The Family That Preps Together Survives Together!

Winter is here and with winter some risk being snowed in or trapped while skiing. But it's not just winter we have to worry about, natural disasters happen all the time and it's good to be prepared. This is a list of 99 items to buy, and not buy, at the dollar stores to help you survive disasters no matter when they occur. I did not create this list, I found this on the Open Your Eyes People website to which I have provided the link to the actual page. So be safe and be prepared. 

The Family That Preps Together Survives Together!

http://www.emoaf.org/Last-Days-Preparationssurvivalfoodpreppersupplieswhyprep.html

Why Prep?

We can probably all agree that unexpected things can happen. Things like:

·        job loss or a change in economic situation

·        natural disasters like wildfires or earthquakes

·        extreme weather like:

o   hurricanes

o   tornadoes

o   blizzards

o   heatwaves

o   power outages that last longer than normal

o   contamination of the water supply by chemical spills, agricultural run-off, or an issue with the treatment facility and more

None of these events is outrageous, right? In fact, we’ve seen all of them happen, right here in our country, over the past decade. These disasters are an undeniable part of life, and to know you were prepared when it happens will give you and your family a sense of security and relief.

99 Ways to Spend a Buck

Dollar Store Finds for Preppers: the complete list

You never know when hyperinflation might kick in and the dollar stores become the 

$10 Stores! Take advantage of the situation now, while things are still reasonable. The buck stops here with 99 ways to spend a dollar at the dollar stores. Consider this complete list of dollar stores emergency supplies for your preparedness...

99 things to buy at the dollar stores:

Advil (ibuprofen)

Trusted fever / pain reliever. Each tablet has 200 mg of 

Ibuprofen to temporarily reduce fever and relieve minor aches and pains from headaches, colds, arthritis, muscle aches, toothaches, and menstrual cramps.

America's Almanac

Available seasonally, the almanac provides useful tidbits of information and a spring planting guide.

Antacids

Regular strength 500 mg calcium carbonate tablets bring fast relief of sour and upset stomach, acid indigestion, and heart burn. Plus, they’re sodium free, have added calcium, and a great fruit flavor!

Antibiotic Ointment

Triple Antibiotic ointment is made in the U.S.A.

Anti-bacterial Towelettes

Automotive Repair Kits – Hose clamps to splice.

Baking Tins

Many preppers choose a steel baking tin for cooking in their do-it-yourself camping equipment, particularly the bread size is popular for bugout bags. We've also seen preppers file down a cooling rack to create grill to fit into a bugout bag.

Bandages of Different Sizes

Look for quality brands, including Curad.

Bandannas

If you're lucky enough to find them, get them.

Baking Soda for Slugging Pests.

Check out ten uses Preppers have for baking soda. If you can afford it, buy baking soda in bulk at the warehouse stores. You'll pay a whole lot less and get a brand name you trust.

BIC Lighters (or generic)

Have extra fire starters on hand. Ideal for starting fires on high wind conditions.

Boxed Foods

Pasta and rice side dishes are in abundance at the dollar stores.

Bungee Cords

Often an overlooked item, but ideal for bugging out to strap equipment

Cable Ties

Sometimes also called zip ties are ideal for tying gear. Cable ties help keep bicycle wheels in place, plus they're great for household repairs, camping to keep raccoons out, hanging utensils to dry, lashing sticks together, and so much more.

Camping Fuel In A Can (Canned Heat)

Canned fuel is available seasonally or online.

Candles

Emergency candles come packed 6 and each last for 5 hours, look also for jar candles and tea light candles.

Canned Fruits

The unit price is actually around .79 each, and not a dollar!)

Canned Meats (Potted Meats)

Look for a variety of potted meats and meals. The unit price for many of the potted meats is actually .50 each, and not a dollar! Pork and beans is another good find. You probably won't find albacore tuna, but you'll find a nice white chunk tuna. Be sure to buy only the brands made in the United States. Tuna for example, is unregulated in many countries and unethical (it won't be dolphin safe).

