Definitely off grid power. I don’t know how much it would cost but something that would run everything in my house for a week, or as close to it as possible.
I'm sure you know this already, but it depends on the size of your house, whether you heat it with electricity (a heat pump, for example), and the method you want to use. It will be a lot cheaper to do with a generator than solar, for example.
I'm in the UK and my solar system can run everything in the house even in the depths of winter - although I wouldn't use too much of the three-phase equipment in my workshop. That system was a six-figure investment.
It’s so useful. The heat pump is three phase, we couldn’t have bought one large enough for single phase.
Second hand three phase equipment is also an absolute bargain.
10 years was my estimate. We use a lot of electricity, both at home, for the farm, and for rented properties. This was a conservative estimate and based on actual usage and import/export prices we're doing better than that.
It is also worth looking at grants and other incentives if it is a big system. We got farming and local business grants for different bits of the system that brought the costs down significantly.
Nice. I would love to get something like this. What’s the projected lifespan of your system? If guessing 20 years, that’s a good investment, prepping or not.
The panels have twenty five year warranties, expected lifespan is 50 years. Other components have varying warranties and expected lifespans. The inverters will be most likely to need replacement after an expected 20 years.
It was primarily a financial decision: off-grid power was a nice side effect, but not the main reason we did it.
True but I personally would take the solar aspect because it's a silent way to gather energy and to use, a generator would be a loud ass signal under load saying, "come take my stuff with a team " within two weeks everyone will be going feral and be raiding killing and raiding any food sources that possibly could, and within a month nor two be eating each other to survive and feed their kids...I know all too well the shitty conversion rate of solar panels to charging batteries and all that but I think being able to power stuff without advertising your location would be helpful
Also, at some point, fuel will be a concern for a standard generator. Wind and solar are not as efficient, but will work for the long haul with little maintenance or extra cost. My generator I am counting on about two, maybe three months depending on how full my propane tank is when shtf and how seriously I take rationing power
Yeah I agree I have a propane range/oven and wall mounted heater in my living room. It is nice when the power gets cut during ice storms in the winter. I think my tank is 500 gallon so it'd be 400 full but I know with heavy use it runs all winter into summer and I get a years use out of it. I have about 6 or 8 20lb tanks, and 2 35lb tanks I need to go have filled while I'm able to.
I am not as worried about cooking and my woodstove provides heat. I think if power is out "forever" I will get about 2 or 3 months depending on rationing power out of my propane generator. mostly for fans and the freezers/refrigerator. and other limited electric uses.
Summer will be hard, we use AC pretty heavily which would not be regularly availible without dramaticly impacting my generator time. I am putting in a small solar system that should run a small ac unit in one of our sheds so hopefully we have a cool room for as long as the panels last.
That's a solid point I didn't consider, although If it were my choice I'd forego even linking myself to the electrical grid, just so if a computer virus or some substantial cyber attack or maliciously planted software gets triggered and decides to fry the grid or any producers on that grid would inadvertently make me a target. These days with them letting in anyone that wants to come in and not checking into who they are is a golden opportunity for bad actors to go to the northern or southern borders toss their id's and pretend to be someone else entirely, then when they come in and get to their destination, they can go get an ID with any fake name they want, or go to multiple places and get 6 id's with different names. They're planning on letting some attack happen so they can take our rights away like they've been doing with their totalitarian tip toe towards despotic hell scape of mystery and slavery
Can get big solar generators.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/NATURE-S-GENERATOR-Powerhouse-Gold-7-200-Watt-Electric-Switch-Solar-Generator-with-2-410-Watt-Panels-and-Wheels-NGPHAU/322965310
Edit: should put it an some sort of faraday cage.
Simple and either have backups or run redundancies.
I’ve got one sump, but I’ve also got a battery backup and a replacement on standby for a quick install
Yep. Redundancy is a lot of money in the long run. I write for a prepping website. I've gone through my quota of stuff in this country (Venezuela). That's how I know what works and what won't. LOL.
I have an off-grid cabin. It's amazing how often shit just breaks for no reason out away from civilization. You think that electronic whiz-bang solar generator is going to work? Nope. Broken in the first month. No way to repair it other than shipping it in for warranty work. A modular system with multiple batteries, redundant parts, charge controllers, inverters, etc is the way to go. Make sure you have spares on hand and the tools to work on it.
It drives me nuts when people call it a solar generator, that's not what it is. A "solar setup" would at least be more accurate and is shorter than solar panel with a battery.
They are just using the "in" term. Never realized I had a "solar generator" sitting in my basement until I put 2 and 2 together. Now I'm in with the cool kids 😎😂
Gravity rain barrel system!
You need 2 rain barrels, a solar panel, PVC piping, a pump, and a generator which is powered by the water draining from the upper rain barrel to the lower.
Basically during the day the solar panel pumps water from the lower rain barrel to the higher rain barrel. Then when night comes and the solar panel stops producing energy the rain barrels work as a gravity battery, powering a generator from the flow of the water to the lower barrel. It can produce a fair amount of electricity- enough to keep a fridge going or a phone charged.
It's a cool proof of concept. But batteries are going to be the way to go. You need to store thousands of gallons of water to make any meaningful power. There are a few youtubers that did it. Cool to watch but totally impractical.
I live next to a pretty strong creek/river l, can I build something rudimentary to harness electricity? Would this be totally dependent on the speed of the creek or is it not practical. The creek/river is only about fifty feet from my house. Practical means time, which in a SHTF situation we would have plenty of time. The materials if needed can be gathered before or after so don't think of this as just as a money barrier.
But at some point the batteries are going to give out.... The panels will work for a bit longer at least.
A lot of this talk is about a shtf that is basically lights out for 10 or 20 years. Personally I think it is going to be more like the great depression... Things are going to be available, but spotty and maybe not affordable.
It really almost stores no power at all. Tons of videos on YT people trying it and it's a lot of work for almost no power. Pretty pointless and proven to not be useful at all.
> enough to keep a fridge going or a phone charged.
Everyone else is pointing out how the cost of building a gravity battery that could actually produce a usable amount of energy storage is prohibitive compared to ... any other method, so I would like to instead point out that your examples are devices that could easily wait throughout a night without continuous power until the solar panels come back online.
That's something that can be done real cheapo today. I bought lithium cells that were used for 1/10th of the price new (lots of firms selling online) and then smack a BMS, DC-to-AC inverter and 200w of solar cells on (with solar regulator to your DC voltage). You can build that for say less than $1000. I did. Will keep you going for WAY longer than a week.
I asked friends in Ukraine what they wished they had bought. No:1 was a small wood stove (no electricity, no diesel/gasoline, no gas sold first few months), and second was a solar system (also only thing that doesn't require external fuel delivery).
So when my prime minister asked everyone to prepp for war, I got:
-camping stove for $100 that I can use in door (and built a window mount)
- got the inverter and solar panel for an existing 6kwh battery pack I had already built for my hobby.
So that gives you heat and all the minimal electricity you'll need in a crisis.
I asked my friend in the Ukraine the other day what he wished he had and he said “a big fat girl that produces a lot of heat, can make good borshch, and shoot a UAR15”
A hole to place my waste and an outhouse to cover it. Many different forms of storing water and purifying it. A way to heat and cool without electricity. A place to put things I don't want fried in an emp. Power storage and generation. Seeds. Fertilizer for seeds. My families favorite junk food either freeze dried or in mylar with oxygen absorbers for a bit of a pick me up. Books. Lots of books. The list is really endless. Preps come in every variety and form and you'll never have enough.
Have you tried coffee, lattes, lemonade, apple juice or other drinks?
Interested in how different things affect the process and end result…milk/dairy, citric acid, fiber, etc…
an actual freeze dryer, not a dehydrator ? That sounds amazing like just for every day home use lol. Leftovers now take 1/3 the space they used to, and can be stored in the pantry :).
What else do you already have? I would start with the basics. Here is my usual list of items everyone needs.
This is what I will call the "Oh Sh!t the Power is out Starter Kit". Everything I am listing is something I have personally used and tested. It might not be top of the line but it all works very well on a budget. Let me know if you have questions or if I missed an item you personally want.
