Budget prepping: share your "two birds, one stone" items
Posted by Pretzel387@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 141 comments
I am really new to prepping and have super limited resources at the moment, so I'm trying to hit as many of the most important things as I can on a budget. I am trying to fill some gaps but mainly buying food/materials/tools etc. that we already buy regularly or that can solve a "now" problem as well as hypothetical future problems. That way I don't fritter away my prep budget on things that have no value to me if no emergency occurs.
what things have you prepped that are also useful in normal daily life?
lostscause@reddit
This little thing, I bought one just to test it out, I have 5 of them now + test unit I use weekly to make a jar full of bleach.
https://www.amazon.com/PWPAM-Electrolytic-Hypochlorite-Generator-Disinfection/dp/B08SMD6WRF
theview108@reddit
creating bleach out of water & salt?
Quiet_Independent_62@reddit
Buy Spiralina and Chlorella. It’s available in powder or pill form therefore it has a long shelf life. They contain protein and essential amino acids. They have many other benefits as well. Research them and see if it would work for you personally. (If you have PKU it’s not for you as it contains phenylalanine. ) What I alike best about them is the boost or natural energy and a feeling of well-being that I get while taking the combination. In a crisis situation finding and easy to consume form of protein and energy is going to be more vital. Especially a resource that doesn’t have to be cooked or prepared. Currently I either take the tablets or add the powder to my smoothie. Also having a small blender that can be recharged by usb or hand cranked is blessing. Another item is having multiple solar panels, 2 chargers, 3 inverters and RedOdo LifePo batteries 12.8V 10Ah I have the Group 24. (At minimum 3 batteries) 1 to be charging and 2 to be in use. Any questions just ask.
NWYthesearelocalboys@reddit
Fish pond.
Wood stove. (Heating and cooking surface).
Battery back up/solar generators. (Obvious plus good for high usage items during peak hours and recharging in non-peak)
Pretty much all standard camping items.
Rachaelmm1995@reddit
Get a little charcoal bbq, use it in the summer.. emergency cook system if needed.
premar16@reddit
used to have one in my last apartment it really helped in power outage.
Pretzel387@reddit (OP)
I've already got a camp stove and a few weeks' worth of propane for it, but that could still potentially come in handy. Good call!
MidSinglesInYourArea@reddit
Get the adapter so the little green bottles can be refilled from the larger tanks too.
Pretzel387@reddit (OP)
Ooo! I did not know that was an option, thank you! Where did you source that?
MidSinglesInYourArea@reddit
It's been a few years, I think I just got it off Amazon? They are usually either a straight adapter, or have a gauge and valve in the middle. Both are very cheap.
Sirvaleen@reddit
Plus potatoes on charcoal embers are great, those bbqs are the most used ones in my country afaik
Rachaelmm1995@reddit
Charcoal is so easy to make too if need be.
Pretzel387@reddit (OP)
That's great to know, definitely will research.
EscapeCharming2624@reddit
I've got to look into this. I've got an outdoor furnace, spend a lot of time getting coals burned down.
guybuddypalchief@reddit
I’d say the same for a small Coleman propane grill - when you go out to buy one can, buy two, build up a little stash.
JamesRawles@reddit
Taste the meat, not the heat.
Many-Health-1673@reddit
Damn it, Bobby!
Shot-Neck-6656@reddit
That boy ain’t right.
AppointedForrest@reddit
I tell you hwhat.
Background-Pin-1307@reddit
Second this!
No-Wolverine2472@reddit
I bought an adapter from amazon and i refill them… plus if you go camping you can get the used one for free
laserdemon1@reddit
This has saved me more than a few times in the last 10 years.
kw661@reddit
Duct tape. Btw - everything you need is at a church thrift store. Dig deep, save huge $.
TheDev1ce@reddit
Putting in a second water heater. More hot water and more water storage. Basically zero maintenance.
Recent-Potato-6926@reddit
I have both the Uberlean Titanium fire pit as well as the Solo Stove Mesa. Both are small enough to be fairly portable. They are great for a small “ambient” fire and to keep warm if needed, as well as cook/boil. Not much “fuel” is needed to create a nice little fire, either. Pinecones, twigs, bark, etc.
