Part 3: Things to Stock Up On
A brain dump that hopefully includes a couple good ideas you won't find on other lists.
(Updated August 2024.)
Food (which I'm aiming to cover in an upcoming post), water, etc. are clearly key. But there are also some things to think about that might be easy to overlook.
As a starting point, think about simple items you use in your daily life. What are super basic things (in addition to food & water, etc.) it would really be a bummer not to have?
Here are a few things on my list:
toothpaste
deodorant
dental floss
socks & underwear in good condition
walking shoes in good condition
tea
... the thought here is that if simple items are covered, then dealing with whatever else is going on will be a tiny bit easier, mentally and emotionally. These are all really easy to buy a couple extra of, if not several, and stash away. I literally have 30 pair of underwear in a bag on a shelf in my closet.
If you're in the US, TJ Maxx / Marshalls / etc. are good places to get things like this. You can also often also find multi-packs on Amazon, at wholesale clubs, etc.
Another way to approach this is to plan out different scenarios on different timescales.
What would you need if supply chains and possibly power were disrupted for 2-3 weeks?
What about 2-3 months?
Or 2-3 years...?
Stocking up on things that will help you get through all of the above scenarios is probably a wise idea.
Other possibilities to consider (in no particular order):
Gardening: Seeds, manual garden tools, fertilizer - all things related to growing food outdoors. Or indoors!
Spare car parts: get an extra set of tires, windshield wipers, air and cabin filters, spark plugs, head and tail lamps, brake pads, etc. Also, whatever you'd typically replace on your car after 100k miles (timing belt, etc.).
Gasoline: Unstabilized ethanol-free gas can be stored in a meets-regulation-guidelines gas can for up to 6 months (some sources say longer, but 6 mo seems to be the average). Gas containing ethanol only lasts a month before it starts to separate into its components. Adding a stabilizer like STA-BIL Storage to gas (with or without ethanol) helps the gas last up to 24 months.
Spare bike parts: extra tire tubes, patch kit, possibly an extra set of tires if they’re replaceable for your bike.
First aid supplies: not just basics like bandaids and burn cream, but potentially also first-responder type supplies. Imho best to buy items individually instead of purchasing a first aid kit, as the kits tend to have lower quality materials. (Note: If you have FSA funds to use up by the end of the year, this is a great option. Many online retailers like Amz and Walmart have a filter for FSA eligible items.)
Here are a couple useful lists:
Supplements: keeping your immune system boosted could become extra-important. iherb.com is helpful because they include expiration dates for all supplements they sell (same for food items, actually). I have enough NAC and Quercetin to last into 2026. I also, gods forbid but just in case, have potassium iodide. Life Extension sells 130 mg tablets. Here’s a fact sheet on potassium iodide explaining dosing and when/how long to take.
Practical clothes: I've been selling my dress clothes (many of which I haven't worn since pre-2020) and instead building up a general redundancy of practical clothes like jeans, t-shirts, a couple warm sweaters, etc. Having a duplicate of your very favorite shirt / hoodie / etc. stashed away for when your current one wears out is also a comforting option.
Clothes for extreme weather: whatever you might need based on where you live. Many of the sites listed in Part 1 can be good places to find these items.
How-to books: I rely on YouTube University for many, many things - but what if the net goes down? I've been slowly collecting old-school books on vegetable gardening, first-aid (including pet first aid!), basic home and car repair, etc.
Pet supplies: If you have furbabies, stock up on food, pet vitamins, toys, flea & tick protection, heartworm meds, etc.
Camping supplies: In a genuine SHTF scenario, do you have basics for being able to survive on the move? Tent, water purification, waterproof storage bags, compass, headlamp / camp light, waterproof matches, cook stove + utensils, sleeping bag - along with a backpack to carry it all in. Again, check some of these sites for secondhand items.
Printed maps: Imagine a no-more-Google-maps world, do you know how to get where you might need to go - especially if it's hours/days away? Consider both road and hiking maps for your area/region.
Non-motorized transportation for self and things: Do you have a decent-enough bike for traveling distances that aren’t practical by foot? Consider getting a bike cargo trailer. Burley is a recognized brand. (You might have luck finding one of these on fb marketplace.)
Wheelbarrow: Good to have on hand for hauling larger/heavier things over short distances.
Hot tent + stove: I didn’t even know this was a thing until recently! Larger tents designed to accommodate a small wood stove chimney. More here.
Foot transportation: A good backpack and a backup pair of walking or hiking shoes might not be a bad idea. Also trekking poles if you live in a steep terrain area.
Communication tools: Walkie talkies (aka two-way radios) for family/neighbors, emergency radio (esp. one that's waterproof + rechargeable -- some even have a hand-crank for recharging), possibly a short-wave/Ham radio for longer distance comm.
Portable power backup: Having a way to charge your phone/computer can help you stay connected. Here’s a good video comparison of three leading small portable solar batteries. Most of these manufacturers also offer portable solar panels for charging.
