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Monday, May 11, 2009

Frugal Prepping

Hi! I'd like to thank RW for allowing me to be a guest poster once again! Being unemployed gives me way too much free time to surf all the survivalist websites, and gives me too much time to think about things, and how to do it on a budget. I'd like to share a few of my tips and tricks with everyone. This will have nothing to do with guns and ammo, just basic stuff. So let’s start saving some money!

First off, decide if you’re bugging in or bugging out. The only difference is shelter. We all have, or should have, canned, dehydrated, frozen food stashed already. Where you eat it is up to you. Do you have a decent house, tent, RV, cave? If not, that's your priority. Anything is better than nothing.

Pay attention to your prep shopping. Do you buy something you see on a website just because it's "cool"? "Wow, a year supply of dehydrated lima beans for a $100 a case??” Give me a break! I'll be the first to say, these "advertisers" make a killing off of your paranoia. Need to bury something? Get a plastic tube for 200 buck's......or make it yourself for $20. See where I'm headed here? A little brains and sweat can save you big money! I'm here to try and give everyone a few tips and tricks to stretch each prep penny!

Yard Sales:

With the economy the way it is, every family is trying to reduce costs, or make a quick buck... Good for everyone!! Stop at every yard sale you see, you never know what you might find, regardless if you "need” it, or if it might be a good barter item. That old tent with a broken zipper for 20 buck's is better than no tent. That sleeping bag with a tear in it for 3 bucks is a great blanket or ground cover. A Coleman lantern with a crack in the glass for 3 bucks. That dirty camp stove for 10 bucks...

Goodwill:

I'm not sure if this is a national thing or not, but the first Saturday of the month, our local Goodwill has a half price day, and it's a ZOO! I'm a mechanical kinda guy, and I always see stuff like fan belts, lawnmowers, weed eaters and stuff. Computer cables, you name it!

Coupons:

If you’re not using coupons, you’re losing money, period. I know, most coupons are for national brands, with a higher price tag, or buy 3, get 1 free or something. Today, almost every grocery store has double coupons, up to a buck or so. If you save those coupons till there is a sale, you can get a bunch! I once got 10 boxes of laundry soap for 2 buck's on sale with coupons!

Neighbors:

I was helping my neighbor out with unloading some lumber, noticed he had a huge pile of red bricks, so I asked him what he was making...Come to find out, he wanted to get rid of them, so I got a pallet full for 50 bucks. I made a gorgeous BBQ grill out of them, and still have a ton left! He also had a roto-tiller that I bought for 50 bucks when I redid my yard. The motor is toast now, but cheaper to replace than the same tiller new.


Craigslist: There isn't anything you can't find there!

Just to share a few of my finds with you. A water canner with 60 jars and lids from Craigslist for 15 bucks. A food dehydrator, in the original box with manual, 10 bucks at a yard sale. A pressure cooker, small, new and in the box, but better than nothing, for 10 bucks.20 MASH style mess trays from park and swap for 20 bucks, solid stainless steel dated 54-56! And piles of camping gear I've gotten over the years I can't recall!

Just remember... Prepping isn't what you spend, it’s where, what and how you spend it!

Dean in Az


Note from RW:

Thanks Dean! Don't forget to check estate sales and the classifieds of your local newspaper for great bargains. Thay are out there! You just have to keep an eye out for them.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker


Original: http://stealthsurvival.blogspot.com/2009/03/frugal-prepping.html

2 comments:

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