Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and it’s a chilly 45-degree morning out here — perfect weather to talk about one of my favorite survival topics that applies to everyone, every day: saving money like a prepper.

Because the cold truth is this: everything costs more, wages haven’t kept up, and if you aren’t intentional, your money will evaporate faster than a Taco Bell taco in the hands of a 90s kid.

Today we’re hitting three big money-saving pillars straight from my own life:
cutting your own hair, eating at home, and never paying retail.
These simple habits save me thousands every year — and they’ll do the same for you.

This whole episode started because I needed a haircut. I got a coupon in the mail — $12. And you know what? That used to be normal. Now haircuts are routinely 20 bucks, 30 bucks, and sports-themed haircut chains are selling $50 “premium” haircuts like they’re spa days.

Here’s the reality:
Haircuts are becoming outrageous.
But you don’t have to play that game.

During COVID, when barber shops closed, I bought a pair of clippers and started cutting my own hair again. And guess what? It works. It’s not a complicated haircut — just short, clean, and functional.

If you’re a guy, you can absolutely learn to do it yourself. Even George Clooney cuts his own damn hair with a Flowbee. If it’s good enough for Batman’s older cousin, it’s good enough for us.

Saving breakdown:

$25 every two weeks = $50/month = $600/year
Do that for 10 years? $6,000 saved.

That’s not tiny money. That’s debt freedom money.

I’m not anti–fast food. I grew up in the 90s. Taco Bell was the promised land.

But the price today?
Holy shit.

My wife, daughter, and I stopped for a tiny snack at Taco Bell — we’re talking a quesadilla, two crunchy tacos, some chicken strips, and chips and cheese.

The total? $25.
For basically nothing.

McDonald’s?
Restaurants?
Take your family and you’re dropping a hundred bucks without blinking.

And the food quality? Worse. The oil? Sunflower oil — and the taste hits like a slap from a vegan with an essential-oil diffuser.

Eating out simply isn’t worth it anymore.

When you cook at home:

Ingredients are cheaper

You control the quality

You can cook better than most restaurants with a little YouTube learning

YouTube chefs (especially the UK Michelin-star guys) will show you tricks that instantly level up your home cooking — for free.

You get better food for a fraction of the price.

This one’s simple:
Retail is a scam.

My daughter’s Christmas present this year is a Nintendo Switch — but we bought it refurbished from Walmart.com. It works perfectly, cost way less, and she’s 6. She won’t notice the difference, and even if she did… who cares? It’s smart.

Same with her iPad. Refurbished. Perfect.

Same with tools, gear, clothing, electronics — if you can get it second-hand, refurbished, or marketplace-sourced, do it.

Ways to avoid retail (and taxes):

Facebook Marketplace

Craigslist (if it still exists…)

eBay

Yard sales

Classifieds

WhatNot (if you avoid the gambling-style scams)

Paying retail + paying taxes = financial suicide.

When you can get something used AND avoid taxes?
Double win.

And yes, bartering counts too. If money doesn’t change hands, neither do taxes.

Saving money isn’t a sacrifice — it’s a survival skill.

Cut your own hair.
Eat at home.
Never pay retail.

These aren’t just frugal hacks — they’re prepper habits that give you financial breathing room, reduce stress, and help you survive everything from inflation to job loss to surprise expenses.

This has been James from SurvivalPunk.com — DIY to survive, and keep your money where it belongs: with YOU.

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The post Saving Money Like a Prepper | Episode 545 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Why Prepping Isn’t Stupid (Skills and Stuff) | Episode 544

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and this morning it’s a cool 40 degrees — perfect weather to rant about something spicy: a YouTube commenter who proudly declared that “prepping is stupid.”

Yeah.
He said that on a prepping podcast video.
Bold move, Cotton.

But this episode isn’t just me roasting one random dude with a strong opinion and weak logic — it’s a deep dive into why prepping isn’t stupid, why skills matter, and why it’s not an either/or choice.

Some people hear “prepping” and picture doomsday bunkers, blue helmets, and grocery carts full of MREs. It’s because shows like Doomsday Preppers cherry-picked the wildest people they could find and told the world, “Yep, that’s all of them.”

In reality, prepping is simple:

You have food.

You have water.

You have money set aside.

You have gear that makes life easier in emergencies.

If your alternator dies and you have an emergency fund?
You don’t care. You swipe the card. You go home.

If the grid goes down for a snowstorm and you’ve got a stocked pantry?
You’re chilling at home watching flakes fall instead of panic-buying Pop-Tarts with the rest of Tennessee.

If your car breaks down on a back road but you’ve got a jump pack and air compressor?
You’re out of there in minutes — not hours.

Prepping isn’t stupid.
Living life one inconvenience away from panic is stupid.

The comment that started this whole episode said something like:
“Prepping is stupid. Only survival skills matter.”

Here’s the truth:
Skills are absolutely important — but acting like you can friction-fire your way through life while owning nothing is delusional.

Skills and stuff complement each other.

