Garage, yard or estate sales are the perfect places to find essential survival supplies. You can save a ton of money and obtain a wide-range of items that will beef up your stockpile. Here are some examples of things to look for and grab whenever possible.
Household Items
You can find anything from silverware and kitchen supplies to analog clocks and radios for pennies on the dollar. Look for storage containers, towels, silverware, dishes, pots, pans and anything that can be of use during a survival scenario. Remember to get extra so you can stock up your camper or cabin as well.
Tools
Some garage sales have an abundance of tools, and focus on getting your hands on ones that are non-powered. Look for hand drills, saws, pliers, wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers and anything else that you want to put into a portable toolbox. This is also a great way to double up on tools so you can have a set for your home, car and shelter. Consider picking up a handful of gardening supplies as well.
Clothing
Look for things like old gloves, coats, boots, hats, sweatshirts and jeans. Try to find items that are durable and in good condition. Look for outdoor blankets, raincoats and umbrellas as well.
Gear
Sporting and camping equipment are common finds at garage and yard sales. Many people get rid of their outdoor gear that has been sitting around and unused for years. Look for backpacks, sleeping bags, cooking kits, tents, tarps, cordage, skis and poles. Fishing equipment is also a very common find, and take advantage of the opportunity to load up on poles, reels and tackle.
Weapons
It is not uncommon to find anything from survival knives to bows and arrows, slingshots, Chinese stars and other weapons. Load up on them when you can, and give yourself more options when it comes to building your defensive and hunting arsenal. Be on the lookout for old hunting rifles as well.
Appliances
You can find things like old coffee makers, toasters, meat grinders and even grain mills if you look carefully. Take appliances that do not have digital circuitry or can be manually operated. These can make life a lot more convenient and comfortable when the SHTF.
School Supplies and Books
Look around for things that can be used for home-schooling. Lots of old textbooks, crayons, rulers, school boxes, workbooks and other items are often available. Find some regular books that can be used for instruction as well.
Hardware
Take advantage of any hardware that you can get because you never know when you will need parts for various repairs. Brackets, clamps, wire, connectors, aluminum tubing, chains and even window screen frames may come in handy.
Medical Supplies
Look for walkers, canes, crutches, splints, slings and boxed medical supplies such as gloves and bandages. Old first aid kits often contain scalpels, tweezers, medical tape, gauze and other essential items that you will not need to buy new.
Food Preservation Supplies
Try and find as many supplies that can help to increase your food preservation efforts. Old mason jars, canning pots, tongs, lids and dehydrators are not that hard to find, and they can end up saving you hundreds of dollars.
These are just a few examples of the limitless amount of items that you can find at garage sales. Remember that the aim is collect as many things as possible. You can always sort and organize your resources as needed in the future. Discover how someone’s trash can turn into your treasure. You will be amazed at how quickly you can cross off your preparedness checklist while saving a ton of money at the same time.
