Daily Survival

Sunday, August 2, 2026

What To Stock Up On In August

I have you covered if you’re wondering what to stock up on in August. Be sure to organize your pantry and make room for the food items you need that you can find marked down in price. I love updating my monthly “Stock Up On Series” yearly.

Kids will be heading back to school and will probably need those back-to-school clothes, including shoes and also school supplies. Have everyone organize their bedrooms before you go shopping. Separate the items in their closets and dressers and take inventory to help determine what might be needed.

Take a weekend and donate the clothes that no longer fit the kids living at home. If you can trade clothes with neighbors, that’s awesome too! It’s a perfect month to declutter.

August sits right at the start of hurricane season’s most active stretch. NOAA’s 2026 Atlantic outlook calls for a below-normal season overall. Still, forecasters are clear that even one storm can bring flooding, wind damage, and days without power to a family that never sees a hurricane make landfall nearby.

Historically, the season really ramps up from August through October, with the climatological peak falling in mid-September, so August is the natural month to finish testing generators, checking flashlights, and rotating water rather than waiting until a storm is already in the forecast.

August is also considered the best month of the whole year for canning tomatoes. Home canning experts describe August as tomato season, since tomatoes, peaches, plums, and cucumbers are all hitting peak ripeness and lowest prices at the same time. This is a good moment to set your plans to can spaghetti sauce, tomato jam, peach barbecue sauce, and bread-and-butter pickles, since the produce is cheap and abundant, and prices climb again once the harvest tapers off in September.

On the household side, back-to-school season overlaps with end-of-summer clearance, which retail analysts say makes August one of the strongest deal months of the year. Beyond notebooks and pens, this is when families can find some of the year’s lowest prices on printers, wireless routers, and other electronics, along with deep discounts on patio furniture, grills, and other outdoor gear as stores clear space for fall inventory. Many states also hold sales tax-free weekends in August, which is worth mentioning since it’s a smart time for readers to buy bigger-ticket preparedness items like laptops or emergency supplies without paying tax.

What To Stock Up On In August

Corn On The Cob

If you have freezer space, you may want to buy several dozen ears of corn when they’re at their lowest price of the year. If you need help on how to shuck and freeze corn, check out my Freeze Corn On The Cob post. Nothing’s better than steaming a bag of frozen corn in mid-winter. It’s super sweet because it was picked at the season’s peak.

Grapes: Red and Green Seedless

You know how delicious it is when you bite into a sweet grape? Oh my, oh my. These were so good. I’ve heard people will taste grapes in the store before buying them. I’ve never had the nerve to do it, and I like to wash fruits and veggies before I put them in my mouth. But hey, if it works for you, you’re on your own!

Pineapples

I saw these pineapples today, and I had to stop in my tracks to check them out. Of course, I bought two; the price was fair for today’s market. I love fresh pineapples. They weren’t cheap enough to dehydrate, but we enjoyed eating them.

Peaches

I pick up some delicious yellow flesh peaches this time of year. I’m not as fond of the white flesh peaches. Maybe it’s where I live, but these yellow peaches are easy to peel after blanching. To do that, put the peaches in boiling water for 2-3 minutes and then plunge them into icy cold water.

These are sweet and don’t need any additional sweetener at all. You may want to try making my Peach Glaze!

Raspberries and Strawberries

Mark and I just picked up some raspberries and strawberries from Costco, and boy, are they fabulous! They’re picked at just the right time of the year. I hope to make some freezer raspberry jam in the next day or two. Now, we need to make some strawberry shortcake with whipping cream. That’s a family favorite dessert this time of year.

College Student Needs

Thank you, Lee, for reminding me that college students need stuff like the younger students we buy for. I remember my grandkids getting ready for college. They need sheets, blankets, pillows, laundry detergent, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, razors, hand sanitizer, and containers for stocking their food. College Student First Aid Kit: First Aid Kit-Hard Red Case

They’re always on sale this time of year, just before we send the students to school. Look for small appliances on sale; they may need those as well for that new apartment/dorm living. Don’t forget printer paper; they typically have it all on sale at this time of year!

School Supplies-Backpacks

August is the month to fill those backpacks with notebooks, pencils, tablets, lined paper, and erasers. Don’t forget the pencil sharpeners, scissors, markers, calculators, and rulers.

It’s a fun time to see the new notebook colors so the kids can gear up for another year of learning, whether you homeschool or send them to public schools. You can see the smiles for days when they have that special notebook they need.

