Prepping on a Budget
It’s easy for me to sit here and tell you to go out and spend money on a bunch of items for your bug-out bag. From emergency food and water to clothing and blankets and boots and all sorts of other things, it can add up. But I know there are plenty of people like me who are very budget conscious when it comes to all of our spending – including the money we spend on prepping.
So, today I want to give you ideas for prepper items you can find at your local dollar store. All of them will come in handy if you have to bug out or if you stay hunkered down during an emergency. And, of course, all of them are inexpensive.
- Advil and antacids
- Bandanas and bottled water
- Canned food and can openers
- Duct tape and dental floss
- Extra eyeglasses and elastic bandages
- First-aid kit and flashlight
- Gauze and gloves
- Hand sanitizer and hydrogen peroxide
- Lip balm and lotions
- Matches and a mesh bag
- Poncho and playing cards
- Sewing kit and socks
- Toothbrush and tote bag
Of course, there are countless other items you can get on the cheap for your bugout bag. Let me know what other ones you would recommend for our readers.
Hey y’all, keep up the good work. I’m wondering with all this prepping and BOB’s just WHERE are you bugging off TO? I live in my RV, have it fully stocked and maintain if topped off with water, propane & fuel at all times. I have the Alexapure filtration system, 4 months of 4Patriots food and am beyond significantly armed. I think I’ll just hunker down in lovely Florida since I don’t reside in a militarily significant area. I AM single and wouldn’t mind a little female company around the campfire when the SHTF. Other than that, bring it on!
To start a fire…there are so many ways…
I didn’t read through all of the comments. It just came to mind so I thought I would add in a magnifying glass. That or anyway to magnify sunlight to start a fire. I’ve seen many ways online in case you don’t have the actual item.
1) Flashlight deflector and some char-cloth (I don’t suggest holding them with your hands when you put the cloth through the hole of the deflector and catch the rays of the sun)
2) There’s a flashlight that the bulb is so strong that it can set paper on fire. But the flashlight isn’t cheap.
http://www.wickedlasers.com/torchmini
3) Potassium permanganate and glycerin
4) Foil (gum wrapper) and a battery
5) 4 9v batteries put together, 2 wires w/ alligator clip ends, a small rod of graphite, and foil
6) car battery and jumper cables…(you could probably use any battery and wire with alligator clips) steel wool and paper
7) a sturdy stick, sugar, and potassium permanganate. (mix the sugar and potassium and use the end of the stick to grind them together…causes fire.
8) take a light bulb, remove the center (where it screws into the lamp) and filament. Fill the globe with water. Use like a magnifying glass to start tinder. Can take a little time.
My go item for non puncture wounds…a can of bag balm. Not too heavy to have to tote, antiseptic, and will last forever.
I pick up flasks normally used for drinking alcohol and put 90% rubbing alcohol in it and have a bag of cotton balls. With a spark, it burns the alcohol off long before it burns the cotton ball. It serves double duty as antiseptic wipes as well. I used a thrown away bic lighter someone threw on the ground and the spark was perfect for igniting it.
Hi Frank
Fire making for me is cloths dryer lint , steel wool [not sos pads] and a source of spark making
flint and steel , makes a good first fire. I need my meds, and insulin , I keep a 6 months or longer supply. Insulin that needs to stab cool I wrap it in layers of cloth and then put into a zip lock bag . I also have 50 gallons of stand by gas , for the long storage you must put in a gas additive so it don’t go bad on you after 3 month. I have planted trees and plants I can eat in an emergence ..Have a happy survival time..
