There are a lot of excuses people give for why they don’t prepare for emergencies, like “I don’t have time.”, “It’s too difficult.”, and, my personal favorite, “It’s not going to happen to me.”
There is only one explanation that holds some validity, and that is for economic reasons. It’s understandable that someone struggling financially may have a difficult time justifying spending money on an event whose timing is unpredictable. Unfortunately, though, disasters do happen. And if not prepared, the cost you pay in suffering has more than just a monetary consequence.
The good news is there are countless ways to prepare, all while staying within a budget. I have compiled a list of techniques that are low-cost or even free of charge. As long as you have a willingness to think outside of the box and roll up your sleeves, you can be better prepared for any emergency.
Savvy Shopping
There are ways to get all of your preparedness supplies without breaking the bank. All it takes is knowing the right stores, the best deals, and maybe using a coupon or two.
Grocery Stores
Scour the clearance sections. Most grocery stores and pharmacies have killer ones, often hidden somewhere toward the back of the sales floor. You can find canned and packaged foods, medicines, hygiene products, hardware, alcohol, and other useful items, all for a mere fraction of the original cost. While with some items you have to be wary of due to expiration dates or condition, others are simply reduced because they weren’t selling or have been discontinued.
Look for case sales. Every once in a while, some stores offer products sold by the case for discounted rates. You will get the benefit of buying in bulk without the Costco membership fee.
Utilize the purified H20 machines out front. By filling your jugs yourself, you save 75 percent of what it costs to buy them inside the store.
Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to cut coupons. These can really add up, especially if you pair them with the item when it is on sale. Every store has a weekly circular, which helps makes it easier to save on your preparedness list.
Look for stores that offer gas rewards. Some big chains will discount their gas if you join a loyalty program. Since it is important to keep your tank at least three-quarters full to be prepared for emergencies, try and coincide some of your fill-ups with your rewards.
Thrift Stores
Stores like Goodwill are excellent spots for buying preparedness items. Not only is it much cheaper buying second hand, but they often have sales, providing additional savings. Here are some examples of items you will find.
- Candles and flashlights
- Tools
- Kid’s size and up items for BOB (shoes/clothing)
- Extra boots or sneakers to keep in your vehicle
- Glass jars and containers for DIY projects
- Garage organizational items
The beauty of thrift stores is that they change every day. If you can’t find what you need, just go back a week later. I guarantee if you are persistent, you will find many of the items you will need.
Dollar Stores
Dollar Stores may not have the highest quality items but, for certain things, they are the perfect place to shop. You can walk away with a full cart without spending a bundle.
- First aid products (Band-Aids, alcohol, aspirin)
- Food
- Paper products
- Cleaning supplies
- Small tools
- Batteries
- Sewing kits
Home Protection
Your home is known as your haven, which is why you should want to protect it. From natural disasters to burglaries, these suggestions will help keep you and your home safe from harm.
Prevention
It’s important to take the initiative to get work done before a crisis, and not after it has struck. There are tons of preventative projects you can do around your home that will help protect it. No professional is required for these because they are all easy, simple, and effective solutions. For example, add to existing locks, check door insulations, fill and store sandbags, dig small trenches to help with flood draining, and trim away trees that may cause damage.
Security
Not everyone has an alarm system, as they can be quite expensive. There are free things you can do to keep your house secure. Take these precautions to help deter thieves from violating your property.
- Keep all vegetation around your doors and windows trimmed back.
- Light up your house in potential hiding spots and in entryways.
- Don’t let your mail and newspapers go collected when on vacation. Put a hold on these deliveries online with a mere click of a button.
- Keep your garage door closed. Don’t show off your goods and make others wonder what else is inside.
- Discreetly discard boxes of any costly equipment. Don’t advertise, “Look, I have a new big screen TV!” by leaving the box on the curb.
- Get to know your neighbors, and consider starting a Neighborhood Watch group in your area.
- Don’t advertise on social media your every move. If you are sharing pics while on vacation or even just out and about, you are also sharing the fact that your house is vacant.
You can own the coolest tools in the world, but if you can’t find them during an emergency, they are pointless. Keep all of your preparedness supplies organized and accessible. Being that the power often goes out during a natural disaster, it is also a great idea to keep your house in general free of clutter.
Multi-purpose Tools
Space can become an issue while preparing, which is why multi-purpose tools are definitely the way to go. In addition to clearing up clutter, they also save you money; instead of buying several separate items, you may only have to invest in one.
Gear Up Center is well known for its love of multi-purpose tools. They are the home of the Crovel, NAX, Recon 6 Watch, and the X Caliber Adapter System.
Ingredients
When it comes to your food supply, it’s smart to have ingredients that are interchangeable in your recipes. This is also true for homemade items such as soap, detergent, and hygiene products.
Coconut oil, baking soda, vinegar, Ivory soap, Borax, and washing soda are all cheap staple items you should have stored. Depending on how you mix them, you can make numerous products, like toothpaste, ailment cures, and cleaners, all for pennies on the dollar.
DIY Projects
It is much cheaper to complete a project yourself. There are many fantastic preparedness projects that produce items that work just as efficiently as ones that are bought in stores. With all of the money you save, you can reinvest in other areas of preparing.
Here is a short list of some DIY ideas for items that can really make a difference in your preparations.
- Five-gallon bucket air conditioner
- Campfire in a can
- Solar cooker
- Solar USB charger
- Faraday cage
- PVC bow
- Hanging garden
Even if your budget is robust, it never hurts to save a few dollars here and there in the interest of efficiency and stretching those hard-earned paychecks as far as they can go.