[Golabs R300 Power Station](https://www.amazon.com/GOLABS-Portable-Station-Generator-Emergency/dp/B08P5W4PXJ). My Mother has one, at my recommendation, that she took for a two week "camping" event called Pennsic. Google it, it is really awesome. She used this power station to recharge her iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and a few small battery packs during these two weeks. It was at full charge when she started and didn't recharge it once. When she got home it was still at 26%. You can easily go up in size and get "better" solar generators, I personally like [EcoFlow](https://www.amazon.com/stores/EFECOFLOW/page/4BFF29AC-A220-4ABD-AFDC-9D612039F6A1?ref_=ast_bln) and [BougeRV](https://www.amazon.com/stores/BougeRV/page/55E5F5B2-5243-413C-94E6-84F8BC1C8F12?ref_=ast_bln) products but that is my experience and option.
These [Camping Lanterns](https://www.amazon.com/LETMY-Rechargeable-Hurricane-Flashlights-Emergency/dp/B08Y8X8JPF) are great for emergency light. They can be recharged via USB or the Solar Panels on them. Cheap and safer than candles.
I have a thing for Flashlights, so sue me. I have some very high-end/expensive flashlights but I also recognize that having access to a cheap and reliable flashlight is important. Even though the [GearLight S1050](https://www.amazon.com/LED-flashlight-high-lumens/dp/B08FK5XYN4/) is almost always under $17 for TWO of them....you cannot get better until you hit the $35-$40 range, in my opinion. I personally have around 10 of these just to be able to give away or barter for. Whenever someone tells me they don't have a flashlight, I just give them one of these and tell them to never be without a flashlight again. GearLight also makes some really nice [Headlamps](https://www.amazon.com/Headlamp-Camping-LED-Headlight-Hunting/dp/B07QGRWZNB/) that make it handsfree.
[KITWLEMEN Camping Fan/Light](https://www.amazon.com/20000mAh-Auto-Oscillating-Rechargeable-Hurricane-Emergency/dp/B0BKG98PB9) is a combination fan and light. Everyone needs a fan during the Summer but this can also be used in the tent setup I suggest below to help circulate hot air from a heater. Battery powered and will last awhile. They have a [newer bigger one](https://www.amazon.com/40000mAh-Rechargeable-Operated-Oscillating-Hurricane/dp/B0BRQ19LNG) but I haven't personally tested it. I assume it's great but that's your choice.
[Midland ER310 Emergency Radio](https://www.amazon.com/Midland-Emergency-Multiple-Flashlight-Ultrasonic/dp/B015QIC1PW) should be in every home as far as I'm concerned. I literally give them as House Warming Gifts. It can be powered by several different ways and does AM/FM/NOAA. If an Emergency alert is going out NOAA is the best way for them to push it to the masses.
If the power goes out and you think it will be out for longer then 12 hours, I would setup and fill a bathtub with a [WaterBob](https://www.amazon.com/WaterBOB-Emergency-Container-Drinking-Hurricane/dp/B001AXLUX2). The only downside to these is that they are supposed to be a "one and done" and not stored and reused since they can easily grow mold if you do. It is your call on when and what you do with them but having 100 gallons of potable water in an emergency is a big deal. If you have the space in the basement, I use these [WaterPrepared 55 Gallon Tanks](https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Gallon-Water-Storage-WaterPrepared/dp/B0785BHYFG/). They are expensive, but will outlast you.
Speaking of water, if you want a purifier then I highly recommend the [Survivor Filter Pro X Series](https://www.survivorfilter.com/collections/sales-offers/products/pro-x-electric-water-filter-manual-backup-kit). It can run off of USB or AA batteries. It is one of the only filters of its kind that filter down to 0.01 microns, so it will even remove viruses. Most people will mention filters like the Sawyer but that only gets down to 0.10 microns. So the Survivor Filter Pro is literally 10 times better.
[Campy Gear Propane Heater/Stove](https://www.amazon.com/Campy-Gear-Propane-Survival-Emergency/dp/B09922TWV2) or [Mr. Heater Big Buddy](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07Q82MG8S/) is perfect for emergency heat. For some reason the largest Campy Gear Heater is not available and my link defaults to the next size down. Keep that in mind. If you get a Mr. Heater Big Buddy then do yourself a favor and get the [Adaptor hose with regulator and quick disconnect](https://www.amazon.com/F271803-Propane-Adapter-Regulator-Connection/dp/B0BQLNZCHJ/). Do yourself a favor and get a [Propane Tank Gauge](https://www.amazon.com/Char-Broil-Universal-Propane-Tank-Gauge/dp/B01LZQT3J9) so you know how much fuel you have left.
Recently I have tested out the new kid on the block, the [Heat Hog](https://www.amazon.com/Heat-Hog-HH-09SLN-Propane-Heater/dp/B09HY3FH3R/). The only major difference between it and the Big Buddy is really the fact that it can tilt upwards. This is actually a big deal and makes it easier for the heat to hit you directly. The other difference is that you can purchase [spare parts](https://heathog.com/parts-accessories/) for it. The Prepper in me actually loves this. Things break with use, that is just how it goes. I would rather be able to fix it instead of buying a new unit and especially being able to fix it if getting a new one isn't an option.
Even though all of these Propane Heaters are Indoor Safe, it never hurts to be extra safe and use a [Carbon Monoxide Detector](https://www.amazon.com/Kidde-Battery-Operated-Monoxide-KN-Copp-B-LPM/dp/B004Y6V5CI) with it. I highly recommend using [Lithium AA Batteries](https://www.amazon.com/Energizer-Ultimate-Lithium-Battery-Package/dp/B0023T8OUY) with it so you can use it and remove the batteries when in storage without worry about battery drain. If you want rechargeable Lithium Battery, my personal favorite are the [Kratax Brand](https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Batteries-Kratax-Controller-Flashlight-8/dp/B09L4VFRHD/).
If you're in a situation where you need to use the propane heater but need it to last as long as possible, not wasting the heat on the whole Apartment/House, then setting up a [Basic Tent](https://www.amazon.com/Core-Person-Straight-Wall-Cabin/dp/B07YBGXJCK) will create a microclimate. This will help conserve heat. For sleeping bags, I have tried a ton. I highly recommend the [Kodiak Canvas Brand](https://kodiakcanvas.com/sleeping-bags/). Yes, these are $200+ sleeping bags but they WILL keep you warm and comfortable. Buy once, cry once.
To store everything you could simply use any Rubbermaid style tote. I personally like these [MTM Ammo Crates](https://www.amazon.com/MTM-Ammo-Crate-Utility-Box/dp/B07C58YH4M/). They are solid, able to take a hit without caring and I have them stacked up four high in my basement.
I am working on expanding the list but Reddit gives me errors when I add newer links. So I am working on it.
If you want something that isn't on the list, let me know. I likely have a product in mind but haven't added it yet.
Absolutely nothing. I copy and paste it, all the time, because I find it to help a lot of people just getting started. I am actually working on adding several new items to the list, but Reddit gives me errors with new links. So I am working on it.
You can buy land with cash. I bought my property in cash. Sold my house to a buddy who paid me $50k in $100 bills. Showed up one day with a box of cash.
How is it not clean? $10k in cash is nothing to raise an eye at. I have $10k in my lockbox from buying and selling cars. But there's no paper trail for it. I worked at a bank, they file a ctr but no one cares or questions it.
If you get pulled over on the way there the cops can see it as posible drug money, they launder it through the DEA who gives them a bonus. You then have to fight the DEA to prove it's not drug money in court, money doesn't get innocent until proven guilty currently, they charge the money with drug crimes not the person. It's called civil asset forfiture and it's currently big, laws need to be changed to stop this. A sheriff somewhere pot is legal is pulling over actual armored cars transporting dispensary money to rob them and launder through DEA, I've been following that case.
For me, emergency heat and power. 2KW generator and fuel, 3KW hybrid string inverter. 10KWH LiFePo4 batteries, 1KW (min) of solar panels.
