Dollar store prepping

[Bravery]

I buy bags of marbles as sling shot load at .99 cents store. Best deal ever.

We took our slingshot out to the woods and used Lemonhead candy ... the evidence disappears over time (and it's cheaper).

Yeah, they aren't perfectly round ... but much better than the rocks I used to shoot as a kid (Lemonheads are fat free, too). Of course, I don't recommend storing them for long term use.

 

[old_anorak]

Best use I can think for them!

 

[bubbadreier]

Hey don't do that to those poor lemonheads! Send them to me and I will dispose of them properly... in my belly.

 

[Dani]

Bravery, if you are able to defend yourself and family with Lemonheads, have at it!

 

[bubbadreier]

Get in in the mouth and the bad guys can choke to death on something tasty!

 

[Mainely4Knitting]

I just saw this thread and actually mentioned something in another thread about how we recently got a Dollar Tree store in our area. I know they have quite a few things that are good. I picked up some ace bandages after my recent surgery and was surprised at how good they were! I had already picked up a few at WallyWorld for $3 more!

 

[Bravery]

I gave the Lemonheads to my son and his friend... they loved shooting them and even shot them while canoeing. They told me that they had a blast... but the damned Lemonheads wouldn't stay true... they curved. If you can't trust Lemonheads... what can you trust!!

 

[old_anorak]

Green persimmons are down right wicked when shot from a sling shot!

 

[Bravery]

Wow, just the name persimmons sounds nasty. Never saw a persimmons... yes, I know, I have lived a sheltered life.

 

[nowhereman]

Good and useful info!

 

[Prepared WOLF]

I found a site with some very useful items on prepping on a budget. Dollar stores give you great deals on little things you may want to stock up on. I won't get into too much detail here because someone did a great article series on the subject. You can check out his series here:

http://www.survivalistmind.com/dollar-store-prepper-pt-1-medical-supplies/
http://www.survivalistmind.com/dollar-store-prepper-pt-2-bug-in-supplies/
http://www.survivalistmind.com/dollar-store-prepper-pt-3-survival-supplies/

Hi all...

yes Good place to prep for small things but problem with dollar store most of the things there arent for long term storage and would have to be replaced sooner than long term wares (such s food) exception o that rule of course is to replace each week with new things and eat older items.

 

[Clyde]

Hi all...

yes Good place to prep for small things but problem with dollar store most of the things there arent for long term storage and would have to be replaced sooner than long term wares (such s food) exception o that rule of course is to replace each week with new things and eat older items.

I tend to rotate my stock any how, but I will pay a little more to have a longer shelf life. some stores like Albertsons will have 10 items for $10.00 sales on certain items. Watch your sales adds. Out here in orange county, kalifornia those ads show up in the mail/post on tuesdays

 

[Gazrok]

Most BOBs (bug out bags) are designed to be used for 72 hours or less, to get to your safe location. So, the things in it don't have to last a long time...so dollar stores are great for this on a budget.
For your home base though, good equipment is more desirable.

The best prepper type things I usually find at dollar stores are:

Medicine (basics like aspirin, etc.)
First aid supplies (bandages, ointments, etc.)
Travel-size toiletries (great for BOBs)
Cleaners (allows you to stock up)
TP and Paper Towels (are they great? No, but you can stock up, and better than leaves)
Simple tools
Small flashlights
School supplies (if we lose computers, we're back to writing things)

 

[Sbrosky1]

Dollar tree now accepts coupons. There is a Libby's coupon for veggies. Makes the canned veggies .54¢ a can. With fall coming, expect canned goods to go on sale. I just ordered coupons for the mixed fruit. Vitamin C baby!

 

[Verona]

Hey thanks for posting this info because I was wondering how people like me on a fixed low income where gonna afford to prepare =) Now what about shelter?

You can get cheap thermal tents, thermal sleeping bags and heating blankets that heat up for 8 hours when oxygen touches them from ebay or amazon. Im talking cheap. I got a bunch of the sleeping bags and tents for my bug out bags for like 6-8 bucks a piece!

 

[Clyde]

You can get cheap thermal tents, thermal sleeping bags and heating blankets that heat up for 8 hours when oxygen touches them from ebay or amazon. Im talking cheap. I got a bunch of the sleeping bags and tents for my bug out bags for like 6-8 bucks a piece!

Was there a specific company name for the ones you got?

 

[Verona]

Was there a specific company name for the ones you got?

No just any brand that sells cheap. Might not be as good of quality but its better then nothing for small budgets...

