As crazy as it seems, some people make prepping harder than it has to be. Learning skills can be hard, but the end rewards are so worth it. The work can be hard, but the pay off is that jobs get done and you have accomplished something for the future.
However...preppers still need stuff. We can produce a lot of our own things and survive just fine. We still need the items that will make survival easier now and, heaven forbid, if anything bad happens. We need things to keep our lifestyle simpler and easier if something happens.
Over the eight years or so that I have been prepping, I have some things that I buy almost every month. Some months when the budget is tight, I might not purchase any of these. Then I appreciate having these things on hand!
Below is my list of things I buy every month. I don't make one big trip and buy all these things in one trip. I add them to my cart at the grocery store, department store, online shopping, and whatnot. I spend a little bit every shopping trip or online order to spread out the cost over the month.
10 Preparedness Items You Should Be Buying Every Month
1. Canning lids, rings, and jars. I buy canning lids every month. Without fail. At least 3-4 packs of them. I pick up canning rings and jars when I have more room in the budget. I don't really think you can have too many of these things.
2. Soap in any form: bar soap, body wash, dish soap, laundry detergent, castile soap, all-purpose soap, disinfectant soap, etc. I usually buy at least 2-3 things of soap every month. Castile soap is probably my favorite soap, but I keep a good variety at home. I really don't think one can have too much soap when you have kids, have a garden, and have livestock. Staying clean is a good thing.
3. Toilet paper. Enough said. I really don't want to be without it.
4. Paper, pens, and pencils. Especially paper. I write a lot down just to remember it. My kids use a fair amount of paper, pens, and pencils for school even though they have computers. We use paper and pencils to draw and to entertain. Paper is important.
5. Ammo - whether ammo for guns, arrows for bows, refill cartridges for anything else. Really, this can not be understated. I also think if you buy a little every month, you might not draw as much attention to yourself.
6. Food that will store well: salt, rice, beans, honey, spices, etc. Again, enough said. Food is more than important. It is necessary. Learning how to cook long storing food is a necessary skill. We need food and water.
7. First aid items and medicine. I buy ibuprofen and/or naproxen every month as well as 2-3 first aid items every month without fail. I don't want to be without it even though I have plenty of natural remedies on hand too. Something you just need the little pill to take the aches away.
8. Seeds. I realize you might not be able to find these every month. As soon as they come into the stores, I start buying. I look for seeds that will actually produce food like squash, beans, peas, carrots, etc. I do not buy flower seeds unless they are edible. During the winter, I buy packages of heirloom seeds already packaged in mylar and oxygen absorbers. I have a garden already, but if you don't, please get one started. Gardening is a skill you can't be without.
9. Water. As important as life itself. You need water and liquids to stay hydrated. You and I will not live long without fluids. Enough said.
10. Reading materials and reference materials. I think this is underestimated by a lot of people, but a good reference library is necessary. As much as I have learned about everything, I still look up things. IN BOOKS. Whoa. I also keep books for enjoyment and to relieve stress. Maybe someday, the internet might be not as reliable or may be heavily censored. You might just want to have a paper copy of things you want to remember.
This is my list of things I find necessary to stock up on every month. I find other things necessary to have too, but this list is my buy every month list. Your list might look different and that is okay!
What do you stock up on every month?
Thanks for reading,
Erica
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Thank you for making this list. I always need a reminder and this will definitely help.
ReplyDeletemay i suggest that your seeds be non-hybrid/non-gmo, and purchased from a regional seller who grows out their own seeds in your area. hybrid seeds produce more food than heirlooms under industrial conditions but we don't have industrial conditions. big box stores may purchase from far away, where the seeds are not adapted to our local conditions. and buying local helps to assure that local guys stay in business and are able to sell to us when we need their products.
ReplyDeleteI agree toilet paper is a good stockpile, but think about flushable wipes. Less space, multiple usages. Something to think about.
ReplyDeleteJust please don't flush those wipes down the toilet. They have a plastic reinforcement that makes them strong and not biodegradeable. Cities everywhere have problems with flushable wipes clogging their pipes. Dispose in the trash please!
