned is because there is still no toilet paper here. Beef is hit or miss. No chlorox wipes, lyson, other cleaning supplies are limited. I ordered some more bleach and amonia. I do know not to use them together.

Wishing dh wasn't working so much, so we could make a garden. That tiller is more than I can handle.

Re: Planning ahead

CelticCrafter — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 22:40:06 GMT

Right now the only things I would really like is to have an unopened container of wipes, an unopened hand sanitizer and a full can of Lysol under the kitchen sink, but what are you gonna do.

Otherwise we're okay with food and paper products.

Re: Planning ahead

suzyQ3 — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 22:51:24 GMT

Paper goods just can't be found here locally unless I guess you're willing to stalk the markets super early, and even then, I'm not so sure.

So instead I stalk Amazon for TP and PT. That's what I want to stock up on. But you literally have check it every few minutes. And when a decent one pops up as available, no dawdling allowed.

Everything else we need and want can be found locally -- not by delivery necessarily but by biting the bullet and going to the market. I'm trying to go just once a week and may try even every other week.

Re: Planning ahead

Nightowlz — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 22:51:56 GMT

I have been thinking ahead.

Our freezer is full & so is our pantry.

I stocked up on all the essentials we use daily like hand wash, bar soap, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant.

I have baking supplies. I also placed an order with King Arthur since flour is on backorder plus you can only buy 2 of each type flour. I ordered 2 10 lb ap flour & 2 bread flour plus 1 all wheat white. We will have enough til it gets here.

I already replaced all our spices plus bought 3 lbs pink Himalayan salt.

Stocked up on all my supplements.

Bought large jars of honey, pure maple syrup, oatmeal, cereals, beans, rice etc.

I think we are good on most things for quite a while. I started stocking in Feb. I knew this was going to happen. Glad I don't have to stand in line to get in the store.

I say buy what you need & what you will use. Don't buy stuff you won't use.

They don't have much cleaning supplies either. DH did bring home 4 gallons of bleach.

Re: Planning ahead

Chicagosuburbangirl — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 22:49:59 GMT

Same situation here with any type of cleaning, sanitizing or paper products available.

Thank goodness DH has big blue paper shop towels that I will cut up and use for paper towels.

My bleach is no longer for my laundry.

Four teaspoons mixed with one quart of water cleans my desk at work.

We have plenty of food, but will run out of salad fixings soon; my lunch staple.

No problem, I'll just have something else.

I'm thankful I have what I do.

Re: Planning ahead

IdahoGram — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 22:52:26 GMT

I have been considering stocking up more. However I'm guessing many others have the same idea. I tried to buy dried beans, flour, rice and a few things such as that earlier this week and none to be had. They keep saying the food supply chain will be fine, but I have doubts about that. Even when we're on the down side of the curve we'll still be in danger of picking up the virus for some time to come. I have family who refuse to accept the dangers of this virus which is extremely frustrating for me. My DH for starters!! He has almost all of the health issues they say put people at risk. SO, what does he do today? Goes for a drive and into the Fred Meyers store just to see if people were wearing masks! First time he's been out of the house in two weeks, unbelieveable!! No mask nothing, crazy.

Re: Planning ahead

cantdrive55 — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 15:44:30 GMT

@Chicagosuburbangirl I was just reading an article from Business Insider online on how blue shop towels make a superior face mask! 😷 if you're interested, just Google it.

Re: Planning ahead

Love my grandkids — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 23:07:26 GMT

I've ALWAYS stocked up (not hoarded) and planned way in advance. In the last month I've picked up 2 packs of t.p. from Costco and a few other things.

I've got about 7 cases of water I've bought over the last 6 months. Lots of kleenex and paper towels.

I have 3 months or more of all my meds and supplements.

Have been picking up canned goods the last 2 months. Good to go.

I picked up a few things at Safeway today but did my big shopping two weeks ago. Got a full tank of gas.

Re: Planning ahead

gidgetgh — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 23:21:41 GMT

I was able to order 2 six packs of toilet paper today from Amazon, for delivery on April 23rd. I didn't pick that date. That's just what they showed when I ordered.