School Clothes-Shoes

The stores just got their inventories for school, and the sales will be excellent for shirts, slacks, shorts, dress shirts, blouses, skirts, sweaters, jackets, and coats. They typically have 30-40% off the first two weeks of August. The closer it gets to September, the lower the supply, and the prices increase.

Back To School-Underwear-Socks

It’s a good time to refresh the underwear drawer when you pick up school clothes for the kids. You can save money, and the kids have new socks that fit for the coming year. You’ll see many stores with 40-50% discounts this time of year on T-shirts, underpants, briefs, and boxers.

Paper For The Printer

Not only do our kids need paper, but it’s a great time to stock up on paper for your home or office. Many stores have coupons and offerings to buy one package and get one package free or at a great discount.

Laptops and Tablets

You typically don’t see many discounts on Apple products, but I’ve seen a few here and there. My family picked up some Apple Air laptops (last year’s model), discounted at $250.00. That was a great buy!

Look at Best Buy, Amazon, or any other techy store near your city. It’s all about being ready for school. Before you shop, ask for the student discount; if you have a child going to college, it will save you another 20-30%.

Lysol and Clorox Wipes – Hand Sanitizer – Cleaning Supplies – Bleach

August is back to school, and here come the germs, viruses, and bacteria in the air. If you can afford to buy a package or two for your child’s teacher, I bet they would love it! Let’s keep the sickness down any way we can.

Grab a container of hand sanitizer for the kids and teachers. You can never have too many of those. The stores will have these right at eye level so you can see them when walking in the front door.

It’s a great month to stock up on cleaning supplies because they’ll be sold at reduced prices with coupons and mailers. We all get the cleaning bug when the kids return to school, right?

Cereal-Frozen Waffles-Ready Made Breakfast Items

We all know how busy it is when school starts, particularly in the morning as you try to get the kids out the door on time. Cereal and many other breakfast items will be marked down heavily.

All the major cold and hot cereal companies gear up with coupons and mailers for one of the most considerable markdowns of the year. If you have space, you can buy enough cereal for the entire year and save 30-40% off the regular price.

Be sure to walk past the freezer section because you’ll see frozen waffles, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches marked down to help the school mornings go a little smoother. If the kids like granola bars, you’ll also see those at reduced prices.

Snacks For School

Back to school means making lunches and having snacks in the backpacks. Having a few boxes in the pantry for after-school snacks is a real bonus. When the kids’ friends come over, you can hand out snacks you purchased at 30-40% off the regular price.

Pool Toys-Beach Towels

August is the month to stock up on pool toys, beach towels, and swim goggles. The stores want to prepare the shelves for fall apparel and decorations. You’ll often see 65-80% markdowns on many swimming pool and beach items as summer comes to an end.

Summer Clothing

This month, the stores need to remove their summer clothing because fall clothing will soon be required. You’ll see excellent buys on swimsuits, summer pajamas, nightgowns, sandals, and flip-flops. Look for those light summer coverups and summer dresses with matching jewelry. If you need a summer hat for this year or next, this is the time to buy one.

What To Stock Up On In August

Camping Supplies

Sleeping Bags

We often think of summer as the time our kids need sleeping bags for those fun summer outdoor sleepovers, but fun nighttime activities with friends and family can happen all year long. They also may need a sleeping bag for late summer sports camps or, for the more adventurous, those winter camps when it’s frigid. Consider upgrading those old bags for new, more heat-efficient versions.

Propane Canisters

Speaking of camps, as summer winds down, many stores try to clear out equipment and supplies used for outdoor activities. That includes the small propane canisters families use to run camp stoves and propane lanterns.

Camping Coolers

Coolers like these aren’t just for camping. You may be going to a late summer family reunion or an early fall football game where you want to take your favorite snacks, drinks, or desserts. These new coolers are much more efficient and keep your goodies cool longer.

