The First Step In Prepping On A Budget
Well, you want to know how to begin prepping on a budget and that’s exactly what we are going to cover! It can seem overwhelming with the number of things that are needed when prepping in general. There is always something else that would make you’re prepping just that bit better. That being said, if you follow a step-by-step plan you will find yourself being prepared without breaking the bank! So you can learn how to start prepping on a budget!
Making A Plan
It always helps to have a plan in every aspect of life. The same can be said for prepping. The first thing you should be on the lookout for is what you already have. It is something that is far too often overlooked!
You want to make sure you have a first aid kit, water, and any medical supplies. This should be able to last at least three days at the minimum.
So take a look around and you might be surprised at how much you already have or how much you need to get.
Do Not Do This
If you know you have these three things and at least a few days worth then you need to not keep them separated. If you have gallons of water downstairs and medications or water somewhere else that is not good.
Think if something were to happen and you only have a few minutes or less. Every minute and second can make all the difference! So having everything together is such a simple step. It also will further enforce that these items are for prepping and not for your normal everyday use.
Your Health
This is something that is far overlooked far to often when prepping. The vast majority of natural disasters or any dangerous situation will require you to be in good shape. Your chances of survival increase incredibly when you take care of yourself.
This doesn’t mean you need to be a fitness expert but staying active and working out at least three times a week will get you there. When disaster strikes be that man-made such as rioting or natural you will be in situations that will rely on your physical prowess.
Something could go wrong that you did not foresee and now you have to deal with it. When you take care of your body you will be doing one of if not the most important types of prepping that you can do on a budget.
Having A Bug Out Bag Ready On A Budget
In a survival situation, every second counts. That’s why it’s so important to have a bug out bag ready to go at a moment’s notice. But if you’re on a tight budget, you might be wondering how to put together a survival kit without breaking the bank.
You need to know when its time to bug out. One of the worst things that can happen is finding yourself bugging out to late!
One of the most important things to include in your bug out bag is water. You can’t survive without it, and it’s one of the items that can be hardest to find in a disaster. Fortunately, there are ways to cheaply and easily stockpile water for an emergency. For example, you can buy large containers of water from the store or fill up old soda bottles with tap water. If you have a little more money to spend, you can even invest in a water filter or purification system.
Non-Perishable
Another essential item for your bug out bag is food. Again, you can’t survive without it, so it’s important to have enough food for several days in your kit. Non-perishable items like energy bars and canned goods are great for survival situations. You can also include items like jerky or dried fruit for a little variety. If you’re really on a tight budget, you can even try survival food hacks like vacuum sealing your own.
When putting together a survival kit doesn’t have to break the bank. You can often find survival gear on sale or even second-hand. And there are plenty of ways to save money without sacrificing safety.
Canned Food
Dried fruit, jerky and energy bars are great things to have when prepping. You can by them cheaply and stock up on them over time. When it comes to make sure you have food I would set your sights to canned food.
It stems from the fact that canned food can last years if stored in a cool and dark area. In a natural disaster for example they are less likely to be contaminated as they are already sealed in steel or aluminum. This is a lot stronger than lets say a box of cereal or an energy bar.
In survival situations, canned food is often overlooked in favor of more “traditional” survival foods like energy bars and dried goods. However, canned food has a number of advantages that make it worth considering for your survivalist kitchen. For one, canned food has a long shelf life and can be stored for years without going bad.
This is especially important in the event of a long-term disaster, where food supplies may be limited. Canned food is usually more budget-friendly than other survival foods, making it a good option if you’re on a tight budget. Finally, canned food is often more calorie-dense than other survival foods, meaning it will help you stay fueled during a long hike or emergency situation. So next time you’re stocking your survival kit, don’t forget to add some cans to your bug out bag.
Where I would start prepping with food if starting from scratch
You can buy so many different types of high calorically dense foods that are canned, for cheap. Cheap prepping doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on quality in the slightest.
If I was starting out with no canned food stored I would start with the following:
- 10 cans of chilli
- 10 cans of beans
- 10 cans of beef
- 10 cans of tuna
- 10 cans of peas
- 10 cans of tomatoes
- 10 cans of different types of vegetables
- 5 cans of corn
- 10 cans of chickpeas
This would be a good start to your survival prepping when it comes to canned food.
In addition
Pasta-Pasta is cheap so buying lots of it for your prepping is another great thing to add to your list
- 100 pounds of rice
- 10 cans of Lentils
You now would have different food combinations that could last awhile, and cheaply.
Rice
I absolutely love rice because of how cheap it is and is such a high-calorie food item that you can add to many different things.
In a survival situation, rice is an excellent food to have on hand. It’s cheap, high in calories, and can be stored for long periods of time without going bad. Rice is also relatively easy to cook, even in primitive conditions. For these reasons, rice is a staple of many survival and disaster kits.
In an apocalyptic scenario, rice would be an essential part of your food storage. Since it’s so cheap and calorie-dense, it would help stretch your budget and make your food last longer. Rice is also compact and light, making it easy to transport if you need to bug out. And if you’re worried about cooking fuel, don’t worry – rice can be cooked over an open fire with no problem.
So if you’re looking for a survival food that won’t break the bank, rice is a great option. Make sure to stock up before the next disaster strikes!
