Preparing for a survival situation can get pricey; by continuously looking for affordable survival supplies and only spending what you can afford, however, you can get what you need over the long-haul.

Here are some common items you should start with.

Female Hygiene Items

My wife started using a menstrual cup a long time ago, so we don’t have to stockpile female hygiene items.  Most women don’t use one of these though, so they are going to need lots of pads and tampons.

Disinfectants

Disasters cause disgusting, unhygienic conditions.  Disinfectants will be in high demand.  I’d recommend stockpiling bleach because it is cheap and can be used for disinfecting water.

Batteries

Batteries are a bit pricier, but worth stockpiling because they will be so valuable.

Note that batteries will be virtually worthless if an EMP disaster strikes because all electronic devices will be fried.  Consider using a Faraday cage for your important survival electronics.  For other types of disasters, consider getting rechargeable batteries and adding a rugged solar charger to your preps.

Cooking Oil

As someone who goes backpacking frequently, I can tell you how much of a difference a bit of oil makes to meals.  I carry a small squeeze bottle of oil to add to my meals.  It makes them taste better, prevents food from sticking to the bottom of the pan, and also adds important dietary fats.

Pain Killers

Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and aspirin will all be necessary for reducing pain that comes with disaster-related injuries.

Don’t forget about tooth pain!!!  I’ve talked to a lot of war and disaster survivors and one thing they mention is that dental hygiene usually goes to hell in SHTF situations.  Tooth pain is hellish.  I’m betting that people would trade you buckets of food for some cheap tooth gel!

Toilet paper

This one should be obvious.

Water Purification Tablets

Water Purification Tablets are great SHTF barter items because they are so small.  You can carry them in your Bug Out Bag and use them as currency.

Sterile Bandages

You can make your own bandages (here’s a PDF on How to Make Your Own Cloth Bandages).  But most people won’t think to do that.  So stockpile lots of sizes and types of sterile bandages.

Socks

This is a commonly overlooked survival item.  I’ve talked to some people working with refugees and they say that everyone is in desperate need of socks and shoes from walking so much.  Stockpiling shoes is a bit more difficult, but you can buy cheap socks and barter them when SHTF.

Knowledge

This isn’t exactly an “item,” but don’t underestimate how valuable knowledge is! When you know how to do things like make your own bandages or candles, brew your own alcohol, grow your own food, or fix a generator, you will be able to barter your skills for whatever you need.

More important, survival knowledge allows you to become a valued indispensable member of a community.  Learning survival skills costs absolutely nothing and your skills go with you everywhere.

Realistically, the chances of experiencing a major survival situation are very possible, but also very remote.

You still need to be prepared for that possibility, though.

This list is a good starting point and if you buy over the long-term, every item on there is affordable, especially if you buy them when they are on sale.

For other items you should use this approach on, please visit Primal Survival.