Stocktake Time - Brexit Countdown

[AldiIsla]

Can't believe we might actually have a No Deal crash.

Anyone else finding it overwhelming doing usual Christmas stuff, the winter weather preparations and then Brexit and being ready for more coronavirus stuff?

I need to do a stock take of food and toiletries.

We've been life prepping so boiler has been serviced early, electrics have had an upgrade this year. Car getting serviced next month.

I can't be arsed.
I feel sick.

@BlackeyedSusan I think that you right. I was thinking when reading your posts there seems to be a high proportion of ASD in preppers children. It certainly seems like a reasonable explication to me!

I had a supermarket delivery at end of October (not had deliveries much, letting people have the slots that need them) of bulky and frozen items (just got a chest freezer at the time) and I had one thing arrive that they had said was out of stock in that mornings email and I went to the shop (that my order came from) later in the day to get fruit and veg (forgot to update order,) and I picked up some of the things they had been unable to send me. Its all about timing of your delivery, their deliveries (and shelf stacking) and a bit of luck I think. I do find it easier to go to a shop.

I much prefer to go to the shop too. Can see what you want. I am going to Aldi as soon as kids back in school.

Its nappies I struggle with. DD is a 6+ and is nowhere close to potty training. Have been buying one extra per week for a while now and stashing them. There were zero available during lockdown 1 for weeks. Sometimes they are out of stock even now.

We also love macaroni and it took months for that to come back into stock last time! Our local health food store had some suma organic in eventually. It was still an ok price and such a joy to finally get some.

We grow a lot of our own veg and put extra carrots and cabbage in for over winter. The squashes did well too. These can be stored in a dark cupboard for months as long as the skin isn't damaged. People could buy butternut squashes now to store, and onions. They would keep a while. I blend the squashes and use in mac n cheese sauce, the kids have no idea they're eating a vegetable

I'm also on the lookout for fresh veg which keeps. I have various squashes and aliums. Celeriac seems to be working, potatoes and sweet potatoes too. Trying swede. Not convinced that the cabbage is a goer. Any ideas welcomed.

I get quite a bit in Lidl, and I bought 3kg bags of icing sugar in Home Bargains. Asda I’ve had 3 deliveries since September, we’ve had to isolate for test results a few times.

I’ve had to book a slot 10 days in advance, so I put lots in my basket. Then as the delivery date gets nearer I change the order. Gives me a chance to look for it cheaper else where. Only I end up buying loads more things as I shop.

My 13 year old is waiting for an ASD assessment, I think it does make a difference to prepping. Things have been a lot more manageable since she takes more responsibility for deciding what to eat. And also cooks as well.

@TotoroPotoro have you tried Amazon for nappies? My DC still have night time nappies and I get them on subscribe & save, works out about the same as buying them from Aldi/ Lidl.

@BlackeyedSusan I think you're definitely on to something with the ASD theory!! Honestly if we had food shortages then we could muddle through with DS2 he would probably just want to live off Haribo but DS1... we go through at least one pack of cream crackers a week and that was something which ran short during the first lockdown (no idea why?!) so I keep picking up a couple of packs every time I shop. He does love cooking @BlueistheNewme which helps, well, mainly baking but it's all encouraging him, I guess...

I did a big Tesco shop last night, planning to do a Sainsburys shop at some point too (as I have some clothes to return anyway) and then a big Aldi/ Lidl run, after which I'll avoid the shops till after Christmas, it's just getting too busy for me. I did ask MIL if she'd like me to pick up anything for Christmas, as it's looking like we'll go to PIL for Christmas dinner, but she said she'll go to Costco for everything - rather her than me!!

Well, Asda had both sizes of loo roll in stock yesterday. Ex has been given the 12 pack while protesting he had loo roll. oblivious of what happened in March and the lack of loo roll in the shops generally as he was given loo roll before the shops went bonkers and never fucking noticed.