DeleteDefinitely agree. There's no such thing as a flushable wipe they still back up the sewage system. Dispose of in a bin if you absolutely have to use them. As washable cloth is a better choice
DeleteI use coupons and look for buy one, get one free sales. Also, can't have too many water filters.
ReplyDeleteI have all of the items. One very important item you have left off the list is fire. You will need matches, flint, a magnifying glass, some way to make a fire to be able to cook your food which, of course, requires the ability to cook on a fire. If you have a propane camp stove, great! But you will need propane and that is a commodity that will eventually be gone. Skills and practice are needed; books are info but you must put that knowledge to use. And remember fire is used for more than just cooking, warmth is very important for survival.
ReplyDeleteGood suggestions. I'm going with a homemade bio-stove made from an IKEA product, like a hobo stove. Looked on YouTube for hobo stoves. Mine works well, burning small deadfall sticks, twigs, etc.
DeleteI have been browsing on-line greater than three hours these days, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you did, the internet will probably be a lot more helpful than ever before. premium seo services
ReplyDeleteSalt & Epsom salt, matches, pads/tampons.
ReplyDeleteINDEED👍
DeleteForget buying pads and tampons and buy a menstrual cup! One thing, takes up about 3 sq inches of space, lasts 10 years.
DeleteI'm past that thank God, but I would suggest washable napkins and belt. Just mho.
DeleteFirst aid supplies, hydrogen peroxide, 90% alcohol, OTC meds , antibiotics.
ReplyDeleteGood list. I was wondering if you could give us your list of reading/reference material that you recommend.
ReplyDeleteGet the FOXFIRE book series. There is an awful lot of very useful basic living skills and ideas in those books. Also, go to thrift stores and look for the READER'S DIGEST 'how to' books. You can get the sewing guide, off grid living guide, planting a garden guide, etc. Storey's also have a great go to book for being more self sufficient, too. I started a small reference library with books I've bought at yard sales, thrift stores, and some from Amazon and EBAY. And Definitely get the BALL HOME PRESERVING complete guide, it is awesome!
DeleteFlushable wipes are not really "flushable." When the RotoRooter man pulled a large wad of my wife's "flushable" wipes from our plugged sewer drain, he said "flushable" wipes were 20 to 40% of his business. Yes, wipes can be useful, even desirable, but think twice about the "flush" because when SHTF, you may not have the luxuray of that "flush." Get a covered, leak proof bucket as a backup.
ReplyDeleteThey are especially bad for septic systems as well. I learned that the hard way!!!!
DeleteGood quality paper towels,laundry will/May be difficult.
ReplyDeleteasd
ReplyDeleteAwesome ideas, books, reference books, read them! We all need to know and or remember our survival skills. Excellent advice, fire skills, water filters, walkie talkies, batteries, radios, ammo, all may unfortunately be needed. Canned goods, honey, etc. Well you get the idea. Thanks so much for your article, knowledge is power!
ReplyDeleteGet Tattler lids. They are reusable for canning. They are not affected by high acid foods. No rust. Just wash and reuse. They are a bit pricey but it the long run it will pay off. Especially when regular lids are no longer available. It is a great product.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget your pets ... food, snacks, medicine, whatever you currently use whether it's a large dog or a tiny fish ...
ReplyDeleteMake your own bladder pads from left over flannel from a sewing project. Make a pattern from the store bought kind. Cut out two pieces of flannel. Sew. Throw in washer, as needed.
ReplyDeleteDhayney@aol.com
Don’t forget garbage bags to dispose of any sort of waste. There are also bio degradable bags.
ReplyDeleteI no longer use Ibuprofen because it has side effects. I go to my garden for pain remedies. Rosemary soothes aches and pains, just cut it and rub it on! Really! There's mint for indigestion, lavender for sleep, and ginger tea works for sore throats. (I could go on!) A well-stocked garden really is your best friend in a crisis.
ReplyDeleteWeekly must-have? Lemons.
In October, your #1 item now is right up there with Ammo on the scarcity level. You can be somewhat prepared and have a mixture of things or make the mistake of going 'all in' on one area and when you go to bulk up on the other, you find out either the far seeing people already got them or the public Panic Purchased everything and it's empty shelves again. Thanks for the list and personal examples.
