First let me say thanks to the visitors that have been reading the blog, I'm going to be updating it every couple of days with new information and options for your emergency kits, so bookmark the page and check back often.
Version 2.
Since this blog is about being able to put together emergency supplies with a limited budget. I'm going to give you one of the best places to find supplies on the cheap.
Dollar Tree stores.
Everything they sell is just $1.00. They use smaller sizes of merchandise to adjust the price.
Why buy a $4.00 box of 100 band aids if you really only need 10 or 20 of them?
Now to be honest, some items can be found less expensively at regular grocery or discount stores, and I'll try to point those out as we come across them.
Dollar Tree also offers in store pick up on it's website! You can go to dollartree.com and order everything you want, and at checkout, select in store pick up and they will ship your order to your closest DT store!
Let's get to it.
1st thing you need is something to put your supplies in. You can start with a recycled carboard box in a kitchen cabinet if you need to.
The next step up would be a backpack that you already own- in case you need to leave the house in an emergency or to double as a portable 'road trip' emergency supply kit.
Dollar Tree has fabric laundry bags for.. yep.. $1.00!!! See how this works?? :D
The most important thing in many emergencies is water. Whether you stranded on the side of the road, or relocating to a temporary shelter in the high school gym, it good to have your own supplies.
The least expensive way to buy water is in gallon jugs. The trade off is that you'll need to provide individual cups or someway to give everyone their own portion. DT has a 6 pack of 16 oz. bottles for $1.00 if you want to get individual servings.
Remember that water is heavy, so If you think you'll need a lot, it may be a good idea to statsh a gallon or two in the car.
Next up would be food. Dollar for dollar, it's hard to beat Snickers bars for cheap, portable calories. The downside is that they're chocolate and don't do well in the heat. My personal favorite is the Clif Bar (named after the inventor's father). They taste great, come in a variety of yummy flavors- blueberry, chocolate fudge, black cherry, peanut butter, maplenut, oatmeal rasin and even white chocolate macadamia. They can be found at most larger grocery and discount stores and shouldn't cost more than $1.00 each. Clifbar.com is the website if you need more info. They're top quality products.
OK, so now we have some water and some food. Next on my list would be some first aid supplies.
Here's a quick $5 Dollar Tree first aid kit: Band Aids- the (DT store brand work well- I like the waterproof type), alcohol wipes (this is one of the items that can be found at most regular pharmacies at a better value, ie; walmart has them 50 for $1.00, but DT has them 25 for a dollar), some antibiotic creme AKA 'generic Neosporin', a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a tube of super glue will cover most of your minor emergencies. The superglue is actually a very valid way to stop bleeding from a large wound or gash that would normally require stitches.
DT also offers a premade first aid kit for $1.00, and it comes with a handy reusable plastic box. It's quite popular among the "prepper' groups.
The next group I'd mention after food, water and first aid is light. Whether it's the power going out in a storm, or having to change a tire in the dark, light is invaluable. It can also be very comforting if you're lost or stranded. The first thing you must have is a flashlight. I really like the small, inexpensive LED flashlights you can get for a dollar. They're about the size of a roll of quarters, have an aluminum body, come with batteries and are usually $1.00 or less! One of the best deals in the world in my humble opinion. You can find them at Family Dollar ( DT doesn't seem to have them but sometimes DT has decent keychain flashlights for $1.00) After the flashlight, I suggest some candles.
The "tea light' candles are probably the least expensive option here. These are short candles that come in a small metal cup so they don't need a separate holder. A box of 8 candles runs about a dollar at DT or Walmart. Add a box of kitchen matches- or to be really frugal you can get free books of matches at gas stations and convenience stores. You can substitute a Bic light for the matches if you want. The Bic tends to be more waterproof than the matches.
Bonus tip: you can make an emergency candle from an empty tuna fish can ( or any similar sized metal can) buy filling it with olive oil or cooking oil and making a wick from a strip of cotton cloth- like from a tshirt or shorts.
"Free" stuff: Using things you already have around the house; I'd also include a roll of paper towels, and at least 1 roll of good toilet paper. I'd also add a large- like a (folded) 3ft long piece of aluminum foil and a couple of plastic trash bags. You can make a million and one things from foil, and the trashbags can haul stuff or be made into emergency rain coats/ponchos.
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