Financial_Resort6631@reddit
Borax (laundry/ant bait)
Dish soap (shampoo/body wash)
Apple sauce (baking can replace eggs)
Vinegar (so many uses)
Cravats (too many to list)
Benadryl (pain/anxiety/sleep aid/allergies)
Honey (cough and sore throat)
Razors
Cheese cloth
Duct tape (too many to list)
Coke Cola (rust remover)
Cooking oil (lube/soap making/candles)
QuokkaMom@reddit
The best prepping you can do is actually free! Improve your fitness. Walk more. Lift some. Fill a backpack and walk again. Take the stairs. Lose weight if you need to. Not only does it improve your life right niw, but it sets you up for being abke to bug out if necessary, to help neighbors in distress, and adjusts your metabolism for the lean times (if they happen).
Clama_lama_ding_dong@reddit
Our "go bag" is my car. All of our major first aid supplies, water purification, calorically dense food. Changes of clothes, emergency/fire blankets, a few days of medicines, flashlights, matches, solar power source..... all live permanently in my car. The food we eat, the clothes we use and refil, change out seasonally. My thoughts are, I always have my car, even if im home.
We have a stash of Laura bars instead of rations. Its a calorically dense snack that I typically keep on hand when we're out and about we eat, then I can refill. Amd my kids will actually eat them before starvation already set in.
Many-Health-1673@reddit
Flashlights and lanterns. Both rechargeable and those that use batteries.
A fairly cheap prep, but absolutely essential when needed.
Mysgvus1@reddit
And headlamps, I swear by headlamps when the power goes off in Texas.
EscapeCharming2624@reddit
I have both solar and battery back up.
soaker@reddit
When? How often does that happen??
rvnguykt@reddit
two years ago in august power was out from some bs hurricane named beryl . no air conditioning for a week was brutal . i had a small power station that ran a tower fan for 5 hours . woke right the hell up when that thing died.
soaker@reddit
Another confirmation I need a power back up. Where I live winter is long and cold. I’m extremely new to prepping, it’s mostly a fantasy right now. If I wasn’t I’d 100% be finding a way to build a shelter. Ooo I’m going to search this sub in how people renting a how get ready
rvnguykt@reddit
Propane heaters were a Godsend when my ass was too cheap to back out of motorcycle lessons when the weather dropped down to 20 degrees lol . Otherwise oil filled radiator space heaters hooked up to a power bank would work nice I imagine . You don’t have to make any mods to the house for an exhaust pipe with those wooden stoves . Fb market place for everything
Mysgvus1@reddit
probably not as often as I made it sound, but I will admit to a bit of PTSD over that 2021 winter storm, power was off for to long and inside my apartment got down to the 20's .
soaker@reddit
That’s fair! A big part of my city lost power for 6 hours about a year ago and I realized how power dependent I was
Mysgvus1@reddit
U was.out i believe for 58 hours i think. It felt so much longer
soaker@reddit
Oh Jesus H 6 hours is a cake walk in comparison. I second the headlamps. No one believes me when I say how incredible they are until they need one. Not so dorky now!
Many-Health-1673@reddit
Absolutely. Working on something with the flashlight stuck between your teeth is no fun.
I have some of those magnetic LED lamps and they work great while working on a car or in the reloading room for closeup work.
cosecha0@reddit
which magnetic lamps do you like?
Many-Health-1673@reddit
I have had good luck with the Duracell 1500 Lumen Work Lights they carried at Costco. They came in a 3-pack.
cosecha0@reddit
Nice, thanks
Many-Health-1673@reddit
You're welcome.
Excellent_Can4450@reddit
It's dark after work for three months here. Headlamps get lots of use up here for just plain old walking through the park.
EscapeCharming2624@reddit
I bought a Coleman solar lantern on sale for $20. at Costco a few years ago. I haven't used the lantern much, but it has a USB port that kept cell, Kindle, and my husband's hearing aids charged during more than one winter outage in the northeast.
GloriousDawn@reddit
Stay away from built-in rechargeable ones, because when the internal battery inevitably dies, usually much sooner than its advertised lifetime, you're left with expensive waste.
Flashlights using standard Li-ion 18650 cells offer IMHO the best compromise between size, power and use time. And the most practical flashlight is usually a headband.
Pick at least one small flashlight operating on a single AA cell and get a few non-rechargeable lithium AAs too. They last 10 years so you don't have to worry about them.
Many-Health-1673@reddit
On some lights you are stuck with the built in rechargeable battery.
I try and only buy the lights that have the replaceable battery, but sometimes there isn't a good option available at a decent price.