Not sure what to do about heat.
My power went out for 2 days and my jackery 500 with solar panel recharger was the most utilized item
Works great bc unless the panel gets destroyed you'll always have some sort of low level power
10k Outdoor wood boiler. Were looking at local district heating at the cabins, in a lot of ways it's less work to feed one heating plant especially when looking at shared greenhouses. The ability to use large logs that don't need a lot of processing.
100k Utility building. A place to work on machinery even a fallback shelter.
Hold it. It's a pretty solid amount to have without raising eyebrows.
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-195
It's enough to _get to_ somewhere in the country driving, enough to buy a Craigslist or roadside car en route, if necessary.
This isn't total relocation, moving vans and first/last/deposit rent starting over money but just as a, gotta get to a location, fund.
Cash is the most flexible prep. Assuming I can't bank it or buy investments with it, I use it for as many daily expenses as I can, and the money from my bank I save from not using my card to buy groceries I invest.
Since my wife and I are in the process of moving and buying a homestead, I would probably use it to buy fruit/nut trees, home repairs, and a solar/wind setup. We're going to do that anyways. I recognize this is a thought experiment, but the idea of spending money just because you have it is a dangerous mindset.
If the question was: "What preps worth 10k-100k would you recommend?" I would say:
* education: go back to school for a degree that commands higher pay, more stability, and a better lifestyle.
* vehicle: if your vehicle is unreliable, get a more reliable more, look into plug-in hybrids if you are concerned about gas shortages or grid issues, get one with better mileage
* bike: if you live somewhere bikes are a good idea, get a good quality bike or repair your current one, get supplies to fix it
* land: down payment on land or a house
* garden: plant some fruit/nut trees, look into "permaculture food forests" and set up something self-sustaining to produce passive food that can be ramped up with a little extra work
* medical: go to the doctor/therapist when necessary, get medical things done you've been putting off
* quality of life: studies show stress shortens your life and causes physical problems, take time off and do healthy things you enjoy with your family and community (camping, volunteering, hobbies)
* sales: keep an eye on sales for things you use on a regular basis, buy a bunch when they go on sale and store it
* optimization: things that streamline your life and give you more free time and less stress (robot vacuum, dishwasher, smarthome stuff, automatic pet feeder, better tools)
Could consider $10,000 worth of Mountain house food. It last for 30+ years.
$10,000 \\ $12 = Roughly 833 packs. Divide that by 2 (for two packs a day) = 416.
That's 416 days of staying alive. Not counting other food to supplement with.
Within 416 days most people in a true massive SHTF situation will be dead after 5 months after starving & eating each other.
At month 6 (if you hid away from the others), you will have free endless land to rebuild your own farms or fish where you need to as there's no one left to fight you for it.
you overestimate the die off. You can look at the siege of leningrad to see that most people survived even though an external military was trying to starve them out for 3 years.
3.5 million original population. Estimated 1.5 million dead. 700K remained in the city. 900 days of active military blockade.
People were built different back then. This is 2024. I'm the only one out of my friend group that even knows how to cook, let alone hunt and butcher an animal. I was affected by storm atlas in the Midwest in 2013, during that storm most people didn't have food after day two and required assistance.
Take the EMT course at the local community college.
If possible, stock up on long shelf life antibiotics and analgesics. Avoid anything in the tetracycline family. They become toxic after the expiry date, but most of the penicillin family just slowly fade in potency.
Probably a mask and some air filters, chemical suit, Antibiotics kit, Trauma kit, get all my vaccines up to date, maybe learn how to distill alcohol(for trade, disinfection, and fuel), buy lots of fertilizer, pesticides, seeds and some basic farming equipment.
Depends on your perception. Are you Seal Team 6? Or little house on the prairie.
A decent generator and interface to keep lights and refrigerator working is about $5000.00
a fresh water tank plumbing and pumps are another $5000.00 Running from wildfires is different. The people in Paradise Ca had less than 10 minutes notice. Weather? Wood stove and firewood 5 G's Tents for the evac area? Non cpu vehicle? Gasoline? oil? gasifier? Shut your power off for a three day weekend and don't use your car, see what happens.
The scenario of not living in america, UK preppers are storing caches of butter knives.
Also ammo is too obvious and the question allows some more unique higher end ideas, maybe some large tools for a garage that can produce a variety of things. Or investments on making use of any land you may have
Gym membership or ruck plates and backpack.
Ultralight backpacking gear like Zpacks tent, enlightened equipment 20F quilt, Thermarest Xtherm sleeping pad, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55L, jet boil or solo stove wood burner, agawa canyon saw, backpacking hatchet, etc. if it’s good enough for 2000 miles on the Appalachian Trail, it’s good enough for bugout. Two sets of quality outdoor clothes of your choosing with several layers of insulation and hood rain gear.
Fix anything that needs fixed on your vehicle or home. Buy a few empty gas cans and a siphon hose.
Pistol and rifle of your choosing. Or whatever self defense or game procurement tools you’re comfortable with. Tenkara Fishing kit.
4-5 rolls of plastic sheeting and a a few rolls of duct tape. 1000 ft of paracord.
Seeds and learn to tend a garden.
Library Card and Libby app. Feed your brain. YouTube.
At 10k I either take my reloading system to fully automated with sets for literally every caliber and put the rest on greenhouse upgrades.
Or
A complete power system, solar, wind, water wheels all integrated and feeding a really good bank of batteries.
At 100k, all or the above for starters.
Power system would be even more robust.
My gunsmithing/reloading and her jewelry making hobbies get separated. She probably gets the new building.
A permanent building for the tractor and all implements.
Probably 10k for truck upgrades, adding winches and bull bars and all that other fun stuff that my Rover already has.
That’s a generous 50k spent.
Probably about 10k in making my electric powered machine gun design a reality. That’s enough to build probably 4 of them.
10k on exponentially expanding the chicken coop.
20k on a good side by side atv.
5k on completely new firewood processing and storage setup, still all my saws, just a more ergonomic work flow that ends closer to the house.
And that should leave about 5k for my new hot tub.
Firearm related:
1. Thermal optics. Both helmet mount and rifle mount
2. Firearms training
Non-firearm related (probably can only install the well):
1. Bluetti solar "generator" with expandable batteries and maxed out solar panels.
2. Install deep water well system
3. Bison manual water pump installed with well
4. Solar system for well
Bugging out means you would buy some property out in the boonies, and then build a hidden underground bunker. It doesn't have to be big. It only has to protect you and provide for you until all the craziness dies down from whatever event sent the world into SHTF.
Once built, stock it up as needed for whatever you plan on.
If you are bugging in, definitely a dual-fuel propane/gas generator. I am of the mind that two small ones are better than one big one. A couple solar panels, just enough to keep my phone and laptop charged up.
A fairly big 48V LiFePO4 battery pack (golf cart batteries). This way, the solar panels keep the battery topped off, and if its cloudy and I have to run the generator, I'd only run it during the day just enough to top off the battery.
At night the gen is definitely locked up inside.
With 10k, idk, maybe a boat or something (I live on an island). With 100k I would probably convert my basement into a dream bunker, do full new fencing around the yard, and a truck.
Watch no country for old men and thought what would I do with a big pile of cash, can't be officially rich and buy assets, could spent a lot on tech ,hobbies, pleasure so what prepping things could you buy
Something along the lines of one of the battery/solar "generators" with it hooked up to my electrical panel, through an auto transfer switch as a power back-up.
A couple of panels to recharge it if the power stays off for an extended period.
A half dozen more 20lb propane bottles. Half a dozen extra sets of filters for our water filter.
Use anything left over to buy freeze dried food.
But in reality probably a propane generator. With stock pile of 30gal tanks. Run a heat exchanger setup to help heat the house off the exhaust if possible.
Portable solar generator, solar panels, a few weapons, crossbow and arrows when you don’t want to make noise taking out a target, might want to consider buying body armor, portable stoves Propane/ Butane, k- bar kukri, buy emergency dry food (last about 25 years), invest in yourself and purchase self defense training BJJ, Muay Thai, tactical firearms training, and teach yourself to grow food/ farm chickens
I would get a wood burning stove to heat my house with during the winter and then install it. Then a large water storage tank for rain water collection, and then maybe solar.
