Low Cost Prepping

You can store around 100 gallons of water in your bathtub using this bathtub bladder.

This bathtub bladder comes with a siphon to help you extract water when you need it. The bathtub bladder is fairly inexpensive. It typically runs anywhere from $25-$40.

The only downsides are that it has to stay in the tub once you fill it, and you kinda have to predict a disaster and fill it before something happens. Plus, it can only store water for up to 16 weeks.

There are water brick sets that you can buy that are expensive but they stack nicely.

Alternatively, this 7-gallon container is sold separately at a little over $10. A downside is that I don't believe it's stackable.

This is a must-have if you ask me. I would personally love to also have a Berkey system, but it's just not affordable right now. Clean water is one of the most important items we can have. So also think about getting some rain barrels.

When it comes to survival I try to buy the cheapest toilet paper. Much of the time that means buying thin or 1 ply toilet paper. It might seem crazy, but you will use less toilet paper even if you have to triple it up to wipe!

Trust me, we buy Scott's because our teen boys cover their hand in toilet paper to wipe with. When they use thicker toilet paper the toilet gets clogged often. However, if we use Scott's the toilet doesn't have issues! YAY!

Buying in bulk can greatly reduce the price. I bought a bulk container at Costco, in the pharmacy area. It was a good price. Plus, if you're anything like me, you already have several small bottles to refill.

Tampons without applicators are best for survival situations. You can get these in all kinds of sizes even ULTRA. As far as tampons go, you can get 40 of these for almost half the price of other popular brands. So it's cost-effective too.

Menstrual cups are the best option for SHTF situation for ladies. You won't ever have to worry about your supply running out, which to me is huge!

These are priced really well and the reviews are great. I haven't tried them, but they are on my list of things to buy.

Having washable pads and panty liners are important in a SHTF situation.

The best part about making your own wipes it that you know all the ingredients! If you have a baby with sensitive skin, these wipes are usually pretty gentle on skin.

This should make around 200 tubes. The wax/oil mix is really hot, so please be careful!

This recipe can even be used after SHTF situation. It's a good idea to be prepared to wash your clothes without electricity.

Make your own moisturizer using shea butter. It's very easy to do. Knowing how to make your own stuff will serve you well.

Some people use bleach to clean water, see backup water supply for more info. Bleach used to be inexpensive, but they are raking in the big bucks now and it is overpriced much like masks, hand sanitizer, etc...

Best soap! This soap is super concentrated. It is expensive. However, once unconcentrated it will last a very long time.

I add a 1/4 of soap to a foaming hand soap container and the rest water. Shake it and you have hand soap! It's also great for cleaning coffee mug stains without leaving a nasty residue.

There are many scents. Citrus is one of my favorites, but I also suggest getting unscented for dishwashing, bathing babies, etc...

It has so many uses, I'll list them below...

• Body Wash
• Shampoo
• Dishes
• Laundry
• Pets
• Mopping
• All-purpose Cleaning

I use diluted vinegar as a natural cleaning product. It's way cheaper in the store. It should only be $3-4 per gallon.

Obviously, you will need toothpaste. This is a favorite of mine free of SLS & fluoride!

Whether your stocking your pantry or your bug out bags, travel toothbrushes are compact and ready to go when you are.

Baking soda is used in cleaning and cleanliness...Some people even use it as a deodorant. This is a must-have low-cost prepping item.

This is a 5lb. bag and it usually costs around $10.

Peroxide can be used as a cleaner and in first aid. Combine water and peroxide 1 to 1 ratio in a spray bottle and use to clean around the home.

These compressed towels are like a very nice paper towel. These can be used to wipe your face and clean yourself or even dishes. You can even wipe your stinky butt with them.

These can be reused, however, don't reuse butt wipes! Mmkay?

I like these because they feel like the real thing. It's a good idea to have washable paper towels if you tend to use them in your home. After SHTF, you won't have to have them, in fact, you can just use a washrag to clean up spills or dry your hands.