What to Stock Up On Each Month:

Unique August Holidays

August 1: Friendship Day
August 2: National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
August 3: National Watermelon Day
August 4: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
August 5: National Oyster Day
August 6: National Fresh Breath Day
August 7: National Lighthouse Day
August 8: Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day
August 9: Book Lover’s Day
August 10: National S’mores Day
August 11: Son and Daughter Day
August 12: World Elephant Day
August 13: Left Hander’s Day
August 14: National Creamsicle Day
August 15: Relaxation Day
August 16: National Tell a Joke Day
August 17: National Thriftshop Day
August 18: World Daffodil Day
August 19: Aviation Day
August 20: World Mosquito Day
August 21: National Honey Bee Awareness Day
August 22: National Tooth Fairy Day
August 23: Ride the Wind Day
August 24: Iconic American Restaurants Day
August 25: National Banana Split Day
August 26: National Dog Day
August 27: Just Because Day
August 28: Stuffed Green Bell Peppers Day
August 29: More Herbs, Less Salt Day
August 30: Toasted Marshmallow Day
August 31: National Trail Mix Day

Final Word

I hope this post on what to stock up on in August helps you save money when you need something for your family. It’s tough for me to pay the regular retail price for anything. When Mark and I eat out, we use a coupon 99% of the time. It’s all about saving money, right? When I enter a store, I go to the clearance racks first, a habit we have always had. Please stay well and keep prepping. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: School Supplies Deposit photos_19503785_s-2019

The post What To Stock Up On In August appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

from Food Storage Moms

How to Make Long-Lasting Soup Cubes (Great Depression Recipe)

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

When store shelves went empty in the 1930s, families couldn't get expensive meat or specialty ingredients. They worked with what was cheap, what was available, and what would stretch the furthest. Out of that necessity came a technique that's almost too simple to believe: turning a single piece of bone-in beef into frozen soup cubes that can sit in your freezer for more than two years and turn into a hot, hearty meal in about 60 seconds.

This isn't a trendy freezer-meal hack. It's a real survival system, and it holds up just as well today as it did nearly a century ago. Whether you're building a food storage plan, want a backup for hard times, or just like the idea of having real, homemade soup on standby without cans or preservatives, this is definitely worth learning.

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Before getting into the steps, here are a few things worth knowing:

One cube equals one full portion. Each cube is portioned out ahead of time, so there's no guesswork later. You always know exactly how many meals you have sitting in reserve.
No cans, no preservatives, no chemicals. This is just beef, vegetables, butter, and salt. The combination of fat, collagen, and salt is what gives it a long freezer life, not additives.
It uses the cheapest cut of meat available. Bone-in beef with good fat marbling is inexpensive compared to lean, trimmed cuts, and it actually performs better for this recipe. That matters a lot when you're trying to build a food reserve on a tight budget.
One afternoon of cooking produces 20 or more meals. That's an incredible return on time and money for anyone trying to stock a pantry or freezer against shortages, price spikes, or an emergency where cooking isn't practical.
It requires almost nothing to prepare. In a genuine emergency, when time, fuel, or electricity might be limited, being able to pour boiling water over a cube and have a full meal in 60 seconds is a real advantage over recipes that need an hour on the stove.

We actually found this idea on the Youtube channel, Survival Kitchen 1930. You can watch the video and read the recipe below.

What You'll Need

1.5 lbs bone-in beef, with visible fat (avoid lean, trimmed cuts)
2 onions, roughly chopped
1 carrot, roughly chopped
A few cloves of garlic
Butter
3 teaspoons of salt
Hot water (added during blending)
A blender or food processor (a knife works if you don't have one)
A baking dish
Parchment paper
Aluminum foil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sear the Beef

Get a pan hot, ideally cast iron, and sear the bone-in beef over high heat. You want a deep, dark crust on all sides. This crust seals in the juices and gives the final broth its color and flavor. Skipping this step results in pale, bland cubes, so don't rush it.

2. Prep the Vegetables While the Meat Cooks

While the beef is searing, roughly chop two onions and one carrot into large chunks. There's no need for careful knife work here since everything ends up in the blender later. The onion builds a deep savory base, while the carrot adds natural sweetness, color, and beta-carotene, which becomes especially valuable when food options are limited.

3. Add Garlic and Butter, Then Baste

Once the meat has browned, add garlic cloves directly to the pan along with butter. As the butter melts and the garlic releases its aroma, spoon the hot fat over the top of the meat repeatedly. This bastes the meat from both directions at once, so it cooks evenly and locks in moisture.

4. Place the Meat in Foil

Pull the beef from the pan once it's done and wrap it tightly in foil for two to three minutes. This step matters more than it seems. Right after cooking, the muscle fibers are tight and the juices are under pressure. Wrapping the meat creates a mini steam bath that lets the fibers relax and the juices redistribute evenly through the meat instead of spilling out when you cut into it.

5. Cook the Vegetables

By the way, don't wash the pan. The browned bits and juices left in the pan after searing are pure flavor. Leave them in and pour the chopped onion and carrot straight into the same pan to pick up all of that flavor as they cook.

