hoarding

This is the first of many such lists on useful items to have around for a Peak Oil homestead. This collection does not constitute a mandatory (or complete) list of what you need in order to survive -- rather, the idea here is to give you new ideas on how to use various items in ways which you might not have considered. This hopefully will give you some guidance on what items you should purchase if found cheaply or avoid discarding. Please feel free to tack on your own list of useful items or additional uses for something I’ve listed here.

I plan on posting similar lists for tools, chemicals, food, and so forth. Also, consider this just part 1 of the “Odds & Ends” list as I’m sure we’ll be adding to it.

Ball bearings Uses: reducing friction in machinery, weight sacks, projectiles
Bolts & nuts Uses: fasteners, paint mixers, makeshift wrenches, chain repair
Bottles/Jars Uses: food storage, chemical storage
Buckets Keep many; Uses: hauling feed, water, chemicals, dirt, manure
Cable ties Uses: fasteners, makeshift locks, handcuffs
Candles Uses: making wax paper, providing light, lubrication
Canning lids & seals Obtain as many as you can find; focus on the reusable seals and lids Uses: food preservation
Car hoods Uses: stone boat (heavy sled)