Emergency Prepping on a Budget

Not sure where to start?

If you are brand new to prepping you do not need the fanciest and most expensive gear or expensive freeze-dried food to start.

The biggest key to getting a great deal is to do your research.

Plan and prioritize your purchases! Work within your budget.

Things are a bit crazy in the world right now so food and staying warm during Winter should be major priorities. We will talk about Storing Water in another post.

FOOD:

Stock up on food that you and your family actually eat. Start small. Buy an extra 3-5 cans of food or a slightly larger item like a bag of bulk rice on each shopping trip. Keep an inventory!

You do not have to go all out, small food purchases add up quicker than you think.

Be sure to store your food preps properly.

Be sure to utilize FIFO (First In, First Out). For example, place your new food purchases behind the older food purchases. The farthest-away expiration dates in the back.

Food Goals to work up to:

• 3 days: store-bought pouch meals or homemade storable meals for Bug Out Bags

• 2 weeks worth of stockpiled food in your pantry

• 3 months worth of stockpiled food in your pantry

• 6 months worth of stockpiled food in your pantry

• 1 year worth of stockpiled food in your pantry

• 2 years? up to you!

STAYING WARM:

Put small amounts of cash away for high heating bills later whenever you can. Give yourself some wiggle room in case you get a bigger bill.

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GEAR:

• 72-hour Kit/GHB (Get Home Bag)

• Blackout Kit

• Bug Out Bags for each family member

• Camping Gear

• Emergency Bag for Pets
  

Carefully manage your money. Once your basics of food and warmth are covered it is time to save for gear.

Make a list of your Likes, Wants, and Needs. Stick to your Needs first.

Each payday put a few dollars aside for your larger planned purchases. Watch the prices and sales and when you think it's a good deal, jump on it.

A few ways to save: make your morning coffee at home, take a lunch, skip eating out, and bring your own water bottle so that you can save money for prepping items.

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Shop Smart:

Walmart has decent options for inexpensive gear and as you build your skills you can sell your beginner gear and upgrade.

Another great thing about Walmart is that if you order online you can order through Rakuten and get cash back. #AD #Referral

It is usually only a small % cash back, but that adds up! You can both order your gear and your non-perishable food items this way.

Save on Freeze-dried foods at Thrive Life when you buy monthly specials. #AD #Referral

Save on food at Azure Standard when you shop their sales. #AD #Referral

You can also shop on Amazon. Put the items in wishlists and keep an eye on the lists. Most everything goes on sale eventually. Amazon now asks you if you'd like to set price alerts, take advantage. Shop Amazon on Prime Days (if you have Prime).

Save up your money to shop during Sale and Black Friday Events.

You can also shop after the camping season and Christmas for good prices.

Check local yard sales and flea markets for deals on gear!

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Learn some skills. Practice those skills.

You can barter with the skills you learn.

You can teach others.

Skills give you options.

Skills you can learn:

Gardening, Herbalism, Local Foraging, Food Preservation, Baking, Bushcraft, Tracking and Trapping, Hunting, Fishing, Basic Medical, Sewing, Candle Making, Soap Making, Repair...

and More!

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