Prepping on a Budget
There are a lot of things that you can buy when you are first starting to prep. However, you may not have a lot of money to spend on prepping supplies. Here are some tips on how to get started prepping on a budget.
Food
There are a lot of opinions out there on what you should spend your money on first when you are just starting to prep. But the fact is, everyone’s situation is different. You have to start somewhere, so you might as well start with the basics – food. Specifically, non-perishable food that will last a long time in storage. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Canned goods are always a good choice because they have a long shelf life. Choose items that you and your family will actually eat, and try to get a variety of canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and soups.
Dried goods are another good option for long-term storage. Look for items like rice, beans, pasta, and cereal that don’t require refrigeration.
In addition to non-perishable food items, you should also stock up on spices and seasonings. Salt, pepper, sugar, and other common seasonings will help make the food you have more palatable.
Water
One of the best ways to save money while you’re prepping is to be mindful of your water usage. Depending on the disaster you’re preparing for, you may need to store a lot of water, which can get expensive. Here are some tips for prepping on a budget when it comes to water.
-Invest in a water filter: A good water filter will allow you to use any water source, whether it’s from a stream or lake. This will save you money on buying bottled water.
-Reuse greywater: Greywater is the water that goes down the drain after being used for things like showering, washing dishes, or doing laundry. This water can be reused for things like watering plants or flushing toilets.
-Collect rainwater: If you have a rain barrel, you can collect rainwater to use later. This is a great way to conserve water and save money on your water bill.
-Don’t waste water: One of the best ways to save money on your prepping supplies is to simply not waste water. Turn the faucet off while you brushing your teeth and fix any leaks in your home so that you’re not wasting money on your water bill.
Shelter
Shelter is one of the most important things to think about when prepping on a budget. After all, if you can’t keep yourself safe and warm, everything else is moot. While you could spend a fortune outfitting your home with the latest and greatest in survival gear, there are more economical ways to go about it. Here are some tips for prepping your shelter on a budget:
- Get a weather radio. A weather radio will be your best friend during a storm. It will give you advance warning of severe weather so that you can take steps to protect yourself and your family. It will also keep you up to date on the latest information so that you can make informed decisions about how to stay safe.
- Invest in some heavy-duty tarps. Tarps can be used for a variety of purposes, including creating makeshift shelter, insulating your home, or even as a last-ditch effort to keep water out of your home if floodwaters start rising. They’re relatively inexpensive and can be an invaluable part of your survival gear.
- Stock up on firewood. If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, now is the time to stock up on firewood. Not only will it keep you warm in an emergency, but it can also be used to cook food or boil water. If you don’t have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, consider investing in a portable camping stove that uses wood as fuel.
- Get some candles and flashlights. Power outages are common during severe weather events, so it’s important to have some backup lighting options available. Candles are relatively inexpensive and can provide hours of light; just be sure to use them safely (i.e., don’t leave them unattended). Flashlights are also a good option, but they require batteries which may not be readily available during an extended power outage.
- Consider investing in a generator . A generator can be used to power essential appliances like your fridge and freezer during a power outage, which can help prevent food from going bad (and save you money in the long run). However, generators can be expensive, so this may not be an option for everyone