It’s hard to know where to start and a tight budget can make it even harder, but doing something is better than doing nothing. Having emergency/food storage can give you peace of mind, so you can start by:

• Buying one can at a time (if you had purchased $5-$20 worth of supplies every month last year, you would be farther ahead than you are right now.
• Buy a backpack for a 72-hour kit; fill it with one or two items at a time, if you can’t afford a backpack use a box, or bag.   Just get something and start working on those kits!
• Buy an extra item or two when you shop.
• Buy in bulk with other families/friends and split costs.
• Buy it all at once if you can afford to.
• Take a can or two from your family every time you visit {Just Kidding}.
• Store what you eat; eat what you store.
• Buy a variety of canned fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and proteins.  Make sure you are rotating them, and check experation dates.  Canned good are usually only agood for one to two years.
• Don’t forget non-food items such as Toothpaste, Toilet Paper, Tooth Brushes, Dish Soap, Shampoo, etc.
• Rotate and replace—use some of your items at least twice a week and replace those items
• Grow a garden or join a produce co-op.