Start with what you already have. Stocking up with essential supplies can get expensive. We’ll recommend the biggest value (not always cheapest) items for your bag. When possible, take inventory of what you already own.
- Your Kitchen
- Stocking a reserve food supply doesn’t require you to build another room in your basement. Look in your pantry for things that don’t perish quickly and make a list. Next time you are at the grocery store buy another one. When you run out of the open peanut butter, you’ll have a brand new one at your disposal saving you from having to run out to the store on a cold December morning. Just remember to replace anything you are actively using on your next grocery run.
- Be a frugal shopper. You don’t have to get all of your rations at once, but if something is on sale at your grocery store and you can save money or get a gift card when buying 3 or more, do it.
- Your Office
- I like to keep a copy of important papers on a flash drive. The deed to your house, copy of drivers license, birth certificates, blank check, passports, credit cards, important numbers or addresses, etc.
- This sensitive information should be encrypted on the flash drive in case it falls into the wrong hands. Learn more about encrypting your flash drives here.
- If you’re like me, you probably have a box or bag of extra USB cables, wall adapters, rubber bands, headphones and more. Again, make use of the EXTRA supplies you already have first.
- Your Bedroom
- I have socks, underwear, and shirts I haven’t worn in years just hanging out in drawers. Sometimes they don’t fit perfectly or the elastic bands may be bunching up but you can’t bring yourself to throwing them away. Use these items to stash away in your go bags.
- Your Closet
- As a fisherman, I have 7 button down shirts that have SPF and are quick dry. I rarely wear more than 1 or two before they get cleaned in the wash. The ones I don’t wear usually have dried fish blood spots and just aren’t my first choice so they never leave the hanger. These are perfect for your go bag(s). Same goes for your old flannels.
- I go through my closet once a year in the winter and update/upgrade my go bag. Additionally, if you come across something you can’t remember wearing in the last year and can’t find a place for it in your go bag, consider donating it to a Veteran here.
- In the case where you are bugging out and need to make a fresh start, consider including an old (but nice) button down, tie, slacks, and shoes. You can always ditch these items quickly if their utility isn’t high enough in your evaluation of the situation at hand. Use common sense.
Any time I buy something new for every day life, I look at what I’m replacing and ask myself if this could be a key item in a go bag I already have or for a new bag I’m building to stash away. For example, did you just get a new pair of running shoes? Take your old pair and add them to your office go bag. You don’t want to get stuck running for your life in loafers.
Buy in bulk when you can and help a friend or family member get prepared.
Most of the time you can get a discount buying things in multiple quantities. Bulk is key for supplies like food rations to save some money, but bulk can also mean buying something in a pack of 3 as opposed to just 1. For example, if you determined that you need a headlamp, buy a 3 pack instead of just one. I just saw this at my local Home Depot and the savings was $7. Take the extra headlamps and place them around the house or give them as a gift.
Get thrifty at your local Good Will, Dollar Store, or the ~$1 travel items at Target.
Second hand stores can be a great resource for stocking up on gear. I’ve found a backpack, flannel, lightweight pants, metal canteen, playing cards, and compass on the cheap. No need to buy something new when you can get it for a fraction of the cost. Need a rain pancho, compact towel, or can opener? Get one fore a $1 at your dollar store. Target’s travel bin is another reasonably priced option for lightweight and small items to add to your go bag like shampoo, sunscreen, toothbrush, first aid kit, bug repellent and more.