Everyday Independence guide cover
Recommended supplies

Everyday Independence

Supplies for preparedness, food, garden, repair and outdoor skills

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The buttons below go to Amazon; if you buy through them, Tech Home Run earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. We list the tools the guide’s skills call for, and you don’t need everything to get started.

Emergency readiness

Hand-crank weather radio

Alerts and news when the power and internet are out.

See it on Amazon

Power bank

Keeps phones charged through an outage.

See it on Amazon

Fridge and freezer thermometers

Tells you what's safe to keep after an outage.

See it on Amazon

7-gallon water container

Stackable, food-grade water storage.

See it on Amazon

Bucket toilet seat

Turns a 5-gallon bucket into an emergency toilet.

See it on Amazon

Smoke and CO alarm combo

Test monthly; replace at end of life.

See it on Amazon

ABC fire extinguisher

Rated for home fires; check the gauge.

See it on Amazon

First-aid kit

For bleeding, burns and tick bites.

See it on Amazon

Food and preserving

Boiling-water canner with rack

For high-acid foods using tested recipes.

See it on Amazon

Pressure canner

Required for low-acid foods like beans and vegetables.

See it on Amazon

Canning tool set with jar lifter

Lifts hot jars safely.

See it on Amazon

Food dehydrator

Dries herbs, fruit and vegetables evenly.

See it on Amazon

Sharpening stone (1000/6000)

A sharp knife is a safer knife.

See it on Amazon

Cast-iron skillet

Lasts generations with simple care.

See it on Amazon

Garden

Seed-starting trays with domes

Sturdy seedlings indoors.

See it on Amazon

LED grow light

Prevents leggy seedlings.

See it on Amazon

Compost bin

Turns kitchen scraps into garden gold.

See it on Amazon

Bypass pruners

Clean cuts for fruit trees and shrubs.

See it on Amazon

Loppers

For branches too thick for pruners.

See it on Amazon

Rain barrel with diverter

Free water for the garden (non-drinking).

See it on Amazon

Repairs and tools

Stud finder

Hang shelves into framing, not just drywall.

See it on Amazon

Level

Straight shelves the first time.

See it on Amazon

Cordless drill/driver

The most-used tool in any kit.

See it on Amazon

Drywall patch kit

Mesh patches and compound for small holes.

See it on Amazon

Universal toilet flapper

Fixes most running toilets.

See it on Amazon

Screen spline roller

Re-screen a window in under an hour.

See it on Amazon

Outdoors and car

Baseplate compass

For orienting a map without a phone.

See it on Amazon

Bike tire levers and patch kit

Fix a flat on the trail.

See it on Amazon

Portable jump starter

No second car needed.

See it on Amazon

Learn the skills step by step

Every item here comes from a skill in Everyday Independence, our illustrated printable guide.

Get the guide on Etsy

Product availability and prices change on Amazon; check the listing before you buy. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and tested, current guidance (for example, USDA guidance for canning). See supplies for all our guides.