The First $100 That a New Prepper Should Spend

Being a new prepper can be very overwhelming, especially if you are starting with nothing. These are the items that will help a new prepper get prepared for the most basic emergencies, all for less than $100.
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[@WinkTartanBelle]

A sharpie is your best friend as a new prepper. Write the YEAR your food says as a "best by" date in sharpie nice and large where you can easily see it in storage. Stock new items at the back, pull for use from the front. Having the date/year on it helps you to know what you need to eat up and what you need to replace shortly. This saves you money in the long run.

[@lawrencerandall1547]

Those solar lights that people normally put around the driveway are also a great source of light in an emergency. Let them sit there during the day and charge up and pull them and use them as lighting during the night. I've had to use them in a couple of temporary black outs in my area.

[@PLeejo]

All Clear laundry detergent like big box size (or other brands) have a spigot on it. When you've used it up, fill with clean water. This can be used for washing hands or just flushing water and you can save your aquatainer for cooking.

[@diypreppertv]

Great idea!

[@wickedmuffin76]

@@diypreppertv But don't store them on their side, every big jug of detergent I get leaks from the neck.

[@kidbuu1898]

That a horrible idea. Soap already seep into the plastic. Just get a clear water despenser it like $5.

[@Zachari94]

@@kidbuu1898 it's a GREAT idea for using to wash your hands, clean things, etc, nobody said to DRINK it 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@nordicpink]

I’ve never thought to do this. Good idea. Another way to upcycle.

[@bobchevallier8456]

Karen here. Decided to get a large tote and put all supplies, except water, into it with a 3 day sticker outside. Do the same for 1 week. Then repeat weekly ones, figuring meal plans ahead of time. Winter's coming. 2 years ago we left for 2 weeks due to a hurricane and flooding. Came home to tons of ants a friend, who checked the house afterwards for flooding, had killed. We packed up the refrigerator stuff and left state for a friends house.

[@am2brok]

I always suggest a rustic camping trip (or 2 or 3 : ) It can be a fun way to learn about prepping (without the family even realizing it). You build up your camping supplies over time, learn about safe drinking water, conserving water, hygiene, living without electricity, etc.

[@jennifernichols9468]

Truth

[@DiMeNsloNs1]

First 100$ is a great video idea for emergency prepping. (Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System) I would say number one item should be the ability to purify water. This is by far the most important item costing 20$ to 30$ alone. Lifestaws are great, This Sawyer filtration system fits perfect on a SmartWater bottle. A rechargeable flash light is also a must if the power goes out. After being hit by a tornado at 1AM in the morning and watching everyone stumble around not knowing what to do, a light is the first thing everyone was looking for. 20$ (BYB F18 LED Tactical Flashlight on amazon) Best flashlight I could find for the money. Water proof and will last over 60 hours on the 200 lumen setting. 40$ (Fire-Fast Trekker) Ability to start a fire in wet/soaked conditions. And a good knife is always a must. This is where my first 100$ would go for a starter kit.

[@kitty9392]

The Sawyer also screws on the top of many other bottles too like some pop bottles. Just make sure the Sawyer doesn't freeze.

[@jeffklein602]

For Y2K (remember that?) we stocked up on things we would eat anyway. None of the silly giant pails of wheat berries packed in nitrogen or other gimmicks, but stuff like pasta, peanut butter, powdered drink mixes, lot of canned veggies,, and tuna. When not much happened (I am an IT guy and a lot happened, but we busted our asses to prevent and fix it), we just ate our way through it and reduced our shopping bills for the next six months. Think easy, and definitely rotate your way through it. Thanks for the good ideas.

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Jeff!

[@bobmchenry2315]

We also prepped for Y2K. Great job solving crisis. What is currently happening has all the hallmarks of longterm sustained disruption. Supply chains destroyed all over world & US has very little manufacturing left. Mom from depression reported that the economy was a drain down. It lasted for yrs. Agree about your preps though.