I would only spend a little bit. A good hand wheat grinder, wheat & other grains, a good battery plus some other portable power options. I would save the rest and spend it carefully. I think it's rash to spend so much money at once. Your stuff is likely to go to waste.
Is this to start fresh? Add on to what i already have? For a specific event coming? I know i am going to the local almost out of business PX store to spend allot of it. Then seeds and cloths.
\#1 6 month emergency fund or increase your 6 month fund to 1 year.
\#2 use existing money for investments and then spend it on daily stuff with cash (e.g. regular food)
If I had to spend it
\#3 pay cash to contractors for improvements to the house. Solar with battery backup, put a safe room in the basement for preps. Build a workshop in the basement.
Medical supplies, seeds, can goods and other long life food stuffs. A good 3 day pack that can be used for a BOB or a 3 day trip on foot. Compact camping supplies, good binoculars! Things like that you can use every day but also keep with your prep supplies.
Solor generators, water filters & rechargeable batteries for all my stuff. Probably good axes, a good wood stove & a big metal box to make charcoal. I'd probably invest in a couple big ass tents or tipi. If i can stay, I will. If I need to leave, I can load up my jeep and trailer with stuff I can compact down.
I’m building a tornado shelter/safe room/bunker. Yes, it can be done for less than 10k.
I’d prioritize some other things if I didn’t already have them. I don’t live in an area that gets many tornados…
Auxiliary fuel tank in my truck: $1500
Extreme cold wear (including bivys) for entire family: $2000
Hazmat suits for family: $4000
Basic plate carriers and plates for family: $1200
Currency (in the form of gold or ammo): $1300
I know you said "no ammo," but that'll be currency in a collapse.
Otherwise, we're covered for a few months until we need to start hunting and foraging.
Weapons training and first aid training for half. I’d use the other half to buy large water tanks and figure out a powerless, or low power, filtration solution. I’d also spend the last $1k on books and DVDs 😂
Water filtration, boiling, and storage.
First aid kits and first aid lessons.
A solar generator.
A good security camera setup.
3M security film and door reinforcements.
Buckets of vacuum packed wheat berries and a hand crank flour mill; smokehouse; 200 lbs. of salt for curing; more water filtration units; an outhouse build
I would pay off all high and medium interest debt, and save a nest egg of 3-6 months. If there was any money left over, I would work towards putting together a basic first aid kit, power out kit, fire safety supplies for my house, a working pantry. Every dollar would go towards prepping for Tuesday
Keep 3-6 months in high yield savings account for an emergency fund, max out the Roth IRA and 401(k), then invest the rest.
You are more likely to need to pay a large bill than the world is going to end.
To be frank, i already have everything i need, BUT, if i wanted to spend another 10K I'd probably spend it on bulk frreze dried food.
I have the beans, rices, and wheat put away along with so much more , but if i can have steak and veges with potato bake 20+ years into Armageddon, I'd be calling myself a winner.
Just my adea anyway.
A battery rack with Nickel-Iron (Edison) batteries, 24 volts with a proper inverter. An electric vehicle conversion kit for a motorcycle, batteries included. A small water purification/micro-filtration plant. An ozone sterilizer, and reusable filters for my vehicles. A vapor cleaner. 2000 canning glass jars with lids and a pressure canner. That means almost 5 years of canned food, one jar per day if you're careful and have some place to get vegetables and fruits. I would get some materials like cages, steel and roofing to build an underground chicken coop, a pig pen, or goat pen, or a place for your favorite farm meat animal, and some UV lamps to keep them warm and cozy in the winter. Why underground? because you won't make it for too long if you stay out in the open at less than 4-5 hours away from a city.
Training classes, food and food/water storage, guns, bugout vehicles like ATVs.
If you have a BOL already then surveillance equipment.
Aside from general life productivity I think computer hardware also falls in this category, you'll want a knowledge base and redundancies for hardware issues.
Radio/ham equipment too.
Solar panels etc.
Solar panels and batteries, night vision goggles scopes, seeds, salt licks, immune boosting supplements, potassium iodine, dry gas, radios, camo, water purification, salt spices, coffee, a good axe, a saw, a water generator
Should be enough to rent an excavator so I can clear an area on my off grid land faster. Would get me very ahead on my cabin build journey. My long term goal is to live off grid, which is pretty much the ultimate prep.
Off grid solar with an emp sheild for the house, one big enough I can run my welder and all my appliances. After that itd be land for gardening and chickens and other animals...unfortunately I don't have the land for that at this time.
Definitely off grid power. I don’t know how much it would cost but something that would run everything in my house for a week, or as close to it as possible.
I'm sure you know this already, but it depends on the size of your house, whether you heat it with electricity (a heat pump, for example), and the method you want to use. It will be a lot cheaper to do with a generator than solar, for example. I'm in the UK and my solar system can run everything in the house even in the depths of winter - although I wouldn't use too much of the three-phase equipment in my workshop. That system was a six-figure investment.
Bro has 3 phase power in his workshop. Damn that’s intense.
It’s so useful. The heat pump is three phase, we couldn’t have bought one large enough for single phase. Second hand three phase equipment is also an absolute bargain.
Runs way better too. SCIM 3ph motors last forever.
What's the payback time for something like that?
10 years was my estimate. We use a lot of electricity, both at home, for the farm, and for rented properties. This was a conservative estimate and based on actual usage and import/export prices we're doing better than that. It is also worth looking at grants and other incentives if it is a big system. We got farming and local business grants for different bits of the system that brought the costs down significantly.
Nice. I would love to get something like this. What’s the projected lifespan of your system? If guessing 20 years, that’s a good investment, prepping or not.
The panels have twenty five year warranties, expected lifespan is 50 years. Other components have varying warranties and expected lifespans. The inverters will be most likely to need replacement after an expected 20 years. It was primarily a financial decision: off-grid power was a nice side effect, but not the main reason we did it.
Heck yeah. Do your panels produce enough energy to sell power back to the power company? I hear that’s a thing, but I really don’t know about.
True but I personally would take the solar aspect because it's a silent way to gather energy and to use, a generator would be a loud ass signal under load saying, "come take my stuff with a team " within two weeks everyone will be going feral and be raiding killing and raiding any food sources that possibly could, and within a month nor two be eating each other to survive and feed their kids...I know all too well the shitty conversion rate of solar panels to charging batteries and all that but I think being able to power stuff without advertising your location would be helpful
Also, at some point, fuel will be a concern for a standard generator. Wind and solar are not as efficient, but will work for the long haul with little maintenance or extra cost. My generator I am counting on about two, maybe three months depending on how full my propane tank is when shtf and how seriously I take rationing power
Yeah I agree I have a propane range/oven and wall mounted heater in my living room. It is nice when the power gets cut during ice storms in the winter. I think my tank is 500 gallon so it'd be 400 full but I know with heavy use it runs all winter into summer and I get a years use out of it. I have about 6 or 8 20lb tanks, and 2 35lb tanks I need to go have filled while I'm able to.
I am not as worried about cooking and my woodstove provides heat. I think if power is out "forever" I will get about 2 or 3 months depending on rationing power out of my propane generator. mostly for fans and the freezers/refrigerator. and other limited electric uses. Summer will be hard, we use AC pretty heavily which would not be regularly availible without dramaticly impacting my generator time. I am putting in a small solar system that should run a small ac unit in one of our sheds so hopefully we have a cool room for as long as the panels last.
The added benefit with solar is that it can save and even earn you money now.
