When things get wonky, the herd stampedes towards bottled water, which is one of the strangest manifestations of survival instinct in all the Animal Kingdom.

The basic idea makes sense, though: you can only live a couple days without drinking water. It’s the right thing to worry about first, but you don’t need to do locked battle with other shoppers, then cart home six hundred pounds of Aquafina.

There are MUCH better ways to take care of your family’s thirst, and it need not cost much. A little advanced planning will save you big bucks, and score you some well-earned peace of mind.

Dig in to this wee guide, learn some pro tips and enjoy a good laugh.