ErinRedWolf@reddit
The concept of “store what you eat, eat what you store” fits in here. I buy extra of the canned and dry goods that we will eat eventually anyway. First in, first out, write the expiration dates on the cans with a Sharpie before I put them away. I also buy extra toilet paper and other goods that we use daily, so that I never run out without noticing (but I don’t have too many at a time; that way lies madness and hoarding).
I keep emergency backups in my car, such as an extra set of clothing, a blanket, first aid kit, water bottles, etc. This is not only for emergencies but also everyday inconveniences.
EscapeCharming2624@reddit
I just started adding the date in Sharpie as soon as I bring things in the door. I haven't had trouble with things outdating, but it sure makes it easier to track. I also keep my items that will out date on the lowest cupboard shelf so I remember to use them.
Skwonkie_@reddit
For some reason I’m the only person in my family that eats leftovers. I usually take them for lunch at work but we recently bought a freeze dryer so I just started freeze drying the leftovers and am slowly starting an emergency food supply.
Pretzel387@reddit (OP)
That's so smart.
No_Collection_1878@reddit
What freeze dryer did you buy?
Skwonkie_@reddit
A small harvest right.
elle2js@reddit
1st bird: I hate plastic. 2nd bird: I buy stuff in heavy plastic and fill with treated water. Its all hidden in a dark cool spot [and i rotate].
Motor_Meaning_7819@reddit
Learning to make things at home that I used to buy at the store. Saves money now & builds skills.
Also getting a dehydrator soon. Will also save money now, while helping build up the reserves.
laserdemon1@reddit
I'd love to hear what you do with the dehydrator, I'm reduced to onions and garlic. Not a lot of my experiments turn out very well beyond that.
Motor_Meaning_7819@reddit
OK here is my list of planned stuff to dehydrate. My primary goal is to free up freezer space & pantry space. My needs are a little weird - I'm on a low carb diet (type 2 diabetes), so my list will seem weird to most:
CarrieSkylarWhore@reddit
I still haven't started experimenting with my dehydrator! You've got me thinking now
AppointedForrest@reddit
You should definitely give this a shot. It's pretty simple in theory, just weigh the food before and after dehydrating. The difference in weight will be the water weight that was removed during dehydration. I will write on the bag what that difference is and then I know exactly how much to add back when it's time to reconstitute.
Last time I did this with spaghetti and meat balls and it was really easy and a big hit with everyone I gave them to when we went on a trip. I'd like to get a freeze dryer as well, I'd feel much more confident in storing stuff like that long term. As of now I just make them before a trip so they aren't sitting around for too long.
keinezeit44@reddit
Just keep in mind that dehydrated meats and anything else with fat will not have a long shelf life, as it will turn rancid quickly and is best stored in the fridge. I would personally not dehydrate any dairy, either. For long-term storage of dried meats/dairy/eggs, you'll need a freeze dryer.
I mainly use my dehydrator for making veggie mixes for soups, and also for lemon powder, which is great for seasonings and also to give away at the holidays. I've also made homemade yogurt in the dehydrator - worked really well.
laserdemon1@reddit
Good list. I'm not giving up my souper cubes although. I love those darn things. Pair them with vacuum sealing, a pair made in heaven. lol
Motor_Meaning_7819@reddit
That's what I plan to do with all the freed up freezer space - fill it with frozen meals, fit perfectly into reusable vacuum sealer freezer bags!
Souper cubes people should win the Nobel Prize for smartest thing ever.
laserdemon1@reddit
I bought a few multi sets a few years ago and then, I found the big 2 portion one at Goodwill a few days ago for $1, I was so happy, lol.
Motor_Meaning_7819@reddit
Jackpot!!!
BallsOutKrunked@reddit
Easy one is celery. Doesn't last long fresh, works great dehydrated when you need it for soup.
Pretzel387@reddit (OP)
It lasts a lot longer if you take it out of the plastic and wrap it in foil!
Think_Cupcake6758@reddit
Yes! And don’t forget to dry the leaves as well. Tons of flavor in them!
polyamy74@reddit
You can start dehydrating now using you oven. Just set it to the lowest temperature. You can also dehydrate outside. Use a pan with parchment, put in the sun with good airflow. Cover with cheesecloth or similar to keep bugs and such away.
I_Do_Respect_You_Bro@reddit
What kinda things are ya making now?
