I’m starting prepping small; don’t have too much extra cash at this point.
Wondering what other NON-FOOD prep items I can start buying now that are each still inexpensive, and don’t have “expiry dates”. I don’t want to start buying tylenol and batteries yet, for example, since they could expire in a couple years…
I’m trying to prep everything in backwards order, I guess. Waiting a bit until I get a bit more concerned before I start buying things that have actual expiry dates.
Is there anything else I can get prepped in the meantime? Eg., I’m looking at stocking up on things like candles, lighters, bandaids, etc.
A few ideas off the top of my head would be: toilet paper, 91% isopropyl-type alcohol (for can heaters, cooking source), trash bags, oil lamps & candles, cleaning supplies, vitamin C, first aid kit, manual can opener, etc…there’s tons of non food items that can be stocked depending on your individual likes, dislikes and/or needs.
First thing I would get are N95 masks, gloves, alcohol, and bleach. That way, if you have to get things in the midst of an active epidemic, you’ll be more protected.
I am not nearly as expirienced as most preppers here…I just started a few months ago, but maybe I can offer you a few suggestions, I started small as well.
The local dollar store was a great help. I found candles, gloves, matches, some medical supplies, aluminum foil. Someone on the wiki forum suggested buying vinyl shower curtains for bedliners, if one plans on looking after sick patients. Hubby is a soda junkie, so I just started buying it in 2litre bottles, and store water in the empties. I also have a few rubber garbage bins I use for laundry ( There is a LOT of it in this house…) that I plan to fill if a pandemic comes to fruition. May not be good for drinking, but it will provide water for washing clothes,ect.
Supermarket bargain bins have the strangest, and sometimes useful cheap stuff. I found handwarmers once, and cleaned out what was there. I’m in a northern climate, you never know!
Free firewood is the best deal yet. I’ve found several supplies around my city in the online classifieds, you just have to pick it up and split it.
Hope this helps a little…
“Wondering what other NON-FOOD prep items I can start buying now that are each still inexpensive, and don’t have “expiry dates”. I don’t want to start buying tylenol and batteries yet, for example, since they could expire in a couple years.”
A lot of people died from Hurricaine Katrina, simply because they did not have emergency supplies of their medicines on hand. Expiration dates or not, you should have them around.
Uses for old newspapers:
Cheapo INSULATION to keep warm: Put layers in your shoes, and in your winter hats/caps. Put layers inside your coat or between the blankets.
For summer and winter insulation: Stuff crumpled or rolled up newspaper under doors and around windows. Tape on bedroom windows to block intense summer sun or help insulate against winter cold.
GARBAGE CAN LINER Line the bottom of the can with few layers of folded newspaper to help absorb odors and liquids. Layers of newspapers can be used to wrap trash to be carried out for burial/burning/disposal.
ODOR REMOVAL: Crumpled up newspaper stuffed into shoes or boots, smelly plastic containers and picnic coolers to help reduce odors.
TOILET PAPER: >sigh< One day you might run out of the luxury stuff. Save your magazines, too. Don’t be a creature of habit by forgetting that this stuff is not flushable.
FIRE STARTER A hand full of crumpled up newspaper topped with a few rolled and tightly twisted newspaper sheets can be used for kindling as a base for building a fire with.
MOP / SPONGE / PAPER TOWEL Well crumpled up newspaper that’s just slightly damp in spots will help mop up spills and messes.
GLASS & MIRROR CLEANER Dampen a wad of crumpled newspaper with water and use to polish glass to a shine.
HAVE FUN WITH IT Reduce anxiety and “cabin fever” with mindless escapes like these: 1) Do a word hunt. Cross the words out. See if you can guess what picture the pattern of crossed out words can make. 2) Create a new sentence by circling certain words in an existing sentence. 3) Invent other silly word games. 4) Draw silly tattoos, beards, etc. on the beautiful models, and don’t forget your “favorite” politicians. 5) Roll up a section of crumpled up newspaper into a tight ball. Toss and try to catch it with a cup or a rolled cup cone of newspaper. 6) Make a bunch of newspaper balls, invent your own basketball type games with them, or try from a distance to toss them inside a circle. Award points for each score. The most points win.
What other things can you think of that newspapers can be useful for?
‘til later, PureCajunSunshine (sorry about the signature line here, but the “author” field under the comment box wouldn’t work for me)
Toiletries-toothpaste, shampoo, soap, lotion, gloves, N-95 masks (get them before they’re gone), Kaopectate or Imodium, bandages and antiseptics,first aid supplies, OTC things you usually use. A clothes line and clothes pins, laundry soap, stock up on things you use on a daily basis, watch what you use in a day and take note of it, you will likely need it in the future, and it may not be available. Pet food.
Get things done like dental work, check ups, and cars tuned up now. Depending on the type of alternate heat and light you are planning, perhaps propane.
Piezo lighters or strike-anywhere matches; bricks and some lumber in case you have to rig something up — for example, bricks and a grill can be used to turn a fireplace into a cooking hearth; rope and duct tape, tools, nuts, bolts, screws and glue; drain cleaner (you will not want to have to try to get a plumber during a pandemic — excreta is very infective and they will be in high demand/short supply).
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