If you had $100-200 to spend, what supplies/preps/gear would you buy?

[Beowolf]

Let's hear your priorities, your gaps, or your needs. 

Yes, it's actually a real question. But I also think I am sitting pretty okay. I think.

But what would you buy if you had a little extra cash to throw around?

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I'm very lacking in food and medical supplies, so I'd probably use the extra funds to fix that issue.

My food preps right now consist of a plastic tote of reduced sodium MREs (which are just a crime against nature to be honest. They're not very tasty, but I guess it keeps me from snacking on them like I do with regular MREs.).

[Raptor]

I am actually in good shape in most areas. That said if someone was in a similar position I would suggest not spending that cash and stashing it. If they had to buy something, buy some more ammo. It will retain its value.

[Beowolf]

Excellent recommendations.

I recently bought a Mountain House classic variety pack, 12 pouch bucket. I also recently purchased pistol and rifle ammo. I think I still have a good supply of medical stuff, but that will be a priority to check this weekend.

Keep 'em coming!

[MacWa77ace]

Is it my money or a gift/find of extra unexpected money. If I found money it'd be freeze dried meats, and fruits.

My next 100-200, 90 goes to pay a CC bill for a IWB holster I just ordered. Then to an Esstac 2+1 kiwi gap mag holder I'll probably order next month. The rest goes into my 'gun fund' which is used for all manner of preps gear.

[Moab]

Assuming you have a detailed list of bug in, bug out and inch plans. And a detailed list of what you need to accomplish those plans based on your AO. And a list of things you still need to buy. Or items you want to augment or improve upon.

Only you can answer that question.

Beyond that I would look at what prices are for disposable items. Like food, gas, ammo, etc. Raptors right about ammo.

Not bagging on you here. Honestly. But if you don't know what to buy. Your planning is not up to date. 

You should have a running list of "what to buy". Be actively signing up for deal notifications on camelcamelcamel and the many other suppliers of what you need - and monitoring daily. And purchasing accordingly.

Without that you can't prioritize your budget for prepping supplies. Which isn't so much about pinching pennies. As it is about - "what can I save here so I can buy more or better quality there". 

I'll be the first to admit its not easy. I have lists upon lists. Of plans, tactics, strategies and what I need to accomplish those. Even within plans you may have three routes for your bug out, with varying equipment needs, that also vary by season, and also vary by what disaster might pop up. 

It's maddening to start trying to come up with those 3 to 7 different loadouts. Do I need a set of 9lb bolt cutters? Or rope? Am I still in my vehicle? How do I quickly separate equipment and supplies to move on foot? What pieces or modules do I dump along the way? If need be. What is my overall weight? Will it all fit in my vehicle? Can I can carry it on foot in the given terrain or suspected violence or need to move quicker or the weather? 

Then you apply that to your bug in preps and it's literally maddening. Trying to come up with the best strategies for each is very time consuming. You can't plan for it all. But even the basic scenarios are lengthy and detailed. NBC in the middle of winter. Earthquake in a heatwave and your at work. Bugging out because civil unrest forced you out of your bug in location. 

Then the time it takes to monitor prices on items you need. It's a daily effort. The reason I post so much stuff in the deal section. Is because I'm already monitoring the deal sites and notification emails from dozens of sources. And applying it to my list of things I need to buy. 

And don't get me started on researching just one item. So you want a stove? I have to find a enough top ten lists and reviews to determine that I've done my due diligence. And what I know to be correct about which ones are offered is true. Then I have to compare specs to my given situation. Will this work for my weather, the number if people I want to cook for, what I want to cook, how much does it weigh, does that added weight bring advantages to stove x, y or z? 

It's crazy making. Lmao!

But the biggest decision is prioritizing what you buy, based on what you need, that is most important. I could say ammo. But you might have 10k rounds for every firearm you have. But have no utensils for eating. Or compasses. Or what have you.

Maybe we're all just veterans and have our plans and equipment already figured out and obtained. But I rarely see any of us posting item lists anymore. With an explanation of our ao and plans. To let each other scrutinize our priorities. 

I would do that first. Then have a discussion of the equipment available for each task. So you can try to figure out the best performing, lightest weigh item, that will accomplish your goals. In that one category. Which by the way is a list of items an arm long. 

