Frugal Ways to Prep for Ebola Outbreak

Ok so Ebola is all over the news every time we turn it on, right? It’s a little scary, after all a virus that we cannot cure as of right now is more than concerning to parents and families everywhere! Well I’m a frugal living expert

 and I’ve worked up some frugal tips and ideas for preparing for a pandemic so your family will survive. This article is meant to get you thinking about what you need to do in the event of a full blown outbreak.  The average family of 4 can prepare for about $100. to $200 bucks. These items are to help you frugally prepare for an Ebola Outbreak & will not go to waste if Ebola doesn’t come to your town or community or state. You’ll simply use these things in your home, with your family, and in your life so there’s little to no wasted money while you ensure your family grows to see the next generation.  We’re not trying to do anything crazy or insane.  Just normal things you may not have thought about….thinking on the lines of “be prepared.”

What this article ISN’T is an Ebola information site. You can get Ebola information from the CDC here. This is about what  you’ll need to purchase or make sure you have in your home to help you prep JUST IN CASE there is an Ebola Outbreak. Be aware that if there are mid size to larger sized hot pockets of Ebola in communities or cities or counties that the government is prepared to enforce mass quarantines.  These quarantines will happen without notice and be very swift. It won’t be like a bridge closure with signs that say “Ebola Outbreak quarantine start on Thursday!” If your community is quarantined do you have the supplies to shelter in place or will you risk going out to wherever food shipments have been dropped and possibly getting infected to feed  your family?

History shows that illness does wipe out huge populations of people – Black Plague, Bubonic Plague, Ebola etc. You should be prepared to shelter in place for 3 to 4 months in case your community goes into a mandatory quarantine. A Governor in New England has already signed orders for mandatory quarantines in the event of a pandemic in his state. Large populations in West Africa are under mandatory quarantine too.

I expect that if a community goes into lock down that little communities in neighborhoods will quickly develop. People will need to work together and make up a plan very fast, especially those in rural areas. After all, what will the heroine users do when they can’t get out to get their drugs? Where will the thugs go when they can’t get food and water? Remember Katrina?

Here’s my frugal list of items needed for pandemic preparedness;

Air horn – This will be used as a warning signal because it is loud and can be heard for a considerable distance. You’ll make up guidelines with neighbors so those not infected can keep their food supplies and keep thugs out. 2 quick blows may signal a breach and notify neighbors of thugs and immediate danger. Cost is $4.50 to $9

Medicine – Tylenol, Motrin, Aleeve, and Benedryl will be needed for bee stings, sickness (other than pandemic illness), headaches etc.  Plus, you can trade meds within your new little community of neighbors protecting  your area. (aside from needing extra supplies of any meds you are on). Cost is approx $20 to $35 for all

Seeds – If you have a yard you can grow your own food and you can barter food seeds too. If  you’re sheltering in place growing a tomato plant etc will be welcomed and help  you avoid having to go out to places where food is shipped in. Those people going for food shipments could be contagious, sneeze on you etc.  Seeds last about 3 years and cost is $5 for $15 for a variety.

Food – Have enough non-perishable food for 3 to 4 months for your entire family. If you have the space purchase a little extra for neighbors or anyone you may need to barter with. consider foods like canned tuna fish, canned vegetables, canned chicken, flour, sugar in non perishable packaging. Cost is variable depending on where you shop and what you purchase.

Medical Supplies – In case you are in need of bartering with a neighbor or sharing supplies and having a mini community meeting to make decisions on protecting your neighborhood from thugs you should have proper medical supplies on hand; gloves, tyvec disposable suits, full mask respirator or face cover and eye goggles.  If a pandemic never comes to pass in your town then use the gloves, Tyvec disposable suit and respirator for changing babies, painting, cleaning your bathroom etc. Cost is $40 to $179

Remember that the government has food supplies and underground bunkers to run the United States from an alternate location. They aren’t crazy and they are considered “prepared.” Don’t let media or a few people make you think you’re crazy if you decide to prepare for an emergency too. This doesn’t mean you need an entire room full of toilet paper! Just think about some extra supplies and decide which ones makes sense for your family and say a prayer that there’s NEVER an Ebola outbreak!