Do Expensive Supplies Automatically Make Someone A Prepper?

Do you have to buy expensive stuff to be a prepper?

Not at all, you don’t need expensive items to be considered a prepper. I am not a wealthy person by any means! I am smart with where I allocate my money and what I am buying. There are various ways to be a prepper without expensive supplies and gear!

Make Things Yourself

I know you might be thinking, “But I don’t have the time.”

I understand that because I use to have this idea that it was impossible. But it’s not at all!

You really don’t need expensive items to be a prepper. I started out making things myself when I got started, and one of those was canning. It didn’t cost a lot and it was a skill that I could use for the rest of my life.

Prepping doesn’t need to be expensive by any means! I think it all comes down to being resourceful and making things yourself. Not just because it’s cheaper, but because you’ll have more control over what goes into your food.

Start Prepping With Cheap But Quality Items

There can easily be a misconception that prepping has to cost you an arm and a leg. I know first hand I have spent a lot of money over the years. When I started out, that was not the case! One easy item you can start with is canned foods.

Canned foods are great for most prepping purposes. It’s a great way to start increasing your food security. I would not limit myself to just canned food. There are other options that are also much cheaper than you think!

For example, pasta sauces are very inexpensive, as well as other items like beans and rice. The best part about these items is that they last for years in your pantry until needed!

Learn How To Feed Yourself With Gardening

I know the importance of being able to produce your own food. It takes time to get the hang of, but once you do it’s a gift that keeps on giving. The nutritional value of growing food yourself will be so much higher than anything you buy in a grocery store.

If you live in Alaska that may be harder to do through the seasons without a greenhouse. Gardening if done well can save you money and increase your food security. You will need some space to do so and a little money upfront. The key thing is, that it is another resource to have as a prepper.

The ability to grow your own food successfully is such a valuable skill to have.

Food Shortages Or SHTF

When SHTF being able to feed yourself is always a good idea. This way you and your family are not dependent or not entirely reliant on anyone’s help.

You don’t have to go all out on the first go

You don’t have to go all out on the first go.

When you start prepping, it’s best to do this gradually over time. This is a better take on prepping as a whole. Prepping should be a part of your life but not your whole life.

One item builds on the next and the next. This item you bought this week will be built on the item you buy next week. It really is a domino effect of taking things slowly and building up over time.

There are a lot of ways to build your preparedness reserves while operating on a budget

There are a lot of ways to build your preparedness reserves while operating on a budget.

You can start by making goals for what you want you’re prepping to look like a year from now. Then figure out what are the steps and things you need to achieve that. This way, you have a plan in place. It will help you stay on budget and not buying things you do not need. I have bought things I do not need before when I should have saved that money for a higher quality item.

Storing Extra Water

Water is essential for all life on planet earth. Storing water is probably one if not the most important things to get squared away from the start. When prepping on a budget I would focus on buying a good amount of smaller water containers.

I started with water containers that could hold a few gallons each. Then I bought an IBC tote for around $300 dollars and it was a great investment. It lasted me about 5 years and I’m still using it today!

If you can afford it, go ahead and buy a large water tank or IBC tote right off the bat. It will last you longer than those smaller containers.

Take things in steps!

Start With The Basics

I would start with the basic supplies and then build from there. So water and food should be at the top of your list for prepping cheaply but maintaining quality.

I have been there, where I was caught up in the idea of building a bunker and stocking supplies. I wanted a place that my family could go to if things went south or an emergency occurred. Then I realized that wasn’t practical at the start of my journey in prepping. It was something I would eventually have but not right out of the gate.

If you have the funds to do so, then good for you.

Medicine

In any SHTF situation, medicine will be immensely valuable! You should always recognize that having medicine is part of your basics. Water, food, shelter, and medicine. In times of chaos and in an emergency medicine will become extremely valuable to have.

Learn Skills

The need to prepare with supplies and gear is important. That being said, you need skills. Supplies and gear only do so much. So beyond just buying things, focus on your knowledge. On you practicing basic elements of survival. Such as starting a fire or purifying water.

Have knowledge of local edible vegetation in your area/bug-out location.

So do you need a fortune to prepare for emergencies?

The answer is : No

You do not need to, but do things over time. Focus on what area’s in your prepping need the most focus on. Maybe you do not have a lot of water storage or you do not have bug-out bags ready. Whatever it is, focus on that one area before moving on to the next.