50 Items To Start Preparing Right Now From The Dollar Store

It goes without saying that creating a budget for your survival can be very stressful, particularly when finances are limited and you should have a little bit of everything in your supplies. Most people don't think about it, but you can find most of what you need right at your local Dollar General.

Keep in mind, you get what you pay for. But the following 50 items are solid choices for your survival gear that you can simultaneously save time and money on.

Survive for lessPhoto byRichelleg/canva

Food

Of course, Dollar General carries food, but things like canned food, chili, stew, as well as dried products like rice, cereal, wheat, cornmeal, flour, sugar, peanut butter, tuna fish, ect. Anything you can store for long periods of time in case of an emergency is what you're looking for.

Water

You can get bottled water by the bottle, case, or even by the jug; however, be mindful of the container's quality. Keep an eye out for leaks in your storage, as cheaper plastic water jugs tend to leak. Store them out of direct sunlight.

Jerky

Although the price of jerky has skyrocketed in recent years and will likely remain high even at Dollar General, it is still a smart choice for stocking your field rations and snacks.

Foil

Tin foil can be used to cook on, cook with, keep things fresh, make containers out of, et cetera.

Mess Kits

Eating from "disposable mess kits" will save water because you don't have to wash dishes. Plastic silverware and simple paper plates work well most of the time. Yes, it's not ideal in the waste department, but I'd much rather have a garbage pile than no water because I had to wash my dishes.

Ziploc bags

A prepper's best friend, gallon-sized Ziplocs. Store water, food, keep clean things clean and dirty things separate, keep medications and paperwork together, keep things dry, make fire starters, make flotation devices, use them for first aid etc. The list is endless.

Zip baggiesPhoto byRichelleg

Garbage Bags

Another essential for survival are trash bags, particularly if you have to bug out and you don't have a toilet. There will still be waste to dispose of, no matter what kind it is. You can also use them to tie off plants and catch condensation for drinking water.

Hand Tools

Hand tools, such as screwdrivers, ratchet sets, hammers, and more can be found at your local Dollar Store. Even though their quality isn't the best, if you take care of them, they can get the job done.

Scissors

Scissors will always be needed. They are useful for cutting and altering clothes, cutting plastic sheets for shelters, and a host of other jobs. Kitchen scissors are best.

Duct Tape

This needs no explanation. You can do so much with duct tape; it's unbelievable.

Super Glue

For preppers, super glue is a modern alternative to duct tape. It has extra uses for basic first aid and can connect a variety of materials rapidly and mess-free. The dollar store even has single-use pipettes, so the bottle won't go bad if you open it.

Pens + Pencils

It may sound simple, and it is, but pencils and pens are indispensable in survival situations. From the obvious of leaving notes, they can provide entertainment on bad days.

Notepads

Goes with the pens and pencils.. it's another no brainer. But with the paper, you can mark your supplies and keep them in rotation if you need too.

Lighters

One vital survival skill is being able to start a fire. It's used for cooking, signaling, warmth, light, water, and other things.

Lighters and matchesPhoto byRichelleg/canva

Matches

Another fantastic item to always have on hand for starting fires is matches, which may be used as a backup for lighters or vice versa. Matches may come in handy if you can't get your lighter to start in certain situations. Always remember to keep them dry!

Petroleum Jelly

Along with the following item on our list, cotton balls, it may be used to make excellent fire starters. It can also help with aches and pain, a moistuizer for chapped lips and skin, a tool lube, to keep water off your weapons if you're bugged out, et cetera.

Cotton Balls

They make incredible fire starters for pennies when soaked in petroleum jelly and then kept in an airtight bag or other container. However, cotton balls are useful to have around for lots of other things too.

Glo Sticks

These are a heatless light sources that work well in situations where other light sources are impractical or nonexistent. They are excellent at both keeping up with people in the dark and signaling at night.

Candy

You might be surprised at the positive effects candy can have on morale and a boost of energy, even if it may not seem like a necessary survival item.

