The Big Incomplete List of Prepper Items

It seems there are literally hundreds of excellent prepper lists out there and as part of our journey we have started our own. We hope to use this as an inventory/wish list to help us stay on track as well as (hopefully) helping others develop their own.

Happy prepping!

Cash

We keep extra cash ($20-$25) in each vehicle as well as some loose change
$20 stashed behind our cell phone covers
$200 in the prepper closet (stuffed inside an old can of peanuts)

Water

Cases of water
Large treated water storage ( stackable cubesor 55 gallon barrels)
Water filter
Drink mixes (Kool-Aid, lemonade, Tang, etc)
Coffee
Tea Bags we store black, green and a variety of herbal teas
Powdered milk
We also reuse milk jugs, 2 liters to store water for cleaning and flushing the toilet

Food

Canned Fruits – peaches, pears, apples, applesauce, fruit cocktail
Canned Veggies – green beans, corn,
Canned Beans – baked, vegetarian, chili beans, black-eyed peas, etc
Soups & Chili
Dried Beans
Rice
Flour
Corn meal
Honey – lasts forever
Raisins – lasts forever
Dehydrated fruit
Canned meats (yuck)
Canned pickles, olives, peppers
Condiments – mustard, ketchup, salsa, taco sauce
Molasses
Oatmeal
Pasta
Spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes
Mac and cheese and other box meals
Peanuts – my personal addiction, walnuts, almonds, etc – freeze or vacuum seal is best
Jerky
Trail mix
Popcorn
Pancake mix
Peanut butter
Jams, jellies, preserves
Salt
Sugar
Cooking oil
Yeast
Baking powder
Baking soda
Vinegar
Garden seeds! We also save as many as we can from the garden.

Freezer

Some think the freezer is a bad idea and granted in an extended power outage the freezer will become useless when your generator runs out of fuel. However, a large freezer full of goodies can help get you and your family through a financial hit (job loss, large unexpected bill, etc) while allowing you to stock up on items when they are least expensive. Picking up those pizzas at 4 for $10 or freezing corn from the farm stand when they’re $4 a dozen can save you loads of cash in the long run. If you’re like us, the freezer gives us another option for saving produce from our garden. Our main freezer is now fully stocked for the winter and we are considering purchasing another. Note: the bottom of our freezer is also lined with 2 liter bottles of water – can never have enough water!

Frozen veggies – corn, green beans, peas, peppers, tomatoes, stir fry, carrots
Frozen fruits – apples, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries
Burgers, hot dogs, steaks
Waffles
Sausage, bacon
Frozen juices
Pizza!
Popsicle’s –we make our own using these and real fruit juice

Cleaning Supplies

Bleach – lots and lots of bleach
Bar Soap
Soft Soap
Dish soap
Ammonia
Window cleaner
Mr. Clean or similar
Laundry soap

Medical/First Aide

Prescription Medications
Baby Aspirin
Ibuprofen, Tylenol, etc
Band-Aids
Gauze
Medical tape
Triple Antibiotic creme
Rubbing alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide
Cold medicine
Allergy medicine
Antacids
Cough drops
Orajel for tooth pain
Charcoal capsules
Q-tips
Cotton balls
Latex gloves
Vitamins
Cold packs
you may consider a First Aid Kit

Personal Care

Toothbrushes/toothpaste
Deodorant
Mouthwash
Shampoo and conditioner
Feminine hygiene
Baby wipes
Hand sanitizer
Dental floss
Sunscreen
Chap-stick

Fuel

Gasoline – 5 gallon cans
Kerosene – 5 gallon cans
Propane – 20 gallon tanks
Charcoal and lighter fluid
Firewood if appropriate
Fuel stabilizer
Siphon for transferring fuel
Keep your car’s tank full
Extra fuel for vehicles

Other

Paper goods – toilet paper! Paper towels, napkins, paper plates
Plastic knives forks spoons
Plastic cups
Plastic storage bags
Aluminum foil
Bug repellent
Wasp/Hornet killer

Light/Power

LED lanterns
Flashlights
Headlamps
Emergency candles
Solar lights
Batteries– lots of batteries
Gas/Propane generator depending on your situation
Oil lamps/oil
Solar charger for cell phone/batteries
Power inverter – charge or run small items from your car’s electrical system
We are currently looking into larger solar and wind options – suggestions welcome

For our furry friends (if you have some)

Food and water for them
Medications they may take
Flea and tick protection
Grooming tools
Treats (they get stressed too)

Optional (not completely sold on this yet)

Alcohol, cigarettes, other barter goods
Silver or other precious metals

Equipment and tools

Camping stove/Gas grill
Charcoal grill or equivalent
Hot plate
Rocket stove
Wood burning stove if possible
Kerosene heater (indoor safe)
5 gallon fuel cans
Disposable lighters/matches/fire starter
Manual can opener
Hand crank radio
5 gallon buckets
Trash bags
Face masks
Fire extinguishers
Fire pit or burn barrel
Rain barrels
Tarps/plastic sheeting
Gardening tools
Heavy gloves
Canning jars and lids
Pressure canner/bath canner
Vacuum sealer
Mylar bags
Clothes line, clothes pins
Rechargeable DVD player
Basic household tools – hammer, screwdriver, utility knife, multi tool, misc. nails and screws, duct tape, WD-40