4 Super-Cheap Prepping Resources

Our family is simultaneously trying to become debt-free, save as much money as we can, have at least six months of food on hand, and take care of some badly needed DIY home projects. Believe me, I need every cheap resource I can possibly find to help me toward my prepping goals! The four cheapest resources I have found are all available to you, too!

1. Garage and Estate Sales

Been there, done that? Aren’t thrilled about buying other people’s junk? When you’re prepping, your shopping will have a focus, and I think you’ll find these sales a useful resource. Keep a list of items still needed for your 72 Hour Kit or general preparedness. This list will help you visit more garage and estate sales in less time because usually, with a quick glance, you can tell if a sale has what you need.

Even better, use online garage sale locators. Google “local garage sales” or something similar. You’ll be surprised at what pops up! Often, these sites will list items at the sale, and this can help you choose which sales to visit. You can also find estate sales in your area here. I prefer estate sales since everything in the house will be sold, down to half used bottles of Windex. Here are a few things I’ve been looking for:

tools — I don’t want to count on, “Made in China” if we’re ever truly in a bind. Tools made decades ago will be high quality with lots of years still left in them.
backpacks, gym bags — I need two more backpacks for our personal 72 Hour Kits and miscellaneous gym-size bags are great for holding all kinds of gear to take camping.
camping equipment — we have a tent but nothing else. My husband is hardly Grizzly Adams! I would especially like an outdoor cook stove.

Remember, once you know what you want, the search goes much more quickly!

Oh! BONUS TIP! Retirement communities often run their garage sales Thursday through Saturday.. You can get a jump on all the other bargain hunters by heading to these neighborhoods early on Thursday mornings!

2. Freecycle.org

Freecycle is exactly what it sounds like. Recyling things you own by giving them away for free. Once you’ve signed up with a Freecycle email group in your area, you’ll begin receiving regular notices from other members with offers of free “stuff”.

I’ve seen some great items offered on Freecycle that would help out any prepper. Watch for glass canning jars, camping equipment, water barrels, dog crates, and so much more. Usually what is offered is mentioned in the email’s subject line so you can scan through them quickly. Remember to offer things hanging around your house or garage that you no longer want or need!

3. Dollar Stores

Don’t forget to visit your local dollar store! Apparently, dollar stores are becoming quite trendy. Who would have guessed?

I took a stroll through one near my home last weekend, and here are some of the best bargains I found.

binders starting at just $2
a package of 8 small memo books for $2. These are great for keeping in your car, your 72 Hour Kits and your purse.
vinyl shower curtain, $2 Multiple uses for this including a ground cover and a quickie tent.
can opener, $1.25
chess game, $4. Would be useful in providing entertainment during a crisis.
triple antibiotic cream, $2.30, along with a good variety of other pharmaceuticals
large bottles of spices for $1
a can of Quick Flat Fix, $3
a 6-pack of Top Ramen, $1.10

Not everything is a great bargain, but you won’t know that unless you’re paying attention to prices at regular retail stores. Would you believe, I didn’t think my town even had dollar stores until I checked out these websites. What a find!

4. Friends, Relatives, Neighbors, Casual Acquaintances…

You get the idea! Every one of us has stuff around the house, in the attic, out in the garage, in a storage unit, etc., etc. that we’ll never use again, and so do your friends, relatives, neighbors, and so on. When you get to the end of your prepping list, and you still have items you need, why not ask around?

Consider a casual barter agreement to get what you want, such as a few hours babysitting in exchange for a tent or a set of sleeping bags. Here’s a great article on the age-old practice of bartering.

We don’t know when an emergency will happen, and it just makes sense to get your preparations in order as quickly as you can. If you’re like me, your don’t have an infinite amount of money to prepare for everything, perfectly, all at once. I decided to jump in and do what I can, when I can, and I’ve been pretty impressed with how quickly my prepping has come together with these four money-savers!

Check out these four cheap resources and see if your dollar doesn’t go a whole lot farther! Soon, you’ll be ready for just about anything!

(13) Readers Comments

Pingback: Excuse du Jour: I Can’t Afford to Stock Up! « The Survival Mom
LizLong
February 20, 2010 at 2:38 am

I've gotten a ton of stuff lately on sale, 50- 75% off, at Target. I got a sleeping a bag for the preschooler for $4.74. Waterproof bags (about 10, I think) for $1.74 each. Fireplace matches (the really long ones). Pump for the air mattress. LED and regular Coleman Propane lanterns. Even emergency blankets and ponchos were clearanced – and replaced on the shelf with identical merchandise. ? Their weirdness is my gain. We have grown up sleeping bags (including some from Tuesday Morning), so I haven't been looking at them or tents. They may have been on great sales too.