Skills that matter:

Making a friction fire

Foraging

Processing animals

Fixing your own gear

Identifying edible plants

First-aid

Mechanical basics

But skills without supplies? You’re struggling for no reason.
And supplies without skills? You’re a hoarder, not a prepper.

It’s a ratio — never a replacement.

You don’t pick one.
You build both.

Some folks only prep for the Big One — EMPs, civil war, global collapse, alien invasion, EMP-powered alien civil war… whatever’s trending on TikTok doom feeds.

The truth? Most disasters you’ll face are boring and personal:

A job loss

A blown transmission

A week of snow

A sick kid

A broken fridge

A medical bill

A supply chain hiccup

A day when you just don’t want to leave the house

Prepping isn’t about apocalypse fantasies.
It’s about making daily life easier, safer, and stress-free.

When shit goes wrong, your stress stays low because you planned ahead. That’s it.

I’ve been prepping since 2008–2009. I’ve met folks prepping since the 70s. No one has seen a full-blown societal collapse — but here’s what we have seen:

Cars break.

Alternators die.

Power goes out.

Food shortages hit shelves.

Severe storms lock you in for a week.

Sick days happen.

Money gets tight.

Having:

A stocked pantry

A jump pack

Backup water

A bug spray in your car

Extra batteries

A few MREs

A warm blanket

A first-aid kit

An emergency fund

…solves 95% of real-world emergencies.
Not stupid.
Smart.

Could you survive off friction fire and foraging alone?
No. You couldn’t. Humans today don’t live like Paleolithic gods.

But can you use those skills to stretch stored food, supplement protein, and gain independence?
Absolutely.

Skills make your preps last longer.
Preps give you the buffer you need to use your skills safely.

That’s the synergy.

Prepping isn’t stupid.
Not having food, water, money, or plans is stupid.

Skills matter.
Gear matters.

Together, they make your life better, easier, calmer, and more resilient.

Let the internet trolls say whatever they want — meanwhile, you’re out here actually improving your life.

This has been James from SurvivalPunk.com — DIY to survive, and don’t let dumb comments live rent-free in your brain.

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Lost on a Back Road — Lessons from a Halloween Breakdown | Episode 543

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s a crisp 47-degree morning — not too bad, especially after the 29-degree ones I’ve been talking through lately. Today’s show comes straight from a listener story that could’ve ended badly but turned into a great learning moment for every prepper out there.

We’re talking about what to do when your car dies in the middle of nowhere, how to avoid being caught unprepared, and how a simple breakdown can expose the holes in your prepping game.

A listener — who’s also become a friend through the blog — shared this story. On Halloween, she went to a wedding with her 7-year-old daughter. After the wedding, the little one still wanted to go trick-or-treating (because of course she did).

They hit a few houses, got some candy, and then headed out to a friend’s house — down a series of back roads deep in the woods. We’re talking bum-f** Egypt* type country.

Halfway there, the headlights started to dim. And if you know anything about cars, that’s the moment your stomach drops. Sure enough — the alternator went out.

It’s dark, it’s cold, there’s no cell service, and she’s wearing a dress from the wedding. Her daughter’s scared, the car dies, and they’re stuck on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.

That’s a prepper’s nightmare — and the kind of story you learn from.

Here’s the reality: she’s a prepper, but like all of us, she wasn’t 100% prepped all the time.

Her headlamp was at home.
No bug-out bag in the car.
No get-home bag.
No jump pack.

But here’s the important part — she knew what went wrong and asked, “What can I do better next time?”

That’s how you get stronger. Every failure is a checklist for the next upgrade.

First off — build a small get-home bag for your car. You don’t need to go overboard or haul a 60-pound rucksack.

Just a small backpack with:

A headlamp (battery-powered or rechargeable)

Backup batteries

A bottle of water or two

A snack — beef sticks, Clif bars, or something sweet like Oreos for stress moments

A first-aid kit

Lighter or firestarter

Basic multitool or knife

You don’t need to be a doomsday movie hero — just cover the basics that’ll help you walk a few miles safely if your car craps out.

The number one piece of gear that would’ve helped in this case?
A jump pack.

These are small, portable batteries that can jump-start your car — no second vehicle needed.

Buy one that charges through your car’s cigarette lighter, and keep it plugged in so it’s always topped off. They can also charge your phone or power small devices in an emergency.

Pro Tip: If your alternator dies, a jump pack might not get you home — but it can get you close. Sometimes that’s all you need.

Next must-have: a 12V air compressor and a tire plug kit.

These two items will save your ass more than anything else in your car. Forget quarters at the gas station — just plug it into your power port and fill your tire on the spot.

Pair that with a small plug kit, and you can fix 90% of flat-tire issues without calling anyone.

She was coming from a wedding — in dress shoes and a formal outfit. Perfect for a photo, terrible for a hike.

Keep a pair of sneakers or hiking boots in your trunk. You don’t realize how far “just down the road” can be until you’re walking it in the dark in bad shoes.

Also: throw in a small blanket or poncho liner. Hypothermia sneaks up fast in a dead car at night.

Always keep your phone charged while driving.
It’s a habit that’ll save you someday.

