Whether you’re a homesteader or lifelong prepper, or someone learning about preparedness for the first time because of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is no better time to set yourself up for success in case things get even worse.
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One of the first questions new preppers ask is: What should I buy? In the video below, Drop Forged Survival answers that question. He lists 25 items you should start stockpiling.
Here’s his list…
25 Best Items to Stockpile
- Non-perishable and freeze-dried food
- Common and specialized batteries
- Lighters and matches
- Toilet paper, tissues, wipes, and paper towels
- Electricity, power stations, and generators
- Duct tape, electrical tape, and glue
- Firestarters, natural and store-bought
- Ropes and cordage
- Candles, lanterns, and lamp oils
- Heirloom seeds
- Bug spray and sun protection
- Fuel, propane, butane, hexamine, paraffin oil cubs
- Tarps
- Salt
- Bags, trash bags, freezer bags, contractor can liners
- Antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer
- Socks and underwear
- Flashlights and headlamps
- Bleach and water purification tablets
- Nails and screws
- Raw and unfiltered honey
- Liquor
- Fishing lines, trotlines, nets, traps
- Maintenance and repair tools
- Knives, axes, arrows, bolts, broadheads, bullets, guns
Bonus Round: Diapers, zip ties, first aid supplies, oral hygiene products, feminine hygiene products.
Watch the video below for a more detailed discussion of these items and where to get them.
And that brings us to the next list…
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Top 20 Barter Items You Can Get At Walmart
- Salt and seasoning
- Sugar
- Coffee
- Feminine hygiene
- Diapers, wipes, infant supplies
- Toilet paper, paper towels
- Emergency food rations and freeze-dried food
- Batteries
- Matches, lighters, and fire starters
- Over the counter medications
- Water
- Dry drink mixes
- Propane, gasoline, solid fuel
- Condoms
- Honey
- First aid
- Nails and screws
- Trash bags, contractor bags
- Candles
- Bungee cords, tie-down straps, ropes, cordage
He also mentions these 9 bonus items:
- Tobacco
- Liquor
- Ammo
- Heirloom seeds
- Chapstick
- Firewood
- Books and instruction manuals
- Dish soap and bar soap
- Precious metals
To hear more about why these items are the best for bartering, be sure to watch the video below. You will learn what to look for, how much to purchase (and what size), and the best values in terms of brands specifically carried at Walmart stores.
The video also shows some creative multi-uses for some of these basic items, showing why each item is a good choice in your stockpile. Check it out here:
I agree that we need knowledge to go with our supplies. I am a widow of 78 and have been prepping for 5 years. I am lucky to have grown up on a farm where we had to do for ourselves or do without.
I now live in a small town with a small yard. It is ALL a garden now. Most of my neighbors like my fresh vegetables but don’t want to learn how to grow them. I am HAPPY to say That three of the young teanagers have wanted to learn. They were amazed to learn that gardening is an 11 month job.
It now Feb.2 and I am getting the ground ready to plant peas, spinach and other greens. The kids helped me prune my 9 Blueberry plants today. They thought it would kill them. I love to hear their parents talk about how proud they are of their kids learning something basic I AM TOO!
One item I’ve never seen mentioned in these stocking for survival pieces is the lids for home canning. They cannot be reused, so if you’re going to be growing things that will be canned, you’d better have a fresh set of lids! You can reuse the jars and rings, but not the lids.
Very true, Jennifer. I do keep my used lids for storage of dry goods. I do reuse my lids when I water bathe fruits or jams or preserves if I’m giving them to friends and family but I tell them to refrigerate immediately and eat because they are not shelf stable.
i like to stick pickles up my bum. good food and who wants a pickle found up your bum. just me
My grandparents lived through the depression. While cleaning out their attic I found a box marked “pieces of string too small to use”. That’s exactly what was in there. I’ve been known to keep and use pieces of fabric others may deem “too small to use”. Not when it comes to mending clothes, making quilts, or toys. I garden organically and plant only heirloom varieties so that I can save the seeds for next year. The best inheritance I got from my grandparents is how to live frugally, make do, and when necessary, do without.
One positive effect of this Wuhan Virus pandemic, is it’s provided an opportunity to test many of the preps we have in place. How long did our food stockpile last, and other common often needed items (toilet paper is a good example). If one was on the ball, you kept notes of what items you went through on a daily/weekly basis. How much was used per day/week and so on. Do a brutally honest assessment of what you’ve stockpiled. Don’t kid yourself. I can honestly say there were items I stocked that we had little need for these last 2+ months, and items that I underestimated how much was used on a daily/weekly basis. So the pandemic has shown the gaps in my planning, and given me a much better idea of what’s essential. It showed me the flaws in my rotation schedule. This really applied to food supplies, and showed me one error of stockpiling a food item, that no one really likes to eat. Guess what, the full case is still on the shelf.
One area that I’ve questioned is batteries. Specifically, common vs specialty batteries. Are we better off investing in battery using devices that use the more common, can be found darn near everywhere batteries, or devices that require specialty batteries? In my mind, specialty items will become even harder to find in a TEOTWAWKI situation. Do others feel the same way? Even though I’ve firearms with battery powered optics, I also keep plain Jane non powered scopes in my stockpile.
The pandemic even showed me gaps in my ammunition reloading plans. With all this free time, I’ve not a single empty cartridge case. The dent in my component stockpile though, tells me I need to double or triple what I’ve got on hand.
I enjoy these lists you all put out. If nothing else, they encourage looking at your preps and stockpiles, and get me looking outside the box.
Great information. One thing that you do not mention is clove oil. When shift, getting to a dentist may not be possible. If you break a tooth, filling falls out, or any other painful dental situation, clove oil is an instant pain relief. Dip a pc of cotton in the oil and put it in the hole. I have done this, it works.
Great tip! I’ve also used clove oil for dental pain. Nothing else even comes close to working as well. I don’t know why this isn’t common knowledge.
Interesting list.
I would suggest you stick to “survival items” for barter and a small amount of vice items like alcohol and tobacco. Most people will be far more concerned with just surviving rather than with “comfort” items or foods.
What item that is missing from the list is “knowledge” or skills. That is the most valuable barter item.
Do you know how to build a wind mill to pump water?
Can you build a still to brew Alcohol?
Do you know how to grow, pick and age Tobacco?
Do you know Blacksmithing or Farrier skills?
Do you know how to grow and harvest seeds to resupply your heirloom seeds?
How about making candles? Soap? feminine hygiene supplies? Etc.
All the rest of these things take up space and are consumed with use, Knowledge is not.
Looters can take your supplies, but your Knowledge can make you a valuable asset.