The Dollar Stores are dangerous, though. I've been known to fill up my trunk from those places! And that's not even a very big exaggeration.

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MicheleinMA
February 20, 2010 at 2:44 pm

I belong to my local MOMS Club and we have a clothing swap twice a year – a great way to get some of those 'couple sizes up' clothing for the kids for the price of swapping clothes that no longer fit. Yay! I love barter.

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- TheSurvivalMom
  February 21, 2010 at 12:13 am
  
  Me, too! I don't know how many times I purchased some really cute and pricey outfits for my kids, only to have them barely worn by the time the season was over or a growth spurt set in. I have no problem whatsoever with my kids wearing hand-me-downs! What a money saver!
  
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Red Icculus
February 21, 2010 at 10:22 pm

I think we should see a post on why the average family should come to terms with the first sentence in your post- "Our family is simultaneously trying to become debt-free, save as much money as we can, have at least six months of food on hand, and take care of some badly needed DIY home projects."

Most people are living beyond their means and aren't taking care of those basic needs. I think this sentence enables folks to shake off traditional obligations and to be able to start providing for themselves. I really want to see you expand on this concept.

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juju_mommy
February 22, 2010 at 3:36 pm

Thanks for the link about estate sales! I'd like to check some out in the future.

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Karen604
February 22, 2010 at 5:59 pm

To find Camping equipment keep your eye on Boy Scout garage sales. Often they will sell off the old equipment because it needs a little more tinkering than the youth are able to get it to successfully work right. Cleaning often does wonders. Also if you know of a church or other organization that no longer has a Boy Scout Troop they well may have the old equipment just sitting in a closet and be glad to give it to you for a small donation.
If REI is in your area watch for their Garage Sales. They have returned equipment for a song. I believe you need to be a member to go in but it is worth the investment.

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rightwingmom
February 24, 2010 at 4:10 am

As a newlywed, I received a book titled "The Tightwad Gazette." It has been priceless. (ha!)

I used their recipe for homemade BABY WIPES. They work pretty well.
Now that my boys are grown, I've quit using them, but have purchased the supplies for my stockpile so I can make a roll if needed.

Frugal Baby Wipes

1 roll Bounty or microwave paper towels (thickness counts)
2 1/4 cups water
2 T baby shampoo
1 T baby oil

Cut the paper towel roll in half and remove the cardboard center. Mix the water ,shampoo, and oil in a plastic container (large margarine tub or Rubber maid container. Place half a roll in the container, put the lid on and turn upside down to let the towels thoroughly soak. When ready to use pull the towels from the center of the roll.

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- rightwingmom
  February 24, 2010 at 4:30 am
  
  Just remembered, this works great with Concentrated Lysol. Just dilute and mix the same way. MUCH cheaper than Lysol wipes.
  
  Label the tubs accurately. You wouldn't want to grab the wrong one!!!
  
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- TheSurvivalMom
  February 27, 2010 at 6:04 am
  
  Oh, Cindy. You're just a lot smarter than I am, I guess! The one time I tried making my own baby wipes, I spent so much money on the supplies, and the paper towels were so flimsy — it just didn't work. I think I still have the baby oil and baby lotion from ten years ago, most of it unused! LOL Maybe my mistake was not buying the right type of paper towels, but now I can't remember which brand I bought.
  
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PrepperBuzz
February 25, 2010 at 7:50 pm

I'd also add places like Good Will, Salvation Army, Savers/Value Village etc. lots of good deals at places like that. Keep an eye out for the 50% off days.

We've bought a bunch of stuff including, spare clothing to add to our bug out kits. It's cheap and you don't have to worry about remembering to pack it, and it won't dig into your normal wardrobe.

Re-posted a link to this on prepperbuzz.com.

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- TheSurvivalMom
  February 27, 2010 at 5:47 am
  
  Would you believe that a friend of mine found TWO grain mills at a Good Will store here in Phoenix? I believe one of them was a Nutrimill, which goes for about $300. You never know what you'll find at those types of stores, which makes them pretty irresistable to me — a lot like garage sales!
  
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rightwingmom
February 27, 2010 at 6:23 am

Seems like Viva worked well for me too. Very cloth like.

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