I live in Virginia we have ‘dollar tree’ stores where anything is a $–I always grab butane lighters-3 in pack for $1–some of them wont even light but still–then emergency candles fit perfect in neck of empty beer bottle-tea light candles–then all your generic (and some name brand) Neosporin–toothpaste .-peroxide-alcohol-etc-I have plastic totes full this cheap stuff stacked in garage–you’d be surprised how much you can accumulate by spending $20 a month there-and of course if you tell people you are automatically crazy–also there is always a walmart next door to the $ tree–they have (low quality) 100 pack of 12 or 20 guage shells for like $21—not many choices of shot-usually # 8 but still for survival–that’s a good deal shoot squirrels /rabbits etc for food and personally I don’t want to eat a load of #8 —it does not require ‘buckshot’ to calm down an intruder
there are a lot of great ides and comments on here–thanks to everybody-but MY opinion–if you are a gun hater–I still suggest you pack one –In a SURVIVAL situation you will change your tune–like they say -rather have it and not need it than need it not have it–if/when things go bad you can’t depend on calling emergency number and having protection–you will have to defend yourself-
Charlie-youre right-if you have storage gas add ‘stabil’ otherwise -because of crappy gas nowadays-your fuel will turn into useless ‘slime’ and that’s not a joke-it will actually get slimey and wont even light with a match–will clog any type fuel system–it’s nothing like the purple looking gas we got in the early 70’s–that would last for 10 years if sealed-
I would have to add a small fishing kit including several hooks, powerbait, some line, split shot weights and a small bobber.You will always need water and food. Where’s there’s water, there’s usually fish for food – probably the easiest and most plentiful protein source in desperate circumstances!
550 cord and a wire coat hanger.
steve-youre right-fish are easy-even if you don’t like fish you’ll learn to under survival needs-nothing fancy needed to catch BUT places like ‘sportsmans guide’ have the ‘yoyo ‘ reels for cheap-small easy to store- not needed but pretty cheap and easy-they sell ‘bulk’ like 6 for (cheap) just I do stuff like that-not for me but for family members-keep it easier for them in survival-andleftists may hate me but a pistol in every backpack for my people-please don’t think I’m nuts but watch episodes of ‘the walking dead’=just an example of survival–I actually don’t believe in zombies but I do believe in survival–I’m afraid our country is going to see hard times–call me crazy but be prepared-if wrong you can always use your stockpile
Ty everyone the posts are very informative Beverley P
Insta glue have saved many a trip to doctor to get stiches
It was originally invented for eve surgery. In the same vain off brand cotex to stop bleeding and tampax for puncture wounds
Tom-you’re right–femine products are handy–wire ties one of best inventions ever–(and duct tape) also I have a box of 1 gal. freezer bags in every back pack–all kinds of uses-I guess I’m a pyro but always have butane lighters and some candles handy-also have any kind of fishing line /hooks-even if don’t like fish they are easy to find in survival- raw squirrels and fish are bad-I like fire-
Zip ties! Different sizes. Used to ride a motorcycle and that was a staple in my saddlebag. Also, a roll of electrical tape and a pack of baby wipes. Comes in handy and supplements duct tape. Regarding cost of items, check out the dollar stores. Bandaids are inexpensive and come in all sizes.
Shotgun and a knife. More than a dollar but If you ever need it…. Just saying
Always keep a couple of the old military-style can openers in bags and around the house — usually called the P-38, or the bigger model, the P-51. They’re less than a buck on eBay or Amazon, and a ten-spot will usually get you two or three of the big ones and a half dozen of the P-38’s.
Even if you rely on freeze-dried stuff, you need to be able to open food cans you scrounge, or trade for. And since empty cans have many, many uses as containers or “sheet metal,” these are essential in re-purposing metal cans.
Bic disposable lighters cost about a buck, have a shelf life of many years, and are good for thousands of lights. No bugout bag is complete unless you have several.
They also have more value as trade goods than almost anything else you can buy for a buck.
I also keep a couple of their “BBQ lighter” models around, since it’s easier to start wood stove fires with this longer version of the lighter. But that model is bulkier, takes up more room in a bag, and costs considerably more than the basic lighter.
GET A EMPTY DISPOSABLE LIGHTER AND A LARGE WOD OF COTTON AND SOME CHAPSTICK. PUT THEM IN A SMALL ZIP LOCK BAG AND YOU HAVE A FIRE STATER. JUST FRAY THE COTTON AND SPARK IT AND WITH THE CHAPSTICK ON A BALL OF COTTON WILL KEEP IT BURNING SO YOU CAN START YOUR TENDER WOOD/MOSS.
I like bics reliability for myself in addition to my fero rod, storm matches, & fresnel lens, but keep several of the less expensive clear colored plastic lighters bundled to use for trade. The unprepared will need lighters and the clear plastic lets traders see how much fuel remains. Great for barter.
smoke hill-you are right=I made several comments to others about fire–it’s worth it to stash lighters I prefer over matches–I also keep plenty of the longer grill lighter type–only a dollar- also at about $12 each make sure every person you care about has a ‘lifestraw’ like 250 gallons of clean water from a mud hole–I don’t mean to sound crazy but between now and trump swear in day ANYTHING could happen-I smell a problem coming-
Toilet paper! I’m stockpiling it now.
