Come See My Grocery Store in My Basement! Complete Food Storage Tour!

[@BeckyCreger-vs5ce]

I'm 71 years old and live alone. I have 2 freezers in the basement. One is a 21 cubic foot upright and the other is a 5.5 cubic chest freezer. They both are full along with my freezer on top of my refrigerator.

[@joyfullythriving]

Good for you! It's amazing how much we can fit in our freezers, isn't it?

[@shelbylynnwilliams8520]

I always enjoy watching your stockpiling storage . It is so organized & intentional. You put a lot of thought & planning into your spaces.

[@joyfullythriving]

Thank you! Yes, it has taken me time but I have tried to be very intentional in what and where I store things. Thanks for noticing! 😊

[@melissalee1531]

You can add the canned chicken to cooked egg noodles , can of cream of chicken and grated cheese . Bake at 350 until bubbling and cheese is melted. Very cheap , easy and quick meal !! ❤ God bless .

[@joyfullythriving]

Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing! I love easy meals like that!

[@OpenRoading]

I feel honored that I got to see your stockpile in person! Although I didn't know about ALL your little hiding spots! 😆 The cupcake liner storage is BRILLIANT. I could totally do that in the RV! - K

[@joyfullythriving]

You are so sweet, Kalyn! And yes! Cupcake liners store so perfectly! Thanks for taking the time to watch my tour! 🥰

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

I watch pantry videos to pick out storage tips. I save square glass instant coffee jars for counter top daily use storing. 😊 They work great. Instant coffee for work.

[@joyfullythriving]

That is such a great idea! Great job reusing what you have, too! 🙌

[@_healthycleanrecipes_]

Wow! That’s amazing! I like how organized you are and how you store everything! You are awesome!❤🤗

[@joyfullythriving]

Thank you! I try! 😁 It does help make shopping much easier when I know exactly what I have and where it is. It's always a work in progress, though!

[@_healthycleanrecipes_]

@ Yes I agree!

[@cambriaperez2865]

Happy I found your channel. Excited to catch your videos on Thurs. We are also a large family from Indiana 💝

[@LizWatts-o1o]

You have an amazing pantry, that’s great! Thank you for sharing this, a lot of good ideas🙂

[@greenfoxgaming6721]

Thank-you for sharing your tips and tricks for creating a food & household items “pantry” system.

[@joyfullythriving]

I am so glad you found it helpful! 😊 Thank you for taking the time to watch! 🥰

[@PatriciaKuronya-g3p]

I like storing things in glass as well. I keep my baking soda in a pint mason jar. For the lid I cut a circle from the top of a salt container the same size as a canning lid with the metal spout in the middle. I then secure the ‘lid’ with a mason jar ring. It is so much easier for me then keeping it in the box for baking.

[@joyfullythriving]

That's a great idea! 👍 Way to be creative and repurpose things!

[@lisabaubeau8440]

Warm up your honey in a pot of hot water for it to soften then put it in wide mouth canning jars, you can scoop it out easily that way. I use honey instead of sugar in my bread recipe, I think it tastes so much better that way.

[@joyfullythriving]

Great tip! And a good idea to use it in my bread! I will definitely have to try that!

[@chantal3172]

Great stock pile. You do a great job organizing everything. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@joyfullythriving]

Thank you, Chantal! I am still tweaking things (always!) but I do try to keep everything in it's place! 😊 It also saves me from shopping on the snowy winter weeks to come!

[@chinyereapakama298]

Truly appreciative of you for sharing your wisdom and insights. You are a treasure of inestimable value. Hugs and kisses Kristen. 👠👠👠👠👠👠👠

[@joyfullythriving]

Awww. Thank you! 😊

[@homesteadmccoy]

What a fabulous tour! Great tips on storage and organization. Full of great ideas.

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks for watching! I’m glad you liked it and got some helpful ideas! 😊

[@simplyluvcoupon]

Great tip on the lids. I have a ball jar from a flower arrangement, now I can repurpose it in my pantry.

[@joyfullythriving]

Yay! I love ball jars and how practical they are for so many things! Glad the lid tip was a new helpful one for you! 🙌

[@pigsfly08]

Your organization is so awesome!! Thanks for another great video.

[@joyfullythriving]

Thank you! I am so glad you liked it!