Motor_Meaning_7819@reddit
My list is kind of embarrassing…hehe. I liked my store bought convenience…until I got mad enough about being price gouged, irritated enough about crappy ingredients, and concerned enough about coming shortages.
Cleaning products using cheap basics like vinegar, alcohol, peroxide, and bleach.
Condiments & salad dressings. Lord homemade salad dressings are so much better.
Beverages like iced tea, lemonade, and protein shakes.
Bone broth…I live near a Costco so I finally got into the $5 rotisserie chicken thing.
Bread. Chocolate. Various soups.
I just ordered a food processor, and have a big list of things to try.
Capital_Sherbet_6507@reddit
Go to an ethnic food store and you’ll find ghee for a lot less. Indian and middle eastern cooking use a lot of ghee.
CharIieMurphy@reddit
Seconding making your own salad dressings and condiments. Made me realize how many things are just olive oil or mayo based
No_Character_5315@reddit
Some coconut oil has 5 to 7 year shelf life if your looking for shelf stable oil. It also can be used for other things.
ffspeople82@reddit
Generator
Complex_Material_702@reddit
Fire extinguisher
Flower-of-the-field@reddit
Steel toe cowboy boots. Super cute (to me) and practical footwear for work. Also good slip on emergency shoes for tornado season. Safe for riding on my friend’s motorcycle and I can walk for at least 8 miles in them (currently working to get that number up).
IllManager9273@reddit
Eat what you store, store what you eat. A 12 gauge shotgun is the most versatile weapon, capable of home defense and hunting any animal land or air in North America with proper ammo selection. Cleaning supplies and toiletries are often overlooked but very important. Bugout bags are also nice to have in your car trunk in case of an unexpected night in the motel or getting stranded.
Spiley_spile@reddit
Free skillshares. I teach other people skills like Stop the Bleed and building go bags etc. They gain skills and buy supplies for themselves and it simultaneously increases my survival chances. It also means they invite me to other skillshare opportunities where I learn free skills from others. Free skillshares are a gift that keeps giving forward and back.
I bought a lightly used tent footprint for $19~. It only weighs 1.5lbs and works great as an 8x8ft tarp shelter!
I can set up my tarp shelter indoors to create a warm nook if the power goes out during freezing weather. I just utilize the 5 gallon water jugs I use for emergency water storage to anchor the tarp down, and my trekking poles in place of trees.
5 gallon buckets are good for storing food and can be used as a double bucket bathroom set up during a disaster that stops my toilet from working. I dont plan to using my drinkung water to flush. And after a big earthquake, the pipes are likelybto be busted, so I wouldnt want to use them anyway. It woukd leak sewage into the ground water and hello disentary!
I also made a hands-free handwashing station with a couple 5 gallon buckets. That required putting holes in the buckets. But I can still store non-food prep items in them until I need them as a handwashing station.
CopperRose17@reddit
I got an evaporative cooler/ swamp cooler. I don't have a whole house generator, but I would be able to run the evaporative cooler off a 1000 watt power station if the grid goes down in the summer. In "regular" life, they are a lot cheaper to run than AC, so it will supplement my AC. They only work in low humidity, but ours hovers around 7%.
Routine_Awareness413@reddit
ExaminationDry8341@reddit
This won't work for everyone, but we keep about 500 pounds of each: wheat, oats, corn, and soybeans. We have practiced cooking with them and they would feed our family for a year, we keep them rotated by feeding them to our chickens and as a treat for our cows. It helps keep our cows from going feral in the summer, they know to come back near the yard any time they here a barrel being banged on like a drum to get their grain.
this_guy_aves@reddit
Dawn dish soap!
Wash your hands, shower with it, clean the dishes, clean the household. Just stock the one type and it goes a long ways!
infinitum3d@reddit
This is so true.
Soap is soap.
Wash your dishes with Tide laundry detergent. Wash your clothes with Shampoo. Wash your hands with dish soap.
Don’t get hung up on labels.
Obviously some things are more harsh on skin than others, but if SHTF use what you have.
this_guy_aves@reddit
and per volume I think dawn dish soap is the most potent stuff out there, so flexible and frugal
infinitum3d@reddit
Preparedness
Fitness and Knowledge are free, weightless, always with you and can’t be stolen from your bag.
Focus on getting healthy/strong. Walk. Climb stairs. Build endurance. Stretch. Eat right. Quit soda pop and choose water.
Make yourself valuable to a society.
