💡 Introduction
You don’t need expensive survival gear to be ready for emergencies. In fact, some of the best prepping supplies are sitting quietly on the shelves of your local dollar store — waiting for someone who knows their true value.
This post will show you 10 low-cost items that can save your life when things go south. These tools might look simple, but in the hands of a resourceful prepper, they become survival gold.
🔦 1. Flashlights & Batteries
Even the cheapest flashlight can light your way through a power outage or a night in the wild.
💡 Tip: Always grab extra batteries — store them in a sealed plastic bag to protect from moisture.
🩹 2. First Aid Supplies
Dollar stores are gold mines for bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, and pain relievers.
Keep them in a small waterproof box and label it clearly.
Remember: injuries don’t wait for payday.
🍝 3. Canned Food and Dry Goods
Canned beans, tuna, soups, and pasta can last 2–5 years if stored properly.
Add a few boxes of rice and instant oats — now you’ve built the foundation of your emergency pantry for just a few bucks.
🧽 4. Cleaning and Hygiene Items
Cleanliness is survival. Grab soap, bleach, and disinfecting wipes — they can prevent sickness in a crisis.
Don’t forget toothpaste, brushes, and wet wipes. Staying clean means staying healthy and alert.
🔧 5. Basic Tools
A dollar store screwdriver set or utility knife might not look fancy, but they can repair, cut, and build when needed.
If you can find duct tape, grab it. Few things in the prepping world are as valuable.
💧 6. Plastic Containers & Bottles
Reuse them for water storage, food rationing, and organization.
If you can find 1-liter bottles, clean and fill them with filtered water — rotate every 6 months.
🕯 7. Candles & Matches
When the lights go out, candles are both comfort and necessity.
Combine them with matches or lighters and store in a waterproof pouch.
Bonus tip: a small metal can and candle can create an improvised heat source for hands or small spaces.
🧵 8. Sewing Kits
Clothing tears, backpacks rip — and that’s not the time to panic.
A cheap sewing kit can patch your survival gear and even stitch wounds (in a true emergency).
🗺 9. Notebooks & Pens
Prepping is planning. Use notebooks for inventory lists, survival notes, maps, and plans.
If digital fails, paper remembers.
🌧 10. Trash Bags
Strong plastic bags are a hidden prepping secret — they can be used as ponchos, ground covers, or waterproof storage.
Carry a roll in your car or backpack. You’ll use them more often than you think.
🏁 Conclusion
Dollar stores aren’t just for cheap snacks and decorations — they’re training grounds for resourceful preppers.
With less than $20, you can gather the foundation of your survival kit today.