In a situation where society has collapsed and life as we know it no longer exists, you’ll have to get very creative if you want to restore some semblance of normalcy to your life.

One modern convenience that will be sorely missed right away is electricity. We have become so accustomed to flicking a light switch or turning on appliances that it’s second nature. Most of us have never had to experience a day without electricity, with the exception of temporary outages.

In preparing for the day when society no longer functions, many people will rely a great deal on solar-powered gear to get them by. While many solar-powered items, from radios  to foldable solar panels that you can use to power electronic devices, are great — wouldn’t it be ideal to have an actual power generator? And wouldn’t it be even better to have a generator that does not rely on gasoline or diesel fuel, both of which will also largely disappear (or be commandeered) when stuff hits the fan?

The maker of the video below shows, step-by-step, how to make a water-powered generator sufficient to power a small dwelling from parts stripped out of an old washing machine. If you’ve got a bugout location pre-selected, or if you’ve got a supply of running water on property where you currently live, this is a very viable option. (RELATED: Read  Grid Down? 6 Ways To Cook When There’s Absolutely No Electricity.)

As you can see in the video, you’ll need to make sure the washing machine’s rotors underneath still turn freely; if they do, then you’re well on your way to constructing your own water-powered generator. And, the best thing is, you can pick up a used washing machine just about anywhere, for not a lot of money.

It’s simple, effective, and best of all, it will produce power continually, as long as the mechanical parts function and as long as the water supply lasts. While you’ll still miss a lot of the modern appliances and conveniences of your former life, imagine what you can do with your own source of power when times get tough. Get more prepping ideas at Bugout.news.

Check out the video and get started building yourself some electrical power “insurance” for when times get bad:

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.