More now than ever, stocking up on emergency food and water storage is something that everyone should consider. The year 2020 has been filled with the unexpected, and who knows how long something like this will last. It is better to be prepared than not if another pandemic outbreak were to happen in these winter months. If you are starting to build or even expand your emergency food and water storage, sticking to a budget while doing so can help you get the things that are really needed. In this article, we will be going over the items to look for when out and about to add to that storage while money might be tight.
Inexpensive Foods to Include in Your Food Storage
There are foods you can begin prepping with that are cheap and will provide most of the sustenance you need for a short period of time, including:
Rice:
Fiber can lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Since fiber makes you feel full, you may find it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
Beans:
Protein is a vital nutrient that plays a key role in maintaining and repairing the body. According to research, beans are rich in polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants fight the effects of free radicals, which are damaging chemicals produced during metabolism and other processes. When a person eats beans, the fiber and healthful starches they contain can help create a feeling of fullness and satisfaction, potentially preventing overeating.
Peanut Butter:
Peanut butter is a fairly balanced energy source that supplies all three macronutrients and is also a great source of protein!
Flour:
This can be used as a basis for bread or other cooking. It is cheap and great to keep on hand.
Pasta Noodles:
Often overlooked, pasta noodles are very inexpensive and easy to prepare, requiring only boiling water. Out of all these foods, beans and pasta noodles are certainly the cheapest. Rice is especially affordable when you buy it in bulk from wholesale stores. Peanut butter is fairly inexpensive. Flour is great for experienced preppers as it has dozens of cooking uses.
Water Storage
Here at The Ready Store, we offer many different varieties of water containers that can be used for long-term water storage. Take a look at some of our most popular products:
5 Gallon Stackable Water Container:
This container holds 5 gallons of drinking water, allowing you to stay hydrated during an emergency or stay safe if public water supplies become contaminated. The recommended amounts of water for survival fall into three different categories: drinking, cleaning and hygiene, and cooking. The Institute of Medicine advises that men should drink about 13 cups (3 liters) per day, and women should drink about 9 cups (2.2 liters). About 16 ounces is recommended for cleaning and hygiene, and about 32 ounces for cooking. However, the recommended amount for cooking is dependent on what types of food you have in your emergency supply.
55 Gallon Water Barrel with Water Preserver:
This 55-gallon water barrel comes with a Water Preserver that will extend the rotation of water from every 6 to 12 months to 5 years! Our 55-gallon water container holds almost 4 months of drinking water for one person (1/2 gallon per day). At just under 3 feet tall and 23 inches wide, this emergency water drum safeguards 55 gallons of water. Add the included Water Preserver (made to treat 55 gallons), and you won't have to rotate the water but once every 5 years. To remove water, we recommend using one of our siphons (sold separately), which will make the job easy.
Canned Food Goods
Canned goods will become your new best friend when it comes to getting vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables perish 
Starting a food storage plan with canned goods is a great way to bring someone who is not a prepper, like family or friends, on board. This tactic allows families that normally would not have extra food to easily add food to their pantry in a way that feels normal. Buying a few additional canned goods while at the grocery store is a simple first step that could help in the long run. Finally, keep an eye out for coupons when shopping for food. This may mean purchasing dozens of beans one week and tons of rice the next. However, buying small amounts of canned food will soon see your food supplies growing. Preparing even a little bit at a time is better than nothing at all.
Become Self-Sustained - Grow Your Own Food!
Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a slow and gradual process. Approach this smartly by purchasing a packet of seasonally relevant seeds when you first begin, which are very inexpensive. Alternatively, you could also buy one of our 
Sources: doomsdayprep.com