10 Supplies To Buy Right Now If You Haven’t Started Prepping

This article is for you if you are among my awesome readers who love learning about homesteading and preparation but don't really know where to start or haven't started yet.

There are indications all around that society has reached its pinnacle and things could only get worse from here. Food insecurity, crop failures, political and economic unrest—it seems there's no end.

We're not sure when things will really take off, but you have to face the fact that difficult days are ahead. They are here already for many. Getting ready is the finest thing you can do. Be ready to rely on whatever you have in your cellar, pantry, or other location.

It will ease your mind to have food and other essentials in reserve.

Pack it up!Photo byRichelleg

The list that follows is a fantastic place to start when it comes to safeguarding your future, and you can always add to it. As far as preppers go, real preppers never stop. You never stop gathering and adding small items that will help you in the event of a natural or man-made calamity.

Food

Food is a broad category and is pretty obvious. Stocking anything that has to be refrigerated is a waste of money, you want to focus on food you can store on a shelf. It's super important to keep in mind to stock only food that your family will eat, as well as nutritional value. We're not used to eating a ton of calories in day-to-day life now, but it will be extremely important in the event you have to eat to live.

• Supplies for baking, such as flour, sugar, and baking powder
• Canned fruits and veggies
• Canned meats and soups
• Dried beans
• Hard candies
• Oats
• Pasta
• Peanut butter
• Milk powder
• Ready-to-eat dishes like ravioli, chili, ect.
• White rice
• Seasonings and spices

Any shelf-stable food that you can store could save your lifePhoto byRichelleg

Water

Although it's challenging to keep your family supplied with enough water, there are several alternatives. If you plan to keep water straight from the faucet in storage, use plastic containers such as two-liter soda bottles that have been cleaned and rinsed, but glass is best.

For short-term, urgent use, bottled water is suitable. If you have the space, 55-gallon barrels are preferable to the larger five-gallon containers.

You'll need to keep a lot of purification techniques on hand for any water you gather or preserve. A good filtration system is recommended; at the very least you can boil everything. Although ordinary household bleach is only effective for roughly six months when stored, it can still be used (use 5-8 drops of conventional unscented bleach per gallon of water). Make sure your supply is being rotated. Life straws work well too.

Filtering waterPhoto byRichelleg

First aid

You must be ready to take care of your urgent medical needs in case you are unable to see a doctor. For small injuries, you might not have the luxury of rushing to urgent care. Anything from a simple scraped knee to a sprain or laceration that needs to be handled with confidence.

Here's a list of some supplies you should keep on hand. Don't be scared to stock up and add more. It's impossible to have too much.

• Bandages for spains, like ACE bandages
• Alcohol pads
• Gelled aloe vera
• Antimicrobial cream
• Benadryl
• Triple AB ointment
• Aspirin
• Different sized bandaids
• Cough drops
• Pepto
• Additional prescriptions
• A guidebook for first aid
• Gauze
• Ibuprofen
• Bug spray
• Gloves
• Sunblock
• A thermometer
• Tums
• Tweezers
• Natural remedies
• Peroxide and/or alcohol
• Masks

First aid packPhoto byRichelleg

It extends beyond taking vitamins every day. In the field of natural medicine, items like essential oils, raw honey, and garlic supplements have their place. Learn how to take care of yourself without a prescription pad if you are unable to obtain prescription medications.

Tools

• Axe for wood
• Standard toolbox items, such as hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, and things that don't need power
• Flint
• Tools for gardening (you may need to cultivate your own food)
• Generator, if you can
• High-quality work gloves
• Radio with a hand crank
• Flashlights
• Manual can opener
• Multi-tool
• Paracord or rope
• A propane heater
• Shovel
• Tarp
• Compass

Survival toolsPhoto byRichelleg

Cleaning your house becomes even more crucial if circumstances get to the point where you can't even turn on the water.

• Baking soda, and a lot of it
• Bleach
• Borax
• Dish soap
• Disinfectant wipes
• Laundry soap
• Lysol
• Reusable towels
• Sponges, a mop, broom
• Trash bags
• Vinegar

Personal Items

Maintaining cleanliness is essential to health. Not stinking also helps you feel so much better. You cannot afford to handle the problems that come with being unclean. Sickness and even infection may result from it. Keep these items in abundance, as they can be excellent for trading with your neighbors.

• Baby powder
• Chapstick
• Q-tips
• Floss
• Deodorant
• Feminine products
• Lotion
• Razors
• Hand sanitizer
• Bars of soap
• Solar shower: A bag of water you hang in the sun
• Paper towels
• Dental products
• Vaseline
• Wet wipes

Don't forget personal hyginePhoto byRichelleg

Survival In General

Consider the items in your closet, pantry, garage, or junk drawer. Sometimes all the small things in life that provide convenience could generally aid in your survival.

• Aluminum foil
• Batteries
• Bulbs
• All kinds of tape, especially duct
• Flex Seal. Don't laugh, it's good stuff!
• "Home protection."
• Lighters and matches
• Long-range radios in case the phones stop working
• Propane
• Sewing kit
• Solar panels
• Superglue
• Weather-appropriate clothing, such as caps, gloves, and coats
• Whistle

The list serves as only an introduction. Having these things on hand will make all the difference between barely getting by and comfortably thriving. Create a plan, make room in your house, and follow through.

Survive AND thrive!Photo byRichelleg

Citations:

Blevins, S. (2024, April 23). 20 Unique Survival Items Every Prepper Should Consider. Modern Warrior Project. https://modernwarriorproject.com/20-unique-survival-items-every-prepper-should-consider/

Top 100 Emergency Supplies to Stockpile for Survival. (2023b, November 7). Attainable Sustainable®. https://www.attainable-sustainable.net/stockpile/