absolute cheapskate survival tips

hlee said:
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?
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Good tip!Thanks.Those iodine tabs are expensive.
 
From http://www.clorox.com/products/faqs.php?prod_id=clb#faq2

Q. Can Clorox® Regular-Bleach be used to disinfect water?

A. Yes. When boiling of water for 1 minute is not possible in an emergency situation, you can disinfect your drinking water with Clorox® Regular-Bleach (any non-scented bleach will do) as follows:

1. Remove suspended particles by filtering or letting particles settle to the bottom.

2. Pour off clear water into a clean container.

3. Add 8 drops of Clorox® Regular-Bleach (not scented or color-safe) to one gallon of water (2 drops to 1 quart). For cloudy water, use 16 drops per gallon of water (4 drops to 1 quart).

4. Allow the treated water to stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat and wait another 15 minutes. The treated water can then be made palatable by pouring it between clean containers several times.
 
If youve got older neighbors that youre on good terms with, ask them if theyve got any "junk" they dont need. My neighbor gave me a set of camping cookware, its nothing fancy, but the price was right!
 
Billy,

Have not viewed that site yet, thanks!

Also, iodine tablets under the trade name of Potable Aqua are usually dirt cheap at China-Mart. I just hope they're not being made in China, you use them and you might want to make love to your dog or something. :D
 
I clean out my old plastic deodorant case, cut out the push stick and fill the bottom hole with hot glue. Now I have a somewhat crush/water proof FAK.
 
kenk said:
From http://www.clorox.com/products/faqs.php?prod_id=clb#faq2

Q. Can Clorox® Regular-Bleach be used to disinfect water?

A. Yes. When boiling of water for 1 minute is not possible in an emergency situation, you can disinfect your drinking water with Clorox® Regular-Bleach (any non-scented bleach will do) as follows:

1. Remove suspended particles by filtering or letting particles settle to the bottom.

2. Pour off clear water into a clean container.

3. Add 8 drops of Clorox® Regular-Bleach (not scented or color-safe) to one gallon of water (2 drops to 1 quart). For cloudy water, use 16 drops per gallon of water (4 drops to 1 quart).

4. Allow the treated water to stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat and wait another 15 minutes. The treated water can then be made palatable by pouring it between clean containers several times.
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Just remember, bleach degrades and loses it potency over time, so rotate it. Some say as often as every 3-6 months.
 
Great thread. Of course one thing about cheapskate is to consider multiple uses for everything. Probably the only reason I prefer Iodine tabs, or liquid, over bleach is that the iodine can be used to clean a wound if used in a greater concentration.

Old worn out hacksaw blades are the best thing I've found for striking a firesteel. I do find that I need to square off the back of the blade just a bit then I'll get a ton of sparks even out of a BSA Hotspark. I prefer the 18t bi-metal ones and leave the teeth on. I cut off a 2 1/2" section of the end. I has an eyelet built right in and rarely are the end teeth worn out. I find that if I take the teeth and use it to scrape the fatwood I carry I get some great "maya dust" that lights extremely easily.

Keep your mind open, all sorts of things can be scavanged and reused.

Charlie
 
Don Rearic said:
Billy,

Have not viewed that site yet, thanks!

Also, iodine tablets under the trade name of Potable Aqua are usually dirt cheap at China-Mart. I just hope they're not being made in China, you use them and you might want to make love to your dog or something. :D
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Nah, their goals aren't nearly so imaginative. Lead paint on baby toys says a lot, as to what they have in store for us.

Iodine can have some side effects. Usually it messes with the thyroid gland, but because it is a poison, extended use can cause more severe problems and iodine overdose will have the following symptoms.

Abdominal pain
Coughing
Delirium
Diarrhea
Fever
Metallic taste in mouth
Mouth and throat pain
No urine output
Seizures
Shock
Shortness of breath
Stupor
Thirst
Vomiting
 
Steal some of your wife's sewing needles, safety pins and thread for your PSK.

I once received this free sample tube of vaseline that was perfect for on the spot fire starter + chapped lips treatment.

Mr Noodles as an outdoor lunch - they are cheap, filling and lightweight. Just bring some extra spices and dehydrated veggies (chives, onions and red pepper flakes) in a little film canister for extra flavor.

Flirt a little bit with the nurse next time you are at the doctor's office to score some latex gloves. Flirt with her a lot just to score :)
-- uhm of course this advice is for the single guys who presumably aren't going in for something awkward.
 
Cotton balls soaked in Vaseline stuffed into a film canister.

Its cheap, its compact, its waterproof (or so I heard), and it has multiple uses. Chapped lips, dry/cracking skin (can be a problem in cold, dry climates), and of course starting a fire. I forgot how long 1 cotton ball burns, but its more then enough time to help you get a fire going.
 
batosai117 said:
Oh, thank you for clearing that up :). I wasn't sure, just trying to give an example until someone could give the correct amount.
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Your example could kill someone. If you don't know what you're talking about, keep it to yourself.

I'm just saying.
 
I usually never get involved but want to add my opinion. I think batoai117 was pretty clear that he was not sure of the amount of bleach to use. I see he actually stated that. "I'm not sure, but someone will know"

If someone was to use his "example" how many Liters would they use???

I think bltjr1951 was a bit harsh. thats it!

I am not sure why I felt a need to even write this. Thanks to all who openly share their knowledge.

Paul.
 
If you can find someone that works at a bottle factory, ask them for the blanks they use before they are blown into bottles. I have one that I use as a match case, they are clear so you can see how many you have. They are pretty thick, the right length for wood matches, and already have the screw end formed so you just need a cap from any bottle. I ran into a girl I haven't seen for a while last week and she told me she works at a bottle factory now, and I told her about it.
 
bltjr1951 said:
Your example could kill someone. If you don't know what you're talking about, keep it to yourself.

I'm just saying.
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Yes Sir!!! Then I guess all of bladeforums will shut down due to everyone's opinions getting people killed :rolleyes:. I will go out and baton and wait for a stray piece of steel or wood to run through my hand too. I've never batoned until I heard about that from here, just some other guys opinion of getting wood cut up, I guess all of those guys shouldn't post either :rolleyes:. I stated that I "wasn't sure" and "didn't know" for a reason, just a brief example to show how it is used to purify water. I didn't say something stupid like, "use X amount of tablespoons for every Y amount of liters."
 
I carry diaper safety pins on my keychain. They will clean the paint out of a jighead eye . Make a hooded shawl out of a blanket. Very handy, cheap , small items to have.

Ivory soap floats. I have lost soap in the water .
 
bltjr1951 said:
Your example could kill someone. If you don't know what you're talking about, keep it to yourself.

I'm just saying.
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All right smart one, Here goes: If information is incorrect (bltjr1951) don't follow these instructions found on http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/surv/bleach.htm

*Ratio of Clorox Bleach to Water for Purification

2 drops of Regular Clorox Bleach per quart of water

8 drops of Regular Clorox Bleach per gallon of water

1/2 teaspoon Regular Clorox Bleach per five gallons of water

If water is cloudy, double the recommended dosages of Clorox Bleach.

(Only use Regular Clorox Bleach (not Fresh Scent or Lemon Fresh). To insure that Clorox Bleach is at its full strength, replace your storage bottle every three months.)

**(Clorox Bleach Sanitizing Solution)

Mix 1 tablespoon Regular Clorox Bleach with one gallon of water. Always wash and rinse items first, then let each item soak in Clorox Bleach Sanitizing Solution for 2 minutes. Drain and air dry.
 
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