Add a power bank to your get-home bag — one that holds at least 10,000 mAh. And if you really want to go next level, keep a burner phone or prepaid flip phone in the car. It might get service when your main one doesn’t.

If you’re mechanically inclined, you can build a dual-battery setup — one main battery and one backup, wired to charge while you drive. If your alternator dies, you can swap them manually.

It’s a more advanced setup, but it gives you real redundancy.

Finally — get AAA or a roadside assistance plan.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s saved me more than once.

A single tow without coverage can cost you hundreds. AAA is peace of mind for around $100 a year. Get the upgraded plan — it’s worth it.

Prepping isn’t about being perfect — it’s about learning from close calls.

This listener did everything right after things went wrong: she stayed calm, assessed the situation, and asked how to be better next time.

You can’t plan for everything, but you can stack the odds in your favor with a good car kit, a jump pack, a charged phone, and a little bit of common sense.

Because survival isn’t just about the apocalypse — it’s about nights like this.

This has been James from SurvivalPunk.com — DIY to survive, and keep learning from the small stuff before it becomes big stuff.

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Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and this morning we’re cranking out Part 2 of the Pantry Sauce series. Last time we hit the classics — brown gravy, white gravy, and curry — the stuff that keeps morale high when the pantry’s looking rough.

Today, we’re going international and versatile — diving into mustard, tomato, teriyaki, satay, and cheese sauces, all made from long-term storage ingredients. You don’t need fresh milk or fancy condiments — just shelf-stable pantry goods and a little DIY grit.

Because bland rice and beans should never break your spirit.

This one’s simple, cheap, and goes with everything. You can use it for meats, potatoes, or as a dip.

Pantry Ingredients:

Mustard powder (or leftover jar mustard)

Vinegar or lemon juice

A bit of sugar or honey

Salt, pepper, and optional cayenne

Butter or oil for richness

How to Make It:

Heat your fat (butter or oil) in a pan.

Whisk in mustard powder — about 2 tablespoons.

Add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.

Stir in a teaspoon of sugar or honey for balance.

Add a bit of water or broth to thin it to sauce consistency.

This sauce is all about balancing tang and heat. Want it richer? Add a spoonful of powdered milk or mayo.

Prepper Tip: Make it thick for dipping or thin it out to drizzle over meats — it stores well sealed in the fridge or cool space for a week.

A base for pasta, pizza, or anything that needs acidity and depth.

Pantry Ingredients:

Tomato paste or canned tomato

Olive oil (or any oil)

Dried onion, garlic, oregano, basil

Sugar and salt

Vinegar or red wine (optional, for acidity)

How to Make It:

Heat oil, add garlic and onion (dried or powdered works fine).

Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste. Let it cook — you gotta fry the paste to get rid of that tinny flavor.

Add water slowly until it’s as thick or thin as you want.

Season with salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and a pinch of sugar.

Simmer for 10–15 minutes.

Prepper Tip: Add powdered Parmesan or nutritional yeast for extra umami. You can also blend in dehydrated veggies for body.

Teriyaki is all about sweet-salty balance — it’s your gateway to making bland canned chicken taste like restaurant food.

Pantry Ingredients:

Soy sauce

Brown sugar or honey

Garlic powder

Ginger powder

Vinegar or rice wine vinegar

Cornstarch for thickening

How to Make It:

Combine ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup sugar or honey, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp ginger powder, and 1 tbsp vinegar in a small pot.

Simmer on low until the sugar dissolves.

Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 2 tsp water and whisk it in slowly.

Let it thicken and coat a spoon.

Prepper Tip: Store it thick for glaze, or thin it out with water for marinade. It keeps for weeks and even works great as a stir-fry base.

Peanut butter isn’t just for sandwiches — it’s one of the best protein-rich bases for sauces.

Pantry Ingredients:

Peanut butter

Soy sauce

Honey or sugar

Garlic powder

Vinegar or lime juice

Water or coconut milk (powdered works too)

How to Make It:

In a saucepan, whisk together ½ cup peanut butter, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp garlic powder.

Slowly add water or reconstituted coconut milk until smooth and creamy.

Simmer for 3–5 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Prepper Tip: This one’s insanely versatile — toss with noodles, drizzle on rice, or use as a cold dipping sauce. It’s high-calorie, nutrient-dense, and shelf-stable.

When everything feels bleak, nothing beats melty, salty, cheesy goodness.

Pantry Ingredients:

Powdered milk

Butter or oil

Flour

Powdered or shredded cheese (Cheddar powder, Velveeta, etc.)

Mustard powder and salt for flavor

How to Make It:

Melt butter (2 tbsp) and whisk in 2 tbsp flour for a quick roux.

Add 1 cup reconstituted milk slowly, whisking until smooth.

Stir in cheese powder or shredded cheese a bit at a time.

Season with mustard powder, salt, and pepper.

Prepper Tip: Mix with pasta, pour over vegetables, or use as a base for casseroles. Store-bought cheese powder (like from popcorn kits) is perfect for long-term storage.

All five of these sauces take the same approach — fat, flavor, and balance.
If you can make these from your pantry, you’ll never get bored of eating the same staples.

