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Everyone is looking for creative ways to save money these days. Stocking your pantry frugally is certainly a worthwhile investment. A well stocked pantry stream lines your dinner preparations, saves you big money and provides you with the necessary ingredients for a spur of the moment meal. Here are a few suggestions for stocking your pantry frugally.

Where is your pantry?

If your kitchen doesn't have a pantry, don't despair. You can create a food pantry on a couple of shelves in a small closet or on bookshelves in the basement. An unused coat closet is a great place for paper goods like paper towels, toilet paper or kleenex to be stored. Look around your house and be creative when it comes to storage.

Where to begin?

Begin stocking your pantry slowly over a period of months. This will keep the initial cost of buying extra food lower. Keep a current list of what is in your pantry and add pantry items as you discover sales. Check out large discount stores like Wal-Mart, Sam's Club warehouse or dollar stores. These stores often sell in bulk. Stock up on canned goods, spices, paper products, baking items and other non-perishable items from these stores.

What about cold foods?

If possible purchase a new or used refrigerator or freezer for extra food storage. Breads, meats and other perishable items can be purchased on sale and stored for months. Freezing perishable items can save you time and money. The initial investment for a refrigerator or freezer will be met as you stock up on perishable items. Your overall food budget will be lowered because you won't be buying as much each week.

What to do next?

Make sure to replenish the pantry items you use to keep the pantry updated and well stocked. Everyone's pantry will look a bit different depending upon specific tastes and size of each family. Keep your pantry stocked with your family's favorite foods. Keep extra items in your pantry for unexpected guests or impromptu parties. Extra trips to the store can raise your weekly budget considerably.

What about organization?

Keep you pantry organized. If your pantry is unorganized it will be difficult to find food items so you might purchase duplicate items accidently. Organize your pantry every few weeks. Check the expiration dates on perishable as well as non-perishable items to ensure freshness and safety.

Stocking your pantry frugally is a wise investment in light of today's current financial crisis. You will be amazed at the overall benefits of a well stocked pantry.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Mae.
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