I ordered it, just in case. I figured if we get close to that date and we don't need it, I can cancel. If we need it, or if a neighbor needs it then I'll be glad I ordered it.

Re: Planning ahead

suzyQ3 — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 23:24:03 GMT

@gidgetgh wrote:
I was able to order 2 six packs of toilet paper today from Amazon, for delivery on April 23rd. I didn't pick that date. That's just what they showed when I ordered.

I ordered it, just in case. I figured if we get close to that date and we don't need it, I can cancel. If we need it, or if a neighbor needs it then I'll be glad I ordered it.

Exactly, @gidgetgh

Re: Planning ahead

RedTop — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 23:25:56 GMT

@happycat,

What you’re thinking now is how I think ALL the time.

Re: Planning ahead

willdob3 — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 23:39:27 GMT

@happycat

Yes, I’m not going into stores to shop and won’t any time soon, but, before I order online, I go through and check to see what I might need in the near future. I ordered a large shampoo instead of the regular size I normally use that is 1/3 the size.

If I could, at this point, I’d stock up on things but everything I would buy a larger amount of has a limit of 1 or 2. I understand why but it is annoying because if you run out of food, getting enough for one or two meals isn’t going to work very well.

If you can only get toilet paper by going into a store (none available on Amazon when I have looked), I will be doing without when I run out of what I have. And I would much rather do without than go into any grocery store or WalMart right now.

Re: Planning ahead

Tadaki — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 00:10:00 GMT

I'm trying to keep enough on hand that if it gets really bad in my area, I can stay in for even a month. I'm working from home, so I really only need to grocery shop. Right now as long as I'm careful, I feel like I can grocery shop. It's supposed to get worse here, though.

Re: Planning ahead

GCR18 — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 00:18:14 GMT

To some extent I've always planned ahead. When there's a good sale, I buy extra of things that don't expire. For food, it depends how often it's used and shelf life. Now I only need to buy fresh foods. If I couldn't get them, I'd be fine.

Re: Planning ahead

Porcelain — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 00:21:23 GMT

Paper products are my only area of significant concern. We've been fine, but it's at the point where I would normally get more, and not being sure about availability is making me antsy. I've been assuming supply would catch up and there would be plenty to buy. That's what we were told at first. I don't understand how there are still so many issues.

If there were disposable alternatives, I would try them. But I'm just not hooking up a bidet or showering several times a day. Just not. Not when there should be some dang Charmin Ultra Soft at the store by now. (Okay. Little ranty flounce about toilet paper over now....I will get over myself.)

Re: Planning ahead

patbz — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 00:47:43 GMT

@Porcelain : I understand your anxiety re: t.p. shortage (I feel the same way). My family's backup would be to use Kleenex but never flush (a small trashcan next to toilet would work). I ordered a case yesterday from an online source recommended by another poster (it should arrive on Monday).

Re: Planning ahead

Sheila P-Burg — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 00:53:56 GMT

@Nightowlz ..... I have never tried Pink Himalayan Salt. Been thinking of buying some. Can you describe how it taste?

Re: Planning ahead

AuntG — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 00:57:27 GMT

We're good for a month, but I'm making a large shopping list for once this is over. Right after the New Year, I used an Amazon gift card to buy a bucket of laundry pods, toweling and toilet paper. Our pantry has enough food for a couple of weeks, and I have Schwans home delivery for some special meals (steak, salmon).

Re: Planning ahead

Drythe — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:34:49 GMT

@Nightowlz

Us too.

Re: Planning ahead

denisemb — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 01:35:41 GMT

We've been doing ok, but was beyond happy when logging into Walmart pickup after midnight this morning. Had pickups all day Sunday, and more protein choices than I've seen recently anywhere here. (We shall see tomorrow what comes through....)

We tend to buy TP & PT & FT ahead, but still keeping my eyes out. Cleaning supplies? I'm one of those loons that buy the latest//greatest (like it's going to "inspire" me to clean) . Some probably expired, but better than nothing.

SO glad I ignored DH a couple weeks back re: unused Shamwows in laundry room cupboard. He said to throw them out.

Did notice lack of bread, no bread flour or yeast, so broke down & ordered bread machine mixes online from Prepared Pantry.

We shall see...