Module 9
Emergency Budget Calculator
Estimate what your household needs for 3, 14, 30, or 90 days. Every number comes from stated planning assumptions — the same ones used in the guide and the included spreadsheet.
Estimated budget
$789–$1,233
Point estimate $987 for 4 people, 14 days.
- Water$70.00
- Food$275
- Equipment$622
- Hygiene & pets$19.60
- Total water need
- 56 gal
- Water to store
- 56 gal (12 × 5-gal)
- Food days to buy
- 14
- Household kcal/day
- 7,000
- Infants on formula or baby food need a separate plan; see Module 2 and Module 7 of the guide.
Food shopping list (staple basket)
| Item | Qty | Est. |
|---|---|---|
| White rice (dry) | 17 lb | $15.30 |
| Dry beans or lentils | 9 lb | $13.50 |
| Dry pasta | 7 lb | $10.50 |
| Rolled or quick oats | 5 lb | $10.00 |
| Canned chicken or meat (12.5 oz) | 10 can | $40.00 |
| Canned tuna or salmon (5 oz) | 14 can | $18.20 |
| Canned vegetables (15 oz) | 25 can | $25.00 |
| Canned fruit in juice (15 oz) | 17 can | $30.60 |
| Shelf-stable (UHT) milk, 1 quart | 10 carton | $25.00 |
| Peanut or other nut/seed butter (16 oz) | 4 jar | $12.00 |
| Ready-to-eat canned soup, stew, or chili | 14 can | $35.00 |
| Crackers (1 lb box) | 4 box | $14.00 |
| Cooking oil (16 fl oz) | 2 bottle | $6.00 |
| Nuts or trail mix (1 lb) | 2 bag | $12.00 |
| Sugar or honey (1 lb) | 2 lb | $2.00 |
Planning estimate only — not a guaranteed requirement or a real-time retail price. Estimated typical US prices (store brands, November 2026). Not verified against current retailer listings; prices vary by region, store, and season. Medications, infant formula, and special medical supplies are not included. Water: 1 gal/person/day (official baseline); pets 0.25 gal/day (planning assumption). Food: 2,000 kcal/adult, 1,500 kcal/child per day (planning averages).
Assumptions
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day (CDC / Ready.gov / Red Cross baseline). Pets: 0.25 gallon per day (planning assumption for a ~30 lb pet).
- Stored water is capped at 14 days; longer plans add a water treatment kit.
- Food: 2,000 kcal per adult and 1,500 kcal per child (ages 4–12) per day as planning averages, using the guide's 30-day staple basket. 3-day plans use a no-cook menu.
- Equipment: items from Module 5 recommended for the plan length, priced by tier.
Limitations
- Prices are estimated typical US store-brand prices (November 2026), not real-time retail prices.
- Results are planning estimates, not guaranteed requirements or nutrition advice.
- Medications, infant formula, and medical supplies are not included.
- Official guidance is a few days to two weeks of supplies; 30 and 90 days are optional extended planning.