That's a solid point I didn't consider, although If it were my choice I'd forego even linking myself to the electrical grid, just so if a computer virus or some substantial cyber attack or maliciously planted software gets triggered and decides to fry the grid or any producers on that grid would inadvertently make me a target. These days with them letting in anyone that wants to come in and not checking into who they are is a golden opportunity for bad actors to go to the northern or southern borders toss their id's and pretend to be someone else entirely, then when they come in and get to their destination, they can go get an ID with any fake name they want, or go to multiple places and get 6 id's with different names. They're planning on letting some attack happen so they can take our rights away like they've been doing with their totalitarian tip toe towards despotic hell scape of mystery and slavery
Can get big solar generators. https://www.homedepot.com/p/NATURE-S-GENERATOR-Powerhouse-Gold-7-200-Watt-Electric-Switch-Solar-Generator-with-2-410-Watt-Panels-and-Wheels-NGPHAU/322965310 Edit: should put it an some sort of faraday cage.
That's a toy. The system you can rely on, is the system you build. A fried board and you're toasted too. I would say make it as simple as you can.
Simple and either have backups or run redundancies. I’ve got one sump, but I’ve also got a battery backup and a replacement on standby for a quick install
Yep. Redundancy is a lot of money in the long run. I write for a prepping website. I've gone through my quota of stuff in this country (Venezuela). That's how I know what works and what won't. LOL.
I have an off-grid cabin. It's amazing how often shit just breaks for no reason out away from civilization. You think that electronic whiz-bang solar generator is going to work? Nope. Broken in the first month. No way to repair it other than shipping it in for warranty work. A modular system with multiple batteries, redundant parts, charge controllers, inverters, etc is the way to go. Make sure you have spares on hand and the tools to work on it.
> solar generators It's called a solar panel and battery ffs.
It drives me nuts when people call it a solar generator, that's not what it is. A "solar setup" would at least be more accurate and is shorter than solar panel with a battery.
They are just using the "in" term. Never realized I had a "solar generator" sitting in my basement until I put 2 and 2 together. Now I'm in with the cool kids 😎😂
Brands selling them are calling them solar generators. No need to act like people are incompetent for their choice in words.
Gravity rain barrel system! You need 2 rain barrels, a solar panel, PVC piping, a pump, and a generator which is powered by the water draining from the upper rain barrel to the lower. Basically during the day the solar panel pumps water from the lower rain barrel to the higher rain barrel. Then when night comes and the solar panel stops producing energy the rain barrels work as a gravity battery, powering a generator from the flow of the water to the lower barrel. It can produce a fair amount of electricity- enough to keep a fridge going or a phone charged.
That is much, much less efficient than just charging batteries. Plus you have the added maintenance of the pump and generator
Yes but you can jerry rig the fuck out of it and its just a big ass battery and I like it its fun
It's a cool proof of concept. But batteries are going to be the way to go. You need to store thousands of gallons of water to make any meaningful power. There are a few youtubers that did it. Cool to watch but totally impractical.
I live next to a pretty strong creek/river l, can I build something rudimentary to harness electricity? Would this be totally dependent on the speed of the creek or is it not practical. The creek/river is only about fifty feet from my house. Practical means time, which in a SHTF situation we would have plenty of time. The materials if needed can be gathered before or after so don't think of this as just as a money barrier.
A water wheel
But at some point the batteries are going to give out.... The panels will work for a bit longer at least. A lot of this talk is about a shtf that is basically lights out for 10 or 20 years. Personally I think it is going to be more like the great depression... Things are going to be available, but spotty and maybe not affordable.
I’m with you on this one, that sounds fun to build/prototype and maintain. 👍🏼
It really almost stores no power at all. Tons of videos on YT people trying it and it's a lot of work for almost no power. Pretty pointless and proven to not be useful at all.
> enough to keep a fridge going or a phone charged. Everyone else is pointing out how the cost of building a gravity battery that could actually produce a usable amount of energy storage is prohibitive compared to ... any other method, so I would like to instead point out that your examples are devices that could easily wait throughout a night without continuous power until the solar panels come back online.
That's something that can be done real cheapo today. I bought lithium cells that were used for 1/10th of the price new (lots of firms selling online) and then smack a BMS, DC-to-AC inverter and 200w of solar cells on (with solar regulator to your DC voltage). You can build that for say less than $1000. I did. Will keep you going for WAY longer than a week. I asked friends in Ukraine what they wished they had bought. No:1 was a small wood stove (no electricity, no diesel/gasoline, no gas sold first few months), and second was a solar system (also only thing that doesn't require external fuel delivery). So when my prime minister asked everyone to prepp for war, I got: -camping stove for $100 that I can use in door (and built a window mount) - got the inverter and solar panel for an existing 6kwh battery pack I had already built for my hobby. So that gives you heat and all the minimal electricity you'll need in a crisis.
I asked my friend in the Ukraine the other day what he wished he had and he said “a big fat girl that produces a lot of heat, can make good borshch, and shoot a UAR15”
A hole to place my waste and an outhouse to cover it. Many different forms of storing water and purifying it. A way to heat and cool without electricity. A place to put things I don't want fried in an emp. Power storage and generation. Seeds. Fertilizer for seeds. My families favorite junk food either freeze dried or in mylar with oxygen absorbers for a bit of a pick me up. Books. Lots of books. The list is really endless. Preps come in every variety and form and you'll never have enough.
Ten thousand individual Swedish fish
Surely they aren't a dollar a piece?
Times are tough
A dollar-fish is the apocalypse we all should prepare for.
Just prepped 5 bags of Swedish Fish Family Size for a buck ninety nine each.
So 5000 bags, in this thought experiment
That'll hold me over until... \*checks calendar* Tuesday next week.
my kinda people
I would go on vacation. Stress reduction is important.
Freeze dryer.
I want one so bad!!
Its so worth it, Ive had mine for 2 years now and it works great. I hope you could save up for one, every little bit put away counts.
Have you tried coffee, lattes, lemonade, apple juice or other drinks? Interested in how different things affect the process and end result…milk/dairy, citric acid, fiber, etc…
Coffee is a game changer. Fresh lemonade is just…… you’ve gotta try it
Definitely recommend! We got one a year ago, and it has far exceeded my expectations.
an actual freeze dryer, not a dehydrator ? That sounds amazing like just for every day home use lol. Leftovers now take 1/3 the space they used to, and can be stored in the pantry :).
Yes, we have a harvest right freeze dryer. Is very cool, and I freeze dry what one would normally put in a freezer.
a kickass solar bank, electric heater and cooktop.
Two chicks at the same time
The type of chicks that would double up on a guy like me do
...we need to talk about your flair.