However, if you're anything like my husband, you'll want to buy paper towels.

These can openers (p-38) are very small and can be used for small cans. They also have a slightly bigger model called the P-51 that can be used on big cans like those of #10 cans.

Place P-51 can openers under the plastic lid of an unopened #10 can, so you are prepared to open that can anytime anywhere.

These are fairly inexpensive, and every bug out bag, and prepper's pantry should have a few.

These come in handy when you need to gather wood for fire or make a path through dense woodlands and for so many other reasons.

A good pocket knife is really important. Kershaw makes a good blade. This is one of the cheapest Kershaws you can find on Amazon. They have a wide variety to choose from with prices that range from 22 and upwards toward a hundred dollars.

Every prepper should have a good supply of fishing gear. You should also have small kits like this in all of your bug out bags. or you can build your own fishing kit like I did, using empty tins.

I wrap fishing line around an old store card, the same way I do with duct tape.

Some people have this emergency radio. You can also use it to charge things like your cell phone, plus it's a flashlight too. So that's helpful.

I don't have one of these, instead we have handheld walkies that have the NOAA weather and communications. I'll link to those below this, but they are more expensive.

NOTE: Solar power has come a long way. However, I wouldn't rely on solar-powered flashlights, radios, or power banks. Simply because for some reason they don't use solar tech that works in these items. Check out the reviews on these products and you will see a slew of people complaining! This also means you will need an alternate source of energy. So keep that in mind.

• NOAA Weather Radio
• AM/FM
• LED Flashlight
• Reading Lamp
• 2000mAh Power Bank
• USB Charger
• SOS Alarm

Communication is important. Most people recommend the Baofeng brand, but they are even more expensive. These Midland radios are a decent price and work just fine.

• 2-way Radios
• 35-mile Range
• Privacy Codes
• NOAA Weather Scan + Alert
• Water/Splash Resistant
• SOS Siren
• GMRS

Gloves are a good idea. These leather gloves are perfect for picking up wood and plenty of other jobs.

You may look into getting some winter gloves if you live in the North.

Cheap work gloves for stuff like gardening.

Lastly, it's a good idea to have some disposable gloves for gross jobs.

Duct tape can be wrapped around an old store card for easier storage in a bug out bag. Duct tape has thousands of uses and definitely something necessary for a SHTF situation.

If you're serious about being a prepper, you'll need a good bug out bag. I have a bag like this. I've had many bags but this is my favorite one so far. It has tons of pockets and I love the Molle system.

• Molle System
• Tons of pockets
• High-Density Fabric
• Double Stitched
• Heavy Duty
• Compression System
• Ventilated Mesh - padded back are
• Shoulder strap - breathable and comfortable
• Large capacity

Being able to feed yourself long term is very important. Start gardening where you are, save seeds from everything!

Fire is among one of the top essentials of survival. It can provide heat, hot food, and even boost moods in the midst of disaster.

It's a good idea to get a tent. Small pop up tents are good for placing inside. These can help you keep warm in a home without power. The one I linked to is a 2 person pop up tent.

You'll want some ferrocerium rods and strikers. I bought this set, because I wanted ferro rods with a hole so that I could attach the striker to them.

There are several sets that you can buy on Amazon, but it's typically cheaper to buy them separately.

We tried these out with the strikers I'm linking to below and they work well. My son actually made fire in less than 10 strikes.

These are the scrapers I got to go with the Ferro rods. They also include a concave serrated end, a hex wrench, a bottle opener, and a ruler.

Having reusable bags like these can replace disposable plastic zipper bags. These come in handy for storing food and other things.

Lanterns come in handy when the power goes out. if you have to go to the bathroom, you'll want to be able to set the light down somewhere, without it disturbing the illumination so you can see what the heck you are doing.

If you're gardening these bags will come in handy for storing potatoes, onions, garlic, etc...You can also use them at the store instead of the plastic bags that the store provides.