[@heartofdixieprepping4797]

You can drink the fruit juice packed in water. You can make a fruit salad with fruits. So don't toss the liquid.

[@bookofb2098]

We don't do "prepping", or at least don't call it so, but the benchmark is "Can we make do as a family (including cats) for a whole week without being able to go down to the shops and with all utilities disrupted?" The no utilities for a whole week will hopefully never happen but the scenario where neither my wife nor myself can go down to the shops for a few days can easily happen due to illness or, say, quarantine due to a positive covid test in the family. Something I would add to your first €100 essentials is cat litter and a plastic bucket in case sewage facilities are disrupted.

[@Napsteraspx]

My mother is used to keeping canned goods and the freezer well stocked from growing up in Illinois, in case they got snowed in.

[@kissitnow898]

Pick up a handful of p38 military can openers and keep one everywhere

[@kitty9392]

Dollar Tree has a knife that has a bottle opener, blades, corkscrew, screwdriver and something that looks like a can opener.

[@Jollyprez]

FYI - cans with "pop tops" do not last as long as regular cans. They have a tendency to fail around the edge of the pop-ring.

[@torgomax]

A headlamp is a must have item as well.

[@kitty9392]

@@dragnridr05 The headlights are easier for prolonged use since they are handsfree imo.

[@TheSatyrblue]

A charcoal grill can substitute for a gas camp stove in a pinch. This is coming from experience with multiple hurricanes with power outage for days. We have a camp stove and a propane burner for larger pots as well as 2 grills. I have made use of all of the above during an extended power outage.

[@lindawolffkashmir2768]

Yes, and if you run out of charcoal, you can burn regular wood in the grill, also.

[@ygrittesnow1701]

I made sure I have redundant cooking options. I have a Trangia alcohol stove, an electric/alcohol hybrid cooktop, two wood fired stoves and a 5ft solar cooker. This also gives me multiple ways to heat and sterilize water.

[@milliemrrobinson1074]

You are so smart, enjoyable and funny! I am a newbie prepper, so your advice is great! I love your easy going completely natural style of doing videos! Keep going! I need more info!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you RM!

[@gonefishing3644]

My choice of first things to buy for preparedness on a tight budget: solar-charged NOAA weather radio to receive emergency broadcasts (wrap it in layers of aluminum foil, tightly taped to resist EMP), a good quality personal water filter, some water purification tablets, a head lamp with extra batteries and some wool blend hiking socks. When disaster strikes, you will need to get useful news (radio), you will need clean drinking water if a boil order is issued (water filter and water purification tablets), you may need to walk a few miles to get some medical help or handouts of MREs and bottled water from the National Guard (hiking socks help prevent blisters) and you will be in danger of tripping and falling at night if there are no electric lights in your home or street lights outdoors after dark (head lamp). I would not choose shelf stable food as one of my first things to buy if I lacked more essential items. Most of us could stand to lose some weight and most of us already have about a week snack food/junk food and canned foods at home. Yes, if you are hungry enough, you will eat unheated canned baked beans and be grateful for this. For those with plenty of money for preparedness, it is hard to beat having a portable power station and enough portable solar panels for charging it. With the right size power station you can recharge your smart phone, lap top, rechargeable head lamps and camping lamps and power a regular radio or music CD player. With a large enough power station, you can even power a one-burner electric hot plate, a smaller electric skillet, a blender and a coffee machine for those k-cups. I use my small Jackery to power a 200 watt rice cooker that can make 2 cups of cooked rice in 20 minutes. And I bought a little cookbook filled with recipes to cook in that small rice cooker.

[@kitty9392]

I have heard that if you are wrapping a device in foil or putting it in a metal container ( homemade Faraday Cage) you need to put an insulating layer of cardboard or some other non conducting material around it first. Otherwise, the metal carries the charge to the device and fries it. Also, you might be better off buying multiples of the components of a solar generator system- panels, charge controller, inverter, battery- and storing them in a faraday cage. The problem is that if one part of the generator breaks, you may lose the whole thing. You may not be able to get it repaired during an emergency. Happy prepping!

