I tend to look at preparedness overly complex. Solar panels, inverters, walkie-talkies, 2M ham radio, HF ham radio, single-sideband CB, scanners, LED CREE flashlights with backup chargers, etc. Some of this stuff might be more expensive than complicated but you get my drift.
Preparedness really doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve been thinking about the saying – “beans, bullets, and band-aids”. That’s pretty simple. Stockpile extra food, buy a shotgun with some extra ammo and have medical supplies to handle general injuries. Not very complicated.
Some of my favorite preparedness items:
- Fresnel Lens – love these things. If the sun is out it is so easy to start a fire given the right flammable source. They are flexible, durable, and easily fit in any pack.
- Matches – so cheap and a lifetime supply can be put back in a plastic tote.
- Aluminum foil – so many uses and difficult to find any kind of substitute for. Available at the Dollar Store.
- Plastic sheeting – available at Wally World in the paint section. This can be used in a variety of ways including expedient shelter. There are different thicknesses. Don’t get too thin or it tears easily.
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste – another Dollar Store trip can get years worth of brushes and toothpaste for $20.00.
- Soda Bottles – soft drink containers can be rinsed out and reused to store water.
- 5-gallon buckets – there are entire books dedicated to bucket projects.
- Triple antibiotic ointment – yup…Dollar Store. Stuff works great.
- Pens/pencils
- Cord – doesn’t have to be paracord but any kind of cordage/line is extremely useful.
- Zip Ties – tons of uses and they are so cheap.
There’s a thousand more to add to the list. Come on – what do you think?
Rourke
There are many reasons why so many love their Kindle and Amazon Fire tablets. One huge advantage is you could literally go years without every buying a book to read as there are tons of free eBooks available. Don’t have a Kindle or Fire? No problem. There are apps that can be installed on most any cell phone or computer for free. No excuses!
Today’s Freebies
Survival Guide: A Beginner’s Guide to Help You Survive in the Forest
Safe House: Build and Manage Your Secure Survival Home
On the Cheap…..
NOTE: If you see a free preparedness eBook that you’re interested in get it now. Prices change often and there is no way to tell how long the book will remain free. Before purchasing a free Kindle book on Amazon make certain the book is still free by making sure the price is $0.00. If it lists a price or says “read for free” or has a price for prime members the book is not free anymore.