Running low on survival gear and even lower on your budget? Never turn down the Dollar Tree prepper items and you might be surprised at the amazing items you’ll find!
There’s no denying that prepping for and stocking up on your survival supplies can quickly become costly. But never fear! That’s why we’re here.
You can save money (and time) by snagging some crucial survival items at your local dollar store. You’d be surprised how many survival tools they carry.
RELATED: 100 Dollar Store Survival Preps To Stockpile Now
Dollar Tree Prepper Items and Survival Gear for Budget-Friendly Prepping

1. Cotton balls and Vaseline

Cotton balls covered in vaseline make excellent fire starters! Check out our article DIY Fire Starter: The Cotton Ball to learn more!
2. Steel Wool

Here is another fire starting technique that is guaranteed to get a fire up and going in just seconds.
What you’ll need:
- Steel wool
- 9 V battery
- About 6 inches of toilet paper
- A small tinder bundle
Directions:
- Get your tinder bundle ready to go and lay a piece of toilet paper on top of the tinder bundle.
- Next, touch the terminal end of the 9V battery to the steel wool. It will instantly ignite.
- Once it’s started, make sure to keep the flame against the toilet paper and tinder bundle, and there you have it! Instant fire!
3. Matches and Lighters

No survivalist should be without matches and/or lighters! Every home, vehicle, and bug-out bag should be stocked with them.
They make the list of my top five pieces of survival gear.
4. Batteries

Having an assortment of batteries is a must! We need them for everything from flashlights to weather radios…and so much more!
However, we all know just how expensive buying batteries can be, so during the next few trips to your local dollar store grab a few packs each time you go.
5. LED Flashlights

LED flashlights are another must-have survival item!
Granted, the quality of LED flashlights at your local dollar store won’t be the best, but grabbing a few just to have as extras is a good idea. It’s one of those just-in-case purchases.
6. Twine

In a true survival situation, any type of cordage is good cordage. There are unlimited uses for cordage, including building a shelter and fishing.
Twine is a good substitute for the absence of paracord but, in my opinion, it’s great to have both.
7. Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil is one of those multi-purpose household items that no survivalist should be without. It can be used for anything from signaling for help to keeping your matches dry.
In my opinion, these Dollar Tree prepper items should be added to every bug-out bag and emergency kit.
8. Bandanas

This is another must-have for your Dollar Tree prepper items haul. They have so many uses, but my favorite use for bandanas is making char cloth, which is a must-have for any fire starter kit. Plus, it’s super easy to make!
9. Heavy Duty Gloves

A pair of heavy-duty gloves is yet another must-have item for every bug-out bag.
They provide great protection against wood splinters, blistering, and other weather-related injuries in a true survival situation.
RELATED: 5 Things to Consider When Forming Your Prepper Community
10. Socks and Other Under Garments

It’s also a great idea to pick up extra socks and other undergarments such as thermals. These make great additions to your bug-out bag and/or your emergency car kit.
11. Poncho

Ponchos help protect you against the elements in all seasons and are a must-have item for anyone! They can also be used for other things such as waterproof shelters and collecting rainwater.
12. Bleach

Bleach can be used to disinfect surfaces and purify water. Click here for exact measurements and instructions on purifying contaminated water with bleach.
13. Baby/Sanitary Wipes

These are a must-have for every household and personal bug-out bag and prove their worth in every survival situation.
You can purchase both baby and sanitary wipes at your local dollar store at a great price!
14. Bottled Water

When building a Dollar Tree stockpile, always think of never leaving without at least a few bottles of water.
Every household, every vehicle, or used individually in every bug-out bag and emergency kit needs water or some way of making found water safe to drink.
Make it a habit to grab a pack every time you shop for Dollar Tree prepper items.
15. Coffee Filters

Lately, coffee filters are getting a lot of attention with their many survival uses! Their ability to be everything from a funnel to a fire starter makes them a great addition to every survival kit!
16. Trash Bags
are another household item that has multiple uses in survival situations.
17. First Aid Supplies

YOU can purchase many of the items you need in a well-stocked first aid kit at great prices from your local dollar store.
18. Seed Packets For Your Survival Garden
Let’s talk about survival gardening! You can purchase seed packets at your local dollar store for almost nothing at the beginning of Spring!
Consider looking there first before visiting your local garden center, and you may save a few bucks!
Corporals Corner shows this video on dollar store survival gear and possible things you can see during a Dollar Tree prepper items haul:
It wouldn’t be a surprise to miss some of these survival items on your list when shopping for Dollar Tree prepper items.
You’ll never know when you’re going to need them. But, on the other hand, these things will surely be helpful one way or another.
Have you purchased any of these Dollar Tree prepper items? Tell us in the comments section below!
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