Prepping in a Tight Economy - Food Storage Moms

In today’s world, prepping has become more than just a hobby for survival enthusiasts. It’s a strategy for anyone looking to ensure their family’s safety in the face of economic instability, natural disasters, or other emergencies. However, in a tight economy where every dollar counts, the approach to prepping needs to be both strategic and frugal. I have spent many years prepping. Some years were tight, and some years were plentiful, moneywise and I had to adjust as each year unfolded. Maybe you’ve also experienced the cycle of lean years and more robust financial years. If you have any tips to add to this, let me know so I can pass your ideas on to my faithful readers!

Table of Contents

Assess Your Needs and Prioritize

The first step in prepping is understanding what you need and setting clear priorities. I want to share some ways you can assess your needs and prioritize them. All of us have things we consider essentials like food, clothing, and shelter. How we establish what are true needs and what could be considered wants can become a very personalize challenge. Setting priorities and living within our means takes planning and discipline. Here are some things to take into consideration:

Identifying Potential Threats: Depending on your location and personal circumstances, the types of emergencies you prepare for may vary. Common scenarios include natural disasters, power outages, economic downturns, personal health and safety, and supply chain disruptions.
Evaluating Essential Needs: First, focus on the basics—food, water, shelter, and medical supplies. Determine how much of each you need based on your household size and the duration you want to be prepared for.
Making a Priority List: Once you have a clear picture of potential threats and essential needs, prioritize your list. Start with the most crucial items for survival and work your way down.

Budget-Friendly Food Storage

Food is one of the most critical components of any prepper’s stockpile. When it comes to food, I make sure I stockpile as much as I can!

Bulk Buying: When you purchase your groceries at the local grocery store be sure to stock up on non-perishable items. You can often save money if you shop at warehouse stores. Keep your eyes open for sales like the common caselot sale. Staples like rice, beans, pasta, and canned goods have long shelf lives and are cost-effective. List of the Best Food Storage Supplies for Us
Home Preservation: Learn basic preservation techniques such as canning, drying, and pickling. Growing your own fruits and vegetables and then preserving them can significantly reduce costs if you have room for a garden.
Couponing and Sales: Keep an eye out for discounts and coupons. Combining these with sales can help you acquire items at a fraction of their regular price. List of the Best Food Storage Supplies for Us
Rotate Your Stock: Use the FIFO (First In, First Out) method to ensure nothing goes to waste. Consistently rotate and consume older items while replacing them with new purchases. Tips for Understanding How to Rotate Foods

Water Storage and Purification

Access to clean water is vital, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Water is one of the most important things you will ever have for an emergency. You’ll need water to stay hydrated, do some cooking, provide for personal hygiene, and do limited laundry chores. If you’ve dehydrated food as part of your preparation plans, you’ll need water to rehydrate and use those foods.

Storage Solutions: Use food-grade BPA-safe containers to store water. Large plastic drums or even repurposed soda bottles can work well. Aim to store at least one gallon of water per person per day. How To Store Water-Pros And Cons
Purification Methods: Invest in affordable water purification options like tablets, bleach, or portable water filter systems. Learning to purify water from natural sources can also be invaluable. Purified Water vs. Spring Water: The Differences
Rainwater Collection: If local regulations permit, setting up a rainwater harvesting system can provide a sustainable water source. How to Use Rain Water at Home

Affordable Shelter and Heating Solutions

Maintaining warmth and a secure shelter during emergencies is crucial. There are many ways to make sure you have affordable shelter and heating solutions!

Insulate Your Home: Improve your home’s insulation to reduce heating costs and ensure it stays warm during power outages. Simple steps like sealing windows and doors can make a significant difference. What to Use for Insulation to Stay Warm
Alternative Heating: Consider cost-effective heating options like wood stoves, fireplace inserts, or propane heaters. Ensure you have proper ventilation and safety measures in place. What is the Best Firewood for Home Heating?
Emergency Shelters: Have materials ready to create a makeshift shelter if needed. Tents, tarps, and sleeping bags are affordable and can be life-saving in a pinch. How to Use a Tarp for Shelter
Consider getting a programmable thermostat and learn how to effectively use it. Turn the AC and furnace to a reasonable temperature when your home or apartment is empty, like during work and school hours. Also, adjust the temperature when you’re sleeping. Utilities can be expensive, so lower that electric utility bill by turning off the lights when you leave a room. Turning off devices that use power just by being plugged in like a TV, computer, and printer can save electricity.

Building a Frugal Emergency Kit

An emergency kit should be comprehensive but doesn’t need to be expensive. I have put together many kits over the years and shared all my success tips on the blog.