Candles

Candles in a prep kit are an absolute staple.

Flashlights/Headlamps

A flashlight's portability, safety, and the capacity to bring comfort to a scary situation is the reasons everyone already has one.

Batteries

Self explanitory. Make sure to get all sizes for your flashlights and communication devices, but also to barter with.

Steel Wool

It is used for cleaning but also as a fire starter with a 9-volt battery.

Steel woolPhoto byRichelleg

Work Gloves

After any disaster, you'll have plenty of reasons to protect your hands.

Nitrile gloves

Nitrile gloves are an invaluable tool when handling various noxious materials or medical situations.

Socks

If you have to hoof it, dry, clean socks are essential for avoiding blisters and other foot conditions that can keep you on the sidelines. Having fresh socks to change into is beneficial to your mental health, believe it or not.

Hats

A gardening hat with a wide brim will shield your face and neck from the sun, and beanie type hats keep your head warm in the cold.

Bandanas

One of my favorite multi-use survival tools is a bandana. They can be used for head coverings, masks, signaling, bundles, and padding.

Blankets

For a variety of reasons, having extra blankets on hand is always a good idea.

Hand Warmers

These can be used to warm more than just hands. And anyone who's had really really cold hands can appreciate the simple relief of hand warmers.

Hand warmersPhoto byRichelleg/canva

Shoelaces

Use for their purpose, or for tie downs, shelter building, cordage, fire starters, keeping things closed, traps, et cetera.

Sewing Kits

Maintaining your clothing, packs, and other equipment in good condition may also be the difference between life and death, or at the very least, between a comfortable and miserable experience.

Sunglasses

This one is also obvious, but furthermore, even inexpensive eyeglasses provide rudimentary defense against dust and certain airborne or wind-blown debris.

Ponchos

Inexpensive, foldable rainponchos, also known as rain slickers, can keep you dry when it is pouring outdoors. You can use it for shelter or water collection too.

Planters

If you're sheltering in place, you can easily grow food in planters vs messing with the ground if you weren't set up to do so.

Seeds

Many Dollar Generals carry a surprising variety of seeds, especially in the spring. While their viability and origin may be questionable, in an emergency situation, food is food. And growing your own when there's no store can be the difference in survival.

Seeds for survivalPhoto byRichelleg

Buckets

In an emergency, buckets can be used as a makeshift stool, food storage, extra water storage, and an emergency portable toilet.

Spices

Keeps food spiced and spirits high.

Glasses

Even if they aren't your prescription, if you lose or break yours, something is better than nothing.

OTC Pharmaceuticals

Over-the-counter medications for pain, nausea, indigestion, colds, diarrhea, and many more conditions can be easily stored until you need them.

Sterile Bandages

You can never have too many band-aids.

Gauze

You can never have too much Gauze, either.

Cheap place to prepPhoto byRichelleg

Ace Bandage

Great for stabilization, muscles, bones, et cetera.

Face Masks

Face masks are useful to have on hand in the event of a serious illness outbreak or exposure to certain airborne pollutants.

Isopropol Alcohol

Can be used for first aid, cleaning, cooking fuel, lighting, et cetera.

Rubbing alcohol/hand sanitizerPhoto byRichelleg

Blister Kit

Blisters will make you miserable. They have treatments to help the ones you have and preventive measures.

Kit for Bug Bite/Sting

Easy relief for a stingy situation.

Toothpaste and Toothbrushes

This will be gold in a SHTF situation.

Items for Feminine Hygiene

I suggest getting at least a small supply of these items, even if you don't need them, to give to those in need, use as firestarters, or for first aid.

Sunscreen

This will also be invaluable.

Of course, this is not a complete list, but it's a great place to start, for cheap. Please start preparing anyway you can.

Bug-out bagPhoto byRichelleg/canva

Citations:

Projectwhim. (2023, October 8). The Ultimate Emergency Survival List for Beginner Preppers. Project Whim. https://www.projectwhim.com/the-ultimate-emergency-survival-list-for-beginner-preppers/