How to Prep for 90 Days Without Breaking the Bank

Realistic Prepping for Newbies. No Tinfoil Hat Required 

In today’s world, prepping isn’t just for doomsday prophets or conspiracy theorists. More and more everyday Americans, and people all over the world for that matter, are realizing the value of being prepared for the unexpected. You can look no further than to the news for the headlines of what chaos ensued when the lights went out.

With all of the craziness that can potentially strike in a long term scenario without power, you don’t want to let Mother Nature team up with Murphy’s Law for your plan of survival.

Whether it’s a supply chain disruption, job loss, natural disaster, or civil unrest, being able to sustain yourself and your family for 90 days is a smart, achievable goal.

You don’t need to move off-grid or drop thousands on gear. We’re looking at you, Bitcoin owners. You just need a plan, some strategic shopping, and a bit of common sense. This guide walks you through the five key areas of any realistic prep plan: food, water, communications, power, and protection, with a focus on cost-effective options that don’t sacrifice reliability. 

But before we dive in, just a quick note: some of the links in this article are affiliate links. That means if you decide to buy something through one of them, we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps support the site and keeps the content free and honest.

Food: Calories Are King

If you’re planning for 90 days, your priority isn’t gourmet meals, it’s staying fed with enough energy to function. Stocking up on calorie-dense, shelf-stable foods from your local store is far more affordable (and faster) than ordering bulk freeze-dried meals.

What to Focus On:

• Staples: White rice, dry beans, pasta, oats, flour, and sugar, cheap, easy to store, and filling. These are great to have on hand, and can last you a lot longer than 90 days if it really hits the fan. 

• Canned goods: Chili, vegetables, soups, tuna, chicken, and fruit. Often overlooked are deviled ham, and canned Vienna sausages. Rotate them into your regular meals to keep inventory fresh.

• High-calorie backups: Peanut butter, granola, powdered milk, and instant mashed potatoes.

Budget Tip: Add $10 – $20 worth of shelf-stable foods to your grocery run each week. In three months, you’ll have most of your 90-day supply without feeling the hit. 

Water: Store Now, Filter Later

Water is non-negotiable. Without it, you won’t last three days, let alone 90. Each person needs about one gallon per day for drinking, cooking, and minimal hygiene. For a family of four, that’s over 350 gallons. That may sound crazy, but it’s manageable if you take a hybrid approach.

What to Do:

• Store: Reuse 2-liter soda bottles, buy 5-gallon jugs, or use food-grade barrels. Start small.

• Filter: Buy a reliable water filter like the Sawyer Mini or LifeStraw for emergency sourcing.

• Collect: Set up a basic rainwater catchment system if you’re in a rain-prone region.

Budget Tip: Water storage is almost free if you repurpose containers and rotate every six months. The real investment should be in a quality filter.

Communications: Know What’s Happening, Stay in Touch

When power or cell towers go down, the right comms can keep you informed, and possibly alive. If you’re not ready to dive into ham radio, there are simple, budget-friendly tools to get you started.

Must-Haves:

• Emergency radio: Look for a hand-crank radio so you can check weather updates and prepare your tasks around weather conditions accordingly. 

• FRS/GMRS radios: For local team or family use. No license needed for basic channels. Having multiple FRS radios on hand can be useful in case you need a backup or have multiple people who need to communicate. 

• Printed contact list: Phone batteries die, write down key numbers and keep them with your gear. This is so often understated, but seriously ask yourself right now, do you know your family’s contact #’s by heart? Most of us just click a button and the phone rings without even dialing numbers anymore. Even if you know the number someone else may not know it and so giving them a way to reach key people during a crisis is a good to do.  

Energy: Power the Essentials

You won’t run your AC or TV on a prepper budget, but you can keep your comms, lights, and phone charged. When power goes out, even basic electricity becomes a huge force multiplier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smart Energy Choices:

 

• Solar power bank: A solid model that charges phones, radios, and small devices will serve you well when there’s no other power sources around. A solar power bank can help to recharge essentials like a GPS, flashlight, or small portable fan. Yes, a fan. Sometimes having some way to keep the normalcy during a long power outage can really help. 

• Rechargeable batteries: Buy AA/AAA rechargeables with a USB charger to power flashlights and headlamps.

• LED lighting: Battery-powered lanterns, motion lights, and headlamps are efficient and reliable.

Budget Tip: Avoid gas generators if money’s tight. Focus on silent, maintenance-free solar options for critical gear only.

Protection: Layered Security, Not Overkill

Security isn’t just about firearms, it’s about deterring threats, hardening your home, and having a plan. That said, if you legally own guns, make sure they’re maintained, loaded, and accessible.

What to Consider:

• Physical security: Install motion lights, reinforce doors, use privacy film on windows, and post visible warning signs.

• Self-defense tools: If a firearm isn’t feasible, consider pepper spray, tactical flashlights, or even wasp spray (in a pinch).

• Situational awareness: This is free, and often more important than gear. Pay attention, keep a low profile, and avoid unnecessary confrontation.

Budget Tip: The most effective protection is a mix of strong locks, a dog, good neighbors, and not looking like an easy target.

Final Thoughts

Prepping for 90 days on a budget isn’t about fear, it’s about responsibility. You don’t need bunkers or bug-out vehicles to get started. Just build your plan one piece at a time, prioritize needs over wants, and stay consistent.

Every can of food, every gallon of water, every flashlight you store brings you one step closer to peace of mind when it matters most.

Want more guides like this? We’ll be covering specific gear setups, meal plans, and checklists in future articles. Bookmark  RedStateRange and stay one step ahead of the chaos.