Now that I’m retired, I have more time to ponder. You might say that pondering is my hobby. I once said that if I didn’t have to earn a living, I would sit around and ponder all day. Lately, I’ve been thinking about the future of America.
With that said, I’ve been exploring ideas like:
- Are we in a depression?
- Will the economy collapse?
- Will there be another lockdown because of the pandemic?
As of this writing, there are so many unknowns.
Yet, there are some things that I do know. For example, we’ve seen upward and downward fluctuations in the price of products.
Moreover, we’ve experienced delays in delivery. It’s not uncommon for products to be out of stock or have longer than usual lead times.
At the same time, we just don’t know what lies ahead. For that reason, I think it’s best to be prepared for possible supply chain disruptions.
Because of that, I’d rather buy now, while products are still available than be sorry that I didn’t get them when I could.
In my opinion, preparing helps one avoid regret.
Having said that, I think you should get the following 11 items before it’s too late. Better to be safe than sorry.
Furthermore, these 11 items are useful, affordable, and fun!
To be clear, I’ve purchased and used all of the 11 items on my list, except for the camera which my daughter bought for herself.
Above all, even if the shit never hits the fan, these are terrific items you’ll be happy to own.
Disclosure: This article contains Amazon affiliate links to products we recommend. If you click through and make a purchase through these links, we’ll get a small commission, but you won’t pay any extra. Thank you!
No. 1 – Beatit Portable Battery Charger Power Pack
Amazon Price $62.99
The Beatit Portable Battery Charger helps you be self-sufficient. You can quickly and safely jump-start your vehicle without having to rely on someone else.
It’s convenient and practical for a number of situations.
Do you like road tripping or camping? It’s the perfect companion for that.
You can explore all day without worry. With your Beatit handy, you can easily jump-start a weak or dead battery if by chance that happens.
No waiting for help or paying for roadside assistance.
Maybe you live in a cold climate.
There’s nothing worse than the cranking sound of a weak battery when it’s -20 degrees outside, and you have someplace to go. This is another situation where Beatit comes in handy.
In other words, this powerful battery pack will make quick and easy work of jump-starting your battery so you can get going fast.
Furthermore, it works with all 12V batteries.
Thus, you can jump-start your car, truck, van, motorcycle, ATV, lawnmower, and many other types of power equipment!
Plus, it will charge all of your USB devices.
The Beatit Power Pack is compact and much smaller than a traditional jump box and doesn’t take up much space in a toolbox, or glove compartment.
Moreover, it has an LED emergency light with 3 modes – flashlight, strobe, and SOS.
It’s reliable, versatile, and ideal for:
- Camping
- Traveling
- Power Outages
- Emergency Situations
What’s in the box?
- Battery Power Pack
- Integrated Voltmeter
- Jumper Cables
- Wall Charger
- Handy Carry Case Easy Transport between Vehicles and/or Camper
- Instructions
Don’t let a weak or dead battery ruin your day. Resolve to be prepared.
Get it before it’s too late!
Beatit portable power pack has a 4.5 star rating with over 1,600 reviews and costs 62.99.
No. 2 – INIU Power Bank, Ultra-Slim Dual 3A High-Speed Portable Battery Pack for Smartphones
Amazon Price $17.99
Sometimes the best of us find our devices low on juice.
For example, the battery may be going bad, or isn’t holding its power.
When that happens away from home, you need a fast charge to keep you up and running.
The INIU charger with exclusive UPower technology charges 1.4X faster than other power banks on the market.
To this end, it’s extremely useful if someone forgets to charge their phone, tablet, or smartwatch, and needs a high-speed battery charge on the go.
Additionally, the really cool paw print indicator shows you the progress of your charge.
It’s USB compatible for USB C and Micro for easy charging anywhere, anytime.
Charge all of your USB devices.
- iPhone
- Samsung
- Tablet
- Smartwatch
- Air Pods
What’s in the box?
- INIU 10000mAh portable charger
- Micro USB cable
- Travel pouch
- User’s manual
The INIU is ultra-slim and lightweight. Plus, it’s airline-friendly and takes up very little space – easily fits in your pocket or carry on luggage.
Plug it in. Power your mobiles. Easy!
Get it before it’s too late!
INIU High-Speed Portable Charger has a 4.6 rating, over 53,000 reviews, and costs 17.99.
No. 3 – GreaterGoods Bluetooth Full Set Blood Pressure Monitor Cuff and Kit
Amazon Price 44.88
Although I’m not fond of the barbaric medical establishment, I want to be able to take my blood pressure when I want.
Thus, I want a blood pressure kit at my disposal.
With that said, I decided on GreaterGoods after comparing brands and reading many positive reviews of the product. You can check ratings here on Amazon.
Furthermore, now that many people are making the switch to telehealth, or telemedicine, a good blood pressure monitor is essential.
That’s because as virtual visits gain in popularity, verifiable information is important for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Consider this.
An in-person examination generally starts with taking a patient’s blood pressure.
Online consultations often begin with asking the patient if they know their blood pressure numbers.
Successful communication between doctor and patient is crucial.
In short, accurate records are vital.
As a result, a reliable blood pressure monitor that saves data, like the one from GreaterGoods, is a must.
GreaterGoods Kit Features:
- Free Balance Health App
- Measures Systolic and Diastolic Pressure
- Measures Pulse
- Hypertension Indicator Bar
- Irregular Heartbeat Sensor
- Large Backlit Display with Oversized Numbers
What’s in the box?
- 4 AAA batteries
- A wall plug
- Premium fabric upper arm cuff
- Storage case
GreaterGoods sells a quality kit that’s easy to use and understand.
Furthermore, the readings are accurate.
Think about getting it now because the price is cheaper than when I bought it. With this in mind, it’s a good time to buy now.
Get it before it’s too late!
GreaterGoods Bluetooth Blood Pressure Monitor Kit has a 4.6 rating, over 5,200 reviews, and costs 44.88.
No. 4 – Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Digital Camera w/XF18-55mm Kit – Silver
Amazon Price $1,299
Would you like to take better pictures than your phone can take? Do you enjoy taking video, but wish you had accurate focus?
Whether you’re a professional or amateur photographer, the Fujifilm X-T30 mirrorless camera excels in picture quality and auto-focus.
I’d looked at this camera before my daughter’s purchase, but became convinced of its superiority when she began using it to make YouTube videos.
Fujifilm X-T30’s excellent picture quality and super-fast video focusing capability are quite impressive.
I think I prefer it over any of the cameras that I own right now – including DSLRs.
Explore the possibilities!
Regardless of your skill level, the FujiFilm X-T30 is the perfect camera for releasing your creative side.
The Fuji is smaller and lighter than a DSLR. It’s compact and fits comfortably in your hand.
Accordingly, it will make a great tag along for your next adventure.
FujiFilm X-T30 features:
- Advanced Image Sensor Technology
- Accurate Autofocus and Face Detection
- Superior Image and Video Quality
- The Ability to Record in 4K
- Next-Gen Wireless Connectivity
- Share Images to Smart Devices
- 2-way Tilting Touch Screen
What’s in the box?
- Fujifilm X-T30 Mirrorless Camera
- 18-55 mm Wide Angle Lens
- Battery
- Camera Charger
- Strap
Feel free to check out this review from Digital Photography for another opinion.
Or, click the button below to read customer reviews on Amazon and get additional specs and features from the manufacturer.
Get it before it’s too late!
FujiFilm X-T30 Mirrorless Camera Kit has a 4.7 rating, over 235 reviews, and costs 1,299.00.
No. 5 – Veepeak OBDCheck BLE OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner Auto OBD II Diagnostic Scan Tool
Amazon Price $32.99
If you’re someone who works on your vehicles as I do, you know that cars and trucks are different than in times past. Specifically, it’s the use of computerized components.
