This article has been generously contributed by Tess Pennington of Ready Nutrition. After joining the Dallas chapter of the American Red Cross in 1999 Tess worked as an Armed Forces Emergency Services Center specialist and is well versed in emergency and disaster management & response.
As some of you know, I’ve been prepping for a several years now. Believe me when I say that I have probably made every prepping mistake in the book. It’s time I admit to these mistakes and begin using them as learning experiences for those of you who are beginning their preparedness efforts.
8 Rookie Mistakes
Don’t Panic
Take a deep breath, sit down and make an emergency plan. Decide what emergency you are preparing for and what supplies you will need. Try and stay within a certain emergency time frame and work your way up to larger scale emergencies. For example, begin planning for a 72 hour emergency and work your way up to a short term emergency and later, a larger scale or long term emergency.
Take your time and properly plan how you are going to open up your budget so that you can attain these emergency items. Cutting out the extraneous spending in your budget can free up a lot of extra cash. The money saved can be used toward your future preparedness items. Make the choice of using the new found preparedness money or save it for a more expensive prep. Either way, you will accumulate a little at a time and not break the budget.
Personal Experience – One mistake I remember (and am still paying for) was when my husband and I decided to get a short term food supply. We hadn’t really researched what it takes to maintain our family’s health during a short term emergency so we impulsively went out and bought $200 in canned goods. Needless to say that we are still living off of that canned good investment. Looking back, we could have used that $200 in a more constructive manner.
Don’t always believe the experts.
Listen to what the experts say, but make the decision that is best for your family and your needs. Some expert advice is driven by what makes them the most money or what other experts are saying at the time. Make a list of what items you are looking for and research those items (include reading the customer reviews).
Personal Experience – An expert was telling everyone that they should have a certain brand of hiking boots. Well, I went out and bought them because “the expert” said I should. Because I didn’t research the boots (and the specs about the boot), after purchasing it; I made the realization that they were way too heavy for me. Luckily, I was able to return the boots and get my money back. After I researched and read customer reviews, I went out and invested in a different pair of hiking boots that were perfect for what I needed.
Don’t buy cheap preps.
Trying to save money here and there is great, but when you are investing in survival gear, you want to make sure the investment is worth the money spent. Begin looking at your purchase as an investment for your future. You want that product to last and perform its desired function with minimal hassle. And you want to be able to depend on that product to see you through an emergency. On another note, whatever items or tools you buy, make sure you use it. If you invest money and buy an item that you do not know how to use, it’s useless.
Personal Experience – I wanted to save a few bucks and bought a basic sleeping bag that didn’t have any bells or whistles. Later on down the line, I realized the sleeping bag was way too bulky, weighed too much for a bug out situation and had no capacity to really keep someone warm. I ended up investing in an ultralight backpack that keeps me toasty when I need it the most and is feather light. Although I made a mistake with the first sleeping bag, I am using it as a back up, so the investment was not a complete loss. Other items I have found that are worth spending extra money on are good toothbrushes, survival tools, water filtration systems and survival knives.
Buy preps that are multi purpose.
You want to make the most out of your preparedness investment so do some extra research and find preparedness items that have multiple functions.
Personal Experience – I have found a lot of items that have multi uses, so listing them would be an entire article in itself. However, here are few suggestions that would help serve a multitude of functions. Rope, for instance, is a great multi use prep. It can be used for hanging or securing emergency shelters, used as a laundry line or for hauling. Other multi-function items are a good knife, multi tool, and emergency foods, such as salt, baking soda, and vinegar.
Buy foods you and your family normally eat.
This is one of the biggest mistakes that preppers make. You want to use the food that you store. To get the most out of your food investment, develop good storage habits. Further, it’s a good rule of thumb to purchase foods and items that will be used within their allotted time span, so check the expiration date!
Personal Experience – I came across some cans of seafood medley at my local grocery store and thought how great it would be to use it in an emergency situation. I was so excited about this canned seafood because it was high in protein and vitamins, so I ended up buying 4 cans of this stuff. Needless to say that after opening 1 of the cans up for a dinner… my family (and myself included) pushed our plates aside and decided to eat cereal instead. I donated the remaining cans to a food bank.
Eat what you store.
In an article I wrote about storing food, I stated, “Storing food is a continual process of using, rotating and reloading. If a short term food supply is bought, the food must be used and more food purchased to resupply the storage shelf. Thinking of the food supply as a small store where the foods in the front have the shortest expiration date and the ones in the back have the longest. The food storage area should be checked every six months to make sure that appropriate food items are rotated. ”
Personal Experience – I can’t tell you how many times I have had to throw away unopened food because I didn’t use it within its expiration date. Using and rotating your food supply takes some getting used to. Many think that the stored food is for emergencies only. And it is, but it should also be there for you when you need it. It’s your own personal convenience store. When you use an item, buy a new one at the store and replace it on your shelf.
Have back ups for your back ups.
This is a golden rule for preppers. You never know when one of your preps will break or jam up on you. Having extra items gives you peace of mind because you are not solely dependent on one item for survival.
Personal Experience – When we were researching water filtration systems, we ended up buying a katadyn water filter (A solid investment in my opinion). However, we began thinking about the use and effectiveness of the filter after mulitiple uses. We decided that solely depending on one item to give up potable water was not wise. We not only bought extra filters for our katadyn, but also invested in micro-pur tablets (chlorine dioxide tablets), and chlorine granuals to make sure that all areas were covered.
Get your friends and family on board.
In an emergency situation, you will need help from others. It would be unrealistic to think differently. Talking with friends and family about being prepared is a great way to awaken the need for their personal preparedness efforts and help you find more “like minded” individuals. Help guide them and give them advise on how to begin.
Personal Experience – We all have stories of people thinking we are “kooky” because we prepare for short or long term emergencies, and I am no different. I have learned to take the opinions of others in stride, but I have talked with some family and friends who see the need to prepare and have started doing so. My largest accomplishment thus far has been helping my sister become more prepared. I have peace of mind knowing most of my immediate family is prepared – at least for a short term emergency.
There will be some friends and family members who are not going to be on board no matter how much you try and talk to them. There will be some who will be on board and will listen to what you have to say. Hopefully, after you share your experiences and first time mistakes, they will listen and learn from you.
What are some prepping mistakes you have made?
Tess Pennington is the author of The Prepper’s Cookbook: 300 Recipes to Turn Your Emergency Food into Nutritious, Delicious, Life-Saving Meals. When a catastrophic collapse cripples society, grocery store shelves will empty within days. But if you follow this book’s plan for stocking, organizing and maintaining a proper emergency food supply, your family will have plenty to eat for weeks, months or even years. Visit her web site at ReadyNutrition.com.
I often wonder if the prepper “fad” will begin to die down. Some people will still prep but it will become like the 1950s fall out shelters fad. Some will say “yeah I used to be one of those guys, id go on this website shtf and check news and read others bs. Hahaha silly me!”
Then something actually happens and those that used to prep are now sol. I often think about this.
Yea let’s play that game. I coulda, I woulda,I shoulda now I’m a fuckta! Not this boy! I’m going to play MY game not theirs.
Hammer, it’s the only game you can win!
How in the world can the prepper way fade. Do you think judgement of the most high is going to fade. No it will increase. Natural disasters, Food shortages ,ect. Remember prepping falls into the catagory of quite abit of things. self reliance,self sufficiency,bushcraft,survival, even backpacking.The list is endless. Remember when transportation is stalled by any means,GOODS WILL BE HALTED. And what you have prepped is what you have. Only a 1st class fool does not build his ark.
The Federal government is buying its own debt because the Chinese no longer want it. Unfunded liabilities down the road exceed 60 to 200 BILLION dollars. I could go on, but you get the point. It’s a disaster just waiting for the right moment. There’s no turning back. When Argentina’s currency collapsed, well dressed people were going through Dumpsters looking for food. You know what would be great? To look back at our storage food in 2040 and say, wow, isn’t it great that for the last 25 years, we had enough food and didn’t need our freeze dried supplies.
