Beef Prices Have Nearly Doubled — Here’s Why I’m Preserving More at Home

 I recently went through my old Sam’s Club purchase history from May 2022 and compared it to today’s beef prices. Honestly, the difference shocked me.

Four years ago:

• Ground beef was $3.98 a pound
• Prime New York Strip Steak was $10.86 a pound

Grocery history of Ground Beef and Streaks - from May 2022

Today:

• Ground beef is around $6.18 a pound

Ground beef costs from May 2026

• Prime New York Strip Steak is now about $16.98 a pound

Steaks costs for May 2026

Let's do the math

Ground Beef

• 2022 Price: $3.98 per pound
• 2026 Price: $6.18 per pound
• Increase: $2.20 more per pound

That equals about a 55% increase in just four years.

Prime New York Strip Steak

• 2022 Price: $10.86 per pound
• 2026 Price: $16.98 per pound
• Increase: $6.12 more per pound

That equals about a 56% increase in four years.

                           That is a huge jump in a short amount of time.

So why is beef getting so expensive?

The simple answer is that ranchers are dealing with rising feed costs, drought conditions, fuel prices, transportation costs, and higher operating expenses. Many cattle herds were reduced over the last few years because they became too expensive to maintain. Unlike chickens, cattle take years to rebuild, so supply cannot recover overnight.

Meanwhile, demand for beef remains high.

One thing I learned years ago while excavating in Jordan was just how much we take beef for granted in America. I went an entire month without eating it and remember looking forward to finally getting home and having a hamburger. I was surprised when I stopped at the McDonald’s in the Jordanian airport and realized they were not even serving beef there at the time. My only option was a chicken sandwich.

That experience stayed with me.

It reminded me that foods we consider “normal” can become expensive, limited, or unavailable much faster than people expect.

Home Canned Ground Beef from 2022 still good today in 2026

Because of that, I’ve started preserving more beef at home whenever I find decent prices. Some people freeze it, pressure can it, dehydrate it, or freeze dry it for long-term storage.

I’m not encouraging panic buying. But I do think this is one of those times where it makes sense to prepare a little ahead instead of waiting until prices climb even higher.

Even putting away a few extra pounds of ground beef at a time can help later on.

Preparedness doesn’t always mean preparing for disaster. Sometimes it simply means paying attention to what’s happening around us and making practical decisions while we still can.

What am I doing now? -------> How We’re Stretching Ground Beef as Meat Prices Rise

Sprouting Seeds: The Fastest Garden You Can Grow Anywhere

 If there’s one thing I’ve learned through gardening in Texas, it’s this — there are good years and bad years when it comes to growing food.

Some years it’s drought.
Some years it’s pests.
Some years it’s hailstorms, heatwaves, or sudden freezes.

That’s one reason I started paying more attention to sprouting seeds.

Sprouting is one of the easiest and fastest ways to grow fresh food almost anywhere. You don’t need a backyard. You don’t need raised beds. You don’t even need sunshine.

You can sprout seeds in:

• an apartment
• an RV
• a hotel room
• a dorm room
• a tiny kitchen
• or practically anywhere you can keep a mason jar

(I read a book many years ago about a guy traveling the world on his bike. He was sprouting seeds even on the road!) 

Even if someone is struggling financially or temporarily displaced, sprouting seeds is still one of the few ways to grow fresh nutrition quickly and cheaply.

And the best part?

You can see results in just a few days.

Why Sprouting Matters for Preparedness

When people think of prepping, they usually think of canned food, rice, beans, and food storage.

Those are important.

But sprouts provide something many stored foods don’t — fresh living nutrition.

Sprouts are rich in:

• vitamins
• minerals
• enzymes
• fiber
• antioxidants

Some sprouts can contain significantly higher nutrient levels than the mature vegetable itself.

And unlike traditional gardening, you don’t have to wait months for a harvest.

Many sprouts are ready in:

• 3 to 7 days

That makes sprouting one of the fastest “gardens” you can grow.

The Easiest Way to Sprout Seeds Safely

You do not need fancy equipment.

You can simply use:

• a clean mason jar
• sprouting seeds
• water
• a mesh lid or cheesecloth

Basic Sprouting Method

1. Add seeds to a clean jar
2. Cover with water and soak overnight
3. Drain and rinse
4. Rinse 2 times daily
5. Keep jar tilted upside down for drainage and airflow
6. Harvest once sprouts reach desired size

That’s it.

The biggest key to safe sprouting is:

• rinsing regularly
• good airflow
• draining well
• starting with clean jars and quality seeds
• 
  

Best Seeds for Beginners

Some of the easiest sprouts for beginners include:

• broccoli sprouts
• lentils
• mung beans
• alfalfa
• radish sprouts
• clover sprouts

Even ordinary dry lentils from the grocery store will often sprout.

Cheap, Fast, and Encouraging

One thing I love about sprouting is how encouraging it feels for new gardeners.

You don’t have to fight weeds.
You don’t need perfect soil.
You don’t need expensive equipment.

Within days, you can literally watch food growing on your kitchen counter.

For people wanting more self-reliance, sprouting is one of the simplest places to begin.

In uncertain times, knowing how to grow even a small amount of fresh food can bring a surprising amount of peace of mind.

And sometimes the smallest skills are the ones that matter most.

