Dollar Tree Preparedness List

While I don’t recommend you purchase certain items from the Dollar Tree, I do recommend you read labels and stock up on what you can. Keep in mind that while most of these items are $1.00 or $1.25, it’s literally some of the cheapest bottom of the barrel items and the food is loaded with GMO’s, artificial sweeteners, artificial coloring, MSG and God only knows what else. Choose carefully based on your personal food beliefs.

Some things to consider when shopping at Dollar Tree (or really any dollar type store), is that you are not buying the highest quality merchandise, it’s really going to be worth the price you pay. You should check expiration dates and if the product should have one but doesn’t, put it back and get it somewhere else. Many of the food products have GMOs, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, MSG, artificial preservatives and even chemical residues. Be careful to read labels and understand what you are buying before putting it in your cart. Remember, just because it says ‘sugar’ as an ingredient, doesn’t mean it’s pure cane sugar as it could be derived from GMO corn or GMO sugar beets.

Another thing to consider is that in SHTF situations you do NOT want individuals around you to be able to detect you because they can smell ‘lilac valley fragrance’ or ‘Hawaiian rose blossom’. Limit your soaps to being either unscented or the lightest possible scent. Keep in mind that an animal’s sense of smell is stronger than ours and the clothes that your wife doused in Gain Lavender Fields is likely to alert your local deer and rabbits.

• Jugs of Water (drinking, brushing teeth, bathing, washing hands, etc)
• Tampons and Pads (not best quality but will work in a pinch)
• Sewing Kits (in SHTF scenarios you could use for wounds but obviously repairing clothing)
• Candles, Lighters & Matches (Do not buy scented candles, buy the unscented, basic plain white variety)
• Hygiene Products (Read those labels! Toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, nail clippers etc.)
• Zip Ties (so many uses! ideally, you want to have a variety of sizes available)
• Baby Wipes (so many uses but great when water isn’t available for bathing)
• Salt, pepper and single herbs/spices (watch out for imitation ingredients and MSG)
• Laundry or Hand Soap
• Hand Sanitizer
• Basic First Aid Supplies (tape, bandages, non-stick pads, antibiotic gel, etc.)
• Flashlights & Batteries (the batteries are not long lasting but would be good in a pinch)
• Paracord
• Duct Tape
• OTC Name Brand Pain Relievers (While it’s not ideal to purchase small use packages, these are great for your Bug Out Bags and your emergency car supplies.
• Antacids, Anti-Diarrheal Meds
• Lysol Anti-bacterial Wipes
• Bungee Cords
• Sterno Camping Fuel (available when in season)
• Canned Vegetables
• Canned Fruits
• Canned Meat or Meals
• Hair Brushes & Combs
• Compact Mirrors
• Cotton Balls, Pads & Vaseline
• Dish Towels, Gloves & Steel Wool
• Emergency Cell Phone Chargers
• Eyeglass Repair Kit
• Facial Tissues, in both travel for (Bug Out Bags) and larger for stockpile
• Funnels (for kitchen use and for automotive fluid use)
• Gardening & Workmans Gloves
• Ice Packs
• Box Cutters & Blades
• Magnifying Glass
• Nails & Screws (while I wouldn’t use them to build a hurricane proof house, they can be great in a pinch)
• Playing Cards
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Socks (not the highest quality, but good for Bug Out Bags)
• Super Glue
• Fabric Tote Bags
• Twine
• Bleach
• Ziplock & Trash Bags (not the best price per bag but great for single use packing)