You just never know what can happen, me and 90% of family and friends have had jobs lost in the last 15 years and had to “start over” in our 40’s, most of us at 9$/hour, if not for our food we grow (about 95% is homegrown) we would have been existing on ramen noodles because there was no money for the grocery, shtf isn’t always a nation wide thing, sometimes is just a life thing 🙂
I hear you on your thoughts AND this included. I am a retired Military person,and wanted to share a few things for you and others. In the last 2 years I travel to Corpus Christi to see a older vet buddy. I have seem MANY small retail and mom and pop stores closed up. GONE OUT OF BUSINESS ,thousands of them from they city to smaller towns. As to people working NOT THAT MANY , today only temp jobs come up and many still looking for the last couple of years. Schools dropping people by the hundreds, people working part time less than 30 hours a week have no health insurance and now under ObamaCare hospitals that helped the uninsured are going to be closed. People under obamacare now have to have ordered home intrusion by the Government if they smoke have children,are disabled and their kids will be pulled from families. Homeless people are being forced into FEMA CAMPS. Things are not looking good and non of this is hitting the main stream news, that say everything id fine. Mark
Prepping is a lifestyle, just like saving. It is always the prudent thing to do and so it should never go out of style or be just a fad. Looking at the world situation, the economy, the geopolitical developments, the growth of poverty and ignorance should be enough to fortify and reassure any prepper. The situation is not, repeat, is NOT, getting better.
We use to be called prudent, now we are labeled preppers, different name but the same wisdom.
My grandparents were preppers – they were called Country Folk and you know what…..all their neighbors were too!
Sometimes I question if I myself, on my dying bed, will be one of those guys. Saying to myself, “man all the sacrifices you made just for this”. Other times, I look at my age and current events and think there’s no way this shit can hold together, unless I die prematurely.
prepping is just insurance
I really don’t ever want to have to use them
because if I do
it means something REALLY bad has happened
Free advice is just what it is. The truth is, you can not adequately prep for what will happen if the sheeple allow the Jew banksters to remain in control.
It will be beyond the comprehension of today’s people, sugar coated by the banksters for the people of the future, and relatively few will live through it.
We can prepare to feed ourselves for the short term, and to protect that food while it lasts.
The best prep (or prevention) would be to begin killing those who are hell bent on making humanity suffer. I think it is time for the Christians and Muslims to gang up on the bankster Jews and end this thing once and for all.
By the time most take a stand, it will be far too late and the preps will be gone anyway.
Please stop with the Jew bashing. Do you follow Jesus’ commandments? Obviously not because you are full of hate. I thank G-d every day for the Jew from Nazareth…
First, Jesus wasn’ t a jew as we know those today called jews. He was a Nazerine of the tribe of Judah, a Judean. Furthermore, Jesus seriously bashed the “jews” in John 8:44. Also read 2nd John, Revelations 2:9 and 3:9. The people we call jews today are not descended from Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. They are turko-Mongolian, Kazars. Mixed race descendants of Esau-Edom who God said he hated. The same villians Jesus beat with a whip and ran out of the temple. The same ones he said were the sons of there father satan. The same bunch that owns the Federal Reserve a d has destroyed the economy. It damn sure wasn’t Irishmen!!!
OMG ( your 3 and my 1 ) WTF is the matter with you??
Are you married to KY Mom???
Can I please give you more thumbs down. I cannot believe you are really that full of hate. What caused you to be so in need of a big hug? What our world needs more of is not hate for ANYONE but love for all and to work together, come on, lets try something new.
you don’t stop prepping because the SHsTF, you keep on prepping, the garden goes in at the same time every spring or when ever the growing season is in your area. screw the bankers, let them eat their dollars.
The best way to Jew is Jew the Jew then stop the Jew from Jew this way Jew will evil Jew. Jew , jew, apple pie, jew, prepping, jew, shtf jews fault, jew, jew, bankster Jew is such a Jew that Jew would Jew. ……… end sarcasm. Do you people realize how you sound?
I doubt anyone (rational) thinks all Jews are the enemies of mankind. It is a certain segment of the Jewish elite that has essentially taken control of the West. They are the same folks that funded Hitler, and then refused to let the lesser of the tribe escape anywhere but Israel. Many of the best writers on the topic are Jews. They know that when a nation is destroyed, the elite move on to the next victim. The non-elite Jew is then the scapegoat. The result is pogrom, and they do not want to die for what a very small number of Jews are doing.
The “growing season” is year round WT-SHTF.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Season-Harvest-Organic-Vegetables-Garden-ebook/dp/B005O1FXNE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1383855287&sr=8-2&keywords=4+season+gardener
And a cookbook to go along with the philosophy…
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Season-Farm-Gardeners-Cookbook-ebook/dp/B00ANSW8VI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383855287&sr=8-1&keywords=4+season+gardener
I would also “invest’ in this book.
Sauces!
Food Fatigue Defense!
http://www.amazon.com/Sauces-Classical-Contemporary-Sauce-Making/dp/0470194960/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383855449&sr=8-1&keywords=sauces
Get or start to grow your ingredients now.
Fuck you.
Brother,
If your best friend is not a Jew, you will not be going to heaven. Spend time in the word and you will understand what I’m saying.
As a parent, increasingly I’m finding I don’t want to “prep” as such, more guide my child towards the sort of lifestyle that will best aid his chances of not just surviving but maybe thriving in an adult world that’ll be very different from today.
Examples of what I’m talking about:-
1/ As part of our process of relocating from Londistan we chose to rent for a couple of months in our new locale while we looked around for the nicest community to purchase in.
By nicest I mean the area within our price range that contained the highest number of people who still possess common courtesy, are good neighbours (eg would drive you to the hospital at 3am if needed without question). My child won’t be sneered at because he doesn’t have the latest igadget or trainers, or regarded as weird because he wants to take his dog rabbiting at the weekend rather than smoke dope.
ya know just decent people – areas like this are getting harder and harder to find in today’s world. Yet if shtf it’s my firm belief that those communities with some sense of basic decency stand the best chance of coming through the crisis unharmed. We’ve also found a decent chapel here.
2/ Our new home has the architecture to make solar panels, a veggie gardens & some chickens a reality. I want our home to PRODUCE, not just consume. It needs to be an ASSET, not a LIABILITY to us. I’ve gone for a small property with no mortgage whatsover, rather than listening to the siren voices of the money lenders. It’s not in an “up and coming”, or posh area, so it won’t make huge paper gains, but neither will we lose it all because I can’t make the monthly payment once fiat crashes for good.
3/ The local police are still a part of the community, rather than faceless imports.
4/ The opportunity is there to learn skills that we just don’t have right now. (Crocheting for me, the kid is going to learn to prep game over the next few months). In return I have skills I can pass on – it’s that kind of neighborhood.
Some of my approach comes from plain old fear of what I think may be up ahead in the big cities. Some of it comes from being a natural optimist – we know life is about to change, so lets try and make it a good one within the constraints of the new paradim.
I found this site recently, and found that it chimed with a lot of my thinking on things http://www.resilientcommunities.com/
I know OPSEC, defence, and storing STUFF is important, but I don’t want get trapped in either prepper fatigue, or fear in the process. If things get as bad as I think they could do on my down days, it’ll be SKILLS more than stuff that will see my child make it through.
I’m sorry, but if you as me for a ride to the hospital at 3 in the morning, I might have a question or two.
The best prep is honing ones mind to survive
and the fortitude to put it into action.
Don’t fall victim to analysis paralysis.
or victim to thinking a cellar full of conspicuous prepping consumption will save you. It’s the inability to distinguish between want and need, and to stay away from the mall that got us in this mess in the first place.
Except concessions have to be made for the “wants” as well. I have spent enough time in austere environments either in training or deployed to have learned one thing: small luxuries are a must to keep morale up. Let it be a real pillow, soft sheets instead of a sleeping bag, real food, a treat or a nice long Hollywood shower, or a much needed 8 hours or more of uninterrupted sleep, it all matters a lot. It doesn’t take a whole lot to bring morale up but it has to be done now and again.
Unless you have spent years as an ascetic monk (and even if you have), if you fail to reward yourself with anything that isn’t purely necessary to support life or to take some downtime or grant yourself some comforts, your mental health will suffer for it. And where the mind goes, the body goes. And to me it’s not a “been there, done that, got the t-shirt” deal. I AM there, I AM doing it and I’ve yet to get the t-shirt in the mail.
Sound advice. Good one Tess. For those who are new to this, stick around and learn something from the “old hats” here. Some of those here who have been doing this for a while gripe now and then but being vigilant has its price and a fair pound of it is damn sure worth it.
