You do not need to buy a lot to be ready. These cheap first steps cover water, light, food, warmth and communication for a short outage.
- Inventory what you own before buying anything.
- Water, food you already eat, layers and a flashlight cover the basics.
- Add one small item per week instead of buying a kit at once.
Outage prep has a reputation for being expensive, but the first layer costs very little. Most of what gets a household through a day or two without power is stuff you already own, plus a few low-cost additions picked up over time.
This guide is about order of priority. Do the free things first, add small purchases gradually, and leave the big items for later or for never.
Step one: use what you already have
Walk through your home with a notebook and collect what already counts as preparation.
- Flashlights and any headlamps. Test them and check the batteries.
- Blankets, sleeping bags, warm hats, socks and winter coats.
- Canned and dry food you already buy, plus a manual can opener.
- Clean pots, jugs, pitchers and clean soda bottles that can hold water.
- A battery or crank radio, if you own one. Phones can often receive alerts too.
- A first aid kit, prescription medicines and copies of important phone numbers.
Write down what is missing. That list becomes your shopping plan.
Step two: water first
Water is the cheapest and most important item. Official guidance suggests about 4 litres (1 gallon) per person per day, and enough for at least three days where you can manage it. Tap water costs next to nothing, so fill clean containers when an outage is forecast, and consider keeping a few sealed containers on a shelf. See how much water to store and how long stored water lasts.
Know how to make water safe if you run short: our guide on treating water follows official instructions.
Step three: food you will actually eat
Buy a few extra cans and packages each time you shop, choosing things your family already eats that need no cooking or only hot water. Rotate them into normal meals so nothing expires. The guide to what emergency food to store first and the one on rotating a pantry make this almost painless. Skip expensive specialty kits until the basics are done.
Step four: light, warmth and information
- Light: one headlamp per adult leaves your hands free. Check the options in our heat and light hub when you are ready to buy.
- Warmth: layers, blankets and a sleeping bag rated for cold weather cost far less than any heater, and they are safe indoors. Read how to stay warm without power.
- Information: a battery or hand crank radio keeps working when cell service does not.
- Power: a charged power bank keeps a phone going for a while. Start small before looking at large power stations.
Spread the cost over weeks
Pick one small goal each week or each pay period. For example: week one, test lights and fill water containers; week two, add canned food and a can opener; week three, put together a basic kit; week four, make a family contact plan. The 90-day preparedness plan offers a ready-made schedule, and the 72-hour checklist lets you tick items off as you go.
What not to spend on yet
Hold off on large purchases until you know your needs. A big battery system or generator only makes sense once you have decided what you must keep running. The outage planner and the readiness score can show which gaps matter most. Free steps like a family plan, saved contacts and a neighbour check-in arrangement cost nothing and may matter more than any gadget.
Being ready for a day or two is a realistic first target. You can build from there when money allows.
A final tip: keep a simple notebook or phone note listing what you own, where it is stored and when it expires. Knowing exactly what is on the shelf stops duplicate buying and shows real gaps. Share the list with everyone in your household so any adult can find the flashlight, the water or the radio in the dark. Small habits like this cost nothing and make the same supplies go further.
Quick answers
What is the cheapest thing that helps most?
Stored clean water, followed by warm layers and working flashlights. All three are low cost and safe to use indoors.
Do I need a generator to be prepared?
No. Many households manage short outages with water, food, light, warmth and a charged power bank. Bigger equipment is optional.