Essential Emergency Supplies on a Budget of $1000

This is a great question. First and foremost, ensure you do not go out and panic buy! Take your time to consider the items you want to purchase, their use-by dates if any, and most importantly, check what supplies you already have in your cupboards, fridge, or freezer. If you're going for food and cleaning supplies, it is wise to start with what you have and build from there as needed.

Basic Inventory Recommendations

Starting off with your basic inventory, here is my list:

Enough food including dry foods for at least 1 month.
You can always top up your supplies over a period of time to reach this goal. Hence, no need to clean the supermarket shelves in one foul swoop.

Dish washing and washing liquid or powder
- 1 in use and 1 in storage.

Back up supplies
1 each of the following as backups: a box of paper towels, a box of tissues, and a packet of toilet paper. Again, 1 in use and 1 in storage.

2-3 packets of Bi-Carb soda
Depending on the size of the packet - a very handy and versatile cleaning agent as well as an inexpensive air purifying system. 1 extra in storage of toilet and/or bathroom cleaner.

These items cover the basic groceries and household supplies. Depending on the size of your family, adjust accordingly. However, be smart, be sensible, and use a substantial amount of common sense. You will not starve during this pandemic crisis as there is no country in the world that has shut its supermarkets. So, remember that others also need to obtain groceries to feed their families.

Additional Items to Consider for Saving Money

Now, depending on what the above does cost you, here are some additional items you may want to consider to help you save both within the immediate future and/or down the track:

Inexpensive water filtration system and a few water bottles, how many up to you. If you have been into buying bottled water, unless you reside in a country where bottled water is important, you can chill your own water if you don't like water from a tap with a water filtration system. And there you have it—bottled water without the expense.

Inexpensive coffee machine. If you like cappuccinos, why not make your own? Obtain the pods and milk frother, and there you are—drink up as many cappuccinos as you want. Much cheaper than buying at a local cafe or restaurant.

If you are still working:

Lunch box and/or small esky to take your food, snacks, and drinks in. You'll save heaps if you take your lunch, snacks, and drinks to work rather than paying for them. Inexpensive air fryer to cook your food. It’s amazing what you can cook in an air fryer, and the food tastes better. Plus, you use less electricity or gas, and it cooks faster.

Maybe some small exercise equipment. I will leave this up to you to research and decide. Now, don't go the whole hog as you can easily spend your $1000 on these types of items alone. The reason I saw exercise equipment is if you have lost your job and want to stay fit. Exercise will improve your physical, mental, and emotional well-being whilst you look for another job. The equipment is optional at best because if you can still walk around your home and nearby suburbs, then all you require is your 2 legs to do so.

Talking about staying at home, if possible and feasible, maybe now is the time to get into some gardening. No, I don't mean plant a tree near your house. Why not plant some vegetable seedlings, nurture, and watch them grow. You'll have fresh vegetables down the track and be more self-sufficient. That is, if you have the space to do so. Or alternatively, look for some alternate ways to grow vegetables if you don't have a backyard.

Lighting Solutions

Check your lighting and install LED lights if possible, as well as battery/solar sensor lights. You will save heaps on electricity. Light up dark rooms not often in use and/or hallways and/or verandahs with battery/solar sensor lights to avoid having to turn on the electric lights unnecessarily.

Planning and Budgeting

These are my top seven items that you can gradually purchase over time. Again, no need to go out and panic buy. Simply take one step at a time and you will get there.

In conclusion, I'm sure you can come up with other things for your list. Why not start a spreadsheet? List all the items you're thinking of purchasing, then list all the relevant prices after you have undertaken your full research, as well as the company that will provide the said items. This way, you're sticking to your $1000 budget and not spending willy-nilly. With each item, weigh up the pros and cons to make a decision to keep on the list or omit from the list, so that you still stay within your $1000.

To Your Continued Success.