We’ve got Smokin Okie that give us a chuckle or two when we need it, KY Mom, for information on preps and news, Ranchers Wife, now there’s a site you should read up on, Tess’s reports along with Daisy’s tips on prepping. There’s others here I could go on about, BI and Burt the Brit, plus many, many more. So sit back and relax, get past the doom and gloom, glean what info you can and make it your own. The best of what we hope for is the best that we can do. Cheers.
Is Burt th Brit still around? Always liked that perspective. Lonelonemum made me think of Burt and wonder.
What about manos?
Agreed. Just keep prepping. It’s an expense just like life, health, auto, or homeowners insurance. You hope you never need it but it is there if you do. At least by rotating food through your preparation system you’ll get something out of the expense.
Speaking of the “don’t believe the experts point above”, the comments above about tossing food because of an expiration date, well, Tess is wrong, absolutely flat out wrong. Currently there is an effort underway, outside of prepping circles, to redo expiration dates across the food industry. It is being done because of inconsistencies that abound between “best by dates” “use by dates”, and “use before dates”. Many items are still edible and nutritious past their expiration date. Just today I brought up some canned peaches with a “best by date” of 09/14/12. They tasted fine, smelled fine, and had good color. It’s been hours since I ate it and I’m not sick. It’s not like the food item can read a calendar and say, “Oh I expire today, time to go bad.” I would trust commercially canned food longer than home canned food and several times on this site folks have talked about eating some of their old home canned food without any negative consequences. I volunteer at a local food bank. Per state health department regulations, baby food is tossed on the expiration date, canned food is given out until two years passed the expiration date, things like flour and cake mixes are tossed one year after the expiration date. Obviously fresh milk and eggs are tossed per the date. A major chain grocery store donated their baked goods that have reached their freshness expiration date. The baked goods get gobbled up by those in need. I am not aware of anyone ever getting sick from any of the food we pass out because of some date on the food container. And some of it is pushing the 2 year deadline. To make my point, does anyone here know the actual date for SPAM to expire and be tossed? Of course you don’t, because even the people at Armour don’t know how long after the expiration date SPAM is still edible and nutritious. I know it is desirable to rotate food and consume it before it goes bad. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Excuse me now while I go finish that can of peaches.
Food expiration dates are often put there by marketing departments and to provide “legal protection” from the sue-happy lawyers in this litegenous society we have. I read some recent articles on canned food found in obscure locations(old buildings, some old fallout shelters from the 1950’s and 1960’s) and some stuff found in sunken ships along the Inland rivers of the US (actually found buried in old river channels, where the river had once been) that was tested and was still edible after literally decades.
One story I saw was a building in Europe where a sealed up room in an old barn was found to contain crates of US military supplies(not c-rations but bulk cans of cooking supplies for field kitchens and such) from WW2. They opened a few cans for testing and even the cake mix was still usable.(they actually made cake with it) Most of it went to mueseums and collectors It had lost some (not all) nurtrition value and flavor but was safe to eat.
So food “expiration dates” are often really more of a “best by” date.
True, However, stuff with Tomatoes really does go bad, the acid dissolves the cans, canned beans turn to goo
Yea and on that day would you look back and smile for the fight you brought to bare anainst tyrany? My guess is that smile will show teeth…
When the winter of infrustructure collapse finally arrives…where will these mockers be.. It would be utter foolishness to think otherwise…..Yes it is going to happen…every day is one day sooner
In the 50s, I was teenager and remember the bomb shelters and the duck and cover drills like it was yesterday, but America was at its peak of power and well respected and liked in the world by countries except maybe the Reds. there were jobs for anyone who wanted to work. Now we’ve(our government) has worn out its welcome all over the world, people hate us for our governments greed and bullying.
Everything in this article is so new and so cutting edge. 🙂
It’s a lifestyle, one of my projects this year is to perfect butt kicking home made bread. I’ve been tapping into my long term storage wheat, testing my wheat grinder, improving recipes and multiple ways to cook it, along with tasty additives. The fresh ground wheat tastes amazing. Better than bakery bread. Yup, we can survive on this stuff. And now wee make it on a regular basis. Screw the store bought crap.
During the 10 day power failure, my bread machine was a blessing, it kept us in fresh bread working unattended, off the generator. A dutch oven also works well for cooking bread in a regular oven, barbique grill or even an open fire.
Keep planning and have fun doing it.
Many good suggestions!
Agree KY Mom and have to say interesting timing. The past 2 nights I have talked with family members that have called (from out of state) asking how to get started. Told them, short story: check out this site. Long story: get out of debt, spend your cash on items needed,water and more water, etc…
DRD5508,
That is good news! 🙂
Take care. Keep prepping.
Yes great article. I also have the Katadyn. I have the graviton version but need to get some extra filters. Anybody know where I can find a deal on them?
I’ve recently scored a victory as well. I’ve spoken a few times on here, about my neighbor who is a clueless mother of three. She can’t keep her kids out of anything, so I’ve got her to put a couple of storage bins of preps here at my house. Her kids can’t get to them to destroy them now. She no longer bums stuff off of me, she has her own right here, all she has to do is walk next door and get what she needs. Toilet paper, cat needs (she has 5 cats), soda pop, shampoo (her kids pour hers down the drain on purpose), extra mac-n-cheese, it’s all here.
The best part is, she doesn’t ask ME for MY stuff anymore, she has her own. It’s a small step I know, but it’s a step in the right direction.
6pk, smart way to help, kudos to you. Now if the kids can get some discipline.
{{{(her kids pour hers down the drain on purpose),}}}
At my house, that would only happen once!!!
Mine too, JayJay.
I AM NOT JOKING HERE, I’ve seen this stuff myself.
The kids intentionally throw whole rolls of toilet paper in the toilet. I’ve seen those kids take pancake mix, mustard, sugar and rice and pour it all together in the middle of the carpet, just to make their mom mad. She tried to hide some soda pop for herself by putting it in the car. They went and got into the car, then took the cans and threw them at trees to watch them explode. They just pulled the microwave off onto the floor and destroyed it. They have hacked up furniture with butcher knives before.
THEY DON’T KNOW HOW LUCKY THEY ARE, THAT I’M NOT THEIR MOM…I’d be on them like white on rice. They’d BEG for a DI (drill Sgt) just to get away from me. We’d all be miserable together, until they decided it wasn’t worth the pain anymore.
They make me grateful my kid is full grown. I don’t know that I’d want to try to raise a kid in this climate.
Ms. JayJay and Sixpack, I have to confess if I were those kids’ dad I would beat every one of them senseless and someone would just have to slap a “child abuse” charge on me. There’s no way I would tolerate anything like that in my home. if I had ever done such things when I was a kid, I would’ve been put into the hospital. There’s no good reason for those kids to abuse their mother like that. sixpack, i’ll pray for your friend and let’s hope she finds the strength and courage to get those kids under control. Another way to handle it without anyone getting hurt would be to just kick the kids out and tell them they’re on their own. Let’s see what kind of song those kids start singing then. I know another lady who had the same kind of problem with her kids and used that method. Ta-da! Those kids started singing the right kind of song then. they started being respectful to their mother and started helping out around the house, etc. They just couldn’t go far enough to be the right kind of kids they should be. Sixpack, discuss that method with your friend. short of corporal punishment, I think it will work for her.
I try to make suggestions to her about disciplining her kids, in as much as I know about it. They are 11, 8 and 6 yrs old. The 6 yr old throws some temper tantrums like you wouldn’t believe a 6 yr old capable of.
I’ll tell you what—the first time my 6 yr old decided to whip it out and piss in MY face, literally, is the day he’d go airborne to meet the wall! (shakes my head)
…I don’t even know where to start with that one. He’s got a screw loose for sure. If they had a dad, I could see him holding the little brat up off the ground by his collar, like a rabid dog, because that’s what he acts like in one of his tantrums.
I’d like to help save this kid from his inevitable future prison cell, but it’s way above my pay grade.
Odd. I’d think that was hard to do with both arms in casts and a broken butt.
Yep…might make calling CPS difficult for the brat, too.
Sounds to me like her kids need to have the shit beat out of them.
Rubber hose.
For anyone who is new to prepping, this is an excellent resource…
You can purchase the book and/or download it free.
LDS Preparedness Manual
https://www.ldsavow.com/PrepManualGeneral.html
The LDS manual is a GREAT resource
Ky Mom,
I have seen were some bitch about you always posting links. For me If I every need to find a lost link you will be the first person I ask.
