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It’s getting harder to deny—the world is heading toward a perfect storm of instability. The global economic system is cracking as more countries back away from trading with the U.S., and America’s main oil lifeline, the Permian Basin, has peaked and is already in decline. And now, India and Pakistan—two nuclear-armed nations—are at war.
Meanwhile, AI is rapidly replacing millions of jobs, social division is reaching a boiling point, and experts warn that a bird flu pandemic with human-to-human transmission is only a matter of time. Considering all of this, being unprepared isn't just risky—it's reckless. Now more than ever, it's crucial to make sure you have essential supplies to get through whatever comes next.
So, how can you prepare your family for the coming chaos? You start with making sure you have all the essential supplies. We wracked our brains and came up with this list of the top 25 must-have items. Check it out below. Note: List below is in alphabetical order.
1. Barter Goods
Not everything will be about survival—trade will emerge quickly. Stock extra lighters, hygiene products, small liquor bottles, ammo, coffee, and chocolate. These will be worth their weight in gold. Here's a list of barter items to check out.
2. Batteries & Flashlights
Always have a variety of batteries stockpiled—AA, AAA, D, and 9V. Buy in bulk to save money. Make sure you also have a collection of reliable LED flashlights and headlamps.
3. Books (Cooking, Medical, Survival, etc.)
You can never have too many survival books, and going into an economic collapse, you have no idea what you might encounter. The Internet will be useless if the power goes out, so build a hardcopy library covering first aid, food preservation, bushcraft, off-grid living, and alternative medicine.
4. Canning Supplies
Make sure you have plenty of canning jars, lids, and other canning supplies. And if you haven't been canning food, now is a great time to get started because fresh foods might become hard to find or very expensive.
5. Cast Iron Cookware
Cookware is a must, and since you won’t be going out to eat, you need to have good pots and pans. You can’t get better than cast iron cookware, which you also can use over a campfire or a grill. Make sure you have several sizes.
6. Communication Gear
When cell towers go down or the internet is restricted, staying informed and connected is crucial. Stock a hand-crank or solar-powered emergency radio with NOAA weather channels and AM/FM.
Also consider walkie-talkies or ham radios (with a license) for local communication with neighbors, family, or prepper groups. Here's a guide to communicating when the grid goes down.
7. Duct Tape & Cable Ties
Since you won’t be able to find or afford new things when the economy collapses, you need ways to fix what you have. Duct tape and cable ties are incredibly useful for patching holes, insulating wires, and other makeshift repairs.
8. Garden Seeds
An economic collapse is a serious event, throwing an entire country into chaos. You need to be able to provide food for your family, and having garden seeds is one way to do that.
Make sure to buy heirloom, non-GMO seeds and aim for at least a one-year supply. Focus on calorie-dense and high-yield crops: potatoes, beans, corn, squash, tomatoes, and greens.
9. Garden Tools
Garden tools are needed if you’re going to grow your own food. During the Great Depression, everyone had a victory garden. It wasn’t a hobby; it was needed for life.
Make sure you have several heavy-duty shovels, spades, hoes, a good wheelbarrow or two, rakes, pruners, and whatever else you think you need to grow a large garden. Here's a guide to garden tools.
10. Generator
When the SHTF, people will rush out and buy generators. Look for a solar generator, if possible, because gas generators require more maintenance.
Plus, you have to store gasoline, and they’re much noisier, which could make your house a target. If you go this route, don't forget to add Stabil to your gas and consider a generator lock box for security.
11. Hygiene Products
Make sure you have body soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, and other hygiene products. Remember, poor hygiene leads to infection—and doctors may not be an option.
12. Kitchen Tools (Manual)
Blenders and mixers won’t work without power. Look for manual egg beaters, can openers, graters, and food mills. Old-school tools will suddenly be vital again.
13. Lighter Fluid & Charcoal
If you no longer have gas or electricity, you need to cook somehow. A charcoal grill can be a lifesaver. Keep bags of charcoal dry and store multiple bottles of lighter fluid for fast fire-starting.
