By the author of Be Ready for Anything Let’s 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 a job 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. Estate sales. I’ve found some of these things at estate sales for a dime. Facebook Marketplace. I’ve gotten some of these things in bulk on Marketplace, but be careful with this. It’s usually a couponer’s stash, but sometimes the products ‘fell off the back of a truck.’ 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. Soap (Unwrap it for storage to make it last longer) Laundry products (or the ingredients to make your own) Shampoo and Conditioner Disposable razors Band-Aids First Aid supplies Calamine lotion Dish soap Feminine hygiene items Toilet paper Paper towels Baby wipes (even if you don’t have a baby!) Shower gel Cosmetics if you use them Coconut oil (This is SO multipurpose!) Peroxide (The dollar store and Wal-Mart usually have the best prices for this.) Rubbing alcohol (The dollar store and Wal-Mart usually have the best prices for this, too.) Hand sanitizer Bleach White vinegar Cleaning supplies Garbage bags Kitty litter (for emergency sanitation) Pet food Flea and tick medication for pets Nail clippers/files Lotion and moisturizer Sunscreen Extra filters and parts for your water filtration device Spare parts for important equipment like canners or tools Matches Lighters Long-burning candles Batteries (AA, AAA, and D are the most commonly used) Stationary/school/office supplies Lip balm Toothbrushes and toothpaste Sewing/mending supplies 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) Over-the-counter remedies for common ailments like heartburn, nausea, congestion, coughing, and pain relief Insect repellant Deodorant (We usually use an expensive natural brand, but I still keep this on hand.) Duct tape Paper plates and disposable cutlery (in the event of a water shortage) Tin foil (good for more than hats) Ziplock bags in a variety of sizes Cotton balls and cotton swabs Hardware like nails and screws for emergency repairs Vitamins Ammo…duh!!! What non-food items do you store? Do you also have a stockpile of non-food items? What do you keep on hand?  Share in the comments section. About Daisy Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging author and blogger who’s traded her air miles for a screen porch, having embraced a more homebody lifestyle after a serious injury. She’s the heart and mind behind The Organic Prepper, a top-tier website where she shares what she’s learned about preparedness, self-reliance, and the pursuit of liberty. With 17 books under her belt, Daisy’s insights on living frugally, surviving tough times, finding some happiness in the most difficult situations, and embracing independence have touched many lives. Her work doesn’t just stay on her site; it’s shared far and wide across alternative media, making her a familiar voice in the community. Known for her adventurous spirit, she’s lived in five different countries and raised two wonderful daughters as a single mom.  Daisy is the best-selling author of 5 traditionally published books, 12 self-published books, and runs a small digital publishing company with PDF guides, printables, and courses at SelfRelianceand Survival.com You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, and X. The post 50 Non-Food Stockpile Necessities appeared first on The Organic Prepper.

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