$2,000 Bug In Preps

[KentuckyCarbine]

Howdy All - 

I had a friend recently become very interested in prepping and all that goes along with it. I've answered a lot of questions and tried to give the best advice I could. 

They recently said that they wanted to have a basic/lite kit for bugging in for 2 adults and 2 children with a budget of $2000. They have a firearm and ammo that they are comfortable with but no other meaningful preps.

I don't really know if it's possible but wanted to throw this challenge out there to everyone.  Do you think it's possible and how would you allocate funds? I'm coming up with my own list that I'll post below this afternoon.

[Raptor]

Howdy All -

I had a friend recently become very interested in prepping and all that goes along with it. I've answered a lot of questions and tried to give the best advice I could.

They recently said that they wanted to have a basic/lite kit for bugging in for 2 adults and 2 children with a budget of $2000. They have a firearm and ammo that they are comfortable with but no other meaningful preps.

I don't really know if it's possible but wanted to throw this challenge out there to everyone.  Do you think it's possible and how would you allocate funds? I'm coming up with my own list that I'll post below this afternoon.

With the understanding that I have no idea if they have special medical needs. I assume they have an adequate emergency cash fund (or credit card with minimal debt and headroom for emergencies). Reasonable mobility to leave a very bad situation if necessary. I am also assuming they do not live in a remote very cold climate.
 
I do have some suggestions:

The absolute first thing they should do is spend an hour (or two+) to think though what probable risks they may face. Then address the most likely risks (i.e. hurricane, earth quake, flood, job loss, riot, etc) in their preps. This the cheapest prep and IMO the most essential. Have a plan A and a plan b.

After doing this they should consider the following items:
1. Extra canned & dried food. $75 of Rice, dry pasta/spagetti, dried beans is a much better choice than MREs. Add some canned tuna, chicken & ham (DAK brand has long shelf life) along with canned vegetables to the mix to ensure that they can eat out of their pantry for 30 days. Note the second part can simply be added by buying a few more cans each grocery run.
   
2. Potable water for at least 10 days. In this case that would be ~40 gallons. Note is likely the cheapest prep assuming it is tap water and not bottled water. Simply buy some 5 gallon jugs or folding water containers so that potable water can be added quickly. Also a plan to fill the bathtubs with water in the event of an emergency should be part of the plan. If you buy 8-5 gallon containers
that cost should be about $5 per container or ~ $40. More would be better but this is a good start.

3. A decent FAK and refills of any RX that are usually needed. They do not need a trauma kit but bandages, antisepetic, asprin/tylenol and such are needed. Most families with kids have the usual stuff. I would suggest a review and restock as needed. Not sure about the cost but likely about $100 to $200.

4. One or two 5 gallon jugs of gasoline for the car(s) will provide options for transport and the cost is nominal since you should rotate one jug of gasoline every 30 or 60 days by simply putting it in a car and refilling the jug. A one time investment to fill two jugs (assuming they do not have to buy the jugs) is about $50.

5. A back up cooking and heating unit. The cooking backup can be an outdoor BBQ pit (buy an extra propane bottle). The heater should be area climate specific maybe a simple propane heater or a more elaborate set up.

6. Basic back lighting. There are battery operated lanterns referenced here that are perfect for this situation and are relatively inexpensive. This may already be satisfied but be sure to have enough battery power to run the lights for about 10 days without power.

7. The next item is IMO more of an optional item based upon a lot of factors. A small (1.6kw to 2.2kw) gasoline generator that is capable of running the main refrigerator/freezer should be considered. If this is selected the fuel need to run it and the electrical hooks for it will add up quickly. That said a simple extension cord that they already have could work and a small generator (see the UFOZS site) will only need about 5 gallons of gas per 24 hours of run time. 
The other alternative could be simply a DC power inverter that can be connected to battery in an existing vehicle. The vehicle would have to be left running to provide the power and the connection to power supply will need a longer extension cord but it is a viable way to get AC power on a short term basis. 

8. Basic safety items like a decent 5lb ABC fire extinguisher and smoke/fire/CO detector(s). 

There could be a other items that are site specific but that is why the risk assessment is needed. Honestly IMO firearms and ammo are not high on my the initial prep list. I am not saying they are not needed or useful, just that if the power goes out for several days there are many other things you will want besides 1,000 rounds of ammo.     

[KentuckyCarbine]

Wow Raptor - thanks for the great response! 

I was creating a spreadsheet with items for each of the following areas:
Shelter (Things you would need inside the house - most of which they should already have)
Water
Food Supplies
Heating, Cooking, Lights, and Power
Sanitation
Medical
Security (they already have a firearm, but there may be other things to think about, chain and lock for generator).

You knocked all that out perfectly.  Thanks for the great info.  This is a great exercise to go through because as I've thought about what's needed, I have found some holes in my own planning. 

[Crosscut]

Without knowing much about what they already have, where they live, or what they're preparing for, I might suggest spending the majority of the money on a portable Honda (or Yamaha maybe) generator and fuel for it first.  That should cover the most likely "power outage" issue, help them not lose the food in their frig/freezer, plus the use of the microwave for cooking/heating.  He'll likely be able to pass it on to his kids too, or at least I have two Hondas in their 2nd generation of owners and my Dad passed away 22 years ago.

If they have at least a little disposal income each month then build the food and other supplies slowly over time. 

[Raptor]

Wow Raptor - thanks for the great response!

I was creating a spreadsheet with items for each of the following areas:
Shelter (Things you would need inside the house - most of which they should already have)
Water
Food Supplies
Heating, Cooking, Lights, and Power
Sanitation
Medical
Security (they already have a firearm, but there may be other things to think about, chain and lock for generator).

