Thrift Stores
As we all know the dollar is already tight. I have always shopped at the thrift store for clothes. (we have a by the pound one, but you have to wrestle with the masses when they wheel out a new bins).
I also go to the regular ones (less stress) and always makes sure to go through the household area. I am presently on the lookout for canning equipment and cast iron pans. I just got a 20 pound box of brass light chains for $2.00. If I brought it to the junk yard I could get around $60 for it right now.
• Backpacks (I can get a bunch at the pound one for a few bucks)
• Pots and Pans (think campfire when looking at them)
• Spandex pants and shirts (I would never pay more than a buck for these) great for rash guard and heat when hiking long distances.
• Winter wear and boots! and rain gear.
• Extra blankets and sheets
• Battery-operated appliances- so many people buy these thinking cool, but end up never using them. We as preppers know the importance of having these (and rechargeable battery's(solar charger).
• Medical equipment, crutches are always plenty, slings, braces.
• binoculars, telescopes
• sewing and knitting supply's
• candles cheaper than the dollar store
• Bikes and bikes parts
• Oil lamps
• Sharpening stones and knives
• If you have a By the Pound store it is worth stocking up on Levi's and Lee Blue jeans (different sizes they never go out of style) or some stores have the color tag sales.
When looking also keep in mind motors of ceiling fans can be used for your windmills!
•and jumper cables to help build a battery bank when your windmill is up and running
--jumper cables and a battery can also be used as a primitive soldering tools (if you have rods)
Yard Sales
• Now tents and camping gear are not big in the thrift stores, but I have seen many at yard sales in suburban areas.
• Sterling silver flatware, at yard sales you can get this for pennies (thrift stores have caught on to this). sterling silver is known to have antimicrobial properties. In years past nickle and dime and quarters use to be used as a water purification tool.
• Tools (same as above thrift stores rarely have these now a days)
• Fishing equipment- all my fishing gear came from yard sales.
• keep your eyes open for short wave radios
Remember Estate Sales are different than yard sales, Look for them in your local paper. And also remember to be respectful to the family doing them because they are selling a loved ones belongings
Other Places
Right now I am trying to get my Alderman (statesmen in some parts) to do a junk shop at our local dump. He is a major green and eco guy, who is actually trying to make this happen. So much great stuff gets trashed in the dump. Worth see what your city allows at your dump. (I know some think this is to much work but if you can save a few hundred, why not?)
Craig'sList and freecycle are two other options. Both have free stuff listings. Many people just leave the stuff on their curb so you just drive up and grab it! FREE. My kid does this and consignment shops some of it so she can get stuff she really wants in trade.
Storage company's - call your local ones, they all do auctions on bins (like on TV) only issue is you have to remove everything from the unit that day. And most do not cost as much as the ones on TV. But alot of them are junk. Worth a shot, depending on were you live.
Perfect song for this post! Just a fun song!
Your blogs and every other content is so entertaining and useful It makes me come back again.
ReplyDeletesurvival food and gear
Thanks :) try to have fun with the whole thing. It is so important for people to understand that prepping is an important thing and that all kinds of people are keeping their family's ready.
ReplyDeleteThe plural of battery is batteries, not battery's. The plural of supply is supplies, not supply's. The plural of company is companies, not company's. The plural of family is families, not family's.
ReplyDeleteMy last trip to the thrift store I had your info in mind. I bought two bags; one is in the trunk with emergency supplies and one is in the corner of the bedroom with non-bug-out emergency items. Next on my list is a manual coffee grinder, cast iron pans, and canning jars.
Thanks for some great ideas and suggestions. Almost we all cannot afford the big buck survival gears and always search for the things we can afford. Here you have suggested quality of using the money to get the survival resources. Besides, there is no doubt on the thrift stores since you have shown everything in your blog in beginning lines. I think it all depends on how you find things in the stores. Keep updating the suggestion like this.
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