*Plan. Buy what you need the most. And find the best item and the best price. So you can put that savings someplace else.

A few small items that I have seen the price is low recently are small battery banks, hammocks, mylar sleepings bags (way better than a mylar emergency blanket), 1000lb 550 cord, portable power stations, generators, dried emergency food, two way radios (baofeng), knives, glock knockoffs and AR15s (PSA, Aero Precision etc.), glock trade ins. Follow our deal section and and as many others as you can find.

Aliexpress is a gold mine. Sierra Trading Post, Colemans surplus, LAPG, Sportsmans Guide ( although I hate their yearly club fee. Its bullshit. Dont get me started. Lol), GGG (Garge Gear something), the list is endless.

But also ask those of us that are actively researching gear and items daily. I or @majorhavoc or anyone else might be researching these various sources on an hour by hour basis. What you need - we might not be looking for. But we have probably researched and seen the best price on an item recently. Just because they are listed with all the other stuff we are looking for. 

Are there any areas in your preps you think you are lacking that we can help you with? 

[Moab]

Is it my money or a gift/find of extra unexpected money. If I found money it'd be freeze dried meats, and fruits.

My next 100-200, 90 goes to pay a CC bill for a IWB holster I just ordered. Then to an Esstac 2+1 kiwi gap mag holder I'll probably order next month. The rest goes into my 'gun fund' which is used for all manner of preps gear.

I just looked at my need to buy list. It's like 5 or 6 pages long. And constantly evolving. Because my financial priorities change. (Bills and expenditures at home come up. And puts preps on the back burner.) Or I find a better item. Or new research comes about. Or I learn a new skill that does not require that item anymore. Or your son finds a gf and you need to build a bug out bag for her. Lol. (The second extra one I've built recently! Lol)

I really need ammo right now. For a set of back up pistols I aquired via a family death. I need a couple more headlamps for family members. Luckily I already know which ones are best for my needs. I want new micarta scales for my ESEE 5. I want to replace mylar blankets with mylar sleeping bags. I'd like to be better prepared for NBC isolation at home. I need more long guns. I need more basic chestrigs for family members.

Sometimes it's f ing nauseating. Lol. 

[Beowolf]

@Moab all due respect, but my question was what would *you* buy, not what should *I* buy.

Yes, in this particular thread, there is a muddy distinction between the two, but the reality is that I have a little extra money plus--as mentioned--I have a good handle on what I have. Thus I posed the question to the community, if you were in the same situation, how would you spend $100-200?

I was trying to have a conversation that might include some different perspectives on how we--we, not I--prioritize our needs and wants.

[Rednex]

100-200 would pay on the credit card ,or money towards a set of tires on my truck , save for moving expenses.

[NT2C]

Hmmm... vehicles are in good shape, need to get some extra fuel for the generators but I have enough to last 72 hours, I'm tempted to say more ammo but, realistically, if it comes down to armed resistance then I'm not lasting long anyway so more ammo just rearms the bad guys.  Pretty good on food but more freeze-dried would be good.  I'm well-stocked for medical emergencies and my comms setups are capable of world-wide communication, even satcomms.

I think then I'd go with putting it towards an actual home freeze-drying setup.

[Moab]

@Moab all due respect, but my question was what would *you* buy, not what should *I* buy.

Yes, in this particular thread, there is a muddy distinction between the two, but the reality is that I have a little extra money plus--as mentioned--I have a good handle on what I have. Thus I posed the question to the community, if you were in the same situation, how would you spend $100-200?

I was trying to have a conversation that might include some different perspectives on how we--we, not I--prioritize our needs and wants.

I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful. You're question just seemed to be a little unsure about what you needed.

"Yes, it's actually a real question. But I also think I am sitting pretty okay. I think."

I didn't understand the connection between what we would buy and what you would buy. It also seemed like you were asking so as to apply it to your own prep needs. Or perhaps things you hadn't considered.

But again. My apologies.

I think if you are trying to figure what to spend your $100-$200 on - it would be helpful to give us a bit of background. Your AO, your plans and how well outfitted you are. Even if its just general areas and how much you are prepared. With that information we could give you much more precise suggestions.

What we are going to buy - as we are in very different situations and goals - isn't going to help you as much. As if we had some general direction to go on.

[MacWa77ace]

I was trying to have a conversation that might include some different perspectives on how we--we, not I--prioritize our needs and wants.

