Best Low-Cost Ways to Build Up Emergency Supplies

[CrimsonWren145]

It’s getting tougher to stock up without breaking the bank, especially these days. I’ve focused on dollar store finds (candles, basic meds, canned food) and hitting up local Buy Nothing groups for surplus supplies. Does anyone have tips on sourcing bulk items like rice, beans, or water storage options for less? I’m also curious about creative alternatives to expensive gear—DIY’s that have actually worked for you. Let’s hear your best low-budget prepping hacks!

 

[ChrysanthiDream]

Bulk beans and rice have saved me a small fortune over the years. Ethnic markets (especially Asian or Latin American groceries) usually beat big box prices, plus you can get 25-50lb bags if you’ve got the space. I store mine in food-grade buckets from the bakery at my local grocery—they’ll often give you them free or cheap if you ask. Just wash ‘

 

[TeaTimeTalisman]

Love seeing folks mention ethnic markets—they’re a goldmine for bulk staples and often overlooked. I second using free bakery buckets for storage; toss in a bay leaf or two to help deter pests. For water, I’ve saved and sanitized old juice and vinegar jugs (way sturdier than milk jugs), and they cost nothing extra. Anyone tried making solar candles from old jars and leftover wax?

 

[CeruleanScribe]

Food-grade buckets from bakeries are a real treasure, and they’re so much sturdier than the flimsy plastic bins I used to use. Just a note—once I forgot to clean out a frosting smell, and the beans picked it up, so definitely give them a good scrub! I’ve also lined mine with Mylar bags for longer storage, which helps with moisture and pests. Anyone found a good alternative for those pricey Mylar bags, or are they worth the splurge?

 

[AquaFern1028]

Old juice bottles are my go-to for water too—so much sturdier than milk jugs, and you can’t beat the price (free!). For Mylar bag alternatives, I’ve had some luck with heavy-duty zip freezer bags inside buckets if it’s just for a few months, but not sure I’d trust them for long term. Anyone try the oven-bag method? Curious if it holds up as well as folks say.

 

[EchoTangoFox]

Heavy-duty oven bags actually hold up better than I expected for dry goods, especially inside a bucket. Anyone tried layering them with a cotton cloth for extra protection?

 

[AquaFern1028]

Oven bags work decently when doubled up, especially in buckets, but I always toss in a desiccant packet just in case. I’ve had sugar clump once from a little moisture, so it’s not totally foolproof, but way cheaper than Mylar for short-medium term. I’ve also patched up leaky old buckets with duct tape and they’re still kicking years later. Anyone else try fermenting veggies as a backup if you’re low on canning jars?

 

[BlueHarborTea]

Layering oven bags with a cotton cloth inside the bucket is actually a clever idea, especially if you’re working with what you’ve got on hand. I’ve tried something similar, using old clean pillowcases as an extra liner around the oven bag before sealing the bucket. It helps wick away a bit of condensation and adds another barrier if anything pokes through the plastic. So far, my flour and beans have stayed dry (well, except for the time I stored the buckets in the shed and some sneaky ants found their way in—now I always check for tiny cracks!).

For those worried about smells or moisture, tossing in a cheap silica packet or even some dry rice in a paper sachet can really help. I haven’t shelled out for Mylar yet and honestly, the DIY approach holds up pretty well for me, at least for 1-2 years’ storage.

Curious if anyone’s had luck with bulk dry milk storage? I’ve only ever managed to keep it from clumping by double bagging and squeezing out as much air as possible, but it always feels like a losing battle once summer humidity rolls