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Thrift shops are the perfect example of how “one person’s trash is another’s treasure.” Walking through one offers a chance to find useful items at budget-friendly prices.
Each item on the shelf has potential, waiting for someone to see its value and put it to use again. For preppers, thrift stores can be a real resource. A prepper is simply someone who gathers supplies and skills to be ready for emergencies or tough situations. While everyone prepares in some way, preppers take it more seriously to ensure they’re ready for the unexpected.
People prep for different reasons—some want to protect their families, while others prefer to rely on themselves. Although prepping might seem extreme to some, it’s really about being practical and ready. However, building up a stockpile of essential supplies to support your family over an extended period can quickly become quite costly. With that in mind, thrift stores are a great place to find some key items preppers often look for. Here are 14 essential prepper finds you can pick up at a thrift store.
Camping Gear
Camping gear can be pricey, but it’s a valuable investment for preppers, and you can often find it secondhand from people who don’t realize its worth. Essential items like tents, camp stoves, and sleeping bags are crucial for preppers because they offer practical, portable, and durable solutions for emergencies. The lightweight nature of camping gear makes it easy to transport if you have to move quickly, which is a big plus in emergencies. Additionally, this equipment is designed for outdoor living, ensuring you have the tools needed for survival and self-reliance when modern conveniences aren’t available.
Books
Preppers should have a solid collection of books covering a wide range of skills and knowledge to be ready for any emergency or survival situation. Look for guides on essential topics like wilderness survival, first aid, and food preservation to cover all your bases. It’s also helpful to have resources on foraging, gardening, fishing, farming, and water purification to help with self-sufficiency and food production.
These books are great for making sure preppers are well-prepared for any scenario, especially during times when technology may not be available.
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Cast Iron Cookware
Cast iron cookware is a must-have for preppers. It is perfect for cooking over an open fire. However, cast iron gets better over time, and instead of buying it brand new, look for secondhand options to save money.
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Sturdy Clothing
Preppers need reliable gear like coats, hats, and warm clothes but there’s no need to spend a fortune. Thrift stores are great places to find heavy-duty clothing at budget-friendly prices.
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Boots
Sturdy, reliable boots are a must, just like any other essential clothing. Thrift stores are a great spot to find a solid pair at a low cost. They don’t need to look perfect, but make sure they’re waterproof and durable.
Bookbag
Thrift stores often have an abundance of backpacks for kids and adults. You can use them to put together multiple go-bags on a budget.
Flashlights
Thrift stores are great places to buy flashlights on the cheap, making it easy to build up a collection.
Candles
Much like flashlights, candles are a must-have for preppers, as they offer a reliable light source during emergencies, especially when the power goes out. You can often find plenty of them at thrift stores, making it easy to stock up. Candles are great because they last for years, ensuring you have a dependable light source when you need it most. They can also provide a bit of warmth in cold weather, helping to heat a small area, and are handy for starting fires, whether you need to light a stove, fireplace, or campfire. Their low-tech, no-battery-required nature makes them an essential, fail-safe tool for any prepper’s kit.
Thermos
Thermoses have become less common these days, but they’re a fantastic find for preppers and definitely a must-have item. An insulated thermos is perfect for keeping drinks hot or cold for extended periods, making it incredibly useful when you’re on the move. A quality thermos will maintain the temperature for hours.
Blankets
You can never have too many blankets, especially as a prepper. Wool blankets, in particular, are incredibly valuable during winter when power outages can leave you without heat. They’re excellent for providing warmth and preventing hypothermia, which is crucial in cold weather emergencies. Beyond keeping you warm, blankets can also act as makeshift shelters, offering protection from the elements if you’re outside or your home is damaged.
Canning Materials
Canning materials like mason jars and other airtight containers are loved by preppers for long term storage and keeping their food items fresh.
Fabric
Fabric can often be found at thrift stores. It can be used to make clothes, create curtains for a shelter, or patch up existing clothing.
Tools
Thrift shops can be a good source of tools for preppers, from knives and hand tools to older power tools.
Manual Kitchen Tools
You can often find manual kitchen tools at thrift stores, making them a great addition to any prepper’s kit. Items like hand-crank food processors, grinders, and can openers are ideal because they’re built to be reliable and don’t rely on electricity. In emergencies or power outages, having these tools means you can still prepare food without any issues.
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