14. Lighters and Matches
You never can have too many matches or lighters on hand. Fire is what brought mankind out of the stone age, so let’s not go there again. Include strike-anywhere matches, waterproof matches, and long-stem fireplace lighters. Store them in waterproof containers.
15. Meat (Canned or Frozen)
Canned meats like chicken, beef, spam, and sardines last years. Frozen meats are great, but you need a backup plan if the grid goes down. Canning meat is one way to make it shelf-stable, and some prefer to smoke or dry their meat into jerky.
16. Medications
Medications are always a must-have item to prepare for an economic collapse. If you have a chronic medical condition, some doctors will prescribe extra in emergencies, but it is more challenging because insurance companies only refill after so many days.
You want to have a good supply of over-the-counter medications, such as:
- Pain relievers
- Allergy medications
- Cold & flu medications
- Antacids
- Vitamins
- Wound care supplies
17. Multi-Tools and Knives
You’ll use these every day for building, cooking, cutting, fishing, repairing, sharpening, self-defense, and more. Get a few high-quality fixed-blade knives and a reliable multi-tool like a Leatherman.
18. Oil Lamps and Lamp Oil
I prefer oil lamps when the electricity goes out, but you have to know how to use them safely and have lamp oil on hand. They're great for ambient light and easier on the eyes than flashlights. Make sure you stock lamp oil, extra wicks, and know basic safety for indoor use.
19. Oils
Aside from non-perishable foods, you need to have cooking oil available as well. I was shocked when I couldn’t find any in the stores during the pandemic. People stockpiled quickly! Coconut oil, olive oil, and lard store well long-term. Rotate your stock and store in a cool, dark place.
20. Sewing Supplies & Fabric
During the Great Depression, my grandmother’s mom made all of her clothing because they were too poor to buy clothes from the store. Unfortunately, it’s a possibility that may be in our future. Buying fabric by the bolt is considerably cheaper than by the cut.
You should also have basic sewing supplies on hand so that you can mend clothing and whatever else needs fixing around your home. Get a manual sewing kit, fabric scissors, extra needles, thread, and bolts of cheap fabric for repairs, curtains, and clothes.
21. Staple Foods
Everybody needs to have a well-stocked pantry. In Venezuela, food prices doubled in less than 30 days, and we saw shelves empty during the start of the pandemic. Food is an absolute necessity.
If possible, focus on storing six months to one year of staple foods. You want to have basic staples like wheat, rice, pasta, oats, beans, sugar, and powdered milk. Stocking up on long-term food storage containers, like those from Augason Farms, is an excellent option because they have a 25-30 year shelf life.
You also need canned goods, boxed mixes, cereal, condiments, and other foods for your pantry. Adding staple foods to your storage is one of the best investments for an economic collapse.
22. Tarps and Stakes
Honestly, I don’t think it’s possible to have too many tarps and stakes. You never know when you’re going to need them. You’ll use them for shelter, rainwater catchment, shade, or covering gear. Heavy-duty tarps and a variety of stakes can make a huge difference in a crisis.
23. Toilet Paper and Feminine Products
We all laugh and joke about the toilet paper problems we had during the pandemic, but you really do want to have some stockpiled. Eventually, if an economic collapse lasts for a long time, you’ll run out and have to consider some toilet paper alternatives.
If you have women in your house, having a stockpile of feminine products is a must. The last thing you want is an infection or bacterial disease because you didn’t have the right products.
24. Water Purifiers
Clean water is non-negotiable. Stock LifeStraws, Sawyer Minis, gravity filters, and water purification tablets. Keep several options on hand. Even if the taps are still running, water treatment plants often don't purify water as well if the economy is crumbling and budgets are cut. You’re not guaranteed clean tap water.
25. Wool Blankets & Sleeping Bags
Heat might not always be available. Wool stays warm even when it's wet. Stock up on wool blankets and at least one quality sleeping bag per person.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, the likelihood of an economic collapse keeps increasing, so gathering the must-have items for the coming chaos is the responsible thing to do. These are just a few of the items you want to have in excess if the economy collapses.
What did we forget? Would you add anything to this list?
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