You knocked all that out perfectly.  Thanks for the great info.  This is a great exercise to go through because as I've thought about what's needed, I have found some holes in my own planning.

My pleasure.
Being properly prepared for most SHTF events does not require 1,000s of dollars of gear. It can be done thoroughly and sensibly on a budget.

One other point about food. If you make a point of buying more of what you already use (assuming it is shelf stable) it is a very sensible prep because if you are constantly turning over the preps and nothing goes to waste...although it may go to your waist.


Sanitation is IMO a site specific issue so I did not go it.
For most rural, suburban or even urban homes if you fill the bathtub with water at the first sign of trouble you will have water to flush the toilet at hand for several days. Also water pressure may be available for several hours in a SHTF event but then disappear to a trickle. At the first sign of trouble fill the bath tub it gives you options.

One other point about water. Every dwelling (except those tankless water heater) likely has about 30 gallons of potable water in the water heater. Some will have more others less but do not forget that water.

ETA:
A link to 5 gallon water jugs ...dang these used to be $5 each and now they are ~ $10 each. Still they are more sensible than running to buy bottled water at the store for weather event. So these are about $85 for 8.

https://www.amazon.com/CINPIUK-Collapsible-Container-Portable-Emergency/dp/B09XB4TC7H/ref=sr_1_9?crid=3C11HJU3KVTX0&keywords=collapsible%2Bwater%2Bjug%2B5%2Bgallon&qid=1662066843&sprefix=collapseable%2Bwater%2Bjug%2B5%2Bgallon%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-9&th=1

These lanterns are great to keep in the closet. This is a 4 pack for $24 or about $8 each. There is a write up about these on this site.
https://www.amazon.com/Eveready-Rechargeable-Collapsible-Flashlights-Emergency/dp/B09N5DHQNR/ref=pd_bxgy_sccl_1/142-5917139-3641754?pd_rd_w=eg1y2&content-id=amzn1.sym.7757a8b5-874e-4a67-9d85-54ed32f01737&pf_rd_p=7757a8b5-874e-4a67-9d85-54ed32f01737&pf_rd_r=PY2EE3WAWZ6QF64P3HG3&pd_rd_wg=MYvLL&pd_rd_r=b5ba5006-b53b-4722-9aac-91cea8fb4c5b&pd_rd_i=B09N5DHQNR&psc=1

[Crosscut]

Wow Raptor - thanks for the great response!

I was creating a spreadsheet with items for each of the following areas:
Shelter (Things you would need inside the house - most of which they should already have)
Water
Food Supplies
Heating, Cooking, Lights, and Power
Sanitation
Medical
Security (they already have a firearm, but there may be other things to think about, chain and lock for generator).

You knocked all that out perfectly.  Thanks for the great info.  This is a great exercise to go through because as I've thought about what's needed, I have found some holes in my own planning.

One other point about water. Every dwelling (except those tankless water heater) likely has about 30 gallons of potable water in the water heater. Some will have more others less but do not forget that water.

ETA:
A link to 5 gallon water jugs ...dang these used to be $5 each and now they are ~ $10 each. Still they are more sensible than running to buy bottled water at the store for weather event. So these are about $85 for 8.

https://www.amazon.com/CINPIUK-Collapsible-Container-Portable-Emergency/dp/B09XB4TC7H/ref=sr_1_9?crid=3C11HJU3KVTX0&keywords=collapsible%2Bwater%2Bjug%2B5%2Bgallon&qid=1662066843&sprefix=collapseable%2Bwater%2Bjug%2B5%2Bgallon%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-9&th=1

We used 2-liter soda bottles for water storage at our old house with a drop or two of bleach added to each.  Still use 1 qt gator/powerade bottles for water storage in the vehicles, they stash well under the seats and in the door pockets.  We use these for storing rice in the pantry too.  Cheap solution if you already buy those products anyway.

[MacWa77ace]

RE: The Water storage containers.

At first we kept a bunch of used Gatorade and Arizona Iced tea jugs filled under all the bathroom sinks and then a bunch more empty ones for quick filling. stocking up on those containers over time didn't really cost anything because we were drinking those beverages. And they are made of thicker food grade plastic than gallon milk cartons. So we just cleaned and saved those bottles. But they aren't great at space saving or stacking. Over time we replaced those year round water storage containers with better ones, 5 gallon containers like gas cans only white for water. And I have a few filters that will work to create drinking water from our pool and the canals and lakes around here. [not the mini hiking ones the more substantial camping/boating ones]

There are two types of water you'll need if your water supply is cutoff. Drinking and everything else water. We run the emergency 'drinking' water we store thru a filter and rotate it out once a year. Keeping that ready at all times. If you don't caqre about drinking tap water then there is only one type, but you'd want to add a couple drops of chlorine per gallon for an annual storage routine.

Then we also keep a bunch of empty jugs we fill at the last minute are for everything else water, and we just fill those from the tap, short term storage. cleaning dishes, hands, faces, bathing etc.

Also remember, if there is an extended power outage and if you are connected to a city sewer system, you should dump all your grey water outside not down your drain, including bathing, hand and face washing, do that in a wash basin not your sink or tub. And set up a chemical toilet and bag your 5#!+ if you don't have a sceptic tank. City sewers can get overwhelmed and backup into houses during prolonged power outages. Your neighbors won't do this but you should.

Add chemical or camping toilet and wash basins to your list. Possibly good handheld water filter pumps.