Thanks for the LDS link.
DPS
If you’re new to prepping, call your local LDS Bishiop’s Storehouse. The one in Houston allows you to participate in canning, and they don’t try to convert you. They have strict rules, mostly health code they must follow.
Excellent source for long-term food storage and very inexpensive!
They also have an online store. More limited in choices, but it’s a great place to start! Just purchase as a guest. Tax free and no shipping costs!
PREPARED NOT SCARED! 🙂
http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category3_715839595_10557_3074457345616706370_-1_N_image_0
bad news, effective last week LDS is closing all their stores nationwide, no more canning facilities available either. They ARE still online though.
That is sad! Do you know why???
Glad I stockpiled w/ them while I could. 🙁
Try Provident Pantry at beprepared(dot)com, for a better selection.
I use : Army Surplus Warehouse for wool clothing as I hunt, firewood, and hike in a cold and wet climate. I have goretex etc but wool works best for me and it is real tough as long as you buy milspec. Example, M1951 wool pants new 20$. outlast carhart which I also like but double the price. Bulk food: Azure Standard.
DPS,
You are welcome.
If you need help to find a lost link, just let me know.
Take care.
KY Mom
At least this link is on topic.
Thanks KY..
Good ideas for 8 logical steps. Especially the Do Not Panic part. This collapse could happen 6 monthd from now or 6 years from now. That is alot of wasted living if you are panicing out of fear.
The day for Fear will approach soon enough. Thus, be happy and go for a walk of jog and be alert.
Good luck to all.
BUT But I already panicked, now what do I do? I’ve got a 10 year supply of TP! What if it goes out of style?
@Paranoid,
With your sense of humor I’m certain you’ll survive whatever comes your way!!!
Don’t panic Paranoid, just hang on to the tp, but to protect your investment,you might want to hedge your bet and buy a pickup load of corncobs, you can bet your ass one of them is going to be in style. If the corncobs are in style, then you can always barter with the tp. Trekker Out.
My concern would be….. what if there is only one trading partner left in the world and it happens to be Eisen?
Off to pick up stray ears of popcorn out the the freshly picked field next to my house. MT should I save the cobs?
Good idea Shootit. Most certainly, save those cobs. Corn raised for popping has much softer cobs than field corn cobs. And you sent a shiver up my spine when you made that statement about Eisenkraut being the only one left for a trading partner. Scary thought, but there wouldn’t be a boring moment. Always did like to have someone to argue with. Trekker Out.
The great part to this story is to remind us that yes there are many newbie preppers that could really use some advice from others that have had to learn the hard way of what not to buy.
NOMI CATIYMF,
DPS
PS Folks new to the site never be afraid to ask us anything.
…except questions about my underwear…
sixpack,
TMI brother….lol
DPS
4 Ways to Keep Free-Range Chickens from Destroying Your Garden
http://www.offthegridnews.com/2013/11/05/4-secrets-to-keep-free-range-chickens-from-destroying-your-garden/
Eat them!
I have a gate around my garden. Damn chickens are not garden friendly!
Got a puzzle for you guys. Got a chicken wire fence surrounding the entrance to the chicken house, so they can go in and out freely. Wire is buried half a foot below the ground and top is enclosed also. Chicken house is on a concrete foundation/slab.
Something has burrowed underneath the concrete slab and is stealing chickens almost daily. The tunnel it leaves, is less than 6 inches in diameter.
I need a quick and inexpensive way to stop whatever it is from getting at my chickens from under the slab.
Any suggestions?
Sixpack,
Pick up a game camera and find out what is getting in. Then shoot the little SOB. You can always use that camara again for bigger targets.
NOMI
DPS
Good one, for sure.
Sounds like a fox or a skunk, a weasel does not need that big of a hole. Usually we shoot the little buggers only when they are taking animals. Otherwise we leave them alone.
Buy a live trap. Set it infront of the hole and cover it with plywood or other pieces of whatever to channel the critter into the trap. You can use suet mixed with blood for bait. Over the years I have found that most anything can be used as bait as long as you mix blood with it or pour it liberally over it. Once caught if you feel the need put it into your pickup and drive it far away. If not, shoot it in the trap. All’s fair in pest removal.
sixpack, it could be a weasel or one large rat. Don’t think for one minute that it couldn’t be someone’s escaped ferret either. Them little bastuds are mean and could handle a mature chicken with little problem.
Thanks guys, at least I know I’m on the right track now.
Don’t know where you live, but it could be a Badger. They can dig through concrete. . . well it seems like they can.
I like the idea of a live trap set up on the inside of the chicken area right in front of the critters hole. Open both ends of the trap and force the critter through the trap. The chickens will be the bait, but the critter will never make it to the chickens. If you don’t want to leave both ends open you can use any kind of canned fish for bait. Just remember you may have a family of critters.
Don’t get me wrong…I love the preppers and prepping. However with the situation we are in, we need Devine help from the evils in charge. We need long term security based on hard work, we need not to be monitored and marked as a terrorist when we buy prepping supplies or we use our 1st amendment rights and the rest of our constitutional rights. BOB, Food / water supplies for years are all finite elements. We need FREEDOM.
Tact:
I agree with you!!! With God we are lost with God we will make it if it be his will.
Great remarks.
Amen Sarge…..
That’s true Sarge.
But there is truth in the old adage-“GOD helps those who help themselves.”
…and TAC-
True! All of us here, need/desire FREEDOM(REAL LIBERTY).
Recall, years ago, the ZOG banned GOD from the classrooms, then they banned his Commandments from assorted courtrooms, recently they’ve muzzled the military chaplains from invoking his son’s name on camp/base/station facilities, while labeling(us) his devotees as practically, the enemy!
What’s been the ‘push-back’? The resistance?
Yes, I’m guilty too! I did nothing more than bitch, cuss a lot & send $$$ to so called Christian groups who supposedly had mega-pull up there in “SODOM on the POTOMAC.”
Yeah, I wrote my congress-cretins too!
Got writer’s/typer’s cramp as a result!
Looking back, t’was an EPIC FAIL on my part!
Now I fully comprehend the following:
Unlike the Imperial Rome bygone era, everyone here in Unified Socialist Absurdistan(USA) has heard “the WORD-heard the TRUTH”, hence the objectives are defined:
One either accepts or one rejects the TRUTH of GOD!
Hence, turn the other cheek no longer applies! You’re either with him or against him. One is an enemy or a fellow ‘soldier of the Lord’.
This is what the enemy wants defined & displayed! They’re too cowardly to do such themselves, but they lust for such definition!
They’ve displayed their ‘wares’ for all to see & now they want to view the opposition’s strength(us) & to gauge its/our ability!
Should they move against us(& GOD) and the balloon goes up, we’re gonna have to fight, not w/ words, but w/ weaponry, with courage, skill & the conviction that we we’re on the right side!
If such ever occurs have faith & like Sarge sez;
Aim small, miss small.
Right on Hunter. Salute brother and Amen.
interesting bit of news
Russian fireball shows meteor risk may be bigger
http://news.yahoo.com/russian-fireball-shows-meteor-risk-may-bigger-180350480.html
“The U.S. government gained a new sense of urgency after Chelyabinsk, quietly holding a disaster drill earlier this year in Washington that was meant to simulate what would happen if a slightly bigger space rock threatened the East Coast.”
I’d hate to lose the Art Gallerty, but if it’s going for NYC I say give it more rocks
But even bad prepping beats the heck out of no prepping.
TnAndy, AMEN. with bad prepping, when you make a mistake, you do have the option to learn from that mistake and to correct it.
“Personal Experience – I can’t tell you how many times I have had to throw away unopened food because I didn’t use it within its expiration date.”
haven’t we covered this ?
properly stored,most food is good WAY past the so called expiration date
Yes we have, but it bears repeating.
To even further extend shelf life, refrigerate your canned preps. This extends the shelf life greatly – how far, who knows?
I’ve been eating some canned tomato sauce I refrigerated. It has an expiration date of sometime in 2011 – going on three years ago now.
Still tastes fine.
Silver Sax, I had a can of spaghetti and meatballs with an expiration date of 2010 for lunch. YUMMMMMMMMMMM…..it was still good.
I opened a (lined) tin of tomato paste w/a best by date of 2009. It was fine. The white lining appears to keep it from developing a metallic taste.
