2026 June Preparedness – Preparativos para Junio

2026 June Preparedness

Have you ever had one of those moments where you ask yourself, “Why did I do that?” or “Why did I say that?” or one more, “Why didn’t I follow the instructions?”. Let’s focus a little on the last one. We as members of the church have been counseled and instructed for decades to be prepared. We’ve heard it so much and for so long that when we hear the topic our ears turn off. We hope you don’t turn a blind eye and deaf ear this time.There are so many phases of preparedness it is difficult to capture them all here, in this article. Everyone is at a different location on the preparedness path, so we will focus on where to start and how to start. Those of you that have started, please continue reading, you may find ideas to help you from where you are currently.

Ok, where do I start? The best place to start is to make a plan, nothing fancy, just a basic plan. It can be updated and expanded later, after you get the hang of things. Plans often start with the what do we have now column and the what do we need column. Just a simple basic inventory. We would like everyone to get started on a three month supply, but maybe that isn’t feasible for you in your current situation. If finances are tight, don’t be embarrassed, be truly grateful and thank Heavenly Father for all that you have.  He loves you and will bless your efforts, but you have to be putting in the effort.

This is how simple it really is. The next time you go to the store and lets say you need a can of refried beans, put two in the cart. Now when you get home you have an extra can of refried beans. That’s it, that’s all there is to it. If you do that each time you go to the store and add an extra can or package of one or two things, you are doing it and moving in the right direction. Don’t try to fill your pantry all at once, just do small steps at a time.

I recently read an article in the “Meridian Magazine”, “You Are Not Too Broke to Prepare”, by Carolyn Nicolaysen – May 19, 2026. Here are some ideas she listed to help us in our quest, “So how do we build food storage? One small step at a time. Do not become discouraged if you cannot fill your shopping cart with pantry items all at once. Consistency matters far more than speed. Consider the following practical suggestions”:

• Know which stores offer rain checks. Always ask for one when shelves are empty of sale items, though some seasonal products may be excluded.
• Ask whether stores price match competitors. This can save both time and fuel while helping you maximize savings.
• Learn store sales cycles. Grocery stores often begin new sales midweek, while pharmacy chains may start sales on Sundays. Understanding sale timing can help you secure pantry staples at the best prices.
• Sign up for customer rewards programs. Loyalty cards often provide discounts unavailable to nonmembers.
• Track prices. Keep a notebook or binder with common grocery prices at stores you frequent. Over time, you will learn what constitutes a true bargain. Involving older children can also teach them wise shopping habits.
• Remember seasonal sales. Many items follow predictable sale patterns. Cranberry sauce, pumpkin, and condensed milk, for example, are deeply discounted during the holidays but useful year-round.
• Use coupons wisely. Coupons can often be found in newspapers, weekly mailers, and local advertisements.
• Cook from scratch whenever possible. Homemade bread, cookies, soups, and casseroles are often far less expensive and healthier than packaged convenience foods.
• Take meals and drinks with you when traveling or attending activities. Packing lunches can significantly reduce spending.
• Consider breakfast for dinner. Meals such as eggs, pancakes, hash browns, and fruit are inexpensive, nutritious, and family friendly. A dinner of eggs, hash browns, applesauce and juice made from scratch costs less than a dollar per person. The benefits, save money, no added preservatives, eggs are a complete protein and kids love it.
• Eat dinner at home more often. If you enjoy date nights, consider eating at home first and going out for dessert or a treat afterward. If you want to eat out occasionally, find out what nights your favorite hangouts have special deals or if they have hours with reduced pricing.
• Learn basic cooking skills. A few simple techniques can greatly reduce reliance on costly prepared foods. Learn to cook from scratch. Watch cooking shows, ask skilled friends or family for tips, and practice a few basics. Homemade meals are often far less expensive than prepared foods.
• Save leftover ingredients. Extra vegetables can often be chopped and frozen for later use in soups, casseroles, and stews.
• Use leftovers creatively. Leftover meats can become tacos, soups, casseroles, salads, or sandwiches instead of being discarded.
• Never turn down free produce. Excess garden vegetables and fruit can often be canned, frozen, or shared.
• Prepare extra baked goods and freeze them. Homemade breads, cakes, and muffins freeze well and save money later.
• Reduce reliance on boxed breakfast cereals. Oatmeal, eggs, pancakes, and toast are far more economical.
• Purchase larger packages when practical. Bulk buying is often more cost effective.
• Stretch expensive foods. Instead of serving several strips of bacon or multiple sausage links per person, cut them into smaller pieces and mix them into eggs or casseroles for flavor, leaving half for another meal.
• Repackage snacks yourself. Large bags of chips or crackers are often cheaper than individual servings. Repackage into reusable containers for school and work lunches.
• Combine cereals. Mixing less expensive cereals with favorite name brands can reduce costs while maintaining flavor.
• Prepare economical meals several nights a week. Pasta, soups, fried rice, homemade pizza, and simple casseroles can stretch the food budget considerably.”

