Posted: 8/24/2011 10:38:07 AM EDT
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I'm looking for some collective wisdom on a spur of the moment shopping list should myself or a family member be by a hardware/grocery/superstore and there is some type of SHTF indicator (TV, radio, or maybe in your face obvious), and there is an opportunity for one last safe shopping run. I'd actually like to hand out a laminated card so there is no duplication or stupid impulse buys. I'm not worried about procuring weaponry related items, mainly food, fuel and medical. We won't be bugging out, but staying put.
Thanks for your ideas. |
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If you need to do spur of the moment shopping for SHTF, you are already too late.
There is a wealth of information already in this forum. Check around the numerous threads and see if that won't answer some of your concerns. ETA: Your list would vary greatly depending on what your preps already are and what store you are located at "when the big one hits" |
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I'd suggest the top 25 things on the "100 Things That Disappear First" list that's floating around out there, or at least be familiar with it. If SHTF was imminent, it's not gonna hurt to have more of the things on that list. I'm on mobile so I can't provide a link, but it's been posted here numerous times, and could be found quickly on Google as well. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Gasoline, water, canned food (meats and beans). Really though, spend the time you would on the laminated card building a good supply back at home. If duplication is a problem, you have someone who probably could stand some improvements in regular habits rather than trusting them with a card and deciding themselves what to get, and when to get it. "Never let your gas tank below half full" "Keep some water in your car, along with walking shoes, etc." Fix up the vehicle, make sure cell phones are top notch and you can charge them anywhere, know how to change a flat, etc.
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One good item for a last-minute trip to the store(If it's safe) is batteries. Fresh batteries would be very nice to have available for all the battery-operated items.
Also, if you have some friends or neighbors who are not YET into prepping, a handout sheet could be a nice gift for them. It could help them get a little better prepared and help you form better bonds with them. |
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I know where you're coming from. Although I've prepped for a year's worth of food & hygiene supplies, paper goods, plastic wear, heat and lighting, etc. etc.... there are those items that given the opportunity to get a few more of, I would. I've written them down and keep a copy of the list in my vehicle as well as in my home. Although I've refined that list several times over the years, the items on it are set in stone as to what I actually get if the opportunity presents itself and I'm inside a store (absolutely no impulse buying [that's the reason for reviewing the list from time to time]). Although the list is set in stone, getting the items is not ––- there is not a single item on my list that I don't already have enough of to get myself thru a year. I think even more important than having this list, is having the mindset not to use it unless the situation allows you to do so without jeopardizing your safety or otherwise better preparing yourself at home. I do not intend on getting myself mixed in with a hysterical crowd of shoppers tearing everything apart (including themselves) inside a store for their own survival ––- I've already done that at home and don't need to expose myself to that hazard. I'll tell you this....if I see the balloon going up my first priority will be to get as much fuel as I can (I don't store very much), and then get home and fill every empty water container I have. The panicked, crazed sheeple can have at it all they want to within the confines of a store. Another thing I'd like to mention.... OK, you've got a list. You're going to need to keep enough cash on hand at all times to cover the cost of those supplies ––- and I don't mean ATM "cash". Good luck! Glad you're on board by already thinking about this now, instead of later..... Bear 
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Quoted:
I'd look at "fresh" items that don't store well: oils, fresh veggies, eggs,bread. In winter, I'd buy meat, cheese and maybe milk. Mybe high nutritional value foods: canned tuna/chcken/ham/spam, nuts, chili, Or high calories- poptarts and peanut M&Ms. This. If you can get in and out of the store w/o injury or harm. I'd add more junk food, plus ice cream, and top off the gas tanks on the way home. A few years ago the weatherman said a bigass snow storm was coming so we went to the grocery to get a few things while we were out. Every cart was in use and the lines were LONG!. My wife and I decided to ride the storm out with what we had and left. We passed a CVS on the way home and they had about half a dozen cars in the lot. We went in and bought some soft drinks, milk, bread, ice cream and other snacks. In and out. |
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Back home, so here's that list I was talking about before of the 100 things that disappear first. Not like a generator would be something you would grab if SHTF while you were at the grocery store, but it looks like there are a fair number of things that could fit the bill. 1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.) 2. Water Filters/Purifiers 3. Portable Toilets 4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses. 5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!) 6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much. 7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots. 8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks. 9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar 10. Rice - Beans - Wheat 11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,) 12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly) 13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking. 16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.) 17. Survival Guide Book. 18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.) 19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc. 20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry) 21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene) 22. Vitamins 23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item) 24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products. 25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms) 26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil) 27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item) 28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal) 29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many). 30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels 31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months) 32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST) 33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST) 34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit 35. Tuna Fish (in oil) 36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room) 37. First aid kits 38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates) 39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies 40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food) 41. Flour, yeast & salt 42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first 43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators 44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.) 