The other day my wife dragged me into the DOLLAR STORE a place I never go into but when I started looking around the more stuff I was buying there is a section for camping supplies, first aid, food, and much more . If you are trying to prep on a budget just take a look I was impressed.
...not much of a prepper if you dont know about the dollar store. Funny story, I started my first business thanks to a dollar store. Was successful from there on 😆 .
But yeeeeeeaa...the dollar store should have been the obvious place to go. Just sayin'
Dollar stores can be incredible for good deals.
Well seeing as you never go into one, how would you know what was there.. so..
Welcome to Prepping on a budget;
stay away from the lighters though, they do not last that long. Canadian Tire, slightly more in terms of Dollars, much better return for your buck.
there are also garage sales, re-use stores, thrift stores and people giving things away in the paper
One year I got a working drill press and a skill saw, the both for only $10.00
As someone recently unemployed (if anyone in Toronto is looking for an awesome office manager/admin assistant, I'm your lady), I have been able to continue prepping on a budget. I've been using Freecycle ( http://www.freecycle.org ) which was several sites in the city (Toronto, North York, East York, Scarborough, etc.). Also do check the service-for-service websites (I recently received two mason jars of dried soup mix (homemade recipe) in exchange for helping out with a cat emergency).
One thing that has helped me cope is volunteering. I've served dinner at Evangel Hall (homeless shelter) and a couple of other places and over the years have donated food, clothing, etc. to homeless service groups (in Toronto, Ve'ahavta is wonderful) that feed and clothe the homeless. If you're in dire straits, you can always go to those places where you have served and (as I have discovered) they will reciprocate in kind. Karma - it's a good thing.
Also check out flyers. Recently I went to a Fortinos grocery store in Toronto for a couple of flyer items and OMG - they had a whole smoked, dried salmon (boxed) reduced from $15.00 to about $6.00! Expiry date on it is 2015. Blew my budget but definitely improved my pantry!
Hope this helps.