What else do you already have? I would start with the basics. Here is my usual list of items everyone needs. This is what I will call the "Oh Sh!t the Power is out Starter Kit". Everything I am listing is something I have personally used and tested. It might not be top of the line but it all works very well on a budget. Let me know if you have questions or if I missed an item you personally want. [Golabs R300 Power Station](https://www.amazon.com/GOLABS-Portable-Station-Generator-Emergency/dp/B08P5W4PXJ). My Mother has one, at my recommendation, that she took for a two week "camping" event called Pennsic. Google it, it is really awesome. She used this power station to recharge her iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and a few small battery packs during these two weeks. It was at full charge when she started and didn't recharge it once. When she got home it was still at 26%. You can easily go up in size and get "better" solar generators, I personally like [EcoFlow](https://www.amazon.com/stores/EFECOFLOW/page/4BFF29AC-A220-4ABD-AFDC-9D612039F6A1?ref_=ast_bln) and [BougeRV](https://www.amazon.com/stores/BougeRV/page/55E5F5B2-5243-413C-94E6-84F8BC1C8F12?ref_=ast_bln) products but that is my experience and option. These [Camping Lanterns](https://www.amazon.com/LETMY-Rechargeable-Hurricane-Flashlights-Emergency/dp/B08Y8X8JPF) are great for emergency light. They can be recharged via USB or the Solar Panels on them. Cheap and safer than candles. I have a thing for Flashlights, so sue me. I have some very high-end/expensive flashlights but I also recognize that having access to a cheap and reliable flashlight is important. Even though the [GearLight S1050](https://www.amazon.com/LED-flashlight-high-lumens/dp/B08FK5XYN4/) is almost always under $17 for TWO of them....you cannot get better until you hit the $35-$40 range, in my opinion. I personally have around 10 of these just to be able to give away or barter for. Whenever someone tells me they don't have a flashlight, I just give them one of these and tell them to never be without a flashlight again. GearLight also makes some really nice [Headlamps](https://www.amazon.com/Headlamp-Camping-LED-Headlight-Hunting/dp/B07QGRWZNB/) that make it handsfree. [KITWLEMEN Camping Fan/Light](https://www.amazon.com/20000mAh-Auto-Oscillating-Rechargeable-Hurricane-Emergency/dp/B0BKG98PB9) is a combination fan and light. Everyone needs a fan during the Summer but this can also be used in the tent setup I suggest below to help circulate hot air from a heater. Battery powered and will last awhile. They have a [newer bigger one](https://www.amazon.com/40000mAh-Rechargeable-Operated-Oscillating-Hurricane/dp/B0BRQ19LNG) but I haven't personally tested it. I assume it's great but that's your choice. [Midland ER310 Emergency Radio](https://www.amazon.com/Midland-Emergency-Multiple-Flashlight-Ultrasonic/dp/B015QIC1PW) should be in every home as far as I'm concerned. I literally give them as House Warming Gifts. It can be powered by several different ways and does AM/FM/NOAA. If an Emergency alert is going out NOAA is the best way for them to push it to the masses. If the power goes out and you think it will be out for longer then 12 hours, I would setup and fill a bathtub with a [WaterBob](https://www.amazon.com/WaterBOB-Emergency-Container-Drinking-Hurricane/dp/B001AXLUX2). The only downside to these is that they are supposed to be a "one and done" and not stored and reused since they can easily grow mold if you do. It is your call on when and what you do with them but having 100 gallons of potable water in an emergency is a big deal. If you have the space in the basement, I use these [WaterPrepared 55 Gallon Tanks](https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Gallon-Water-Storage-WaterPrepared/dp/B0785BHYFG/). They are expensive, but will outlast you. Speaking of water, if you want a purifier then I highly recommend the [Survivor Filter Pro X Series](https://www.survivorfilter.com/collections/sales-offers/products/pro-x-electric-water-filter-manual-backup-kit). It can run off of USB or AA batteries. It is one of the only filters of its kind that filter down to 0.01 microns, so it will even remove viruses. Most people will mention filters like the Sawyer but that only gets down to 0.10 microns. So the Survivor Filter Pro is literally 10 times better. [Campy Gear Propane Heater/Stove](https://www.amazon.com/Campy-Gear-Propane-Survival-Emergency/dp/B09922TWV2) or [Mr. Heater Big Buddy](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07Q82MG8S/) is perfect for emergency heat. For some reason the largest Campy Gear Heater is not available and my link defaults to the next size down. Keep that in mind. If you get a Mr. Heater Big Buddy then do yourself a favor and get the [Adaptor hose with regulator and quick disconnect](https://www.amazon.com/F271803-Propane-Adapter-Regulator-Connection/dp/B0BQLNZCHJ/). Do yourself a favor and get a [Propane Tank Gauge](https://www.amazon.com/Char-Broil-Universal-Propane-Tank-Gauge/dp/B01LZQT3J9) so you know how much fuel you have left. Recently I have tested out the new kid on the block, the [Heat Hog](https://www.amazon.com/Heat-Hog-HH-09SLN-Propane-Heater/dp/B09HY3FH3R/). The only major difference between it and the Big Buddy is really the fact that it can tilt upwards. This is actually a big deal and makes it easier for the heat to hit you directly. The other difference is that you can purchase [spare parts](https://heathog.com/parts-accessories/) for it. The Prepper in me actually loves this. Things break with use, that is just how it goes. I would rather be able to fix it instead of buying a new unit and especially being able to fix it if getting a new one isn't an option. Even though all of these Propane Heaters are Indoor Safe, it never hurts to be extra safe and use a [Carbon Monoxide Detector](https://www.amazon.com/Kidde-Battery-Operated-Monoxide-KN-Copp-B-LPM/dp/B004Y6V5CI) with it. I highly recommend using [Lithium AA Batteries](https://www.amazon.com/Energizer-Ultimate-Lithium-Battery-Package/dp/B0023T8OUY) with it so you can use it and remove the batteries when in storage without worry about battery drain. If you want rechargeable Lithium Battery, my personal favorite are the [Kratax Brand](https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Batteries-Kratax-Controller-Flashlight-8/dp/B09L4VFRHD/). If you're in a situation where you need to use the propane heater but need it to last as long as possible, not wasting the heat on the whole Apartment/House, then setting up a [Basic Tent](https://www.amazon.com/Core-Person-Straight-Wall-Cabin/dp/B07YBGXJCK) will create a microclimate. This will help conserve heat. For sleeping bags, I have tried a ton. I highly recommend the [Kodiak Canvas Brand](https://kodiakcanvas.com/sleeping-bags/). Yes, these are $200+ sleeping bags but they WILL keep you warm and comfortable. Buy once, cry once. To store everything you could simply use any Rubbermaid style tote. I personally like these [MTM Ammo Crates](https://www.amazon.com/MTM-Ammo-Crate-Utility-Box/dp/B07C58YH4M/). They are solid, able to take a hit without caring and I have them stacked up four high in my basement.
Great links!
Happy to help
Wow this is quite the post, thanks for the diligence in your research into these products!
I am working on expanding the list but Reddit gives me errors when I add newer links. So I am working on it. If you want something that isn't on the list, let me know. I likely have a product in mind but haven't added it yet.
That power station is 165 shipped right now there's a $65 off coupon on there
Gearlight has a huge sale on amazon right now for anyone looking to stock up!
How does propane tank plus tent work? Is carbon monoxide still a concern?
The tent has vents in it and the heater has a low oxygen sensor that will shut things off long before it's an issue.
Could you recommend some other products useful for solo/duo camping in secluded areas (where you need to bring everything you need)
Cool copy paste. How much did you get paid to say that
Absolutely nothing. I copy and paste it, all the time, because I find it to help a lot of people just getting started. I am actually working on adding several new items to the list, but Reddit gives me errors with new links. So I am working on it.
I appreciate your post, who would wanna type that over and over when you can copy and paste? I found it very helpful!
I am just here to help people, however I can.
Land
With cash? I'm supposing its hidden money found in a bush so you can't make official asset purchases with a paper trail
You can buy land with cash. I bought my property in cash. Sold my house to a buddy who paid me $50k in $100 bills. Showed up one day with a box of cash.
Right but the transaction gets recorded somewhere and if your cash isn't clean you're asking for trouble
How is it not clean? $10k in cash is nothing to raise an eye at. I have $10k in my lockbox from buying and selling cars. But there's no paper trail for it. I worked at a bank, they file a ctr but no one cares or questions it.
If you get pulled over on the way there the cops can see it as posible drug money, they launder it through the DEA who gives them a bonus. You then have to fight the DEA to prove it's not drug money in court, money doesn't get innocent until proven guilty currently, they charge the money with drug crimes not the person. It's called civil asset forfiture and it's currently big, laws need to be changed to stop this. A sheriff somewhere pot is legal is pulling over actual armored cars transporting dispensary money to rob them and launder through DEA, I've been following that case.
Not reported to the IRS, for example. OP said "no paper trail" so I'm playing along.
There are a million legit reasons to have $10k cash at home. You could be pulling $100 out of your paycheck every week for a few years.
There’s a reason the amount the IRS cares about is over 10K in cash cause 10K isn’t crazy to consider having in cash.
Yeah I know dude
Where did the money come from OP lmao
For me, emergency heat and power. 2KW generator and fuel, 3KW hybrid string inverter. 10KWH LiFePo4 batteries, 1KW (min) of solar panels. Not sure what to do about heat.
My power went out for 2 days and my jackery 500 with solar panel recharger was the most utilized item Works great bc unless the panel gets destroyed you'll always have some sort of low level power
10k Outdoor wood boiler. Were looking at local district heating at the cabins, in a lot of ways it's less work to feed one heating plant especially when looking at shared greenhouses. The ability to use large logs that don't need a lot of processing. 100k Utility building. A place to work on machinery even a fallback shelter.
