When hurricanes spin up off the coast or wildfires march over the ridgeline, relief crews do their best–but the math is brutal. FEMA’s own after-action reports show it can take 48 – 72 hours for sustained aid to reach a hard-hit neighborhood, even in the United States. That means we need enough calories, water, and light to bridge three full days on our own. Sound expensive? Not if we shop smart and start small. Below is the $65 blueprint I built for friends who swore they were “too broke to prep.” In all transparency, this was a $50 list when I made it a few years ago, but we’re working with a few price increases this year and if $65 is a stretch all at once, break this down into $30-$35 per paycheck and you’ll have a fully stocked kit in no time.
Why 72 hours matters
- Reality check: During Hurricane Ian (2022), some Florida communities waited 60 hours for the first convoy of bottled water. In Texas’s 2021 freeze, rolling blackouts and icy roads left residents fending for themselves nearly three days.
- Your takeaway: If outside help arrives sooner–fantastic. If not, your kit turns three scary days into an inconvenient camping trip on the living-room floor.
Set the budget
- Hard cap: $65.
- Shop your house first: Half the items below might already lurk in your pantry or junk drawer so you might be looking at less out of pocket to build your kit.
- Think layers, not perfection: The goal is “good enough right now,” not “Instagram-worthy bunker.”
The $65 shopping list (July 2025 prices & links)
| Category | Item & price | Why it earns a spot |
| Water | 3-gal stackable water jug – $9.88 (Walmart) | One gallon/person/day covers drinking and basic hygiene. Stackables fit closets. |
| Unscented bleach 64 oz – $1.25 (Dollar Tree) | 8 drops per gallon purifies cloudy water if taps fail longer. | |
| Food | Long-grain rice 2 lb – $1.28 (Walmart) | Cheap calories; cooks on stovetop, camp stove, or thermos. |
| Dry lentils 1 lb – $1.92 (Walmart) | Protein + fiber; soak overnight, simmer 30 min. | |
| Mixed vegetables 15 oz can × 4 – $0.96 ea (Walmart) | Vitamins, fast heat-and-eat. | |
| Chunk chicken 12.5 oz can × 2 – $2.97 ea (Walmart) | Shelf-stable protein; pull-tab lids avoid can-opener drama. | |
| Peanut butter 16 oz – ≈ $2.00 (Walmart) | Dense calories that don’t require cooking. | |
| Light & power | Eveready Pro 200 LED headlamp (2-pk) – $11.90 (Amazon) | Hands-free beats flashlight-in-teeth every time; spare for a partner. |
| AA batteries 8-pk – $3.77 (Walmart) | Chosen to fit the headlamp–standardize sizes. | |
| Unscented tealight candles 20-pk – $1.25 (Dollar Tree) | Backup light, morale boost, low fire risk in jars or glasses. | |
| Warmth & shelter | Altland Mylar blankets 4-pk – $2.99 (Amazon) | Reflects body heat; doubles as window cover. |
| Contractor trash bags (2-ct) – $5.62 (Walmart) | Rain poncho, gear liner, mini ground sheet. | |
| Tools & hygiene | 6-in-1 multibit screwdriver – $3.97 (Walmart) | Tighten hinges, battery doors, vent covers. |
| Duct tape 10 yd roll – $1.25 (Dollar Tree) | Patch tarps, seal drafts, splint broom handles. | |
| Bar soap – $1.00 (Walmart) & travel toothpaste – $1.00 (Walmart) | Illness spreads faster than hunger in disasters. | |
| Nitrile gloves 10-pk – $1.98 (Walmart) | Basic first-aid, sanitation, debris handling. | |
| Documentation | Freezer zipper bags 15-pk – $1.25 (Dollar Tree) | Waterproof IDs, prescriptions, thumb-drive photos. |
Running total: ≈ $62.09 (prices checked July 2025, U.S. Southeast stores)
Can’t find the exact SKU? Swap in equivalent store brands or sale items–just keep calories, water capacity, and light coverage intact.
Prioritize & substitute
| Decision point | Frugal pick | Splurge later |
| Staple carbs | Rice ($1.28) | Freeze-dried meals ($10 +/bag) |
| Protein | Lentils + 2x canned chicken ($7.86 total) | MRE entrées ($8 ea) |
| Lighting | LED headlamp ($11.90) | Hand-crank lantern ($25 +) |
| Power | AA alkalines ($1.25) | USB battery bank ($20 +) |
| Cooking | Existing grill or stovetop | Compact propane camp stove ($40 +) |
Better to have good-enough gear today than perfect gear “someday” that never makes it to the checkout line.
Pack & store smart (small-space edition)
- One backpack or tote: Keep all 72-hour items together so you’re not hunting during a blackout.
- Layer heavy to light: Rice and cans on the bottom; fragile and hygiene items on top.
- Furniture Tetris: Slide the tote under your bed, behind the couch, or inside a seldom-used suitcase.
- Inventory card: Tape a one-page list to the lid with purchase dates–future-you will thank present-you when nerves spike.
Monthly maintenance in five minutes
- Check expiration dates. Sharpie “use by” month on rice, beans, batteries.
- Swap water jugs every six months; refill, add two drops bleach/gallon, cap tight.
- Test light: Quick click of the headlamp; replace batteries if dim.
- Restock raided snacks so you don’t find an empty peanut-butter jar at midnight on storm day.
- Calendar reminder: Set a recurring phone alert–first Saturday works for me.
Your next step
Grab a reusable grocery bag and hit the discount aisle this weekend. Load up on rice, beans, and batteries first–under $20 gets you halfway there. Resilience isn’t priced by the cubic foot of your pantry; it’s measured by the peace of mind you buy for sixty-five bucks and a couple hours of effort. That’s a bargain worth making before the next 72 hours choose you.