You’ll also build real cooking confidence — not just heating things up, but transforming them.

These sauces are cheap, morale-boosting, and proof that prepping doesn’t mean punishment food.

Closing Thoughts
Cooking from scratch isn’t just a skill — it’s an act of rebellion. In a world hooked on instant packets and fast food, knowing how to make flavor from nothing is pure power.

Start mastering these now — before you need them.

Check out SurvivalPunk.com for show notes and prepper recipes.
And join the Survival Punk Army for early access, member perks, and more.

DIY to survive — and make it taste damn good while you’re at it.

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Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and this morning it’s a frosty 29 degrees out — perfect weather for a hot meal. Today’s episode is all about something that might not sound “tactical,” but will absolutely matter when food fatigue sets in: sauces and gravies from your prepper pantry.

If you’re living on beans, rice, and shelf-stable staples, flavor fatigue will crush morale faster than hunger. But the good news? With a few ingredients and basic know-how, you can turn bland into brilliant. Let’s dive in.

A lot of preppers stock calories but forget taste. The first few weeks of rice and beans might feel fine… until it doesn’t. That’s when sauces save the day.

Gravy, curry, mustard sauce — they all take the same cheap ingredients you’ve already got and make them taste different enough to stay exciting.

The real prepper advantage is knowing how to make them from scratch using long-term storage ingredients — because packets and cans eventually run out.

Once you learn the core concept, you can make any sauce with what’s on hand. Every good sauce needs:

Fat: butter, oil, margarine, bacon grease — whatever you have.

Flour or starch: for thickening (flour, cornstarch, potato starch, even arrowroot).

Liquid: water, broth, milk, canned tomato juice, or even reconstituted milk powder.

Acid: vinegar, mustard, or lemon juice to balance the fat.

That’s it. Learn that ratio — roughly equal parts fat and flour, then slowly whisk in liquid — and you’ve got a sauce.

This is the all-star for meats, potatoes, and rice.

How to Make It:

After cooking meat, leave the fond (those brown bits in the pan).

Add about a tablespoon of butter or fat and melt it on low heat.

Whisk in an equal amount of flour to make a roux.

Stir until it turns a toasted almond color — darker means deeper flavor.

Slowly add a cup of water or broth, stirring constantly to avoid clumps.

Let it simmer and thicken, scraping the fond off the bottom for maximum flavor.

When it coats the spoon, it’s done.

Add salt, pepper, and garlic at the end — not before. Reducing concentrates the flavor, and seasoning too early can make it salty.

Pro Tip: Drop in a pat of butter at the end for a glossy, restaurant-style shine.

A prepper favorite — because it’s basically sausage, flour, and milk magic.

How to Make It:

Cook sausage (or bacon) and save about 2 tablespoons of fat in the pan.

Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour and cook until bubbly — don’t let it brown.

Add 2 cups of milk (fresh, canned, or reconstituted).

Stir until it thickens and coats a spoon.

Finish with plenty of black pepper — it’s what makes white gravy taste like white gravy.

If you don’t have sausage, you can use butter or bacon grease instead. Powdered milk works just fine off-grid — just rehydrate it first.

Avoid canned white gravy if you can help it. It’s shelf-stable but the taste is… let’s just say it’s an emergency-only option.

Curry might not be a Southern staple, but it’s one of the best shelf-stable flavor bombs around.

How to Make It:

Start with your fat and flour base. Coconut oil or butter works great.

Stir in curry powder or your own mix of spices (turmeric, cumin, chili, paprika).

Add tomato paste and let it cook down.

Pour in a can of diced tomatoes and let it simmer until thick.

Add salt, cayenne, and pepper to taste.

Finish with a stick of butter and a splash of heavy cream or powdered milk.

If you want to go full comfort mode, throw in chicken and make it butter-chicken style.
Even people who claim to hate curry (looking at my wife here) can enjoy it when it’s rich, creamy, and balanced.

The more you practice these now, the better you’ll be when it counts.
Don’t wait until the grid’s down to learn sauce-making. You’ll make mistakes. You’ll burn a few batches. That’s fine — that’s how you get good.

Experiment with substitutions:

No butter? Try margarine or coconut oil.

No lemon? Use vinegar.

No broth? Use bouillon or even plain water.

It’s all about knowing the why, not just the recipe.

Food is survival — but taste is morale. Sauces are how you make cheap food taste rich, and boring meals feel special again.

So learn to make a brown gravy, a white gravy, and a curry. Practice now, while you’ve got plenty of ingredients and time.

Because when the lights go out and the rice gets old, flavor will be freedom.

For recipes, show notes, and more off-grid cooking ideas, visit SurvivalPunk.com — and if you dig the show, join the Survival Punk Army for early episodes and member perks.

DIY to survive — and don’t eat bland.

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EMP Myths vs. Reality | Episode 540

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re talking about one of the most hyped and misunderstood topics in the prepping world — EMPs: Myth vs. Reality.

We’ve all seen it — the bright flash in every apocalypse movie, every car dying on the highway, planes falling from the sky, and people suddenly living in the stone age. But how real is that? How much of what we think we know about EMPs is just Hollywood drama?

