A radio, like a solar/battery/wind up type is good, especially if it has a dedicated weather channel and AM/FM capabilities.
You might want to have some cash, in small bills.
“Junk” silver coins, tobacco, alcohol or other items can be used to barter. But barter carefully! Desperate people do desperate things.
For folks who need to keep medications cool, a small fridge (like a small one that can be run off a car battery) or a small ice maker, which could be run off a generator, would be good.
A “well bucket” and strong rope, as well as tools for removing a well head cover, are useful for those of us who have well water.
A pulley system can help retrieve water from a deeper well.
And buckets with lids for hauling/storing water are good to have.
I would suggest a small wagon, cart or plastic sled for transporting those heavy buckets, especially for us older folks.
You can find “well buckets” at Lehmans hardware. Check out their web site.
I order their catalogue every year as it has just about everything you need for off grid living and emergencies.
Don’t forget coping with human waste.
A jug for urine (add a funnel for us ladies) and a bucket with heavy duty trash bags and peat moss or wood shavings or cat litter can be used for solids.
Might want to add a shovel to bury same.
The urine,diluted, can be good fertilizer for non-root and non-leafy greens crops. How-to info on YouTube.
A pool noodle can be slit along the side and used as a seat on that bucket. Don’t forget a lid for the bucket!
And don’t forget pet and livestock food and supplies! And any meds you or your critters need.
And a hard copy of a good first aid book, one for humans and one for critters.
I also like the Youtube channel Cheaprvliving for off grid living ideas and bug out ideas.
For us folks in snow country, wool blankets and warm clothing, jackets, gloves, socks and boots are essential. Look to your local thrift stores to find some good quality items at a discount, especially if you live near a ski resort.
A pair of ice grips for winter boots is good to have.
Those who live in warmer climes will have other clothing requirements. Might want some bug netting and a stock of bug repellant.
A saw for cutting wood
and a hatchet are good to have. Don’t forget a knife or two or three.
And rope and cordage!
If you can get an old Boy Scout manual you will find a treasure trove of info!
Some means of self defense is wise, and whatever is needful to maintain and operate it.
A means to safely extinguish a fire is good.
A signal mirror can be a life saver.
If you hope to raise your own food get tools and seeds and fencing and water hoses and rain barrels now. Get some fertilizer, too.
It is late to plant a lot of things but start with something NOW. Lettuce grown in a container on a window sill, a bucket filled with soil that you plant with carrots or green beans, a jar of sprouts, anything to get you on the learning curve, will help.
Pick up gardening tools, and general tools like hammers and screw drivers, at yard sales in the summer and fall. (Lots of folks will be getting rid of camping gear in the fall,too.)
Seed catalogue companies are having seed sales now. Stock up for next year now. Also look for good gardening books germain to your locality. Ask your local garden groups or county extension office for suggestions.
And get a hard copy!
Get a pressure canner and canning jars and lids, now. Maybe a dehydrator, too.
Again, check out thrift stores and yard sales.
Have the pressure gage on your canner checked at your county agricultural extension agency and get extra seals for it.
When you buy used canning jars, check for chips and cracks.
And buy NEW canning jar lids, as used ones won’t seal properly.
Even if you don’t have a garden you can get a few pounds of tomatoes and some peppers and onion at the farmers market and learn to can up a small batch of salsa.
Get a hard copy of a good,recent canning book.
Jackie Clay of Backwoods Home magazine has written a good one and there is also the Ball Company canning book.
Make sure you read and understand HOW to can and what methods you MUST use for different foods. Do not cut corners!
The thing is to start learning these skills NOW.
