5 Free Preps You Can Do Right Now | Episode 486

Author: Survival Punk
Published: Mon 25 Aug 2025
Episode Link: https://www.survivalpunk.com/5-free-preps-you-can-do-right-now-episode-486/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-free-preps-you-can-do-right-now-episode-486

5 Free Preps You Can Do Right Now | Episode 486

Prepping on a Budget

Inflation is crazy, the world’s uncertain, and there’s no shortage of saber-rattling and noise out there. But prepping doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, some of the best preps you can make won’t cost you a dime. Today, I’m breaking down five free preps you can do right now to tighten up your readiness without spending a penny.

1. Take Stock of Your Inventory

Most preppers don’t actually know what they’ve got. You might think you’re sitting on six months of food, but until you count it, you don’t know. Grab a notebook or open a spreadsheet. Write down each item, servings, calories per serving, and total calories.

At the end, you’ll have a big-picture view of how many days your food storage really buys you at 2,000 calories per person. Do the same with non-food items like toothpaste and toilet paper. Track usage so you know how long things last. It’s a pain to set up, but once it’s done, it’s one of the most powerful tools in your prepper arsenal.

2. Write Down Your Plans

Gear is great, but plans keep you alive. Take an afternoon to write out bug-in and bug out plans. Where will your family meet if there’s a fire? What’s the backup route to your bug out location? Do you have a binder with maps, phone numbers, and instructions for backup power?

Don’t just keep it all in your head. Write it down. Add photos where it makes sense—like how to hook up the generator or switch over to a battery backup. If something happens to you, your spouse or kids should be able to follow the instructions without guesswork.

3. Run a Blackout Drill

Most of us won’t face total collapse tomorrow—but we’ll all deal with power outages. They’re common, and they’re the perfect training ground.

Flip the breaker and live without electricity for a few hours. Grab your blackout kit (flashlights, candles, lanterns, board games) and see what holes show up. Test your backup power sources, and if your spouse or kids don’t know how to run the generator, make them do it. Teaching someone else locks the skill in their memory.

4. Get Physical

One of the most overlooked preps is physical fitness. Don’t be obese. Don’t let preventable health problems take you out before disaster does. Survival is physical—you’ll be walking, carrying, chopping, hauling.

You don’t need a gym membership. Go hiking. Play a sport. Toss a disc at the park. Do bodyweight workouts at home. Just move. Fitness is free, and it increases your odds of survival more than another gadget ever will.

5. Learn a Skill

Skills don’t take up space, they can’t be stolen, and they’re free to practice. YouTube, blogs, and even this podcast are full of knowledge. Go outside and build a figure-four deadfall trap. Practice primitive cordage. Learn knots. Try a free project like landscaping with found materials.

Pick something that interests you and dive in. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just practice. The more skills you have, the less gear you need.

Final Thoughts

Prepping isn’t just about stockpiling—it’s about being resourceful, adaptable, and ready. These five preps cost nothing but time and effort, and they’ll put you miles ahead of the average person. Don’t wait for “someday.” Start today.

Listen to Episode 486 of the Survival Punk Podcast for the full breakdown.