Dental floss, it is waxed, 140 yards for $1. Great to tie things, and strong.Small and compact.
My family always has three books with us in our main bag. A book that explains edible plants by colored picture and use. Also actually lists many medicinal plants and their uses as well.
A book that lists Survival Wisdom and know how uses, with 7800 quick tips.
The most important book–The Bible.
Never “run away” without one.
Although they are not a dollar in price, they are more than well worth their price and weight to carry with you.
For women and girls who are of the age, Rolls of gauze for that “time of the month”, or until you can get a better product for use.
This is my feminine opinion on “bugging out” bags contents.
Summer Rose, way to rock the house. I hope everyone follows your advice because that is exactly what I have done. I have several books that I put in my Bug Out Bag, BOB. They are FM 21-76 US Army Survival Manual, (that you can pick up at Barns and Noble Book store for $7.00 or less.) The next book that I have is Complete Survival Manual by Michael S. Sweeney, (I got it from the National Geographic Book store.) This book will cover everything you need to know about surviving in ANY environment. This book is so good that I bought 2 of them. One for me and an extra just in case. The third book I have is the Magic and Medicine of Plants, a Reader’s Digest book. It has a A to Z gallery of medicinal plants, (with photographs), what they are how they are used and where to find them. I also have a book on North American plants and how to identify them. Next book and I highly recommend it, The Survival Medicine Handbook by Joseph & Amy Alton. Dr. Joseph Alton and his wife “Nurse” Amy Alton have had so much experience in this area that they have written a follow up book called The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide: Emergency Preparedness for any Disaster. They also have a YouTube channel. Since I was in the Army I also have the Emergency War Surgery book. This is for those extraordinary wounds you may come across and how to deal with them. Then I would carry The Family Bible and 2-3 paperback books to read and use as wipes, (You now know how a bear feels when out in the woods. hahaha. These books are small and easy to carry and you can break them up between you and your family members. The nice thing about them the information within them can and will save your life and they are inexpensive to get. You can’t know everything, but, with these guides to carry along on your travels you can and will survive.
Way to go Summer Rose, I’m proud of you and your input. You saved lives.
BEING A VIETNAM RANGER I DON’T NEED BOOKS. I HAVE A PRINT OUT OF ALL THE EDIBLE PLANTS. PLAYING CARDS WITH EVERYTHING ABOUT SURVIVAL. MY MP3 PLAYER. GOT MY GUITAR AND WILL HAVE MY SNARES SET FOR BREAKFAST.
Put together a basic medical kit, a basic sewing kit, and a basic fire making kit. They will save your life! They are all not too expensive – especially using the $ store, and you can actually make a lot of it with what you already own. The next thing that can really make a difference is a topographical map of your area (and be sure to learn how to use it.) If you are going cross-country, it can tell you whether that apparent straight line to another location is actually up and down the side of a mountain or across a crater, etc.
Canned food is too heavy. Use foil packaged meats and plastic packaged nuts, fruits, veggies, crackers, etc. which are easier to fit into your bag and don’t need an opener. Always carry plastic bags (zip-lock type) for water protection, water collection & storage, waste disposal, food preservation, a many other uses.
Better to just go ahead and buy the tampons or pads, since they have great alternative uses in a bugout bag anyhow. I don’t have any women who use them in my household, but I have four giant boxes of them in my First Aid supplies. They’re sterile, very soft, and highly absorbent.
Tampons and pads are designed to wick blood away. That is not good for a traumatic wound. You want something to cause clotting and to stop the bleeding, such as Quick Clot and Z folded gauze. Quick Clot is not cheap but can save a life. Other items in my EDC bag are a tourniquet and a Israeli bandage.
summer rose-thank you for saying carry your bible–it could be a comfort in the coming days–don’t think Im a hipocrit(spell) because I say carry a pistol in your backpack and I would cap anybody that bothers my family-BUT I still profess to be a Christian–I’m not claiming to be a preacher-again I would(in survival mode) shoot you in yo ass but yes carry your faith with your pistol
I just watched “Fat Guys in the Woods” on TV. They were taught how to start a fire using tampons. That was a new one for me.