Internet backup: Many mobile carriers now have home mobile wifi hotspot devices (example) including portable devices (example). If the electricity goes out and your cable modem stops working, you can still connect using mobile wifi - and you can take your wifi with you.
Lights: candles, flashlights, rechargeable led lamps. Have backups for your backups. I like these wicks, which can be used with olive oil lamps. For tea light candles, IKEA Glimma candles are often cited as the longest burning.
Firewood tools: Silky saw or similar, also maybe an axe, and related tools, including a sharpening stone.
Firewood/charcoal cooking option: Consider dual fuel rocket stove, that can be used to cook with either charcoal or firewood. Or consider a Cobb portable charcoal grill for versatile cooking options. (Tip: most charcoal has not-great chemicals that hold the flammable materials together in the briquet shape. Best to wait until the charcoal is coated in grey ash — that means most of the not-great chemicals have burned away and the charcoal is safer to use for cooking.)
Firewood source: Do you own land where you can source firewood from old/downed trees? Might be good to have that option. To make the purchase more budget-friendly, consider purchasing as a group and then splitting up the acreage (probably best to have a legal agreement). Also make sure to verify the land is not under a conservation easement.
Charcoal. Especially if a firewood source is not available. (Charcoal video and “versatile cooking options” video above both courtesy of the Rosered Homestead youtube channel. Which I highly recommend subscribing to!)
Full on worst case safety gear: Tyvek body suit, breathing respirator w/ extra filters, PVC-coated chemical resistant gloves, etc. Better to have it and never need it. This single-use respirator reviewed by PrepMedic looks like a good option. (Tip: if you have gloves + tyvek suit, you can duct tape the suit around your wrists for increased protection.)
Body armor: also in the better to have and never need category. Decent guide here. RMA makes female body armor.
Fun stuff: Especially if you have kids, you'll want/need ways to pass the time that don't involve the internet: books, puzzles, playing cards, board games, art supplies. Also, especially if you have a solar backup system, consider CDs and an old school plugin/battery power boombox w/ a CD player.
General tools: I've been opting for battery/rechargeable tools. Much easier to have a solar panel + battery and recharge than to rely on gas/oil. Also hand tools (goes without saying). Consider things like crowbars and bolt cutters.
Warm blankets: As needed based on location.
Random MacGyver (lol) type supplies: Duct tape, magnets, rope, carabiners (weirdly good to have on hand), bungee cords, electrical tape, zip ties, flagging tape (for trail marking), a lighweight pulley system, fishing line.
Specialized repair tools & supplies: Think about what you use frequently and what you’d need to repair it: car tools, bike repair tools. For outdoor gear repair: I recently discovered Gear Aid. Good stuff - patch tape and such.
Desiccant (moisture absorption) packs: may help prolong the lifespan of everything from seeds to batteries to matches to metal tools. Recommended brands: PackFreshUSA for food safe pouches. Dry & Dry for all-purpose pouches (they work great for gear stored in plastic bins).
Mosquito netting: good for keeping bugs off vegetable gardens.
Peppermint essential oil: Proven to deter mice. Also ants.
Oregano essential oil: Proven to repel cockroaches.
Supplies for bartering: What would people really want/need in a SHTF world that you can stock up on and use for trading? Catherine Austin Fitts once said in an interview that she has a closet full of tiny alcohol bottles that could be used for trading. I've been collecting matches. Seeds would probably be a good one, chocolate, Aquatabs, batteries, toothpaste, electrolyte powder packets, probably anything on your list from the very top of this post.
Batteries: various sizes according to your gear requirements. Amazon basics and duracell alkaline batteries stand up pretty well in testing. Energizer Ultimates are the clear winner in lithium category. They have a 20+ year shelf life and can withstand fairly extreme temps. Consider keeping a list of battery powered gear and what size battery each item needs.
Lookout gear: a good set of binoculars is nice to have. Also consider infrared and/or night vision goggles — see this Space.com article for beginner/budget options, and/or this Outdoor Life article for higher end/military grade options.
Hunting & fishing supplies: Not a topic I know anything about but probably wise to have at least basics.
Portable photo album: in a long-term grid down scenario, you might not have access to the 100s (or in some cases 1000s) of photos on your phone. An old school CD case with a zipper doubles nicely as a photo album. Also works for documents.
Baby food: Not just for babies! Most decent quality baby food contains healthy ingredients with minimal additives, packaged to last. It’s a way to make sure you have access to a variety of vitamins and nutrients that you might not be getting from your other stored food. You can also freeze it and it will last for 3+ years! (I’m still working through my stash of covid frozen baby food pouches and they taste fine…) Note: a study found higher levels of heavy metals in baby food containing carrots, sweet potatoes, and rice.
Cash: A couple hundred in smaller bills if possible.
This is my stream of consciousness list so far. I'll add more as I think of things. Comments & other suggestions welcome!
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Previously on The Thoughtful Prepper...
Part 1 – Sell your stuff!
Part 2 – Water