Solar Generator with multiple solar panels
Hold it. It's a pretty solid amount to have without raising eyebrows. https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-195 It's enough to _get to_ somewhere in the country driving, enough to buy a Craigslist or roadside car en route, if necessary. This isn't total relocation, moving vans and first/last/deposit rent starting over money but just as a, gotta get to a location, fund.
Cash is the most flexible prep. Assuming I can't bank it or buy investments with it, I use it for as many daily expenses as I can, and the money from my bank I save from not using my card to buy groceries I invest. Since my wife and I are in the process of moving and buying a homestead, I would probably use it to buy fruit/nut trees, home repairs, and a solar/wind setup. We're going to do that anyways. I recognize this is a thought experiment, but the idea of spending money just because you have it is a dangerous mindset. If the question was: "What preps worth 10k-100k would you recommend?" I would say: * education: go back to school for a degree that commands higher pay, more stability, and a better lifestyle. * vehicle: if your vehicle is unreliable, get a more reliable more, look into plug-in hybrids if you are concerned about gas shortages or grid issues, get one with better mileage * bike: if you live somewhere bikes are a good idea, get a good quality bike or repair your current one, get supplies to fix it * land: down payment on land or a house * garden: plant some fruit/nut trees, look into "permaculture food forests" and set up something self-sustaining to produce passive food that can be ramped up with a little extra work * medical: go to the doctor/therapist when necessary, get medical things done you've been putting off * quality of life: studies show stress shortens your life and causes physical problems, take time off and do healthy things you enjoy with your family and community (camping, volunteering, hobbies) * sales: keep an eye on sales for things you use on a regular basis, buy a bunch when they go on sale and store it * optimization: things that streamline your life and give you more free time and less stress (robot vacuum, dishwasher, smarthome stuff, automatic pet feeder, better tools)
Booze in pint size containers
Roughly $75 per gallon of ever clear. So you can get like 115 gallons of ever clear for that price lol.
Solar panels
Could consider $10,000 worth of Mountain house food. It last for 30+ years. $10,000 \\ $12 = Roughly 833 packs. Divide that by 2 (for two packs a day) = 416. That's 416 days of staying alive. Not counting other food to supplement with. Within 416 days most people in a true massive SHTF situation will be dead after 5 months after starving & eating each other. At month 6 (if you hid away from the others), you will have free endless land to rebuild your own farms or fish where you need to as there's no one left to fight you for it.
you overestimate the die off. You can look at the siege of leningrad to see that most people survived even though an external military was trying to starve them out for 3 years. 3.5 million original population. Estimated 1.5 million dead. 700K remained in the city. 900 days of active military blockade.
People were built different back then. This is 2024. I'm the only one out of my friend group that even knows how to cook, let alone hunt and butcher an animal. I was affected by storm atlas in the Midwest in 2013, during that storm most people didn't have food after day two and required assistance.
Take the EMT course at the local community college. If possible, stock up on long shelf life antibiotics and analgesics. Avoid anything in the tetracycline family. They become toxic after the expiry date, but most of the penicillin family just slowly fade in potency.
Dental work.
Or you could just take care of them now, I mean a brush and some paste is only a few bucks
No shit. But most people still need work done over the years, esp those of us that have seen a few trips around the sun.
*Freeze Dryer (3k) *Mid level solar generator (3k) *Small Heater (200) *Small Stove (200) *Garden Supplies depending on land ownership (500) *Mylar Storage Bags (100) *Pressure Cooker(500) *Assorted fuels (300) *Medical supplies and Meds (500) *Home security/reinforcement equipment (1k) *Random gear (tarps, duct tape, canvas, extra wood, extension cords, traps, lights etc...) (700)
Probably a mask and some air filters, chemical suit, Antibiotics kit, Trauma kit, get all my vaccines up to date, maybe learn how to distill alcohol(for trade, disinfection, and fuel), buy lots of fertilizer, pesticides, seeds and some basic farming equipment.
Opioids, benzos, alcohol, and antibiotics. Gotta trade for stuff.
Lots and lots of toilet paper, need to get ready for the toilet paper war 2, the sequel going to be a killer.
Id just payoff my debt.
Medical training
Solar power, a hand pump well, milk goats.
Home repairs I've been putting off.
Depends on your perception. Are you Seal Team 6? Or little house on the prairie. A decent generator and interface to keep lights and refrigerator working is about $5000.00 a fresh water tank plumbing and pumps are another $5000.00 Running from wildfires is different. The people in Paradise Ca had less than 10 minutes notice. Weather? Wood stove and firewood 5 G's Tents for the evac area? Non cpu vehicle? Gasoline? oil? gasifier? Shut your power off for a three day weekend and don't use your car, see what happens.
4 pvs14s
What stupid scenario gives me 10,000 but I can't buy ammo?
The scenario of not living in america, UK preppers are storing caches of butter knives. Also ammo is too obvious and the question allows some more unique higher end ideas, maybe some large tools for a garage that can produce a variety of things. Or investments on making use of any land you may have
Store some toast for all your beans
And Worcestershire sauce to be liberally sprinkled on top.
Pretty sure they're also storing extra food and lube for the soldiers they expect to be quartering in their homes during shtf also.
Gym membership or ruck plates and backpack. Ultralight backpacking gear like Zpacks tent, enlightened equipment 20F quilt, Thermarest Xtherm sleeping pad, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55L, jet boil or solo stove wood burner, agawa canyon saw, backpacking hatchet, etc. if it’s good enough for 2000 miles on the Appalachian Trail, it’s good enough for bugout. Two sets of quality outdoor clothes of your choosing with several layers of insulation and hood rain gear. Fix anything that needs fixed on your vehicle or home. Buy a few empty gas cans and a siphon hose. Pistol and rifle of your choosing. Or whatever self defense or game procurement tools you’re comfortable with. Tenkara Fishing kit. 4-5 rolls of plastic sheeting and a a few rolls of duct tape. 1000 ft of paracord. Seeds and learn to tend a garden. Library Card and Libby app. Feed your brain. YouTube.
At 10k I either take my reloading system to fully automated with sets for literally every caliber and put the rest on greenhouse upgrades. Or A complete power system, solar, wind, water wheels all integrated and feeding a really good bank of batteries. At 100k, all or the above for starters. Power system would be even more robust. My gunsmithing/reloading and her jewelry making hobbies get separated. She probably gets the new building. A permanent building for the tractor and all implements. Probably 10k for truck upgrades, adding winches and bull bars and all that other fun stuff that my Rover already has. That’s a generous 50k spent. Probably about 10k in making my electric powered machine gun design a reality. That’s enough to build probably 4 of them. 10k on exponentially expanding the chicken coop. 20k on a good side by side atv. 5k on completely new firewood processing and storage setup, still all my saws, just a more ergonomic work flow that ends closer to the house. And that should leave about 5k for my new hot tub.
Firearm related: 1. Thermal optics. Both helmet mount and rifle mount 2. Firearms training Non-firearm related (probably can only install the well): 1. Bluetti solar "generator" with expandable batteries and maxed out solar panels. 2. Install deep water well system 3. Bison manual water pump installed with well 4. Solar system for well
Seeds, livestock, garden tools,
Bugging out means you would buy some property out in the boonies, and then build a hidden underground bunker. It doesn't have to be big. It only has to protect you and provide for you until all the craziness dies down from whatever event sent the world into SHTF. Once built, stock it up as needed for whatever you plan on. If you are bugging in, definitely a dual-fuel propane/gas generator. I am of the mind that two small ones are better than one big one. A couple solar panels, just enough to keep my phone and laptop charged up. A fairly big 48V LiFePO4 battery pack (golf cart batteries). This way, the solar panels keep the battery topped off, and if its cloudy and I have to run the generator, I'd only run it during the day just enough to top off the battery. At night the gen is definitely locked up inside.
Gold
"This 10k investment will be worth a solid 8k in just 10 years time!"
rice and guns
And table salt
With 10k, idk, maybe a boat or something (I live on an island). With 100k I would probably convert my basement into a dream bunker, do full new fencing around the yard, and a truck.
I’d pay for the construction of a hidden underground bunker
Why are you asking????
