Let’s face it; not everyone wants to spend tons of money on a bug out bag. You know that you should have a bug out bag in case something happens, but you either don’t have much money to spend on one, or you just don’t want to spend much money on something that you may never use.
There are so many bug out bag lists out there to choose from. When I first put my bug out bag together, I found a bunch of lists and used those as a base. Some have items that you don’t need, and others are missing things that you may need.
The Dollar Tree sells lots of items like bandages, gauze, tools, etc. However please remember that you get what you pay for. Use your best judgment on what you are willing to buy for cheap, skip altogether, or are willing to splurge on.
There are sources like The Unleased Mind that claim that Dollar Store products contain harmful chemicals. One could also argue that there are harmful chemicals almost all processed food that we eat nowadays. So please use your best judgment.
Please note that the count size and/or packaging may be different at your local store.
- Bandages
- BIC Lighters
- Candles
- Carabiners – 2ct- DO NOT use for climbing. Great for clipping items on your bag or pants.
- Combs
- Deck of cards and travel games for kids
- Dental floss
- Dressing bandage
- Elastic bandage – for sprained ankles or achy joints
- Face masks
- Flashlights
- Gauze
- Hair ties – These can have many uses besides just for your hair! Be creative!
- Hand sanitizer 3ct – Perfect travel size 1 oz bottles
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Kleenex travel
- Manicure set – These can have many uses. While it isn’t necessary, the tweezers may come in handy, and a nail file/emery board has many prepping uses!
- Pads & Tampons (can have other uses!)
- Paper tape
- Pencils
- Pencil sharpeners – this has many survival uses like sharpening arrows!
- Ponchos
- Rain ponchos
- Rubber bands
- Safety pins
- Scissors
- Small notebook
- Tin foil
- Toilet Paper
- Toothbrushes
- Travel brush w/mirror – you could use a mirror for primping or signaling.
- Travel size lotion, soap, shampoo
- Travel sewing kit
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Twine
- Whistles
- Ziplock Bags (While not the best quality, you can use them to keep your bag organized).
You can also save money by using stuff that you may already have around the house.
- Dryer Lint – I put it in a Ziplock bag and save it. It is great to use to start a fire!
- Thread & needle
- Wire for snare traps
- Rubber bands
- Safety pins
- Bobby pins
- Paper clips
- pens
- pencils
- paper
Obviously, you can’t get everything at the Dollar Tree like guns, ammo, knives (at least ones that you would want to use in your bugout bag), etc., but it will help you get a good start to your bugout bag.
Don’t forget to pack some food & snacks. You will want to have stuff available for when you can’t find any food. Another item you want to make sure you don’t forget is a change of clothes. Having an extra set of clothes can be a lifesaver if the set you are wearing gets wet.
