I've seen many people on here say that they cant do much to prepare for a SHTF scenario because they don't have the finances, so I thought about things that cost around five dollars that anyone could afford, maybe you buy spend the 5 dollars every week or maybe every month, either way these small steps will still allow you to be more prepared. five gallons of purified water nearly two cases of bottled water five pounds of rice three to four pounds of spaghetti Five pounds of Oatmeal three one pound bags of dry beans one manual can opener 100 rounds of .22lr ammo three Bic Lighters or two big boxes of matches 50 ft of para cord a roll of duct tape a flashlight a toothbrush and tooth paste There are also some over the counter meds that are less than five dollars Please add to the list, I know I only touched on a few items, I just want people to know that it doesn't have to be expensive to get prepared
Start your first aid kit with a 5frn bill at a time, too. If you don't use it because you are careful, after a year or so, you will be well equipped. (Good idea, Zach.)
if you buy OJ, and want to store water...use your empty OJ containers like these: Already food grade, served one purpose and will serve another if you clean it out and put water in it.
If you watch for sale items at the grocery store, based on recent local sales; Chunky soup(meat,carb,veg all in one) 4/$5 tuna 2/$1 = 10 cans tuna can vegetables 3/$1 = 15 cans TP(good brand) 8 rolls store brand saltines 10/$10 = 5 boxes chicken noodle or tomato soup 2/$1 = 10 cans peanut butter $1.50 = 3 jars Idahoan instant potato packets(4 servings) $1 = 5 packets mac & cheese, store brand 4/$1 = 20 boxes canned spaghetti sauce with meat $1 = 5 lg cans 10 lbs flour 25 lbs sugar just a few off the top of my head
Best reuseable plastic 'water' bottles I have found are the "Arizona" brand 1 gallon tea bottles. Very heavy duty plastic, rated for potable liquids. Far stronger than milk jugs. The tea ain't bad either. Often you can find great deals on canned goods at the dollar stores. Same stuff as the grocery stores, but half or less price! Cruise the yard sales - good deals to be found on camping/outdoors gear. When Junior goes off to college, Mom&Dad will sell all that unused gear for CHEAP!
I really like this thread. Let's keep it going. Since food and water is mostly covered.... I will go with a more permanent way to start a fire: http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Firesteel-Fer...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a6a72903 2x Ferro rods... $4.95
Yea please keep this going, if anyone has any ideas I didn't want this to be just about food, but for anything that someone on a budget could get started with. Thanks for the continued posts and I hope to see more ideas. Here are a few more from me to keep us going. Compass Map of your area 4 pack of batteries 9 volt battery small caribiner extra socks