Prepper-Minded Dollar Tree Walk Through/ Haul 

My favorite part about this channel is how real it is. A mother with an actual job who can't always throw cash at gasmasks, filters, bunkers and other prepper gear that only those with extra cash can afford without first saving. Some of us are family oriented and only have so much to spend in-between bills and groceries (thanks Brandon)

Sunshine! You are my hero. When you changed from "me and my son" to "my son and I" when talking about the Mandalorian I almost cheered. It may be silly to some but good grammar is becoming so rare that I despair for future generations.

For a young person you are so spot on things I hope people are watching you

I can’t believe how tidy your Dollar Tree is!! Ours ALWAYS looks like a tornado has hit and there’s always big boxes in the way like they’re restocking but they’re not. Usually there’s like one guy working all by himself.

That is so funny my thoughts have changed as well when I go shopping it’s all about prepping I actually pray before I go to each store and ask God yo show me what to get.

The pups pads can be put into the wellness kit. If someone has a digestive disorder, they make great mattress protection

Hey there sunshine.. you didnt say what you were gonna use the pool noodles for. But, if you were gonna use it for a make shift commode (uh-huh. Gross subject coming..haha) what you can do is get one of those bedside commodes ..line the bucket under it with store bags or the small trash bags you got and then bury it when your done. I cant imagine not being able to flush during a grid down event, but, those are alot more comfortable and easier to use then a bucket.. im thinking about getting one "just in case"..ive seen them online for around 50 bucks or so. One thing i do with the onion soup powder is mix one pack with a pound of ground beef or turkey and make burgers or a meatloaf. Really kicks it up.

Hey Sunshine!! Those flash lights.... Put on in your elec. breaker panel! You'll need one there when the lights go out!!

Having those thin flashlights near all your doors is a great idea. I have always had a flashlight hanging by our front door (with threats of death if removed 😂🤣😂) because wherever they are in the home everyone should be able to find their way to the front door even in the dark. We actually needed it on Friday evening when we suddenly had a blackout for a few minutes due to a storm. I also have an LED push light in our upstairs bathroom for nighttime toilet trips and power outages and as you said they are really bright. I recently swapped out the batteries for rechargeable ones and I now have a small (AA &AAA) battery charger that can also be charged using a USB , that way I can charge with the power from our laptops or a battery bank or solar/hand crank radio etc.

It is crazy how the mind set changed when I began to prep. Everywhere I go...and my eyes skate past most things I used to just want. I still look for "wants" for my daughter, but she also knows what I'm doing for her myself and a few others.

Those deep aluminum disposable pans are good for growing herbs, lettuce and other shallow root things, just poke holes in bottom for drainage. Good for small spaces to grow things.

@sunshine state survival … We bought one of those cheap $8 to $12 kiddie blue plastic swimming pools usually dollar general have them, We have used them inside our house for many animal issues… so you could put the doggie pads inside the pool and make your dog a “litter box” so to speak if needed …

Heads up on the bricked coffee.. mice can eat through those bag corners. I found out the hard way. Your dollar tree looks so much better than the unpacked boxes and empties lining the rows in ours. The only seeds left were flowers. Pool noodles can seal a window around an extension cord.. solution to no outlets on the outside of the house.

Lately I have switched to buying hands free headlamps and putting them in strategic places so I know exactly where they are. I blow fuses regularly and have to climb up on a ladder to change them. The other day I had to go in a dark corner and service my cable box. The headlamps were very handy. Also start getting your pup used to going indoors on pads. It took a while for my Border Collie to get used to it.

I really liked this format of walking around and suggesting different uses for different items. Can't wait to see what the bags are for!!

I was in the Dollar Tree a week or so ago and with the price increase, most was not a bargain anymore.

My dear Miss Sunshine, every time I see one of your videos I get the urge to run out to the dollar tree. I love the solar lights and magnetic lights. I put 4 solar lights in a plastic tumbler glass with the colored glass pebbles, all from DT around my patio and they really give a nice light. My dollar tree had little battery powered led lanterns, super bright and cute too! Just a tip...the paper goods and plastic cups are cheaper at Aldi. Thank you for all your tips.

I LOVE those little magic towels, we never have good stuff everyone else finds in the dollar tree around my area in NY. Great great idea for the doggy pads, I prep everything for my dog and didnt think about that. I also bought those soduku books and we have cards for the boredom. Those little containers you got, do they have screw on tops ? I have been using salad dressing containers because they are spill proof, but more expensive. we also got motion lights for the inside of the house placed in a few strategic places. they are rechargeable and the charge lasts a while. they dont take batteries though. They are super great for those late night bathroom trips , the light pops on automatically. A bit expensive on amazon but totally worth it. I need something with batteries also. I have had a bunch over the years, they never lasted me that long. Ok, I just made like 7 random thoughts all stuck together in that comment. Great ideas. thanks!

I feel that same way about how my mindset has changed. I went to our local flea market/swap meet and I didn't want to look at clothes and jewelry. I looked at everything from a prepper point of view and how it can be useful. I even found MREs there for only $6 each.

I live in NM; dry, desert heat. What I do in the summer is use bug/weed sprayer and fill up with ice water and place it in my trunk-- must be a BRAND NEW sprayer. When we go fishing or outdoor activities I take my sprayer and lock the sprayer to the continuous spray mode and have a portable mister where ever we go. I clip the spray wand on a chair or cooler and aim it in our direction. I'm thinking and planning ahead for our hot summers amd in case the grid goes down how we can keep cool. I live in an adobe home so it's cool in the summer and retains heat in the winter.

Those little magnetic flash lights are wonderful. I have two of them! They have lasted two years. Great little find and product!! We used them during a power outage, that lasted for five days. Blessings

I have to say you have done the best DT pick up must haves I’ve ever seen!

A good idea is to take cotton balls and soak them in Vaseline and store them in a small container. They are excellent fire starters. Also works great is dryer lint. Really great firestarter as well.

Just an FYI, I've purchased those little scented trash bags and can comfirm they're paper thin. You can poke your finger through it without any effort. The other items you've pointes out are great items to have at an affordable price.

i'm in australia - and our cheap shops are nothing like yours (wish they were) .......i'm so envious. love watching the walk through and the ideas - thanks for sharing.

Bet you're going to make a bucket toilet with a pool noodle seat and scented bags! I have one ready myself. Looking forward to your next video!

Great idea about the puppy training pads!

Also, Pampered Chef makes a manual can opener. I have been using mine for more than 10 years.

Great job finding useful items at the dollar tree. It is so true about the prepping mind set. I really appreciate these good ideas-thank you! I think I missed the part about the pool noodles though.

Awesome as usual. I love dollar tree.

Nice haul.👍 I'm shocked the DT has canning jar lids. Never saw that before. I haven't been to a DT in a month. Since the price went up they aren't that good of a deal. I need to pick up some new solar lights and a new magnetic flashlight. One of mine quit working. Have a great weekend.🌷🌷

I just grabbed the fly swatters and back scratcher from. Dollar Tree. Great for those little annoyances even during grid down sitch.

💙💙💙Thank you for sharing!!! Love the tips!!!💙💙💙

I love Momma Bears channel too. I watch her daily. Great video.

I bought mouse traps and ant traps for when the grid goes down and the insects and rodents come, and they will. Regarding the outdoor solar lights, you are right! I bought 6 for my back door walkway in 2012. We moved in 2021 and they were still working. My son bought the house so we know. They went through snow, ice, being knocked over by lawn mowers and people but the battery inside it still works.

Your dollar store is so much nicer than mine! Thanks for the tip about the aluminum cooking trays. I'll be getting some tomorrow. And I bought a bunch of the solar lights a few weeks ago. I was disappointed because they're not very bright, but they're better than nothing.

Hoping my dollar tree has some of the same things. My husband and I are going tomorrow to pick some of them up. Thanks for sharing Sunshine :)

Great haul! I know what you’re doing with the small roll of purple scented bags!!! I have 4 rolls for a bucket toilet

I've tried solar lights from all kinds of places and manufacturers, and the the solar lights from DT are really good. I bought one about a month or so ago and tried it. It lasted about 12 hours and still had a little light left in it even after the sun was up for several hours the next day! I'm sure you already know this, Sunshine, but sunlight strength, length of exposure to full sun and the position in relation to the sun while they are charging makes a big difference in how well solar lights work. I use mine outside in fixed positions, but if I was going to use them specifically as emergency lighting, I would pull off the spiked stems (they pop on and off easily), put them in a very shallow box or shoe box lid and then prop that up on an angle so that the solar panels get the most exposure possible to the sun. If I couldn't find a spot that stayed sunny all day, I'd pick it up and keep moving it to make sure it got as much sun as possible, all the while making sure it was always facing the sun directly. Again, I'm sure you already know this, but for the benefit of those who don't, solar light brightness is measured in Lumens, just like LED light bulbs and flashlights. The higher the Lumen, the brighter the light. I'm going to guess that the DT lights are only about 3-5 Lumens each which is why they are so inexpensive. But hey, 3-5 Lumens from solar energy is better than sitting in pitch dark. (Plus it's safer than a candle, won't heat up your house and doesn't create fragrances or dangerous fumes.) Beyond that, I think $1.25 each is a very competitive price.

Great haul! I think the idea of using the heat/cold patches to cool off or for warmth is a great idea!

Great ideas! Just an FYI, I looked up where the seeds from the Dollar store are from and sadly they are from the makers of Roundup, (Monsanto). I decided not to use mine and I know some people wont care but I just wanted to let you know.

Dryer lint also makes a good fire starter . I love those little magnetic flash lights.

Good haul!! The first aid stuff is really handy. I like that you thought of things to keep the mind occupied & keep up morale. Thanks!

You read my mind, going later today to semi stock up- stay blessed

I have a few of those stick on lights hanging throughout my house. Power goes out I can just flip the switch and have light while I get my candle going or whatnot. Very useful.

Watching your videos has helped my prep for my family. Thank you!!!

I got a portable bedside commode for my mom. She isn't able to squat down on a bucket. Bought some of the scented bags to put in it

Ty soooooooooooooo much ! So many things I wouldn’t of thought of!

You got a lot of stuff. I'd be careful with those Apple sauce pouches, those things are known to mold inside. I hadn't thought of some of the ideas for things that you have. Thank you for the inspiration. 😊

Well done. I agree the solar candles are a good prep. On my list.

Great ideas as always, Sunshine. Your DT is so much better stocked than mine, though. The solar path lights are wonderful, IF you can keep the UPS guy from running over them. So far, he's killed two, with three to go. I hope you have a fabulous week.

Love to watch your channel

I love them flash lights I try to get when I see them . You can use those solar lights in the car as well. I live in woods so having extra light is a plus here

great idea for lights thank you

Very good video.... it's nice to see someone from my Sunshine State....

Thank you for all you do, I learn several things from every video you make. You have a vast store of knowledge in that terrific brain of yours, thank you for sharing.

You’re dollar tree is STOCKED! All of mine in Atlanta have been so bad since covid. Cool video, thank you!!!

I have not been in dollar tree in a while now, and now you are making me want to go back lol you found some nice stuff in there, I have used that coffee and its good stuff, I have never seen the tamales either, those are great, but was buying them at Walmart, so again I will have to head back into my local one and pick up some stuff

I love your channel. You're so practical. Very easy to watch and listen to.

Thanks for making these videos, I learn something new and useful every time I watch. I like the idea of a cooking kit to go. It makes sense. I'm trying to decide what kind of container or bag to use for the cooking kit. I'm thinking a plastic bin should do, nothing too big.

What a wonderful walk through and haul.. , my favorite section of any dollar store is the flashlight section...SO many great little lights.❤

Great video, thanks 🤩

I did the bucket grab and go cooking stuff from dollar tree. Is really good if we just gotta go. We can load the trunk with cases of water and 2 bins with out emergency kit.

We are callimg the the 5 quarters tree nowadays. That's a good haul and mahalo for the extra ideas.

I am always thinking outside of the box when going to stores. Lots of good ideas. Thanks for the info.

That coffee is an excellent value. I take it camping and it tastes great when percolated.

Good ideas. Thanks🌺

Really appreciate your videos! I dont just shop anymore, Its always some kind of prepping either food or other essentials. It does help me feel a little more secure!

Love the fly swatters. I found somw a few years ago shape like bug. A lady bug, butterfly, and a frog,

Dollar General have the solar powered lights with an off/on switch for a dollar. That way you can cut them off if you need to or when you go to sleep.

That was a great walk thru full of all kinds of ideas for prepping.

We're going to our DT tomorrow. Hopefully I can find the same kind of "finds" you have. Ours isn't always so well stocked. I definitely want some of those Tamales!! Loved the video, Girl!

I was just thinking I needed to go in the dollartree tomorrow. I still will use a bit of wood at night so I was going for that anyways. They still have at least 75 boxes of the Gossner milk on the shelves, so I wanted to get 25 or so of those. I'm filling buckets with bags of corn flakes again. I did get some rechargable Duracells for the headband that kept running the other batteries down, and it did make it usable. It was odd that you mentioned the flashlight problem...I misplaced my Stylus Pro that I found with a riding mower 7 years ago, so I bought another one. This one has a pocket clip. So I'm keeping it clipped onto me somewhere. I carry a light almost always...I got into the habit when I worked at the mower shop in town that used to be there...I was always needing to see under one of them. My cat would probably give me a sad look if I bought mousetraps...that's her job. I do need some electrical tape as well...I need a roll of red for the + side wires. I've been meaning to get some of it, but now I have been reminded. I will go by the smoke shop for some butane. I used some soldering cables last month. Thanks for the seeds reminder as well...been meaning to do that too...haven't been to town but twice this month, and I was buying potting soil and plants, so of course I forgot the seeds. I think it was because I only had one light bulb...I did buy some though. My uncle brought me a little cast iron coffee grinder, brand name Universal. Looks really old. Says he thought about me. It only does about a handful of beans. I have to find a bulb that will fit my bug zapper...it only attracts mosquitoes and moths. I want it to attract those nasty flies that are fixin to come out.

Always look for the heavy duty foil at Dollar Tree

Great video! I’m going out to buy a turkey to put in my deep freezer this week. I’ve already been thinking about the holidays this year and what things could look like. We have a generator for our deep freezer but depending on gas availability or what happens we could lose those meats, so I’m also gonna stock up on keystone turkey (my Walmart has it), canned cranberry sauce, and all the other shelf stable options for a holiday dinner. I come from a family of really good cooks and everything is always homemade, but taking that for granted we may not have certain food options by then. I can’t imagine having canned turkey but would also probably really appreciate having it if things really get that bad. We just never know.

I use those garbage bags all the time in our bathroom. They have always worked for us. Great for disposable diapers. Or when you walk your dog. The Tamales are good to me. I need to check those out.

Thank you

Those solar yard lights are great for the children to have lights if we lose our electricity it's so much safer all way around. Disposal silverware, aluminum foil, parament paper for cooking without electricity. Any can foods that can be eaten even cold is a plus. Just have to check the prices and dates. Everyone will need spices and seeds gave as many as you can. I'm still gathering Tema tooth filling because lost a filling in a grid down is a must and super glue a cap back on. Dollar tree also will allow you to order on line and pick up at the store that's always a plus....have a blessed day

walmart has some white baskets in 3 sizes that are stackable. I love all the ideas. thank u girl!

New subscriber. Great walk through and ideas. I love seeing what other DTs have.

So funny I went to dollar tree today for preps! Thank you. I didn’t think about some of those things. I got cotton balls and gasoline and matches. But those containers for them. Definitely need to go back and get something’s you mentioned

You are right on target about after becoming a prepper, I definitely shop with a completely different mindset! We really like the magic towels! Great to put in our BOBs. Great video ~ Thank you!!!

Suggestion; make sure you put those small containers with the petroleum jelly in individual resealable bags in case they leak.

I have two of those milk quarts for hurricanes. I like the idea of those lights, will pick one up to test. If I had to say things I would recommend, it would be... Seeds - Can't get them cheaper anywhere else. I added radishes, beets, and butternut squash. Milk - that stuff keeps for a long time. I have two. Not a big deal vecause lots of powdered milk is out there. Beans - Keep forever, you can grow them. I eat them regularly. boric acid = learn how to apply it, because it protects against bugs for a long time. lighters - obvious. Candles - obvious

Good Morning ☀️

Those canning lids work like a charm for vacuum sealing jars. I have yet to see how they hold up to water bath or pressure canning. Would love to know if anyone has been successful using them to can food. 😊

Can we all just agree Sunshine is a good looking woman? 👍 The videos are good too.

I got the black solar lights for my miniature gardens outside. Ones for my little mini waterfall. I wish I had gotten more. Hopefully they will keep them in stock. There's probably a good way to use them as a light for a room. Maybe stick them in a vase with styrofoam to attach them or something along that idea.

Aluminum disposable pans great tip

Those fruit pouches are awesome!

I got and talked about those flashlights. I love Dollar tree

Ove’ gloves are another thing to add to BOB. You can use them to move hot logs on a fire. We use them when making bonfires.

I loveee those puppy pads

I love magnetic flashlights Put 1 in ur bug out bag or ghb edc

Great haul and you reminded me of a few things extra I should do. I was just at the Dollar General scoping out items. Noticed some canned goods empty but overall still well stocked. NEFL here.

I bought the puppy pads for my dog too - good thinking.

I hope you can do a video on your cooking kit when you get it put together. I am working on one for myself also, so it would be good to see your ideas.

Hi! Loved the video, love your channel, I take my hat off to you. Something that I would add, not sure if someone else added it in the comments, is flossing items. Flossing is actually even more important that brushing your teeth. And when TSHTF you do not want to have a toothache. Thank you for everything you share, I’m already making changes because of your videos.

We have the same window security alarms. Our cameras out front and back are great, but if we lose power, these will do the trick.

Awesome video