[indie]

I have the hardest in-laws to buy for. They're probably from another planet. They speak, and I no comprende. But so one of them just started prepping - got some food, looking for a gun and considering ways to heat her electric heated house.

The second is a complete yuppie (ya feel why I don't know what to do yet?) who wanted a few things in the car "just in case," where I presume the in case part means a breakdown, etc.

So, for #1 just getting started but serious about prepping, what's a good gear idea, in home or BOB, for $20-$40 or so?

For #2 who just wants to be a little prepared in the car and needs something not over the top full-blown prepper style, do you all have some ideas for around $20 ish?

 

[Go2ndAmend]

I'd be tempted to get a decent flashlight for #1 and maybe a set of jumper cables for #2. These are valuable items for prepping or just general preparedness.

 

[Mish]

The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead: Max Brooks: 9781400049622: Amazon.com: Books
A little humor never hurts! You can wrap it w/ the flashlight.

 

[techtony]

Maybe seasons 1 - 3 of The Waking Dead? That may put a fire under their ass.

Kidding aside, I would get the new prepper a book on sustainability or a field survival guide (very valuable even to an experienced prepper). For the second yuppie, you could give them a basic first aid kit for the car.

 

[warrior4]

Here's a good list of basic shelter in place kind of stuff that probably wouldn't go awry.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit | Ready.gov

 

[Boss Dog]

That's what I was thinking; 'lite' prepping books, to get them started without scaring them.

 

[Inor]

Maybe a book?

Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse: James Wesley Rawles: 9781569755990: Amazon.com: Books

 

[Deebo]

HMMM, I would buy two nice small zippered bags, heavy duty, like a craftsman tool bag maybe, then get matching two's of a bunch of stuff from Dollartree.
black electric tape
zip ties
1/2 box of gallon ziplock bags
1/2 box of quart ziplock bags
flashlight
batteries
lighters
jerky
water
powders for waterbottles
medicines
handwipes
SUPERGLUE


Jeez, this would be easier if you just swung by and picked me up..
Im sure you see my thoughts here, that for the intended $60 or so dollars, you can get alot of stuff, kinda like an Easter Basket effect.
Also, at Walmart, in the camping section, those "black almost spiderco looking knives" for 1 dollar are great gifts.

 

[Prepadoodle]

Any book you give them has a risk of being forgotten. They might plan to read it, but never actually get around to it. My suggestion is to get them gift subscriptions to InfoWars Magazine. They can put each issue in their library next to the toilet and read a little here and there as time permits. Who knows, it may scare the crap out of them and ease their constipation.

 

[sargedog]

Maybe a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher for the vehicle. my brother had one in his truck, and used it to save a couples life after they had wrecked and their vehicle caught on fire.

 

[indie]

Jeez, this would be easier if you just swung by and picked me up..

Be right over! That would actually be a kind of fun shopping trip. Specially if you're buying.

 

[paraquack]

I'd go with a first aid kit you put together for them and the jumper cables.

 

[ekim]

IMO, you don't have enough money to do much good and while giving them a few things is nice, the best thing to do is to point them in the right direction and tell them the hard facts. That being, time is getting short and they need to prepare for themselves as you are doing for your family, educate them by example. I'd call it tough love, here's what's going on and they need to be ready. What you give to someone else you take from your family! If they fail to prepare it won't be your problem or fault. :-|

 

[PaulS]

Get the government publications about water and food storage and Red Cross First Aid booklet. Place them in a pack and give that to them. Maybe a nice card that says that you are willing to help guide their storage solutions and other preparations for emergency use.

They don't have to read too much, it is all "government sanctioned" and allows them to feel secure while getting started.

 

[Prepadoodle]

You could buy them both a nice turtle and maybe some bacon.

 

[retired guard]

I don't know your in laws sense of humor you do. One that I'm doing for Mrs. retired guard is the multifunction survival kit. Think homer bucket with survival kit complete with bio bags topped with a toilet seat. It can be fun and practical.

 

[LunaticFringeInc]

Yeah I like that dollar tree idea, you could get a gang of stuff there for a very modest outlay of fun dollars!

 

[Rob Roy]

What guy doesn't like a good knife? Like a big stinkin' testosterone pumping, inner warrior empowering Kukri or machete. One he can imagine wielding when he's alone, like a kid with a toy sword.
https://blackriveroutpost.3dcartstores.com/Cold-Steel-Machete-Kukri_p_140.html

As far as your mum inlaw, other than an actual emergency car kit from auto zone or walmart, you got me.
UPG 86039 Emergency Road Kit - Walmart.com

 

[Kidzthinkimahoarder]

OH, I'd buy them about 10 lbs. of brown beans and rice, a couple gallons of water and tell them to get ready...at least you know they won't starve to death in the first week or so...lol

Nooo...actually, I like the dollar store idea. There is medicine, toothbrushes, cotton swabs, anything and everything to start a "kit" of some sort with..from a first aid kit, to a sewing kit, a tool kit, to a candle/matches kit, and/or mixture of everything. That's where I buy a lot of my freezer bags, aluminum foil, and some extras at just about weekly.