Last week we pivoted a bit from the timeline for this series in order to deal with supply chain issues. After reviewing the types of food we like to eat and the cleaning and household/toiletry supplies we prefer, we made notes about what we would need for the next four months. Then we looked at coupons and other cost-saving apps in order to figure out a plan to purchase these things as cheaply as possible within the next few weeks without breaking our budget.
Today I’d like to continue on this theme of addressing the supply chain issues by working on the clothes, shoes and other household items we need for the winter. And next week we’ll address how to store all these things.
When I began this series, the idea was to have all the space cleared and ready before we did any stocking up. But due to changes in the world, our timeline here has shifted. While I hate not sticking with my original outline, I also know from experience that prepping and planning has to be a flexible activity. After all, we’re planning for the unexpected so that means we need to be able to shift quickly out of cognizant dissonance and into problem-solving mode. And that’s what we’re doing today.
Now that you have an idea of the amount and kind of food, cleaning supplies, paper goods, and toiletries you need (including any baby items), let’s look at what we require for our physical bodies for the winter. This is especially important if you have children since they grow so quickly and randomly.
If you are in charge of the buying of clothes and shoes in the household, then you probably already know what each family member needs. Still, it doesn’t hurt to do a quick look in drawers and closets to double check. Last week I wanted to buy my husband a package of his favorite socks. I still can’t find them. Luckily he has enough to last for a while. Still, I now wish I’d purchased a second package in September. Now that we’re not sure when the supply chain issues will be fixed, we need to think clearly and unemotionally about the clothing needs of our families. It doesn’t matter if you’re a family of one or twenty. Someone needs to take charge so it might as well be you.
First, count how many people are in your family. Then list your animals. Then divide that number by four. If you have four people, divided by four, then you need 1 page from your household legal pad. (see week 1) Divide each page in half, and use both sides. Each family member or pet gets a half of the page. Now it’s time to invade their privacy.
Working from the inside out, check drawers and closets for the following items:
Underwear/bras/T-shirts
Tights/Socks (heavy and light, depending on climate in the winter)
Pants/jeans/leggings
Pajamas/robes
T-shirts/long sleeve shirts
Fleece/pullovers/sweatshirts
Sweaters
Dresses (if you need them in winter)
Winter Coats
Hats/scarves
Gloves
Snow boots
Snowsuits/pants
Rain boots
Duck boots
Sneakers/Other shoes
What does each member of the family need to get through the winter? Can you hand down clothing from an older child to a younger child? Does everyone have a decent winter coat that fits over layers? Does everyone have some sort of waterproof boots or shoes? Can something be washed or repaired or fixed? Or can you donate it? Are all the gloves/mittens in pairs?
If you have the time, I suggest you take out/discard/set aside anything you find that you no longer need. Clothing that is too small, too stained, etc. Either throw it out or set it aside to be thrifted or dropped off at Goodwill. This will not only help declutter, it also makes space for anything new you purchase. Once you go through this exercise for every person/pet in the house, you’ll end up with a list of things you need to get or replace, and maybe a pile of things that need to be washed or repaired.
Now is the time to wash everything that needs it, or send it to the cleaners. The same goes for anything that needs repair. Do you have a coat you love with a broken zipper? If you can’t fix it, an alteration specialist (like at a dry cleaner) can do it for much less than buying a new coat.
If you have the time and stamina, I also suggest you check each bedroom to see if any sheets or blankets or pillows need to be replaced or repaired. While the best bedding sales are in February, this year you never know—you might end up grabbing a new down comforter or a fabulous set of towels on Black Friday.
You now have your finalized list of clothing and shoes and soft household goods you’re going to need for winter, and it’s time to look for sales. Just like we did last week, check Sunday coupons, store flyers, and coupon apps. Also, this is a great time of year to go thrifting. Thrift stores are especially great for children’s clothing, but I’ve also found lovely table linens and even new, cotton pillowcases with the tags still on them.