[@cambriaperez2865]

New to your channel. Great stock pile tour and organization 💝

[@BeckyCreger-vs5ce]

God bless you and your family. ❤

[@BeckyCreger-vs5ce]

It took me 3 months to complete my freezers and pantries because I live on my Social Security check. I thank God every day that he allowed me to be able to do this because of His blessings.

[@joyfullythriving]

What good stewardship to make it a priority of filling your pantries! A wise use of your SS for sure!

[@caroleilola7424]

Thank you for sharing! I love seeing how others do it for tips and ideas. We raise our own pork now after we continually bought it farm fresh. I don’t really like store bought anymore. It’s so great to have it all for the year just in the freezer for whatever we want without waiting for sales. I need to get to your level of stockpile though!

[@joyfullythriving]

Having a freezer full of meat - especially when it is your own - is incredible! And such a great way to provide for your family, since meat is definitely one of the most expensive things in a grocery budget. As for building the rest of your stockpile? I know you can do it - and hopefully you got some ideas from seeing my stockpile!

[@noreenp.9858]

I am impressed with your well organized and stocked pantry/freezers/cupboards ect.. I just reorganized my basement pantry. I went through some overflow and things we may not use and donated to my church food pantry and it gets donated to my local food pantry. I don’t need too much so I’m well stocked. I want to go through a lot of it this winter.

[@joyfullythriving]

Doesn't it feel good to reorganize and straighten things up? I have a couple bags of donations right now. And yes! Winter is always a great time to stay cozy and use what we have on hand!

[@Sandrashideaway]

❤Love seeing your pantries/stockpiles. I have a few too. So handy to be well stocked. 😊 I've been using the peanut butter lids on my Mason jars too. Great idea for your muffin liners stored in a mason jar, I'm gonna do that. 👍 For many years I've bought the gallon size jars with pickles in them from Sams. We love pickles 🥒 so after we ate them I cleaned the jars really well & use them in my pantry for flour sugars oats rice pasta cornmeal etc....I have a bunch now. I use a label maker and label all my jars so it's easily recognizable. 😅

[@joyfullythriving]

That’s a great idea using the gallon jars from the pickles! And yes! I really need to do better at labeling - for my kids sake, as they start helping more and more! Glad you already knew about the peanut butter lids too. Such a handy trick!

[@theresamascorro2724]

Great looking stock pile. Everything looks very well thought out. Thank u

[@joyfullythriving]

Thank you! And yes! That is what I hope people take away from seeing my stockpile. Think it through, and intentionally start stockpiling the things your family uses.

[@ritaslade2989]

Enjoyed seeing the stockpile looks awesome 😊❤ 💯 God Bless you ❤

[@joyfullythriving]

That’s so kind of you to say! I appreciate you watching!

[@mamagoldielocks]

I use tons of honey! For an easy snack, combine equal parts of natural pb (just peanuts and salt) and honey and then stir in enough almond flour to form a dough. Roll in balls and store in the fridge. A healthy treat that tastes a little like the inside of a buckeye.

[@joyfullythriving]

What a fun snack idea! I will have to give that a try!

[@CathyNations]

Kristen, I love glass jars as well. They are so pretty, practical and keep things fresh! I am trying to convert everything over to glass jars except for my Tupperware storage. 🤗

[@joyfullythriving]

I have done mostly the same, Cathy! I have a stack of square plastic Ziploc containers that I use for leftovers in the fridge but have switched almost everything else to glass as well! And Tupperware lasts so well, it makes sense to keep using it! 😊

[@kathytappero7179]

Your vids have really helped us on creating our “pantry”. Thx!

[@joyfullythriving]

I am so glad you're finding my videos helpful! 👍 And I am glad you are building a pantry too!

[@karenkaren5013]

I use glass for my storage too. It looks so pretty ❤.

[@joyfullythriving]

It really is, isn't it? ❤️

[@melodyfordham7878]

Love the jar idea for cupcake liners! 💕

[@joyfullythriving]

They're so much easier to store that way!

[@Sandrashideaway]

🫙We have a garage fridge too and that's what i store all the extra bags of flour, sugar, oats, and rice so that I can fill my jar containers in kitchen when empty.😊

[@joyfullythriving]

That's a great idea! When Andy suggested an extra fridge, I didn't think we really needed it but the extra space is definitely handy - and used! 😊

[@BeckyCreger-vs5ce]

My basement pantry is where I bring up things when I'm running low upstairs. Then I'll replace them the next month that I go shopping. I'm from North Central Iowa and right now our wind chills are -5 to - 15. The only reason that I go outside is to start my car and let it run at least 15 minutes. Since it is so cold out, I'm making meals like goulash, spaghetti, chili, or like I did tonight. I made a big pot of ham and beans. I'm planning on making homemade cornbread tomorrow to go with it.

