Prepping on a budget

Prepping for about $10 a week

by Joe Miller

You don't need a bunker or a big credit card. A little each week, bought on sale, adds up to a solid two-week supply in three months.

A 12-week plan at about $10 a weekWeekBuyWeekBuy1Water: two cases or jugs7Peanut butter, crackers, oats2Canned meat and tuna8Batteries and a headlamp3Rice and dry beans9Manual can opener, matches4Canned vegetables and fruit10Bleach, soap, toilet paper5Flashlights and batteries11Trash bags, bucket, wipes6First aid basics12More water; a weather radio if you can
Prices vary; buy on sale and with coupons.
Free and nearly free prepsTap waterFill clean soda bottlesA family planOne evening, freeKnow your neighborsThe best prep there isLibrary booksGardening, first aid,canningFree classesCERT, Red Cross,extension officeFEMA's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is free in many towns.
The best preps are often knowledge.
Save money while you prep1$Buy on saleStock up at the lowestprice2Store what you eatNo wasted food3GardenA few tomato and beanplants4Learn to fix thingsRepair instead of replace5Cook from scratchRice and beans are cheap
A deep pantry is a savings account you can eat.
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Sources

Checked November 11, 2026.