It’s a no brainer that having food storage is essential when preparing for a disaster. What’s difficult is knowing what you need and trusting who you’re buying from. Unfortunately scams still happen in the preparedness industry, so to help, we put together a list of 5 things to watch out for when choosing where to buy your food storage.

1.     Cheap Fillers like “Bonus Sauces” and “Drink Mixes”

Companies will often add “Sauces” or “Drink Mixes” to their packages to build an illusion of prosperity. They advertise “more” servings and “more” calories, when in fact you are getting less wholesome food. A package titled 120 serving fruit and sauces can be as much as 40% sauce. That leaves as little as 70 servings of actual fruit. Same goes for drink mixes, a package labeled 600 serving sounds appealing, but take into account that ¼ of those servings could be drink mix or pudding mix. Try surviving two weeks on “Grape Drink” and half a bowl of diced apples. No Thanks. Caution! We do not provide cheap fillers!

2.     Misleading Serving Size

Make sure that the serving size is a reasonable amount. Some of these “food storage experts” out there are more like “deception experts”. They label the packaging in a way that is almost incomprehensible, or they offer servings that are grossly small. Our servings are fit for a king. (Average serving size- 3.5oz before preparation)

3.     Calories per serving

On average our competition offers roughly 257.5 calories per serving. Our average is 370 calories per serving with some products soaring upwards of 470 calories per serving. In this industry, a difference of 100+ calories is revolutionary.

4.     Package weight

Obviously more weight equals more food. In an emergency situation you will be grateful for every ounce. Our 30 pound Entrée bucket trumps all of the competition by as much as 10lbs. On long term packages that weight will add up quick.

-in a direct comparison of Wise and My Food Storage on the “4320 serving” year supply package, My Food Storage dominated Wise by an astonishing 312lbs.

5.     Shipping time

Unfortunately not all companies can operate at our production speed. Back orders and shipping delays can hold your order up for weeks, causing unnecessary stress in this already time consuming process. Our product will ship within 48 hours of the ordering.

Preparing for a disaster can be stressful, not to mention costly, and many people find it difficult to spend money on food storage and survival gear they may or may not ever use. What’s important to remember, however, is that these items give more than just peace of mind, they are an investment in your future and well being, and might just keep you alive someday. You can do some disaster preparation of your own that can give you what you need while fitting your budget.

The first thing to consider is prioritizing and deciding what to spend your money on. Once you start looking at survival gear it’s easy to get sucked into buying a whole lot of emergency supplies you probably won’t need. Take a look at this list of the important things you really need, so you can survive with the basics, staying within your budget.

1. Food – Food storage is a must-have. While a lot of disaster prep gear can be done cheaply, it’s a smart idea to spend money on good food storage worth your while. We would recommend at least a 3-6 month supply. Food storage doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult, our food storage subscription plans start at $61 and have the option to cancel anytime. Now you can start building your supply at a price that fits any budget.

Also, filler foods like our freeze-dried fruit and vegetables are perfect to keep you energized through the day. The quality of your meals is always important, especially during stressful disasters. Long term food storage is something you are going to need and that you will not regret purchasing wisely.

2. Water – Don’t depend on sinks or refrigerators. Invest in an alternate clean water source. Buying water in bulk can get pricey, especially if there are shipping costs, so look for a local seller. Other options are water treatment drops and filters. Some people even dig wells in their yards and buy water filters and bottles to keep costs down. If you need stackable containers check these out from WaterBrick.
3. Heat – You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a non-electric heater if you are on a budget. Just invest in a good amount of firewood and store it somewhere dry. You can find cheap blankets just about anywhere to layer up and keep warm. Blankets are also useful for stuffing around doors and windows to keep the cold outside.
4. First Aid – First aid kits aren’t very expensive if found in the right place. You can even put one together on your own, there are many websites available online to walk you through it. Make sure to have bandages, medicines, antibiotic ointments, latex gloves, and sterilized gauze. First Aid kits can be easy to put together and can save you money.
5. Light – There are many cheaper substitutes for big expensive lanterns. The obvious choice is candles, which you can buy cheaply in bulk. If you’re looking to be a little more creative, however, head down to a hardware store and pick up solar powered garden lights. These won’t put off as much light as expensive LED lanterns, and are not designed for disaster prep, but with enough of them around your house, you can see just enough without the danger of an open flame. You can buy these for as little as $1.00 each and you don’t have to waste money on batteries.