I try to keep my preparedness organized by categories, and try to keep those even with regard to spending. Although I do have shortfalls. It's because I might add a goal which would take a category that I was sitting comfortable and move it to something that needs addressing right now.

For instance i just reached a financial goal of 6 months emergency cash. So I've moved the goal post to 9 months. Same with my food. I've got 4 months for 2 people, but now going for 6 months.
And I want to upgrade my emergency power to LPG.
And I don't really know what category this goes under yet, but I don't have any radiological/biological/chemical preps other than Iodine tabs, but those are under medical. I'm talking gas masks, tape, plastic, Geiger counter, detectors, Hazmat, decon, etc. Maybe 'Security'.



Looking at this graph and my previous post, I said the first thing I said I'd buy with the extra cash would be food.

[Moab]

I was trying to have a conversation that might include some different perspectives on how we--we, not I--prioritize our needs and wants.

I try to keep my preparedness organized by categories, and try to keep those even with regard to spending. Although I do have shortfalls. It's because I might add a goal which would take a category that I was sitting comfortable and move it to something that needs addressing right now.

For instance i just reached a financial goal of 6 months emergency cash. So I've moved the goal post to 9 months. Same with my food. I've got 4 months for 2 people, but now going for 6 months.
And I want to upgrade my emergency power to LPG.
And I don't really know what category this goes under yet, but I don't have any radiological/biological/chemical preps other than Iodine tabs, but those are under medical. I'm talking gas masks, tape, plastic, Geiger counter, detectors, Hazmat, decon, etc. Maybe 'Security'.



Looking at this graph and my previous post, I said the first thing I said I'd buy with the extra cash would be food.

Nice. 👍

[Beowolf]

Mountain House is having another sale for Red Cross Month, so that's always tempting. And emergency food is always a good idea, as others have mentioned.

On that topic--what are the better options for water storage? I've bought a couple of cases of bottled water, but is there a better option for something that might sit for 6-12 months, or should I make a habit of rotating stock on a regular basis?

[Moab]

Mountain House is having another sale for Red Cross Month, so that's always tempting. And emergency food is always a good idea, as others have mentioned.

On that topic--what are the better options for water storage? I've bought a couple of cases of bottled water, but is there a better option for something that might sit for 6-12 months, or should I make a habit of rotating stock on a regular basis?

I assume your talking what type of containers and methods?

I forget which section. But there is a long discussion about water containers for cheap and functionality. Keep in mind the big difference is stationary water storage (to big to move) and containers you can easily transport by hand. Generally keep an idea in mind of how much you or your loved ones can carry. For that reason I would look at 3 gallon containers. 5 gallon only if you can carry them.

Search water containers on the forum. 

[Beowolf]

Excellent, will do.

The bottles I currently have are something like 750ml or 1L, so transport is doable in both relative bulk or as grab-and-go.

[Moab]

https://ufozs.com/smf/index.php?topic=2142.msg40568#msg40568

https://ufozs.com/smf/index.php?topic=1415.msg38462#msg38462

[Lodewijk]

In a vacuum, probably just long-term food storage stuff. Maybe a good dehydrator, mine's about shot.

If I had $200 to combine with my pile of Cabela's points I'd go for a carbine optic.

If I had an incremental $200 on top of what's in the Fun Fund, I'd probably go have my long range 700 milled for an external bolt release, thread it, and other small stuff... or rebarrel my .270, one of the two.

[MacWa77ace]

Mountain House is having another sale for Red Cross Month, so that's always tempting. And emergency food is always a good idea, as others have mentioned.

On that topic--what are the better options for water storage? I've bought a couple of cases of bottled water, but is there a better option for something that might sit for 6-12 months, or should I make a habit of rotating stock on a regular basis?

In one of the links @Moab posted I described a 5 gallon storage containers which had stored tap water for more than five years and the water was fine. But I changed it out. Rinsing the container with a water and chlorine mix, then filling with tap water. IMO the residual chlorine will keep it for longer than 5 years. But the prepper rule of thumb is one year rotation schedule.

[Beowolf]

https://ufozs.com/smf/index.php?topic=2142.msg40568#msg40568

https://ufozs.com/smf/index.php?topic=1415.msg38462#msg38462

Ordered two of the Aqua-tainers!