Preparing for An Emergency with Limited Space and a Limited Budget

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I don’t care what our government is telling us.  Times are tough.  Even for the fully employed, the cost of energy – fuel to heat our homes and gas for our vehicles – has skyrocketed, the cost of healthcare and healthcare insurance has gone through the roof, and food?  Don’t get me started.

For many, the cost of getting by day to day has resulted in downsizing of all types.  For some, that has meant moving to a smaller home or apartment and for others, it has meant home-sharing with grown children, relatives or close friends.  For many, it has meant cutting the household budget to the bone and then some.

This has translated into a lifestyle shift: less space and less money.

Related to this, many of the emails that I get from readers ask for suggestions as to how to prepare for an emergency with only limited storage space and a limited budget.  These are timely questions and questions that I have not addressed to any great extent here on Backdoor Survival.

So imagine my surprise when fellow blogger, Bernie Carr from The Apartment Prepper Blog, asked if I would like to review an advance copy her new e-book How to Prepare for Most Emergencies on a $50 a Month Budget  The timing could not be better.

Prepare for An Emergency for $50 a Month

How to Prepare for Most Emergencies on a $50 a Month Budget is a concise, easy to read guidebook for getting started and no baloney about building a bunker full of stuff.  Instead, this little e-book offers a roadmap for getting started with emergency and disaster preparation in a practical and pragmatic manner.

To give you a taste, here is a sampling of some of the chapters:

• What do You Worry About the Most
• Storage Space Option
• Water Sources You Can Use in an Emergency
• Unconventional Sources for Food Storage Items
• Assemble your Own MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)
• An Inexpensive Way to Store Bulk Foods
• Temporary Solutions to Keep Your Space Warm
• Toilet Paper Substitutes
• A No Cost Project to Instantly Improve your Emergency Communications
• The $50 a Month Prepping Plan in Action

And this is only a sampling.

Personally, I think the heart of the book is actually toward the end, with the $50 a Month Prepping Plan.  In this section, Bernie gives you a three month road map for getting started with enough supplies and free activities to set you on the path toward preparedness.

That, coupled with the many low cost or no cost projects in book are worth the very modest cost of $2.99.  Heck, that is less than a jug of orange juice or apple juice these days.

The Final Word

Reading through How to Prepare for Most Emergencies on a $50 a Month Budget reminded me of the daunting process of getting started and finding the space to store my emergency supplies.  Of course I learned, over time, of some of the hidey holes in my own home but I could have used Bernie’s advice up front to store everything in a designated area so that my stuff is not spread out all over the place. 

Like I said, practical advice that you should know, but for some reason have overlooked or ignored.

While I am at it, I also recommend that you take a look at Bernie’s other book, The Prepper’s Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster.  This book was one of the first prepping books I read and is as useful today as it was then.  It would make a perfect holiday gift for the prepper wannabe in your life.

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!

Gaye

From the Bargain Bin: These days, I use cast iron for cooking more often than not.  When I think of all of the money I could have saved on cookware over the years by purchasing cast iron from the get-go, I get upset.  Here are my favorite cast iron items – any of them will make someone very happy this holiday season.

Need help with your cast iron?  Be sure to read 7 Tips for Cast Iron Mavens or Soon-To-Be Mavens.

Lodge Logic 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet: This purchase changed the way I cook. I se my cast iron cookware for everything from salmon, to bacon and eggs, to biscuits. Don’t forget the Lodge Set of 2 Pan Scrapers, a must have for cleaning those food bits from your cast iron cookware.

Lodge Dutch Oven/Camp Stove:  I originally purchased this Dutch oven because it was so darn cute.  But over time, I have learned to love it for its versatility.  Remember, a camp stove is designed so that you can bake with it by arranging charcoal on top of the lid as well as underneath the Dutch Oven itself.

Ove’ Gloves Hot Surface Handler:  I cannot say enough about these hand and arm protectors.  I have permanent scars from hitting my arm on the rack of my oven.  I can only imagine what I would look like if I did not use these with my cast iron cookware.  Forget the colorful silicon hot pads.  These are 1000 times better!

Four Silicone Brushes:  I call these”mop thingies”.  Great for layering a nice thin coat of oil on your cast iron pans.

Lodge 5-Quart Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover:  This is another cool piece.  This Dutch Oven does not have legs and is designed for indoor use – but it can be used outdoors too.  Just don’t forget the Ove Gloves.

Lodge Logic Pre-Seasoned 15 Inch Cast-Iron Skillet:  Similar to the 12” skillet only bigger.  Actually, quite huge (and yes, I finally have one!).

For December, Emergency Essentials has a special sale on Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast Dices. The price is $27.99 which is 34% off the regular price of $42.95. Other specials include these favorites:

Red Feather Butter
Shortening Powder
Cinnamon Apple Slices
Gamma Seal Lids

I have friends that swear by the Read Feather Butter so at only $6.49 a tin, I may add some to my monthly order.

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I earn a small commission from purchases made when you begin your Amazon shopping experience here.

And just in time for the holidays, Amazon has a cool new promotion that can help you find great gifts for the holidays. It is called Shop Amazon – Most Wished For Items. This is great because when you go to the page it gives you a quick category overview, if you are looking for fashion, electronics, toys, etc., you can go right there first. This is a great tool to find gifts, but it’s also a great way to find products that people are ‘wishing” for and this way you know what the top products are.

Shop Amazon Tactical – Great Selection of Optics, Knives, Cases, Equipment
Amazon’s Most Wished For Items in Sports and Outdoors

Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!

11 Steps to Living a Strategic Life: What? You haven’t picked up a copy of 11 steps yet? This little book will provide you with the motivation to get started or stay on track with a self-reliant life. 11 Steps to Living a Strategic Life, co-authored with my long time pal, George Ure, and can be found on Amazon.

Shelf Reliance Virtual Party: Are you a fan of Shelf Reliance and Thrive products? Backdoor Survival is hosting a virtual, online Shelf Reliance party with discounted party prices and some special packages not normally found at the Shelf Reliance site.

As a matter of fact, all of the packages you see available at Costco.com are available at my party and and better prices too!