[@gonefishing3644]

@@kitty9392 All good points. Thank you.

[@kitty9392]

@@gonefishing3644 You're welcome!

[@kitty9392]

Those little camping stoves that hikers use - the ones that screw into a gas canister are around twenty bucks, the canisters are around 5 to 7 bucks.

[@ceciliacalvin207]

Just because canned food has a Best Buy date, as long as the can is NOT dented or rusted, they are good for at least 3-5 years after that date.

[@geraldmantanona6116]

You ever try Wysi Wipes? It’s basically a good toilet paper substitute. All you need is a dab water and it turns into a modified wet wipe, toilet tissue square, Or napkin. Very inexpensive if you can find them at Walmart or even online. When compressed it’s about the size of a Mentos.

[@bonapartedavinci]

Cooking sources don't need to be pricy. I found a butane stove for I believe 12 bucks. I also made a multi fuel stove for free. So, with my home gas stove, that gives me 3 sources of cooking. Also, depending on the situation, don't forget the grill or even a firepit in a pinch. (Grill or fire outside of course!)

[@Napsteraspx]

That aquatainer is perfect for camping. My family always jokes that camping is a good prep for if things get real bad fast. Now I'm super grateful for all those summers of going camping in the mountains.

[@cuteone1702]

Glad I found this channel. I have been watching Prepper channels for over 5yrs solid and I’m seeing things here that are smart, simple and never mentioned. A+ to DIY Prepper (nice logo too)

[@tylerfoss3346]

Cute One, I agree; great job on this video, DIY Prepper! That pinhole in the cap of the bottle to regulate tooth brushing water is outstanding!

[@diypreppertv]

@@tylerfoss3346 Thank you!

[@redeemedandblessed]

Awesome info! Especially water tips. As a girl who has been thru many water crisis, such as city water was poisoned for two weeks no water not prepared for it. Then 2nd incident was at new home I was introduced to well water. Wells are temperamental and this one goes dry every September 🙄, so I've learned many ways to make water go far but the pin hole was a new one to me, thanks! Also, just please keep up the good work and the great attitude 👍. You are hilarious! God bless you!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Tandi! The water bottle thing started out as a way to prank people and irritate pets. Turns out it’s pretty useful for other things too!

[@cuteone1702]

Agreed great tip, there’s always a nail around, pencil tip, pen tip.

[@debbielt514]

@@diypreppertv I seen we’re you can get a 1-3 gallon bug sprayer (NEW one) and have it for a way to take a quick shower. 💦

[@jumpin4joync]

Mix 1 can no sugar added with 1 can with sugar - you'll never know the difference. Super sugarly balanced with no sugar. Kinda like 1/2 sweet tea with 1/2 unsweet tea makes a great McD's cup of tea.

[@Chu6um]

I actually rely on a charcoal grill/smoker with a few bags of briquettes for short term cooking needs. It also does well with wood and wood chips, or anything else that burns rather clean. So, no plastic or those fancy fire logs. Nice to have a few rolls of foil as well, to help cleanup, and using a grill is year-round use for normal situations as well.

[@diypreppertv]

I have a couple of grills as well, but it’s good to be able to cook indoors. Weather may make cooking outdoors difficult or you may be trying to keep a low profile.

[@MissyQ12345]

I use my camping method for brushing my teeth when the power goes out. I pour a small amount of water in a small glass and use that to wet my brush and then rinse it. To use as little water as possible, then use the same water to wash the brush. I always pretend I am just on a camping trip whenever I lose power. And you need water and food for your pets! Great channel with good info.

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Missy!

[@bryanhempel4764]

A Wonder Wash and powdered laundry detergent for doing laundry. The liquid stuff expires.

[@rebeccaevans898]

Thank you! I am a new prepper and this video was very helpful.

