Ask anyone who spends a lot of time browsing thrift stores, and they’ll probably tell you that you never really know what you’ll find. One visit might turn up a stack of cast-iron pans, while the next could reveal camping gear, hand tools, wool blankets, or a sturdy backpack hidden on a shelf.
For anyone putting together emergency supplies on a budget, thrift stores can be a useful place to shop. Many preparedness items don’t need to be brand new to do their job, and some older household goods were made with materials that can last for years.
You also don’t have to spend a fortune at specialty outdoor or survival stores. A little patience can turn up plenty of practical items for a fraction of what you’d pay new. Here are some thrift store finds worth keeping an eye out for if you’re building up your household supplies.
Camping Gear
Camping gear is one of the first sections worth checking at a thrift store. Tents, camp stoves, sleeping bags, lanterns, backpacks, and other outdoor equipment often end up there when someone cleans out a garage or decides they aren’t going camping anymore.
For emergency preparedness, camping equipment can be useful during a power outage, evacuation, or other situation where you can’t rely on your usual household comforts. Before buying anything, check tents for tears, sleeping bags for damaged zippers, and stoves for signs of wear.
Books
A collection of practical books can be useful to have around, especially if you can’t count on an internet connection during an emergency. Thrift stores are often filled with inexpensive books covering gardening, first aid, cooking, food preservation, home repairs, sewing, and other hands-on skills.
Printed information doesn’t need batteries or an internet connection, so a few useful books can earn their place on a shelf for years. Look for older gardening books, repair manuals, cookbooks, field guides, and other practical titles that contain information you may want to reference later.
Related: Say What? People are freezing their thrifted books
Cast Iron Cookware
Cast iron cookware is a popular thrift store find for good reason. A cast iron skillet can be used on a stovetop, over a fire, or on a grill, making it useful when you have fewer cooking options.
Older cast iron pieces can also be surprisingly affordable. Check the cooking surface for deep cracks or serious damage, but don’t automatically pass on a pan just because it looks rusty. Surface rust can often be removed and the pan reseasoned.
Sturdy Clothing
Having durable clothing set aside can make cold weather and unexpected situations much easier to handle. Thrift stores frequently have heavy coats, flannel shirts, wool sweaters, work shirts, and other clothing that can be layered when temperatures drop.
Buying these pieces secondhand also makes it easier to put together extra clothing without spending a lot. Look for items in good condition, check the seams and zippers, and think about what you’d actually wear in your climate.
Related: 34 Stylish DIYs Using Thrifted Clothes
Boots
A dependable pair of boots can be useful in bad weather, for outdoor work, for walking long distances, or for dealing with rough terrain. Thrift stores sometimes have hiking boots, work boots, and other sturdy footwear that has plenty of wear left.
Take a close look before buying. Check the soles, stitching, laces, and inside of the boot, and make sure the material isn’t cracking or separating. A cheap pair of boots isn’t much of a bargain if they fall apart when you need them.
Backpacks
Backpacks are useful for emergency bags, camping trips, travel, and storing supplies. Thrift stores usually have plenty to choose from, ranging from basic school backpacks to larger hiking packs.
Having a few different sizes can make it easier to organize supplies for different household members. Look for strong straps, working zippers, sturdy seams, and enough room for the items you actually plan to carry.
Flashlights
Flashlights are easy to overlook until the electricity goes out. Having several around the house means you’re less likely to be searching through drawers in the dark trying to find one.
Thrift stores often sell flashlights for very little, and some older models are perfectly usable after a quick cleaning and a fresh set of batteries. Test each one before buying it and check for corrosion around the battery compartment.
Thermoses
A good insulated thermos can be useful during a power outage, on a road trip, while camping, or in any situation where you need to keep a drink hot or cold for several hours. Older thermoses can also be surprisingly sturdy, with thick insulation and durable outer shells.
Check the lid, seal, and inside of the container before purchasing one. If everything is in good condition, a secondhand thermos can be a simple addition to your emergency supplies.
Blankets
Extra blankets take up relatively little room and can be useful during cold weather or a heating outage. Wool blankets are especially handy because they retain warmth well, while heavy cotton blankets can also provide an extra layer on a cold night.
Thrift stores are often a good place to find blankets at lower prices than retail. Look them over for stains, tears, mildew, and unpleasant odors before bringing them home.
Canning Supplies
Mason jars and other canning supplies often show up at thrift stores, particularly during garage cleanouts and estate sales. Glass jars can be useful for food storage and other household projects.
Used jars can save money, but be selective about what you buy. Check each jar for chips, cracks, or other damage, use new lids, and follow current food preservation guidelines if you’re actually canning food.
Fabric
Fabric has plenty of uses around the house, and thrift stores often carry it in the form of sheets, curtains, tablecloths, blankets, and fabric remnants. A large cotton sheet, for example, can provide plenty of material for sewing and repair projects.
Extra fabric can be used for patches, cleaning cloths, simple bags, clothing repairs, and other projects. Check it carefully for stains, mildew, insects, and heavy wear before bringing it home.
Tools
A trip through the tool section can turn up some surprisingly useful finds. Hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, hand saws, measuring tools, and other basic equipment are often available for much less than you’d pay at a hardware store.
Older hand tools can be especially interesting because many were made with solid metal parts and straightforward construction. Pick up each tool and check it for cracks, excessive rust, loose handles, or other damage before buying it.
Manual Kitchen Tools
Manual kitchen tools can be very useful during a power outage. Hand-crank grinders, manual can openers, food mills, peelers, graters, and other non-electric kitchen tools can let you prepare meals without plugging anything in.
Thrift stores are often packed with these small kitchen gadgets because people replace them with electric versions and donate the old ones. A few well-chosen manual tools take up very little storage space while giving you more options when electricity isn’t available.
