Some things listed here might surprise you, but there are several Economical Items Preppers Need that cost very little. Some of them might surprise you on how useful they can be. Later, we will go over more Items Preppers Need, but these are as one might say – on the cheaper side of the way.
Economical Items Preppers Need
You might want to carry some of these Economical Items Preppers Need in your Bug Out Bag (BOB), or just have on hand, storing them in your car’s trunk (boot), or home. I keep several of them around the house, in case there is a need and we aren’t on the go.
Duck Tape (AKA Duct Tape)
Duck tape is an incredibly versatile item that offers solutions for repairs, securing gear, or even creating makeshift items. Its adhesive strength and flexibility make it ideal for numerous improvised fixes in various situations. Investing a little on duct tape can provide you with a reliable problem-solver in emergencies. In an emergency, you can also use it as a fuel to start a fire, or as a band-aid for small to medium-sized wounds.
For those of you who wish to argue that the tape is actually called Duct Tape, I am not going to argue with who is right and whom is wrong. It doesn’t matter what you call it, as long as you have some on hand, at all times. I personally favor the Gorilla Glue version which I have in my BOB. It’s not actually cheap Items Preppers Need, the cheaper version can be found here.
Hand Sanitizer
A small bottle or wipes of hand sanitizer is an inexpensive but effective hygiene tool, especially when soap and water are unavailable. Proper sanitation can help prevent illness during emergencies where medical care may be difficult to access. Keeping hands clean is crucial for maintaining health, particularly in crowded or unsanitary conditions. It can also be used to light a fire, if the Sanitizer is made with alcohol, as alchohol must be at least 60% alcohol to be effective (these Items Preppers Need are 70% alchohol). I hear that some people would recommend baby wipes, but those only wipe the dirt off, not the bacteria and viruses that can get into your wounds.
Socks (wool or cotton)
A pair of durable socks, especially made of wool or cotton, typically costs less than $5 and can be invaluable for comfort and warmth. Proper foot care is essential during emergencies, as blistered or wet feet can hinder mobility. Having an extra pair of socks ensures you stay dry and comfortable, reducing the risk of infection and fatigue. When asking yourself, which you should buy for your BOB, consider this: When cotton gets wet, it get cold. When wool gets wet, it stays warm. Generally speaking in terms of Items Preppers Need, if your escape might be in cold weather, go with wool socks. If your bug out plan includes derert travel, get cotton socks.
Trash Bags
Trash bags are multipurpose items that can be used for waste disposal, water collection, or even makeshift shelters. Their capacity to store and protect items makes them essential for maintaining cleanliness and organization during emergencies. They can be torn into pieces and used as plastic sheeting, making them useful for covering broken windows or creating a makeshift shelter.
In an emergency, you can cut holes for your arms and head, turning it into a weather resistant rain slick. I also keep a couple of quality store shopping bags. The plastic can be rolled up to a tight fit. I have seen people use them for both water and for fuel. Just don’t get them from somewhere that uses the cheap brown version, which tear easily.
Matches or Lighter
Fire is a fundamental survival tool for warmth, cooking, and signaling for help. A pack of matches or a lighter can usually be acquired for a small price and ensures you have a reliable method of starting fires. Being able to create heat and light is vital for comfort and survival during emergencies. If you don’t have waterproof matches, it’s highly recommended you get some, as they are easier to light than traditional matches, especially when they get wet. Alternatively, having a disposable lighter works just as well.
Salt
Salt is a versatile ingredient that goes far beyond seasoning food; it is crucial for preserving food and can be used in homemade remedies. Aside from its culinary uses, it is essential for electrolyte balance in the body, particularly during heat or strenuous activity. Stockpiling salt is an inexpensive way to enhance food preservation and health during emergencies.
Salt can also be utilized for cleaning, de-icing pathways, and even as a gargle for relieving sore throats. Given its low cost and wide range of functions, stocking up on salt is a smart choice. If nothing else, in tems of Items Preppers Need, you could simply grab some salt and pepper tubes from your local fast-food joint. The pepper can also be used as a wound stop in an emergency.