Learn CPR, first aid, and basic life support. Maybe take a lifeguard course.
Learn what wild edibles you can forage. Every region has them. Get a local Field Guide to Wild Edibles and see what is near you.
Get a bike. If you have to travel, a bike is far easier and faster than walking. Learn how to maintain it and repair it when something breaks.
Get a partner, friend, buddy who has a skill you don’t. Then learn a skill that they don’t have. One person alone can’t do everything.
But to answer your specific question; your car is a generator. You can plug a 12 volt inverter into the cigarette lighter (I’m old. That’s what they used to be). You can charge your phone, laptop, etc etc
YourHighness1087@reddit
You can never have enough 5 gallon buckets! They stack and store well, dozens of uses. $2 or less, sometimes free with a coupon at harbor freight
MjolnirPants@reddit
I'm brand-new to this sub (though not to prepping), and I'm pleasantly surprised by the lack of werewolf preppers smugly crowing about how their guns will get them everything they need in the comments here.
In my case, it's a bunch of handyman skills. I grew up doing HVAC, plumbing, electrical work, masonry and a lot of fixing stuff, working with my dad during the summers and on weekends. It's left me with a lot of "oh, I know how to fix this problem" moments. And growing up in a very redneck family, a trip to the hardware store or parts suppliers wasn't always on the table, so I learned a lot about using makeshift solutions and tools.
WayneCider@reddit
Buy a $60 fire-proof safe and store your important documents with some cash. Start with $20, $10, $5 and $1 bills. Don't trust clouds for backups, instead back up in a thumb drive and keep it in the safe
incomplete727@reddit
I use my solar cookers all the time because I enjoy cooking that way.
Various_Indication3@reddit
Which solar cookers do you have?
incomplete727@reddit
I have three of them. For a long time I just had the SolCook and Haines. The SolCook is a bit sturdier (I had to replace a part on the Haines) and the SolCook has an indicator that shows best placement. I can also use my cast iron in it, so it was my most used of the two.
This winter we had an ice storm and lost electricity for several days. Our yard isn't that big and sun isn't out as long in winter, and I discovered it was hard to make space for solar panels for our Jackery's plus putting a solar cooker out, so we ate cold food. And I finally bit the bullet and bought a GoSun.
I didn't think I'd care for cooking in a tube but I find I like it a lot. It heats fast and high and doesn't take much space. I haven't tried my other cookers in winter yet but I tried the GoSun in 23 degrees and was delighted to see the steam coming from it.
However, I learned on windy days the wind can blow the reflectors closed. There might be a fix for that but at the moment I don't know what it is. It makes me glad to not have to rely on it.
My GoSun is a hybrid one, so if necessary I could plug it into my Jackery. I haven't tried it yet because it's fairly new to me, so I have no idea how much energy it takes.
davidm2232@reddit
I got an extra fuel oil tank to put in my basement. Not only does that mean I can go the whole winter without needing a fill up, it also means I can buy fuel oil when the prices are lower. That fuel oil can run my furnace/boiler for a whole winter when supplemented with wood. I can also use that fuel to run my generator for 75+ days if the tanks are full. It would meet my total diesel needs for my car, truck, and RV for a few years. Just one $200 used tank gives me a ton of flexibility and medium term independence.
Affectionate-Cost688@reddit
Canned chicken! I keep a big stockpile but I’ve also used it during low funds or low grocery nights.
Mynplus1throwaway@reddit
Camping gear
TemporarySpirited@reddit
Learning to repair clothes
Additional_Insect_44@reddit
Dish soap tbh.
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
Iwatani epr-a. Coleman quad lamp the old d cell one. Remember you have 3 gallons in the back of your toilet. Flush your hot water heater now. Twice. Fill your bathtub. Basicly free.
Eredani@reddit
This will not be a popular answer but my strategy is to have dedicated tools and supplies for emergencies. I have very few dual use items for daily life and disasters.
This starts making sense if one has a chaotic home environment: kids, grandkids, ADHD/ADD family members, random schedules, short notice events, rapidly changing plans, etc. Under these conditions nothing gets put back where it belongs, supplies get used up with no communication, things are lost or broken, etc.
So pretty much all of my preps are single purpose, dedicated, secured, inventoried, and controlled.
