How often do you use your sewing kit?

I have a speedy needle or whatever, and some thick thread and normal thread.. haven't used it once. But I can see it could be awesome if I did...

Sounds about right with tip. Its not a bad way to start off a day!

Not often, but I've had mine for a while now, and every so often I pop a button off, or tear a hem on my trousers, or who knows. It's time to replenish (I could just raid the wife's sewing supplies and replace the thread I've used and the needles I've lost and the safety pins I've bent up, but that's too easy I suppose).

or end a day...

Gotcha.

Mostly wearing T-Shirts I haven't had those issues

The key here is the local dollar (real) store (Dollar General, Dollar Bazaar, Dollar Tree and the like) to spend your TDs. I myself will go there tomorrow and complete my own assignment.

Standard Disclaimer

The dollar store idea is a fun little experiment. If I had one nearby I would go try it out.

Out of curiosity, I made up a quick list of what I would buy if I could shop anywhere:

BSA Hotspark: $3
Military Surplus Style Canteen Cup: $5
Derma-Safe folding Razor Knife: $1.50
Small Aluminum Whistle: $1.50

I figure I could do pretty well for myself with those items totally about $11.

Another thing to keep in mind is a person could find a lot of useful items being given away for free in our socity. Things like like plastic bags, various bits of string/cord/wire, plastic bottles from bottled water/drinks, ketchup/mustard/salt/pepper/sugar/honey/other free condiments, tea bags, soap (either free hotel bars or fill a bottle with liquid soap from public restroom), toilet paper from public restrooms, paper towels, ect, ect.


It's prety amazing the stuff that one could find for free out there.

I went to the Dollar Tree this afternoon during my lunch hour with the "Theoretical $11" in mind.

Here's what I came up with:

Water:
24 Ounce Water Bottle - $1.00

Fire:
Lighters (Set of 3) - $1.00
Alt. Magnifying Glasses (3 Plastic) - $1.00

Knife:
Utility Knife (5 Extra Blades) - $1.00

Light:
AA Standard Flashlight - $1.00
Alt. LED Flashlight - $1.00
Panasonic Batteries (For Light) - $1.00

Shelter:
Shower Curtain Liner (70"x70") - $1.00
Nylon Rope (110 LB Test) - $1.00
2 Lightweight Ponchos - $1.00

First Aid:
Mini First Aid Kit (42 Pieces) - $1.00

Signaling:
Compact Mirror - $1.00
Alt. Kid's Toy Whistle - $1.00

Not counting three of the items that fell under alternatives plus taxes the total comes to $10.50. I hope they offer a plastic bag to carry this stuff.

Having gone through that little exercise, which definitely made for a fun lunch break, I think that it needs to be said that I wouldn't expect much out of most of the equipment. After all, everything costs a dollar and looks like it was produced for a quarter. In one case, I skipped the Swiss Army Knife knockoff because it looked less reliable than the Utility Knife.

I would also try to test as much of it as possible in the store.

Things I skipped which could have come in handy were various Snack Foods, Floral Decorating Wire, Tweezers, Tylenol to go, Cotton Balls, Vaseline, Pens and Paper and a Metal Dog Bowl which could have been used to boil water.

Wow.

I think you win on the most complete kit for 11TD.

Nicodemus,

That list is proof no one needs to be unprepared. Excellent job!

-Blast