45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts 46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns 47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times) 48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels) 49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc 50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient) 51. Fishing supplies/tools 52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams 53. Duct Tape 54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes 55. Candles 56. Laundry Detergent (liquid) 57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags 58. Garden tools & supplies 59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies 60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc. 61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite) 62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax) 63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel 64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc 65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats 66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered) 67. Board Games, Cards, Dice 68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer 69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets 70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks) 71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water) 72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc. 73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave) 74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels) 75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase 76. Reading glasses 77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers) 78. "Survival-in-a-Can" 79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens 80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog 81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO) 82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky 83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts 84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras) 85. Lumber (all types) 86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from) 87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's 88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc. 89. Lantern Hangers 90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts 91. Teas 92. Coffee 93. Cigarettes 94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,) 95. Paraffin wax 96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc. 97. Chewing gum/candies 98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing) 99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs 100. Livestock |
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Quoted:
Yeast and olive oil. And probably more canning jar lids. Canning supplies is something I have been thinking about. If the power goes out (SHTF style) I got a lot of frozen meat to start canning ASAP. A near by Amish store sells lids by the 100 pack I keep thinking I need to grabe some. My great grandparents did there canning outside on a brick fireplace/stove they built if anyone would like a pic I will get one. |
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I think the OP poses a very valid question. I feel the answer is situation dependent. If your hometown looks like the L.A riots then obviously NO you need to get back to your loved ones asap. However if the L.A riots are going on and you live in Tulsa and all seems well then you have to make that judgement call. Gasoline, food and water are things that IMMEDIATELY will dry up. If you have the means, the time and the safety then YES you should buy whatever you can. Making a list, putting it on a card and instructing every single member that this list is 100% not at all a priority, SAFETY is. If the coast is clear... go for it. And then get home ASAP. I would even go so far as to stick a $100 bill into their wallet right behind it. Hey...you never know
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| Just SHTF in general. I live in a rural area of California. Most places my family members or I would shop at are not going to set upon by what I would consider the sames types that you might encounter in downtown L.A., S.F. or other big city. Although things can change pretty quickly, most around my area are pretty courteous and generous. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Yeast and olive oil. And probably more canning jar lids. Canning supplies is something I have been thinking about. If the power goes out (SHTF style) I got a lot of frozen meat to start canning ASAP. A near by Amish store sells lids by the 100 pack I keep thinking I need to grabe some. My great grandparents did there canning outside on a brick fireplace/stove they built if anyone would like a pic I will get one. This should always be considered as a "yes" answser. |
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Quoted:
Just SHTF in general. I live in a rural area of California. Most places my family members or I would shop at are not going to set upon by what I would consider the sames types that you might encounter in downtown L.A., S.F. or other big city. Although things can change pretty quickly, most around my area are pretty courteous and generous. Then I would say... It depends. It depends on what preparations you have already completed. It depends on your priorities at that moment. Is shopping what needs to be done or are there other things. Getting kids, parents, etc... It depends on if it is safe for you or others to do so. And it depends on what type of situation you have prior notice of, I would purchase what you would expect to use for that situation to supplement what you already have.. Example - Power outage.. Extra fuel, batteries, etc... If your all preped up then all you should need to do is open a beer and turn on the TV... I would always top off vehicle fuel tanks for just about any scenario If I had notice.. |
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I work remodle grocery stores for a living. So the odds are if the SHTF I will have time to do a bit of shopping before the crowds go nuts or I get out. I've got two lists I keep in my head. One for if I am a ways away from home, as is usual. Typically I'm a 2-5 hour drive from home and in a large metro area. In that instance I will worry more abotu speed of getting home and if time permits I will buy:
gas and top off the tank at the store gas station. Unless I filled up that morning when I got there. Fuel is priority number 1 if I am out of town. the nice thing is my vehichle has a range of over 500 miles on a full tank and I rarely have it less than half full. Bottled water, you can't have enough, and if I have to camp or hoof it I'd like to start with fresh stuff in the canteens and camlebak, I keep them full, but fresh stuff would be better. Jerky, nuts and dehydrated foods. I keep a weeks worth of mainstay bras in the GHB, but more is always good. Batteries, because they go bad quickly when being stored in the car. And I can not keep up with how fast my wife Now if I were close to home, we have a store less than a mile from home that I work at occasionally and a few more within 60 miles of the house. In that instance I will buy a lot more stuff, becasue I will be less worried about getting home quickly. There is not a lot of traffic in these areas or between them and home and there are several alternate routes home that take almost no more time. In that instance I will buy: Lots of batteries. These will go quick, and my wife is bad about using up more stores and not tellign me. Toilet paper. This is one major short coming in my preps, I just keep forgeting about. Fill all avalable scripts for my family at the store pharmacy. My doc always gives refills, even when we don't need them. More canned meats, penut butter and jelly. We go through the peanut butter and jelly very fast and the wife typically dosen't replace what she uses. Canned meats I have avoided buying due to cost, we don't eat them and the fact we have a lot of frozen meat we could can if need be. But if it is hitting the fan and I'm there anyway, may as well get some more. After that I would fill up on flour, beans, sugar canned goods and powdered milk. We have all this in quantity, but more can't hurt and I am there anyway. |