No money to prep

[Benjamin_Boyce]

I literally have no extra income to prep anyone have any ideas for me

 

[Myrrph]

a little hard considering there is no context.

maybe try dollar stores, junk yards, etc?

 

[Brent S]

I literally have no extra income to prep anyone have any ideas for me

Gardening! You can buy a pack of seeds for less than two bucks. When you get down to it, prepping is about survival. The first two things you need are water and food. Start learning to make your own. You can learn to grow, and make a cheap water filter. Public libraries and the Internet can teach you anything you want if you spend the effort. All the rest can come slowly over years.
A friend of mine hiked the Appalachian trail years ago. He told me about a week into it he started seeing gear littering the trail. Some of the hikers had bought all this expensive gear that was just too heavy to be practical. It's easy to get caught up in wanting new toys, but in reality there's not a lot of stuff you need if you have knowledge. Remember, water first, food, then shelter. Security is up there in my opinion as well.

 

[Gazrok]

Dollar Stores and Goodwill man. You could easily make a Bug Out Bag for less than $50 total between these two places. Sure, wouldn't be the best quality tools, etc., but you could definitely do it.

Another thing, real prepping is knowledge. In today's world, this is pretty much free online. study up on skills that may prove useful in an off-grid situation.

Besides, you don't have to do it all at once (except the BOB, you really should put together one of those as soon as you can, but even this can be done in steps). Just get a little extra each time. Like one extra can of food. One extra bottle of water, etc. It adds up over time, and that is the one thing we really hope is on our side. Time.

Remember, water first, food, then shelter. Security is up there in my opinion as well.

Pretty sound advice, and I'd echo it as well. Anything else is just gravy.

 

[jimLE]

you also might try going through (everything) you have.and ask your self these questons.do i really need this,or not?..and if you need it.is it good for everyday life? is it a good prep?and if you don't need it.then ask yourself..can i sell it? if so.then start a yard sale pile. eventually,you'll have enough items for a yard sale.you'll not only make money for prep items,to paying bills n all...but you'll also make room for preps at the same time..we had a yard sale last summer.in which i cleared a set of shelves in the garage especilly for yard sale items only.that way,all i have to do..is get it out and set it onto a table,or where ever...

and as for buying on a budget.like it been mentioned..dollar stores.i buy some items at dollar tree.and that includes reading and sun glass's...for $1.00 each..it's a win win situation for me..and when ever your driving a hwyway from 1 town to another town.look for useable items.i found a tarp this way..and yes,i stoped n got it..and is there any train tracks close to where you live?walk the tracks for items.i've found useable stuff this way.but that was a few years ago.

and more importantly..LEARN..learn what ever you can...mainly skills.be it gardening,carpentry,mecahnic,cooking,canning,to what ever..what you learn now,can be of vaule in a shtf situation..you have your age working for you.the more you learn now.will be more you know later on..a lot of us here,prep on a budget.includeing me.one thing i've learned.is to,take it one step at a time.learn what you need in the way of preps.and make a preps list.what will be at the top of it.is what you need now.whats at the bottom,can wait.

food was mentioned.buy what you eat.and eat what you buy.and rotate.a change in diet can be hard on a person.

 

[eireguy]

You can pick some things up at yard sales for pretty cheap

 

[jontte]

..and flee markets and pawn shops..you don't need to have everything at once,build it up with thought,learn basic first-aid..baby-steps my fellow prepper

 

[Brent S]

..and flee markets and pawn shops..you don't need to have everything at once,build it up with thought,learn basic first-aid..baby-steps my fellow prepper

Good point on the first aid! Learning as much as you can not only helps with prepping, but these are skills that will help you and your family throughout your life.

 

[psalm 7]

Prepping can be a relative inexpensive past time that may well pay off big one day . Knowlage and experiance are good prepps that can be had for free . Frountier type Homesteading combined with modern survival gear make a great prepp . Start a thread stateing what you want to accomplish and what you have to complete each prepping task and Im sure you will get lots of advise .

 

[Dani]

My start would be a garden since it is so cheap to do. The beginning is a lot of hard work and sweat but it is so worth it. Even in a small space you can grow quite a bit. You can get your seeds relatively cheap buy buying at your local feed stores. Not all will carry, but you can buy however many seeds you want at a much cheaper prive than the seed packets. In my area, most seeds are around $3.25 lb but corn is more like $15. Canning jars are a little more expensive, but like some said, check out yard sales and flee markets. Even some local classified ads have them. If not check the dollar stores and Wal-Mart, they tend to sell a cheap jar, but it is thinner so be careful not to chip or crack when washing / using. . . they still can up the same as the more expensive. Also check for specials. HEB have jars on this week, buy one get the second half off. Next, I would check out on how I could save on my daily living expenses. Are drinks/lunch or whatever bought outside the home? Not hard to tote along a mug of your favorite drink while running errands and not hard to pack up leftovers. Is there any electricity that could be lessoned during the day? Most do not even think about turning a light on when they enter into a room. I try not to do that during the day time since I have a lot of windows and natural light in my home. Can I ride a bike to work instead of buying all that extra fuel? Can I learn about the natural plants in my area and know which ones are edible and what can be used for medicines? This really kind of depends on how committed to this you want to get. The list could go on

