What Kind of Prepper Are You?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
What Kind of Prepper Are You?
Image: Perry Gerenday/ Moment/ Getty Images

About This Quiz

Experts recommend keeping enough food, water and batteries around to get you through three days, but are you that prepared? When an emergency like a blizzard, a power outage or a water shortage comes knocking on your door, could you face it without flinching? Since you're here, we're going to go ahead and assume that three days of chaos are no match for you. But what kind of prepper does it make you? 

Some preppers need the security of a bugout bag and an underground bunker. Others clip coupons and stock home shelves like it's their full-time job. There's no right or wrong way to stay ready for the unthinkable, but there are definitely different styles of doing it. Are you the sort who hoards medical supplies so that you can help others, or do you have a secret stash of cash hidden away for your escape? 

When you read your questions, go with the answer that sounds the most like you. If you feel that we are asking too much information, we've given you an option for that, too. Your security is of the utmost importance, and we wouldn't want you to jeopardize it. We simply want to figure out what kind of prepper you are! Which kind will it be?


Question 1 - emergency contacts How many emergency contacts do you have saved in your phone?
At least 10
One
Two or three
Maybe five

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Question 2 - jar of pickles After you finish a jar of pickles, what do you do with the jar?
I used it to store things.
It sits in my cupboard for a few years.
I recycle stuff like that every week.
I save the jar so I can make more pickles later.

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Question 3 - smoke detectors You make sure to check the batteries in the smoke detectors every year, right?
I check them on a monthly basis.
I always forget! Thanks for the reminder.
I check them when the clocks change.
I change them every three months.

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Question 4 - beans In your opinion, which of these pantry staples is most important?
Flour
Sugar
Beans
Rice

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Question 5 - gas tank How low do you let your gas tank get before you fill up again?
I never let it dip lower than 1/4 tank.
I wait until the light comes on.
I always make sure it's at least 1/2 full.
I fill it up once a week regardless of how much it needs.

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Question 6 - paper towels Do you buy rolls of paper towels individually or in bulk?
It depends on what the coupon says I'm allowed.
I only buy what I need.
They are much cheaper when you buy huge packages of them.
Paper towels are frivolous; I use old bath towels.

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Question 7 -  first aid kit Would we find a first aid kit in your car?
I might have a few band-aids.
I have one in my desk drawer, in my car and a few in my house.
I have a couple of them, but I'm not telling you where they are.
I really could stand to get one.

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Question 8 - milk and bread If you hear that snow is on the way, do you run out for milk and bread?
I'm already stocked up on that kind of thing.
You bet!
I'll be fine until the roads are clear.
No, I don't mind driving in the snow.

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Question 9 - cash How much cash do you keep around for emergencies?
I don't want to tell you.
I never remember to carry cash.
I keep enough to survive for quite a while.
I have a huge jar of change.

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Question 10 - vegetables garden Do you try to grow a few vegetables every year?
I was not born with a green thumb.
I grow a few flowers and herbs.
My garden gets bigger every year.
I grow a tomato plant or two.

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Question 11 - grocery store Could you survive only going to the grocery store once per month?
I only go once a month.
Nope! I go nearly every day.
Nature is my grocery store.
I need to go at least once every two weeks.

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Question 12 - power outage How would you cope with the dark nights during a power outage?
I have a generator.
My phone has a flashlight.
I have oil lamps.
I keep a drawer full of candles just for this reason.

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Question 13 - canning When's the last time you canned your own salsa or pasta sauce?
It was a few years ago, but I could always use more.
I used to help my grandma when I was a kid.
I do it every year.
I make fresh salsa once in a while, but I've never canned anything.

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Question 14 - extreme couponer Would anyone say that you're an extreme couponer?
I'm not extreme, but I do use a lot of coupons. You can save a lot when you combine them.
I only use coupons for restaurants.
I never use coupons, but I do buy in bulk.
I don't think anyone would say that about me.

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Question 15 - Toilet paper What basic supply are you always running out of?
I rarely run out of things.
Trash bags
Toilet paper
Bread

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Question 16 - cupboard Could you use what's in your cupboards right now to make a meal for four?
No problem! I make meals appear out of nowhere all the time.
If everyone likes ketchup sandwiches, yes.
I could, but I would rather save it for myself.
My cupboards could feed a few dozen.

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Question 17 - Flares What's the best item to keep in your vehicle during winter?
A blanket
Flares
Cat litter
Water

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Question 18 - security How would you describe your home's security system using only one word?
Armor
Weak
Strong
Average

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Question 19 - phone dead What are your feelings about not being able to charge your phone for a week?
It will never happen; I have a solar charger.
I would go completely insane.
I think the world could use more of it.
A week wouldn't be too bad, but any longer might be an issue.

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Question 20 - medication Do you keep an extra 30-day of medication around?
I keep a 180-day supply.
No, but I have alternatives.
My doctor won't allow it.
I don't, but I do have some old anti-biotics around here somewhere.

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Question 21 - supply of water Experts recommend having a three-day supply of water on hand; do you have that much?
I have a closet full of water.
I'm sure I could make it through 72 hours.
I have my own well.
I don't, but I will now!

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Question 22 - make soap If they stopped selling it, what would you use to make soap?
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Local plants
Sunflower oil

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Question 23 - frozen veggies Do you buy more frozen veggies or canned veggies?
I buy whatever's on sale.
I always buy fresh veggies.
If I'm going to buy them, I prefer the canned variety.
Frozen veggies taste better than canned veggies.

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Question 24 - warehouse How often do you use a membership club for your shopping?
Every shopping trip
Never
Once a year
A couple of times a year

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House hunting
Mushroom hunting
Deer hunting
Bargain hunting

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Question 26 - eggs Would you feel comfortable raising chickens for their eggs?
Eww ... no.
I would love to have a couple of hens.
I wouldn't mind raising them for their eggs and their thighs.
I would feel more comfortable raising a puppy.

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Question 27 - home evacuation Where have you posted your home's evacuation route?
It's on the fridge.
I need to make one of those.
I have one in every room.
There's a copy by the phone.

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Question 28 - firewood What do you do to get your home ready for the cold winter months?
I have my furnace inspected.
I make sure to seal off drafts.
I stock up on firewood.
I have the chimney cleaned.

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Question 29 - tetanus shot Do you always remember to get your tetanus shot renewed?
Eeek! I totally forgot.
Of course, I did.
I make sure to keep up with it.
I think my doctor handled that, but I'm not sure.

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Question 30 - out of milk When do you usually notice that you're out of milk?
When I open a new jug
I don't drink milk.
About halfway through a bottle
After I've poured my cereal into a bowl

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