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.

1. Soap (Unwrap it for storage to make it last longer)
2. Laundry products (or the ingredients to make your own)
3. Shampoo and Conditioner
4. Disposable razors
5. Band-Aids
6. First Aid supplies
7. Calamine lotion
8. Dish soap
9. Feminine hygiene items
10. Toilet paper
11. Paper towels
12. Baby wipes (even if you don’t have a baby!)
13. Shower gel
14. Cosmetics if you use them
15. Coconut oil (This is SO multipurpose!)
16. Peroxide (The dollar store and Wal-Mart usually have the best prices for this.)
17. Rubbing alcohol (The dollar store and Wal-Mart usually have the best prices for this, too.)
18. Hand sanitizer
19. Bleach
20. White vinegar
21. Cleaning supplies
22. Garbage bags
23. Kitty litter (for emergency sanitation)
24. Pet food
25. Flea and tick medication for pets
26. Nail clippers/files
27. Lotion and moisturizer
28. Sunscreen
29. Extra filters and parts for your water filtration device
30. Spare parts for important equipment like canners or tools
31. Matches
32. Lighters
33. Long-burning candles
34. Batteries (AA, AAA, and D are the most commonly used)
35. Stationary/school/office supplies
36. Lip balm
37. Toothbrushes and toothpaste
38. Sewing/mending supplies
39. 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)
40. Over-the-counter remedies for common ailments like heartburn, nausea, congestion, coughing, and pain relief
41. Insect repellant
42. Deodorant (We usually use an expensive natural brand, but I still keep this on hand.)
43. Duct tape
44. Paper plates and disposable cutlery (in the event of a water shortage)
45. Tin foil (good for more than hats)
46. Ziplock bags in a variety of sizes
47. Cotton balls and cotton swabs
48. Hardware like nails and screws for emergency repairs
49. Vitamins
50. 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?