 

[Mountain trapper]

I literally have no extra income to prep anyone have any ideas for me

Almost everyone has something they spend money on unnecessarily. Do you drink alcohol, smoke, eat junk food, eat out, buy snacks, have cable/satellite TV, drive when you can walk, drink sodas, etc. Make a list of where every penny goes and then make a budget. I'm sure that you will find something that you can do without and save some money. Get a second job, a part time job, work overtime if its available. If you're serious about prepping, you will find a way to make it work. Good luck!

 

[Brent S]

Almost everyone has something they spend money on unnecessarily. Do you drink alcohol, smoke, eat junk food, eat out, buy snacks, have cable/satellite TV, drive when you can walk, drink sodas, etc. Make a list of where every penny goes and then make a budget. I'm sure that you will find something that you can do without and save some money. Get a second job, a part time job, work overtime if its available. If you're serious about prepping, you will find a way to make it work. Good luck!

No doubt, writing out a budget, in black and white. Seeing what you have, and where it goes, will show something thats being wasted, or at least could be put to better use. I'm a big fan of budgets.

 

[jontte]

was never a fan of budgets..until I went back to school...it's a bloody must do thing..otherwise I don't eat at the end of month,you can live without a lot of things,but as above my fellow preppers said,you'll get by with lot of stuff you think is mandatory right now.

 

[Mountain trapper]

was never a fan of budgets..until I went back to school...it's a bloody must do thing..otherwise I don't eat at the end of month,you can live without a lot of things,but as above my fellow preppers said,you'll get by with lot of stuff you think is mandatory right now.

Same here. When I was working, having a budget wasn't important. Now that I've retired early it will be several years before I receive any retirement income, I need to make every penny count.

 

[bill harrell]

the best prep is a plan. You might be amazed at what you can find around as junk. Sometimes I use stuff designed for one purpose and reconfigure it to do what I need done. It is usually obsolete in its original use but others haven't seemed to figure out that it still can do new stuff. (that usually means its free). Check in junk piles and find items you can use to make a solution to prblems you foresee

 

[Heather1]

thank you so much to Benjamin for asking this question that brought so many great replies!
I started prepping years ago with no budget, just what was available at home, second hand shops, and what others were giving away. We started a garden, learned, and did all the free stuff first.
Happy to say my BOB is still my original thrift store bag, it's held up brilliantly.
I would like to add go camping! Or go bush, or trail walking, etc. learn what it's like out there so you know what you will need, and what circumstances you may encounter. I was fortunate to do a few years in Aus army reserves, plenty of time out bush, and you really need far less than you think. Far far less.

 

[DavyRocket]

Here are some of my suggestions. I to am Unemployed "zero" income. As most above gave great advice. As JimLE pointed out. Take a look at everything you have. Then ask yourself will this be helpful or needed. If not sell it, or donate it to Goodwill, or perhaps someone you know that might need it. I for one am still going through ALL the clothes I no longer wear, and donating that. I have also thrown away ALOT of stuff. Next would be find out what you are good at. Have a lawn mower, weedeater? Do some side jobs, ask around if neighbors needs their yard cut, or what ever you can do to make alittle bit of money. That is what I have been doing the last few years, and I can honestly say I feel good with what, and how much I have. Next if you are unemployed apply for food stamps. If you are accepted, when you buy food for the "now" time. Buy extra. I always buy atleast 2 "24-35 count bottles of water. 2-4 cans of soup, veggies etc etc. Another part of prepping is being mentally, spiritually, and physically prepared. Some of the things I have done, and realized is when the economy crashes, and chaos on the streets. Learn to conserve with what you have such as limit how many showers a week you take. I personally only take 2 showers a week. I use just enough soft soap with the suds thingy to clean my whole body. Same with shampoo. To give an example of the shampoo. I've had the same bottle of shampoo for over 2 years now. It's a big bottle, and only use just enough to lather my hair (not that I have that much from having a buzz cut). Same as toothpaste, I brush my teeth every other day, and only use smaller than a dime of toothpaste. I use Tom's natural toothpaste. It's not a big tube, but I've had the same tube for almost a year now. Basically what I am saying is learn to conserve what you have, because when the time comes you will be glad you did, because by then no more going to the grocery store to buy more. As others have pointed out learn to garden, learn to make bread as well (if you like bread). Last. but not least is weapons for protection as well as hunting. If you cannot afford a gun. Anything is better than nothing such as a baseball bat, maybe a steel tube, 2x4 with nails on each side. You can even make your own bow, or crossbow. Search on Youtube how to make bows out of pvc. I've made/sold several. I strongly suggest in investing in a good knife (hunting knife). Learn to fish also, if you do not already. I think above all else is being MENTALLY prepared for what is to come. We are about to face hard times like no other human has EVER faced.