Preparing for a disaster can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Following these guidelines should make it easier for you to prepare without stretching your budget. Prioritizing with the basics and knowing where to invest your money gets you what you need, and gives you the opportunity to survive a disaster, and keep some money in your pocket.

September is National Preparedness Month and for the first week we wanted to focus on your emergency plan. Sometimes, the weather forecast on the news warns you of an impending emergency. However, you can't always depend on advance notice. An emergency preparedness checklist will help you prepare for an emergency— no matter when it occurs— and can help you sleep more soundly at night. It will organize your efforts and provide you with everything you need in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.

Food and Water

Any emergency preparedness plan should include the basic essentials: food and water. An emergency food storage kit offers the most convenient and space-saving option. Store it in an accessible place in your home or car so you can reach it at a moment's notice.

Since natural disasters often eliminate electric and natural gas power, you don't want to rely on foods and beverages that require heating. Additionally, you want to choose supplies that have a long shelf life so you don't have to replenish them every couple of years.

Consider stocking your emergency kit with a water filter. Access to clean drinking water is essential for staying safe and healthy, especially if the emergency lasts for several days.

Communication

You might not have cell phone service in an emergency or access to television reports. An old-fashioned radio comes in handy. Keep it with your other supplies so you can reach it in a hurry. That way, you'll know what's going on outside your home and you'll hear any warnings from the authorities.

It's also smart to keep a spare battery for your cell phone charged. If you have cell service, you'll want to contact family and friends to check on their welfare.

Planning

Create a plan that your family members can follow in an emergency. The Red Cross recommends assigning each family member a series of tasks to perform so that you accomplish them quickly. Older children and teenagers can help the adults.

Consider meeting with your family at least once a year to review the plan and make changes as necessary. For instance, as your kids grow up, you can involve them in your preparations.

Potential Hazards

Normal household objects and systems can become dangerous in an emergency. Figure out how to shut off your utilities, such as natural gas and water, to prevent fires and flooding. If you have a natural gas line, you should know where the shutoff valve is. Its location may vary a bit, but it's often outside or in a basement. Make sure everyone know where to find the breaker box in the house, and consider designating a room in your home for shelter. It shouldn't have large objects that could fall on your family members or injure them in any other way.

Documents

You'll want access to essential papers during an emergency, such as medical records and insurance paperwork. Store these items in a waterproof and fire-proof safe, and make sure you can access them quickly. The Department of Homeland Security recommends using phone apps in addition to the hard copies to store financial documents so you have multiple ways to access them.

Nobody wants to imagine an emergency striking his or her home, but disasters happen. Following this emergency preparedness checklist can keep you safe and allow you to react quickly and prudently should something go wrong. If you don't have an emergency food kit, stock up now by calling My Food Storage at (888) 407-0833.

Emergency Checklists:
https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html
https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness

A crisis can take many different shapes and forms. Hazards are everywhere, waiting to surface. So how do we survive whatever the future holds? How can we minimize the damage?

- First of all, be aware. Stay informed and understand what risks there are for your particular part of the world. Usually, it's impossible to know just exactly when or where a disaster will strike, but the least you can do is determine your risks and prepare for the worst.

- Plan Ahead. We're all about this. Prepping is your best bet on a secure future no matter the circumstances. There are times when we can't help being taken by surprise, which is why it is so important that we are ready for anything. Make plans with your family in case of an evacuation, or a disaster that calls for staying in and waiting it out. This way, when the time comes you won't need to panic because you'll already know what to do.

- Stock Up! Put together a good stock of long term emergency food and water, along with other survival supplies. Don't rely on modern amenities, keep back-up alternatives for heat, light, and power. We recommend at least a 1 month supply of food, but preferably more. You never know how long you'll need it, and the last thing you want to do is go hungry during an emergency.

Having a personal supply of food and water empowers you to take control of your survival and minimize the damage it has on the necessities and daily comforts you and your family need.

- Stay Calm & Conserve... Don't lose your head in a crisis; you're going to need it. Be rational, all things pass. Focus on the positive and keep yourself well hydrated and fed so you are strong enough to face any emergency. Don't waste any energy unless absolutely necessary.