Here's How Costco Can Prepare You for the Apocalypse

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If you're worried about the zombie apocalypse or some other civilization-destroying event, you're probably not alone. Climate change, political unrest, and a whole host of similar factors have many people worried about a major catastrophic event that could make the famous game show Survivor everyone's unwanted reality.

Now, the good news is that we're probably not on the cusp of a zombie invasion. The bad news is that we can't predict with any amount of certainty what the future has in store. So it's always smart to be prepared for a far-reaching disaster.

Don't worry, Costco's got you covered.

A bundle of emergency meals

Costco is selling an emergency food bucket that's loaded with a variety of freeze-dried and dehydrated meals. All it takes is a bit of water to turn these pouches into dinner, and your kit comes with 150 servings of food in total.

Between now and July 28, the cost to buy this mega-supply online is $79.99. And you may find a cheaper price at your local warehouse club store, since Costco tends to mark up the cost of its online inventory to account for shipping and handling. However, that $79.99 price represents a limited-time $20 discount, so you'll normally take a $99.99 hit to your credit card .

Should you buy Costco's emergency food kit?

It's always a good idea to be prepared for the worst -- even if the worst isn't a national or global crisis but more of a short-term event like a week-long power outage or a multi-day blizzard. Ideally, your emergency kit should contain essentials that include:

• A week's worth of non-perishable food
• A week's worth of bottled water in case your local supply is contaminated (this should include enough water to both drink and use for hand-washing)
• Extra medications
• Copies of essential documents, like your health insurance card
• Flashlights, batteries, and a radio (remember radios?)
• A supply of gas stored safely in a canister in case you have a portable generator you might need to run

Whether Costco's emergency food kit should fit into the above is up to you, though.

Frankly, at the discounted price, it may be a cheap way to set yourself up with a decent food supply so that even if you only need to bust into a few meals at a time, it gets the job done. Also, Costco's emergency meals have a shelf life of up to 25 years. So you're not risking food waste the same way you are when you take a chance on a new Costco bulk salad blend.

You don't necessarily need to work yourself into a panic about a major disaster. But it's wise to be prepared for weather events and more. Costco's meal kit might save you money compared to buying the equivalent amount of non-perishable groceries elsewhere. It's worth considering this purchase for that reason alone, especially while it's on sale.

We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .