What's in My Pantry!

I've told several people this month is an eat out of the pantry month.   Basically that means we are cleaning out what food we already have in the house rather than buying  new groceries.  Of course we buy staples like bread and milk.  I just base our meals on what is currently in the house.   A few people have mentioned when looking at my meal plans that they could never eat like we do by what is in their cabinets.

Everything I know about being frugal, especially when it comes to food, I learned from my mom.  I grew up with the closest grocery store being 10 miles away and that is the same for where we live now.  If you began to make dinner and didn't have something, you had 2 choices, call a neighbor and see if you could borrow it or make something else.   I stock pile food or hoard food depending on who you ask.  When things we use regularly go on sale I stock up.  I do this the most with meat.  It is such an expensive item.  I buy meat in bulk and freeze it until we need it.   I keep a running list on my refrigerator of things to buy when we run out.

Since people have asked here is the list of things that I stock in my pantry and freezer.

chicken & beef broth
cream of mushroom and chicken
tomato sauce
tuna
oatmeal
canned mushrooms
peanut butter
French fried onions
Jiffy corn muffin mix
potatoes
onions
black beans
canned refried beans
macaroni and cheese
large variety of assorted pasta
flour and corn tortillas
powdered milk
cheddar cheese
mozzarella cheese
chicken breast
hamburger
blueberries

We also have a variety of vegetables that I can from the garden.  These change each year depending on what we have in the garden.  Right now I have green beans, beets, apple sauce, tomato juice, apple butter, salsa, spaghetti sauce, pickles and relish.

As you can see, I can make several meals by just using what I have on hand.  
To build up a stock pile I recommend starting small. 

Take inventory of what you buy every time you go to the store. 
Keep track of your meals.  What are your favorite meals?  Make sure you always have those ingredients on hand.
Check web sites and flyers for deals.
Shop at discount or salvage stores.