Depression-Ready Household Essentials

A calm, practical checklist to buy ahead of time—focused on items that keep your home running when money is tight, prices rise, or supplies get hard to find.

Quick Rules

Buy what you already use—just more of it.
Build slowly and rotate stock to avoid waste.
Prioritize water, hygiene, and basics first.

Why these items?

In prolonged downturns, the biggest pain points are usually cash flow, price spikes, and occasional supply disruptions. This list targets high-utility items with long shelf life and strong “everyday survival” value.

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Food Staples

Cheap, filling, long shelf life—build a versatile pantry.

Core calories

Rice (white stores longest)
Pasta
Oats
Flour & cornmeal

Protein & flavor

Dried beans, lentils, split peas
Canned meat (tuna, chicken, etc.)
Peanut butter
Bouillon / soup base

Must-haves

Salt Sugar / honey Cooking oil / shortening Canned veg & fruit Powdered or shelf-stable milk

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Water & Storage

Plan for interruptions. Minimum: 1 gallon per person per day.

Refillable jugs/containers
Water purification tabs/drops
Simple gravity or portable filter

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Hygiene & Sanitation

These often spike in price or disappear first.

Toilet paper & paper towels
Bar soap (stores forever)
Toothpaste & toothbrushes
Trash bags (heavy duty)
Disinfectant or bleach
Feminine hygiene / diapers (if needed)

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Medical & Health

Small issues become big when budgets are tight.

First aid kit + bandages
Pain relievers (acetaminophen / ibuprofen)
Cold/flu + anti-diarrheal meds
Vitamins (esp. D & C)
Backup glasses / contacts (if applicable)
Prescription refills (as allowed)

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Light, Power & Cooking

Keep basic systems running if power gets unreliable.

Batteries (AA / AAA)
Flashlights / headlamps
Candles + matches/lighters
Power banks
Manual can opener
Alternative cooking method + fuel (where safe/legal)

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Cleaning & Maintenance

Staying clean prevents problems and saves money.

Laundry detergent
Dish soap + sponges/scrubbers
Baking soda & vinegar
Bleach
Duct tape + zip ties
Basic tools (hammer, screwdriver, pliers)

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Clothing & Home Basics

Replacing essentials gets harder in a downturn.

Warm blankets
Socks & underwear
Sturdy shoes
Work gloves
Seasonal clothing backups

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Barter-Friendly Items

High-demand basics that often trade well.

Coffee & tea
Soap
Batteries
Lighters
Salt & sugar
Small “comfort” items people miss

Tip: Keep barter items discreet and stored safely.

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Paper, Info & Skills

When internet/power is unreliable, paper wins.

Notebook paper & pens/pencils
Printed recipes & pantry inventory sheet
Emergency contact list (printed)

Basic repair / medical reference guides
AM/FM or crank radio (for alerts)
Learn simple repairs + scratch cooking

Build Your Plan (No Panic Required)

Start with water + hygiene, then pantry basics, then power/maintenance. Buy gradually, rotate supplies, and keep it practical.

Want a personalized checklist?
Check back for a printable list by household size (1–2, 3–4, 5+) and a “buy-a-little-each-week” plan.