PM's Self Reliance Tools: Small Space Storage Ideas for Preppers

Poor Man Survival

Self Reliance tools for independent minded people…

www.poormansurvivor.net

ISSN 2161-5543

A Digest of Urban Survival Resources

Small Space Storage Ideas

Over the past decade I have stockpiled a lot of supplies, everything from freeze dried food to household supplies and it takes a lot of space, which fortunately we have…but even that is beginning to run out and I’m considering the purchase of an additional out building just for storage purposes.

As a cousin of mine from Europe once commented “You Americans are crazy. You all have big garages but you park your cars in the driveway because you have so much stuff you hardly ever use stored in the garage.”

She has a point.

One of the most common complaints I hear from preppers is about where to store all of their emergency food, water, medicine, and ammo.

I mean, who the hell has an endless chain of buried school buses in the back yard, or a warehouse worth of storage space in the attic?

No one. That's who.

A LOT of people live in smaller homes, apartments, or even trailers and RVs and don't have the space or moolah to build their own bat-cave of survival gear.

Hell... even those with what they think is PLENTY of storage might have trouble with long-term storage of supplies, because the bare necessities themselves take up a LOT of valuable space.

Your plan will change depending on your situation, of course.

For example, if you live near a reliable fresh water source, you may be stockpiling less water but investing more money in filtration systems.

No matter WHAT your situation, though, almost every prepared citizen asks him- or herself this question sooner or later:

"Where do I find more storage space?"

Well, HERE'S where...

1. In "Negative" Space

One way to fit more stuff into the same amount of space is to take advantage of "negative" space -- the areas in between where things are now.

For example...

The space between the wall and a bookshelf or desk might be wide enough for you to fit a lockable file cabinet that instead holds cans of food stacked neatly on top of each other.

The space under a bed or even under a sofa could be used to store anything that will lay flat enough to go unnoticed.

Stackable totes and storage containers can be stacked up to take up less overall space.

These stackable plastic storage containers are a good example of eliminating negative space because they also allow you to force irregularly shaped items to fit in more neat "pockets."

These storage containers can then be stacked on top of each other much more neatly, eliminating wasted area.

2. In The SAME Space You Have Now

The secret to fitting "20 pounds of sh*t in a 10 pound bag"has always been organization.

Some of you are old enough to remember the game "Tetris."

In that game, you stack bricks of different shapes together, like puzzle pieces, to make full rows to score points (and make room for more rows).

You've got to find a way to fit everything together - like a puzzle - eliminating wasted space and fitting what you have in the smallest, most efficient "envelope" possible.

I guarantee, if you look at how your supplies are stored, you can find ways to make them...

Neater

More organized

Easier to find

More tightly stacked and grouped

Again... large plastic storage boxes are GREAT for making your gear more organized, modular, and helping you fit more into less space.

That brings me to. . .

3. In "Secret Hiding Spots" In Your Vehicle

OK, this is probably the biggest opportunity that people just don't think about...

First of all, there are so many hidden open spaces in your vehicle, it will make your head spin. (Just ask any cop who's had to search for drugs at a traffic stop!)

The most obvious places are in the trunk... glove box... and under the seats.

But there are even some "secret" places like inside the bottom of the seats... in the spare tire compartment... or even disguised storage boxes (one of my sneakiest tricks)!

The fact is, my vehicle is my PRIMARY storage location for my most critical survival gear... and right now I'm driving a tiny Mini Cooper!

You see, these supplies are the ones that will not only keep you and your family alive at home... but also if you're ever forced to evacuate your home.

In fact, this is one of the "5 phases of survival" I talk about in-depth in my online "survival masterclass" that frankly,most people are doing all wrong!

(BTW... I highly recommend you register for this week's event because I go in-depth into how to prepare for ALL of the 5 survival phases - at the same time - in just one simple step. But there are only 200 slots available for the free masterclass, so see if there's still room for you here...)

Look, the bottom line is this...

Making a plan now, and organizing your supplies to support that plan, is a critical part of survival stockpiling and prepping - no matter how much space you do or don't have!

Hopefully these tips will help you re-think your storage options

Contributor: Jeff Anderson of MCS Magazine

Freedom Self-Reliance Action

Yours for smarter living,

Bruce ‘the Poor Man’

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