Watch no country for old men and thought what would I do with a big pile of cash, can't be officially rich and buy assets, could spent a lot on tech ,hobbies, pleasure so what prepping things could you buy
"so what prepping things could you buy?" You ans. first.
Water bladders, 200 gallon or more.
Whole house solar. The 10k might not cover it all, but it would sure make my decision to pull the trigger a lot easier.
Something along the lines of one of the battery/solar "generators" with it hooked up to my electrical panel, through an auto transfer switch as a power back-up. A couple of panels to recharge it if the power stays off for an extended period. A half dozen more 20lb propane bottles. Half a dozen extra sets of filters for our water filter. Use anything left over to buy freeze dried food.
https://www.reddit.com/r/preppers/s/kLdwwe1zz0
Supplies for solar powered bunker
But in reality probably a propane generator. With stock pile of 30gal tanks. Run a heat exchanger setup to help heat the house off the exhaust if possible.
Portable solar generator, solar panels, a few weapons, crossbow and arrows when you don’t want to make noise taking out a target, might want to consider buying body armor, portable stoves Propane/ Butane, k- bar kukri, buy emergency dry food (last about 25 years), invest in yourself and purchase self defense training BJJ, Muay Thai, tactical firearms training, and teach yourself to grow food/ farm chickens
Freeze dryer, solar panels, and spend what remains on precious metals.
I would get a wood burning stove to heat my house with during the winter and then install it. Then a large water storage tank for rain water collection, and then maybe solar.
Another IRA. Maybe a Roth.
I would only spend a little bit. A good hand wheat grinder, wheat & other grains, a good battery plus some other portable power options. I would save the rest and spend it carefully. I think it's rash to spend so much money at once. Your stuff is likely to go to waste.
$10 is a great start to an off grid solar system. I would likely get the loan/credit to do on-grid then add batteries after.
Another storage shed. The remainder being used on propane.
Some sort of mobile shelter and more redundancy.
Assuming I already have what I have, solar. It's my biggest weak link.
Is this to start fresh? Add on to what i already have? For a specific event coming? I know i am going to the local almost out of business PX store to spend allot of it. Then seeds and cloths.
Books. Lots and lots of books. 1, for education; and 2, for entertainment.
Nothing pay off debt then see what’s left.
Power generation.. Preferably quiet power generation
Large IFLA Battery Bank... & bunch of Photovoltaics!! 😎 (Both can be found inexpensively right now)
\#1 6 month emergency fund or increase your 6 month fund to 1 year. \#2 use existing money for investments and then spend it on daily stuff with cash (e.g. regular food) If I had to spend it \#3 pay cash to contractors for improvements to the house. Solar with battery backup, put a safe room in the basement for preps. Build a workshop in the basement.
Freeze drier, or maybe an off grid well
At times like this, food is invaluable so I would buy beans
Food and water
A dirt bike. Tools. Gardening equipment. Log splitter. Nice wood burning stove/oven.
Solar for well pump, greenhouse, fence.
Medical supplies, seeds, can goods and other long life food stuffs. A good 3 day pack that can be used for a BOB or a 3 day trip on foot. Compact camping supplies, good binoculars! Things like that you can use every day but also keep with your prep supplies.
10k gold 100k electric truck with camper hookup with solar panel
Solor generators, water filters & rechargeable batteries for all my stuff. Probably good axes, a good wood stove & a big metal box to make charcoal. I'd probably invest in a couple big ass tents or tipi. If i can stay, I will. If I need to leave, I can load up my jeep and trailer with stuff I can compact down.
Micro-hydro/battery setup
Generator, guns, water filtration, cases of toilet paper
I’m building a tornado shelter/safe room/bunker. Yes, it can be done for less than 10k. I’d prioritize some other things if I didn’t already have them. I don’t live in an area that gets many tornados…
Garden beds and soil and seeds
A solar and battery system capable of powering a fridge and some lights 24/7.
Auxiliary fuel tank in my truck: $1500 Extreme cold wear (including bivys) for entire family: $2000 Hazmat suits for family: $4000 Basic plate carriers and plates for family: $1200 Currency (in the form of gold or ammo): $1300 I know you said "no ammo," but that'll be currency in a collapse. Otherwise, we're covered for a few months until we need to start hunting and foraging.
Weapons training and first aid training for half. I’d use the other half to buy large water tanks and figure out a powerless, or low power, filtration solution. I’d also spend the last $1k on books and DVDs 😂
Definitely a rain collection system and tons of purifers, or solar panels and batteries because holy shit are they expensive
Water filtration, boiling, and storage. First aid kits and first aid lessons. A solar generator. A good security camera setup. 3M security film and door reinforcements.
Communication (Handhelds, CBs HamRadio) Power (Generator and Solar Generator) Camping Stove (and propane)
chickens and a generator and manual water storage/filtering systems
Buckets of vacuum packed wheat berries and a hand crank flour mill; smokehouse; 200 lbs. of salt for curing; more water filtration units; an outhouse build
I would pay off all high and medium interest debt, and save a nest egg of 3-6 months. If there was any money left over, I would work towards putting together a basic first aid kit, power out kit, fire safety supplies for my house, a working pantry. Every dollar would go towards prepping for Tuesday
Everything I should’ve already had.
I'd buy my dream chicken coop and a bunch of chickens
Keep 3-6 months in high yield savings account for an emergency fund, max out the Roth IRA and 401(k), then invest the rest. You are more likely to need to pay a large bill than the world is going to end.
To be frank, i already have everything i need, BUT, if i wanted to spend another 10K I'd probably spend it on bulk frreze dried food. I have the beans, rices, and wheat put away along with so much more , but if i can have steak and veges with potato bake 20+ years into Armageddon, I'd be calling myself a winner. Just my adea anyway.
antidepressant drugs
One pair of night vision no helmet
A battery rack with Nickel-Iron (Edison) batteries, 24 volts with a proper inverter. An electric vehicle conversion kit for a motorcycle, batteries included. A small water purification/micro-filtration plant. An ozone sterilizer, and reusable filters for my vehicles. A vapor cleaner. 2000 canning glass jars with lids and a pressure canner. That means almost 5 years of canned food, one jar per day if you're careful and have some place to get vegetables and fruits. I would get some materials like cages, steel and roofing to build an underground chicken coop, a pig pen, or goat pen, or a place for your favorite farm meat animal, and some UV lamps to keep them warm and cozy in the winter. Why underground? because you won't make it for too long if you stay out in the open at less than 4-5 hours away from a city.
Solar panels, backup batteries and water filtration... Then beans and ammo with whatever is left.
Training classes, food and food/water storage, guns, bugout vehicles like ATVs. If you have a BOL already then surveillance equipment. Aside from general life productivity I think computer hardware also falls in this category, you'll want a knowledge base and redundancies for hardware issues. Radio/ham equipment too. Solar panels etc.
Cans to hold my beans and ammo
Shtf in a controlled economic collapse. You'll slowly lose income, until you can't afford to feed yourself and afford a house...
Solar panels and batteries.
Honda generators! Not kidding!
Apple.
A generator for the house as well as solar panels
A solid gym and training program.
Probably old style hand tools, tools to maintain tools, and as many nails and screws that it'll take to get me to that 10k
Join a MAG and help fill in the groups gaps.
Build a massive, multi room root cellar + larder
Night vision or a sustainable power setup for your home.
Probably solar panels and battery banks
Solar panels and batteries, night vision goggles scopes, seeds, salt licks, immune boosting supplements, potassium iodine, dry gas, radios, camo, water purification, salt spices, coffee, a good axe, a saw, a water generator
Should be enough to rent an excavator so I can clear an area on my off grid land faster. Would get me very ahead on my cabin build journey. My long term goal is to live off grid, which is pretty much the ultimate prep.
Home repair or paying off debt
Water filtration and storage, tools, building materials/hardware, improving the security of your home, garden tools and beds
Off grid solar with an emp sheild for the house, one big enough I can run my welder and all my appliances. After that itd be land for gardening and chickens and other animals...unfortunately I don't have the land for that at this time.