[@joyfullythriving]

So smart! Our wind chills in Indiana were the same yesterday and those are the days I don't like going out either. So thankful to have a stockpile that allows us to skip shopping in the winter on super cold weeks! 🥶

[@jillc4720]

LOVE those toothpaste squeeze tops! I bought some after watching one of your older videos, and it really does help make the kids toothpaste last longer ❤

[@joyfullythriving]

I’m so glad those squeeze tops have been helpful for you! 😊 I have been amazed too! Lily just asked me the other day...when are we going to need new toothpaste? 😂 Even they are noticing!

[@cindyertell8170]

Ooh I'm envying your turntables in the upper cabinets. The previous owners picked pretty cabinets but they're not all very practical. Like those upper corners. I'm feeling the need to reorganize the kitchen and pantry. Again. What, that would only be the 3rd time this year. Or maybe 4th 😁

[@hilaribenfield3016]

The broths and stocks are something I use the MOST! We love soups, stews and cassaroles here and use it for all those things! We also make some without the veg for the pets for added nutrients!

[@joyfullythriving]

I know a lot of people who go through broth regularly like you, so I know I am in the minority here! 😊

[@bettyhowatt8167]

Awesome pantry!

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks so much! 🥰 It’s been years in the making!

[@dh4398]

Wow! Looks great! FYI-Just heard the cacao plants are not going to yield a very big harvest due to a fungus. You might want to grab another container or 2.

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks for the heads up! Cocoa and chocolate chips are something I always want to have on my shelves!

[@yadymoncayo294]

CuraMed superior Absorption Curcumin 750mg. Best for inflammation. I had a frozen shoulder I wasn't able to brush my hair, started taking 1 a day, and within 2 weeks, I was brushing my hair.

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks for that tip! He is drinking cherry juice for gout flare ups and although they say it isn't proven, it really does seem to help him!

[@elizabethteeter6284]

Good morning 🌞 I'm up can't seem sleep well it's 215am came across your vlog love seeing you praying for you ❤ your friend always you are such a beautiful person 😍

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks! I'm sending prayers your way too. ❤️

[@ConstanceRamos-jf6bu]

I store the canned chicken and for my daughter I store spam and Vienna sausages. I do have some canned ham, turkey, pork, and beef but not as much as the other stuff

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks for sharing the meats you store! I do want to branch out a but I think chicken will always be what I store most of.

[@yadymoncayo294]

Use the honey for baking bread.

[@joyfullythriving]

Good idea!

[@candicedeyoung8622]

Use your parmesan cheese lids too. Has a nice shaker top for items like bread crumbs.

[@joyfullythriving]

Yes! I forgot to mention that those fit perfectly too! Thanks for reminding me - and others!

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

I loved this. I learned a few things. Ty.

[@joyfullythriving]

Yay! So glad you learned a few new things from this tour! 🙌

[@camillesnyder2850]

I love your videos. Thanks for sharing all of your ideas. Peanut butter sandwiched between graham crackers dipped in hot tea or hot chocolate is pretty yummy. Just a tip for you to use up your graham crackers in winter.

[@joyfullythriving]

That sounds yummy! Good idea! And I am glad you enjoyed the tour!

[@karenwest5912]

Lids- have you tried the lid from Jared cheese? Store brand or Kraft lids also fit on pint and quart regular mouth jars. Shake or spoon out the amount you need. I use them for spices and dehydrated veggies like celery, onions and peppers.

[@joyfullythriving]

Yes, I have! I should have mentioned that the Parmesan Cheese shakers work great on canning jars too. Thanks for pointing that out! 👍

[@BeckyCreger-vs5ce]

My apartment is small and I only have one cupboard that I have things that I use more often like; Knorr pasta and rice packages that I add canned meats to, instant potatoes, my flavor packets that I use with tap water, saltine crackers, molasses, honey, sprinkles for cakes, about 4 cans of chicken, 4 cans of smoked ham, 4 cans of tuna, and 4 cans of beef. I turned a closet into another pantry by putting 2 shelves in it and in the bottom I have all of my baking goods in totes on wheels. The very top shelf holds 12 rolls of toilet paper, 8 boxes of Kleenex, extra light bulbs, and a couple packs of wipes. The middle shelf holds 8 cans of each: whole kennel corn, green beans, peas, cream corn, carrots, and a variety of soups.