Here are some great thoughts from Former Relief Society General President Sister Barbara B. Smith, to help us in our preparedness. “Life is made up of small daily acts. Savings in food budgets come by pennies, not only by dollars. Clothing budgets are cut by mending stitch by stitch, seam by seam. Houses are kept in good repair nail by nail. Provident homes come not by decree or by broad brushstroke. Provident homes come from small acts performed well day after day. When we see in our minds the great vision, then we discipline ourselves by steady, small steps that make it happen.” (Ensign, Nov. 1980, p. 86.). Here are links for great information for gardening and general preparedness:

• Companion Planting Chart and Guide for Vegetable Gardens (thespruce.com)
• Vegetable Planting Calendar for Maricopa County (arizona.edu)
• https://gilbertprepared.org/72-hour-kits/

May the Lord bless each of us in our efforts as we try to listen and obey.

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2026 Preparativos para junio:

¿Alguna vez han tenido uno de esos momentos en los que se preguntan: «¿Por qué hice eso?» o «¿Por qué dije eso?»; o, una más: «¿Por qué no seguí las instrucciones?»? Centrémonos un poco en esta última. Como miembros de la Iglesia, se nos ha aconsejado e instruido durante décadas que estemos preparados. Hemos escuchado esto tanto y durante tanto tiempo que, al oír hablar del tema, nuestros oídos se cierran. Esperamos que, en esta ocasión, no hagan la vista gorda ni hagan oídos sordos. Existen tantas facetas de la preparación que resulta difícil abarcarlas todas aquí, en este artículo. Cada persona se encuentra en un punto diferente del camino de la preparación; por ello, nos centraremos en por dónde empezar y cómo hacerlo. Aquellos de ustedes que ya han comenzado, por favor, continúen leyendo; es posible que encuentren ideas que les sean de utilidad desde el punto en el que se encuentran actualmente.

Bien, ¿por dónde empiezo? El mejor lugar para comenzar es elaborar un plan; nada sofisticado, solo un plan básico. Este podrá actualizarse y ampliarse más adelante, una vez que le hayas tomado el ritmo a las cosas. A menudo, los planes comienzan con una columna titulada «¿Qué tenemos ahora?» y otra titulada «¿Qué necesitamos?». Se trata, simplemente, de un inventario básico. Nos gustaría que todos comenzaran reuniendo una provisión para tres meses, pero tal vez eso no sea factible para ti en tu situación actual. Si tus finanzas son ajustadas, no te avergüences; más bien, siéntete verdaderamente agradecido y da gracias al Padre Celestial por todo lo que tienes. Él te ama y bendecirá tus esfuerzos, pero es necesario que tú pongas de tu parte.

Así de sencillo es en realidad. La próxima vez que vayas a la tienda —supongamos que necesitas una lata de frijoles refritos—, pon dos en el carrito. De este modo, al llegar a casa, tendrás una lata extra de frijoles refritos. Eso es todo; no tiene más complicación. Si haces esto cada vez que vas a la tienda —añadiendo una lata o un paquete extra de uno o dos productos—, estarás cumpliendo el objetivo y avanzando en la dirección correcta. No intentes llenar tu despensa de una sola vez; simplemente avanza dando pequeños pasos.

Recientemente leí un artículo en la *Meridian Magazine* titulado «No estás demasiado corto de dinero para prepararte», escrito por Carolyn Nicolaysen (19 de mayo de 2026). A continuación, presento algunas ideas que ella enumeró para ayudarnos en este empeño: «Entonces, ¿cómo constituimos una reserva de alimentos? Un pequeño paso a la vez. No te desanimes si no puedes llenar tu carrito de la compra con provisiones para la despensa de una sola vez. La constancia importa mucho más que la rapidez. Considera las siguientes sugerencias prácticas»: