“One is None” on a Homestead and a Budget

We’ve all heard the prepper mantra, “Two is one, and one is none.” Apparently, this originated with the Navy Seals, for whom I have a great deal of respect. However, I’m not a Navy Seal, and (being totally honest here) I’m pretty broke these days. So, how does one be all prepared when your budget, is well….in the scale of mini or micro? 

As inflation sucked the margin of comfort out of my budget over the past few years, I’ve tightened my belt again and again. I do need to eat, and I do need a roof over my head, and (despite how challenging it has become) I do want a car because I live in a rural area where it would be an enormous hardship to live without one. 

I know I’m not alone! So, in this article, I wanted to share the hard realities of what prepping and “one is none” looks like in my own life. As always, I look forward to your comments on how all of you are managing in this increasingly difficult financial climate.

What I Don’t Have

There are lots of things I don’t have and, quite simply, can’t afford to buy now. As I went to write this, I had to chuckle, as the list is pretty staggering. I don’t have a freeze-dryer. Heck, I don’t even have a dehydrator. Having lived off the grid for years, I prefer off-grid food preservation methods. If you want to learn more about what I do, check out this recent article. Heck, I still have months’ worth of vegetables down a hole in the ground. More on that in a future article…

I don’t have solar power and a battery set up for the entire cabin. There are several reasons why I don’t. If the grid goes down, I’m just going with candles and lamps for the long term. I’ve lived with these solar battery systems and know they break down. Realistically, I know that I’m not able to maintain, fix, and replace parts on a system like that in a real SHTF. 

I don’t have a working generator. I have one. I know how to tune it up. It has an oil leak somewhere. I have other priorities. I may sell it. All aspects of my cabin function without electricity, including my septic, except the fridges. In winter, that’s no prob. In summer, I would be in trouble (see wish list below). In a real SHTF, where would you get the fuel? And the sound of the generator would be bound to bring trouble in my rural area.

What I Have One of

I have one compound hunting bow. At one time, before my back injury, I could split my own arrows in a group from 50 yards. After I hurt my back, I haven’t been shooting it. As my back heals, I am wondering if I can get back to it one day in the future. I have one admittedly crappy fishing rod I bought from a thrift shop. I have one solar lantern that charges phones. I have one pair of high-quality hiking boots. 

Why do I have just one of these items? Mainly because carrying a second of any of these in a real bug-out situation doesn’t seem realistic to me. In terms of fishing, what I do have in my BOB is some line and multiple hooks. My lack of funds means that I will need to make do with what I have in a long-term bug situation. So, given that I’m often choosing what foods I can and can’t afford to eat EACH WEEK, I have left my supplies of these at one is none.

What I Have Multiples Of

I know in the list above that boots are pretty important. I have a backup pair of boots that are not the same quality, but would be liveable. I keep my eye out in the local thrift shops to upgrade my second pair in the future.

When I have backups of things, it’s because it would affect my immediate survival. Take water, for instance. I have so many portable water filters around that I probably forget how many I own. A couple of these are the filters on the drinking bottle type that is particularly good for being on the run. Another is a more bug-in type that can do thousands of gallons of water. So, no, I won’t be drinking funky water, SHTF come what may. 

Low-cost multiples make sense to me: lighters, fire-starting methods, and fuel for a small portable stove in my BOB. Another item I have multiples of is knives and super high-quality axes. Can you ever have enough knives, I wonder? Perhaps not in this lifetime. I also have multiple sharpeners. How much real SHTF can you do without a decent knife? That is one question, my prepper friends, that I hope I never have the answer to.

My Wishlist

There are items that I would love to have, one of which I don’t. While I do not need a full solar array, I would be willing to take my chances with a small setup that could power my off-grid fridge. You see, this compact fridge has a special plug that allows it to be powered directly by DC current straight from a battery. Still, a ballpark estimate on two decent-sized deep cycle batteries and a panel and charge controller is going to run me around a grand. That’s money I just don’t have. 

In my neck of the tick-infested woods, I would love to have a set of light tick-repellent clothing in my BOB. I don’t think I want to do SHTF with Lyme disease, either. I wish I had a high-quality winter-rated sleeping bag. I don’t. I hope I never have to bug out in the middle of winter. Yikes!

One is None on a Budget

It’s not easy making choices on what to spend your hard-earned money on these days. How about you? What are the things you make you have two or more of? What are the things you live with one of and hope it’s not none one day? Please tell us in the comments section.

About Rowan

Rowan O’Malley is a fourth-generation Irish American who loves all things green: plants (especially shamrocks), trees, herbs, and weeds! She challenges herself daily to live her best life and to be as fit, healthy, and prepared as possible.