Nine Small Preparedness Items To Buy Now Every Month To Build A Survival Stash

I see this all the time: people overcomplicating survival preparation. What happens is they start thinking about all the things they would need to survive as if nothing happened. The truth is, you can't. If something happens—whether man-made, natural disaster, blackouts—life won't be the same. So instead of trying to prepare for every situation with everything you can get your hands on, keep it simple.

Stock your pantry!Photo byRichelleg

I've been preparing for almost 12 years, and there is definitely a pattern of things I buy monthly to rotate my supply and keep me at the ready. I don't take a single, large trip to get everything at once. I buy a little at a time and buy things I'm using anyway. It's so simple it's stupid, but this really is how easy it can be to be prepared.

Nine Preparation Items To Buy Each Month

Jars and lids for canning: Every month, I purchase canning lids. Without fail. Three or four packets, minimum. Jars and rings for canning are things I purchase as my budget allows. Jars are reusable; rings are reusable as long as they aren't rusted or dented, but the flat lids are not.

Colorful and essentialPhoto byRichelleg

Soap: Any kind of soap, including dish, bar, body, laundry, castile, all-purpose, and disinfection soaps. I often purchase two or three items of soap each month. My favorite soap is definitely Castile soap, but I always have a nice assortment on hand. If you have children, a garden, and animals, I don't think you can have too much soap.

Paper towels or toilet paper: speaks for itself.

Ammunition: Either reloadable cartridges for other purposes or ammunition for firearms and bows. Yes, I'm aware of how expensive and sometimes hard to get ammunition is. Just buy a little at a time. If you can. Even if you don't end up needing it, it could be a great barter item.

Don't get caught with empty shelves!Photo byRichelleg

Non-perishable foods: dry rice, beans, veggies, meat, honey, pasta, peanut butter, dry milk, spices, and salt. Food is far more important than anything else. It's absolutely imperative to learn how to prepare and store food for the long term. Even if you never ever need it for an emergency, having a well-stocked, well-rotated pantry is the single most important piece of advice I can give you.

Medicine and first aid supplies: Every month, I make sure to purchase two or three first aid supplies along with ibuprofen or naproxen. I am a master herbalist with a full separate pantry of plant and herb remedies; however, I don't want to be without certain OTC medicines, bandages, triple AB ointment, ect.

Seeds: Even if it's just one pack a month! If you can't find seeds in stores, search online. I recommend heirloom seed companies. Search for seeds that will genuinely yield food, such as carrots, beans, peas, and squash. Purchase packets of heritage/heirloom seeds that have already been mylar and oxygen-wrapped. You may have to have a survival garden, seeds ready to go, and a way to save and store seeds. This is also why you'll need those jars and lids, too!

Keep it simple!Photo byRichelleg

Water: as much as you can buy and store.

Books: I can hear some of you lauging at this one, but if there's an EMP event, guess what? No phones, computer, or internet. How will you learn how to do things to survive? Or recipes to cook? Or if you can waterbath or pressure can green beans? Books. Pick up as many different survival books, maps, cookbooks, foraging, and first aid books as you can.

I hope this list helps you a little on your preparation journey. Remember, don't overwhem yourself and don't make things complicated. If you can only afford an extra can of corn this month, then do it. Everything helps!

Attributions:

Projectwhim. (2024, August 10). The Ultimate Emergency Survival List for Beginner Preppers. Project Whim. https://www.projectwhim.com/the-ultimate-emergency-survival-list-for-beginner-preppers/

Kylene, & Kylene. (2023, November 11). 3 Months Supply of Food: Amazing Peace of Mind - The Provident Prepper. The Provident Prepper - Common Sense Guide to Emergency Preparedness, Self-Reliance and Provident Living. https://theprovidentprepper.org/3-months-supply-of-food-amazing-peace-of-mind/