Mistake: do not keep large amounts of evaporated milk. The *best by* date means something. Sweetened condensed milk will age and get brownish if it is too long past the date, but otherwise, it is fine in coffee and for baking.
I just used some 2010 tomato paste in my chili—worked just fine.
That is the stupidest suggestion I have ever read.
Refrigerate canned preps??
I have rooms, not shelves, not boxes, but rooms of canned goods.
Refrigerate canned preps??
Puh–leeze!!!
Keep your TP in the Frig. Feels so good after peppers.
Satori, AMEN about the ‘alleged’ expiration date. I’ve still got some canned goods from 2007-2008 I’m just now having and it’s still fine. canned goods keep for many years, except for canned fruits. I normally consume those much sooner than the others I have stockpiled.
I have commercially canned peaches, pineapple, mandarin, and pears from 2008–they are all fine.
The code on a can may be a use by date or a sell bt date. Most are good past their dates.
Here’s another one I’m running right now.
We are using the dry ice / carbon dioxide method on wheat, corn, beans and rice in food grade blue barrels. We have around a ton of grain under right now. Just out of curiosity I opened one with wheat in it that had been under for 18 months. It looked like it had just been put in there.
Here’s another little tip. Oxygen absorbers, look at Walmart and find some Hothands hand warmers in the sporting goods section. These things are cheap and are mega oxygen absorbers. They come four to a pack. I forget what I paid for them but they’re dirt cheap compared to marketed oxygen absorbers.
You have to keep your eye on individuals and companies that are selling tricks and stunts and bending you over all the way. There’s a lot of preparedness outfits playing people on this disaster thing all the way to the bank.
Saltine crackers. I’m running an experiment right now on them. I has bought five three pound boxes of Sunshine saltines, they went out of date by six odd months. I needed some and when I opened one up they had a smell like acrylic paint. WTF!
I called Sunshines customer service number and the first question was what was the date on them? This chick goes off and says, those are expired. Again I go, WTF! THIER CRACKERS ODD DAMIT! Flour, soda salt and water what’s to go bad? I have 12 year old MRE crackers that are still good, what’s with yours?
DING DING DING!!! Vacuum. So went down and bought some more and put them down under vacuum with one of those Foodsavers. They have been down just over four months. I think I’m right here.
I have a suspicion that’s it’s the factory packaging that is designed to go bad damaging the food and making it undesirable to eat. Thusly, you buying more.
To the old people here. Remember back when crackers came in a tin? Back when crackers were packaged in brown wax type paper? They didn’t go bad back then.
Before I discovered crackers have oil, and the plastic sleeves make them taste yukky, I had a huge cardboard delivery box FULL!!!:-)
I threw them away after about 3/4 years.
I now vacuum seal them out of the sleeves with my food saver–or seal them in mason jars with my jar attachment.
They are awesome.
I have civil defence cracker cans dated 1964 in some of my preps. We open some now and then. There OK. Good with soup.
Holy Cow Hammer!
Are we both really that old?
Hey now!! Dirt ain’t that friggen old.
Have a good one Hunter..
Hi Hammerun, I’m experimenting with making hard tack. Apparently it’s supposed to last longer than regular saltines. I’m going to put some away and check them in a few months.
I have experienced the same thing with saltine crackers stored in a camper fridge for only 5 months, and also in a cooler – they were almost toxic.
Ours usually end up getting stale from humidity.
I’m often eating canned soup and stew that goes back to 2001. Still perfectly edible as long as the can isn’t compromised. I do declare that those “use by” dates are there to induce people to throw out good food and buy more.
yup.
Off topic but did anyone hear about former vice pres Chaney slipped up and said he had the wifi turned off on his pacemaker so no one could hack it and kill him?
WTH They said anyone with a pacemaker, insulin pump or any other mechanics in their body has a chance someone could hack it and kill the person. They also said there is no security software on any of the units. I’ll look for a link.
Didnt hear this but that is terrible! They have too much control.. how many more days until a nre president?! Ha
Yeah, it’s terrible that nobody will be able to get rid of Cheney by remote…
and the discoverer of the medical device hack, Barnaby Jack, died recently, and as far as I know- they have not yet released the cause of death. Just a coincidence I’m sure that he was very close to revealing how to hack the heart at Black Hat in Vegas. Cheney may be paranoid, but given how much he’s hated…I would be if I were him! Also, remember the mysterious death of Michael Hastings? Yes- cars CAN be hacked.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/elite-hacker-dies-week-conference-article-1.1411137
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnaby_Jack
Cheney’s not immune from bullets.
Here’s one link
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/19/dick-cheney-heart-assassination-fear
or
http://www.privatewifi.com/what-dick-cheney%E2%80%99s-pacemaker-tells-us-about-wireless-vulnerabilities/
Prepper Tip of the Day
baby rocket stove
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPACT-ROCKET-STOVE-CAMP-BUGOUT-WOOD-BURNING-WITH-CAPS-MADE-IN-THE-USA-/251374090512?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a87103910
Looks easy to make!! Cool idea
Satori, you might want to check out the Kelly Kettle stoves. I have the Base Camp Model [their biggest] and it’s great. It boils water faster than my Coleman propane campstove. The Kelly Kettle only requires like some leaves, twigs, etc. ‘natural fuel’ to get a good fire going.
A Kelly Kettle is a very useful item to have. it will last for many years when cared for properly.
A Kelly Kettle would come in handy for cooking food when hiking, camping or in a SHTF situation. Food cooks quickly on it. You can use twigs, leaves, pine cones, or cardboard, etc. in it. It will boil water in less than 5 minutes.
Here is a link with more information:
Kelly Kettle® Large Stainless Steel Base Camp Combo
Be Prepared dot com
Ky Mom, I have their Base Camp Model and was amazed with it. I tried it out on my patio, putting some twigs and leaves in for the fire. the fire got going pretty fast. It boiled a pan of water for me in only 3 minutes. My Coleman propane campstove takes about 10 minutes to boil water. I’m sold on Kelly Kettle, but I’m also looking at a rocket stove. On occasion, I like to experiment with various survival items to see what works best. You did exactly right getting a Kelly Kettle.
I went to the cannery and crimp-sealed a #10 can, empty. I took it home and used a hacksaw to cut a 3″ X 3″ door out of side on one end. I took an awl and poked holes around the top of the end, about 1″ apart, then punched many holes in the same end, the end without the door on it.
I took the top of another #10 can that I already opened and crimped it on four equal sides and punched enough holes in it that I made it into a screen for the wood to sit on.
In other words my made my own custom rocket stove…for free.
You could have just spent 60$ and got a thin stainless “preppers” backpack rocket stove, put it in your back pack and tumbled down a ledge 20 miles on the trail and crushing it. Then spend a half hour straightening the piece of shit out so a small pot will sit on it. Or make one and spend 60$ on ammo.
Yeah, I chose to make my own stove and buy some more ammo…
We have a Ghilly kettle (same as a kelly kettle, just a different brand & comes with a whistle). So long as you don’t let it boil dry it should last several generations. if you get a choice purchase a stainless steel model. You can also purchse cook sets, but I found a bent coat hanger worked well enough as a pot stand for me to put my purse away.
I really rec these for anyone with toddlers/puppies as the fire is kept contained. Also for adverse weather conditions such as the storms they were originally designed to be used in. This is one technology passed down to me by my Grand dad I won’t be giving up any time soon.
My other tip is to keep a tobacco tin of dryer lint, or petroleum jelly soaked cotton wool balls to hand & a couple of cheap disposable bic lighters stored inside it. I do KNOW how to start a fire the old school way, but in a raging storm or sub zero temps I just want to get things done with minimal hassle iykwim.
Boiling water is a good method of purification so owning one of these enables you to build some redundancy into your safe water supply. (I assume at this stage of the game almost everyone has some sort of filter system).
The ability to boil water in the dark, with minimal fuel in adverse conditions, could easily be lifesaving, as murphy’s law states that this is exactly when you’ll need basic first aid, or someone will give birth. I send the kid off to gather up a handful of leaves, moss, twigs and burn any paper packaging too.
Mum, better yet than the big round cotton balls, find the cotton squares in the Rx stores. You can stack them flat (coated) with Vaseline in a tin for starting your cook fire.
I’ve been prepping a few years and I slowly have built up my prepps. I never went out and bought 100’s of dollars at a time. We just buy more canned goods and water at the store each week always checking expiration dates.
