I’ve budgeted $50/wk for disaster preparedness. How should I prioritize my spending over the next five months?

With a budget of $50 per week for five months, you’re looking at a total of approximately $1,100 (assuming roughly 4.4 weeks per month). Here’s a prioritized plan for spending that budget:
Month 1: Essentials and Water
  • Week 1-2: Water Storage
    • Buy water storage containers or bottled water. Aim for a minimum of 1 gallon per person per day for at least two weeks. Cost: ~$50
  • Week 3-4: Basic First Aid Kit
    • Purchase or assemble a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, etc. Include any necessary personal medications. Cost: ~$50
Month 2: Food and Cooking
  • Week 5-6: Non-Perishable Food
    • Invest in canned foods, dry goods like rice, beans, and pasta. Consider foods that don’t require cooking. Cost: ~$100
  • Week 7-8: Cooking Supplies
    • Portable camping stove or a small propane grill, fuel, matches, or a lighter. Cost: ~$50
Month 3: Shelter and Warmth
  • Week 9-10: Emergency Shelter
    • A tent or tarps for make-shift sheltering. Emergency blankets or a sleeping bag for warmth. Cost: ~$100
  • Week 11-12: Clothing
    • Sturdy shoes, warm clothing if in a cold climate, rain gear. Could be second-hand to save costs. Cost: ~$50
Month 4: Tools and Safety
  • Week 13-14: Tools
    • Multi-tool, duct tape, rope, utility shut-off wrench, whistle. Cost: ~$50
  • Week 15-16: Light and Communication
    • LED lanterns, flashlights, batteries, a hand-crank radio for updates on emergencies. Cost: ~$50
Month 5: Hygiene, Documentation, and Miscellaneous
  • Week 17-18: Hygiene Supplies
    • Sanitation items like toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, garbage bags for waste. Cost: ~$40
  • Week 19-20: Documentation and Cash
    • Waterproof document holder, cash in small denominations, local maps. Cost: ~$20 for documents, keep $30 as cash
  • Week 21-22: Miscellaneous & Buffer
    • Use any remaining funds to bulk up on any of the above categories where you feel under-prepared or for items like extra batteries, solar chargers, or personal security items.
Key Considerations:
  • Training: Consider using some time or a small amount of money for basic first aid or disaster response training if available locally or online.
  • Rotation: Remember to check expiration dates on food, water, and medications annually and rotate as necessary.
  • Community: Don’t forget the value of community. Sometimes having good relationships with neighbors can be as valuable as any physical preparation item.
  • Customization: Adjust this plan based on your location (urban vs. rural), climate, and specific risks (like earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.), and personal needs (like dietary restrictions or additional medical supplies).
This plan gives you a balanced approach, covering the most critical aspects of disaster preparedness over time while staying within your weekly budget.

I have $1000 budgeted for disaster preparedness. How should I allocate my funds?

Allocating $1000 for disaster preparedness can be quite effective if you prioritize your needs based on the most common or likely emergencies in your area. Here’s a suggested breakdown:

1. Water – $50

Purpose: Water is crucial for survival. You’ll need it for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.

Investment: Buy bottled water or water storage containers. Aim for at least 3 gallons per person for a minimum of 3 days, but ideally, enough for two weeks.

2. Food – $150

Purpose: Non-perishable food items that require minimal cooking or can be eaten cold.

Investment: Canned foods (vegetables, fruits, meats, soups)

Dry goods like rice, beans, pasta

Ready-to-eat meals (MREs if available)

A manual can opener.

3. First Aid Kit and Medications – $100

Purpose: To treat injuries and maintain health.

Investment: A well-stocked first aid kit with bandages, antiseptics, pain relievers, etc.

Any prescription medications you or family members take, enough for at least a month.

4. Emergency Tools and Supplies – $200

Purpose: Tools for utility management, communication, and basic repairs.

Investment: Multi-tool or Swiss army knife

Flashlights and extra batteries or hand-cranked radios

Portable power bank for charging devices

Whistle, dust masks, duct tape, and plastic sheets for sealing windows

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

5. Sanitation and Personal Hygiene – $50

Purpose: To maintain health through cleanliness.

Investment: Toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitizer

Garbage bags and plastic ties for waste management

Portable toilet or bucket with a lid

6. Clothing and Bedding – $100

Purpose: Protection from elements.

Investment: Emergency blankets or sleeping bags

Sturdy shoes, change of clothes, including warm clothing if you’re in a cold climate

7. Shelter – $150

Purpose: Temporary shelter if you need to evacuate.

Investment: Tent or tarps and rope for make-shift shelters

Consider a portion of this for a hotel fund if evacuation is necessary.

8. Documents and Cash – $50

Purpose: Important documents and cash for situations where ATMs or credit cards are unusable.

Investment: Waterproof bag for documents (ID, medical records, insurance policies)

Small denomination bills and coins

9. Lighting and Heat – $50

Purpose: Light and warmth when power is out.

Investment: LED lanterns or candles

Matches or a windproof lighter

Emergency heat sources like portable heaters (be sure they’re safe for indoor use)

10. Miscellaneous and Flexibility – $150

Purpose: For unforeseen needs or to bulk up any of the above categories as required.

Investment: This can be kept as cash or used to buy additional items like extra batteries, a solar charger, or personal security items.

Additional Tips:

Training: Consider using a small portion of your budget or your time for first aid training or joining a local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team).

Review and Rotate: Annually review your kit to check for expired items, especially food, water, and medications, and rotate them out.

This budget allocation ensures you’re prepared for basic survival needs while also considering comfort and longer-term scenarios. Adjust based on personal needs, local risks (like earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.), and the number of people you’re preparing for.