Fishing Hooks, Lines, and Lures
Basic fishing gear, such as hooks, lines, and lures, are relatively inexpensive and offer a resourceful way to obtain food. Fishing can provide a source of protein that can supplement limited food supplies during emergencies. Even a simple, portable fishing rod can make a significant difference if food sources run low. Learning to fish also expands your skill set and preparedness. This sustainable approach to sourcing food can help you survive longer in dire situations.
Here’s a link to some Braided Fishing Line, which is less likely to break versus cheap plastic line. It can be used on fish from 3 lbs to 150 lbs.
Emergency Blankets
Lightweight, compact, and inexpensive, they can reflect body heat to keep you warm in cold conditions. They can provide insulation and protection against hypothermia when you are exposed to low temperatures. These blankets are also useful for signaling, as their reflective surface can catch attention in survival situations. Used as a makeshift rain or sun shield to keep the elements at bay. Part of an emergency bandage, however, that should be a last resort for wound bandaging.
In terms of coloration (yes, there’s choices now). We recommend going with the black and gold option (black on outside will collect more heat from the sun, warming you up). Alternatively, the orange and green version to hide bettter with the green, or the orange will attract attention better if you are lost.
I personally have the rain slick version as well. It acts like a poncho to keep you warm, and its form fitting. However, it would not be good to be used as a tent. Finally, there is also a sleeping bag version. In terms of items preppers need, there are a lot more to choose from than there used to be. But it all comes down to you – do you want to be found, and how do you expect to use them?
Swiss Army Knife or a Multi-Tool
A multi-tool is a versatile piece of equipment that can serve multiple functions, including cutting, screwing, and prying. These tools are compact, making them easy to carry, and are invaluable for various tasks from food preparation to minor repairs. Some of them even have small saws which can make it easier to prepare a fire.
These days, the “Swiss Army” are capitalizing on the name, so they can get very pricy. You can get a quality multi tool which may also have pliers (great for working with wire), for a fraction of the cost of a Swiss Army knife. A great time to buy them, is after Christmas, when everything goes on sale. I recommend having a basic one in your EDC kit.0
Zip Lock Bags
Zip lock bags are excellent for storing small items that can be lost easily, for small electronics which can get damaged when wet, or even matches which you want to keep dry so they will work when you need them. In an emergency, they could be used to aid in bandaging a wound, including for a chest wound or one that shouldn’t be touched by the bandaging itself, such as a burn.
Safety Pins
Safety pins may appear unremarkable, but their usefulness in a survival kit is certain. They can be employed for a variety of tasks, including repairing clothing and gear, creating makeshift fishhooks, and securing bandages. Lightweight and inexpensive, they’re an easy addition to your stockpile that could prove to be invaluable in various situations. I have about 10 strapped on my EDC kit (Every Day Carry).
Cotton Swabs
Cotton swabs are incredibly versatile tools that can serve a wide range of purposes, from cleaning small spaces in guns and electronics to applying glue or packing bandages into wounds. Their adaptability makes them invaluable in disaster scenarios, as the possibilities for their use are nearly endless. Best of all, cotton swabs are very inexpensive, making it wise to stock up on as many as you can for your survival kit. If you are terrible at making fire from a ferro rod, you can also light cotton to be used as tinder.
Paper Clips
Paper clips have quite a few uses in times of emergency and survival. A straightened paper clip can be used as a makeshift lock pick (not always reliable), as a small screwdriver if you can bend the tip into a flat shape, to temporarily bind or join items and gear together. It can also be shaped into a crude fishing hook to catch small fish, or just as a zipper pull, maybe even as a crude sewing needle to bind pourous cloths like burlap together.