I’m with Satori, unless the canned goods are busting out of the can, I’m keeping it because most expiration dates are estimates. I remember reading an article about a bunker found from the 50’s and the food was tested and found to still be edible.
I’d say the most expensive part of prepping is firearms and bullets. Opsec is at the top of my list because if I can’t protect it, I’m just buying food for someone else to enjoy.
Back then food didnt have experation dates. I think most of those dates sre for stores to sell faster and throw away and order more and what not else
Indy Colts, spot on about canned goods. Canned goods have always been part of my preps. One tip about canned fruit, it generally does not last as long as most other vanned goods and should be consumed earlier. otherwise, the rotation rule still applies. Canned goods for the most part do keep for many years.
Braveheart–I’m eating canned fruit from as early as 2008.
It’s fine.
Oh, I mean it was bought in 2008–not expired or best by date of 2008.
Ms. JayJay, since summer I’ve been eating some stuff I had from 2006-07 plus a couple of items from 2005 and had no problems with them; YUMMMMMMM! Oh, canned fruit, you say? Well, Ok then, I can keep canned fruit stored longer than I thought. thank you for the tip.
Firearms and ammo are definitely my most costly preps. I thought about getting a generator, but there are just too many negatives –
Gasoline storage
Noise
Makes you a target as one of the “Haves”
Eventually you run out of fuel anyway
So I put my money into firearms/ammo. Still collecting both. Right now I want to get a Savage Mark II FV-SR (.22) (threaded barrel), but I can’t find one.
Check gunbroker.com. New ones around $260, plus shipping and Brady check at your dealer.
No solution is perfect, but you might give some thought to a propane generator:
http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/power/propane-portable-generators.html
Here’s another rimfire possibility with great versatility due to simple barrel changes for .22LR, .22WMR, .17HM2, and .17HMR (threaded barrels are available):
http://www.eurooptic.com/sako-quad-rifles.aspx
(and I gave you a thumbs up)
Thumbs up to you, John Q.
Try a wood gas conversion for your generator. Wait ’til the die off….. then fire it up. No gas or deisel required – just keep the wood a comin’.
Silver Sax, I rejected buying a generator for the same reasons. the disadvantages do outweigh any possible advantage. guns and ammo are the most expensive prep items these days. I’ve got enough guns; still picking up extra ammo when I can find it.
Check gunbroker-around $260
Silver:
Good choice in 22’s. Try Gun Broker.com
AIM SMALL MISS SMALL
Sgt.
Thanks, Sarge. I’ll go there now.
I have a twenty year-old generator that I keep at the retreat for running power tools. Here in town I bought a 1500 watt continuous inverter for under $150. We lose power here for a couple weeks every few years and the Jeep keeps the fridge cold, recharges what needs charging, and allows us to watch a little satellite TV for about a month before refilling from fuel storage. An car idling a half hour twice a day doesn’t attract attention and would allow us to use up the perishable food before it spoiled in a worst case scenario.
Of course I already have plenty invested in firearms and even more in ammo.
That’s OK for short term, but running a car engine just to charge batteries is extremely inefficient as far as fuel consumption goes. You’re running a 200HP engine to drive a 2HP alternator.
Wow! Your car idles at 200 HP?!
You may want to consider a couple of 100 watt mono crystalline solar panels and a couple of Deep Cycle batteries. I use lots of #24 and #27 Marine DC batteries from Interstate. Have a few locations with golf cart batteries. For indoor installations you would need to get AGM batteries. I recommend 100 watt panels because the larger ones become difficult to handle and find locations to mount them.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203336897?productId=203336897&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC-_-SearchPLPHorizontal1-4-_-NA-_-203336897-_-N#.Unu35SfLdCk
Dude!!! I just went to gunbroker.com and found the Savage Mark II for $50 LESS than MSRP!
I signed up and bought it!
THANK YOU ALL FOR TELLING ME ABOUT GUNBROKER.COM!!!!!
Can’t wait to get it!
BIG THUMBS UP TO MAC AND THIS WEBSITE!!! I was unable to find the gun I wanted anywhere until the fine folks here turned me on to gunbroker.com. I found the gun, signed up and bought it immediately!
THANKS MAC!
Nice buy sax,thought everyone knew gun broker though.This is just another of many examples of why sites like these are a good thing.
All of the above, (well mostly) + 2.8 kw solar, LiFePo4 battery bank, lots of LED’s etc for light.
A bunch more I’d not talk about, but boat at my salt water dock with watermaker makes me pretty confident.
Good luck to all,
Rule 1. Always carry a gun when possible. Rule 2. Always carry a knife. Rule 3. It’s not paranoia if they’re really out to get you.
Thanks Tess. I have been a fan of yours for a long time and have referred many people to your site. Keep up the good work and may God continue to bless you and your family in everything you do. This was another great article!
Pelosi said, “We need to pass it to see what’s in it.”
Isn’t that the definition of a stool sample?
hahahah! TFRT! and now that’s it’s passed…we can all truthfully say “yep! it’s a piece of crap alright!”
CWinOR, that’s a foregone conclusion. I knew it would be full of s#$% before it was passed.
Nancy was Miss Lube Rack in the 1950s:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3014213/posts
Gives credence to the song, “The ‘Ol Gray Mare Ain’t What She Used To Be”.
Direct link for Kelly kettle: http://www.kellykettleusa.com/kelly-kettles.html
Have you use one yourself? Have you taken one back packing? I’m interested in firsthand experienced reviews. I don’t use freeze dried meals and most of my boiled water while back packing is done in a titanium cup, the product still spikes my curiosity.
The negatives that I see is that it weighs a lot for a back packing item and it seems bulky for a single purpose item. For a camp where weight doesn’t matter such as home or a drive in camp, a rocket stove seems to be more versatile and uses the same fuel.
RickInOregon, I do have one and have tested it. I’ll agree it is more suitable for home use. I do plan to get something smaller for a backpack or BOB. I also have a Sterno which does pretty good. It will definitely fit in a BOB or backpack, but you’ve got to have fuel for it. I’m looking at some rocket stoves so I can’t comment on those at this time. But for home or campsite use, I don’t think you can go wrong with a Kelly Kettle. Disclaimer: I have no connections to that company. I’m just a happy customer.
Thanks for the review
braveheart & lonelonemum,
I agree it is a very useful item.
It is currently on sale at be prepared dot com. They have a wide variety of preparedness items. Their prices and shipping rates are reasonable.
Note: I have NO affiliation with this company. I have ordered from them. Packages arrive in a timely manner and in good condition.
Direct link…
http://beprepared.com/
Kelly Kettle Base Camp Combo – Large Stainless Steel
This is the model I have. It includes the cook set & pot support.
Rick in Oregon.
We use one for all our camping/beach trips, and it’s our main cooking source in a powercut at home. It’s idiot proof and I’ve used different brands of the Cornish storm kettle since I was a kid doing stuff with my Grandparents. there’s a damn good reason generations of fishermen relied on these.
Perfect example of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” as far as i’m concerned. I’ve watched lots of trendy stoves friends have brought along over the years roll over and fail in bad weather, whereas my Ghilly is always guaranteed to let me have my cup of coffee no matter what. You can also store your drinking water in it, rather than carry a separate bottle with you.
I agree a rocket stove could be handy in certain situations, but it’ll never be my go to tool in the same way my ghilly kettle is.
I recently got an EmberLit. Similar concept to the Kelly stove, using twigs but only 11 oz. and folds flat. Great for backpacking. Sturdy too and reasonably priced.
Thank you, sir!
Whatever you decide to get, make sure you know how to use it. Think of it as if you are going on a primitive camping trip, and prep EVERYTHING you will need. From food, clothing, water, and shelter, to a means of preparing and eating what you prep. Be sure to have a practical first aid kit as you normally would for camping excursions. Remember, no potty in the wilds, and you don’t want to leave your “waste” behind where others might encounter it. As noted before, make a list, then double-check it.
On survivalmom dot com, at the top right she has a lists button….tons of lists….lists of spices, lists of skills your children should have, top ten foods that never go bad, ten foods that don’t require cooking, teotwawki Costco shopping list, emergency car box, it goes on and on. Great for beginners. It’s where I got focused.
I would also like to mention 2 books to newbies who plan to bug out…. 98.6 degrees the art of keeping your ass alive, and build the perfect bugout bag.