6. Cut the Meat and Combine Everything

Unwrap the rested beef and cut it into small chunks. Add it to the blender along with the cooked onions and carrots.

7. Blend with Hot Water

Pour in just enough hot water to help everything move in the blender, then blend until smooth. You're aiming for a texture similar to thick porridge, something dense enough to hold its shape once frozen. If it's too thick to blend, add a touch more water.

No blender? Chop the meat and vegetables as finely as possible with a knife instead, then mix everything together by hand. The texture will be a bit coarser, but the flavor and shelf life stay the same.

8. Add the Salt

Stir in three teaspoons of salt. This isn't just for taste. Combined with freezing, salt acts as a preservative and is a big part of what allows these cubes to stay good in the freezer for more than two years.

9. Spread the Mixture into a Dish

Line a baking dish with parchment paper so nothing sticks, then pour in the mixture.

Spread it into an even layer, somewhere between half an inch and just under an inch thick. Keeping the thickness even is what allows you to cut consistent, uniform cubes later.

10. Freeze Until Firm, Not Solid

Place the dish in the freezer for about two hours. You want the mixture firm enough to slice cleanly but not frozen all the way through, since a fully solid block is much harder to cut evenly.

11. Cut into Cubes

Once firm, remove the dish and cut the mixture into cubes roughly 2 inches by 1.25 inches. Try to keep every cube the same size. Since one cube equals one portion, consistent sizing means you'll always know exactly how much food you have in reserve, and you won't end up with some meals far bigger or smaller than others.

12. Wrap Each Cube Individually

Wrap every cube tightly in foil, one at a time. This protects them from freezer burn and keeps them from picking up odors from anything else in your freezer. Done properly, a cube pulled out six months later should smell like beef, not like whatever else has been sitting nearby.

13. Store and Use as Needed

That's it. The cubes are ready to go straight into the freezer, where they'll keep for more than two years.

How to Cook a Cube

When you're ready to eat, unwrap one cube and pour boiling water directly over it.

Within about a minute, it turns into a thick, dark, aromatic soup with a rich color and a flavor that tastes like it simmered for hours, even though it took 60 seconds.

Nutrition and Yield

One batch made from about 1.5 lbs of bone-in beef, two onions, and a carrot produces 20 to 25 cubes. Each cube comes in around 170 to 200 calories, and because it's made from real beef, butter, and vegetables, that's a mix of animal protein, collagen, and natural fats rather than empty calories.

Don't Throw Away the Bones

Once you've pulled the meat for the cubes, save the bones instead of tossing them. Simmered for 12 or more hours, they produce a collagen-rich broth concentrate that's worth making as its own separate recipe, and it uses up everything left over from this batch so nothing goes to waste.

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The post How to Make Long-Lasting Soup Cubes (Great Depression Recipe) appeared first on Urban Survival Site.

from Urban Survival Site

Water Cyberattacks in Seven States

Water Cyberattacks in Seven States: What Families Need to Know. Recent headlines about cyberattacks on water systems have understandably caught the attention of many households across the country. If you have been wondering what is really going on and whether your family’s water supply is safe, you are not alone. Here is a clear, honest look at what happened, where it happened, and why the details have been so hard to pin down, along with real steps you can take at home starting today.

You know how I heard about this? Not on our daily news. My good friend back East sent me an email asking if I had heard anything. I had to turn to NBC to hear it. She told me it was on NBC; are you kidding me? Why hadn’t we heard this? Anyway, I started researching.

WaterBricks and WaterBrick Spigot or 5 Gallon Stackable Water Containers and Water Preserver (this lasts 5 years). You can also use unscented bleach and rotate your water every six months. Buy them once and sleep at night knowing you have water for your family.

How Much Unscented Bleach to Use When Storing Water

If you are filling your own containers from tap water and want extra assurance that the water stays stable for storage, plain unscented liquid chlorine bleach is the trusted method that emergency preparedness experts and water safety agencies recommend. The keyword is unscented. Scented bleach, color safe bleach, and bleach with added cleaning agents contain other chemicals that are not safe to add to drinking water, so check the label carefully before using any bottle from under your sink.

If You Want To Use Unscented Bleach

Look for a bleach that lists sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient, typically in a concentration between five and nine percent. This is the standard concentration for most household bleach sold in stores today.

