When we talk about ways to increase your prepping budget with the money you already have it means managing your money, and paying attention to where every penny you spend goes. You can make your dollars go farther by simply creating a budget, and sticking to it.

At first it can be hard, but don’t get discouraged. Just like everything we do, with practice and dedication you will create a habit. But you have to stick with it, and it will become easier each time. YOU can do it! Pay attention to what you spend on a daily basis, and keep track of it.

Don’t Talk Yourself Into Buying Something.

Always ask yourself do you really need it? And if you do, why do you need it? Is it something you can use every day? How will this purchase make your life better? Does it serve a purpose? Is the purchase a want, or a need?

If you can, wait to make the purchase until you are sure you really need it. Don’t fall for the impulse buy, wait at least 24 hours, or longer if you can before making the purchase. Companies spend millions of dollars in order to find out what it is that create the perfect buying environment, don’t fall for it!

Think about the purchase before you make it! Don’t make excused for the purchase, like I will be able to use it for something, it is a great deal, or it’s on sale. Do your research and your homework before spending your hard earned dollars.

Prioritize and Plan Your Purchases.

Have a deliberate plan before running out to the store. Don’t buy based on emotion. If you have a plan, you will be focused, and make a more responsible buying decision. If you go to the store to shop when you are sad or bored, you will spend money you don’t need to. Have a plan, and stick to it.

Prioritize what you need, and how you intend to be able to purchase the items. You can consider it a list, or write it out as goals that you want to achieve in order to be more prepared.

This is as simple as packing your lunch for work, or not stopping at the coffee shop every day. If you packed your lunch, you could be saving yourself at least $25.00 a week. If you stop for coffee every day, and spend $5.00 a day, there is another $25.00 a week. So by simply packing your lunch, and bringing your coffee from home, you could be saving at least $50.00 a week!

Don’t justify the eating out and coffee habit by thinking you deserve it. Yes, you do deserve to eat, but you also deserve to keep the money you work so hard for. That extra $50.00 a week could be your grocery budget for the month, or it could add to your long term food storage, or it could be money you save for your emergency fund. Don’t get distracted, make the time to pack your lunch, and bring beverages from home.

Suggested Reading: The Most Important Prepping Gear

Set Short Term and Long Term Goals

If you know where your money is going, it is a lot easier to understand the places in your budget where you can save money. Create a budget and stick to it. If you are likely to pull money out of the bank, leave the credit cards at home (or better yet, cut them up to resist the temptation of using them.)

Stop justifying your indulgences. If everything were to go to crap,