Good article:
Good advise:
A true prepper won’t let it die off. As I have found I’ve been doing it starting back in 1970’s been doing it for 40 years.
As far as I can tell if I don’t use it (my preps) when I leave this earth, my family or group will be able to use it. In short I’m not worried about my self because I’m a Country boy and I will Survive.
My kids are now getting into prepping, and I have had some old friends and family asking what to do. I have been walking them through it at a faster pace that what I did, because the time is getting near for TSHTF.
If you are new to this site? Listen to the folks on this site, they are a wealth of INFO. If you have questions the folks will help you.
AIM SMALL MISS SMALL
Sgt.
AIM SMALL MISS SMALL,,,,no comprende!!
AIM SMALL HIT BIG,,,,,comprende!!!
No compression, Bonus knockers, Senior eater
St.
Let me try to explain. It comes for the movie The Patriot. It means to aim at a small spot and not at the whole target. Like aiming at a button on a shirt and the whole shirt so that you hit your target. If you do it your way you are more that likely going to miss vital and the fight is still on. Take it from a Police Sniper I know what I’m talking about.
AIM SMALL MISS SMALL
Sgt.
Good evening, Sarge. Right on target. [pun intended] The Patriot is one of my favorite movies. I confess that the movie “Braveheart” is also one of my favorites and nobody plays the underdog like Mel Gibson. That’s the reason I chose the name as my ‘nom de guerre’ for the internet.
Braveheart:
Going to Polar Bluff Mo. in a week to go on our 31St. annual der hunt with family and friends. Not that far from your stomping grounds.
You pick a great handle.
Sgt.
Sgt,
Sure would like to hit the range with you for a day. I think it would be alot of fun..
NOMI shall I move,
DPS
DPS
Man of my own heart. I would be honored to shoot with you. Get to Marseilles Il. Just ask around and they will tell you where I live. I would like to do the same with you one day. I’ve got two places to shoot!!!!
“Any bad day on the range is better that a good day in the office”.
AIM SMALL MISS SMALL
Sgt.
Practice 5 n 1(5 rounds one hole) @ 3, 5, and 7 yards. It sharpens up you abilities with your favorite handgun.
I posted this on a previous thread but it seems better suited here.
Off topic:
This morning I got up early and ground some meat and then seasoned it for making some summer sausage. It has to age for a few days before stuffing a sausage skin and smoking. Later in the day I had to go into town and while sitting at our one stop light, the idea came to me to try and run some dried chanterelles that I had picked earlier this year through the meat grinder (I slice the mushroom up then dry them out in a dehydrator and also in front of the wood stove). It has worked great, the product is just right for flavoring up dishes. It’s not powder like a coffee grinder yet it’s still small in granular size. I’ll be mixing it in with some meat that I plan on running through the grinder for tonights meal of meat loaf.
I’d love to know how that works out, the mushrooms in the meat thing. Specifically, does it cook in well?
I need more good rope! Thanks for the reminder…more duct tape too. My biggest mistake was not to get started right away with proper food rotation when I began seriously prepping five years ago. I have made some real progress lately though, by being careful to rotate cans and leaving room to do it readily, and being careful to date and itemize dry preps, putting them in bins and moving them to the front or top of rows…not easy work once one has screwed up organization from the beginning! 😉
Us too, we forgot to check the dates on some things and simply put I got lazy. Proper rotation saves you from having to eat things that do not taste optimal. The rancid factor is the worst. It won’t kill you but needs lots of extras to disguise the taste.
On the farm we use bailer twine for pretty much anything.
It hangs gates, fixes fences in a hurry, ties up animals and when you braid several strands together you make very strong rope. My father makes his own halters with it.
I wanted to post before but wanted to wait till somebody mentioned rope.
Talking about baling twine…the other day I went outside to check a piece of ours. I was wondering if I unraveled it, could it be used for free dental floss? Haven’t tried yet but it might.
Mistake #9
Wasting your time fearing the sky is gonna fall and you will survive the apocalypse:
Most everything here is hyperbole, and quite frankly funny to read.
Between all the gun nuts, and backyard farmer wannabes’ I get much enjoyment reading the foolishness.
About the only thing I can barley take is all the God / Jesus / Religious stuff…Makes me want to hurl my lunch, and it was at a pricey diner, so I would like to keep it down.
Keep posting, I will keep laughing, and in about 3 years after Hillary gets things on track you will all still be predicting “it’s right around the corner, get your preps ready now” Ha…
I mock you!!
BBJF
I’m sorry… did you say “When Hillary gets things on track… ”
If there’s anything laughable here, it’s got to be THAT!
The whole point here is that the track has been completely destroyed and the train’s about to derail!
BBJF — you certainly are the frog in the pot
of boiling water and you’re just about cooked.
Tell Uncle Barrack hello the next time he sends
you a dictum from above, from all the patriots
here at SHTFplan.
As for myself, fuck you both.
You forgot to include their horses. 😉
@ Billery-humping-frog-sucker!
You seem to have the inside crack—er track on demoncrap presidential future prospects. Good for you & the wretched liberal scum you swap bodily-fluids with.
Per the I mock you theme, I predict one day:
—you won’t realize it or hear it, but someday in the future and way-off in the squinting distance, per your vision, there will be faintly heard and very recognizable sound.
It goes thus:
-click-click-click-click, (adjusting scope for elevation).
Sweet dreams fluffy!
Trust me…if the Long Distance Operator is good.
Your kind won’t feel a thing!
glad we could be a source of entertainment for ‘yer sorry ass! but I’ll say a prayer for the salvation of your eternal soul anyways. My God is loving and forgiving!
There- did I make you lose your “pricey” lunch (or dinner, since you can’t seem to figure out what you ate)?
BillyBobJumpingFrog….. Did you say when Hillary gets thing on her crack or her track? If it is track…oh yes she did…….she murdered the best of outr sons in Benghazi. If you said her crack….don’t us us..ask Janet Napalitano since they both use the same tool. Now go use your EBT and buy more cans ….we already paid for it. When you finish your food go to bed and STFU.
BBJF.
So you think that we are funny and foolish do ya?
Can you give CPR?
Can you save a person from drowning?
How do you help a person who just been electrocuted?
Know how to stop severe bleeding?
Treat broken limbs or gun shot wounds?
How about amputation.
Can you know how to carry a injured person to safety?
What are the four classes of fires and which extinguishers to use?
Are you one of those people who stand around when people need assistance?
These are everyday accidents and injuries.
You don’t know shit!
Good post, those things are ALL good to know anyway, SHTF or not!
He not only stands around and watches he probably posts videos on YouTube of himself laughing at someone else’s misery.
Slingshot, AMEN. Trolls have notoriously low IQs.
To be truthful I do know those things. On the other hand I’m not sure I know many people I want to save.
You do mean in between murders, don’t cha Billy Bob??
Howdy, Ms. JayJay. it burns me to no end that a troll would use a fine Southern name like Billy Bob to post under.
Wow,
Really?
Even trolls are susceptible to dizasters!
But hey, i guess their gov employee tags will give them preferential treatment at Chez FEMA camp!
Ill stick with having stuff around to weather anything, or nothing, thats the good thing about my plan, its called a sustainable lifestyle, so SHTF or not, im good to go!
As much as everyone here will dislike my saying this he is probably correct about Hillary being elected next.
I am preparing myself for that to happen.
She will campaign on the idea that she can bring back the economy that Bill had in the 90’s and she will get much of the women swing votes.
Hillary has been SELECTED, not elected.
That is probably the better word to use. But she seems to logically be the next in line for the Dems. And she wants to be in that house again. I cannot think of anyone that has a chance from the opposite side against her. I figure the repubs will send the usual establishment suits up against her. Then scratch their heads in wonderment why they lost again.
With Virginia electing McAullife as governor, I wouldn’t bet against H Clinton being elected as president. Hell, Mcaullife will probably be her running mate. You can lead a dill weed to knowledge, you can’t make them think. Virginia voters proved it.
BBJF: 1. It galls me that a troll would post under a fine Southern name like Billy Bob. 2. You’re in fantasyland if you think our discussions are entertainment. We take the things we talk about very seriously. 3. You say we’re gun nuts? Let some mob of homies do a home invasion on your place sometime, taking all of your valuables, having their way with your wife, etc. and IF you live to talk about it, let’s see what kind of song you sing afterward. Enjoy that govt. check you get for trolling while you can. it won’t last.
BBJF.