Let’s dig in and separate the facts from the fearmongering.

EMP stands for Electromagnetic Pulse — a surge of electromagnetic energy that can come from a few sources:

A nuclear detonation at high altitude (like in Jericho or One Second After).

A solar flare or coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun.

Or a directed energy weapon (think localized, tactical military use).

It’s not a fiery explosion. It’s a wave — an invisible surge that can overload electrical circuits. Depending on the strength, distance, and what’s connected, it can cause anything from a minor flicker to widespread infrastructure damage.

This is the big one. Hollywood loves to show EMPs as global kill-switches. Cars stop mid-drive, planes crash, and your smart fridge explodes in slow motion.

The truth? It depends.

A high-altitude nuclear EMP could affect a continent, but intensity drops with distance. Small, unconnected devices like flashlights, phones, or radios sitting unplugged in a drawer are likely fine.

Long conductive systems like power lines, antennas, and the grid itself act like giant antennas — those get fried first.
But your phone? It’s not a lightning rod.

Even the U.S. government’s EMP Commission tests (2008–2017) found that most small devices survived, especially those not plugged in.

So no, your pacemaker, insulin pump, or flashlight probably won’t spontaneously combust.

Thanks, Jericho and One Second After, for this one.

The idea that all vehicles instantly stall is cinematic, but not realistic.
In real tests by the Department of Energy, 37 vehicles from 1986–2002 were exposed to simulated EMP bursts. About 90% kept running.

Of the few that stalled, most restarted immediately.

Why?

The metal body of the car acts as a mini Faraday cage, providing natural shielding.

Modern cars have ECUs (Engine Control Units) that are designed with electromagnetic shielding.

Sure, older cars are easier to repair and less complex, but obsessing over owning a pre-1980 truck just for EMPs? That’s not the best use of time or money.
If you’re worried about collapse mobility, focus on fuel storage, not EMP-proof vehicles.

Here’s another misconception — that every phone, tablet, or laptop instantly dies.

Reality check: small, unconnected electronics are resilient.
Devices that aren’t plugged in or connected to long wires have minimal exposure area.

The real weak point isn’t your phone — it’s the grid that powers it.

If the grid fries, charging becomes your issue, not survivability. That’s why keeping a small solar charger or backup battery bank in a metal ammo can is smart, cheap insurance.

Prepper Tip: Repurpose your old smartphone as a “survival library.”
Load it up with offline PDFs, maps, first-aid manuals, and reference guides. Keep it charged occasionally and store it in a small metal ammo can — that’s your pocket-sized knowledge vault.

Even if most of your personal devices survive, the power grid and communication systems won’t.

Transformers, substations, and long transmission lines are prime targets for EMP energy. The grid is the Achilles’ heel — take it down, and everything built on top of it crumbles.

That means no water pumps, no internet, no fuel delivery. It’s not about gadgets — it’s about systems.

So the takeaway?
EMP isn’t the end of the world — it’s just a grid-down scenario with extra steps.

If you want to be smart (not paranoid) about EMPs:

Store a few essentials in a metal ammo can (radios, flashlights, solar chargers).

Print maps, keep cash, and store fuel.

Consider a whole-house surge protector or EMP shield if you live in lightning-heavy areas — it’s good general protection.

And above all: focus on redundancy, not fear.

As James says: “If your survival plan dies with your Wi-Fi, it was never a plan.”

The odds of a massive, nationwide EMP frying everything you own are low — but the odds of blackouts, cyberattacks, or grid failures are high.

Prepare for those, and you’re already EMP-ready by default.

Stop fixating on the flash. Start fortifying your fundamentals.

This has been James from SurvivalPunk.com — DIY to survive, and don’t let fear run your life.

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Shelf Life Secrets — Food That Lasts Decades | Episode 539

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and this morning we’re diving into one of my favorite prepper topics: food that lasts for decades. Not the trendy freeze-dried stuff or overpriced buckets — I’m talking about the staples you can buy cheap, store easily, and forget about until you need them.

These are the real long-haul preps — the ones that’ll outlast your pantry, your house, and maybe even you.

If you’ve got canned food — whether you made it yourself or bought it from the store — congratulations, you’ve already got food that can last practically forever.

As long as the can isn’t rusted, bulging, or leaking, the contents are almost certainly safe. The taste or texture might degrade over time (turning to mush, losing color, or tasting flat), but safety-wise? You’re golden.

I’ve personally eaten canned food that was a year or two past its expiration date, and I’m still here to tell the tale. The key is storage — keep cans cool, dry, and undamaged.

Pro Tip: Donate anything nearing expiration to food banks before it goes to waste — that keeps your preps fresh and helps others at the same time.

You might not think of it as a survival essential, but instant coffee can last decades.

Even the cheap stuff from Dollar Tree will stay good indefinitely if kept dry. Sure, it’s not barista-level coffee, but when you’re out of beans and civilization’s collapsed, that little jar of instant gold will taste like heaven.

I’ve tried everything from store-brand granules to fancy Starbucks instant packets and even instant espresso — they’re all fine for long-term storage.

