20 Most Overlooked Dollar Store Items To Start Preparing Right Now

I hear this all the time: "I can't prepare or stock my pantry because I don't have a lot of money." While having cash to spend on the latest survival gadgets does make it easier and faster to build a preparedness kit, there are things you can do today to get you started for not a lot of money. Believe it or not, your local dollar store has a TON of survival items for cheap.

This isn't a complete list, and everyone prepares differently. This list is more of the uncommon but extremely important things to have in your own preparations you can find at your local dollar store. Here's a list of my best finds so far:

Deals are everywhere!Photo byRichelleg

• Sterno Canned Heat: This is the number one item I tell people about, and they are shocked they can find this at the dollar store. This is essentially canned heat, used to heat foods on buffets and things. But you can use them for survival heat, cooking regular or canned food, making coffee, and first aid purposes.
• Canned shelf stable foods: soups, meats, fish, veggies, fruits, SPAM
• Shelf-stable milk, both canned and powdered
• Self-adhesive bandages—not band-aids—this is what they also call "vet wrap." It's stretchy, sticky gauze that doesn't need any additional clips to use. I use this stuff for everything.
• Bandages, peroxide and rubbing alcohol
• Candles, matches and lighters
• Shower curtains: You can use these for weather proofing as well as building temporary shelters if you need to
• Duct Tape

Fun stuff to find!Photo byRichelleg

• Chapstick
• Sun screen
• Sewing kits
• Flower seeds—most of them are actually medicinal
• A pretty decent tool section (yes, they aren't the best quality, however a junky tool is better than no tool.)
• Reading glasses- can also be used as a fire starter
• Peanut butter
• Dry beans and rice
• Salt
• OTC medicines like cold, anti-inflammatory, aspirin
• Bar soap—I cannot stress to you the importance of hygiene after an event. Things like soap will become worth their weight in gold.
• Solar lights—this one seems silly but once you spend a few nights in the dark because all your batteries ran out, solar lights, even the cheap garden ones, become life savers!

Stock up on suppliesPhoto byRichelleg

Well, there you have it, folks! I hope you enjoyed my list of random fun things you can find at your local dollar store to help get your prep going. Let me know what your favorite finds are at your local dollar store in the comments below!

Citations:

Baldwin, J., & Baldwin, J. (2024, September 9). 25+ Preparedness Items You Can Get at the Dollar Store -. Mom With a Prep - Practical tips and resources for everyone on everyday preparedness and emergency readiness. https://momwithaprep.com/favorite-preparedness-items-at-dollar-tree/

Emergency Survival Kit: Top 15 Dollar Store Items. (2023, June 29). Wawanesa Insurance. https://www.wawanesa.com/us/blog/emergency-survival-kit-top-15-dollar-store-items