Canned Veggies

Unit price is actually around .79 each, and not a dollar! Look for Libby's sliced beets, along with the usual varieties of green beans, corn, sweet peas, potatoes, and mixed veggies).

Can Openers, Manual

Buy extras to stash with your preps). They won't be the best quality, but it's always good to have extras around with your #10 cans.

Car Towels

Super absorbent car towels will go a long way in a life off-grid. You'll wish you stocked up whether you're facing an economic depression or other catastrophe.

Chewing Gum

Where else can you get for or five packs of gum for a buck? Look for gum that contains real sugar. Find out why gum is an essential item for your survival.

Clothesline for the Wooden Clothes Pins

Paracord is better material. Cordage could fill many other needs. Look for braided cord that you can break down into smaller strands.

Clothes Pins (Wooden)

For hanging your laundry in an off grid world. Another handy use of a clothes pin is to help you hold nails to hammer!

Combs

Think of combs as bartering or replacements. They take so little space, so why not stock up? (If you have more room get also some hair brushes.)

Compact Mirror – For a signaling device.

Condiments

Certainly you will find hot sauce to make cooking during the apocalypse more bearable. Look also for chili pepper, Koops mustard, and also Hunts ketchup without high fructose corn syrup.

Cotton Balls and Cotton Rounds

For use in your first aid kit and for fire starting with petroleum jelly.

Cookie Tins – For making your own home-made charcoal.

Cough Drops – Look for Halls Cough drops.

Cutting Boards – Small

Look for red cutting boards from Betty Crocker). These are ideal for camping or for your bugout bag.

Dental Floss – Learn the 25 uses of Dental Floss for survival.

Digital Thermometer

Have a personal thermometer handy for every member of your family. You could almost use them as a disposable thermometer.

Dish Towels

You'll need more than you think for cleaning up in a life off grid, where better to stock up? (Buy a plastic container and fill it up.

Dish Rack

Plastic dish rack, also for off grid dish washing and ideal for camping.

Dish Washing Pans

Rubber, eight quart. You'll need three dishpans: one for a water rinse, one for warm soapy water, and one for bleach rinse (one cap full for the pan).

Dog Food (if you have a dog)

Gravy train is .50 a can (and other name brands come into the store).

Duct Tape

Discover 11+ good uses for duct tape for your survival.

Drop Cloth

Plastic drop cloths for sealing windows and doors on concern of pandemics, also has a myriad of camping uses. Unfortunately, there is a limit of four per person.

Ear Plugs

Ear plugs for discreet comfort while manning firearms.

Elastic Hair Bands

They will last you much longer than rubber bands. Rubber bands are a must for tying long hair for fire starting.

Elastic support bandages

Look for AEC latex-free spandex (made in the U.S.A) by AEC Narrow Fabrics www.ACEnarrowfabrics.com

Emergency Cell Phone Chargers

An emergency cell phone charger for emergency preparedness at a dollar store? Yes!

Epsom Salts

Learn the importance of Epsom salts for preppers and survivalists.

Eyeglass Repair Kit – For repairing eyeglass on the go.

Eyeglass Cleaning Cloth

Eyeglass cleaning cloths are also for sunglasses

Facial Tissues (Small Packs)

Great for the car or the bugout bag.

Facial Tissues, Large

Kleenex and Scott's facial tissues). Always just $1 at the Dollar Tree Store, but more than double the price elsewhere.

Fingernail Cutters

You never know when you’re going to get a hangnail or in a pinch you can use them to cut thin string.

First Aid Paper Tape – For use with gauze.

Flashlights

There are many inexpensive options for flashlights at the dollar stores and it's essential to have extras throughout your home, so long as you can maintain the batteries!

Feminine Pads

Both for feminine hygiene and for first aid. The small sizes are great for this purpose.

Funnel – For canning, and another for fuels.