I think the idea of getting canned foods is a great idea judging what prep stores are charging for packaged foods that require hot water to complete the meal. It could be costly. What is the purpose for the duct tape?
Hi Russell- Duct tape can provide a variety of fixes, repairs and additional support to any structures or belongings. Always good to have, and a staple in my bug out bags.
-Frank
Two main stay items I had for 22 years of deployments were duct tape and 5/50 cord. use for tent tie downs trip cords and clothes lines
Must have another Russell out there. I have never responded or commented on any of your sites. Besides, I have ops training on mile tape
Russell-canded food is great-look at dates when you buy -they good for 1-4 years-BUT since we don’t know when this crap will happen the ’20-25 year’survival food is great=no it does not taste like grandma’s but I bet if your family starving it be pretty good-shelf life is the answer-seriously we are expecting snow where I am and I went thru cabinets today to just make chili-I rotate my canned goods-youd be surprised how soon storage food (say 2 years) gets close to date–I also see frank bates replied to you–listen to him–he is famous to the survival folks and is honest–I have some of his samples of survival food and intend to order more–I just
Helpful comments. I’m learning a lot.
In all your preparedness, I still haven’t seen a site or comment with regard to commo. Where do we go to find each other and help each other when needed? I’m talking about after the first few days and when we need to unite. Short band radio? Pony express? Will NOT be the internet, mail, or phones. Am I the only one who has thought about this?
you know an EMP would destroy all electronics, we would be left with smoke signals, pony’s and carrier pigeons.
Protecting electronics from an EMP is pretty basic, and you can find a wealth of information online. If memory serves me well, a simple basic metal ammo box will protect anything inside from an EMP, so that’s a good place to store small electronics.
I have some Motorola GMRS-FRS hybrid walkie-talkies, which seem to carry several miles around my neighborhood easily, and often more. I think this type radio is essential for survivalists, though eventually you will run out of batteries if things stay bad, unless you use rechargeables and have some method, like solar, for recharging them. Since there are two of us on a small farm, and part of our food (and most of our water) will come from a pond 50 yds from the house, rapid commo is essential if something goes wrong, or if some stranger(s) turn up suddenly. Same goes if one of us is doing perimeter patrols or investigating strange noises.
Ideally, if your budget permits (mine won’t), a good shortwave base station can keep you in touch with others throughout the world (when conditions permit), so you can keep informed and make longer-term plans. Again, though, a reliable source of electricity (110v) is necessary.
You can keep electronic devices in a closed metal trash can. The can will act as a faraday cage and protect your equipment.
Mouthwash is antibacterial and works well for washing out cuts. I have used it many times on humans and animals and has prevented infections or cleared them up in almost all cases.
Lucy, mouthwash is a “nice to have”, but not a necessity and is much more expensive than hydrogen peroxide.
I tend to agree that peroxide is a better choice for disinfecting wounds. Its “foaming” action cleans & removes debris better.
However, any BOB should have a tube of Triple Antibiotic Ointment in it, too. It’s cheap, readily available and has an indefinite shelf life if it’s stored properly. Like with most drugs (except Tylenol-based ones), the “discard date” is a joke, primarily to sell more medications.
kucy p-you’re right-especially Listerine–that stuff will kill anything-for anybody never used it give it a try–kerosene tastes a little better-
Instead of duct tape get a roll of “gaffer tape” We use it in the film and video industry to hold down everything. It looks the same as duct tape but has much better adhesive and holding ability and won’t degrade like duct tape. It also peels off easier when you want it to. It is pricy but worth the cost and will last.
Dear Frank,
On the subject of stocking your BOB, everyone has an opinion, which is a good thing!
Sharing ideas and experiences is how we support one another in the field of preparedness for being lost, stranded or caught in a major disaster.
As you and I point out in our book on building emergency bags and what to do with the gear in it; SURVIVAL 101 – HOW TO BUG OUT AND SURVIVE THE FIRST 72 HOURS, we discuss personalization often.
Yes, there are a dozen basic items and tools that anyone would be foolish not to have in their Go-Bag, but everything else is a matter of personal choice and individual special needs.
You should remind your many fans of P4P that the book is available through you or me. Several experiences survivalist have said even they learned a lot from our book!
As for economy, people can follow our plan for eating an elephant … one bit at a time!
God Bless America and Your Followers,
Orrin
Hello Frank,
Thank you for your knowledgeable blog. As to your P4P book. Is this available inexpensively and how may this possible transaction take place?
