I get a lot of emails and messages on Facebook from people asking about budget prepping tips.
Well this one’s over to you guys… I want you to send in your $5 prepping tips and ideas.
Here are some basic categories to help:
- Food supplies
- Water storage
- Non-food supplies
- Medical supplies
- DIY recycling/hacks
You can list multiple items, but each MUST cost less the $5.
PLEASE be as specific as possible (’5 pound bag of rice’, rather than just ‘some rice’ etc)
You can either comment below on this page with your $5 preps, or via the Facebook page on the $5 preps post.
I’ll put them all together and add them to this page.
I like to hit up the dollar bins at Target. I have gotten for $1.00 each:
lighters
hand wipes
hand sanitizer
glow sticks (pack of two)
dishcloths
small buckets for organizing (depending on what Target you go to – these can be $2 or $3 too)
snacks for vehicle kits and bug out bags
For $2 and $3 I have found small flashlights at Target too.
I usually check these out every time I am there because the choices change, but I have found a lot of prepping supplies from these especially for bug out bags and vehicle kits. Thanks!
Check thrift stores, you may have to go often being the inventory rotates fast, but it will be worth it if you find those prep items you need for cheap! Dollar stores can help too, there some that carry non-perishable foods for cheaper than the grocery stores.
I collect everyone’s left over candles. In my family I am the wax collector… Everyone else thinks I am nuts for preparing, but I have collected over 50 pounds of wax alone from my relatives who love candles and pay retail for them.. they cost me nothing.. I then melt it down and make my own candles, use the wax to coat canned goods to help prevent rust.
Off brand storage organizers (like Stack-On example below) fit well in a BOB and help you keep your pellets, fishing hooks, and first aid kits organized.
Where I live, you can get a tin of Crosman pellets (150, I think) for under $5. Great if you like rabbit.
LED mini flashlights go for about $2 each, as Erica was saying.
http://www.amazon.com/Stack-On-GMBZ-11-11-Inch-Multi-Purpose-Storage/dp/B004EHYA4C/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1356661308&sr=1-5&keywords=storage+organizer
I’ve done a bit of “dollar store” prepping in the last few months. You would be amazed at what you can get if you know where to look. At Wal-Mart i have gotten things like, an emergency blanket for a couple of dollars. a full set of heavy duty plastic eating utensils, hand warmers, if you go to the travel size section….you can get things like a toothbrush soap deodorant, band-aids, hand sanitizer and even aspirin. All good things to keep in either a EDC or BOB. for just a couple of bucks more you can pick up things like a packable daypack to keep everything in,….waterproof matches, a whistle and compass combo, spices, glowsticks…..all kinds of things that are very useful no matter what situation might arise.
the best prep stuff for under 5 bucks is
Rice about $1 per lb
Beans about $1 per lb
siphon pump from ace hardware $5
work gloves $3 from walmart
A good investment are the 5 gallon buckets and lid you can get Walmart for around $5 to store all sorts of things..
My wife and I frequent a 5 and dime store and have found lots of items for our BOBs. from Batteries to sunscreen. another thing is in the bakery section you can get food grade buckets with lids for a dollar a piece. (at least at my walmart)
You can get magnesium block fire starters at Harbor Freight stores for three dollars instead of paying eight to ten dollars everywhere else.