Did you underestimate?

[Barbararara]

Just curious how everyone feels their preparations matched up to actual needs. I didn’t put enough thought into how eating habits would change when we are all at home. Or how many cups of coffee dh drinks at work or that I would need so many freezer bags instead of my usual boxes that take up too much space. I didn’t anticipate how much laundry washing I’d have to do - proper hot soapy washes, or that we’d want to shower after every trip out. It never occurred to me that I’d need hand cream, something I’ve barely ever used.

And sticks. And practising with equipment first. Gone through most of my stockpile of sticks for the Kelly Kettle. We got hot enough for Coffee water but not enough to boil or cook.

I didn't buy eggs when I saw them just before they disappeared from shops and fretted for a week because it was DD's birthday. But we got some in time.

I underestimated how much stuff we'd need for lunches.

But overall, I'm pretty pleased. We are not usually very organised apart from some spare tins but when it all started in China I did buy some extra household supplies, pantry staples and frozen goods over the course of about 5 weeks. Plus some EMERGENCY CHOCOLATE which thus far is still intact!

What are sticks?

I've done pretty well. I'm not a Baker but have made bread. The only thing we were desperate for is butter for the freshly baked bread.
I had to go out yesterday for some fresh items. I'd not shopped for 2.5 weeks before that, I'm quite impressed with myself. I still have plenty in the cupboards and freezer that I'm working through. We've eaten really well, steaks, enchiladas, toad in hole.

Wish I'd bought that extra freezer

To those of you wishing you'd booked Tesco, I had pre booked slots which were cancelled anyway.

We were in quarantine for 14 days (and looks like we will be again as I have illness now) and while I prepped, I don't want to go low in my supplies.

Cheese
Chocolate
Prepped veg
Milk powder

So far we are doing ok with store cupboard stuff, though the end of flour (strong and plain) is in sight so I have been buying some bread and rolls to eke it out.

The freezer is emptying out - my bonus buys for it that have been a blessing is multi-packs of wraps and a huge bag of chocolate filled pancakes from Costco - I can defrost a couple at a time and they keep the kids quiet nicely. And frozen yoghurt frubes the same.

Eggs don't seem to be a problem here, a couple of small shops get wholesale cartons and you just fill your own egg boxes. Also the fruit and veg market stall still comes to town on Saturday (sensible queuing applies) and there is a new veg box delivery which looks amazing - so would try that as soon as I run down stock.

Although I did stock pile wine it isn't going to last more than a few more weeks, so will have to consider options - I think some suppliers are doing delivery. I'm only getting shopping on foot when I have to, so not easy to carry much back (and not really essential!)

The thing we are probably going to struggle with most is cereal - the kids will eat small pots as snacks or after dinner as well as breakfast. Although I have loads of oats they don't really lend themselves to snacks - but we could get baking oat bars I suppose!

Thankful we haven't had to use candles, propane or water so far. Who knows how far and how deep this will end up being. Plus the likely recession beyond. I'm glad to feel a little prepared.

I'm pretty proud of my supply actually but I wish I'd got more liquid hand soap, we moved a couple of months ago and I thought I still had some spares but only had one. Normally I have loads!

Also wish I'd had the foresight to book a couple of supermarket delivery slots.

Oh and veg seeds. Never thought. And gain with moving, I threw out most of my old, dated seeds but they might have been okay.

What are sticks?

Previous poster just means literally wooden sticks/twigs. She's got a kelly kettle which can boil water by lighting sticks in the underneath bit of it.

"What are sticks?"

Little pieces of dead wood that fall off the ends of tree branches, that you can burn to start a fire normally, but use as the main fuel for a fire in a Kelly Kettle stove.

I have a bucket of them out the side for a day that I can have a "play" with my KK!! I'm planning a fryup for dinner that evening.

Xpost

Brexit dry run did its job. Although I never saw craving cucumbers coming. Definitely need to expand the veg garden.

I have discovered some out of date packets of seeds thought. I'm wondering if they'll be ok. No harm in trying I suppose.

Vegetable seeds for sure. We have a mini greenhouse to put up, but little to grow in it. We didn't prep well enough for MIL's preferred stuff; I have plenty of tea, but no decaf, for example. She is shielded and DH is doing a weekly drop off. And coffee. I am drinking double the amount I had thought, stocks are ok. We didn't really prep for things like gloves and masks, but have half a box of the former and half a dozen masks.