Thank you,
Robert…Shalom
So you are on a budget. Good for you. That tells me that you know where to prioritize you and your family needs. The bad thing is that you don’t have enough money to cover everything on your list.
The first thing to do is realize that you need to have emergency food, water and supplies. But you really don’t know what is needed.
So your second thing to realize is that you need a list to help guide you in obtaining your supplies. Where to look. Try this web sight, its free and very useful, http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com. It is a Mormon site and they are very good. Its free and they want to help everyone get their own supplies together.
Next, look at YouTube videos like the Patriot Nurse, Skinnymedic, the Southernprepper and so on. They all have good ideas. There are also some DIY projects that you can do as well that you can find on YouTube. Since you are on Frank Bates Web Blog then you are off to a good start. He has a lot of fine products, tips and suggestions that can inspire your imagination.
Most importantly, you will find that you already have most of this stuff in your home already. You just need to organize yourself.
Now you have limited resources, money it tight and you really can’t afford to go out and get everything on your list, so what are you to do? Follow Karen K suggestion and pick things up when you can a little at the time. It took me a year to get most of the stuff that I feel that my family and I may need and I still don’t have everything on my list. It takes time , patience, dedication to details to make it work. You need to get your family involved so that they can help and become apart of the solution and not the problem. Talk about it. Make them understand that this is for everyone’s safety and well being.
Finally, when in doubt just ask. Someone will have the correct answer or good advice for you.
I used to live in Hurricane Country (Florida) and it took me awhile to get everything. As for canned or any kind of stored food, I would rotate it every year because of expiration dates, but then I was always current. Do you know how many people store can goods and forget to buy a hand can opener? They forget they may not have their electric one if the power goes out. (Yes I knew two families who did that). I have an emergency list on my website which can be used for any type of disaster. It started small and other posters added to it so it is pretty long. You just choose what you need and leave the rest. Now I live in Kentucky but I still keep stuff handy. All of my important papers are in a water/fire proof document size safe. Pictures and albums are in plastic bags then put in plastic containers. 2 or 3 changes of clothing (from shirt to shoes and jacket). In my car all the time is a sleeping bag, folding shovel, camping heater, basic tools, and a Jump Start. I judge everything by…be ready to leave in 10 minutes or less. Anything else left behind is just stuff. There are a zillion things we can all think of, but if you are not sure, go tent camping for a week away from civilization and you will learn quickly what you need.
A couple of sturdy backpacks, one for all the things you listed, Frank, and the other for tightly rolled clothing, towels, and space blankets and sleeping bags, which are about the size of a newborn’s arm. And by the way, can openers don’t have to be those huge things you use in the kitchen. Much smaller ones are available even at Walmart, and trust me, the only person in a shelter who has a can opener is a very popular person! Don’t forget batteries for the flashlight, sturdy dishes and flatware along with antibacterial wipes/soap. I could go on and on but I won’t.
Another option for packing clothes, towels, etc. is a compression bag that you can purchase as most sporting goods stores for about the same price as a backpack (or less). You can pack a lot of items in it and compress it down to a small size saving a lot of space.
JUST A NOTE ON SOMETHING I KNOW WELL. DUCT TAPE! LOL!! SERIOUSLY, I USED TO MANAGE A HEATING AND COLLING WHOLESALE SUPPLY HOUSE, & THERE ARE MILLIONS OF CHOICES OF DUCT TAPE,…AND YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR MOST TIMES. HOWEVER, THE BEST TAPE – AND THE ONLY ONE ALL MY CUSTOMERS WOULD USE – IS NAUSHA # 357 !! IT ALSO COMES IN BLACK & WHITE, AND I THINK ALUM COVERED. IT IS DAMNED EXPENSIVE, BUT IT IS THE BEST THERE IS IN MY BOOK!! YOU DON’T LET IT STICK TO ITSELF, THAT IS FOR SURE!! ASK ANY HVAC OR PLUMBER,….# 357 IS THE BEST!!
We feel like we can not afford to prep, however if you pick up one item a week you can start. A go bag can be bought from a secondhand shop or good will store.. and gauze, Band-Aids your favorite protein bar can go a long way. Almost all of us drink something out of a 1 liter plastic bottle, they can be used for water in a go bag. You can make your own bars, your fav. nuts and honey just mix and chill.