Cheap or free 5-gallon buckets? Be prepared Tip #8

Hi friends,

If you’re setting new goals for the year and want to include food storage on that list, you’ll likely need a bunch of 5-gallon buckets. They are an essential part of storage – both food and items.

They are critical if you are storing things in a basement that can flood or areas that might have mice, pantry moths and other critters that will ruin your storage items.

If you only need a few, buying them is probably simpler. You can get generic ones at Walmart and hardware stores in the US for about $4-$6.

So how did I get more than thirty for free when we began storing bulk food?

1. Bakeries: Check local bakeries and even the ones in warehouse stores or grocery outlets. They use food grade buckets for their bulk frosting and will often give them away to you for free or a token amount like $1.

Pros: Food grade. Cheap or free. They smell yummy.

Cons: Frosting is greasy – you’ll need a LOT of soap for the initial cleaning. Think – all the kids on the front lawn with the hose, sponges and a couple of bottles of soap. Ask me how I know 🙂

2. Restaurants: Check with local restaurants. They use them for all sorts of items like sauces, pickles, and other ingredients. Again, often free or cheap.

Pros: Food grade. Cheap or free. May be easier to clean than frosting buckets.

Cons: Smell is hit and miss. It’s almost impossible to get the pickle smell out of a bucket. lol.

What about you guys? Any good ideas that have worked for you? Please share. 🙂

I hope you’re having a good new year and good luck if you’re working on your food storage!

______________________ 

Misty’s Writing Update:

I’m not immune to the burst of motivation that comes with the holidays being over and a new year starting.

I’ve still got congestion and a bit of a cough, but it turns out that typing on a keyboard is a low intensity activity. I’ve been getting words down for the last four days and just reached 50k words in my current book. I’m excited to finally be making significant progress.

Woohoo! Go me! 🙂

How about you? Do you have a goal you’re making progress on?

If you’re like me, you have highs and lows with motivation, so be patient with yourself and make sure to give yourself credit for all the things you’ve been doing but discounting.

We really do accomplish a lot more than we usually give ourselves credit for.

Good luck with everything!

— Misty 🙂