 

[Maverick]

The more knowledge one obtains the less gear one needs! Not knowing your geographic/demographics (city/urban/rural/group setting etc...) learning to forage cost very little and in most cases free, know where your water sources streams, ponds and lakes etc... are at and the condition, generally this information is free on line or the information is obtainable from local agencies. There is a great deal of information online in making water filters. A source for printed material that only cost is shipping is sites like paperback swap: http://www.paperbackswap.com/home.php Another option is try and join a local group on-line or physically. On this site there is much information in PDF that can be downloaded.

Knowledge is paramount to prepping not equipment

 

[Kenprep1979]

I literally have no extra income to prep anyone have any ideas for me

you have a change jar brother?? if so u can get just about everything you need at the Dollar Tree were everything is literally a dollar ! stainless bowls, knives and bottles for all your food and water prep needs . and entire isle of first aid bandages, ointments, meds, gauze, antiseptics and iodine! and much more.. flash lights, utility knives, pliers, canned and dry foods most ready to eat on the spot! they have socks and underwear! even cheap cloth bags to throw all your **** in!! throw it over your shoulder and get the hell out of dodge!!! lol

 

[Brent S]

the best prep is a plan. You might be amazed at what you can find around as junk. Sometimes I use stuff designed for one purpose and reconfigure it to do what I need done. It is usually obsolete in its original use but others haven't seemed to figure out that it still can do new stuff. (that usually means its free). Check in junk piles and find items you can use to make a solution to prblems you foresee

In the U.S. we throw away more than any other country on the planet. People even pay to have good stuff hauled away lots of times. It's not hard to find stuff to make what you want at little or no cost.

 

[jimLE]

that reminds me.drive around the neighbourhoods..i collected the frame from a water bed one time that someone was throwing away.and built a work bench from it

 

[Dani]

I love me some throwaways. . . son and DIL got some great cast iron outside furniture that away. I am always on the look out for whatever may be thrown out. Even found some good wooden cabinets for the shop that away

 

[jontte]

as I have 3 sons,the one in the middle is very interested in blacksmithing,so he get's his own forge,so in the near future maybe I can order some stuff from him and get daddy-discount..perhaps

 

[jimLE]

i also watch the both sides of the road when going from one town to another..got me a good ice chest that way..
well jontte..yall move over this way? lol

 

[jontte]

never know Jim..never know...blacksmithing would suit him very good as he's sometimes very philosofical..and you need to think what you do...me? I got the attentionspan of a goldfish...

yup,keep eyes open..you can find absolutely fantastic stuff

 

[DrHenley]

Our grandparents didn't have any money to prep either, but they did it anyhow.

 

[jontte]

and they did a splendid job!!

 

[Gazrok]

You might be amazed at what you can find around as junk.

I built my whole bunny habitat with spare wood I had (like old stall boards, left over plywood from other projects, old broken fence posts, etc.). I even had a roll of chain link fence I got in a barter arrangement once (one of our horse boarders was short on board for the month), so used that. All I had to buy was some more screws, hinges, gate latches, etc. Everything else was recycled.

Better yet, I still have enough materials for two more projects I want to do.... dog house (I even have a few pieces of old metal roofing) and garden fence and gate (which I'll build from scrap wood and chain link). (again, will just need to buy some fixtures).

you have a change jar brother?

Definitely a must have. We basically convert our jars to a WalMart gift card around Christmas time, and use it for Christmas shopping. Typically, it is about $100-$150, so a nice little additional money around the holiday.

 

[Maverick]

We have a pole barn that houses nothing but re-use, we don't throw anything away that may have some use especially wood, we have tore old homes down for free strictly for the wood, windows and doors, we clean up the wood and store it. Bartering can save money and in many cases all it's going to cost you is your time.

 

[Dani]

We tend to save everything around here too. . . hunny says I am a pack rat cause I tend to save all our old coffee cans, buckets, clothes, etc. . . . you just never know what project will come up. Keeping all the old buttons and zippers come in handy, even old tees can repair worn out undies. Yes, I am that cheap. Really he has no room to talk though. I know what he has out in his sheds. And they are almost all at full capacity. I only have my gardening shed and one other that one of the kids has basically been using to store his furniture in, but he is currently in the process of buying a house, so that will be gone soon.