As preppers, we often focus the vast majority of our attention on the big things- the so-called “bullets, beans, and band-aids.” I want to give a little thought and mention to the more minor things that make daily life easier, but may slip off your mental radar.
To come up with this list, I went through a day jotting down all the “little things” that I use that I would prefer not to do without. Some of these would be easy enough to put in a supply of. Others would be items I would likely have to improvise over time if they were just no longer available. A few (like all soap products, paper products, and re-usable canning lids) need future posts of their own to list alternatives, recipes, etc.
My List So Far
- Dental floss, toothpaste, & toothbrushes
- Rubber bands
- Hairbrush and ponytail holders
- Mousetraps
- Nail clippers
- Pens, pencils, & paper
- Deodorant
- Soap & detergent
- Tissues & toilet paper
- Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and ziptop bags
- Batteries & flashlights
- Spatulas & bowl scrapers
- Dish scrubbers/cloths & towels
- Eyedrops
- Sunscreen
- Hand cream (especially in winter)
- Lip balm
- Canning lids
- Work gloves
- Rain gear
- Bungee cords
- Cable zip ties (these are useful for so many things!)
- Flyswatters/fly strips
- Knife sharpener
- Cleaning supplies
- Wire (on a farm, we use pieces of wire to fashion lots of things)
- Pliers (probably the tool I reach for most often)
Some of those (like ziptop bags) are really luxuries and I can do without them, but realizing now that I need to prepare for that will help me in planning to find alternatives (beyond washing them for reuse). As I use each item, I am considering if there is a durable alternative I could acquire instead (for example, handkerchiefs vs. Kleenex). Things like nail clippers and dish scrubbers will last a long time, so I can get a couple extra of those and check them off the list quickly.
Flashlights are a topic unto themselves really. LED lights will last longer and are probably a better choice than standard ones, but the crank-style or solar rechargeable ones would be even better still.
Please think through your own day and help add to this list in the comments section.
PreppingToSurvive.com 
August 30, 2011 at 8:47 am
Good list. I read it over several times. I have enough cats to preclude needing mouse traps but the rest of the stuff I either already have, or I wrote it down and I will pick some up. Thanks for the tip.
August 30, 2011 at 9:02 pm
I think we need better cats, Arsenius. We have two outdoor cats and for a while they did a good job catching the mice. Recently however, they seem to have slowed down and we’ve found mice in the house.
The nice thing about most of the items on the list is that they are pretty inexpensive now but will be worth quite a bit in barter when it hits the fan.
August 30, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Joe is pretty hard on those cats, but I think it’s just that we don’t have enough of them. One ranges pretty far into the pastures and woods and feeds himself well enough that he rarely shows up for meals. The other sticks closer to home, but I think we need to give him access to the crawlspace to help.
I keep chipping away at those stupid mice, but they keep multiplying at least as fast. In one cabinet that has no food they can get into (all canned goods in metal or glass), they have taken to chewing the labels off the cans for bedding material even! UGGH! A whole shelf full of cans without identification! Mystery veggies!
I’m going to keep up the good fight. At least until I see one of these. 😀 http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/08/26/2011-08-26_after_giant_rat_was_killed_marcy_houses_residents_still_living_in_fear_of_smalle.html
August 30, 2011 at 8:55 am
One important item we are ordering in bulk is powdered chlorine bleach. It can be used to purify water and also as a household and laundry cleaner. If there are no or intermittent stores diapers and sanitary pads might be hit and miss. Chlorine bleach would be important for washing cloth diapers, and cloth sanitary pads and disinfecting common house hold areas. We have chickens and i frequently use chlorine bleach to disinfect their water and food containers, as I think it helps to keep them healthy and prevents the spread of disease.
Thanks for your e-mails I am glad there are like minded people out there. Keep up the good work.
Barbara in Alaska
August 30, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Great point, Barbara! Chlorine bleach has several great uses and is definitely worth stockpiling.
Joe
February 1, 2012 at 4:11 pm
I’ve been btycotoing warlmart for so long I forgot when was the last time I set foot in one. I rather shop at the flea market or mom-n-pop stores where I know my money is placed directly in the hands of a bread winner who lives IN my community rather than having it shipped out to Arkansas and China. On that note, I don’t feel like Congress should be telling Walmart what shirts they can or can’t carry. It’s not their business. But it is our business as informed cizitens to spill the beans on the ignorance of Walmart and the Orange clothing folks.So Yenta, thanks for bringing this to our attention (I love ya for the great blog), lets continue to pass this on.
August 30, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Barbara,
Chlorine bleach is a definite must. We have ours in powder form also, purchased from Inyo pool supply. I’m glad you mentioned it. I need to work on a post for hygiene and sanitation soon.
I appreciate your comment and the encouragement! I’d love to hear what kind of chickens you keep in Alaska and how your preps may be tailored to your climate.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Laura
August 31, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Good list, After reading this, I’m adding Hairbrush and ponytail holders, Mousetraps and zip ties to my list. Thanks for the reminder!
September 1, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Thanks Apartment Prepper! By the way, great site you have and I’ve heard only good things about your book. Haven’t received my copy yet, but looking forward to it.
Joe
July 6, 2012 at 1:05 am
Look for large men’s handkerchiefs, cotton or linen, & without a finish or film on them. I have some flowered ladies’ cotton hankies that will absorb nothing, even after several washes. They are easy to make & great opportunities for practicing lace.
October 11, 2012 at 7:59 pm
I make my own soap. Deoderant will be baking soda & corn starch. Toothpaste is baking soda. 13 cats inside 15 out & 0 mice!
May 26, 2014 at 6:41 am
Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me
of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about
this. I will forward this page to him. Pretty sure he
will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!