If you want to go deeper, you can store green coffee beans and roast them yourself, but that’s next-level prepper dedication. For most of us, a bucket full of instant coffee packets = guaranteed caffeine when you need it most.

If you take away nothing else from this episode, remember this: salt and sugar never go bad.

Salt’s a rock. Sugar’s a crystal. Neither supports bacterial life. Both last forever when kept dry.

And beyond seasoning, both are critical for food preservation:

Salt for curing meat, making jerky, or preserving fish.

Sugar for jams, jellies, and even curing hams.

Years back, I bought a few 25-pound bags of salt for under five bucks each. I made the rookie mistake of leaving them in paper bags — and they absorbed moisture until they were bricks. Lesson learned: repackage your bulk salt in mylar bags or sealed buckets.

You’ll never be mad about having too much salt — but you’ll regret running out.

Honey literally lasts forever. Archaeologists have found edible honey sealed in Egyptian tombs. It doesn’t spoil because it’s low-moisture, high-sugar, and naturally antibacterial.

Over time, it might crystallize — just warm it up gently and it’ll turn liquid again.

Honey’s not just for sweetening tea; it’s also a mild wound dressing, an antiseptic, and a barter item.

White rice is one of the best prepper staples on earth.
It’s cheap, filling, and when stored properly (in sealed mylar bags with oxygen absorbers), it can last 30 years or more.

Brown rice, on the other hand, doesn’t last nearly as long. The oils in the bran layer go rancid over time. White rice is stripped of those fats — and that’s why it stores like a champ.

Pro Tip: Store rice in bulk — it’s your calorie safety net when everything else fails.

Flour has a short shelf life, but whole wheat berries can last for decades.
Keep them sealed from moisture and oxygen, and you can grind fresh flour whenever you want.

It takes a little effort — and maybe a hand mill — but fresh-ground wheat beats old rancid flour any day.

You don’t need high-tech freeze dryers or $2,000 survival kits to build a long-term pantry. You just need common sense and consistency.

Stock staples that don’t go bad. Store them well. Rotate what you use. Donate what you won’t.

And for the love of coffee — make sure your caffeine stash can outlast the apocalypse.

This has been James from SurvivalPunk.com — DIY to survive.

50pcs 1 Gallon Mylar Bags for Food Storage with Oxygen Absorbers 500CC (6 Packs of 10pcs) and Labels, 9.5 Mil 10″x14″ Vacuum Sealer Bags Heat Sealable Bags for Long Term Food Storage(Extra Thick）

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Build Real Strength | Episode 538

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com — back with another cold morning episode at 51 degrees, talking about something every prepper should care about but too many ignore: strength.

Not the motivational poster kind — I’m talking real, measurable, physical strength. The ability to pick up heavy things, carry them, and keep doing it. Because when the world goes sideways, that’s not optional — that’s survival.

One of the founding pillars of Survival Punk has always been fitness and nutrition. I’ve wrestled with weight most of my life. I’ve dieted hard, bulked up, cut down, burned out, and restarted more times than I can count.

Here’s what I’ve learned: when you get weak — when you let yourself slide — every part of your life suffers. And I don’t just mean looks. I mean the ability to move, lift, run, work, and protect.

Being strong doesn’t just help you live longer — it makes the life you live better.

Too many preppers think they’ll “get in shape when the collapse happens.”
News flash: you won’t.
You’ll get hurt, exhausted, and fall behind.

Strength is insurance for your body.

In a collapse scenario, strength gives you options. It means you can:

Chop wood and haul water.

Carry gear, firewood, or people.

Fight, work, or travel under load.

It’s not about vanity; it’s about survival capacity.

Strength also compounds health benefits. Just like being morbidly obese creates a cascade of problems, having muscle tissue creates a cascade of positives.

Better metabolism.

Stronger bones.

Better hormone balance.

Lower injury risk.
It’s the closest thing to a universal prep you can do for your own body.

You can’t improve what you don’t measure.

Before you start chasing “beast mode,” you need to figure out your baseline. That means tracking your major lifts:

Deadlift

Back Squat

Bench Press

Overhead Press

These four core movements test your strength across nearly every muscle group.

If you’re new, don’t go for your one-rep max right away. Start with sets of 5 and use an online calculator to estimate your max. Once you’ve trained for a few weeks and built form and confidence, test it for real.

Write your numbers down — that’s your starting point.

You don’t need to train like a powerlifter. You just need progressive overload — doing a little more over time.

Every week, add a few pounds to the bar or another rep to your set. That’s it. Consistency wins.

If you can’t add more weight, you can:

Add another set.

Use slower reps or negatives.

Add partial reps or holds.

If you’re new to this, spread your max testing over multiple days so you don’t burn out. And for the love of your spine — learn proper form first.

It’s not about ego — it’s about longevity.

Numbers vary, but here’s a good prepper target range:

Bench Press: 225 lbs is a solid standard.

Deadlift: 400 lbs is excellent.

Squat: 300 lbs is strong territory.

Overhead Press: 135 lbs is respectable.

Hit those and you’re above average — functional, durable, and capable.

