Preparedness and How To Prep When You Are Poor or Low Income
(image: the Great Depression poor)
There’s a big difference between “I can’t afford a generator” poor and “we are splurging by adding cheese to Raman noodles for dinner” poor.
Too many people might not start prepping because looking at the cost of ‘recommended items’ can be intimidating.
Regardless of your own economic status, lets get a discussion going about some of the things that ‘poor’ or low income people can do to start or continue prepping.
Some suggestions may be specific while others more general.
Here are a few ideas to get it started:
Acquire survival & preparedness knowledge (Library, Internet).
Research your area for foraging types of foods.
Become proficient as a gardener (seeds are cheap).
Become proficient with food preservation (e.g. canning).
Save all plastic water, juice, pop bottles, etc and fill with water.
Free 5-gallon buckets & lids at grocery stores, bakeries, donut shops.
Save your food jars/lids from spaghetti sauces, pickles, etc. for storage of ‘things’.
Save old clothes to cut up for wash cloths, rags, etc.
Check local paper or Craigslist for free stuff.
Buy a few extra cans of food each grocery store visit.
Always look for the items on sale.
Barter and Trade for stuff.
Before you throw anything away, ‘think’, “What else could I do with it?”
Many churches regularly provide free meals.
Look for a local food pantry.
Visit yard/estate sales, you might find ‘treasure’.
Try to reduce as many monthly bills as you can.
Drive around looking for trees filled with fruit, ask to pick some…
Eliminate ‘indulgent’ expenses (e.g. Starbucks, smoking, alcohol).
Cut your own hair (or your partners hair).
Borrow tools, etc. from neighbors where applicable (instead of buying).
Visit thrift stores for great deals (clothes and all else).
Before buying it, do you ‘want’ it or do you ‘need it’?
Learn how to cook ‘poor meals’ to save money.
Learn how to cook!
Learn how to make a fire.
Search for online ‘free’ prep books.
Install a clothesline to dry your clothing.
Don’t throw away leftovers.
Turn off lights, water, appliances, etc. when you are not using them.
Shower instead of taking baths.
Check out what you can find at the Dollar Store.
Don’t buy anything on credit. If you do use your card, pay it off each month.
Shut off the lights in rooms that you are not in.
AM/FM radio and ‘antenna TV’ are free.
Make sure the furnace filter is clean so it runs efficiently.
Share WiFi with friends, or visa-versa.
Raise some cash – have a yard sale.
Do ‘odd jobs’ for people.
Make your own laundry soap.
Any more ideas?
Continue reading: Survival Skills Of The Great Depression Era