The general guideline is about one eighth of a teaspoon of unscented liquid bleach for every gallon of water you are storing. If measuring something that small feels tricky, an easier way to think of it is roughly eight drops of bleach per gallon, using a clean eyedropper or the tip of a teaspoon.

For larger containers, simply scale that ratio up. A five-gallon container would use about five-eighths of a teaspoon, and a fifty-five-gallon barrel would use around seven teaspoons, which is a little over two tablespoons.

After adding the bleach, stir or shake the water gently, then let the container sit undisturbed for about thirty minutes before sealing it. You should notice a faint chlorine smell at that point. If you do not smell any chlorine at all, add the same small amount again and let it sit another fifteen minutes.

Seal the container tightly once you are finished, label it with the date, and store it in a cool, dark spot away from direct sunlight and household chemicals.

A few things worth keeping in mind. This method is meant for water that already looks clear and comes from a safe, clean source, such as your regular municipal tap. It is not meant to treat cloudy, colored, or visibly contaminated water. If you are ever storing water during an active boil water notice or from a source you are unsure about, boiling remains the safer first step, and purification tablets are a good backup option if boiling is not possible.

Water treated this way and stored properly in food-grade containers can generally last about six months before it should be checked and refreshed. When your six-month mark comes around, simply empty, rinse, refill, and treat again, so your family always has a dependable reserve on hand.

What Actually Happened

Seven water and wastewater utility companies were hit by cyberattacks beginning around July 27, 2026, and the attacks caused degraded water operations at those facilities. The FBI and the Environmental Protection Agency issued a joint public warning about the incidents, telling utilities nationwide that hackers were attempting to disrupt critical water infrastructure. engadget NBC News

According to the FBI, the attackers were getting into these systems by remotely accessing devices connected to the internet, then changing IP addresses and passwords so that utility workers could no longer monitor or control their own equipment. The targeted devices are called programmable logic controllers, which are small industrial computers that help manage things like water pumps and pressure levels. Engadget

The good news for families is this. Minnesota officials stated there was no indication that any of the breaches contaminated municipal water supplies. The attacks disrupted monitoring and control systems, not the actual quality of the water coming out of the tap. NBC News

Where Did This Happen

This is where things get a little frustrating for anyone trying to get a full picture. The federal announcement from the FBI and EPA did not name the states involved. As of the most recent reporting, Minnesota is the only state that has been publicly identified by name. NBC News KTTC

Here is what we do know about Minnesota specifically. Officials there reported that hackers targeted more than thirty community water and wastewater systems over the nights of July 26 and July 27. The town of Braham had its water plant go offline, while Plymouth had to disconnect cellular-connected equipment at two water towers and several wastewater lift stations. South St. Paul and Maple Plain kept their service running even though automated controls were affected, and Maple Plain declared a local state of emergency. Tech Times

Wisconsin also detected malicious cyber activity at its water facilities around the same time and urgently directed utilities to take action to prevent serious impacts. Beyond those two states, the identities of the other five affected states have simply not been released to the public. Tech Times

Why Aren’t We Hearing More About This

Several honest reasons explain the quiet around this story, and none of them involve a cover-up.

First, security agencies often withhold specific names and locations of breached infrastructure on purpose. Naming a vulnerable utility publicly can invite copycat attacks or give the original attackers useful confirmation that their methods worked, so federal agencies tend to speak in general terms while investigations are ongoing.

Second, attribution takes time. A senior threat intelligence official noted that the Minnesota attacks had not yet been formally attributed to any particular group, and it remained unclear whether every incident even involved the same method of attack CISA had warned about. Officials would rather be accurate than fast, and that caution slows down what gets said publicly. StateScoop

Third, this story is competing with a busy news cycle, and water infrastructure coverage rarely gets the sustained attention that other topics receive, even when it probably deserves more.

Finally, there is a political layer to this story that has, unfortunately, pulled some of the attention away from the practical safety questions families actually care about. The governor of Minnesota and federal officials have publicly disagreed about funding cuts to national cybersecurity efforts and about who may be responsible for the attacks. Officials are treating Iran-affiliated actors as one possible suspect, though no formal determination of responsibility has been made. KTTC

What This Means for Your Family

I know stories like this can feel unsettling, especially when it touches something as basic as the water we give our children every single day. Here is the reassuring part. This appears to be an attack on computer systems and monitoring equipment, not evidence of contaminated water reaching anyone’s home. Utilities have manual backup procedures precisely for situations like this, and officials have been monitoring water quality closely throughout.