[@joyfullythriving]

You've really maximized your space! Good for you in being creative and using all of your space!

[@Lakirk2023]

You have done an amazing job. Everything is organized and has easy access. If i may suggest buying honey from someone who has their own bees or a produce location. The honey should be in a glass container. Honey purchased from a store in a plastic container is mixed with sugar. Therefore it goes bad. Keep up the great work.

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks for that tip! I will definitely think about that when buying honey again!

[@elwmcp0910]

I like to use lemon pepper in broccoli and green beans and even on chicken

[@joyfullythriving]

I have started using it on my steamed broccoli and really it! I will have to try green beans next. Good idea!

[@valeriededmon4482]

Give the homemade vanilla 6-12 months. Much stronger flavor.

[@joyfullythriving]

That's what I have heard! I am doing my best to be patient! 😁

[@Sandrashideaway]

I counted my butter 🧈 in my upright freezer and I have 30 lbs that I got this year at 99cents to $2.49 a lb. 😅 We only go thru 1-2 lbs a month. But I can't pay normal price so I stock up at a good price. 👍

[@joyfullythriving]

Woohoo! You are set with butter for the year! Well done, Sandra! 👏 👏👏

[@BeckyCreger-vs5ce]

I forgot to tell you that I comparison shop. We have 4 stores here to get groceries at. Three of them are very close to each other and the other one is less than a mile away. I do try to go to Sam's Club every other month if I actually think that I can save money. When I figure that trip, I take in consideration of cost of gas. I usually go with a friend and split the cost of gas.

[@joyfullythriving]

Good for you - shopping all the stores! And I like that you do Sam's Club with a friend, even splitting the gas. So smart of you!

[@BeckyCreger-vs5ce]

Thank you for sharing this. I have a working pantry up here and one in the basement. I'm not able to can vegetables because I live in an apartment. There isn't any room for a garden.

[@joyfullythriving]

Canning is not for everyone! I tried growing and canning green beans and everyone in my family decided we preferred store canned beans instead. Saves me a lot of time - and money too! Canned vegetables are priced so reasonably at the store that I don't mind buying them there! 😁

[@ashalacarte]

Canned meats... I keep tuna and spam that is store bought but I can chicken, ground beef, beef and pork and love them all!

[@joyfullythriving]

Good for you! One of these days I am going to get around to try canning meats myself! Some day...

[@kdonor]

I can broth. I use it a lot for soup.

[@joyfullythriving]

I know so many people do! And it's probably because my kids and husband aren't huge soup people that I don't use much broth right now. Glad you are able to can yours for future soups!

[@moakley60]

Great video! I do a lot of these storage ideas too, but always learn something new. Just curious, why do you not seal the large outer ziploc bags that you have your ground beef in?

[@moakley60]

The paper plates and plastic utensils are good to have on hand if there is a prolonged power outage, so you don't have to worry about washing dishes.

[@joyfullythriving]

Good question! Mostly because I have probably just grabbed meat out of the bags and not bothered to reseal! 😂 Good catch! I should probably do that. I use the big bags more to Corral things than worry about the extra layer of bagging...but I really should close those bags up!

[@joyfullythriving]

My thoughts exactly! 💯

[@angiesteuck]

Sorry, me again! I am just finishing up your video! 😂 I make broth and freeze it. Lol, mainly because I don't can. It's something I should learn, tho.

[@angiesteuck]

I'm also going to start saving my pb covers and mayo covers. Thanks for that great tip! Also, I didn't see the link for the jars u use, but I could be missing it too.

[@angiesteuck]

I use honey when making bread. Instead of sugar. I have used it when it's crystallized, and it still works great! The garbanzo beans make a good snack. U just drain them dry them and bake them with whatever seasoning u like. I'm starting to stock up on them just so I can do that.