Diapers
Diapers are surprisingly multifunctional and can be effectively utilized in various survival situations. They can be used to create bandages due to their absorbent qualities, making them suitable for soaking up liquids such as blood. Additionally, diapers can help dry you off, providing warmth by eliminating excess moisture. In the absence of other sanitary options, they can serve as wipes.
Moreover, diapers can be placed on the ground to offer cushioning for sleeping, enhancing comfort and insulating you from cold surfaces. You can also stuff them in your clothing or use them to fill gaps in your shelter for extra insulation.
In an emergency where clean drinking water is a necessity and no filtration system is available, the absorbent material of diapers can be used as a crude water filter. By pouring water through a diaper, you can capture larger particles, dirt, and debris, improving water quality. While this method won’t remove all contaminants, it can make water safer for consumption when filtered further.
Dental Floss
Dental floss, can serve as a highly durable cordage option, thanks to its strong nylon or polyester composition. In emergencies, you can use dental floss to secure shelters or gear, tying down items, or even creating makeshift traps for small game. The waxed variety can also serve as a makeshift fishing line, allowing you to catch small fish for food.
In addition to its utility as a cord, dental floss can also be employed in first aid scenarios. The fine, strong thread can be used for stitching wounds when proper medical supplies are unavailable (with a fish hook), preventing infection. While it is not a substitute for professional medical care, dental floss can be a valuable temporary solution.
Cigarettes
Cigarettes can serve as effective kindling for starting fires, treat insect bites, and the ash can be applied to small cuts and wounds to help stop bleeding. Additionally, they hold potential as a valuable bartering item. In situations where access to goods is limited, many people may be willing to pay a premium for a pack of cigarettes, making them an asset in a survival scenario. This versatility and potential for trade make cigarettes a noteworthy inclusion in your emergency preparedness supplies. If you are a non-smoker, know that cigarettes can go bad. Keep your cigarettes in the freezer until needed.
Special note, cigarettes can also be used to keep you awake, as smoking them provides you with nicotine an upper. However the nicotine is highly addictive, so please use only in the most direst of situations. Many people who smoke them say that cigareetes relax them.
Baking Soda
Baking soda has a variety of uses in both everyday life and survival situations. It can serve as a personal hygiene product, functioning as toothpaste (so can charcoal) or deodorant. Medically, it’s useful for soothing insect bites, alleviating heartburn, as well as to stop hiccups. Additionally, baking soda works effectively as a cleaning agent for cookware and surfaces.
In gardening, baking soda acts as a non-toxic fungicide and can even help sweeten tomatoes. Its ability to neutralize odors also makes it favorable for improving air quality in confined spaces, which can be especially important during long-term sheltering. It is highly diverse in its abilities, which is why it is included in this list of cheap items preppers need. A box shouldn’t run you more than about $4.
Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil’s reflective surface can be used for signaling for help by reflecting sunlight to catch the attention of rescuers. In a pinch, it can also be fashioned into containers for cooking or boiling water over a fire, as well as creating tools like makeshift fishing lures. It can aid in fire starting by providing a windbreak for kindling or by being used to hold tinder in place
Water Purification Tablets
Water purification tablets are a cost-effective solution for ensuring safe drinking water when clean supplies are scarce and bleach is unavailable. These tablets can eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses from questionable water sources, making them vital during emergencies. They are lightweight and easy to pack, enabling effective water purification without the need for elaborate equipment. While carrying around a small container filled with bleach sounds like a more viable option, know that bleach goes bad after only a few months, making its effective rate go down. It is much better to carry these tablets around in your BOB or EDC for the economical items preppers need.
Warning: While a life straw sounds more effective, they do not filter out everything including seversl chemicals. It’s better to carry a Reverse Osmosis Field kit, if you are worried about PFAS or sub .02 micron bacteria.
Cheap Items Preppers Need
Hopefully, you will be able to choose from this list the items you should carry in your EDC or BOB that you can afford. Their versatility makes them valuable items to include in your emergency supplies. If you need to buy slowly, by all means do it within your budget, even if it is ony $20 a month.
