Tax season is well underway and as a result, many receive refunds of varying amounts and provide an opportunity to better positions on preps. In 2019 the average tax refund was well over $2500. If one is lucky enough to receive even half that amount and a decision is made to put it towards preps – what could the money be spent on?
Everyone’s list will be different due to numerous reasons such as geography, level of current preparations, and the targeted event preparing for. Taking advantage of these “extra” funds could mean adding to an area that is truly lacking such as pandemic supplies. Maybe there’s a backpack you’ve picked out for a GHB or you need to add a few magazines to the stash.
****Note: This post was revised in March of 2020. Many items have an elevated demand at this time so please double check pricing before ordering.
Here are a few suggested preparedness ideas:
Food Storage:
20 Lbs Rice – $10 at Walmart(grab 5)
Tools:
Helko Werk 4.5 Lb. Felling Axe – $169 Beautiful, gorgeous axe
Gerber Suspension Multi-Pliers – $26 Useful tool to keep in a get home bag or BOB
NyQuil Cold and Flu Medicine – $10 Highly recommended to help with the symptoms of flu
Renogy 100 watt Solar Panel Starter Kit – $195 Great kit to get started!!
Nikon BDC .223 3-9X40 AR Scope – $195 Calibrated for the .223/5.56. Nikon quality.
3V Paratus 3 Day Backpack – $75 Well made, respected, and budget-friendly
NiteCore Battery Charger – $20 Nitecore has excellent quality and does a fantastic job.
Natures Way Black Elderberry Gummies – $12 Supports immune system
So – what would you get?
JR
Ever since I got my first tax refund, a significant part of it has gone towards nonperishable foods and household goods. We do use some of it through the course of the year, but it’s also given us a strong base to fall back on in time of need. We make lists in advance of everything we want, then we pare it down to what’s most practical. With careful planning, you can both shop online and hit the sales at your local stores. Without using our tax refund, we wouldn’t have nearly as many goods stashed away. We didn’t get anything “fun” this year (a brief hospitalization and new mattresses took most of it), but we do have enough supplies in the house to cover the better part of a year without having to go shopping. I’ll take that peace of mind over a vacation or electronic toy any day!
What would I get, well it certainly would NOT be the Tecsun PL-360 AM/FM/Shortwave Radio, yes it’s a great receiver, but it will NOT to SSB. Spend a few bucks more and get the CountyComm GP5 SSB model. http://www.countycomm.com/gp5ssb.html
It’s $75.00 but it is the BEST small SSB receiver on the market. Also, while you are there spring for an extra collapsible antenna ($6.95) and the padded case ($16.85)
I have both of these receivers (Bought the PL-360 on Amazon thinking it was the same as the GP5 but cheaper), they both work fine but the GP5 will let you listen to the “big boys” on SSB to really find out what’s going on.
Tex
and AR clone base model .. and add some goodies as I can .. likely DPMS .. possible Smith and Wesson.. that’d leave about $300.00 .. since I don’t own 5.56 anymore it’d go to that likely.
I like the 300 watt wind turbine though .. may need to take a look .. I have the perfect place to put one or two .. and it would be almost on top of the battery farm ..
so I shuolda looked at it first .. it’s a solar panel not a turbine as I assumed .. sorry .. the video thing I see in the response back above was a result of entering “300” hmm wed site look up ? still like the idea of adding 300 Watts though.. and still have a good spot.
nothing, because I don`t get a tax return
I’d get some MRE’s. More freeze dried food. I’d like to have a ham radio and a few Baofeng handhelds. Unfortunately no refund, I owe, I owe! Keep Looking UP