Speaker 1: 0:24

Welcome to Survival Sense, your go-to podcast for all things disaster preparedness and survival skills. I'm your host, keith Thomas, and today we're diving into a crucial topic for anyone looking to prepare for emergencies without breaking the bank. That's right. Today's episode is all about prepping on a budget Cost-effective strategies to get you prepared, no matter your financial situation. Remember, if you have any questions or topics you'd like us to cover, head over to our. Send Us a Text Message link in the show description and drop us a message. We love hearing from you.

Speaker 1: 1:07

Prepping doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, with a little creativity and planning, you can build a solid emergency preparedness kit and strategy without spending a fortune. Let's break down some cost-effective strategies to help you get started. First and foremost, it's essential to have a budget plan. Determine how much you can realistically allocate each month toward prepping. Even a small amount like $10, $20 can add up over time. Remember, consistency is key. First, you want to set priorities. List the most critical items and skills you need to focus on. First, think about the essentials water, food, shelter and first aid. Track your spending. Keep track of what you spend. This helps ensure you're not overspending and allows you to adjust your budget as needed. Let's talk about specific strategies to prep on a budget.

Speaker 1: 2:17

First, thrift stores and garage sales sales. These are treasure troves for preppers. You can find camping gear, tools, clothing and other supplies at a fraction of the cost. Also, keep an eye out for sales in your local area, just as an example, on a couple of trips to the Goodwill here locally. Some of the items that I found a Briggs Stratton service manual for small engines. I usually work on my own lawn and garden equipment. You know I don't know everything and I've kind of learned as I go and in bits and pieces. So this book, I mean obviously has been a lifesaver for me. Something else that I found an Impulse sealer, the kind that you can seal your Mylar bags with for long-term storage Ten bucks. It was an older model. It was in working condition For ten bucks. It's worth the money.

Speaker 1: 3:23

Dollar stores Don't underestimate the value of dollar stores. You can stock up on basic first aid supplies. As a matter of fact, you can almost build a complete first aid kit from supplies that you pick up at like the Dollar Tree. You can also get canned food, batteries and hygiene products there. Dollar stores also have some tools. Some of the tools there for light-duty stuff. It all depends on what you're using the tools for. As I said, if it's light-duty stuff, they're probably more than sufficient. For heavier-duty tasks, you probably want to sink a little bit money into better tools. But some other things flashlights, electric lanterns by electric I mean battery-operated lanterns. Also, glow sticks. Most of these dollar stores carry a ton of glow sticks, so don't underestimate your dollar stores.

Speaker 1: 4:30

Bulk buying Some of the warehouse clubs around. You're able to purchase items in bulk, and this can save you money in the long run, especially on foods like rice, beans, pasta and a lot of canned goods Excellent options for buying in bulk. And don't forget about DIY projects. Many prepping items can be made at home with minimum cost. For example, you can make your own fire starters, water filters and even some first aid supplies. There are plenty of tutorials available online, and we're going to leave a valuable resource for off-grid survival projects down in the show description as well.

Speaker 1: 5:22

Always be on the lookout for coupons and sales. Stock up on items when they're discounted, and many grocery stores have apps that offer digital coupons and deals. Have apps that offer digital coupons and deals. And don't overlook some of the not-so-popular grocery stores around here there's like Value Mart and Save-A-Lot. I suggest go in there. Buy a few canned goods that match up what you've been buying like brand name stuff at some of the bigger supermarkets. Try them out. I think you're going to find that most of them and a lot of them have a better taste than what you're getting at your regular supermarket. Make sure that you like it. On your next trip back you can go in and buy stuff by case lots in most of those, because the prices are much cheaper there than they are in your normal supermarkets. Let's talk about building your emergency kit without spending a lot of money.