For us, I should have frozen more eggs. I make ok gluten free flat bread or cornbread but actual loaves are more challenging and I should have bought more bread mix. Someone up thread mentioned rice flour which does make epic biscuits. I'd bought DH an Easter stash of chocolate and crisps as he's given then up for Lent. He raided early. For me, it's little niche treats and wants rather than needs I miss. Still, a lack of dairy free chocolate must be good for me...

Re seeds/garden stuff a lot of garden centres are still running an online service and I think it's good to support them, especially local ones.

I actually also wondered the other day about starting a MN seed swap thread (and possibly books) but it would involve posting items so people may not want this?

I prepped like a mad thing but also didn't quite anticipate everyone being here, absolutely locked in the house for two weeks, and then still in the house with no school/college/work for anyone including adult DC. Dear God, the amount they get through. I know I prepped exactly to have stuff in, but I find myself crying a little inside when someone uses something from the stash

Bananas. We are a big family and with the limit of online items, we cannot get enough bananas without going out for them, and I don't think they are technically essential. We have frozen ones for smoothies/milkshakes but it's not the same.

I never thought I would be giving this much headspace to fucking bananas!

can you just go to the shops maybe?

can you just go to the shops maybe?

No. I should have bought more wine. Im not risking going out and endangering my family and other people just to get more. Its not essential

I know I prepped exactly to have stuff in, but I find myself crying a little inside when someone uses something from the stash

@WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles I know exactly what you mean. I know it’s not logical but I’ve spent so many years pretty much having a hobby of building up stock, rotating, making sure we don’t get lazy and dip into it too much without a trip planned to replace it. It feels so weird now to be actively using it up!

We’re lucky enough to not need to shield so I have been doing weekly top up shops to protect the bulk of things for if it gets even worse or if we need to properly quarantine; but there’s still stuff that isn’t available and I’m not willing to go to multiple shops, so we are dipping into the stock to supplement.

I know that it’s what it’s there for but it still feels odd!

I do wonder whether this will create a generation of Preppers much like the wartime generation were? So more people with extra tins in their cupboards etc even when this is all over?

I’m trying and failingnot to be too smug about my Brexit supplies coming in useful after DP ridiculed me for them last year. I had about 50 loo rolls stashed but gave some packs away to various people so I’m glad they’re coming back into stock now!

We have boxes and boxes of yeast but not enough flour - not sure what I was going to do with all that yeast! I’ve managed to get a bag of flour from the supermarket every week so no worries so far. Having fresh bread every day has been amazing.

Needed more of:

• flour
• washing-up liquid
• dishwasher tabs (got some on Groupon though)
• raisins

Haven’t needed yet:

• tinned veg. We never eat it so I don’t know why I bought it really.

Baked beans
Pasta
Seeds and plants

We have boxes and boxes of ibruprofen as that Is what we usually use for general headaches etc didn't foresee it being advised against, ended up doing dash between several shops to get paracetamol and calpol so yes wish I had more of that from the start

Cannot believe how much peanut butter and Nutella we have got through in a few weeks, we can bake cakes and biscuits but can't make peanut butter ourselves

Wish I had more chicken in the freezer but all in all they are all nice to have not must haves that I am thinking of except bleach, rarely use it and mine has expired

If I had to prep again for this, I would have got the extra freezer that I contemplated buying, and the bread maker.
I would have bought more calpol and more snacking foods as the kids have plowed through them.
I've also run out of gaviscon and it's taking over a week to arrive.

I never got round to buying a proper greenhouse. I have the seeds and am recycling every container I have, but I forgot that I had repurposed the plastic coverings of the two small greenhouses last year. I only remembered today when I went to put them up. 😭

It also never occurred to me to buy temporary fillings for my first aid box and now I’ve lost a bloody filling!

I thought I had loads of tinned foods and jars, but it’s amazing how quickly you end up going through it. When this thing quietens dune and my business is up and running again, I will be prepping like an American prepper, minus the guns.

I have built up a huge list of things to buy.

So glad I bought my Brexit freezer, thanks to all the lovely people on here. Could do with more Strong and Plain flour, washing up liquid, and the liquid for washing clothes! Have bought the Easter eggs but sorry I didn't buy presents for my kids for their birthdays in June. Have ordered my son's cake but don't know whether the lady will end up making it!

I knew there would be supply chain issues at some point as borders close to prevent the spread but I didn’t think it would be so soon. My mam said that tomato tins were up to £2 in Morrisons today which is a rise I hadn’t expected yet. She has stocked up though as she is approaching 70 and shouldn’t have to traipse about if she gets ill. No one should have to.