Likely you've seen this 100 item list touted on Internet forums over the years, maybe going back as far as Y2K. The list is essentially useless. The praise it receives though shows how inept most persons are in their ability to appraise their needs and belive gadgetism or consumerism is the solution to their planning efforts.
Here is the list: 100 Items to Disappear First
1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens
If we put this into perspective, what good is a generator gonna do you without a couple hundred gallons of fuel? Got 55gal drums and pump ready to go? Maybe an underground fuel tank? What really IS a Good Generator??? I'll tell you, it ain't a Honda or any other high RPM running genset. Got an RV? Then you likely have an Onan. Only industrial or RV quality generators operate at 1800rpm and can run 24/7 for weeks at a time without constant rebuild and service. Fuel is the main ticket. Gonna take a gallon per hour to run your genset at a light-load; more if pushing a heavy electrical load. You don't find these at your Lowes or Home Depot. Onan is now owned by Cummins Motor, the diesel people. Probably want a rebuild kit and several spare filters and extras to keep your Onan running. There are also Lister type gensets which are legendary for longrunning and low maintenance.
The problem with this list and its concept is this: Survival Preparation is not a clearcut decision, the way a Gulfcoaster decides to stockup when a category 3 hurricane is in the Gulf. The difference is, once The Event is seen to have manifested chaos, looting, and lawlessness will likely be order of the day; that or Martial Law. You'll likely see all retail stores facing looting and it being very dangerous to be about getting last minute stuff.
Much of the stuff on the list can be made yourself. Need lamp oil? Why pay $7/qt for the stuff when you can buy kerosene or #1 heating oil for about $4/gal and add a few drops of essential oil for scenting? Gonna buy Coleman Gas for modern lanterns that will run on unleaded? Not at $7/gal, so you buy a few gas cans and some stabil and have fuel you can use in your auto as well as your lanterns or campstove.
Gonna buy lots of disposable batteries, or NICAD or other rechargeables with a solar panel or two and means to keep them charged and ready? Want some semblance of homepower? Aside from doing a pro-installation of Alternative Energy like solar panels, wind generator, hydro generator, you can use 6v Golfcart batteries and a couple of panels with charge controller and a decent 2500watt inverter. Tie this in with your generator and a high efficiency battery charger of 60amps or more and you have a multi-year solution; albeit one that will cost some serious money.
Retail vendors no longer stock much merchandise. Modern business practice since the 80s has embraced the Just In Time Inventory technique which relies on frequent deliveries from wholesalers or suppliers. When it is no longer feasible to deliver goods, what there is on the shelves will be all there is...
Sure need to know what you want to have in your home long before it is necessary. Money is always a problem. If you can't think aggressively about how to stretch your budget, even if it is $2M, then you aren't thinking clearly yet...
Resale and Thrift stores are your friend. Household and cooking gear, jeans, boots, flannel shirts, outerwear, books and many other items can be found there in like-new condition for very little money. Pawnshops are also a similar resource. Funny thing is the older stuff like you may find will be so much better made, you can't buy new in similar quality for almost any price...
Spend your money wisely and know your needs. Buying cheap gizmos at WallyWorld or Dollarstore is only gonna cost you in the long run.
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