I now have a lot of loo roll. In my defence, we don't click and collect at Asda often as we have a Morrisons delivery pass. I prefer the Asda shades loo roll to any other, although I would normally buy aldi which is good too, as if half a loo roll is going to get used in one visit, then I am going to buy the slightly cheaper version.

Is anyone stocking up on water? Apparently water treatment chemicals are from the EU...

PS I don't think we'll get a no deal, but I do think we'll get delays.

DS is gluten intolerant and although I didn’t struggle during the first month or so of the pandemic, that was only because I’d built up a supply. It was ridiculous seeing the Free From aisle so empty, purely because people have stocked up and couldn’t just buy ‘normal’ stuff! I haven’t really been able to replenish my supply either.

@TantieTowie I stocked up on water purification tablets last time. Takes up a lot less space than bottles of water.

Reminds me I need to check the water purification tablets use by date.

I do have water. Some still, more fizzy, also lemonade bottles, cans, fruit juice, soya milk as things we can drink if we need it.

@TantieTowie

Is anyone stocking up on water? Apparently water treatment chemicals are from the EU...

I was wondering about this today after I saw it in the news. I have some bottled water - just a few litres, but may get more.

I also read that the water chemicals come from the EU. Phoned my dad in a panic, he thought I should worry about it when it happens. Not sure how useful that approach would be!

I know someone with a well locally, but would still rather have some purification tablets. That will have to wait until I get paid!

Does anyone have any recommendations for water purification tablets?

I got water purification tablets from Amazon, plus a water purification straw. I have a few bottles too.

Purification tablets were about a fiver for 100.

I think they are different sizes so think about the size of container you have to purify in. Also you can purify water by boiling...look up how long you need to boil for.

Bellini recommends filtering through an old t shirt first. Not paid enough attention to remember how long to boil for.

Think I will buy a few litres of water just in case. Hadn't bothered before but as I can see No Deal rushing furiously over the hill I think I might. Of course everything, (delays/price rises/shortages) will get blamed on Covid of course, but well what can we expect if we have clowns there is going to be a circus!

Rushing over hill indeed.

Must do shopping list.

Thanks to you fine folks I bought some part baked bread today. It's helpful to know that it's OK past best before date. Also a few more tins and some sneaky treats which must go in the loft.
Must get new reading glasses too.

(I'm kind of preparing in case there are shortages of anything that I wouldn't want to be without)
Spare pair of glasses won't go amiss.

@Whenwillow my wardrobe is currently full of Christmas chocolate as our loft is too cold, it turns chocolate cloudy! So in theory I've found a good place to store presents, although as I now have to look at it several times a day, I'm not sure all of it will make it to December 25th

I had to buy new glasses during the first lockdown my pair broke completely and it was actually slightly cheaper to replace them than have the old ones repaired. I bought a second pair at the same time; it was on special offer but blimey, that was a more expensive day than I'd planned!

I have Christmas chocs/biscuits etc in wardrobe not sure if it will make it to Christmas either Clara* also bought new pair of glasses in lockdown but might have to invest in spare pair too.

Not only me then! Also plan to get some of that faux tooth filling stuff, just in case. Spare cables etc, car screen wash, soup flask (I take soup to work) Completely random things. Laptop needs a service and probably a new battery. Proper books in case of Internet wobble.
All bonkers to non preppers but I'm kind of on a roll. I started last year, thinking 'what if' and I'm just continuing, given that we now know totally unexpected things can happen.
I'm still hoping all will go smoothly, and I'm thinking if it all goes horribly tits up, that someone somewhere (the govt, ideally but who knows with that lot) will sort it out.
So my aim is to be covered for a few weeks, and be able to pass boxes of essentials to others if necessary.
If it goes on longer than a few weeks we're all fucked anyway. But I do think it will be rocky for a while.
Why could they not just have got their act together sooner??!

I put tinned mandarins in jelly, usually raspberry flavour. Makes the tin stretch further and a bit more child friendly. I know not everyone would like that, but DH (a child at heart) loves it.