Gauze – For your first aid kit, available in different sizes.

Gardening and Work Gloves

For tending to your crops, collecting wood and other chores.

Hard Candies

To boost morale and provide energy burst.

Hydrogen Peroxide

You'll need lots to fight infections, but remember hydrogen peroxide has an expiration date.

Hand Sanitizer

Unfortunately, most of the stock comes from China, but hand sanitizer is a necessary for survival and it comes inexpensively at the dollar stores!

Jarred foods

Such as salsa, pickles, olives, asparagus, peppers and the like. Instant ice packs.

Knives (for the sheath)

Pictured right, your best buy for a knife at the dollar stores is the un-serrated edge, as it will last longer. You won't find high-quality knives, but the plastic sheath is worth buying for your good knives! Knives (utility). Get an inexpensive Exacto Knife or Tool bench utility knives

Latex Dishwashing Gloves

Good for all kinds of things not just washing dishes.

Latex Medical Exam Gloves

For dealing with medical emergencies and pandemics, provided your prepping household does not have any allergies.

Lip Balms

To retain moisture in your lips when water is in short supply. Look for name brands such as Chapstick and Blistex.

Lotions

To help you keep moisture in your body when water is in short supply. Magnifying glass. Again, a fire starter option and available inexpensively at the Dollar Stores.

Matches (small size and large pack)

Extra matches will be a welcome addition to your preps. Store them in a watertight container. Small packs for the bugout bag. You'll find the boxes themselves will also be a source of tinder.

Mesh Laundry Bag

A mesh laundry bag is a lightweight way to store items in your bugout bag. Mesh is ideal to help clean your pots and pans in a bugout scenario. You can hang your cookware out to dry for camping.

Nails and Screws

Petroleum Jelly 
For use as a fire starter with cotton. Petroleum jelly is the same as the name brand Vaseline.

Plastic Food Containers

Look for Rubber maid, which is at least 100% cheaper than the same thing at the grocery stores.

Playing Cards

You'll need something to do so you won't get bored.

Plastic Shoe Box Containers

Make your own Dollar Store Kit for the car. Be sure to look for boxes that seal well, as some are flimsy.

Rain Poncho – In case it rains.

Rubbing Alcohol

Look for the highest percentage of alcohol you can 80-90% is best.

Safety Pins

Get 100 safety pins for $1 when elsewhere they will cost you three times as much. Safety pins are a prepper favorite for bugout bags and key rings.

Salt with Iodine

Salt has many uses for preppers and you get two for .50 cents.

Scrub Buddies (Plastic)

For dishes for scouring pots and pans.

Sewing Kit

The tiny sewing kits also include tiny scissors.

Shoe Laces or Leathers

Always pack extra shoe laces in your bugout bag. They are ideal cordage and come in handy when you need it for long treks.

Soaps (Liquid Soaps)

Look for SoftSoap (made in the U.S.A.). This is a great everyday bargain. Normally they are more than double the price at ordinary stores.

Soaps (Bar Soaps)

Tried and true, and ideal for when the liquids run out, you'll find bar soaps are ideal for any survival situation economic or health related. Ivory soap is a classic, tried and true brand, but look also for other soaps gentle on the skin without perfumes or dyes.

Socks

It's always a good idea to carry extra socks, because you're sure to run out of them when laundry goes off the grid. Dry, clean socks will help prevent blisters. Ideally, look for wool socks for your bugout bags.

Solar Lights

Just in case you need some extra light.

Spices.

The dollar stores are ideal for purchasing chili powder, cinnamon, oregano, basil and parsley.

Steel Wool

Also for scrubbing, but ideal for so many prepper uses. Armed with steel wool and a 9-volt battery, you can start a fire.

Sponges

Sugar (Pure Cane Sugar & Brown Sugar)

Look for Domino or C&H pure cane sugars.

Super Glue

To fix an innumerable things you'll inevitably break when you won't be able to buy it again.

