If you have watched many prepper videos, read many articles or books then it is possible that you might think there is no way you can afford to be a prepper.

All those supplies, tools and other gear seem to cost a ton of money. However, not all prepper supplies and tools have to extravagant or expensive. Some of the most crucial items are also the most affordable!

The Five Items Every Prepper Can Afford Include: 

1. Duct Tape
For just a few bucks, you can get a roll of this magical tape. It mends, it seals, and it even burns as a fire starter.
2. Iodine Tincture
At $2 or $3 per bottle, you could afford to have several bottles stashed throughout your gear. Sure, it burns like fire when you disinfect a cut or scratch, but this miracle fluid can disinfect both wounds and water. Drip 5 to 10 drops of tincture of iodine 2%, in one quart of water. Shake well. Turn the bottle upside down and unscrew the lid slightly to flush the threads.  Allow the bottle to sit in the shade for 1 hour before drinking. Use 5 drops tincture of iodine for clear warm water, and up to 10 drops for cold or cloudy water.
3. Bic Lighter
The inexpensive and ubiquitous Bic butane lighter is a trusty source of flame, and you only need one working thumb to operate it. This fire starter works better than matches or spark rods.  Not bad for gear that costs $1 a piece.
4. Floss
Besides keeping your teeth clean, floss can make a high strength cord and improvised fishing line. Leave the floss in its case for easy cutting and dispensing, or break it free so that the spool packs down tighter in your low-cost survival kit.
5. Food Bars
Granola bars, Power bars, New Millennium energy bars and even your favorite non-melting candy bars make great food rations for most emergency situations. Even a few of these can have a major moral boosting effect, and offer some needed calories in a pinch. With a 5 year shelf life, the New Millennium bars will last the longest.

As you can see, you can have all the essentials and more that you might need all with five simple and inexpensive items. These items may even be better for a SHTF situation than some other more expensive and bulky items. This way you can be prepared for anything and save some money too. It really is that simple!

To find out more about what items any prepper can afford, please visit Outdoor Life Survival.