Speaker 1: 6:27

First off, for water storage. Water is essential. Instead of buying expensive bottled water, use clean, empty soda bottles or milk jugs. Be sure to sanitize them properly before use, and I will have to say I've used the two liter bottles in the past. They work fine, never had a problem. But I can tell you that milk cartons, the plastic milk jugs that you get from the grocery store. After about a year you'll find that your milk jugs begin to leak because the plastic begins to break down. It's recyclable plastic. Now I can't say whether you know some gases or something come off of the recyclable plastic and get into your water or not, but I do know that for milk jugs, those they're only good for about a year and then they'll start to leak.

Speaker 1: 7:30

Secondly, food storage. Start with inexpensive, non-perishable items like rice, beans, pasta, canned goods, and rotate your stock on a regular basis to ensure nothing goes to waste. And, as we'd said in the last episode, rotate these things and buy the foods that you would normally buy and you're just stocking extras. That way, when you pull out a can, you're using this stuff as you go. It's not going to the date's not going to run out and it's not going to go to the trash.

Speaker 1: 8:10

First aid kit you can build your own first aid kit by purchasing items individually. You can find affordable bandages, antiseptics and other supplies at dollar stores or during sales. Another good place are the large flea markets. A lot of times these people are buying liquidated drugstore items, so you can get some good deals on first aid equipment there or supplies there. Filter and warmth Look for used tents, tarps and sleeping bags at thrift stores or online marketplaces.

Speaker 1: 8:54

Space blankets are also inexpensive and effective for retaining body heat. I do recommend that somewhere in your kit you have these little space blankets, the little silver fold-up things that are in like a two inch by three inch square in their little plastic packaging. You need to have at least one for each family member in there. Those things are awesome for holding in body heat or helping to hold body heat. Tools and supplies, multi-tools, flashlights and basic tools can often be found cheaply at garage sales and discount stores. And remember quality is important, but you don't always need the top-of-the-line gear to be prepared. One of the most cost-efficient ways to prepare is by acquiring skills. Skills can't be lost, stolen or broken. Learn basic first aid. Take advantage of free or low-cost first aid courses offered by community centers or online platforms.

Speaker 1: 10:10

Gardening Grow your own food. Growing your own food is a fantastic way to ensure a fresh supply of produce. Start with a small garden or even container gardening if space is limited. Booking from scratch Learning to cook from scratch can save money and help you make the most of your food storage. There are countless free resources online to help you get started and do-it-yourself repairs Basic repair skills for clothing, tools and other essentials can save you money and keep your gear in good working order.

Speaker 1: 10:56

As I was saying earlier, I always like to look at the Goodwill local Goodwill in the books section, because people are always donating books. I've found books on herb gardening, on vegetable gardening, equipment repair, automobile repair Just tons of how-to books at these places, and you can usually get them for less than $2. And don't forget the power of community. Sharing resources and knowledge with others can significantly reduce costs. Bartering Trading skills or items with friends and neighbors For example, you might trade homemade canned foods for fresh produce or vice versa.

Speaker 1: 11:47

Community gardens you can join or start a community garden. This not only provides access to fresh food, but also fosters a sense of community and shared knowledge. And local prepping groups you can connect with local prepping groups. These groups often share resources, hold workshops and offer support. Remember that prepping on a budget is entirely feasible with the right mindset and strategies. Prioritize your spending, take advantage of sales and discounts and focus on building essential skills.

Speaker 1: 12:27

Before we go, I want to mention a couple of fantastic resources that align perfectly with today's topic. The first, the Lost Ways, is a book packed with old-fashioned skills and knowledge that can help you become more self-sufficient. It's a treasure trove of information for anyone looking to prepare on a budget. Check out the link in our show description to learn more. The second is our friends at Survival Frog. Here you can find everything from food and water storage to survival tools, camping gear and even survival kits all in a reasonable price range. That's Survival Frog. Check out the link in the show description to visit them today, and don't forget to send us your questions or topics you'd like to see us cover by using the send us a text message link in the show description. We'd love to hear from you. Well, thanks for tuning into this episode of Survival Sense. If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe and leave us a review. It really helps us reach more people and share valuable information. Stay safe, stay prepared and until next time. This is Keith Thomas signing off from Survival Sense.