DIY Kits: Assemble your emergency kits instead of buying pre-made ones. You can often find cheaper alternatives or use items you already have at home. What You Need In Your 72-Hour Kits Today
Second-Hand Gear: Check thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces for gently used gear such as backpacks, flashlights, and camping equipment. Best Prepper Gear: Big Items to Save For
Multi-Use Items: Focus on items that have multiple uses. For example, a multitool can serve numerous functions, and bandanas can be used for first aid, sun protection, or as a makeshift mask. Invaluable Tools Necessary for Transporting Emergency Supplies

Health and Medical Supplies

Health is paramount, so having the right supplies on hand is essential. As I get older, I’ve learned that if you don’t have your health, then you have nothing. Make sure you are prepared for medical emergencies that may come your way during a disaster.

Basic First Aid: Start with a basic kit and gradually add items specific to your family’s needs. Include over-the-counter medications, bandages, antiseptics, and personal prescriptions. Types of Medicines You Need for a First Aid Kit
Learn Basic Skills: Knowledge can be as valuable as supplies. Take basic first aid and CPR courses, many of which are free or low-cost. First Aid for Outdoor Adventures
Generic Brands: Purchase generic brands for medications and supplies to save money without sacrificing quality.

Financial Preparedness

Economic downturns can have a significant impact on your ability to prep. However, I’m in my 70s, and I’ve learned how to use all of these. We never know how our lives can be impacted. It doesn’t take natural disasters to wipe out our financial goals. The loss of a job, a medical emergency, or the death of a family member can directly affect our monthly income and monthly spending. The amount of money available can change in an instant, so do some planning now, just in case.

Emergency Fund: Aim to build an emergency fund that covers at least three to six months of monthly payments for living expenses. Even small, regular contributions can add up over time as you strive to meet savings goals.
Debt Management: Prioritize paying down high-interest obligations like credit card debt to free up more of your income for essential prepping supplies. How To Get Out Of Debt And Stay That Way
Budgeting: Create a budget that includes a category for prepping. Track your expenses and adjust as necessary to ensure you stay on track. How To Cut Your Budget When You Think You Can’t
Subscriptions: Whether it’s for cable, streaming services, music downloads, cell phone services, and more, look for less expensive options or just cancel them altogether if things get really tough and you’re on an extremely tight budget. We all place the need for entertainment as important, but there are limits.
Using Cash: Consider using cash for day to day expenses rather than a debit card or your checking account. Once the money is gone, it’s gone. When you get your paycheck, convert it to cash, place the funds in a series of envelopes, and eliminate the chance of overspending beyond what you have.

Community and Skill Building

Being part of a community and having a diverse skill set can be as crucial as physical supplies. Getting to know your neighbors and learning new skills isn’t bad! You can even figure out how to barter and trade.

Network with Neighbors: Building relationships with neighbors can provide mutual support in times of crisis. Consider forming a local prepping group to share resources and knowledge. Neighbors-It’s Critical We Get To Know Them
Learn New Skills: Learn practical skills such as gardening, home repair, and basic mechanics. These skills can save you money and be invaluable during emergencies. Home Economic Skills You Should Teach Your Kids
Bartering and Trade: Develop a network for bartering goods and services. This can be particularly useful during economic hardships when cash flow is tight. 50 Items You Need In Order To Barter

Be Willing to Make Some Tough Decisions

We don’t have to be living on what might be considered “low income” to find things are financially tight right now. Food, rent, car maintenance, and other expenses have all gone up over the past few years. It might come to the point where we have to make some challenging decisions.

Be willing to eat more meals at home. It’s fun to eat out, but you should be able to prepare meals more cost-effectively by preparing home meals. Take a lunch to work rather than eating out. Have a fun BBQ rather than going out for burgers or steaks.
Evaluate options for your living space. Could you share your home with family members to get extra cash to cover your mortgage or rent? Some families have decided to share space and expenses as way to save money in the long run since housing costs keep going up.
Relocate to a less expensive community. We’ve seen Utah become an expensive place for families to live. We had friends move to a small community in South Carolina close to other family members due to the lower cost of living.
Could new or extra vocational training help you earn more income? The trades are paying higher wages than in years past, maybe it’s worth a look.
Do you have the time and energy to take on a “side hustle?” The thought of a second job is daunting, but maybe it’s a necessary step so you can more easily meet your monthly expenses every calendar month. Part of a realistic spending plan is evaluating income sources and improving income besides limiting the outgo.

More Tips

Final Word

Prepping in a tight economy requires careful planning, prioritization, and a focus on frugality. Taking the time to assess your needs, finding budget-friendly solutions, building a strong community, and maintaining a proactive mindset are all necessary. You can ensure that you and your family are prepared for whatever may come your way if you’re willing to evaluate and possibly take the steps outlined above. May God Bless this World, Linda