The devastating landslide in Oso, Washington is a tragic and real reminder that we should all have emergency/disaster supplies on hand. Putting together an emergency kit can be expensive – but if you slowly and steadily pick up items on sale and with coupons, you can build your kit over time for less.
I can’t recommend this list enough – 24-week preparedness calendar (pdf) that helps you build a three- to seven-day disaster kit – one week at a time!
Instead of starting at the top of the list and following this calendar week-by-week, here’s how I recommend using this document.
- Go through my current stock pile and cross off the emergency supplies on the list that you currently have. Set those items aside.
- We’ll watch the ads each week and watch for items on the list to go on sale. For at least the next 4-6 weeks we plan to post every Wednesday the items that we can find on sale for your emergency kit. The big things to stock up on are: water, water, water and canned meats, fruit and veggies
- Printed a copy of the 24-week calendar and put it in a purse or wallet – so when you’re out at the store, you watch for clearance deals and use this as a reference!
The key point here is having a timeline – making progress on a regular basis. Otherwise, it’s just willy nilly and you could find yourself never getting to it. So I’m hoping these posts will help us keep this on our list as a priority.
Here’s what Anne picked up this week at Target for $5.42 after coupons and gift card promotions to begin her kit:
Bought (2) Tums Soft Chews – 6 ct @ $1.70 (reg. $1.79) – $3.40
Used (2) $1.50/1 Tums Freshers or Chewy Delights – 3-23-14 RP (exp 05/23/14)
Final price = $0.40 or $0.20 each
Bought (2) Similasan Allergy Relief Eye drops @ $6.49 – $12.98
Buy 2, get a free $5 gift card – through 4/5
Used (2) $5.00/1 Similasan Eye Drop – 3-2-14 SS (exp 03/31/14)
Paid $2.98, received a free $5 gift card
Final price = $2.02 Money Maker (0r $1.01 MM each)
Bought (2) Clorox On-the-Go Disinfecting Wipes @$2.49 (everyday price) – $4.98
Used (2) $0.75/1 Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, 34 ct; Target Store Coupon (Zip Code 33033) – Limit 4 per transaction
And (1) $1/2 Clorox Wipe printable NLA
Or (1) $0.75/1 any Clorox product (must write a review)
Final price = $2.48 (or $1.24 each)
There is a $1 off up & up® household cleaning item (Excludes items under $1) Target Mobile coupon available (Text OFFERS to 827438). You could pick up an Up & Up canister of wipes for about $0.87 but Anne opted to spend a little more to save space.
Bought (1) Sterile 56 qt container @ $4.99 (reg. $5.99)
The list suggests using a rolling trash can. Starting with a plastic bin is better than not starting!
If you’re looking for a fancy case for your first aid kit, Rite Aid has a store display for a free Johnson and Johnson First Aid case when you buy 3 participating products. This week there is a sale and an +Up Reward promotion through 3/29.
Deal scenario:
Buy (2) Band-Aid brand Bandages, prices start at $3.79, B1G1 50% OFF – $5.69
Buy (1) Neosporin, 0.5 oz – $4.99
Buy (1) Johnson & Johnson First Aid Case – $4.99
Use (2) $0.50/1 Band-Aid Quilt Product
Or (2) $0.50/1 Band-Aid Adhesive Bandages; Excludes Trial or Travel Size – 3-9-14 RP – (exp. 04/06/14)
And $1.00/1 Neosporin Product
Or $1.00/1 Neosporin First Aid or Essentials Product – 3-9-14 RP – (exp. 04/06/14)
Or look for $1/1 peelies
And (1) Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit Free Case peelie coupon (deducts $4.99)
Pay $8.68, get $3 +Up Rewards
Final price = $5.68
The First Aid Kits come with $15 worth of coupons! Make sure your case has them; several were stolen from the bags when Anne purchased her kit a few weeks ago.
See the complete Rite Aid coupon match up for more participating products for this promotion.
If you’re looking for emergency supplies and aren’t interested in shopping the sales, I recommend checking out Amazon’s emergency supplies, Costco or a hardware store (especially for the rolling garbage can) to get started!
And please leave a comment if you spot any deals that would be good for an emergency kit!
Tilla Ham says
I keep the following in my car not necessarily for emergencies but because the girls are dancers and we live at the studio … however it’s always handy in case you get stuck in car for a bit…. a small Rubbermaid bin, I think it’s 5 gallons and fits in front of a seat, filled with snacks. a case of bottled water, wet wipes, and a first aid kit with advil band aids Neosporin and a spare rescue in haler for the 3 asthmatics in the family
Anne says
Thanks for sharing, Tilla! You have a child who has Celiac, correct? If so, what are some good gluten free snacks and/or non-perishables that will keep well for 6 months at a time in an emergency kit?
karen says
thanks for the pdf..that is a great resource. i always thought some grocery chian should get some program together where they featured one or a few emergency stock items….food and non food…for compiling an emergency kit. i think when i was a kid groc stores used to have one plate or cup or bowl or pot or pan or towel for you to get one a week to get a collection started. maybe i dreamed it. lol.
koopon says
My kids use this first aid case as a Bible cover – it is zippered and big enough to also hold pen and notepad. I call it their spiritual 1st aid kit!
Anne says
Clever repurposing! Thanks for sharing 🙂