In CrossFit, they’d add those together into a “CrossFit Total.”
That’s a great way to track overall progress — sum up your best numbers and try to beat your total every few months.

You don’t have to live in the gym.
You just have to show up consistently and train smart.

I’ve done everything from bodybuilding to CrossFit to basic push-pull-legs routines. It all works if you work it.

Find what fits your life, stay disciplined, and remember:
you’ll do yourself no favors by being weak.

Strength is a prep — one that pays dividends every day you’re alive.

Closing Thoughts
If the world goes to hell tomorrow, the strong will always outlast the weak.
You can’t stockpile muscle. You can only build it.

Start now.
Measure, lift, repeat — and watch your life change.

Visit SurvivalPunk.com for show notes, routines, and links.
And if you want early access and exclusive content, join the Survival Punk Army today.

DIY to survive — and get strong while you’re at it.

Fitvids Hex Rubber Coated Dumbbells Hand Weights Pairs for Exercises and Fitness and Home Gym, Pairs

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DIY or Buy? The Prepper’s Dilemma | Episode 537

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s a crisp 51-degree November morning — and yes, I’m still coughing up half a gallon of crud — but the show must go on. Today’s topic? One every prepper wrestles with sooner or later: When to build it yourself, and when to just buy the damn thing.

There’s a fine line between DIY ingenuity and wasting months of your life reinventing something that’s already perfect. Let’s talk about how to know the difference — and why the smartest preppers use both approaches.

A YouTube video kicked this one off for me. A British guy decided to make a home backup battery system — out of discarded vape pens.

Yeah, those little disposable e-cigs? Each has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery inside. He collected hundreds from festival grounds and vape shops, stripped them, tested each one, 3D-printed holders, soldered the wiring, and built controllers and connections.

After months of trial and error, he powered his house from vape batteries.

Cool? Absolutely.
Efficient? Not even close.

He probably spent four months of his life building something that, if he’d DoorDashed or picked up overtime, he could’ve just bought — like a Jackery or Bluetti — for three or four grand.

That’s the balance we’re talking about today: DIY for knowledge and independence vs. buying for reliability and time.

There are times when the DIY path isn’t just smart — it’s essential.

Learning & Skill Building
If you’re learning how systems work, DIY is gold. Build a small solar panel setup, wire a 12V lighting system, or hand-sew a tarp shelter. Even if you screw it up, you’ll know more than most people ever will.

Repair & Maintenance
Fixing gear yourself saves money and builds confidence. Whether it’s patching boots, soldering electronics, or regrinding tools, repair is where DIY shines.

Custom or Niche Needs
Can’t find exactly what you want? Build it. I once made my own Velcro shotgun shell carrier. It worked — sort of. The pro version I later bought was way better, but the process taught me how it functioned.

Off-Grid Systems
DIY solar, water catchment, or rocket stoves — these projects scale with your skills and resources. A hybrid setup (store-bought panels, DIY wiring and plumbing) can save you thousands.

Improvisation
When supply chains collapse, you can’t “just order one.” Being able to make do is a prepper superpower.

Then there’s the other side of the coin — things you shouldn’t DIY unless you want to end up as a Darwin Award nominee.

Safety Gear
Don’t skimp here. I’ve made my own bullet-stopping steel plates — and they worked — but I still wouldn’t wear them. Heavy, untested, and dangerous. Buy your armor, helmets, gloves, and harnesses.

Complex Electronics
Some folks can etch their own circuit boards, but for most of us, that’s a quick way to let the magic smoke out. Power inverters, charge controllers, radios — stick to reliable brands.

Time-Sensitive Projects
DIY takes time. If your generator breaks in a storm, it’s not the moment to learn circuit theory. Know when to just buy or swap parts fast.

Proven Reliability
A homemade chainsaw or firearm might “work,” but not for long — and not safely. Some tools are best left to pros who’ve been refining them for decades.

Your time is a resource — maybe your most valuable one.

I ran the math: four months of building vape batteries vs. four months of DoorDash. $250 a week gets you $4,000 — enough for a high-end solar generator, guaranteed and ready to use.

It’s not just about money; it’s about efficiency. You can learn and earn at the same time.

That’s why I’m a hybrid prepper — DIY what makes sense, buy what saves time, and invest in skills over stuff.

DIY when it builds knowledge, customization, or resilience.

Buy when it saves time, ensures safety, or provides proven reliability.

Simple as that.

You don’t get bonus prepper points for suffering through unnecessary projects. You get points for being smart, self-reliant, and prepared when others freeze up.

Closing Thoughts
If you’ve ever spent 20 hours fabricating something you could’ve bought for $20 — welcome to the club. We’ve all been there.

The trick is knowing when to innovate and when to delegate. Prepping isn’t about hoarding gear or proving you can make everything from scratch — it’s about efficiency, adaptability, and survival.

If you liked this episode, join the Survival Punk Army for early episodes, member-only guides, and my eBooks. Head to SurvivalPunk.com for more.

DIY smart — and survive smarter.