[@johnpoole8321]

Love the aqua-tainers. we have 6 and fill them at the natural spring and they have lasted years.Good video as well as the other few of yours I saw so far. Just found them.

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you John!

[@andybuchanan9401]

Keepin' it simple ..love the pin in bottle trick... Excellent vid man!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Andy!

[@riseandshine3053]

Thanks for this! Exactly where I’m at. Just starting out.

[@diypreppertv]

I’m glad to help. Thanks for watching Alf!

[@SatireTravestyTV]

@@diypreppertv you’re doing a good job staying in touch with the viewers. I feel like this will pay off for you man, keep it up. I know that KZbin grind can be tough, but you are killing it man

[@diypreppertv]

@@SatireTravestyTV Thank you!

[@jessielarson172]

Thanks for sharing ur awesome I'm disabled and not able to stock up on stuff so I probably won't last long

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Jessie! Just keep doing what you can and be consistent about it. You’ll end up being more prepared than most.

[@chupacabra304]

as he said! Consistency is key, just invest a few $’s a month and before you know it you’ll amass a store that can last months

[@tabithamartin4092]

I pack Mainstay 3600 emergency rations. Also known as life boat rations. One pack is about 2/3 the size of a high school text book, and weighs about the same. One pack has 9 bars in it, each is 400 calories, and 2 bars will give you all of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs for a day. So, just 1 pack, is essentially 4.5 days of food, if you are not being too active. Its easily enough food for a 72 hour disaster. It requires no water, no cooking, and has a shelf life unopened of 5 years.

[@markhilgert9451]

WINCO Grocery stores are much cheaper then walmart if you have one near you.

[@carolyn.turnerrose571]

Thank you ☺️

[@coloradopackratprepper]

Never knew what that hooky blade after the tweezers at about 11:40 was a can opener!!!!

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@jeanieburroughs7986]

You are very clear and easy to understand likable

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Jeanie!

[@davidkennedy6534]

I like your Chanel I'm starting to get some things prepared

[@domingue4god]

Good info. Thanks! You have, “country boy common sense”! I like that!!

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks Brian!

[@Patriot4TheTree]

If you wanted to use $100 more efficiently, I would scrap the Olight for now, and purchase candles and a $5 flashlight from Chinamart. I would switch out that Swiss army knife, and purchase a Morakniv for $10 and the cheapest Gerber multitool you can find.

[@tom-dr1ym]

it is easy instead of one can buy 2 put one away, an extra 10 20 dollars goes a long way, buy what you eat and check expiration dates the longer the better

[@wellarmedwife166]

I cringe at the cost of beef jerky...our dehydrator is about 20 years old and still runs like new...a $14 roast makes a full gallon sized bag, stuffed to the gills of jerky...also dehydrate from our garden..

[@jcbid2586]

How do you store your jerky? I just started using a dehydrator last January. I have been using ball canning jars with oxygen absorbers but am wondering if i should be freezing it.

[@wellarmedwife166]

@@jcbid2586 canning jars..for short term...heat sealed for long term.

[@jcbid2586]

@@wellarmedwife166 thanks! By heat seal you mean use my foodsaver machine? I just got one of those! Love it!

[@joanjean3904]

Thanks for sharing. THUMBS UP THERE AND HERE!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Joan!

[@hairbeauty8083]

Im a new subscribed and a new prepper, while I have been collecting food about 2 years and then realized well I need other stuff too!

[@talkinnmedia4535]

Great video

[@nathanielaranda8407]

Always have a manual can opener anyway. I only use manual ones and I have not used electric ones for years

[@olD_Eazy681]

Canned fruit lasts longer than the expiration date

[@moonbeam9142]

I'd love to see a $100 prep haul from H-E-B lol

[@timscoviac]

