The first thing you should clear from your mind is that your items must be brand new, out of the box, or brand name. If you're already the kind of person who doesn't care about that stuff, you're not gonna have a problem with the suggestions below. But if you do find yourself hung up on the aforementioned things, we encourage you to give it a try. Some people hear “thrift store” and they immediately feel the items are damaged or in bad shape. This is simply not the case. From personal experience, we have donated loads of items to thrift shops, many of which were either brand new/never used to only gently used. If anything, go with an open mind and browse. You might be pleasantly surprised with what you find.

Thrift Stores

Watch out for wool sweaters, coats and pants, no matter the color they can be dyed to something to suit your need. Always look at the shoes, because sometimes it can really pay off. And of course watch the racks for BDU’s or other military attire.

If they have a sporting section always look for outdoor gear you can use. Many times I have seen Coleman stoves and lanterns in the $5 range.

The cookware section is worth checking out also. Any cast iron cookware should be considered, and I always look through the cutlery for carbon steel knives.

Garage Sales

After the thrift store keep an eye on your local garage sales. You never know what will turn up at one of these. I have bought all sorts of things from cars to firearms at a garage sale.
If someone has lots of [these items] out for sale and you are looking for a specific piece of gear, don’t be afraid to ask, maybe they just forgot to put it out, or hadn’t thought anyone would want it.

The Dollar Store

The local dollar store has all manner of small cheap things you might use in your preps. Small canned meats like tuna, oysters and sardines can usually be picked up on the cheap. Lots of other things like containers, bags and other supplies can be found here.

Online Auctions

If you are into online auctions, these are good places to pick up specific items you may not be able to easily find elsewhere.

The key is to know what you want, and what it is worth before you just go out and buy it. If you are just browsing, try to find things that might be listed in the wrong category and have less viewers.

Online auctions have become our personal favorite. eBay is a great site for locating specific items you need and bidding on items you want. A lot of people selling their items on eBay offer free or low cost shipping. Just be sure to look for items that have multiple photos, a good description and a good seller rating. If you have any questions about the item, ask them. Almost all sellers enable the option for potential buyers to email them. It's a great way to communicate! And in our case, we have only had good experience.

We love this list of ways to save from Tin Hatch Ranch. For even more tips and suggestions from them, click here.

Do You Have a Great Tip for Getting Cheap Survival Gear?

If you do, please share your story or feedback with us in the comments section below. We would love to hear your suggestions or ideas on how we can cut down on costs.