Having said that, I can’t emphasize enough how invaluable the Veepeak Diagnostic Tool has been in helping me diagnose vehicle problems.
The Veepeak is a very useful gadget for checking the performance of your vehicle and clearing error codes.
Simply plug it in right under the dashboard for real-time monitoring. Then connect it by Bluetooth to your smartphone to check readings.
It’s a powerful, reliable, and extremely affordable scan tool.
The Veepeak is a sophisticated scan tool that’s compatible with iOS and Android.
Additionally, the Veepeak Bluetooth OBD ll adapter supports extensive apps including many FREE 3rd party apps.
Veepeak Bluetooth Diagnostic Tool Can:
- Read Diagnostic Trouble Codes
- Freeze Frame Data
- Reset Check Engine Light
- Prepare Smog Test
- View Real-Time Sensor Readings
- Create a Customized Dashboard
- Estimate Fuel Economy
What’s in the box?
- Veepeak Diagnostic Scan Tool
- Scanner Works with Vehicles Models Later Than 1996.
I highly recommend it to anyone who drives a vehicle and needs to troubleshoot problems.
It’s a small investment for a useful tool.
Get it before it’s too late!
Veepeak OBDCheck Diagnostic Tool has a 4.6 rating, over 4,000 reviews, and costs 32.99.
No. 6 – Garmin inReach Mini GPS Satellite Communicator
Amazon Price $317.00
Are you an adventurous retiree, but are reluctant to explore out of cell range because it seems too risky?
This used to concern me.
But no more.
Now I stay in touch 24/7 with my Garmin inReach Mini.
With inReach, I don’t have to worry about the inability to communicate because it works where my cell phone doesn’t.
With Garmin’s inReach two-way satellite communication, I easily send and receive text messages.
I let family members know my whereabouts, and they can follow my adventures online.
If there’s an emergency, I can trigger an SOS with the push of a button.
In conclusion, if you enjoy hiking, camping, or want to explore the outdoors with peace of mind, the inReach is a must-have item.
Garmin inReach Mini Features:
- Small and lightweight, fits in the palm of your hand
- Durable and feels rugged to the touch
- Send and receive messages through compatible wearables, phones, or other Garmin devices.
- Post your adventures to Facebook, or other social media
- Rechargeable lithium battery provides up to 50 hours of battery life in 10-minute tracking mode
What’s in the box?
- Garmin inReach Mini GPS Satellite Communicator
- Battery Charger Cable
Check out this video from Survival Dispatch to get their opinion of Garmin’s inReach Mini.
Get it before it’s too late!
Garmin inReach GPS Satellite Communicator has a 4.6 rating, 675 reviews, and costs 317.00
No. 7 – OontZ Angle 3 Ultra (3rd Gen) 5.0 Bluetooth Speaker
Amazon Price $39.99
OontZ Angle 3 Ultra 3.0 Bluetooth Speaker fits my needs for a compact, Bluetooth speaker with powerful sound quality.
In my case, I specifically use these speakers for treadmill workouts and listening to videos at bedtime.
A simple connection to my Bluetooth device delivers room-filling sound to keep me motivated during my workout.
Additionally, I regularly listen to videos to help me stay asleep. However, I’m not an earbud person.
Because of that, OontZ speakers fit my lifestyle for listening to videos in bed.
If you like to throw parties or have get-togethers with music, whether indoors or outdoors, OontZ speakers are ideal to have around.
Make your party a success by wirelessly connecting 2 Oontz speakers for amazing stereo sound.
They are powerful enough to play audio up to 100 feet away from your smartphone, laptop, desktop, tablet, or other Bluetooth devices.
As a satisfied customer of OontZ speakers for over a year, I can testify to their proven quality and performance.
Finally, Amazon reviewers are passionate about this item. Check out the reviews on Amazon.
