Sometimes, when people first hear the word prepping, they often picture expensive gear, shelves lined with fancy food buckets, or high-tech gadgets with too many buttons. But the truth is, being prepared doesn’t have to cost a fortune. And honestly, it shouldn’t!
Some of the most useful items you can have in an emergency are simple, low-cost tools that don’t look impressive but prove their worth when it counts. We’re talking about the kind of things you can pick up for a few bucks, tuck away somewhere, and then feel like a genius for having on hand when something goes sideways.
If you’re working with a tight budget or just love the idea of doing more with less, these $5 preps are a great place to start. They’re small, practical, and surprisingly powerful at the right moment. Let’s take a look at a few that deserve a permanent spot in your kit.
1. Bic Lighter
It’s simple, cheap, and often overlooked, but it’s also one of the most reliable ways to start a fire in an emergency. One lighter can provide weeks of heat, light, or cooking fuel if you know how to use it wisely.
Bonus: They’re small, lightweight, and last for years if kept dry. Tuck a few into emergency kits, coat pockets, and toolboxes.
2. Duct Tape (Mini Roll or Full Size)
It might not look like survival gear, but duct tape can patch a tarp, repair shoes, splint a finger, waterproof a container, or even fashion a makeshift sling. There’s a reason it’s a prepper classic.
Pro tip: Wrap a few feet of duct tape around a pencil or old gift card to save space in your go-bag.
3. Emergency Blanket (Mylar Space Blanket)
These crinkly silver blankets don’t look like much until you need to stay warm, dry, or shielded from the wind. They reflect body heat, weigh almost nothing, and can be used for everything from a makeshift shelter to collecting rainwater.
Also useful for: Lining your boots in winter, creating a signal mirror, or insulating windows during a blackout.
4. Baking Soda
One small box, endless uses! Baking soda can clean, deodorize, extinguish small grease fires, calm insect bites, and even brush your teeth if you’re out of toothpaste. It’s also a great item for bartering and low-tech hygiene.
Keep it dry and sealed, and you’ll always have something helpful on hand.
5. Canned Tuna (or Sardines)
It’s food, yes, but it’s also instant protein with no cooking required. Plus, that oil-packed tuna? It can be used to power a survival candle in a pinch. And the can itself? Repurposable as a cup, scoop, or tiny stove base.
Bonus: Long shelf life, no refrigeration needed, and surprisingly filling.
6. Cotton Bandana
Doesn’t look like much, but a simple cloth bandana can be a water filter (first stage), tourniquet, sling, dust mask, pot holder, or even a flag. It’s lightweight and endlessly versatile.
Why it’s better than it looks: It’s quiet, cheap, and has more uses than some tools 10 times the price.
7. Safety Pins (Assorted Sizes)
Tiny, cheap, and oddly powerful. Safety pins can secure bandages, fix torn clothes, organize gear, or even act as fishing hooks in a pinch.
Pro tip: Toss a few in your first aid kit or emergency sewing stash. You’ll be amazed how often they come in handy.
8. Tea Lights (Pack of 6-10)
You can often find small packs of tealight candles at the dollar store. In a power outage, one tea light can provide hours of light, or a little heat when you need it most.
Bonus idea: Use them to gently warm a small space inside a clay pot heater setup.
9. Bar of Soap (or Travel-Sized Toiletries)
Hygiene becomes a serious issue during a disaster. A simple bar of soap helps prevent infection, keeps you healthy, and boosts morale more than you might expect.
Better yet: Soap lasts forever and doesn’t take up much room in your kit.
10. Zip Ties (Cable Ties)
Strong, lightweight, and endlessly handy. Use them to secure gear, fix tarps, hang items, or even create makeshift restraints or splints. They’re especially great for organizing wires or bundling supplies.
Tip: Get a variety pack if you can—different sizes are helpful in different situations.
Don’t Judge a Prep by Its Price Tag
Prepping doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive. In fact, it’s often the simplest, most overlooked items that make the biggest difference when it matters most.
If you’ve only got $5 to spend, spend it smart. Look for things that serve multiple purposes, last a long time, and take up little space. Then stash them where they’ll be ready when you are.
Because when you’re prepared, even the humblest item can turn into a lifeline.