I agree with food and water being the first priority’s, but I think it’s more safe to have a stock to last at least a month or 2, at least. If another country wanted to set off a EMP and wipe out the grid, shelf’s would go empty fast and wouldn’t be stocked for a long time. And many other things would be lost. In revelation 18 it talks about the fall of the u.s happenings which the prophets referred to as mystery Babylon. You can store needed electronics in a faraday cage that you can make out of a metal trash can sealed with aluminum tape around the lid when done, maybe a few lights or solar lights, battery’s, carbon monoxide detector, walkie talkies, solar generator, watch the EMP doctor on KZbin. A form of heat without electricity like mr buddy heaters and a stock of propane, or wood stove. tanks can last 7-12 years before needing rotation due to seals or rust. depending on what tanks. Then otc medicines for all kinds of purposes. Aspirin, cold and flu, bandages, neosporin, anti diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, sore throat, eye drops, caffeine pills, uti meds, lice, poison ivy, burn spray, oragel, prep h, immune support, vitamins, basically anything you might need in the event the shelf’s went empty for awhile because of the grid going down or worse pandemic or anything. Medicines in pill form last longer then the expiration dates by years, usually 4-5 years is good. mountain house are great because they store for 30 years so you can have peace of mind that you’ll have food Incase something happens and that it’ll still be good, and that brand tastes good. I stock them up slowly over time. Buying a water filter so if you run out of water you can filter your own. I like the sawyer brand one that you get in sporting good section. Filters up to 100,000 gallons and can be back washed to keep using it. Stuff to be used as barter, gold or silver, ammo, meds, food. Incase hyperinflation or dollar collapse, or mark of the beast prediction that we can see coming soon via digital currency, which believers are called to refuse.

[@puppetville-bethobrien4139]

I use plastic cat litter jugs and gallon milk jugs these after cleaning with dish soap and bleach for water storage. They used to have recyclable #1, now #2. These are food grade safe. Why I'm not sure. But hey it's got a handle, are uniform in size, and I go thru them. I'm not sure if chemicals will leach out from litter being stored in them, but my thoughts are if I need stored water, I've worse issues than the line term effects of the leached effects from this vs. dehydration. I use a sharpy to write the date and change the water out every couple of months.

[@shannonrks4036]

That's a really good idea, poking holes in a water bottle!!

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks!

[@tacticalbartender3057]

Great list! I’d suggest the thrunite w1 or thrunite archer mini over that olight. Same price point.

[@TG-ov3xt]

“Now my day is ruined” 😂

[@davidjones1393]

THKS

[@erroleabrown4317]

I’m worried about the gear being sold on ebay for prepping, it’s made me sick numerous times I think it’s to old and in some cases painted over so it looks new, be careful who you buy from, I’ve wasted so much money on prepper gear on ebay

[@chased4333]

New subscriber, i dig that hat 🔥

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Chase! It’s actually my second one. I got one just like it in 2013 and wore it out.

[@jaredkyle5987]

To cook you could build a homemade solar cooker… out of tin foil and cardboard boxes… many KZbin videos on this.. cheap and uses no fuel…

[@poppasan1873]

IMO the first $100 spent should not be used duplicating things that you already have laying around. First three days, I'm eating the food thawing in my freezer. Chicken nuggets, milk, broccoli, ice-cream, OJ concentrate. Buying food for that period is kind of a waste. Spend the money on a 600W inverter to have a little power that is drawn from the car battery. If you have NG or propane the inverter should be large enough to ignite your range or furnace. Get a way to cook that food with the money. If you don't have water, toilets won't work. 5 gal bucket with lid and kitty litter is a better investment here. Really a weekly shopping trip should keep the average home supplied to go into survival mode for a week. It is the replacements for utilities that are needed, not commodities already on hand.

[@poppasan1873]

@A murray Ain't gettting solar panels large enough for $100. Also they dump out DC so you still need the inverter.

[@bob10million]

Like your videos brother keep it up!!!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you for watching!

[@terrysitar3054]

How long does your water last in these 5 gallon jugs to drink? 3 months?

