10 Unusual and Inexpensive Items to Stock Up On

During the Depression, aluminum foil was a prized possession and rarely disposed of.

When the apocalypse hits (or just a really, really long power outage), you’ll be glad you thought beyond beans and band-aids. Here are ten unusual items that’ll make you the MacGyver of your survival group:

1. Hair Ties: Not just for keeping hair out of your face while outrunning zombies! These elastic wonders can seal bags, bundle kindling, or serve as improvised rubber bands. Who knew your messy bun could save the day?
2. Chapstick: Keep those lips kissable for the end times! But seriously, ChapStick can lubricate zippers, protect small cuts, and even serve as an emergency candle. “Apocalipstick” – don’t leave your bunker without it!
3. Dental Floss: For when you need to remove the remnants of your last meal (hopefully not your fellow survivors). This stringy superhero doubles as emergency sewing thread, fishing line, or a clothesline for drying your “I Survived the Apocalypse” t-shirt.
4. Zip-top Plastic Bags: Perfect for storing your last Twinkie or keeping electronics dry. In a pinch, they make great impromptu gloves. Because
   

   You can make anything out of duct tape. Ha!

   nothing says “I’m prepared” like pristine hands in a disaster.

5. Safety Pins: These little lifesavers can repair clothes, serve as fishing hooks, or create impromptu clotheslines. Safety first, even when the world’s ending!
6. Duct Tape: The Chuck Norris of the adhesive world. From patching holes to creating temporary shelters, this sticky wonder has more uses than a Swiss Army knife. It can probably even tape the fabric of society back together.
7. Disposable Hand Warmers: Not just for keeping your digits toasty! These can keep medications at stable temperatures, warm up sleeping bags, or – plot twist – serve as makeshift oxygen absorbers for food storage. Take that, fancy prepper supplies!
8. Clothespins: These unassuming clips are the dark horse of your prep kit. Use them to seal food bags, hold flashlights for hands-free lighting, secure tarps for shelters, keep curtains closed for privacy, display emergency instructions, create mouse traps, hold broken flip-flops together, or bookmark your “Survival for Dummies” guide. In dire straits, disassemble them – the spring can be a fishing hook or snare trap component, while the wood becomes fire kindling. Who knew your laundry day hero could be so versatile?
9. Aluminum Foil: The Great Depression’s MVP is back in action! During tough times, families washed and reused foil repeatedly, proving its value. Use it for cooking, wrapping food, signaling for help (shiny side out, unless you’re avoiding rescue), as makeshift bowls, or as an emergency heat reflector. It’s like a lightweight, crinkly multitool. It will also sharpen scissors and help you cook over an open fire.
10. Crayons: Not just for coloring while waiting out the apocalypse. These waxy wonders can burn like candles in emergencies, mark trails, or provide
    

    chapstick and crayons are both flammable

    a quiet activity during stressful times. Plus, they’re a great way to document your survival journey. “Day 47: Drew a picture of my last hot meal. I miss pizza.”

Remember, true preparedness is about creativity and resourcefulness. These everyday items might just be the difference between surviving in style and being caught with your bug-out bag down. Now go forth and stockpile like your Netflix queue depends on it!

P.S. If the world doesn’t end, you’ll still have a great stash for craft projects. Win-win!