You might not think so, but your local dollar store is a great resource for stocking up on emergency prep items. The Dollar Tree charges only $1.00 per item and you can find a huge selection of items that will fit into your emergency kits. You can find prep items at the dollar store in the food, hardware and first aid aisles, plus there are others scattered across the stores as well. Before you start loading up your cart though, be sure that you check ALL expiration dates. Some items may be too close to their date to really do you any good in your preps.
Building Your Preps at the Dollar Store
In the food aisle, be sure to check if your store carries shelf stable milk. Most Dollar Tree stores do and these milk cartons are usually dated out a year or more. In an emergency situation, you’ll want to have milk on hand to cook with or if you have small kids. Also be sure to check to see if they have bottled water in 3 gallon jugs. Some stores carry these, some don’t, but if you can get them here, you’ll save over buying it at a more expensive store. You can also choose from a very large array of spices, canned foods, kid’s foods and cereals too to help fill in your food stockpile for cheap.
First aid aisles at Dollar Tree stores are a preppers dream! Here you’ll find everything from cosmetics to baby items. Be sure to look for bandages, anti-bacterial ointment, pain relievers, antacids, and other OTC meds. For baby you’ll find diaper rash creams and lotions and for Mom, you can pick up budget friendly feminine items. Razors are also here as well as toothpaste and dental floss.
Head over to the hardware section and you’ll find a ton of basic hardware preps. Make sure to grab duct tape, hammers, nails, and cheap flashlights. Usually you can also get clothesline and other types of ropes. If you’re looking to stock up on batteries, these are kept here too. While they may be a cheaper brand than you’re used to, a cheap battery is better than no battery.
Head back to the cleaning supplies and you can usually grab bleach for $1.00 per gallon at the Dollar Tree. Bleach is bleach folks so it doesn’t matter which type you prep. The same goes for trash bags and in most cases, dish soap. Most Dollar Tree’s also carry Hefty brand storage bags and Reynolds Wrap too as well as a great selection of hand kitchen tools made by Betty Crocker.
The book aisle can be a great place to head for prepping homeschool materials for your kids. You can find entire unit studies for $1.00 each and the school supplies are plentiful too. Candles at the Dollar Tree are only $1.00 each and you can buy them in quite a few different sizes ranging from tea lights to full size pillar candles.
The Dollar Tree might not be your first thought when you’re building your stockpile and preps, but it’s one that you shouldn’t leave out. Head over to your local store soon and you’ll see what I mean. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
See how easy it is to build your preps at the Dollar Store?
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