I take it rice and dried beans last indefinitely? Been thinking about buying a few months worth of MREs, but maybe this is a better idea?
LDS list of the shelf life of various foods:
http://www.dealstomeals.com/docs/One_Year_Supply_Guide.pdf
Yes, white rice will last almost indefinitely if kept sealed and dry. I buy 1/2 Ball canning jars and fill to the top with rice. For extra protection I put 1 dessicant and 1 oxy absorber in. Store away from light if possible. Mine is covered in the garage with black blanket.
Go to an Asian store in town, you can get a 25 lb bag of yummy jasmine rice for $18.
Go to the grocery store. Buy 50 cans of black beans, 50 cans of refried beans, and also, black eyed peas. Baked beans are fine, but you won’t find them as palatable for daily consumption as black beans.
Store canned goods at 75 if possible and they will last 20 years. I have done my research on this, comes from a canning association in Europe. There is no standard for sell dates on canned goods. It is simply a gov requirement to slap one on. Essentially it is completely arbitrary.
Also, hit multiple Asian stores until you find one that sells New Zealand or Australian chunky corned beef. Much better than the mushy Brazilian stuff. Heat it, pour off the fat and it is more like pot roast.
Canned potatoes, buy 50 cans (get diced and whole cans). You can fry these with the corned beef, surprisingly good. Buy canned carrots, add those and they sweeten up the homemade hash nicely.
For $200 you have months worth of food that is easily cooked and eaten & stores as long as MREs.
Oh, and by whatever canned veggies you are willing to eat already. Lots. I buy corn, green beans and spinach by the case.
This method is much cheaper than Mountain House and just as long life.
For variety I also have about 50 cans of tuna, 50 cans of chunk white chicken breast (much higher quality than they used to be) and canned salmon.
If you own a gas grill, keep 3 propane tanks filled for it. Once you buy the tanks it’s cheap enough. You can cook a long time on 3 tanks.
Charcoal grill? (I have both) buy 5 gallon buckets at Lowes and fill with a good brand of charcoal. Seal them and stack 4 or 5 in the corner of your garage.
As someone else noted, get a pump 12 gauge and 00 buckshot. The ultimate home defense weapon. Surf youtube for demos of pump shotguns. Devastating at 25 feet. And very intimidating when you rack a round into the chamber. Pumps are simpler and reliable.
A good handgun, 38 or bigger. A semi auto long gun. A good 22 first, then if you can afford it, something with more punch like an AR15. Start stockpiling ammo. Every time I go into Wally World I buy a box of 100 CCI long rifle. It adds up without much pain.
Youtube is a great place to get reviews of firearms if you are selective about what you watch.
1000-year-old beans found by archeologists in Arizona still sprout when planted and watered.
https://www.usaemergencysupply.com/information_center/all_about_beans_legumes.htm#link3