Survival Kit List and How To Make It For Less

We first want to say that we have been remembering in our prayers those affected by the earthquakes on the east coast and in Colorado.  Yesterday, we asked on our Facebook page about who was affected and if everyone was safe.  The reports were good in that although it was a scary event for many of you that there were no reports of injuries or something worse.  We were thankful to hear that and so far have heard much of the same from the news as well.

But in light of the earthquakes that have been hitting our nation this week, it has brought to light the fact the need to be prepared and ready for these natural disasters.  It is never something you hope happens, it is never something you anticipate, however – being prepared with supplies and a plan is just as important as the insurance you buy!

With that in mind, there is a thrifty way to be prepared! First off, just from your grocery deals and shopping, we hope we have showed and encouraged you to build a stock-pile.  It isn’t just because you can grab a great deal for the one week on that one item and so it is the time to stock-up, but also because it is necessary in cases in which groceries might not be so readily available or easily accessible.   We often refer to the stock-pile for when there are “lean” times in your family’s budget to live off of – but… the same applies for those natural disasters.   If need be, as an example your family can live off of dry cereal for several days!

But in addition to building your stock-pile the thrifty way (i.e. shopping with coupons and sales) there are some necessary supplies that you should include in your survival kit list.

We found a fantastic resource from Ready.gov.  They provide a lot of information about being ready for the unthinkable, in addition to a FREE printable list of items you should have to put together your own survival kit!

We recommend printing this survival kit list, and then creating survival kits for each family member with the recommendations from this list.

To make your kits the thrifty way:

• Check your own supplies and stock-pile first.
• Check through your supply of samples too as this can aid in putting together emergency kits, especially as it relates to medicine and medical supply samples that you may have received.
• Using your samples and travel/trial size products to make hygiene kits – you may note some items on the survival kit list that you may have already got in the mail.
• Granola and granola bar stock-up is a must in our opinion for emergency kits as it has the added protein vs. just dry cereal (although again, you CAN survive on dry cereal too. ;))
• Consider buying large plastic storage bins and storing all of these supplies in the one or two bins.  Clearly mark them and make them easily accessible. We like the plastic bins as it helps protect against water damage, debris and dust.
• Check online at emergency preparedness stores such as Ice-Qube, Emergency Essentials, and Amazon (always price compare on Amazon for any online deals you find as there is a good chance that it will be cheaper!).
• Rally neighbors, friends and family to consider buying emergency supplies in bulk for the bulk discount prices and splitting the cheaper cost per item(s).
• Be creative and find reasonable alternatives to some of the higher priced emergency supplies.
• Think outside of the box in terms of what your family might specifically need.  For example, one of our daughters has a deadly peanut/tree nut allergy – so our kits include the “extras” to protect her by including key medicines and an extra set of epi-pens in case of a disaster where the usual stock of them might not be reasonably accessible.
• Make sure to check expiration dates every six months (time change is a good reminder) to ensure that you supplies are still consumable or medicines usable.
• Use the survival kit list as a primary source for the items you will need.  You know your family best however so include other items that might not only supply your needs but provide some comfort during the crisis you experience.
• Consider donating excess samples, supplies, hygiene kits to local charities or areas impacted by natural disasters when they happen.

Please share any ideas that you have on having a thrifty emergency kits and stockpile!