Preparing for a disaster can be stressful, not to mention costly, and many people find it difficult to spend money on food storage and survival gear they may or may not ever use. What’s important to remember, however, is that these items give more than just peace of mind, they are an investment in your future and well being, and might just keep you alive someday. You can do some disaster preparation of your own that can give you what you need while fitting your budget.

The first thing to consider is prioritizing and deciding what to spend your money on. Once you start looking at survival gear it’s easy to get sucked into buying a whole lot of emergency supplies you probably won’t need. Take a look at this list of the important things you really need, so you can survive with the basics, staying within your budget.

1. Food – Food storage is a must-have. While a lot of disaster prep gear can be done cheaply, it’s a smart idea to spend money on good food storage worth your while. We would recommend at least a 3-6 month supply. Food storage doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult, our food storage subscription plans start at $61 and have the option to cancel anytime. Now you can start building your supply at a price that fits any budget.

Also, filler foods like our freeze-dried fruit and vegetables are perfect to keep you energized through the day. The quality of your meals is always important, especially during stressful disasters. Long term food storage is something you are going to need and that you will not regret purchasing wisely.

2. Water – Don’t depend on sinks or refrigerators. Invest in an alternate clean water source. Buying water in bulk can get pricey, especially if there are shipping costs, so look for a local seller. Other options are water treatment drops and filters. Some people even dig wells in their yards and buy water filters and bottles to keep costs down. If you need stackable containers check these out from WaterBrick.
3. Heat – You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a non-electric heater if you are on a budget. Just invest in a good amount of firewood and store it somewhere dry. You can find cheap blankets just about anywhere to layer up and keep warm. Blankets are also useful for stuffing around doors and windows to keep the cold outside.
4. First Aid – First aid kits aren’t very expensive if found in the right place. You can even put one together on your own, there are many websites available online to walk you through it. Make sure to have bandages, medicines, antibiotic ointments, latex gloves, and sterilized gauze. First Aid kits can be easy to put together and can save you money.
5. Light – There are many cheaper substitutes for big expensive lanterns. The obvious choice is candles, which you can buy cheaply in bulk. If you’re looking to be a little more creative, however, head down to a hardware store and pick up solar powered garden lights. These won’t put off as much light as expensive LED lanterns, and are not designed for disaster prep, but with enough of them around your house, you can see just enough without the danger of an open flame. You can buy these for as little as $1.00 each and you don’t have to waste money on batteries.

Preparing for a disaster can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Following these guidelines should make it easier for you to prepare without stretching your budget. Prioritizing with the basics and knowing where to invest your money gets you what you need, and gives you the opportunity to survive a disaster, and keep some money in your pocket.

The threat of a pandemic seems strangely outdated to many people. People who are convinced modern science will always prevail over nature's adapting spread of diseases. It is the belief of others that in a world as out of balance as our own, strange viruses are apt to appear and spread faster than we can configure treatment.

Sickness is not any less common today than it was a couple hundred years ago, in fact, it might by even more common. Not as concerning as they once were, symptoms similar to a cold or the flu rarely keep anyone home these days, making illness all the more contagious. If a new virus was to surface today, it could spread at a frighteningly high rate and take a lot of lives before being controlled.

When considering a future pandemic, scientists look at Ebola as the perfect example of destructive and fatal disease that is highly complex and difficult to control. Ebola hemorrhagic fever has claimed thousands of lives in Africa, and to this day has no cure, only treatment that may or may not suffice to save a life. This bleeding disease has a 90% death rate, and is a cross-species disease infected initially by primates. When a disease affects human and non-human subjects it is difficult to contain, and can spread quickly as it is difficult to treat and track the infected animals.

Disease spillovers, or in other words an illness that jumps from species to species, is what most believe will cause our next big pandemic. Aside from Ebola, diseases like SARS, HIV and hantavirus have been contracted similarly, and caused severe outbreaks amongst various populations. These diseases weren't even all limited to primates, but other distinctly different wild animals.

According to many scientists, the reason for diseases spilling over from one species to another has something to do with our unstable environment. Our planet is constantly changing, and so are the populations introduced and dwindling in specific areas of the world. Some diseases unknown to us are carried by animals that then spread a disease they never appeared to have, mutating when contracted by a new host, which can cause severe damage to the human body. This sort of disease could become increasingly difficult to break.

The truth is, no one can pin point a day or a year when the next big pandemic might surface, only to descend after bringing a big piece of humanity with it.

Diseases like these are easier to prevent than cure:

1. Store at least a month's worth of survival food and water.
2. Stay inside, do not risk exposure, this is why you have emergency storage.
3. Keep a supply of first aid kits, medical masks, and rotate medicines and vitamins so you have a continuous supply. Wash your hands frequently.
4. Make a plan with your family on how to avoid infection and what to do if anyone is infected.
5. Don't panic, getting inside your head can cause you to feel sick even if you're not. Remaining calm will keep your body stronger and your mind sharper.

Remember, being independent allows you to safely isolate yourself from the dangers of a pandemic by limiting the need to leave your home. It is important to understand the dangers and prepare for them wisely, but don't let yourself panic. Pandemic's throughout history have always been resolved through modern medicine, and humanity survives. Survive with your emergency supplies and live to talk about it.

Water is the source of life on Earth. It's something we need in order to survive, an element we couldn't live without. But it's almost too simple. With all the sugar-packed and carbonated drinks we consume every day water can easily be forgotten. The fact that we need water to live is obvious, but what we would do without it is often overlooked. It's everywhere, after all. Gas stations and grocery stores, vending machines, fountains and pipes. But what about when none of these amenities are available to us?

Disasters take many forms, but more often than not, our most basic modern amenities become unusable in a crisis. Have you ever seen a grocery store right before a snow storm? Imagine that times a hundred. In addition to storing long-term food, it's vital that we do not forget about our most precious life source - water. We can survive much longer without food than without water.

A crisis can take many different shapes and forms. Hazards are everywhere, waiting to surface. So how do we survive whatever the future holds? How can we minimize the damage?

- First of all, be aware. Stay informed and understand what risks there are for your particular part of the world. Usually, it's impossible to know just exactly when or where a disaster will strike, but the least you can do is determine your risks and prepare for the worst.

- Plan Ahead. We're all about this. Prepping is your best bet on a secure future no matter the circumstances. There are times when we can't help being taken by surprise, which is why it is so important that we are ready for anything. Make plans with your family in case of an evacuation, or a disaster that calls for staying in and waiting it out. This way, when the time comes you won't need to panic because you'll already know what to do.

- Stock Up! Put together a good stock of long term emergency food and water, along with other survival supplies. Don't rely on modern amenities, keep back-up alternatives for heat, light, and power. We recommend at least a 1 month supply of food, but preferably more. You never know how long you'll need it, and the last thing you want to do is go hungry during an emergency.

Having a personal supply of food and water empowers you to take control of your survival and minimize the damage it has on the necessities and daily comforts you and your family need.

- Stay Calm & Conserve... Don't lose your head in a crisis; you're going to need it. Be rational, all things pass. Focus on the positive and keep yourself well hydrated and fed so you are strong enough to face any emergency. Don't waste any energy unless absolutely necessary.