The Frugal Prepper

[Stg1swret]

Lets face it, we all have a lot of money tied up in preps. Food, clothing, shelter, transports, first aid and other supplies. We may not spend the money all at once, but over time it adds up. So how do you prep a bit more frugally? Here are a few hints, in not specific order. First is that it doesn't have to be new. Need some extra clothes for a BOB, or just in case situation, Good Will, Salvation Army usually have plenty of items at low cost, and your money goes to a good cause. Yard Sales are great for picking up tools, fishing equipment and other such items. Get friendly with your doctor and dentists, they often replace items that still have plenty of life left in them. Check with your local pharmacy to get desiccant which is used to keep moisture out of items. A lot of their packages come with it, and they usually throw it out. It can be reused by heating it at low temp in an oven and should last indefinitely. Start a garden it saves on food bills. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables we all can grow almost anywhere.Take free first aid courses to boost skills, the Red Cross and FEMA have them listed on their websites. and usually every community has a local paper that may also list them. If you have the time learn to can foods a lot of local LDS churches offer them find one near by. You don't need a gym membership to get or keep fit. Walk, by a cheap bike( now you have back up transport), swim . All are free and help keep you in shape. Start slow and build up.

If you look around, you will soon find plenty of other ways to prep and save money at little or no cost. Just think about it.

[Evolver]

We have been canning for over two years now and I will say it's THE most effective way to save preps per dollars spent.
Granted it won't last as long as freeze dried and it's heaver for packing out but if you are planing to stay put it's a fraction of the cost, it's eatable as soon as you pop the lid. We have a supply of both but our canned good are our staple that we rotate like everything else we stock. Buy meats, fruits and veggies in bulk when in season or on sale and can.

[bacpacker]

I'll second E on his post. We can, freeze, and dehydrate everything we can get our hands on. We raise a good deal of the stuff we put up, but we also buy from local farmers, roadside stands, and farmers markets as well. One of our hobbies is just driving around out in the boonies taking back roads. It rarely fails that we don't bring some type of produce to put up.