OontZ Bluetooth Speaker Features:
- Bluetooth range up to 100 ft away from the device
- Fast connection
- Loud room-filling volume
- Waterproof
- Plays up to 20 hours on a single charge
- Use it indoors or outdoors
What’s in the box?
- OontZ Ultra 3 Waterproof Speaker
Get it before it’s too late!
OontZ Angle 3 Ultra (3rd Gen) 5.0 Bluetooth Speaker has a 4.4 rating, over 16,000 reviews, and costs 39.99.
No. 8 – Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System
Amazon Price $19.87
Of course we all know that clean drinking water is essential for our survival.
Therefore, if you’re an active retiree that cycles, hikes, or explores the outdoors, the Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System is an easily packable item you should have.
It’s not uncommon for Yoga Woman and me to explore the outdoors where fresh water isn’t always readily available.
With that in mind, I decided to buy a couple of these to have while hiking and traveling. They are lightweight and easy to pack.
Even though we carry water, we don’t want to get caught off-guard without a source of fresh water.
Regardless of how fresh spring water looks, it’s unwise to drink it. It could be contaminated with Giardia.
In case you don’t know, Giardia is a microscopic parasite that causes a diarrheal illness called Giardiasis, also known as Beaver Fever.
The worst symptoms include greasy, foul-smelling stool, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, belching, and passing excessive amounts of gas.
For this reason, why chance a miserable intestinal illness when you can purchase a Sawyer Filter for under 20 bucks!
The filter removes 99.99999% of all bacteria (salmonella, cholera, and E. coli); removes 99.9999% of all protozoa (such as giardia and cryptosporidium); also removes 100% of microplastics.
In addition to the Sawyer MINI being great for traveling, camping, and outdoor recreation, it’s ideal to keep one in your arsenal of emergency preparedness items.
Sawyer MINI Filtration System Features:
- Fits in Palm of Hand
- Weighs about 2 ounces
- Attaches to pouch, water bottles, hydration packs
- Drink through straw directly from water source
- Filter rated up to 100,000 gallons
What’s in the box?
- Sawyer MINI Filter
- 16 oz. reusable squeeze pouch
- 7-inch drinking straw
- Cleaning Plunger
Get it before it’s too late!
Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System has a 4.7 rating, over 15,000 reviews, and costs 19.97.
No. 9 – Garmin 010-01769-01 Vivoactive 3, GPS Smartwatch with Contactless Payments and Built-In Sports Apps
Amazon Price $129.99
With Garmin’s Vivoactive Smartwatch, you can track with GPS, make contactless payments, monitor your fitness, and receive notifications on your watch.
Aside from all of the special features of Garmin’s Vivoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch, I like the fit on my slim wrist.
Plus, I like Vivoactive’s big, bold, easy-to-read display.
Furthermore, smartwatches are really cool items to have.
They’re a technological marvel of the 20th century.
Take a closer look at the photo above of my Vivoactive Smartwatch settings.
You can tell the time, check the weather, monitor heart rate, show your altitude, your steps, and so much more.
If you’ve been on the fence about getting a smartwatch or are unsure of which fitness tracker to buy, consider the unisex Vivoactive.
Garmin Vivoactive Features:
- Thousands of free watch faces to choose from
- Monitor stress levels
- 15 preloaded GPS and sports apps
- Automatically uploads to Garmin Connect
- Up to 7 days of battery life in Smartwatch mode, 13 hours in GPS mode
- Touchscreen
What’s in the box?
- Garmin Vivoactive Smartwatch with Battery Installed
- Includes Bluetooth and GPS Connectivity Technology
Get it before it’s too late!
Garmin 010-01769-01 Vivoactive 3 has over 4,000 reviews, and costs 129.99.
No. 10 – DJI Mini 2 – Ultralight and Foldable Drone Quadcopter, 3-Axis Gimbal with 4K Camera, 12MP Photo, 31 Mins Flight Time, OcuSync 2.0 10km HD Video Transmission, QuickShots Gray
Amazon Price $449.00
Get a birds-eye view of your neighborhood, campsite, local park, lake, or other scenic location with the DJI Mini 2 drone.
