absolute cheapskate survival tips

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3wolves

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Dec 28, 2007
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every one post a couple cheapskate survival and kit tips mine are:

grab a couple of those vinegar/salt/ketchup next time you go to a fast food place. They are light to pack in a survival kit and the vinegar can be used for wound cleansing.

Make fire starter out of cotton balls and vaseline.
 
I will grab some of those salt packets, much easier then a bag or tupperware container of salt. And you can use the vinegar to patina your carbon blades if you want!:D

Carry a big can of stew and use the can as your cooking pot, leave lid on for handle
lace your boots with paracord (not realy cheapskate, but it's cheap)
use empty prescription bottles for tinder/match cases
 
While you're grabbing the fast food condiments, get a few straws to stash the cotton balls in and grab a few plastic utensils.

Thrift stores, flea markets, eBay, and garage sales.

Esbit and alcohol stoves made from aluminum flashing, aluminum gutter spikes and cat food or pop cans.

Gutter spikes for tent pegs

Blue poly tarps.

Tyvek for ground cloths

Mora, mora, mora

SAK's

Bic lighters.

Water bottles made from... water bottles or two liter pop bottles.

Foster's beer cans for Esbit stove pots-- open with a safety-style can opener and save the lid.

Stanco grease pots from Kmart for cook pots.
 
Eat mints of all types; free tins and mini tins.
Look around local fishing spots and score free tackle; hooks, sinkers, swivels even mono.
Yes grab those condiments-airports have some good stuff;real honey,Hellman's/Best Brand's mayo, Grey Poupon!
Cans can make stoves and cook pots.
CDs and DVDs can be used as signal mirrors.
Kitchen knives can be used in the wilderness.
REI re-sells their used returns; inquire at your local store.
 
I was saving this to start-up a new thread with after more extensive testing but...

Keep you CLIF Bar wrappers the burn and do they burn well.
my favorite "survival food" just became food and tinder in one.

I'll still try to do up a post about my test findings with the wrappers.
 
If you have small children then you've no doubt had to buy Pedialyte at some point due to stomach bugs. Well, the bottles make great water bottles. Tough, square so they pack easily, and free.

Scored another one the other day as well, bought my infant some formula, 24 oz can, and it turns out that it was a tin can like a coffee can, only half the size. Perfect for a BOB kit.

Keep old bicycle intertubes. Cut them into small sections. Make great "rubber" bands for securing items, adding a grippie (sp?) surface and such.

Charlie
 
CShepherd said:
If you have small children then you've no doubt had to buy Pedialyte at some point due to stomach bugs. Well, the bottles make great water bottles. Tough, square so they pack easily, and free.

Scored another one the other day as well, bought my infant some formula, 24 oz can, and it turns out that it was a tin can like a coffee can, only half the size. Perfect for a BOB kit.

Keep old bicycle intertubes. Cut them into small sections. Make great "rubber" bands for securing items, adding a grippie (sp?) surface and such.

Charlie
Click to expand...

They also make an excellent fire starter.
 
Speaking of condiment packets, Chik-Fil-A has Tejas Pedro in individual packets, I've never seen that in any other restaurant!

My largest cheapskate deal is to re-use the cotton balls from pill bottles like Advil, Excedrin, Tylenol, etc. I buy bags of them anyway, but, hey, I still use the free stuff as well.
 
Some fast food and restaraunts have those foil packaged alcohol hand wipes for the grabbing, I always grab four or five extra , they make excellent additions to my kits for wound cleansing and general cleaning applications.

Good mention on the free salt and pepper packs , add those to your BOB and you could be eating seasoned trout or whatever on the run instead of just plain 'ol food , could be a big morale booster.

Dollar section of Target or Wally mart , both have little soaps , toothpaste , etc, I like to put a little soap bar or two in my medium and big BOB's also I highly recommend toothpaste and a small brush in your 72 hours plus kits , who knows how long you could possibly be on the move for ? In the wilds or SHTF scenarios there is no dentist. :eek: Got to take care of your chompers.

Matchbooks !
Matchbooks are totally free nearly anywhere you shop , some restaraunts have the big fat books of matches , grab 'em and strew them in your kits , extra methods of fire are always welcome and can save your 'emergency' fire until you really need it.
 
Over Christmas I had to open (or fight with:grumpy:) several toy packages; these days the toys are very secure in their wrappings. They are secured by these heavy-duty ‘twistys.’ I always save them as they come in handy for securing small bundles, hanging outdoor decorations, etc. You just have to take to time and untwist them, vice just cutting them off the toys.

I have several twistys of varying sizes put aside for addition to my kit(s). I am just waiting for some tins, as I do not have any yet – I put out an all-point-bulletin to family and friends and will have several very soon (another cheap trick, get the tins and don’t buy the mint!:thumbup:)
 
Dumpster diving will produce much of what we need and it's all free. However, in some areas it is illegal, so know your local laws and ordinances.

If you're in the bush and all you got is your smile, everything you need is within your grasp. Of course, this depends on where you are and the natural resources available in the area, but one thing is for sure, there is always a rock and a rock can do many things for you.;)
 
Pipe cleaners! I came to appreciate these when I began using them for primitive muzzleloading. Can be used for quick attachments to anything - like twist ties only tougher and are easier to undo. Rolled up can be used for cleaning of knives, utensils and cookware, or gun actions. Wire on the inside of each can be stripped out for multiple uses including of clearing camp stove valves, and making a compass (although I have never tried it).
 
Don Rearic said:
Speaking of condiment packets, Chik-Fil-A has Tejas Pedro in individual packets, I've never seen that in any other restaurant!

My largest cheapskate deal is to re-use the cotton balls from pill bottles like Advil, Excedrin, Tylenol, etc. I buy bags of them anyway, but, hey, I still use the free stuff as well.
Click to expand...
Iv'e got a few El Tapatio single servings in my desk. Pretty cool.
I am pretty much a sucker for single serving packaging.
Ever seen this site?
http://www.minimus.biz/
Bill
 
I pulled off one of those button compass things from my old watch and put it in my altoid psk. I guess that counts :confused:.
 
You pruify water with bleach the same way you do with iodine, which is also poisonous. It is both the substance and the concentration that matters. There is an area of bleach concentrations which are both disinfectant and not toxic.

My cheapskate tip...

Carry a mora. They're great for the money. And if you break it, who cares? You only paid $10, right?
 
I take my wife's old stockings.Don't laugh! They make great water filters & are very strong when tying things up.They can even be used as a temporary belt for your car.:thumbup:
 
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