That said, being a prepared family means we do not wait for a crisis to think about our basics. Below are practical, doable steps for protecting the water that comes into your home, and for building up a safe water reserve right now.

Protecting the Water Coming Into Your Home

Your home has a few key points where you can add real protection between the municipal supply and your family’s glasses, and none of it requires special expertise.

Install a whole home water filter at the point where water enters your house. This can catch sediment, chlorine byproducts, and some contaminants before water ever reaches your faucets. Look for filters rated to handle the specific concerns in your area, which your local water utility can usually tell you about if you call and ask.

Add a countertop or under-sink filter for your drinking and cooking water specifically. These are more affordable than whole home systems and give you a second layer of protection right where your family actually drinks and cooks.

Know how to shut off your main water valve. This is usually located near where the water line enters your home, often in a basement, crawl space, or utility closet, or sometimes at a street-level box outside. If your utility ever issues an alert about possible contamination or pressure loss, shutting this valve keeps compromised water from backing up into your home plumbing.

Install Backflow

Install backflow prevention if your home does not already have it. Backflow happens when a pressure drop, like the kind that can occur during a cyberattack on a pump system, causes water to flow backward and potentially pull contaminants into clean lines. A licensed plumber can check whether your home has this protection already or needs it added.

Keep a supply of water purification tablets or a portable filter rated for bacteria and viruses in your emergency kit. If your utility ever issues a boil water notice, tablets and filters give you a fast, reliable option while you wait for water to cool after boiling or if boiling is not possible.

Consider a simple water test kit for your home, especially if you are on a private well rather than municipal water. Testing once or twice a year gives you a baseline so you know quickly if something changes.

Sign up for your local utility’s alert system, if one exists, so any boil water notice or service disruption reaches you directly by text or email rather than only through the news.

Storing Water the Right Way, Starting Today

Building a water reserve does not need to happen all at once, and it does not need to be complicated. Here is how to do it properly.

Plan for one gallon of water per person per day, and aim for at least a two-week supply if your space allows it. That means a family of four would want a minimum of fifty-six gallons on hand, though even a smaller reserve is far better than none. You know by now, one gallon of water per person per day does not cut it for me. I suggest 4 gallons per person per day.

Use food-grade containers only. Thick, opaque plastic containers made specifically for water storage are best because they block light and do not leach chemicals over time. Avoid reusing old milk jugs long-term, since the thin plastic can degrade and the jugs are hard to fully clean of proteins and sugars that encourage bacterial growth.

Fill containers with water from a clean, tested source, whether that is your tap or a store-bought supply. If you are filling containers from your own tap and want extra assurance, you can add a small amount of unscented liquid chlorine bleach, about one eighth of a teaspoon per gallon, to help keep the water stable during long-term storage. Store-bought sealed water does not need this step.

Store Containers In a Cool, Dark Place

Store your containers in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and away from any household chemicals, gasoline, or cleaning supplies, since plastic can absorb odors and fumes over time.

Label each container with the date it was filled. Tap water stored properly can last about six months to a year before it should be refreshed, while commercially bottled water often has a longer shelf life printed right on the label.

Rotate your supply. Set a reminder every six months to check dates, refresh anything that is getting old, and use the old water for things like watering plants or cleaning rather than letting it go to waste.

Do not forget water for pets and for hygiene needs, not just drinking. A separate reserve for washing hands, brushing teeth, and basic cleaning will stretch your drinking water much further if you ever need to rely on your stored supply for an extended period.

If space is limited, larger stackable water storage barrels, ranging from fifteen to fifty-five gallons, are a wonderful option for basements, garages, or closets, and many families find that starting with even one is a great first step.

Updated Right Before Going Live

An update on which states have now been confirmed. Since this post was first written, more solid reporting has come out about which of the seven states were actually involved. Michigan has officially joined Minnesota in announcing cyberattacks on its water systems, with nine systems reportedly targeted, though a state official confirmed that all systems continued operating safely and there were no known impacts that posed a public health concern, meaning the attempt there did not succeed the way it did in parts of Minnesota.

Georgia has also been named among the states experiencing similar cyberattacks on some of its local water systems, with Michigan State Police confirming they received the same FBI advisory that other states did, though far fewer details about Georgia’s specific incidents have been made public so far. That brings the number of publicly confirmed states to four: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Georgia, while three states involved in this event still have not been named.

