Budget planner

Tell me what you can spend each payday. I'll lay out exactly what to buy every trip, in the right order, and when you'll reach each goal.

How much can you set aside?

How often?

How long should your supplies last?

Your goal: enough food, water and basics to get your household through this long without a store.

Adults

Kids

Pets

Next payday

Where you buy bulk food

Already have any of these? (we'll skip them)

Extra one-time money to start? (tax refund, bonus, optional)

How it works

Each trip buys the most important things first: water, then food, light and first aid, then bulk food and long-term gear. If something costs more than one paycheck, you'll save toward it while buying smaller things you need. Every trip also has a free step.

Your plan

Ready for 3 months by Mar 22, 2029

$50 every 2 weeks · 63 shopping trips · about $3,122 in all

0 of 63 trips done · $0 of $3,122 · 0% of the way there. Tick off each trip below as you go.

3 daysDec 31, 2026Trip 5

2 weeksJul 29, 2027Trip 20

1 monthDec 16, 2027Trip 30

3 monthsMar 22, 2029Trip 63

$75 every 2 weeksReady by Jun 1, 2028, about 10 months sooner

$100 every 2 weeksReady by Jan 13, 2028, about 14 months sooner

Remind me every payday (Google Calendar)

Trip 1 · Nov 5, 2026
Buy $50
Done
- Water containers, 7 gallon × 2Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7 gal~$50
Carry $0 to next time, saving toward: Water purification tablets (~$10).
Add this trip's Amazon items to my cart
Free step: Fill clean 2-liter soda bottles with tap water and write today's date on them.
Trip 2 · Nov 19, 2026
Buy $47
Done
- Water purification tabletsAquatabs 49mg Water Purification Tablets (30 Pack)~$10
- Manual can openerOXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Manual Can Opener~$17
- HeadlampsGearLight USB Rechargeable Headlamp, 2 Pack~$20
Carry $3 to next time, saving toward: No-cook groceries: 3 more days of food (~$38).
Add this trip's Amazon items to my cart
Free step: Write your important phone numbers on paper and put a copy in every wallet.
Trip 3 · Dec 3, 2026
Buy $38
Done
- No-cook groceries: 3 more days of foodFor 4 people. Use my store lists.~$38
Carry $15 to next time, saving toward: Headlamps (~$20).

Free step: Find your water shutoff valve and your electrical panel. Show everyone in the house.
Trip 4 · Dec 17, 2026
Buy $45
Done
- HeadlampsGearLight USB Rechargeable Headlamp, 2 Pack~$20
- Family first aid kitFirst Aid Only 298-piece kit~$25
Carry $20 to next time, saving toward: Contractor trash bags (~$25).
Add this trip's Amazon items to my cart
Free step: Pick two family meeting spots: one near home and one outside your neighborhood.
Trip 5 · Dec 31, 2026
Buy $70
Done

🎉 After this trip you're ready for 3 days
- Contractor trash bagsHefty Contractor Heavy Duty Clean-Up Bags, 42 gal, 35 ct~$25
- Water containers, 7 gallonReliance Aqua-Tainer 7 gal~$25
- AA batteriesDuracell Coppertop AA Batteries, 24 ct~$20
Carry $0 to next time, saving toward: Water containers, 7 gallon (~$25).
Add this trip's Amazon items to my cart
Free step: Sign up for your county's emergency text alerts.
Trip 6 · Jan 14, 2027
Buy $50
Done
- Water containers, 7 gallon × 2Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7 gal~$50
Carry $0 to next time, saving toward: Water containers, 7 gallon (~$25).
Add this trip's Amazon items to my cart
Free step: Put a flashlight by every bed.
Trip 7 · Jan 28, 2027
Buy $50
Done
- Water containers, 7 gallon × 2Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7 gal~$50
Carry $0 to next time, saving toward: Water containers, 7 gallon (~$25).
Add this trip's Amazon items to my cart
Free step: Do a lights-out practice night with the kids. Make it fun.
Trip 8 · Feb 11, 2027
Buy $47
Done
- Water containers, 7 gallonReliance Aqua-Tainer 7 gal~$25
- Digital thermometerVicks SpeedRead Digital Thermometer~$12
- Nitrile glovesMedline FitGuard Touch Nitrile Exam Gloves, 100 ct~$10
Carry $3 to next time, saving toward: Bathtub water bladder (~$35).
Add this trip's Amazon items to my cart
Free step: Keep your gas tank at least half full from now on.

Prices are typical and change often, and don't include tax or shipping. Groceries are estimated at about $13 a day for your household; use my store lists for exactly what to buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ready for 3 months by Mar 22, 2029

Buy $50

Buy $47

Buy $38

Buy $45

Buy $70

Buy $50

Buy $50

Buy $47

One calm prep email a week.