The United States government recommends that all residents stock up on enough food and water for three days in a disaster. The term “emergency” can refer to anything from a minor inconvenience to a catastrophic event, such as a tornado, earthquake, blackout, flood, wildfire, hurricane, ice storm, or zombie apocalypse.

Do you feel prepared?

It is feasible to assemble a survival kit without spending much money. In reality, you already own a good portion of the resources necessary.

Prepare for the worst with this list of necessities and money-saving tips. Assuming the best, the worst-case scenario won’t occur. If the worst does come, at least you’ll be as prepared as possible.

1. Water

You can survive without food for a few weeks but without water for only a few days—plan on using a gallon daily for each human being and a little more for the pets. Keep an eye on the grocery store sales flyers for bottled water. (The lowest price per gallon I’ve seen is 69 cents.)

Jerry jugs and used two-liter soda bottles can also be refilled. Avoiding carbonated beverages? Maybe a friend of yours does. Schedule container refills every few months and put the old water to use in the kitchen, in the laundry, or the garden.

2. Food

Include some meals that require no cooking and some that can be prepared quickly. A few suggestions: Snacks include peanut butter or another nut butter, granola, protein bars, deviled chicken or ham, crackers, sandwich bread, dried fruit, cereal, powdered milk, etc.

If you can access a heating source, you should stock up on quick soups, noodle cups/rice bowls with flavorings, dried foods, bouillon cubes, instant coffee, cocoa mix, and teas. You may buy marinated vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, and olives at the dollar shop without worrying about whether or not they were made in China.

Be sure they are stuff you would typically eat so you’re not stuck eating something you don’t like while shivering in the cold. Label packaging with sell-by dates and rotate inventory as needed. Go out and purchase a manual can opener immediately if you don’t already have one. Even while disposable paper cups, plates, and bowls aren’t good for the environment, they come in handy in times of crisis when there isn’t enough water to wash dishes.

3. Hygiene

If the restrooms are out of commission, you should have at least one large (and watertight!) container on hand. The five-gallon buckets you can buy for paint and detergent are fantastic. Put aside the next one you finish using, spread the news throughout your social circles, look on sites like The Freecycle Network or the “free” section of Craigslist, etc.

A prefabricated bucket toilet or a toilet seat that snaps onto a bucket are both available for purchase. Put a few inches of kitty litter in your chosen container and regularly remove the clumps for disposal. Keep a supply of sturdy trash bags beside the bathroom’s commode for quick disposal of used tissue paper, empty soda cans, and other garbage after supper.

4. Self-care and emergency treatment.

Carry some antibacterial hand gel and baby wipes, known as a “shower in a pouch.” (You may get both at a low price at a warehouse or dollar store.)

Bandages, rubbing alcohol, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, antacids, and diarrhea remedies can all be found in the dollar shop for very low prices. You can purchase these items inexpensively or even for free if you watch for deals and coupons at local drugstores and discount department shops.

Refill your prescriptions as soon as possible instead of waiting until you’re down to your last few pills. There will be less chance of running out during the next hundred-year storm or tornado.

5. Warmth

Ignore this advice if you happen to reside in a particularly hot region. For the rest of us, it’s all about “layers”: thermal underwear, wool pants, sweatshirts, sweaters, and warm socks. If you can’t find what you need in the closet, try garage sales, secondhand shops, and online resources like The Freecycle Network.

If you already own sleeping bags or down comforters, you should be good; if not, watch for reasonably priced alternatives at the locations mentioned. It’s also important to wear a stocking cap, as a cold head makes it more difficult to fall asleep.

6. Lightings

Before the power goes out, ensure everyone in the house has a flashlight and knows where they are. Headlamps are wonderful too, and the price keeps dropping. Batteries are inexpensive and frequently go on sale, so stock up before you need them. You could also ditch the batteries and switch to a hand-cranked flashlight. (If buying it right now is impossible, consider adding it to a list of items you’d like to receive as a gift.)

Candles present a significant risk. Make them votives or pillars instead of tapers, and place them in jars with wide mouths if you must use candles.

7. Cash

There will be no ATMs open and no way to use a debit or credit card if the power goes out. You can decide how much money you want to preserve, but it’s safe to guess $100. Start putting away a few cents and dollars in case some businesses open but can’t accept electronic payments.

8. Pet food and treats

What if the earthquake strikes right when you’re down to your final two cans of guts ‘n gravy? Maintain a supply of dog or cat food and litter for at least a week and extra water, just in case.

9. Communication

You may contact authorities and receive weather updates via a hand-cranked or battery-operated radio. Keep your phone charged and ready to go with a car charger (provided the cell towers didn’t fall in the quake).

10. Distraction

Keeping yourself comfortable, fed, and water will only require some of your focus. You will need entertainment at home or in a Red Cross shelter. Gather a couple of decks of cards and peruse your local thrift shop for various games; you’re bound to find a few that everyone can enjoy.

(Here’s a hint: five dice and some Yahtzee scoring sheets, as well as a Mad Libs notebook, and travel versions of chess, Parcheesi, and Chutes and Ladders, won’t take up much room in your emergency kit or coat pockets.)

11. Treats

People will feel disturbed and irritable after experiencing disruption and turmoil and eating canned stew and quick oatmeal for multiple days. Treats like chocolate, Danish butter cookies, high-quality almonds, and other luxuries should never be undervalued. A little bit can go a long way toward making you feel better and brightening your day. Again, put sell-by dates on the front of packages to ensure their freshness in case of an emergency, and use this as a reason to eat these items frequently. Win-win!