Review policy
How we review products
Preparedness and DIY products are often sold with big promises. Our reviews are built so you can see exactly what the seller says, what we could check, what you actually get, and who should keep their money.
The short version
- We have not bought or used the products we review, and every review says so near the top.
- Everything the seller claims is labeled as the seller's claim, with the date we read it.
- Claims that touch safety, health or money are checked against official or academic sources.
- Every review lists what you actually get, the price and refund terms from the seller's own page, who it's not for, and free alternatives.
- Some reviews contain an affiliate link. It is labeled, and it never changes the verdict.
How a review is made
Read the seller's own pages
The sales page, the order and refund terms, the FAQ, the "about" page and, for affiliate products, the seller's affiliate page. We save a copy and note the date. If a detail isn't published, the review says "not stated" rather than guessing.
Separate claims from facts
Sales pages mix product facts (price, format, refund window) with marketing (how many people use it, what it will do for you, where it came from). We list the marketing as the seller's claims, in their words where it helps, and say which we could not verify.
Check the claims that matter
Anything about safety, health, food preservation, electricity or money is compared with official sources such as the CDC, USDA, the National Center for Home Food Preservation, energy.gov or the FTC. If a claim conflicts with that guidance, the review says so plainly.
Describe what you actually get
The format (download, members area, book, DVD), what's included, the upsells and any recurring charges we can see, and what you still have to supply yourself, such as tools, materials or time.
Say who it's for, who it isn't, and what's free
Every review ends with who might reasonably buy it, who should skip it, and free alternatives from public sources that cover the same ground.
What we won't do
- Claim to have bought, used, built or tested something we haven't.
- Invent testimonials, results, star ratings or “our experts”.
- Soften a fact because it might cost us a commission.
- Review products whose central claim conflicts with basic safety or science, or whose main use is outside this site's scope (weapons, foraging, medical or herbal treatment). We say so instead of reviewing them.
Affiliate links in reviews
If a review includes an affiliate link, it is labeled "(affiliate link)", the page says so near the top, and the link is marked for search engines as sponsored. If you buy through it we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Payment never buys a review, a better verdict or a place on the site. See the affiliate disclosure for every way the site may earn money.
Prices, updates and corrections
Prices, offers and refund terms change, so every review shows the date we read them. Check the seller's checkout page before you buy. If something in a review is out of date or wrong, please tell us and we'll recheck it against the seller's current pages.
All current reviews are listed on the reviews page.
Pick your starting point.
Kits and plans, power outages, or food and water: each path lists the guides in the order that helps most.