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station,1070Wh LiFePO4 Battery,1500W AC/100W USB-C Output, 1 Hr Fast Charge, Solar Generator for Camping,Emergency, RV, Off-Grid Living(Solar Panel Optional)

I Powered My House Using 500 Disposable vapes

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Off-Grid Laundry | Episode 536

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s another chilly 41-degree morning, and today we’re tackling one of the least glamorous but most practical topics in prepping — laundry.

It’s one of those things we all take for granted until the grid goes down and suddenly you’re staring at a pile of filthy clothes wondering how to keep your hygiene in check. I’ve never done a full episode on laundry before, and that’s a shame — because clean clothes are critical to morale, health, and long-term survival.

If you’re not planning for how to wash your clothes when power and water are limited, you’re setting yourself up for a rough time. Dirty clothes break down faster, stink like death, and can cause skin infections or rashes.

And morale? Forget about it. Nothing makes you feel more human than putting on clean clothes — even in the apocalypse.

Before we even get into washing methods, let’s start with soap. Store-bought detergent is loaded with chemicals, and if you’re handwashing off-grid, you’re going to be getting your hands in that water.

If you want to prep smarter and safer, make your own detergent. It’s cheaper, lasts forever, and it’s an easy gateway into DIY homesteading.

Here’s the basic recipe:

1 bar of Fels-Naptha or Dove soap (grated)

1 cup washing soda

1 cup borax

Mix it all together — I run mine through a food processor to get a fine, consistent powder. That’s it. You’ve got enough detergent for months.

Want it in liquid form? You can convert it, but it takes up a lot of space — I prefer keeping it as powder.

You can also add essential oils for scent or mild antibacterial action, but I usually leave mine unscented.

If DIY isn’t your thing, you’ll need to stockpile commercial detergent — but plan for a year’s supply minimum. Pods like Tide or Gain are convenient now, but not ideal for off-grid washing. They don’t dissolve well in cold or low-agitation setups.

And if you do use commercial detergent for manual washing, wear gloves. That stuff is harsh, especially when your hands are in it all day.

There are a few solid ways to wash clothes when the machines quit working. Let’s hit the classics.

The OG of laundry. A metal washboard and a tub of water get the job done. It’s perfect for heavily soiled clothes and durable fabrics.

You can still find vintage boards at flea markets or buy new ones online. They’re nearly indestructible — minimal moving parts, just muscle power.

A five-gallon bucket and a clean plunger (drill some holes in it to let water move freely). Add detergent, agitate for ten minutes, rinse, and wring.
It’s shockingly effective and easy to build.

Buy a dedicated “laundry plunger” if you want, but honestly — cut your own holes and save the money.

The most basic method: a tub, soap, and your own two hands. It’s gentle enough for delicates but labor-intensive. You’ll get clean clothes, but don’t expect miracles on heavily soiled workwear.

After washing comes the hard part — getting that water out.

Hand-wringing works, but it’s exhausting and not very efficient. If you want a major upgrade, buy a hand-crank wringer. It’s like a pasta roller for clothes — feed them through, crank, and you’ll squeeze out most of the water.

Then comes drying.

Warm weather: hang everything outside on a line or rack.

Cold or wet weather: use an indoor drying rack near your heat source.

Frozen clothes on the line aren’t progress — they’re frozen laundry popsicles.

If you’re in a tiny house or cabin, rig paracord across your space and hang what you can. Just wring it well first or you’ll turn your floor into a puddle.

If your backup power setup is solid, you might still be able to use a small washing machine.

Look for compact portable washers — the kind with two tubs (a washer and a spin dryer). They use far less power and water, and the spin cycle alone is worth it for cutting dry time.

If you can run that off solar or generator backup, you’ve got the best of both worlds: modern convenience with off-grid reliability.

Homemade detergent is gentle — which means it might not handle deep stains. Keep some targeted cleaning supplies in your preps:

Baking soda: for mild stains and deodorizing.

Rubbing alcohol: great solvent for oil-based stains.

Hydrogen peroxide or bleach: for whites (use carefully).

Victorian laundresses had it rough — they’d spend a week doing laundry, soaking, scrubbing, and bleaching fabrics. You don’t need to go that far, but the principles still apply. Treat stains individually and don’t waste detergent on full loads for one bad shirt.

And fun fact: old-school laundry soap used to yellow whites, so they’d add a bit of blue dye to balance it out — that’s where “whiter than white” came from.

Off-grid laundry isn’t glamorous, but it’s part of real survival. When the machines stop spinning, hygiene becomes a skill, not a chore.

So take a weekend and practice. Make your own detergent, try the plunger-and-bucket method, and see how much water and time it really takes. Because once you’ve done it, you’ll never take your washing machine for granted again.

For show notes, recipes, and gear links, visit SurvivalPunk.com, and if you dig the show, join the Survival Punk Army for early episodes, bonus content, and eBooks.

DIY to survive — even if it means scrubbing your socks like it’s 1890.

Heavy Duty Clothes Wringer, Hand Crank Laundry Wringer for Efficient Water Extraction, Perfect for Towels, Chamois, Sponges & Portable Washing Machines

Behrens BWBG12 Galvanized Washboard, Large

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