 

[jimLE]

I pick up coloring books or word searches at the Dollar Tree. If your stuck in the house you have to have something to keep your kids busy. Or maybe just yourself too.

my mom gets her puzzle books at dolar genral and walgreens..she works them so much.its a wonder she dont get done with them sooner..lol

 

[prepgurl918]

I found a site with some very useful items on prepping on a budget. Dollar stores give you great deals on little things you may want to stock up on. I won't get into too much detail here because someone did a great article series on the subject. You can check out his series here:

http://www.survivalistmind.com/dollar-store-prepper-pt-1-medical-supplies/
http://www.survivalistmind.com/dollar-store-prepper-pt-2-bug-in-supplies/
http://www.survivalistmind.com/dollar-store-prepper-pt-3-survival-supplies/

also if i could say couponing is also a great way to prep food and other things for really cheap and dollar store or dollar tree is what its called in my area takes coupons so you can get stuff even cheaper.

 

[Gazrok]

You'd be surprised. Just last week, I was at the dollar store and found plenty of name brand items that are usually more expensive in the normal stores. Luigi's Italian Ice (4pk), $1. For example, or those Knorr noodle packs, typically about $2 in grocery stores. Hunts spaghetti sauce, little Red Baron frozen pizzas... All kinds of things.

 

[Dani]

$2.98 gallon of milk

 

[Gazrok]

Wow, that is a good price.

 

[hlrive]

I pick up coloring books or word searches at the Dollar Tree. If your stuck in the house you have to have something to keep your kids busy. Or maybe just yourself too.

I was thinking about adding something like that in my survival buckets. It might be good to slide one in each bucket before I seal them up that would keep the kids busy. I usually add in some hard candy but coloring books and search a words would work to.

I buy lots at the dollar stores when prepping I love to go in there and buy soaps, and shampoos along with bandaids and so much more.

 

[preppernut]

I live pretty far out - 25-30 miles from everything but what is in our small town. We do have a Dollar General, and their Orchard Valley line is excellent. Also, they have great canned white meat chicken that we pair with Rice-a-Roni parmesan angel hair pasta that is $1 a box. Really good for storage and a quick meal any time.

 

[hlrive]

I live pretty far out - 25-30 miles from everything but what is in our small town. We do have a Dollar General, and their Orchard Valley line is excellent. Also, they have great canned white meat chicken that we pair with Rice-a-Roni parmesan angel hair pasta that is $1 a box. Really good for storage and a quick meal any time.

Yeah I do that as well. I figure if I can make a meal for the family with $4 I have it made. So I try and buy things that are really cheap and then just add something to it. I think I have about 5 more boxes left of rice-a-roni. I need to get some more next week when I go shopping.

 

[jimLE]

the grocery store that we do our primary grocery shopping at.is some where around 45 miles each way..so yes,we stouck up on diff foods for the month.and then go into town (6 miles each way)for the minor stuff.like milk and bread..one thing i've learned..is wal mart has norr rice sides for $1.00 each..so i stock up that...

 

[Gazrok]

one thing i've learned..is wal mart has norr rice sides for $1.00 each..so i stock up that...

My local Dollar Trees have the same. However, sometimes, the grocery stores have bogo deals on this and/or coupons, that really make it worth while. For example, a couple weeks back, they were bogo at $1.39 (so $1.39 for two), then we had manufacturer coupons for 25 cents off (so 50 cents for two). So, every two boxes cost us only 89 cents (or 44 cents a box, plus a penny).

 

[Krykit]

A true dollar store is great for getting some things. But sometimes it's cheaper to get stuff at Walmart than it is a Dollar General. I think the "Dollar" in the name confuses people into making them think it's cheaper

I find that Walmart is definitely a greater resource for a prepper on a budget. The selection is much greater, you can find a lot of items in bulk (you usually have to call ahead to reserve large amounts), and you find specialty items for cheap on the Walmart.com site which can be shipped to you or sent to a nearby store for pick up. When it comes to shopping I like to be able to get as much as I can in one place and going to Walmart accomplishes that goal. I can get my canned goods, water, medicines, and even emergency supplies (flashlights, matches, batteries, etc). I'm an amateur prepper at best so I am currently focused on gathering supplies.

 

[Gazrok]

Walmart can be good, but if at least in my area, and with my experience, a combo of shopping for groceries at Winn Dixie and Publix works best. Winn Dixie's normal prices, and then Publix for bogos. All while using coupons of course.

The bonus is, Winn Dixie has a fuel rewards program where every $50, gets you 5 cents off per gallon (up to 20 gallons) for fuel at Shell (and some items also give you so many cents off here and there). About every 3 weeks, Publix does a $50 gas card for $40 (and Shell is one of the ones available). So, I take my $50 card (that I paid $40 for), and get gas for like a dollar a gallon, for 20 gallons. Then, I still have another $30 on the card to use!

 

[eireguy]

Wow i thought all the winn-dixies closed along time ago . Kroger & w.m. grocery stores forced them out of my town over a decade ago .