Each department or big box store has apps that let you download coupons. I’m not going to list them here because there are way too many. But I do suggest you check in with the Blackfriday.com site because it allows you to compare ad and sales flyers from stores (online and brick-and-mortar) around the country. Don’t forget eBay and Etsy and Facebook Marketplace, although sometimes shipping costs can be an issue.
You can also get together with your neighbors and do a clothes swap. Pick a day and a house and have friends bring a set amount of items (you can do just clothes or shoes or winter outerwear, to keep it simple) and then trade amongst yourselves. If you were going to give it away anyway, you might as well try to trade for it. And if you can do it over wine and apps, that is so much more fun!
I’d like to say a word about having garage sales and selling things online, like on Facebook Marketplace. If you are the kind of person who can organize that kind of selling, go for it! I’ve done garage sales and FB Marketplace many times. But, as organized as I am, I am not efficient enough for that type of selling. So you really have to know yourself. For me, garage sales are totally stressful and I hate them and I’d rather give everything away. My husband and kids are the opposite and make money off of things I would’ve tossed. I have great respect for people who can manage the secondary market well. I wish I had that talent. And if you are good at things like that, go for it! There’s a growing market for used items and it’s a great way to make some extra cash.
Speaking of cash, now that you have your list and your coupons/know your sale days, review your budget and make a plan to acquire what you need. Either by buying, trading, or bartering. The options are endless. But with your list, you won’t be swayed to get things you don’t need. Meaning, you won’t waste money. And that’s the greatest gift we can give ourselves during such stressful, uneasy times.
Next week we’ll talk about short-term storage and… talk about early holiday shopping.
In the meantime, here is the RECAP:
In Week One, we are using our three legal pads to do our homework. First, we’re doing a whole house assessment. This includes a light clean up/decluttering so we can evaluate the details of each room: how many interior/exterior doors, how many windows, type of electronics, proximity to water/bathrooms, etc. This is an enormous project so please take all the time you need. This first step is crucial to setting up a plan.
Week One’s second assignment was to make a list of all the possible disasters that could happen in your area. Anything floods to hurricanes to blizzards to riots. On the second half of the page, keep a list of the disasters that have happened to you or your family personally. Keep this list on your refrigerator or someplace where it would be easy to add to. This will be an ongoing list we’ll use later on when we begin long-term planning.
Week One’s third assignment was to start a meal list–listing every meal you eat in a month. So this is ongoing homework until you feel you have a good idea of what meals and foods/snacks you eat and drink every day, every week, every month. (this is not a grocery list!)
Week Two’s first assignment was to make a list of all the cleaning supplies you use in every room of the house. And note those products you love and don’t love.
Week Two’s second assignment was to schedule when you’re going to do a deep review and clean of each room. And don’t forget to set up meals and rewards ahead of time!
Week Three’s assignment: Figure out your menu for the next month or two (depending on the holidays you celebrate and all the things/visitors you have planned). Make an ingredient list and, from that, make a shopping list. Don’t forget to include any cleaning supplies that you might need (from last week’s list), especially any specialty or seasonal items like silver polish and Lysol.
Week Four’s assignment: Review the 2021 Thanksgiving Planner and Thanksgiving Portion Planner and decide what needs to be done when. Begin budgeting and food shopping for non-perishable items.Week Five’s assignments: Think longer term about non-perishable food and household products (cleaning, paper products, etc). Make a list of what you need for the next four months to get you through the worst of the winter. Collect coupons and check prices and make a plan for how and when you’re going to purchase these things before the stores run out.
Week Six’s assignments: Go through the clothes in the house and make a list of what you need for each person and pet for the winter. Check outerwear as well as underwear. Socks, T-shirts, boots, etc. Wash and repair things that need it. Collect coupons and check sales flyers and make a plan for when you’re going to purchase/barter/thrift for these things.
That’s it for this week! There’s still a lot of work to be done in the homework assignments, but hopefully you’re coming along and getting it all done!
