Dollar Store + $15 = BoB

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ctdonath

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Jan 9, 2003
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Cumming GA
A few weeks ago someone around here tossed out the challenge (paraphrased):
SHTF. You have $15, nothing else, and are close to a still-open "dollar store". What do you get? Build a bug-out-bag right there.

Well, here ya go:



For $14.76 (GA tax included) I got:
- backpack
- flashlight
- 4 D-cells
- FM radio
- 4 AAA-cells
- 4 liters water
- 50 servings dry rice
- 1 quart pot
- 250 matches
- 10 candles
- 2 ponchos
- small towel
- rope
- multi-function knife

As a bonus (trying to stretch everything here):
- 3 plastic shopping bags
- paper receipt
- assorted packaging

The cashier deduced I was going camping.

The pack is about as minimal as you can get: a nylon sack with straps, claiming a capacity of 16 pounds.
The flashlight took about a half-hour to get working, as the pushbutton switch seems to have grit in it.
Upon getting the flashlight working, I discovered the radio actually had a white LED light built in - didn't need the separate flashlight after all. Would have gotten 4 more AAA batteries and some soap instead had I known.
The water tastes ok. The large jug is presumably useful, has a screw top. Wasn't sure whether to get that, or handy-shaped two 2/3rd liter bottles. 4L may be too big.
Bag of rice was a no-brainer. 50 servings is about as efficient as you can get for good filler carbohydrates.
The 1-quart pot should do. I'm afraid the handle will melt off; checked that the handle can be replaced via screw.
2 boxes of matches are plenty so long as they can be kept dry. Nice to get extra plastic bags at checkout.
Not sure how useful the candles will really be.
One poncho can be my roof, the other my blanket (sucks, but better than nothing).
Gotta know where my towel is.
Rope (synthetic clothesline) seems enough.
The "swiss army style" knife is nearly junk. Had to use pliers to bend the corkscrew into a safe shape. Wasn't sure whether to go with it or the large kitchen knife.

The packaging will all burn (firestarters).

Not sure if I really want to try it all overnight, but nice to know a basic BOB can be assembled cheap.
 
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You know, I kind of enjoy shopping at the local dollar store. They mostly carry junk, but every once in a while you will find a gem. I think that you have a great basic BOB, and you have proven that you can be at least somewhat prepared on a budget. Good work.
Mauserguy

PS: I got one of those 99 cent imitationa Leatherman pliars too. It's actually a pretty good little tool.
 
I was at a dollar store out in Aberdeen a month ago and picked-up my 9 mo. old daughter a .99 ball. One of her favorite toys and a darn sight cheaper than most.
You could do worse than set off with $15 worth of Chinese products I suppose, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
 
As I read this thread, I immediately thought of it as being like dancing with your sister. Yeah, you can do it. It might even work alright. But you could do better if you tried, put a little more effort into it. And the outcome will be a whole lot better.
 
True. ...and in dancing with your sister, you can learn how to do it well before screwing up when it matters.
 
Hmm, if you have a bit of cash to spare this could go hand in hand with the "goodwill" extra food some folks have been talking about to keep their neighbors calm during SHTF scenarios.

I like this thread! :D

(except the dancing with your sister parts)

:uhoh:
 
Torpid has a point.

Yes, the $15 BOB isn't something you want to bet your life on ... but it does make it easy to have a few ready for those who insist on you providing for them when the SHTF. Ya know, the ones that said "we'll be coming to your place" when they found out about the Y2K Bug or other SHTF/TEOTWAWKI predictions.
 
Costs a little more, but you're better off with instant rice-less water needed, less prep time, less fuel consumed. I've seen it cheap at the discount stores.
 
A $15.00 BoB from a dollar store isn't the perfect response bag, but it would make a tight spot a little more comfy.

I'm hitting up the dollar stores to supplement my bug out equipment with cheap batteries, food, candles, small tools, and such.
 
hmmm i noticed you really don't have too much in the line of medical supplies. Some things may double as bandages, but do dollar stores offer anything for first aid?

Perhaps you could be challenged to take $15 to the dollar store again and try to create a first aid bag! (i see a series in the making!)
 
I know this is an _Incredibly_ stupid quesiton, but just how does one go about using a walking stick? When I was a kid, putzing around in the woods, I'd often find a good, hard stick, and jab it in the ground afront of me, and sort of walk on by it (rinse, repeat), but I've never quite grasped in what manner you're supposed to lean your weigh on it to help you walk, especially something with as little comfortable graspability on top as a broomhandle.

~GnSx
 
Great job, ctdonath! I also didn't know about vaseline and cotton balls. To expand on that a bit further, Tampax or other feminine hygene products should not only fill that bill, but provide a dual pupose if your wife/GF is in need at the time as well as providing potential trade goods. Tampax/pads are sterile and make great first aid bandages. Not to offend, but might as well be as versatile as possible.
Biker
 
As my mother reminded me, make sure you have some bleach. A small amount of bleach can treat a large amount of water. (once it is filtered I guess)
 
wow

somebody's rich!

;)

i walk around with a bunch of silly plastic windshield scraper some folks like to call credit cards.

but fortunately my trunk is loaded down with stuff. i spent waaaaay more than i should have on my shtf stuff though, all in all i wound up spending about $300 on shtf gear.

that's not including guns and the like.

just little things...
 
My wallet usually has only $1-40 in it precisely because everything else (gas, dinner, groceries, etc.) are expensive enough that I use the debit card instead.

The $15 was what I recall someone tossing out for the "dollar store BOB" challenge. If you're buying a BOB on much less than that, the dollar store won't help much.

There were several times I mulled over substitutions. Sewing kit, soap, food, playing cards, TP, etc. ... an argument for lots of stuff could easily be made. Some choices were based on the scenario I had in mind at the moment I was in the store. $4 on electronics could just as easily gone to other things. Personalize it!
 
Don't be insulting, issac. Just because you don't understand something instantly doesn't mean there isn't a good reason. :fire:

For now, suffice to say cash costs me more to use than a debit card. My bank isn't local so ATM withdrawls cost extra.
 
issac,
I would love to carry around a $100, not afraid of it at all.
Wanna give me $100 to tote.
Hell I can't even remember the last time I had a 20 all to myself.

Sam
 
Back on topic boys...This is a good'n

:cool: ....
Great idea but what about the rice? Isn't it going to use a lot of water? True it is a bunch of meals in one though. Peanutbutter and afew of those ramen noodle cups for a change of pace(the ones with dehydrated shrimp, chicken, or beef). This way you don't use much more than a cup of water for a decent(well hot anyway) meal :eek: . Add some trail mix to the BOB and you got light weight, high calorie food that don't spoil or need alot of water to prepare. Hell throw the rice in there too, it's light :D...Atleast 2 gallons of water(around 16 lbs leaves my little body with about 34#'s of guns food ammo and supplies(which of course gets split 50/50 on guns & ammo/Food & supplies:evil: ).

You guys are the bomb! I can see an almost weekly challenge coming :cool: ...
How about a BOB that weighs no more than 50#'s that has to include 2 gallons of water, 1 long gun+ammo(atleast 50rnds), 1 sidearm+ammo(atleast 24rnds), and food for a week. I may have to start that thread :eek: ...

PS- I chose 50#'s because I am a little guy(but wirey), and could comfortably carry that without quickly fatiguing.
 
I think a monthly challenge is a great idea. May be we can have it side by side with the monthly shooting competition.

-Pat
 
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