3 MONTH MEAL PLAN--MONTH 3

Early in our marriage, we tried hard to follow the words of good advice that came to us.  We especially listened to the advice coming from our church leaders.  The statements:  "Get a year's supply of food," "Pay a generous fast offering," "Get an education," "Build a financial reserve," and "Get out of debt" all seemed to contradict each other.  Yes, they were all great things to do, but doing them all at once we felt like was impossible.  We soon learned that it was, in fact, impossible to do it all at once.  But, by doing each a little bit at a time created great results!

President Hinckley asked us to do a little at a time in the November 2002 Priesthood session:

"I wish to urge again the importance of self-reliance on the part of every individual Church member and family.  None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike. Sickness, injury, unemployment may affect any of us.  We have a great welfare program with facilities for such things as grain storage in various areas. It is important that we do this. But the best place to have some food set aside is within our homes, together with a little money in savings. The best welfare program is our own welfare program. Five or six cans of wheat in the home are better than a bushel in the welfare granary.  We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with a one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. As all of you recognize, this counsel is not new. But I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. Begin in a small way, and gradually build toward a reasonable objective. Save a little money regularly, and you will be surprised how it accumulates."

Over the last several years, we have planned, talked, and budgeted every month to follow the seemingly contradictory words of advice. Some months we did more in one area and other months did more in another.  It is a constant effort to stay on top of these.

At the beginning of January, I challenged you to set aside a little bit of money each month for Food Storage.  I hope you did! Now after we have planned (month 1) and organized (month 2), it is time to take action!

March's Goal:  Purchase

Take your master shopping list hard copy and keep it in your wallet.  When you are at the grocery store, look for sales on the items you need and start buying them.  You should have 3 months of "food storage money" saved up, but be careful not to go beyond your means--or your budget!  Buy what you can afford.  If you can buy everything on your list, great!  If not, save some for next month, or maybe the month after that.