Doomsday prepper Rowan MacKenzie has revealed that a family of four needs at least £5,000 in starter cash ready for food, water and supplies if the UK goes to war – a sum that will only last one month.
MacKenzie, known for her "extreme" preparations that were once laughed at, is now frequently asked for advice as global tensions rise. She has a bunker under her home stocked with £315,000 worth of goods.
Cost per person and what it covers
"It really does depend on the household income, so only get what you can afford without breaking the bank," MacKenzie told creatorzine.com. "But I would say it should roughly cost no more than £1,000, per person, for food and supplies and that should last around three weeks if rationing is done correctly."
That cost includes bugout bag materials – a portable emergency kit lasting three days in case of sudden evacuation, she added.
Her advice comes as a stark contrast to the average UK adult's savings of £19,214, according to 2026 research by Finder. Those under 55 have just £9,888, while 39% of the country have £1,000 or less.
Preparedness is about having a plan
MacKenzie says it is not just about money in the bank – preparedness is about having a "plan" that can be actioned quickly. "Is anybody actually ready? Don't prepare for one disaster, prepare for the consequences disasters have," she said. "I ask myself: 'If something happened tomorrow and I couldn't buy anything for seven days, how comfortable would my household be?'"
"You don't need an expensive bunker to get started," she added. "You need a plan."
MacKenzie, from Missouri in the United States, recently donated her entire stockpile and is rebuilding it. Her "must-haves" list includes multiple power sources – flashlights, lanterns, power banks and backup cooking devices – plus shelf-stable foods like preserved beans and rice, with at least seven days' worth per person in rotation.
Common mistakes to avoid
She also recommends a printed list of important contacts, a battery-powered radio, emergency cash, vital documents, basic medicines, water purifiers, extra fuel and blankets.
"Stockpiling food you never eat is a no-go," she said. "In an emergency, discovering your family hates half your food store will be a problem."
"Always make sure to rotate your stockpile, all supplies will have an expiration date or can degrade," MacKenzie added. "Another mistake is buying food but forgetting water and so is having gear you've never used before. An unopened water filter, camp stove, radio or generator won't be much help if you don't know how to operate it."
She also notes preppers often forget sanitation products, soap, prescription medications and necessities for pets. Her advice follows Defence Secretary Wes Streeting's comments that the UK is at "greater risk of war", with reports the government is updating the 'war book' – a classified manual for coordinating national defence and transitioning from peacetime to a full war footing.
After Chief of the Defence Sir Richard Knighton warned that Russia's threat to Britain was "dangerous", Streeting has urged residents to stockpile tinned food, bottled water and cash. MacKenzie warns against keeping everything in one place: "Fire, flooding, theft or structural damage will wipe out a beautifully prepared stockpile," she said.
"Also, don't ever plan for one specific apocalypse. A flexible setup is much more useful than preparing exclusively for one scenario and don't ever tell anyone what you've got," she continued. "There's little benefit to broadcasting the location and extent of your supplies – as it's 'one man for themselves' in an emergency. Lastly, test out your plan. Turn off the power for an evening, cook using your backup method, use stored water, test communications and see what you're missing."
"We know a day is coming soon that we need to be as prepared as possible. It's not paranoia – it's being ready."