It is also worth noting that officials are now looking into whether the attackers deliberately tried to make the attack look like it came from Iran as a way to stir up tension during an already tense time between the United States and Iran, which is a reminder of just how careful investigators have to be before assigning blame. The overall picture has not changed in the most important way for families. No contamination of drinking water has been reported in any of the confirmed states, and the disruptions continue to involve monitoring and control systems rather than the safety of the water itself.

WaterBricks™: Step by Step Instructions

A Final Thought

Our water systems, like so much of the infrastructure we depend on daily, are more connected to the digital world than most of us realize, and that connection brings real vulnerabilities. But it also helps to remember that many capable people, from local utility workers to federal investigators, are working hard behind the scenes to keep our families safe. Taking a few simple steps at home- filtering what comes in, knowing your shutoff valve, and building a proper water reserve- gives your family real peace of mind no matter what the headlines bring next. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Water Plant Infrastructure AdobeStock_1927307410 By bilanol, Water Reconstruction Infrastructure AdobeStock_794121763 By SKfoto GE

The post Water Cyberattacks in Seven States appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

from Food Storage Moms

Saturday, August 1, 2026

How to Raise Quail From a to Z

Keeping quail has become quite popular with homesteaders. While they may not replace chickens as the most common poultry bird on a homestead, they are being raised for both their delicious meat and tiny but tasty little eggs by many self-reliant folks across the country. Quail are a perfect poultry bird for small homesteaders to ... Read more

How to Raise Quail From a to Z can be read in full at New Life On A Homestead- Be sure to check it out!

from New Life On A Homestead

Friday, July 31, 2026

25 Survival Uses for Tin Cans

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

There is one item that every prepper in the world is guaranteed to have: canned food. Even if they mostly have dehydrated or freeze-dried food, every prepper has at least one can or corn or beans somewhere.

And of course, canned food usually comes in tin cans. Most people throw them away without a second thought, but in a survival scenario, they can be put to good use. As you'll soon see, there are lots of different applications for tin cans.

1. Storage / Organization

We'll start with the most obvious one. Tin cans are used for storing food, right? Well who says they can’t be used for storing and organizing other things as well? Screws, nails, sand, herbs, matches, utensils… the list goes on and on. Bonus tip: Punch two holes in opposite sides of the can near the top and use a wire to turn the can into a pail.

2. Makeshift Knife

As you probably already know, the edge of a tin can's lid can be very sharp. So if you need to cut something and you don't have a knife, just use a tin can lid instead. But be careful not to cut yourself. Either wear thick gloves or use some pliers to fold over one side of the lid so you can grab onto it without gashing your hand.

3. Arrowheads / Hooks

Tin is great for making arrowheads and fishing hooks. The easiest way to do this is with some heavy-duty scissors, but if you don't have anything to cut the tin with, there's another way: Take the lid you removed with the can opener and fold it in half. Be careful not to cut yourself (you should probably be wearing work gloves).

Then fold it in half again in the opposite direction along the same crease. Keep doing this until the lid breaks in half. Now use the same method a few more times to form the shape you need. When you're done, lash the arrowhead to the arrow or tie the hook to the fishing line and you'll be good to go.

4. Trap

Hopefully, you won't get so hungry that you need this trick. But just in case, here's how to use a tin can as a trap: Simply bury it in the ground with the top open to use as a pitfall for very small animals like insects, frogs, and even mice. If you bury a whole bunch of cans in the right area, you could collect enough food for a decent meal or possibly more.

5. Fire Transportation

When your supply of matches or lighters is running low, you’ll need to come up with more creative ways to get a fire going. One idea is to carry your fire with you in a tin can. Simply punch four or five holes in the bottom and sides, then place coals from your most recent fire into the bottom of the can.

These coals will burn for hours, and to keep them going, you can add tinder and kindling as you go. Don’t let your skin come into direct contact with the tin can for obvious reasons.

6. Water Filter

You'll still have to at least boil your water after using this method, but it can make the water a lot tastier. Punch a few holes in the bottom of the can, then fill the inside with several layers of gravel and sand. When you pour water into the top, the makeshift filter will remove larger pieces of matter.

7. Cooking Pot

It’s very easy to convert a tin can into a cooking pot. All you have to do is hang it over a fire (adding a wire handle to it will make that easier). You can boil water, cook food, make soup or coffee, and sterilize medical instruments. Just be careful not to burn yourself when you remove it from the fire.

8. Mini Stove

This is a little different than the cooking pot method. Instead of putting the can over a fire, you put a fire inside the can. To do this, fill the can with sand, then wet the sand with a flammable liquid like alcohol. Then add some tinder on top and light it. With this method, you'll have a flame burning for five to ten minutes which is long enough to cook food on a small skillet above the pan.