[@joyfullythriving]

I have bought them at Walmart (and they are cheaper there) but these are the jars I use! amzn.to/41wyj8n

[@joyfullythriving]

No need to get a pressure canner just for broth! Keep freezing it because that is easy! 👍

[@joyfullythriving]

I will have to do that with all the chickpeas. I just tried a new salad recipe with garbanzo beans and it was so good, I have a feeling I will be going through them nuch faster now! 😁

[@Tinkerbell31326]

Meats i store I can my own chicken. Tuna I store white albacore and light meat. I mix them together because I do not like the fishy taste if light tuna. I store pink salmon and zippered herring. I can beef chunks, ground meat and pork. I can my own chicken soup, turkey meatball. Soup and beef stew. I just tried canning my own cranberry juice

[@joyfullythriving]

Wow! I am very impressed with all you can! Chicken is definitely the first meat I want to try canning. How did the cranberry juice go? That is a fun thing to can as well!

[@Tinkerbell31326]

@@joyfullythriving it tales 6 weeks before I can taste them. So 2nd week of January. 2025. I cannot wait. I also can green beans, garbanzo beans and navy beans. I am going to try canning baked beans. I can glazed carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash. This morning I am canning Chicken meatball soup. I tried Turkey meatball soup and it was reeally delish. I went thru all 8 24oz jars. canning vegetable soup next/

[@JanetGuido-ns4ck]

Hi Kristen I have been reading about freezing Chex mix. Do you just make the regular recipe, let it cool and then bag in freezer zip lock bags? How do you thaw it? Does the flavor change? Thanks Janet

[@joyfullythriving]

Exactly! Yes! Just let it cool and I like to freeze it in quart bags, but any size would work. And then you don't even have to worry about thawing it. I serve it straight from the freezer! You will never know it was frozen, and no, the taste doesn't change at all. Such a handy trick!

[@kathim5720]

I’m just starting to try and keep some extra things on hand. One of the best deals I got recently was my restock of hand soap from Bath & Body - B3G3 plus an additional 20%off. That restocked us for a year plus. Good luck finding more deals to restock during the Christmas sales

[@joyfullythriving]

That's a great deal, and yay for stocking up! Slowly and surely - watching the sales - is definitely the way I like to do it too!

[@PerilousRainbow]

I canned a couple types of broth before and honestly it doesn’t seem worth it unless you’ve got allergies or your family creates a lot of the usual bits you save for broth. I do make occasional from scratch broth but I don’t can it. To be fair, it’s just me and my partner so I just found good store bought broth powders and concentrates we both like and stick with those. I’d rather can things that save more money long term

[@joyfullythriving]

That's a great way to look at it! Jams and salsa definitely save me a lot of money but the time and effort on broth may not be worth it for me either. Thanks for chiming in!

[@preparednessmom]

You shop so much like me. My friends don't believe that I save more money this way.

[@joyfullythriving]

Well I definitely believe you! 😉 It is amazing how much money we can save when we shop the sales! I challenge anyone to have as full of shelves with a small budget. You have to shop the sales to make it happen but it is totally possible! 🙌

[@BeckyCreger-vs5ce]

My seasonings are all in a drawer in my kitchen.

[@joyfullythriving]

Oh! Yes! I have a drawer full of seasonings too. Totally forgot to show that! 😁

[@angiesteuck]

I had to stop the video to comment! But, I had to go look online to see if my walmart carried angle hair pasta in the half and it says they do. I will be stocking up on that if it's true! The reg spaghetti is to thick for me and makes me gag. Also the last time u did a video liked this u talked about that corn bread and I grabbed a box to try. I definitely recommend that cornbread to. So good! If I don't make my own that is what I use now. :)

[@angiesteuck]

Just because u mentioned butter. Our qwik trip has it for 2.99 this week. You bet I have been going and stocking up! I take my husband and son and we all buy butter. Lol that is the best price I have seen lately! With baking you can NEVER have enough butter.

[@angiesteuck]

So, question on the pumpkin. I was gifted some over a year ago. I think 2023 and forgot about it. Do u think that's still ok to use? I thought I would use it up in pumpkin bread. But I wasn't sure it would be good.

[@angiesteuck]

I buy my yeast from Sam's and stick it in a big bag and pop it in the freezer. Lol

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks for all the comments! I threw a lot at you in this one video! 😂 I am glad you love the cornbread too. And yay for $2.99 butter at Qwik Trip! So glad all 3 of you are going to get butter. So smart. Is it canned pumpkin or frozen? Either way - if it still smells fine, looks good and tastes fine, then I think it would be just fine in pumpkin bread.

[@angiesteuck]

@joyfullythriving it was frozen. Just like yours. :) I thought because it was frozen, it should still work. I would think.