Keep a small amount of (shelf stable) powdered milk in case this happens and the alternative is water only.

Alternatively milk in Tetra-Paks can be UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) sterilized and doesn't require refrigeration until opened. Common in Africa.

I used to just use water.

When in basic they'd give us a little carton of cereal and some milk, but I'm very lactose intolerant.

So instead I sucked a couple mouthfuls of water from my camelbak and spit it into the bowl and eat the cereal that way.

Add milk first and you wo8have a bowl of dry cereal.

w a t e r

Powdered milk is also good for baking! I have a few recipes that need it, but it's also nice in case the wet milk has gone bad!

You better put some water on that damn shit

Last of the cereal.
Last of the milk.
Pour onto cereal.
Milks gone bad.
Can't even eat the cereal dry cause I poured the milk already.
Still have the habit of smelling the milk before pouring

I buy boxes of 9 cartons (1 litre each) of barista oat milk that don't need to be stored in the fridge until opened, I only use it for cereal and some cooking (not often though) so it lasts a good while. Very cheap too, ~$10 for the whole box.

That's why I do oatmeal then you don't have to worry about that milk nonsense

Just a crime against humanity

I also do this when I am out of oat milk and my wife and everyone I have told this to is horrified! There is for sure a taste difference, but I don’t think it’s noticeable

Unless it's shredded wheat which is basically inedible without milk, most cereal is fine without milk

I like dry cereal...

depending on which kind you use it can basically just be an overly-sweet snack, especially glazed popped wheat, that shit is precisely as good with and without milk.