9. Rocket Stove

In addition to a couple of regular-sized tin cans, you'll also need a #10 can and some other materials for this one. Unlike most of the other things on this list, this is something you'll want to make ahead of time rather than after the shit hits the fan. But I wanted to include it for people who enjoy DIY projects. Here are the instructions.

10. Candle Lamp

If the only source of light you have is a candle, but the wind keeps blowing it out, use a tin can. You can either make a large hole in the side of the can facing away from the wind, or you can punch several small holes in the can. If you do it the latter way, you could hang up a bunch of them for plenty of ambient lighting.

11. Showerhead

Personal hygiene is very important in a survival situation, especially a long-term one. Simply punching enough holes in the bottom of a tin can is enough to make an effective makeshift shower. Obviously you’ll need a system to ensure that water keeps pouring into the top of the can, but it’s still a survival use that you shouldn’t overlook.

12. Hobo Alarm

I already mentioned this in my article about floss. Set up a perimeter of wire, cordage, or string around your campsite and attach tin cans and lids to it. If someone tries sneaking onto your campsite, they'll accidentally walk into your alarm, causing the cans to rattle and alerting whoever is on watch.

13. Scoop / Shovel

This one is pretty self-explanatory. If you need help scooping or digging but only have one shovel, just tell everyone else to grab a tin can out of the trash and pitch in.

14. Seed Starter

Just poke some small holes around the bottom edge of the can for drainage, add your soil, and plant your seeds. When they're ready, transplant them to your garden. Or…

15. Garden Pot

You can use tin cans as garden pots for smaller plants. But before you do this, be sure to wash out the can first. If it had oil in it, then wipe out the oil before you wash it.

16. Signaling Device

For many people who have made it out of the wilderness, signaling for help was what ultimately made the difference between life and death. If used properly, a tin can is an excellent signaling device. Punch a hole in the center of the can’s lid, then polish one side of the lid with chocolate or charcoal until it becomes smooth and bright.

If the sun is also bright enough, you can signal aircraft, search parties, and vehicles by reflecting the sunlight at them. To aim it, look through the hole toward whoever you're trying to signal.

17. Target Practice

Everybody knows about this one. Line up tin cans on a fence and use them to improve your shooting skills. Compete with others by seeing who can knock down all the cans in the fewest shots. (Assuming you have plenty of ammo to spare.)

18. Intercom

I know I'm really scraping the bottom of the can with this one, but I'm gonna mention it anyway. Hopefully you remember this from your childhood, but in case you don't… Poke a hole in the bottom of a tin can, put a string through the hole, and tie a knot (the knot should be inside the can).

Now take the other end of the string and do the same thing with another can. Put your ear in the can, and you'll be able to hear someone talking into the other can. Or you could just shout at each other. This is normally just for fun, but it could be good for people in adjacent tents or something.

19. Portable Lantern

Create a portable lantern by placing a candle inside a tin can. You can punch holes in the sides in a pattern to allow light to escape, creating not only a light source but also an interesting pattern of shadows. This can be useful for lighting a path or a small area at night.

20. Mini Oven

By creating a larger opening on one side of a tin can, you can fashion a mini oven. Place small items like potatoes or wrapped food inside, and then place the can near a heat source. The metal will conduct heat, baking or warming the contents inside.

21. Fishing Line Holder

Wrap fishing line around a tin can to keep it organized and prevent tangling. You can cut notches in the can to secure the end of the line, making it a handy tool for fishing enthusiasts in a survival scenario.

22. Improvised Grill

Flatten out several large tin cans and lay them side by side over a pit of coals to create a makeshift grill. This can be used for cooking fish, meat, or even for toasting bread.

23. Wind Chime

By stringing together several tin cans of various sizes, you can create a wind chime. This can serve as a pleasant audio alert system for changing weather conditions or potential intruders in a survival situation.

24. Heat Reflector

Use a large, opened tin can as a heat reflector for your fire. Place it behind the fire to reflect heat towards a specific direction, making your fire more efficient for heating a shelter or cooking area.

25. Mouse Trap

Create a simple mouse trap by placing bait inside a tin can and propping it up at an angle with a stick attached to a string. When a mouse enters, pull the string to trap it inside. This method requires patience but can be effective for catching small rodents.

Originally published on Urban Survival Site.

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