Budget-friendly ways to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic

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These are scary times, but a prepper shouldn’t lose sight of his goal: To stay prepared for any survival scenario, whether it’s a natural disaster or the coronavirus pandemic.

It takes money to set up preps, but you don’t have to spend a lot to prepare before SHTF. Things don’t stop just because of the pandemic, and you still need to pay your bills as you also add supplies to your stockpile.

Keep things manageable by following these budget-friendly prepping tips.

Store water for your stockpile

If your taps run dry, do you have enough water in your survival stockpile?

You can set up a rainwater collection system to make sure you don’t run out of clean water when SHTF. Start by looking for a clean container, like a barrel or a large bucket, then purchase a diverter to divert water from the gutter to the barrel.

Cut your downspout for your barrel, place the barrel beneath the gutter, and collect water the next time it rains.

While rainwater is relatively clean, you need to purify it before using it. Filter the water first, then use purification tablets. This is an ideal method for water purification if you don’t want to boil water when SHTF.

If your rainwater supply runs out, you need a backup water source. Check for nearby sources of water like creeks, ponds, rivers, lakes or fountains in the city.

Organize your supplies

Whenever you get back from the store, organize your supplies.

It won’t do to have a stockpile that’s haphazardly arranged. You need to have a proper system so you know what goes where. Being organized also ensures that you can rotate your supplies to get the most bang for your buck.

Try grouping ingredients for one meal together, or store all fruits and vegetables in one section.

Plan meals based on your stockpile

When buying items for your stockpile, choose supplies that your family likes to eat. After shopping, plan meals using ingredients in your pantry and stockpile.

Organize your first aid kit and medical supplies

Store your first aid kit in an accessible location. Learn how each item works, and teach family members who are old enough how to use the kit.

If you’re missing certain items, try to improvise using other tools or prepare natural remedies.

Organize your gear

Your stockpile isn’t the only prep that needs organizing. Sort out tools and other supplies in your garage, and prep your bug-out bag.

Prepare your car emergency kit and have a get-home bag stored somewhere in your office. Check devices that use batteries and charge appliances that need charging before SHTF.

Do a home security check

Take a quick stroll outside your house and take note of anything that needs improvement to fortify your property. Trim shrubs and trees to keep the area under windows visible and secure downstairs windows so no one can open them from the outside.

Check locks and doors and keep entry points well-lit at night.

Finalize and emergency preparedness plan for the whole family

When SHTF, would your family know what to do? Get everyone involved in prepping bug-out bags and have regular drills for common scenarios like a fire or an emergency evacuation.

Secure self-defense weapons, and practice how to use your weapon of choice to avoid accidents when SHTF.

Review your budget

There are many ways to cut costs. Start by getting rid of unnecessary expenditures now.

Check in with your insurance company and ask about a better rate. Bring your own coffee to work instead of buying a cup of joe every morning. Bring a packed lunch to save more money.

Make the most of prepping resources and learn important skills

If your neighborhood is already in lockdown, spend each minute of your free time reading up on new survival skills or practice your current skills.

Try growing a home garden, or learn how to make natural cleaning products using items in your kitchen like baking soda and vinegar. (Related: Preppers weren’t overreacting: Americans were taken by SURPRISE because they didn’t take coronavirus seriously.)

Do the laundry and clean

These chores aren’t often part of your preps, but checking them off your to-do list ensures that you have one less thing to worry about when SHTF.

Assess your neighborhood

If it’s safe to walk around your immediate neighborhood, look for resources, like creeks or fruit trees in the park. Build good relationships with fellow preppers and help each other out when things go south.

Check your supplies, and head to the store now before it gets cleaned out by people who are panic buying because they didn’t have their preps ready in time. Make sure you have essential hardware, high-level medical supplies and hand tools.

When you have everything checked on your list, organize your preps and review your plans before disaster strikes. It’s better to be over-prepared than caught unaware, all without breaking your budget.

Sources include:

TheOrganicPrepper.com

SkilledSurvival.com