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Prepping to survive after the rest of the world falls apart can get a little expensive. Keeping up with your daily needs and trying to buy enough food and supplies to last you for months or years can be a financial strain. The last thing you want to do is max out credit cards.
You can pick up a side hustle to generate a little extra income to help supplement your prepping needs. The list includes things preppers are likely to already be doing. And if you’re not—you should.
1. Homemade Canned Goods
Preppers can turn Homemade Canned Goods into a source of income by canning items like jams, pickles, or stews to sell at local markets or online. Your time, effort, and secret recipes have value!
Plus, you can keep some jars for your own stockpile while selling the extras to make a profit. It’s a practical and rewarding way to share your skills and earn some extra cash.
2. Beekeeping and Honey Production
Beekeeping provides
3. Gardening & Seed Sales
Grow heirloom seeds or unique plants that you can sell to other gardeners, farmers, or survivalists. Selling fresh produce or seedlings can be profitable too. Harvest the seeds to sell as well. Only heirloom seeds can be harvested and preserved for future use.
4. Handmade Soap and Natural Products
Make and sell natural soap, lotions, and bath bombs. These items are popular in sustainable and eco-conscious markets. People love natural products and it’s a good skill to have.
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5. Outdoor Survival and Bushcraft Classes
Share your survival skills with others by offering classes or workshops on bushcraft, fire-making, shelter building, or water purification. You can include things like animal husbandry, food preservation and so on.
6. Herbalism and Medicinal Plant Products
Grow and process herbs for teas, tinctures, and medicinal salves. Many people are interested in natural remedies. You can grow many of these medicinal plants in containers or a kitchen window.
7. Self-Sufficiency Consulting
Offer advice on how to become more self-reliant. Help others plan for emergencies, start homesteads, or create sustainable gardens. If you’re a homesteader, people new to the lifestyle will need guidance. Your experience is worth something.
8. Woodworking and Carving
Create and sell wooden products such as furniture, tools, or survival gear. Survivalists often appreciate high-quality handmade items. It’s good practice for you as well.
9. Emergency Preparedness Kits
Assemble and sell custom emergency preparedness kits. Offer everything from first aid supplies to fire starters and water filters. Have the customer give you specifics about family size and their particular needs.
10. Animal Husbandry (Chickens, Goats, etc.)
Raise livestock for eggs, milk, or meat. You can sell surplus products like eggs or milk, or even the animals themselves. Buy an incubator for fertilized chicken eggs and you can sell chicks.
11. Aquaponics and Hydroponics Farming
Grow vegetables or fish in a self-sustaining system. Sell fresh produce or fish at local markets, or teach others how to set up their own systems.
12. Homemade Tools and Survival Gear
If you have skills in metalworking or crafting, create and sell tools like knives, axes, or fire-starting kits for preppers and outdoor enthusiasts.
13. Foraging and Wildcrafting
Forage for wild edibles, mushrooms and herbs, then sell them fresh or preserved. You can also offer foraging tours or classes to teach others the art of wild food gathering.
14. Survival Gear Repair & Maintenance
Offer services for repairing or maintaining survival gear like tents, backpacks, knives, and tools. Many preppers appreciate quality repairs to extend the life of their equipment.
15. Write a Book
If you have a wealth of knowledge about prepping, homesteading, or self-sufficient living, consider turning your expertise into a book. From step-by-step guides to personal anecdotes, a well-crafted book can become a valuable resource for others.
Books on niche topics like long-term food storage, off-grid living, or DIY survival tools often have a dedicated audience looking for practical advice and inspiration.
Simply Choose a specific topic that aligns with your expertise and prepping experience.
A book can provide passive income over time while helping others prepare for the unexpected.
16. Start a Monetized Blog
Blogging is an excellent way to share your prepping journey, tips, and advice while generating income through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing.
With a blog, you can reach a global audience of like-minded individuals who are eager to learn from your experiences. Whether it’s step-by-step tutorials, product reviews, or personal stories, your content can inspire others while providing a steady stream of revenue.
Choose a niche within the prepping world, such as urban survival, gardening for preppers, or DIY projects.
17. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing offers a chance to work on many different kinds of projects beyond blogging. This will allow you to explore a wide range of topics while earning immediate compensation. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer plenty of opportunities, and as your experience grows, so does your ability to earn higher fees for your work.
18. Become a Social Influencer
People love to see the ins and outs of what happens on a real-life prepper. You can become a social influencer and start a channel on youtube or Instagram. Make instructional or lifestyle videos on prepping topics. With consistent posting and monetization, being a social influencer can provide a reliable income.
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