I bought this sprouting tray system from Amazon a few years ago, and surprisingly the price really hasn’t gone up much. It’s been one of the easiest ways I’ve found to grow fresh sprouts indoors year round, especially during hot Texas summers when outdoor gardening can be unpredictable. If you’re interested in sprouting, I would honestly focus on purchasing seeds now while they’re still affordable and easy to find.

The nice thing is — you really don’t need fancy equipment to start sprouting. A simple mason jar and a breathable lid work just fine for beginners. But if you enjoy gardening, preparedness, homesteading, or want a practical gift idea for someone learning self-reliance skills, these sprouting trays make a fun and useful addition to the kitchen.

You can also use inexpensive mason jar sprouting lids if you want a simple setup without buying a full tray system. 

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FIVE Survival Skills Van Lifers Already Practice Every Day

 

More people today are becoming interested in van life, RV living, camping, and off-grid travel. Some are drawn to the freedom, while others are simply looking for a more affordable and simple way to live.

But whether they realize it or not, many van lifers are already practicing valuable survival and preparedness skills every single day.

Living with limited space, limited water, and limited power naturally teaches people how to adapt, plan ahead, and become more self-reliant. In many ways, van life forces people to become resourceful.

Here are five survival skills van lifers already know well.

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1. WATER CONSERVATION

One of the first things van lifers quickly learn is how important water really is.

When you only have a limited amount stored inside your vehicle, every drop counts. Van lifers constantly calculate:

• drinking water
• cooking water
• dishwashing
• basic cleaning
• weather conditions
• and how far away the next refill station may be

This naturally teaches people how to think ahead and manage resources wisely.

Many van lifers also become very comfortable with simplified bathing methods. Instead of long showers every day, they may use:

• wash basins
• rags
• baby wipes
• campground showers
• or quick “spit shine” cleanups using very little water

Honestly, it’s not all that different from how our grandparents and ancestors once lived before modern conveniences became standard.

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2. OFF-GRID COOKING

Van lifers also become surprisingly skilled at cooking without a traditional kitchen.

Most learn very quickly how to prepare meals using:

• propane stoves
• butane burners
• fire pits
• camping stoves
• solar generators
• or low-wattage appliances plugged into portable battery systems like a Jackery

Because power is limited, meals are often planned carefully. Many choose foods that:

• require very little cooking
• only need hot water
• or require no refrigeration at all

Some even find themselves eating simpler, less processed foods while traveling.

Learning how to cook with fewer resources is one of the most practical preparedness skills a person can have.

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3. BATHROOM & SANITATION SKILLS

Let’s be honest — sanitation is one area many people don’t think about until there’s an emergency.

Van lifers, however, deal with it every single day.

With limited space and no permanent plumbing, many become very familiar with:

• bucket toilets
• camping toilets
• compost toilets
• sawdust or livestock pellets for odor control
• waste disposal
• trash management
• and conserving water during cleanup

RV owners also learn quickly how to manage holding tanks, refill water supplies, and plan trips around dump stations and available facilities.

During a power outage or grid-down situation, these are valuable real-world skills to already understand.

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4. LIVING WITHOUT POWER

Most van lifers are already used to functioning without being fully connected to the grid.

Instead of relying completely on traditional utilities, many use:

• solar panels
• portable batteries
• flashlights
• rechargeable lanterns
• generators
• and power banks

They also learn how weather and seasons affect daily life.

Many travelers move according to:

• sunlight for solar charging
• safer weather conditions
• or cooler temperatures to avoid extreme heat or cold

This naturally teaches flexibility, adaptability, and sustainable living habits.

In many ways, van life encourages people to become less dependent on constant convenience.

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5. STREET SMARTS & SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

One of the biggest survival skills van lifers develop is situational awareness.

People constantly traveling and camping quickly learn how important it is to:

• trust their instincts
• observe surroundings
• research destinations
• monitor weather
• avoid unsafe areas
• and stay alert around strangers

Many van lifers prefer quiet off-grid locations simply because they feel safer and more peaceful away from crowds and heavy traffic.

And unlike traditional homeowners, van lifers have the ability to simply move if a situation feels uncomfortable or unsafe.

Many experienced travelers become highly aware of:

• flood risks
• dangerous roads
• isolated areas
• crime concerns
• weather changes
• and getting stranded in remote places

These are all practical real-world survival skills that become second nature over time.

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Learning to Trust That Uneasy Feeling 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Van lifers already have a major head start when it comes to preparedness and self-reliance.

Even if you have no desire to live in a van full-time, camping and RV travel are excellent ways to practice valuable off-grid skills in everyday life.

Simple things like:

• cooking outdoors
• conserving water
• using solar lighting
• managing supplies
• learning basic sanitation
• and spending more time outside

…all help build confidence and adaptability.

And honestly, there’s something refreshing about learning to live a little more simply.

Whether your supplies are packed inside a van or stored in your garage for future camping trips, having things like:

• flashlights
• candles
• fire starters
• portable stoves
• fuel
• first aid supplies
• water jugs
• solar chargers
• and backup cooking methods

…is never a bad thing.

Preparedness doesn’t always have to look extreme. Sometimes it simply means learning practical skills, becoming more adaptable, and realizing you can get by with far less than you once thought.