[@jamesfogerty3044]

So, all the LED lanterns that i have will quit when the batteries are 1/2 depleted... trying to find some old incandescent lanterns

[@cedarhamilton]

While this is a great video, it is missing several key things. Next steps from this video are: > More water, especially for your toilet. You can live for a few days without flushing, but it will stink up the whole house. It does not need to be good clean drinking water, just something to flush with. > Medical supplies. If you are hurt, you may need those. Get a first aid kit.

[@gailhitson6722]

@Cedar Hamilton Pharmaceutical grade alcohol, or alcohol for consumption, is an item to add to your list for medical items. It can be used for all kinds of things, even cleaning and sterilizing.

[@cedarhamilton]

Yes, keep that first aid kit well stocked, with everything you need to treat everything from the common cut, scrap, burn, or illness, to severe trauma from sprains and breaks to gunshots. I even keep mine with things needed to treat many types of bites and rashes from poisonous plants. Stock it up and most importantly - LEARN HOW TO USE ALL OF IT. Prepping is not just about buying stuff, it is learning how to do things. Your purchases should be a reflection of what you have learned.

[@nancybrewer8494]

If you have any notice at all, fill the bathtubs with water for flushing toilets. It came in handy during ice storms where we had to shut off the water so the pipes would not freeze.

[@cedarhamilton]

@@nancybrewer8494 Absolutely. Keep your tub and toilet tanks clean. Keep your hot water tanks clean and in mind as well. Prepare and know your water storage and sources.

[@bjosch4365]

As much 762x51 you can buy baby‼️ 😅

[@johncasey5594]

A lot of preppers I see spend far too much time, effort and money on prepping. They keep physical inventories, count the calories of their preps, pre plan meals for their preps, they can, they vacuum seal, buy freeze dryers and food buckets. Hey to each their own, I am not faulting anyone who is responsible and preps, but I am sure hearing about all of this could overwhelm and deter many from prepping. I prep by stocking up on food staples I regularly eat, when on sale. So if I consume 1 can of something per month and the expiry date is 2 years out, I would stock up on 24 cans, consume regularly, rotate and replenish my stock to 24 each time it goes on sale. I don't do weekly inventories, count calories, pre plan meals, can, vacuum seal, etc. Benefit number one is this method allows me to hedge against rising food prices by only buying stuff when on sale and consuming my stores when not on sale. Number two, so long as I rotate and keep my inventory topped up, I don't need to make/buy expensive freeze dried food, can or vacuum seal food. If an emergency hits, once again so long as I have rotated and kept up with my inventory, I will have a wide variety of the food staples I regularly consume. I will have what I have on the day the emergency hits, which is, at the moment, 6 months+. I have a 6,500 watt tri fuel generator, it and my BBQ are hooked up to my natural gas utility to power my fridge and chest freezer at the least. Failing my natural gas utility along with electricity, I have 175lbs of propane on my property which, depending on the emergency, could power my generator, Mr. Buddy heater and/or Gas One stove. My chest freezer is packed to the lid with mostly meat, to offset the ridiculous meat prices. In an emergency, I would consume the contents of my fridge and chest freezer before dipping into my shelf stable preps.

[@billwilliams972]

I appreciate your Channel I have a question for you? Do you have anything for dogs or cats I suppose the most common sense is dog and cat food in bags but if it gets to the point where the cupboards are bare and there's nothing on the Shelf at the market is there an alternative?

[@TheSatyrblue]

Rice and meat/eggs with carrots and maybe other veggies. We make our dogs food due to stomach issues. PB is also decent for dogs. Cats are primarily carnivores so meat and a little rice might work. Research online for cooking fresh for your pets. Added bonus our fresh cooked food is less expensive than the expensive stomach friendly canned and bagged food.

[@billwilliams972]

@@TheSatyrblue thank you so much for your time

[@lylibu]

Do you wash out your aqua-trainer before you use it?

[@diypreppertv]

I do. I just use warm water and dish soap.

[@grandmatuesday1184]

@@diypreppertv is there a special way to prep water for storage? Can I just use tap water? Is there a shelf life to consider?