ReplyDeleteAmmo, really? I can think of a hundred items more necessary than that.
ReplyDeleteNot if someone with a gun comes looking at all of your stored supplies because the stores are empty.
DeleteRidiculousness! LOL
ReplyDeleteYou can laugh all you want about ammo, but if you live in the country you will understand that most of these people aren't just being funny, that nearly all of them are trying to be serious, and help you.
DeleteGreetings. On the topic of paper (for writing purposes), I routinely save envelopes from received mail, labels from food cans, and the peel-off sheets from feminine products. All are perfect for shopping lists, chore lists, notes to self, memos to other family members, and miscellaneous reminder notes of all kinds. Also, jotting down recipes from favourite cooking shows. The envelopes generally provide more useful writing surface if cut open and turned inside-out. Thank you for your thoughtful list of essential items, and please do not be discouraged by any feedback from those who do not (yet!) relate to your concerns. All the best to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteI love reading what others stock up on. No one person thinks of everything. I thought liquor stores would be empty during the pandemic - that didn't happen. Guns and ammo were scarce - expected that. TP, paper towels, sanitizer, etc. - easy to stock up on these in advance, I'll be ready next time. Things I didn't expect: flour, sugar, rice and instant mashed potatoes were very scarce where I live. Due to mask making, there was no elastic to be had, didn't see that one coming. My biggest concern is taking care of my pets and prescription drugs for myself. May a long SHTF event never happen.
ReplyDeleteI love reading what others stock up on. No one person thinks of everything. I thought liquor stores would be empty during the pandemic - that didn't happen. Guns and ammo were scarce - expected that. TP, paper towels, sanitizer, etc. - easy to stock up on these in advance, I'll be ready next time. Things I didn't expect: flour, sugar, rice and instant mashed potatoes were very scarce where I live. Due to mask making, there was no elastic to be had, didn't see that one coming. My biggest concern is taking care of my pets and prescription drugs for myself. May a long SHTF event never happen.
ReplyDeleteTo all the people who believe that owning guns is essential; I'd like to ask you a few questions:
ReplyDelete1) Do you believe all ______ people are thieves and rapists?
2) When do you expect someone will try to rob you?
3) Have you told everyone that you're a prepper?
4) Are you worried that we might be hit with an EMP attack?
Not all _____ people are criminals. If you do not publicize that you own valuable stuff; no one will be tempted to rob you. Not telling everyone that you're a prepper is the best protection. If an EMP weapon is so powerful; WHY HASN'T ANYONE USED ONE YET?
Violence for the sake of it and rape aside for a moment, the fact is most people can and will become a thief to survive. In a desperate situation, your neighbors (and even some of your friends) won't be the same people they are when things are going well. It is nearly impossible to hide the fact that you are a valuable target from everyone at all times. This is the way it is, ignore or disbelieve these truths at your own risk.
DeleteNow add in the lack of law enforcement services in a disaster, and violence and rape becomes a threat as well (consider the chaos in New Orleans post-Katrina, violent crime and looting increased significantly in the days after the storm)
We haven't been hit with an EMP attack for two main reasons. 1) An effective EMP attack requires a sophisticated nuclear ICBM to be detonated at a specific altitude to accomplish a wide-area EMP. The adversaries most willing to actually use against us (ISIS, NK, etc.) do not currently have the means to do so. 2) The adversaries capable of using one know that our own nuclear strike capabilities are EMP-hardened. This means that we would be able to determine who hit us and would still have the ability to strike back. A nuclear exchange is simply not in the best interest of China, Russia, or any other potential adversary who could actually pull off an EMP attack.
You are not speaking from experience or knowledge. I don't have nice things and don't brag about guns. My house was robbed 2× last year and our guns & ammo were stolen from the gun cabinet,and our stockpile, solar panels and battery, fuel reserves, and radio were taken. Drug addicts don't care what you have, they want it.
DeleteGuns can be used for more than killing people. Personally my family hunt for our food so rifles and ammunition along with arrows for both the bow and crossbow are a must for us. Plus we live in the middle of no where and have preditors that we have to worry about because we have children and animals.
Delete