Prep does not have to mean a big one-off spend. Be Ready encourages building supplies gradually during regular shopping.
Spend in this order
- Water – cheapest life-critical item. Bottled multipacks or cleaned food-grade containers.
- No-cook food for 3 days – tins and jarred food you already eat (FSA notes tinned food is safe without heating through).
- Light and a power bank – one torch per adult, spare batteries.
- Hygiene basics – toilet roll, wet wipes, hand sanitiser, bin bags. See hygiene kit.
- Cooking option – a small camping stove and gas used outdoors only, once water and no-cook food are covered. See carbon monoxide.
- Longer staples – rice, pasta, oats, lentils for after day 3.
A simple weekly habit
- Set a small prep line in your food budget (OrCore Prep can plan a basket within it).
- Add 2–3 long-life items each shop.
- Use oldest stock first (rotating stock) so nothing is wasted.
What not to do
- Do not panic-buy or clear shelves. Buy what your household will actually eat.
- Do not stock medicines past what you need without pharmacist advice; request repeats in good time (Be Ready suggests up to 5 working days ahead).
Track it
OrCore Prep shows priced gaps, a weekly basket and weeks-to-complete so you can see progress without guesswork.