I don't make much money. I probably make the least of anyone on this board (an assumption based on some of the conversations I've read here). So I understand the temptation to buy cheap gear. But being cheap doesn't necessarily mean the best value. You actually end up spending more money replacing items than if you had just paid for good quality to begin with.

It took me a year, buying one thing at a time, to put together everything that's in my BOB today. In total, it has cost me over $4,000. But I didn't just buy gear. I bought peace of mind. I know that if I'm ever forced to bug out, I have the best gear to keep me alive. And that's what we're talking about here... your life. How much money is your life worth?