If you’ve ever wondered what you’d do if resources became scarce, or systems got disrupted, learning some basic survival and self-reliance skills can make a big difference. The following are eleven practical skills that, over time, can help you and y...
Many useful items are discarded. Learning to spot, retrieve, and refurbish what others throw away can yield tools, parts, and materials you need.
Scavaging For Home items
Clothing can be expensive. Knowing how to mend, alter, or even make basic garments lets you extend the life of what you already own.
Sewing & Tailoring
Even doing small things on your car—oil changes, tuning, replacing parts—can keep you mobile and reduce dependence on mechanics.
Basic Auto Repair/Maintenance
Being able to do basic plumbing, carpentry, roofing, and general repairs saves money and ensures you can maintain your shelter during tough times.
Home Repair/Maintenance
In many outdoor environments, wild plants and greens grow abundantly. But only learn to use ones you can reliably identify as safe—mistakes can be dangerous
Foraging Edible Wild Plants
Fishing is often easier to practice year-round than hunting. Locate good fishing spots, learn techniques, and you have a steady source of protein.
Fishing
For those in regions where it’s possible, hunting can supplement your food supply with healthy protein. It requires skill, knowledge of local laws, and good equipment
Hunting
Harvests often come all at once. Knowing how to preserve food—by canning, dehydrating, smoking—extends its shelf life and helps reduce waste.
Canning/Food Preservation
Chickens are relatively easy to raise and can provide eggs (and meat, if allowed). Check local laws first about how many chickens you can keep.
Raising Chickens
Even a small garden can help offset grocery costs and improve food security. You don’t have to grow everything—just enough to supplement your diet.
Growing Food
Many people rely on pre-made or processed foods, but learning how to cook from raw ingredients (like baking breads, making soups, roasts) gives you more control over nutrition, cost, and self-sufficiency.