Lunatika_2022@reddit
Ghee. This is clarified butter. It is shelf stable because the milk solids (and salt if you make it with salted butter) are removed/separated in the cooking process. I use ghee to fry food with as it has a very high smoke point, but it's also delicious to butter toast with too. Ghee is very easily digested, and in a SHTF scenario, will go a very long way to adding animal fats (and their amino acids) into a diet of prepper staples like beans and rice. As long as you store it in a cool place (no need for refrigeration) and away from the sun, it will last at least 2-3 years. Average yield per pound of butter is one pint sized canning jar of ghee.
playmateoftheyears@reddit
Baking soda. So many uses from cleaning/cooking to medicinal and long shelf life
marlowe_caard@reddit
Information. What emergency routes could you take to get out of town? Is there anywhere nearby that you could forage for additional food supplies? Get to know your neighbors. Do any of them have special skills, like being a nurse or a woodworker? Do they garden? Can you have a garden? Could you get animals in the future, like chicken, quail, or rabbits? All worth researching now, when you have the time to prepare. Information is weightless and often free, but pays dividends.
recyclops30@reddit
use cleaned out milk/juice jugs to store water. If you have the room, freeze them (leave room for expansion!) and they make a good cooler ice pack and can help keep things cold longer in a power outage
__grumps__@reddit
Not sure bout budget friendly but I’m about to load my British Berkeley + Doulton filters for the first time. (Just finished priming them
cosecha0@reddit
curious how the filters work with the berkey and is the british one different?
__grumps__@reddit
Tbh I have no clue :-P I want the doulton filters, because of the NSF certification.
redhandrail@reddit
Ace beam pokelit flashlight. I’ve had mine for 5 years and it comes in handy so much that it’s one of my favorite possessions. $30.
Think basic - light, food, warmth, water, protection.
A go bag in your car with a few cans of stew and a couple bottles of water, a tooth brush and paste, a beanie, an emergency blanket. Carry POM and a pocket knife. All of that you could get for around $80 or less and it would be better than nothing
buddymoobs@reddit
I have a solar brick in the back of my car so it gets ambient sun all the time. It stays charged.
toutsweet@reddit
Which one?
redhandrail@reddit
Aw yea
ErinRedWolf@reddit
What is POM? Google is telling me things it definitely isn’t.
heissman1111@reddit
Pepper spray
nakedonmygoat@reddit
A headlamp. Not only is it useful when the power goes out, but it's great for finding things in dark corners of closets, backs of cabinets, and things like that. I find uses for mine several times a month, even when all situations are normal.
When prepping on a limited budget, don't think in terms of end of the world. That's overwhelming, out of your budget, and may not even be your biggest concern. Instead, think about short term inconveniences.
TerribleConference54@reddit
Start with a 72 hr kit, then move onto 2 weeks of food (and alternative ways to prepare it) and water at home that you’d normally eat, then work on long term food/water storage.
AK-Kidx39@reddit
I changed my diet. College kid. I eat ramen with tuna and spinach. I’d make 2 eggs for breakfast with spinach and toast with humus. Ham egg and cheese sandwiches for lunch. We had a power outage for a week and I was able to go fairly unchanged, though the meat didn’t last.
Alarming_Writing_769@reddit
Tea kettle as plant watering pot
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit
This can be much longer in the reasons / theory of the preps, but the serious multi-use ones that blend daily with prepping.
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit
makeitmyself6@reddit
Couple gallon water bladders. Having kids and doing outdoor activities/camping, it’s awesome to be able to fill their bottles, wash hands so I will keep a water jug/bladder in the car during outings. And I also fill them for storms and could use them to collect water during an event. They are smaller than the storage containers so I can easily carry them but store enough water to be very helpful. They also fold down/collapse.
GiddyGoodwin@reddit
Skills. You not I, no matter how much money we have to invest, will never be prepared “enough.” You could have an entire bunker and be caught a thousand miles away from it, or have it taken from you. So the absolute best investment is in trial and error of skills you will need. Tie ropes. Braid. Raise zucchini. Raise a livestock animal. Butcher and skin an animal. Carry water. Walk. Learn to ride a horse.
SheistyPenguin@reddit
A small propane grill that takes the 1lb cylinders. Later you can get a 20lb tank adapter hose, and/or a simple heater to use with the propane.
ChoppedUnc-SF@reddit
Pasta. I eat it now, I'll eat it later. I prefer the penne and related types better than spaghetti which can break.
