I know i am late coming into this article, but wow! I have been on the “edges” of prepping for 20 years but would not push myself to make it complete. I am committed now. Chris, you are doing a very powerful work here brother.

Liam, I do not know where you live but I have had great luck getting quality supplies for affordable prices at my local Doller Trees and Doller Generals. They have good products for low prices. Walmart has also helped me stock up many items. They have many items that are $1-$5 and if you keep your eye out for sales and clearances you can get some great deals when your desired products go out of their regular seasonal sales. For example, I recently came across a great deal on a three man backpacking tent with awning. It is a great tent and light enough to pack in my go bag. Usually it costs $159, but as the summer camping season is ending they had it on clearance for $20, ( I snatched up 2).Another source you can tap into is Birthdays and Christmas. At 13 years old you can ask for the more expensive items you need or want and you can really stock up that way. ( My daughter sure has, and I can afford more then her allowance allows her to purchase on her own. Many parents will indulge a teen that wants “camping” equipment because it gets their kids away from technology.) Even with a small budget, you can purchase a few items at a time, and it will add up before you know it. I love my local Doller Tree store because I can get many things for just a $1. Flash lights, batteries, resealable plastic bags, trash bags, food items, can openers, candles, matches, duck tape, band aids, bandages, antibiotic creams, travel toothbrushes, deodorant’s, shampoos, etc… They have so many items for a $1 that I have really stocked up . On many occasions I have gone in with a spare $20 and walked out with 18 items for my supply and bug out bags. Also, look into any local Army Surplus stores, thrift stores, estate sales, and garage sales in your area. You can come away with some great deals.

Barbara, I live in Texas and can understand the need to stay cool in the heat. One of the best resources are the trees around my house. They provide shade to my house and keep it at least 10-20 degrees cooler in the summer. It may not look pretty, but in an emergency, you can tape aluminum foil over windows, shiny side out, to reflect the heat away from the home. If you have more time to prepare, they sell window films that look very nice and do the same thing. Another thing you might want to invest in is a misting system. You will need a water supply and a pump as well as the tubing and misting heads. A barrel of water connected to the system and a battery powered pump will work for at least a few days if not longer. The water itself will keep you cool and any breeze that blows by will act as an air conditioner. Switching your sleep schedule may also help. By being active early in the day and late at night, you will be able to function in cooler temperatures. Sleeping during the heat of the day will help combat heat fatigue. Battery powered fans or even solar powered fans and open (screened in) windows can also help beat the heat. If you have water supplies, you can also try placing a mattress protector on your bed under the sheets. Before bed you can mist the sheets with a spray bottle of water or scented water. This will almost instantly lower your temperature and allow you to sleep better. Don’t over do this though as you don’t want a chill. Another option may be a screened in porch. If you have one, it will allow you to more securely sleep in the cool breezes without worries about loose animals or insects bothering you. Camp cots, sleeping bags, and hammocks make for good sleeping on a screened in porch, and if the porch is cleared off an entire family can comfortably sleep in a small space. More importantly, Stay out of the heat as much as possible, and Hydrate. Eating cool foods can also help you feel cooler and helps deal with the loss of appetite associated with intense heat. I usually prefer a nice fruit salad for breakfast, sherbet and popsicles as snacks , with a simple lunch of hot dogs or Frito pie for lunch, and a lighter supper such as a Cesar salad or a cobb salad…just watch eggs in the heat. If electricity is out then you can find canned options, and keeping veggies and fruits in an ice chest with some ice or freezer packs can keep then desirable cooler. If you have medications or foods that require cooler temps, looks for a local stream or natural water source. Check its average temperatures. Usually such sources of water stay at a nice cool temperature and you may be able to use weighted, air tight buckets as a cold larder.