5 Ways to Prepare on a Budget[2020]

Note: This article was written some time ago and I am republishing it with some updates. As hot as many of us are right now with summer still well underway, winter is just a few months away. It’s no exaggeration that 2020 has been one helluva year and is not over yet. Who knows what is in store as the year comes to an end, elections are held, and the future becomes the present? Regardless – if you are reading this you’re already ahead of the curve. I have tremendous faith in the “1776 community” that you all are very aware of what is going on and have taken steps to get ready. Still have more to do? Don’t we all!

Zombie apocalypse. Crimewave. Race War. World War. Economic collapse. EMP. Pandemic. Hurricane. Massive winter storm. Invasion of the Smurfs. The reasons people prepare vary but what we should all agree on is bad things happen to good people. Preparedness is common sense. One of the biggest challenges to preparing is doing so while on a budget. Most people do not have the resources to go out and buy massive quantities of food, firearms, and other supplies.

If you are on a strict budget and struggle to find extra funds for supplies here are a few ideas that may help:

5 Ways to Prepare on a Budget

1. Shop Sales & Buy in Bulk – Overall, food prices are fairly inexpensive, although they are on the rise. Shopping sales and discount stores can provide increased buying power allowing more to be bought for the same amount of money. Couponing can also save money, however, be aware that coupons are promoting the purchase of name brand products – which typically are higher priced. Using coupons on products that are also on sale can provide deep, deep discounts.

Grocery stores often throw out big sales such as “Buy One, Get One Free”, and even “Buy One, Get Two Free” at times. Seasonal sales around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Summer can put certain products available at very low prices. Realize the reasoning for grocery stores doing this is to lure you in so you will buy products that are NOT on sale and they make can make the most margin.

Stores such as SAM’s and Costco offer bulk products like rice and beans at extremely good prices. Purchasing a 25-lb bag of rice for under $10 is common. This is a lot of food for very little money.

Non-food items can also be purchased on sale. Discount stores such as Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and even the Dollar Tree can be goldmines for purchasing inexpensive supplies while stocking up. Websites like Craigslist can be a good source for budget-friendly supplies such as propane heaters, camp stoves, tents, and army surplus. eBay can be a useful budget-friendly source for preparedness supplies. Amazon continues to offer almost anything you can imagine at extremely competitive rates.

2. Repurpose and Fix Up – It is almost an art form the way people can take one item – such as an old, used door – and turn it into something like a rugged table for storage of supplies. Craigslist is a good source for what most would consider “scrap”. Construction sites are another. Driving around neighborhoods there are often piles of stuff being thrown out that is gold for the right person for the right project. An old, used grill for FREE is a good example. Grab that grill, fix it up – and now you have an off-grid cooking method for very little money.

Scrap wood from new home building can be repurposed for building raised garden beds. I’ve seen tillers sitting on the edge of yards because they no longer work. For someone who needs a garden tiller – pick it up and get on YouTube to see how to fix it. Often there are step by step instructions on how to do most anything.

3. Gain Knowledge –

With access to the Internet, information is basically free(other than time). Add a printer and survival & preparedness binders can be great for the cost of ink cartridges. Using an Amazon Fire and a microSD card a survival library can be created very inexpensively. With reading and research, a huge about of knowledge can be obtained for little to no money. This is very valuable.

There are courses on first aid, mechanics, welding, auto repair, and all kinds of other skills available at local trade schools. Financial aid is frequently available.

4. Invest Time –

Using your time to prepare likely costs nothing. Organizing supplies, performing inventories, and even prepping your land is extremely valuable and very affordable. Using the time to develop and practice skills is time well spent. Those on a budget can do so for little to no money.

Examples of tasks that largely take only time:

• Programming ham radios such as the Baofeng UV-5R.
• Saving seeds from your garden.
• Go out and walk/exercise.
• Practice tying different knots.
• Create an emergency binder filled with important information such as insurance policies, names, addresses, phone numbers, pictures, etc.
• Take photos of your property in case of fire or some other disaster and insurance needs to be filed.
• Make a checklist in case you need to bug out. The checklist will serve to make sure you do not forget anything in a stressful situation.

5. Gardening – 

Gardening is one of the most important activities to learn and practice. Seeds are extremely cheap. Using time and labor to work the soil, water, and grow your own food is so rewarding. It also does not have to involve a lot of money(although the option is always there).

If the land is available for in-ground gardening this is ideal. Regardless – raised beds can be created from purchased wood or rocks found out in the woods. Buckets can be used to grow vegetables where space is in short supply. The point being is anyone – including those on a very low budget – can garden and start to learn.

There are challenges to prepping on a budget but it is achievable. Those efforts can pay dividends not just when a disaster hits but in everyday life as well.

Take care all.

Rourke