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In today's tough economic times, having a fully stocked pantry is simply a smart thing to do. Knowing you have food on hand in case of an emergency helps relieve some stress.

So how do you go about stocking your pantry? Well, you do not have to go out a spend a bundle and do it all at once. Most of us can't afford to do that anyway. What you need to do is check your local store fliers and each week pick the best few items on sale and buy a few to several of each. A key thing to remember is, only buy items you know your family will use. There is no sense stocking up on pasta if you family hates pasta.

Stocking a pantry, to me, even means stocking up on things like tooth paste, toilet paper and shampoo as well. These are all things you know you will use and most have a very long shelf life. That is another key thing to remember: only buy what will be used up in a reasonable amount of time. Canned goods last a fairly long time, but you still shouldn't stock up enough of them for the next 5 years, even they have expiration dates.

By buying a few items for your pantry each week, you don't see a huge chunk of your grocery budget disappearing. Continue to buy sale priced items that you know you need and will use and eventually you will have a fully stocked pantry. Having a stocked pantry comes in handy when you didn't make it to the store before it closed and have to make something for dinner. Or when funds are tight one week. If you have pasta and sauce on hand you have an easy meal. Stocking your freezer with meat and frozen vegetables as they go on sale is equally important.

For items such as flour, baking mixes and cereals, only buy as much as you will use in a 1-2 month period. These items can get stale if kept for longer periods. If you have problems with ants or other insects, store these items in the freezer if possible or inside sealed plastic bins or bags.

When frequently used items such as toilet paper, tomato sauce or pasta go on sale for a really good price, it really is a good idea to buy as many as you can afford to (within reason). These type of items are always needed, and have a long shelf life.

If you don't have a physical pantry or extra cabinets to store food, you can also store pantry staples on shelves in the garage or basement, in plastic bins under the bed, under stairs or in closets.

A list of suggested items for your pantry:

Pasta & noodles

Pasta sauces, tinned tomatoes, tomato paste

Rice - flavored packs and plain

Tinned vegetables

Tinned soups

Tinned broths

Salad dressings, BBQ sauces, Ketchup

Dry & tinned beans

This list could be endless. Buy what is right for your family, start small and end up fully stocked and ready for anything.

Learn more about this author, Kim Murray.
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