As an inexperienced drone flyer, I can tell you that the DJI Mini 2 is easy to fly right out of the box.
If you’re a beginner flyer, you may be thinking about costs. Admittedly, the Mini 2 is not the cheapest drone you can get.
However, as opposed to my first drone the Potensic T25, the extra money for the DJI was worth it!
The Potensic was so difficult to use, I hardly played with it.
DJI’s instructions are easy to understand. And the drone takes off and lands like it’s supposed to. No erratic or unanticipated moves like cheaper starter drones.
Besides ease of use, what’s most impressive is the video quality. The drone produces sharp footage you’ll be proud to show your family and friends.
It’s a great drone at an affordable price.
Check out reviews from satisfied Amazon purchasers.
As with most things of this nature, there’s a little bit of a learning curve.
However, with practice, the DJI Mini 2 provides hours of flying fun.
DJI Mini 2 Features:
- Beginner Friendly
- Light Weight and Compact – Fits in the Palm of Your Hand
- 12 mp Camera – 4K – 3 Axis Gimble
- 2.0 Video Transmission – Fly Farther and See Clearer
- 41 Minutes of Battery Life
- Level 5 Wind Resistance – Stable When Flying Along Coastlines or Alpine Forest
What’s in the box?
- DJI Mini 2 Drone
- Remote Controller
- DJI Mavic Mini 2 Intelligent Flight Battery
- Spare Propellers (Pair)
- Type-C Cable
- Gimbal Protector
- RC Cable (Micro USB connector)
- RC Cable (USB-C connector)
- RC Cable (Lightning connector)
- Spare Control Sticks (Pair)
Get it before it’s too late!
DJI Mini 2 Ultralight and Foldable Drone Quadcopter has over 9,246 reviews and costs 449.00.
No. 11 – Garmin HRM-Dual
Amazon Price $53.99
Three of my “Get it before it’s too late” items on this list are from Garmin.
That’s because Garmin produces reliable, high-quality products that I’ve relied on for many years.
Hence, when I wanted a chest monitor to pair with my Vivoactive Smartwatch, I turned to Garmin’s HRM Dual.
Yes, the Vivoactive monitors your heart rate. But I wanted something more accurate than a wrist monitor.
I’ve used the Garmin HRM Dual strap for several years.
Its 100% cotton strap is soft and comfortable to wear while working out.
Plus, the Garmin Dual is completely washable. I’ve hand-washed it with great results.
Finally, the strap provides me with the accurate readings that I desire.
Garmin HRM Dual Features:
- Long-Lasting Battery Life up to 3 1/2 Years.
- Soft 100% Cotton Strap
- Washable
- One Size Fits All
- System Compatibility – Ant+ and Bluetooth
What’s in the box?
- Garmin HRM Dual – Heart Rate Monitor
Get it before it’s too late!
Garmin HRM-Dual has over 3,400 reviews and costs 53.99.
Final Thoughts
From the standpoint of an uncertain future, these are 11 items that retirees should get before it’s too late – meaning before they become unavailable. Regardless of that, these 11 items are useful, affordable, and fun items any retiree would be happy to own.
Please feel free to comment below! And before you go, please take a moment to subscribe to our newsletter, and like us on Facebook!
Updated: 5/13/21 to reflect price changes from when this article was originally published in 2020.
Updated: 11/16/21 – Because of its superior quality and performace, replaced the Potensic Drone with the DJI.
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Hi, My Dad was born in Victor, MT in 1917; raised in Hamilton. My Mom was born in Darby in 1921. They are buried (with many from both sides of my family) in Hamilton .
Hi Mary,
Wow! Your parents go way back to when valley life was quite different. Thanks so much for sharing a bit of your family’s history.
Best,
Marlene, Yoga Woman