Sun Hat

For just a buck you can cover your head. Ideal to stuff in a bugout bag and forget about.

Toothbrushes

They are double the price everywhere else!). Toothpaste if you don't mind the fluoride. Learn the dangers of fluoride!

Tote Bags

Sturdy tote bags will help you haul all sorts of gear and are a lightweight way to carry fruits, such as apples and lemons, which you may need in food foraging.

Travel Bottles

Mark with a Sharpie the contents: rubbing alcohol, bleach, dish soap, etc.

Twine

You'll use twine for the garden, choose paracord for outdoor survival.

Utility Pail – Buckets are cheap at the dollar stores!

Water

You'll find plenty of bottled water (jug bottles and six-packs). Why pay more than a buck for bottled water six packs? Look for Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water by the jug or bottles.

Wet Wipes

Wet wipes / diaper wipes are a good find for sanitation. Just beware they dry quickly, so replenish your stock and don't keep them too long in your hot car. If they dry, remember you can add a bit of water to moisten them up for use.

So there you have it: 99 ways to spend bucks. It's prepping on the cheap! Print this list and take it with you next time you shop for essential prepping items. You only need a few bucks in your hand for emergency supplies at the Dollar Stores.

What NOT To Buy At The Dollar Stores

With all this said, here are a few suggestions of what NOT to buy at the dollar store for self-reliance. Please for your survival:

Skip the Skippy

You really need to be a label reader when it comes to peanut butter. Skippy Peanut butter may be your favorite, but it has hydrogenated oils, which will kill you. Peanut butter should have peanuts, oil and salt.

Glow Sticks

Glow somewhere else. Stay away from the glow sticks (found cheaper at Michael's Art supply) and bleach, which you'll find in larger quantities and on sale elsewhere.

Bleach

Don't clean the shelves for bleach at the Dollar Stores: bulk up on bleach somewhere else. Buy in bulk elsewhere because most bleaches at the dollar stores are watered down and come in much smaller sizes. Where ever you buy bleach, avoid scented bleach which has chemicals. The scented varieties are unsuitable for purifying your water, though they will certainly still be useful in prepping for pandemics. Also, bleach will expire in about six months!

Common sense never expires!

Watch the expiration dates and the dollar stores. Even hydrogen peroxide and bleach has an expiration date. Spices also expire! Don't buy anything that won't last at least a year.

Steer clear of the "seedy" deals.

Don't get suckered into buying seeds. Sure, they're just .25 cents, but they may not plant in the Spring and they might be GMO. Instead, buy Burpee seeds, which are made in the U.S.A. Go heirloom and plant survival seeds.

Batteries

A battery of tests proves that shouldn't buy batteries from the dollar stores. Refrain from buying batteries as they are cheap carbon zinc or chloride and not lithium alkaline.

Bad batteries can leak and destroy your equipment, so it's worth going with a brand name you trust. Consumer Reports adds that your "energy hungry devices" are better off with a brand such as Energizer.

Dollar Stores Battery price doesn't "add up: to savings. Blogger Marlene Alexander did the math and it's not worth it to buy batteries from the dollar stores.

Stay away from "made in China" products as best you can.

Support American made whenever possible! Refrain from buying generic medicines and vitamins, which may go unregulated and are usually made in China. Look for American made.

Flush the temptation to buy the toilet paper.

It's always filled with unhealthy powders to bulk the roll into looking like there's more on the tube. You're better off getting one roll of Scott's Toilet Paper (1000 sheets). Left, you'll get 27 rolls of Scott 1000 Bath Tissue for under $20.

Shopping the dollar stores is the cheapest and fastest thing you can do for your survival. Grab some things today!

***** All information provided is fair-use and given for the purpose of nonprofit, research, news-reporting, commentary and educational purposes to contribute and enrich society. God bless you!

99 List believed to be compiled by: http://www.happypreppers.com/99-ways.html