When to stop shopping

[NoImBridgetJones]

... and relying on what we have in the house?

I’m in ROI, heavy social distancing policies introduced today. 5 months pregnant with an IVF baby, 1x20 month old IVF DD and 1 x DH. DH and I early 30s no known health issues. I’m WFH and Dd will now be with MIL during the day as childcare closed.

I’ve got about 2-3 weeks of food and essentials in, based on living rurally and generally keeping a well-stocked cupboard. Not huge amounts of frozen or fridge food as power in the sticks is dodgy at times and I recently lost a full freezer’s worth 😭

I will confess to having added a pack of paracetamol and/calpol every few days since early feb. And I’ve got an extra pack of nappies.

So when do I start using this stock? Should I save it Incase DH or I become ill? Use it now to maximise efficacy of social distancing? Shop as normal this week and then start dipping in? Save for a truly awful spread and disruption to supply chains?

Just to add, that’s not 3 weeks’ worth of bread and milk and favourite meals, it’s 2-3 weeks (probably) of random proteins and carbs that could be cobbled together so we don’t starve.

I’ve got a stock of stuff for when we go into lockdown.
I haven’t touched it yet, decided I’d run down the fresh first.
I’ve booked two more online shops for minimal fresh stuff and will keep doing that. When we are told to go on lockdown I’ll start using the back up stuff alongside the fresh. if/when we can no longer get deliveries, I’ll go purely onto back up.

I would shop today and then into lockdown. Is your MIL healthy? GPs here have underlying health issues so not risking them, it'll be a juggle but hopefully only for 2 weeks

I've got a small stock of things - pasta, long life milk, some tinned goods etc - that I've been slowly collecting over a matter of weeks and I'm keeping aside in case we have to self isolate. Until then I'll just shop and live as normal. The side stock has a reasonably long shelf life so it will get used if/when things return to normal (if any is left). My DH thinks I'm mad to be collecting small extra amounts, but judging by the way people are now panic buying in my area, it was a wise choice to add the occasional extra item to my shop when I had the chance. Shelves in my local supermarket are bare of pasta, LL milk, toilet rolls, paracetamol, ibuprofen, and I'm sure more items will join that list soon.

I'm saving everything and just shopping as normal now. Still adding to it with buying two tins/packs/jars instead of one. I won't start using the emergency supply until things really get difficult. I think it will be clear when it's time.

As you have reasonable stocks, Shop as normal.

When things can't be obtained, top up from the excess you have. Things will come back in stock, but not necessarily on the day you need them.

Thanks! DH popped into to Tesco on his way home, the shelves are bare. I did book a delivery this morning for this evening but anticipating that to be rather fruitless. Time will tell I suppose. Thanks again!

And well done on thinking ahead. It's not 'panic buying' to have enough in for two or three weeks staying home!

Nappies, baby milk?