For many of us survival and preparedness involve long lists of things we have……and need to get. Firearms, ammunition, knives, foods of all types, water, water filtration – the list goes n and on….and can get expensive. I got home from work yesterday and was paying some bills when I considered some items that could be a true benefit whether it be a severe power outage for several days – or a total collapse resulting in the grid being down and supply chains non-existent.
Whatever “it” is…..life will be less comfortable and more difficult. So – let’s get to it:
Paper plates, plastic eating utensils and cups – Water will likely be scarce and need to be rationed. Using water to clean dishes and silverware could be reserved if paper plates and other items were stored. Disposal of paper plates could prove easy as they could be burned and used for fuel. The water saved from washing dishes and utensils could prove useful other tasks at hand…like drinking!
- Wet Wipes – With the inability to just jump in the shower likely non-existent.
- Glow Sticks – Especially if you have kids, glow sticks can provide a level of comfort in that soft glow.
- Toilet Paper – This stuff will be like gold after the SHTF. There is not much that will take the place of it……comfortably. Sure you can store away a few phone books and rip pages out – but it certainly won’t be the same.
- Candy/Gum/Chocolate – Huge comfort foods and morale boosters! Inexpensive now and worth so much for your state of mind when you could really use it. Grab some Lifesavers, Jolly Ranchers, a few Hersey bars and a couple packs of Trident.
- Socks and Underwear – Going commando and without socks just won’t make the grade. Unless your a women buying underwear that glitters with gold sequence – the stuff is plain cheap. Grab a few each – especially socks.
- Bic Lighters – Cheap and soooooo useful!
- Trash Bags – A couple boxes of trash bags will be appreciated to assist in disposing of trash, food and waste.
- Duct Tape – Every one knows that Duct Tape can be used for so many things including shoe repair and wound enclosures.
I’d recommend Poly Fleece “Throws” from the local megamart. It’s Back to School time, so Walmart has them on sale for $2.98 each. A little extra warmth almost never hurts, especially when the blanket costs less than the unfinished fabric on the sewing aisle.
BIC lighters are definitely the best of the bunch, but you can pick up a 7-pack of the “Scripto” type butane lighters at the same place, next to the checkout registers for the price of 2 ‘real’ BIC’s.
A big heads-up for those in or near Virginia: This weekend, 2-4 August, is the back-to-school sales tax holiday. No sales tax on items which could vaguely be considered “back to school”. Electronics, computers, bedding, clothes, etc. not just notebooks and crayons. You don’t even have to have kids with you :)
Costco has boxes of fifty lighters for $39. Works out to 78 cents each. Not only handy to use, but also to give out or trade as needed. I also include several sizes of cordage or light rope. This stuff is handy to have around all the time and priceless when an emergency happens.
toiletries, preferably made from nature so you won’t run out; if you don’t know what or how to use from nature, now is the time to learn.
SEVERAL water filtration methods, portable, and not. Leslie’s pool shock (73% calcium hydrochloride) for shocking after filtering; a one lb. bag will last a very long time, but you need lots for barter, and for the long haul! You can also make bleach any time you want with Leslie’s as opposed to simply storing it; liquid bleach stays viable 3-6 months, depending on how stored.
Lighting substitutes for the long haul, not JUST flashlights and batteries; solar charged lights such as was posted recently are useful; we have ample oil lamps and a good supply (but not endless) of smokeless (asthma) lamp oil. Candles, yes, but don’t rely too heavily on them. Have some of everything you can think of for emergency lighting.
Firestarters: something to actually ignite the fire, not just start it, such as Bic. We stuff all toilet paper and paper towel tubes with dryer lint, especially cotton; this is only one “firestarter” that is, in essence, “FREE” (my fave 4-letter word again!). you can buy homemade firestarters off ebay; Tractor Supply sells some that I think are a good deal.
Firewood. What good will starting a fire do with nothing to burn, nothing to cook with?
Propane stove and as much fuel as you can store; it never goes bad.
Strike anywhere matches – tons of ’em – great barter items, one day. Coffee and tea, too!
Solar cookers. Cast iron cookware and knowing how to use it and care for it.
Books galore for everything you might possibly need to know now or in the future for survival; and some just for “escapism”. Card and Board games.
Shovel and a bag of lime for burying waste for the long term.
Medicines for the long haul, for people and critters – both off-the-shelf and prescription. Medical supplies; medical treatment books and knowledge acquired asap for when IHTF (there is no doctor or dentist).
Clothesline, plenty of clothespins, a way to put up the line and keep it up; a hand agitator washing device (about $15) and 2 tubs – one to wash and one to rinse in. A hand wringer device is nice, too. At least for a while, you may want to keep clothes clean, if “bugged in”.
One or more good pair of walking shoes and/or hiking boots – definitely!
Communications media and knowing how to use it.
Tools; hammer, saw, bucksaw, machete, levels, anything you might need.
A PLAN. Where to meet, when, and how if gathering your “tribe” together.
Is that EVERYTHING? No, but you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed by now.
Elastic. When the elastic goes in your pants you want to be able to replace it. And unless you have some pre-1970s elastic you’ll need to buy this annually as modern elastic only has a shelf life of around a year or two. Plus some good cutting shears, small sharp scissors (2 pair – one of personal and health care and one for sewing), needles, pins and thread. And buttons for when the elastic really goes for good.
Good ones, Harriet! and often overlooked, no doubt!
How are you? How are things on your side of the pond?
Homemade baby-wipes (using ONLY Viva paper towels!) will lesson the need for so much tp. Surely a “Go-Girl” if toilets are not working. Keep all your old t-shirts, they’ll make soft undies if you have to make your own, using a waist tie. The native americans were aces at covering “things”.
Pencils & writing paper. Games to play, coloring books & crayons…(for all, not just kids!) will create some color in ones life. Word search & crossword puzzle books. Spend the money on some good crock shoes & sandals. The list could go on and on!
The native americans had coloring books and crayons? I must be from the wrong tribe! (Just pickin’ on ya’, WE2!!)
Rourke and Servantheart -were you droning our supply sheds-?Smile !!!
Bev, oh I have been wanting a forecart for years-we have a Percheron Mare ! (but I am now too physically challenged to use one) I hope your friend shares with you. I sure wish I had a local prepping friend-I love having all of you but actually sitting down next to another kindred prepper would be so good. Hear Nat.Geog is doing more prepping shows this fall. God bless you all Arlene
I almost forgot two VERY important items we keep…a heavy duty appliance dolly and a “forearm lift”. We have used the forearm lift to carry things as big and heavy as a refrigerator and dishwasher using only our forearms.
That is a brilliant suggestion :)
I’m considering something like this: http://willowhavenoutdoor.com/bugging-out/bugging-out-with-children-the-last-ditch-bug-out-concept-wagon/ , especially if I can hack a way to to it behind the scooter, as a backup-backup.
My youngest kid turned 21 yesterday, but a good idea is still a good idea :)
It’s good to know those forearm things DO work; do you remember where you got yours? How would you use them as a prep item when IHTF?
LOL- I was going through a ‘tote’ I had kinda-forgotten about and found one to include here. Safety Pins. Small, light and cheap. Dollar Store or ChinaMart for a buck for 100. Make your life easier when you rip your britches, etc. in the field, and could be great trade items.