The Top 50 Non-Food Stockpile Necessities

Be honest. When you think about a stockpile, the first thing that comes to mind is food, right?

Preppers are well-known for having a stash of long-term food to sustain them through anything from a winter storm that leaves them stranded for a week to the end of the world, but there’s a lot more to a good stockpile than edible items. Think about the things you use on a regular basis that you purchase from the store. Personal hygiene items, school supplies, cleaning supplies – the list goes on and on of consumable goods that you use without really thinking about it.

Ever since my kids were little, I’ve always kept a stockpile of these types of goods. And there have been occasions in my life that I was very grateful to have them on hand. When I was unemployed for a few months, I didn’t have to run to the store to get day-to-day items, nor did I have to do without. I was able to simply go shopping in the pantry and meet my family’s needs. Because of this, we survived a stressful situation without the added stress of not having the things we needed to live comfortably.

How to get a good deal on non-food stockpile items

Shopping for non-food stockpile items is much like shopping for your grocery stockpile. It’s essential that you get the best deal you can. If the deal is really epic, sometimes I stock up on brands that we don’t really use so that I have some items on hand for a friend who may have fallen on hard times. A gift of health-and-beauty supplies would be very welcome to someone who has lost ajob or otherwise fallen on hard times.

  • Watch the flyers. Sometimes these types of items are loss-leaders, which means the store will be selling them at a loss in the hope that you’ll buy some of their more overpriced merchandise.
  • Buy in bulk. Sometimes you can get a good deal by purchasing items in quantity. Places like Costco, Amazon, and Winco often sell non-food supplies in packs of 3, 6, or 24. Be sure to do the math and confirm that you’re really saving money, though. Sometimes they can be tricky.
  • Hit the dollar store or clearance store. I get lots of great stuff at our local Grocery Outlet, part of a chain. They sell lots more than groceries and often have organic brands of health and beauty aids for a fraction of the price that the boutique stores charge. The dollar store can also be a good source for certain items. Take care not to get something of terrible quality that won’t really work, though.
  • Clip coupons. If you’re a coupon-er, good deals can often be found on high quality, name brand items.

Add these items to your non-food stockpile

Your expanded stockpile will save you time, money, and stress. When you have a well-provisioned home, you can meet most situations with aplomb. Scenarios that would have other people scrambling to provide the basic necessities for their family will hardly register as a blip on your radar.

You can click the links to find reasonably priced options for some items.

  1. Soap (At the time of publication this was less than 50 cents per bar)
  2. Laundry products (or the ingredients to make your own)
  3. Shampoo and Conditioner
  4. Disposable razors
  5. Band-Aids
  6. First Aid supplies
  7. Calamine lotion
  8. Dish soap
  9. Feminine hygieneitems
  10. Toilet paper
  11. Paper towels
  12. Baby wipes (even if you don’t have a baby!)
  13. Shower gel
  14. Cosmetics if you use them
  15. Coconut oil (This is SO multipurpose!)
  16. Peroxide (The dollar store and Wal-Mart usually have the best prices for this.)
  17. Rubbing alcohol(The dollar store and Wal-Mart usually have the best prices for this, too.)
  18. Hand sanitizer
  19. Bleach
  20. White vinegar
  21. Cleaning supplies
  22. Garbage bags
  23. Kitty litter (for emergency sanitation)
  24. Pet food
  25. Flea and tick medication for pets
  26. Essential oils
  27. Lotion and moisturizer
  28. Sunscreen
  29. Extra filters and parts for your water filtration device
  30. Spare parts for important equipment like canners or tools
  31. Matches
  32. Lighters (These were 33 cents apiece at the time of publication)
  33. Long-burning candles
  34. Batteries (This is a great deal)
  35. Stationary/school/office supplies
  36. Lip balm
  37. Toothbrushes and toothpaste
  38. Sewing/mending supplies
  39. Hair elastics (ask any female with long hair how necessary these are! In a pinch, I’ve been known to use a zip-tie to keep my hair back)
  40. Over-the-counter remedies for common ailments like heartburn, nausea, congestion, coughing, and pain relief
  41. Insect repellant
  42. Deodorant(We usually use homemade or an expensive natural brand, but I still keep this on hand.)
  43. Duct tape
  44. Paper plates and disposable cutlery (in the event of a water shortage)
  45. Tin foil (good for more than hats)
  46. Ziplock bags in a variety of sizes
  47. Cotton balls andcotton swabs
  48. Hardware like nails and screws for emergency repairs
  49. Vitamins
  50. Ammo…duh!!!