Prepper Mom Stockpiles £600-a-Year Supplies, Family Now Inspired

A 'prepper' from Sheffield has revealed that her family initially thought she was 'crazy' for spending £600 a year on emergency supplies, but now they are 'quite inspired' by her efforts. Charlene Woracker, 34, a mother of four, began stockpiling in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure her children would not 'go without'. She has since continued to accumulate tinned food, toiletries, and bottled water, and even stores ingredients to make her own beauty products.

From Skepticism to Inspiration

Charlene, known online as Mummy Budgets, stores her supplies in a makeshift pantry under her stairs. She recommends others follow her example. 'When I first started out I was using brands and waiting until the deals were on. Then I figured out it was more cost effective just to buy the actual ingredients themselves and make the cosmetics myself,' she said.

She makes many of her products from scratch, stockpiling items like castor oil and coconut oil. 'I have castor oil, I use that instead of using moisturiser. Coconut oil is so versatile you can use it for so much, you can use it as a make-up remover so you don't need to buy that. You can use it as a moisturiser, you can use it as a base. If you want to make a face scrub you just add sugar and honey.'

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Family Reaction

Her friends and family have become quite inspired by her efforts. 'At first they thought I was a bit crazy but I think it's actually made them see it's actually good to be prepared,' Charlene said.

She dedicates £50 a month to maintaining her stockpile. 'It was just a scary thought to go without, especially with having the children, I just wanted to make sure they didn't go without resources. You just never know what circumstances could happen so it's always good to be prepared.'

Peace of Mind

Charlene finds that prepping gives her peace of mind, especially given current world events. 'I think it just gives me that peace of mind, especially with what's happening in the world, so I think it doesn't hurt just to be prepared.'

She cleared out the space under her stairs and turned it into a pantry, storing items like batteries, an emergency camping stove, and other long-life products. 'Long-life products are the best thing to prep and I just make sure I have things like flashlights and I've made sure I've got some extra camping gear just in case of emergency.'