We all have our favorite items that we have stored or stockpiled in case the SHTF. Oddly enough, my three favorite preparedness items are relatively easy to acquire. My favorite items are both useful, shareable, and barterable.

I like preparedness items that will be beneficial on my homestead. We intend to ride out anything we can on our little slice of Earth and have no intention of fleeing unless it’s absolutely necessary. Because of that, personally, my only goal won’t be to help myself and my family. I want to be able to help those who simply forget or don’t think too deeply about preparedness beyond putting a little food away for a blizzard. That’s why I have chosen these items as my favorites. They can help others in a pinch and at the end of the day, the world needs more unity, not less. So why not help out if you can?

#1 – Can Openers

I have several (seven, actually) brand new handheld (not electric) can openers still in their packages with our stockpiled canned goods. Many people I meet who first get into prepping tend to forget these and continue to rely on their electric can opener. You can get into your canned foods without a can opener, but these make it so much easier. If one breaks, you have a spare. If one gets too dull to do the job anymore, you have a spare.  If your neighbor forgets to store one or breaks theirs, or loses it, you have a bartering item. And these are so inexpensive, that you could just give one to those who may really need it. I usually pick up can openers that are more of a mid-range in price, but for $11 or so, you can have a pretty decent one. Just stack it next to your canned goods and leave it there.

#2 Lighters

Most of us have candles stockpiled if we are preppers, and we have items to make starting a fire easier. We all like the propane torches and I am no different! They will easily start a fire for you! But I also stockpile regular lighters.  I regularly buy these in bulk from Amazon and keep them stored away. If you store these, you need to check them fairly often.  They can go bad, and some will leak the fuel, rendering them worthless. Just toss those and buy a few more in bulk. These will also be useful when people who don’t store these use the fuel up in theirs. It’s another useful tool that can be bartered. I use these to light candles, but if you run out of propane tanks for your torch, you could light a vaseline-soaked cotton ball to help you start a fire in a wood-burning stove with your little lighter. That brings me to the next item.

#3 Woodburning Stove

This is the most expensive item on the list. If you do not have a backup heat source that is considered “off-grid,” I suggest you look for one! A wood-burning stove is an excellent option. If the grid goes down, you will still have heat. Nothing beats the simplicity of a wood-burning stove or the dry heat it gives off. If it’s too dry, put a cast iron tea kettle on top of your stove and fill it with water. As the stove heats up, it will boil off the water releasing humidity into your home. Remember, there is always a solution to any “problem” of having something that could be essential to your survival. You will have to rely on getting firewood, but you could also store it up during the summer and use it slowly as you need to during the winter. If you are the only one with a heated home, you can invite your friends or neighbors over to warm up with you.

Take the Frustration Out of Chopping Firewood With This Quick Tip

The Best Firewood For Heating

What are your favorite preparedness items? Are your reasons the same or do you have others? Let us know in the comment section!