Rice is highly versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes, from simple rice and beans to more elaborate dishes. And finally, rice has a long shelf life, meaning that it can be stored for years without going bad
How much rice for one person?
If you are wondering how much rice you would need for one person for a year it would be around a little over a hundred pounds. Keep in mind you will need to have other nutrients with your rice. This could be along with beans, lentils, and chickpeas.
Lentils
You may be thinking of beans but let me tell you lentils are just as good. They are a great alternative when you want to switch things up from beans! They are packed with protein and other essential nutrients. Lentils should be added to a preppers list of foods to get.
Lentils are an inexpensive, nutritious food that can be stored for years without going bad. They’re also easy to cook, even in survival situations. When combined with rice or other grains, lentils make a filling, satisfying meal that will give you the energy you need to keep going. So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly food to add to your survival stockpile, don’t overlook lentils. They just might be the key to your survival.
Figure Out What Matters Most
Water should be the first thing you think of followed by food, shelter, safety.
Water
In a survival situation, water is one of the most important things you can have. While you can live without food for several weeks, you will only survive without water for a few days. That’s why it’s essential to have a reserve of water on hand in case of a disaster. But how much water should you store?
The rule of thumb is to have two gallons of water per person per day. This includes drinking water, but also takes into account water for cooking and hygiene. However, in an apocalyptic scenario where you may need to Bug Out, you may need more than this. If you’re on the move, you’ll want to have at least a three-day supply of water per person. And if you’re bugging out with pets, don’t forget to factor their needs into your calculations as well.
Of course, storing all that water can be expensive. If you’re on a budget, consider ways to stretch your supply. For example, adding dry lentils to soup or rice dishes can help increase the volume without requiring additional water.
You can buy gallons of water fairly cheaply and stock up over time. This would be the best way to budget in water in your prepping. If you want to make a larger investment I would buy a water barrel for your home. The benefit is you could store a lot more water in one barrel and it conserves space. You can easily buy a 55 gallon barrel for around 70 dollars. There are other large options but those require more capital. I would start with gallon water jugs and then over time buy water barrels depending on your budget.
The key thing is to just start and take the steps every month to be more prepared. In one year’s time, you will be amazed by how much you have prepared gradually. So do not get overwhelmed with buying everything at once.
Dried Eggs
Dried Eggs are another great food item that is relatively cheap for what you are getting. There are many online manufacturers of different types of dried and can foods. They tend to be more expensive in my experience.
If starting out and on a budget, I would go to Walmart and buy Augason Farms Gluten-Free Dried Whole Powdered Eggs. The serving size is 72 for 33 dollars. These eggs can last years just as they are.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is the gift that really does keep on giving. You can eat it for breakfast or during the day for more energy. Oatmeal can last years and is high in essential nutrients. You could add some dried fruit, honey and you have a delicious meal that’s cheap and will keep you alive.
Protein Powder
In a survival situation, every bit of nourishment counts. That’s why protein powder is such an essential prepping food item. It may not be the most appetizing survival food, but it packs a serious nutritional punch. Protein powder is a concentrated source of nutrients that can help you stay strong in the face of disaster.
Because it has a long shelf life, it’s a great budget-friendly option for stocking your survival pantry. When combined with other survival foods like lentils, rice, and beans, protein powder can help you create a well-rounded meal that will keep you going in even the most challenging circumstances. So, if you’re looking for survival food that will give you the energy you need to Bug Out and make it through an apocalyptic event, protein powder should definitely be at the top of your list.
Be Honest With Yourself
It can become easy to start justifying things that you really do not need. If you think you will truly need this then buy it. I always keep this in mind as sometimes we buy things that we do not need and in this case for prepping we should only buy what we really need. If we know we are not going to use it then do not buy it.
Additional Food Items
I would look to buy honey as has a long shelf life and has so many benefits. This can be added to meals or treat a sore through. It is definitely something I would recommend buying. If you can spend more then buy a higher quality of honey.
Different kinds of nuts, potato powder, dried milk, cinnamon.
Ammunition
It is important to have security in the form of a firearm in an emergency situation. I would make sure to have enough ammunition to last for a few years. The way I would do this on a budget is to buy ammunition over a year’s time, little by little. You will be surprised at how fast your supplies build. For long-term survival, a rifle is your best choice for its range of capabilities from self-defense to hunting. In a self-defense capacity, a shotgun is another great option for close range.
This will be a personal choice on what you think is right. Make sure you have some type of protection. It is always better to have protection and not need to use it, than not having it when you need it.
Food Storage
The best advice when it comes to food storage for long term and short term storage is the following:
- keep it cool
- keep it dark
- keep it clean
If you do these three things your food storage will do well. If you are looking for long-term food storage then the best option is mylar bags.
Mylar Bags
If you are looking for long term food storage then Mylar Bags are your best option. If you store food correctly in Mylar Bags food can last to 20-30 years. These bags will help your prepping supplies in so many ways. The best way that your prepping supplies will benefit is the life span that the bags enable food last.
Prepping supplies such as flour, rice, beans, and other dried food would be used for these bags. Once the bags have been sealed your prepping supplies will be so much safer. You should then put them in a 5-gallon bucket that has a lid. This is what I do personally.
So if you are looking for how to start prepping on a budget, I hope you now have an idea of where you can start on a budget. What matters most is just starting and keep going. Before you know it, you will have a large stockpile of everything you could need!
