Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Preparation - Shopping

19 replies

TheMamaYo · 14/03/2020 20:09

I am a single parent, with no family support nearby. If I get ill (I have slight chest problems anyway) and can't go out shopping if we are on a lockdown, my children have the ability to make simple meals etc. Young teen and tween.

However, we don't have any shops nearby within walking distance. My children are not able to use public transport, if that keeps running.

I am not panicking, but think it might be good to have some extras in the house in case. Some cereal, long life milk, coffee, tins, dog and cat food above the normal shopping.

Is that reasonable? How much would you budget for that?

Or am I being 'that idiot' for considering it?

When is it being sensible and when is it inconsiderate? I am confused about what is acceptable.

Ps. I don't plan to buy packs and packs of loo roll and pasta!

OP posts:
IndecentFeminist · 14/03/2020 20:11

It sounds completely sensible. In fact, I'd say you'd be mad not to.

Do you have online shopping available?

R2221 · 14/03/2020 20:27

At Aldi, you get a lot for £50

I spent around £200 to stock up - for my family of 5 plus inlaws.

This is what I got:
Pasta
Pasta sauce
Long life milk
Kitchen roll
Toilet roll
Jam
Ketchup
Rice
Lentils
Chickpeas
Cereal
Canned veg
Hand wash
Dishwasher pods
Washing powder
Anti bac wipes/spray
Bleach
Frozen food
Frozen veg
Moisturiser

R2221 · 14/03/2020 20:28

Paracetemol for the adults and calpol for kids

TheMamaYo · 14/03/2020 20:28

@IndecentFeminist, online shopping is available, yes. I don't normally use it but might for a one off shop. I'm too much of a wimp to deal with others' judgment if they see a few a few litres of long life milk and tin food in my trolley. :-)

If things keep going as normal, I could use that even if I get ill, but if we are on a lock down at some point that will stop and I don't have any real close friends in the village I could ask for help. We have friendly neighbours but it is a hello and goodbye wave kind of thing mostly.

This is a confusing time, isn't it? I'd hate to leave the children in a bad spot but also don't want to be selfish by buying extra.

OP posts:
R2221 · 14/03/2020 20:28

Potatoes
Onions

Liveinside · 14/03/2020 20:28

People are getting confused between stockpiling and being prepared for if they get ill/ need to self isolate. These are different things.

R2221 · 14/03/2020 20:29

Oh forget about people judging you. Get some stuff !!

imterrified · 14/03/2020 20:32

We have:

Rice
Noodles
Pasta
Microwave rice
Tinned beans and chickpeas
Sauces for rice
Tinned tomatoes
Porridge oats
Frozen meat/fish/veg/fruit
Biscuits
Long life juice
Mayo and tomato sauce
Chips
Bread
Jam/marmalade/honey
Butter

A lot of that has been in the cupboards for about two or three years though .

Away to town tomorrow to try and get some bleach and fresh stuff but not holding out much hope at all . Have cut down to two meals a day - small breakfast and a second meal about 3pm . Not easy at all but getting there and doing less so not needing the calories so much .

TheMamaYo · 14/03/2020 20:32

@R2221, that sounds like a sensible list. I hate the idea of panic buying, but there's a fine line at the moment between that and being responsible and prepared.

OP posts:
treedragon · 14/03/2020 20:33

Ohh - so here are all the annoying panic buyers that have been clearing the shops leaving nowt for anyone else?

Sillyscrabblegames · 14/03/2020 20:35

Not much left in the shops today

SapphireSalute · 14/03/2020 20:35

If it’s going to go on for pretty much the rest of the year why aren’t we all digging/planting/sowing our own veg patch?

Might be a useful distraction

R2221 · 14/03/2020 20:38

@TheMamaYo absolutely. I’m looking at being able to feed the family something for a month without stepping out.

R2221 · 14/03/2020 20:41

@SapphireSalute that’s a great idea! I noticed a lot of compost bags in stock in Lidl this morning! People aren’t grabbing them yet

TheMamaYo · 14/03/2020 20:44

@treedragon, really? I clearly stated in every post that I want to do the right thing. You're being a bit of a judgmental arse, maybe you could kindly move on.

@Sapphire, we have a vegetable garden in planning. It seems like an even better idea now than before. If we get locked in we plan to do a lot of cleaning and gardening to distract. Well, I'm planning it. The children will no doubt vehemently disagree. :-)

OP posts:
Zacharyezrarawlings · 14/03/2020 20:51

we generally have a good supply of food (yes, fortunate to be able to do this, hasnt always been the case) but I have bought a bit extra:
frozen veg
frozen chicken and quorn (2 dc veggie)
noodles
alsways have rice, pasta
potatoes
tinned tomatoes
passata
frozen mince
kidney beans
always have flour, butter, yeast. caster sugar so lots of baking options
tinned soup
baked beans
spaghetti hoops (teen dc guilty pleasure!)
oats
corn flakes
part baked rolls
hot dog sausages (usually only for treats - vile things!)
frozen bread and milk
part baked rolls
oven chips/wedges
frozen chicken burgers
UHT milk
tinned fruit
dried fruit
crisps (needs must!)
always have lots of soar and cleaning stuff an tiolet roll!
I also bought some adult colouring books and pens, and 2 packs of playing cards and we have loads of board games.....

I figure that teen/tween dc will be able to survive a while on the above if me and or dh are out of action. TBH I work for the NHS so will most likely be working 100 hour days, but DH is a teacher so may be around, but trying to work and who knows if we are both ill.

Zacharyezrarawlings · 14/03/2020 20:53

oh yes, seeds! I am just about to start lots off in my greenhouse!

Graphista · 14/03/2020 20:54

I'd highly recommend looking at the prepper threads. Loads of good advice and lateral thinking there.

Ideally try and get enough in to last you 2 weeks is the usual advice.

Off the top of my head:

Bread (but be flexible if you can't get your usual preferred sliced loaf remember to think outside the box and get things like wraps and rolls instead - and they can all be frozen too)

Milk - yes long life but also non-dairy subs can have long dates, dried can be fine for use in hot drinks, baking etc

Breakfast cereal - if your lot will eat porridge oats are cheap and go a long way

Preserves - obviously, by their nature last a long time

Hot drinks supplies - tea/coffee (whatever your preference is), sugar/sweetener if you take

Sandwich fillings - not fresh ingredients - I'm veggie so pretty limited here but sandwich spread, eggs last quite well. Omnis can of course also have tuna, tinned ham, pilchards, salmon, sardines, corned beef

"Stuff" on toast - baked beans, spaghetti of course but also tinned mac n cheese, ravioli, tomatoes, creamed mushrooms...

Crisps, nuts and other snacks like this have good long shelf lives

Cakes and biscuits same

Ok this stuff isn't the healthiest but unlikely to do much harm to have them for a short time.

Everyone going daft for pasta but remember rice, noodles, cous cous and...instant mash are all long life carbs too.

Remember most fruit and veg is available tinned too.

Dried fruit - again usually not ideal as high in sugar but for now very handy long life products containing vitamins and fibre!

Cold drinks - squash lasts ages and takes up less space than fizzy.

Toiletries - I think loo roll already thought of by most, hand wash too but remember normal basics like shower gel and toothpaste.

Hope that helps you get started

YgritteSnow · 14/03/2020 20:58

If it’s going to go on for pretty much the rest of the year why aren’t we all digging/planting/sowing our own veg patch?

I have no garden but do have a roof terrace. Seriously thinking about getting a load of large plant pots and growing veg out there.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page