PrepperBoi@reddit
lol my gf prefers penne too. It’s the “superior pasta”
churchillguitar@reddit
My girl got me hooked on Orecchiette, the little cups hold meat sauce so nicely
uChoice_Reindeer7903@reddit
Fish tank! Hear me out, they are cool as shit, very relaxing, kids (if you have any) love them, and they double as an emergency water source. I’ve got a 55 gallon tank. That’s about a month worth of water for 2 adults.
You can never go wrong with tools, and most importantly the knowledge to use the tools. You can save yourself a lot of money and in an emergency (job loss, shtf, etc) make some extra cash using them.
I enjoy camping so pretty much every aspect of that hobby is redundant towards prepping.
ZealousidealDegree4@reddit
I saved Wikipedia, a hand charger, a solar radio, and a Berkey. You guys made great suggestions!
For seeds, you'll need fat. Pumpkin, sunflower, peanut plants.
justjessica79@reddit
Coconut oil. You can use it for cooking, skin, teeth, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal purposes.
Miss_L_Worldwide@reddit
Same with manuka honey!
Joe-_-Momma-@reddit
Hand tools. Saws, axes, wrenches, etc. Hardware, nails, brackets, 3M double sided adhesive tapes, etc.
You need to prep for the worse weather in your area and most likely bugout scenario.
Guns and ammo. I am a hunter and former LEO. So guns for protection, hunting and work.
goldgriffinbirds@reddit
Having storm supplies all the time cuts down on last minute trips before a storm hits.
Keeping a list of what items are running low helps with planning shopping trips. Buy it this time and buy if on sale are my two categories.
Picnic supplies in a lunch bag in my vehicle keep me from having to buy a box of plastic spoons to eat my yogurt (because we have PLENTY of plasticware at home!). A straw, paper napkin, or wet wipe are all huge helps in correct circumstances!
Having the little things organized and at hand makes Life easier to manage.
Doctor_Clockwork@reddit
A good ebike. Good way of getting around locally, doesn't take gas, no registering, no dmv, no insurance. Makes me fit while riding. Can easily store all my camping stuff. Can charge it off solar easy. And if I need to get out of doge with the roads clogged or if there's no gas. I'm doing fine.
Solar panels, lowers my power need saves money. If you have a battery you're blackout proof.
Fruit trees, provide shade, look nice, free food. And if shit hits the fan have a nice source of food around the house.
Mark_in_Portland@reddit
A box of small bathroom plastic garbage bags. If the toilet stops working it's a place to safely isolate your waste.
Box of sandwiche ziplocs and gallon size freezer ziploc to store your dry foods and keep bugs out of your food.
Large yard debris plastic bags can be used as a parka and helps to keep things dry.
offpeekydr@reddit
Dried beans, rice, basic first aid (bandages, Neosporin, aspirin, ace bandage).
Rotating stock of canned goods you frequently consume anyway.
Saving seeds either from store bought food (might not grow true or at all) or from what you bought seeds for and had grown.
Ekaterina4@reddit
Seed libraries at your local libraries are a thing that I recommend getting seeds from and giving seeds to. It's free to use and has a variety of assorted seeds
Skwonkie_@reddit
We just did this for the first time this year. They had about 30 different seeds available. I don’t know (rather I doubt) they’re heirloom seeds but regardless. We are going to give some a shot this year.
Powerful-Rip-3512@reddit
This is a good idea that´s often over looked.
ManyThingsLittleTime@reddit
A good 3 to 4" blade pocket knife. Gets you used to working with a knife, sharpening and honing blades, and you'll use it so much more than you ever thought you would. My 80+ year old mom now carries a Benchmade because she was always asking to borrow mine.
Buckets. Many uses. Use your imagination.
5 gallon water jugs (not the office water dispenser kind, the camping trip kind). If you camp or go to the beach or a kids baseball game, you'll use them quite frequently. I do also have the office water cooler kind too though.
A true hiking backpack but it's only duel purpose if you hike or camp with it. I can live out of a 60 liter bag for a week without issue.
Good trail hiking shoes (not boots). You'll be doing a lot of walking. And as a bonus, it's exercise that I bet everyone here needs anyhow.
Firearms because self protection both now and if SHTF.
Background-Pin-1307@reddit
Candle making supplies. A crafty hobby, an easy fit for friends and a welcome source of light when the power is out.
Powerful-Rip-3512@reddit
Starting a backyard garden.
i-call-your-bluff@reddit
Ax 550 cord zip ties
Ubockinme@reddit
My house