One day it will bite you in the ASS. The first thing you are going to want is GOD!!!! I know I have been there when my wife almost died.
I my heart I hope you are right. But I’ve been around too long and have seen too much of history and I know my history, and its going to all fall apart, very soon.
I hope and yes pray that its not too late for you, and you get on the right track. This so you and yours don’t suffer.
You can say what ever you want here. I may not give you a thumbs up but I will read it.
Just some one you can talk to on this site. YOU SEE I DON’T JUSGE. THERE IS A HIGHER POWER I LET DO THAT!
A want to be friend!
Sgt.
I was kind of relieved the author didn’t go into security. Everyone needs firearms and ammo, but this can’t be the central focus otherwise the cost will crowd everything else out. There’s always a better scope, another caliber, whatever. There’s a cliché that people like to use, “you can’t eat gold.” Well, you can’t eat a Remington 870, either. Do you need a shotgun? Absolutely. Do you need five shotguns? I suppose that depends on what need you are trying to fill.
Right now, my focus is on firewood, canning supplies, and trying to put game in the freezer. Today, bought a natural gas fireplace insert that does not need electricity to ignite or operate and generates up to 35,000 BTU’s. Didn’t know such a thing existed. Wood stove going in the basement as backup. Canning supplies are going on sale now, I suppose because the gardening season is over (at least for those of us in the frozen north.) I thought I had enough jars for years, but used almost all of my stash up this summer. Once again, Tattler lids seem to work great and they are reusable.
We go through our commercial canned goods once a year and bring the things that are near expiration upstairs to be used. Buy new stuff by the case and rotate it to the back. It isn’t that much of a hassle. The things we canned ourselves get used before we start canning the next crop.
My preps this week were:
1-gallon freezer bags
1-gallon storage bags
Large roll of regular aluminum foil
Large roll of non-stick aluminum foil
Canned diced tomatoes
Grits
Also, I got lucky (twice) this week and found .22LR at Wal-Mart.
I got 750 rnds of .22 from WM yesterday for $30. First ive seen since Dec. Ordered 2 30rnd mags for the boy’s 597, and two 25rnd for the 92fs. Got lv3 plates for the last of my carriers (after shooting the last ones up) 5.56 12g, and 9mm are weekly buys, stopped counting long ago. I’d like to retrofit one last gun but we’ll see. Lately my thoughts revolve around water, and my suburbs burning to ashes. Any new ideas for fires?
Fire,all I could say is leave if bad.Sure,you can clear burnable brush from around home,have a fire resistant roofing material ect.but a real out of control/wind driven magor fire,time to go I believe.That said,for the home ect. obviously extinguishers ect. along with a fire plan if family of where to meet outside of home ect.
That’s the initial feeling I get. Sooner or later I think fleeing will be the scenario. There’s a state mountain park literally on the edge of my neighborhood that I frequent. Its arid desert canyon land so Im hoping any potential rufugee presence is minimal. Thanks everyone who also responded, very appreciated.
AZ, I assume you’re talking about putting out fires?
If so, no, I have zero experience or ideas other than having fire extinguishers. Sorry.
Maybe someone else?
When I worked in the bush we used to have to carry these little bottles of fire extinguisher. They were kinda like a Gold Bond foot powder bottle filled with a powdered suppressant. Baking soda will work. The idea is that large extinguishers are too big and heavy but these tiny bottles would be enough to put out the fire of your chainsaw and it’s fuel burning up in front of you. We would carry them on our belts like canteens. The powder blocks the burning object from getting more oxygen. My mother has been doing the same for grease fires in the kitchen with baking soda for years too.
A good spade for outdoors, just throw dirt on the fire.
And my personal favourite is the backpack garden sprayer. It is similar to the ones the fire departments use on small outdoor fires but the pump handle builds and maintains pressure steadily. Available at most home and garden centres for under $70.
I have used all three for unwanted cooking/heating situations.
Ammo to go has 500 ct Lake City .308 147 grain loose in box. I haven’t seen that for a while bought 2 cases.
Seems the ammo situation is easing a bit until the politicians start acting up again.
.38 and 357 are still difficult to find . 22 LR locally in the east is scarse almost imposible to find at a reasonable price ( under $40.00 per 500 ct brick)
FIELD EQUIPMENT PRIMER
BASIC LOAD OUT (your milage may vary)
infidel body armor makes some pretty decent plates with carriers rated at level III at an affordable price. Remember if you have to do an emergency exfiltration you have to be fast and mobile , not bogged down with excessive weight, for the average MODERATELY fit person I would not in my opinion exceed 40 lbs total load out in a pack. Try to evenly distribute the load by using a LCV
( load carring vest) with a butt pack. In addition to your main ruck or assault pack.
The general idea is to carry your ammo and items to keep you going for 24 hours on your load bearing vest. You can either use your plate carrier with acessories, mag pouches etc attached or you can wear this clean with your LCV over it. My set up is composed of the plate carrier clean with my LCV over ( molle riflemans configuration) with magazine pouches attached (6) 2 molle canteen carriers , one containing issue canteen with issue cup and canteen stove, coffee filters for rough filtering of water that will be boiled in the canteen cup.Other canteen GP pouch set up with inserts for PVS 14 NOD’s. Blow out kit marked with subdued IFAK and blood type velcro.patches contains trauma bandage, quick clot. Combat gauze, Trauma GSW plug (Tampon) CAT Tourniquet. Marine Kbar or EK pg4 knife in sheath. military Issue Camel Back attached to back of LCV with Grim locks. molle butt pack attached below Camel back with contents: poncho (shelter) , poncho liner ( sleeping bag when combined with poncho ) 550 cord, Otis tactical cleaning kit , small Survival kit ,fire kit , 8 cliff bars, hygene kit. The object is to keep all you critical life support items on your person at all times.and to keep,those items selected being multi purpose in use. Remember pack light freeze at night. Remember you at going to have to run, sprint , go prone in this, try to keep items in the front of the vest to a minimum. This is known in military term as your tier one equipment. I also have a Ballistic OPSCORE FAST helmet included with a NOD bracket. Total weight 14 lbs LBV, without ammo / Water
Your 3 day assault pack should contain items to last for 72 hours minimum.
Extra rations, nalgene water bottles ,extra ammunition enough to replace what is on your LBV at least once a bandolier snaps into the back pocket of the assault pack and Additional clothing Depending on climatic and seasonal conditions. Larger general purpose IFAK, water filter. I use a standard molle assault pack with quick release straps. I also attached 2 molle SAW pouches to each side for nalgene water bottles.
Total weight 10 lbs with out water/ ammo
For you main Ruck this should contain additional rations, ammo, sleep system ( for approximate season , summer – snug pack jungle bag with bivy bag down to 32 degree rating. , winter USMC sleep system with goretex bivy -40 rating.GI ground pad) shelter ( summer – Hennessy hammock , winter kifaru paratarp with para stove) gloves and additional clothing . I use the large 10 mountain division molle 2 ruck ( built in sleep system carrier with sustainment pouches and a generation 4 external frame) think pack light. The assault pack attaches to the main ruck and can be removed when needed.
Total weight 15 to 20 lbs depending on season . Remember you are not camping this is survival !
The 2 most common rounds in general use for long arms are .223 (5.56 NATO) and 308 (7.62 NATO) try to obtain firearms in this caliber it allows various form of resupply to be under taken.
I am a firm believer in the AR-15 system for general all around use , consider adding a 4x optical system for greater versatility, ACOG etc.
If resources permit consider adding a .308 battle rifle to your battery. M1A, PTR91, FAL , SCAR 17 for greater reach and penetration of cover, vehicles.
These are just guides to what can be accomplished on a limited budget after water and food preps are in place. By utilizing military surplus gear you can obtain affordable equipment made for real world conditions for military use. If things go south to the extent you have to leave your bug in location Temporarly you will be well prepared to meet the challenges put upon you it will not really matter that your gear is military issue , there will be no way not to attract attention using civilian backpacks will make no difference if you are a male of military age in the AO when things go down , this will be the only reason TPTB need to detain you.
Recommended resources :
Contact! Tactical manual for post collapse survival, Max Velocity
A failure of Civility , Mike Garand and Jack Lawson
Resistance to Tyranny , Joseph P. Martino
Web;
Max Velocity Tactical
Western Rifle Shooter Association
Survival blog
SHTF plan
RESIST NO MATTER WHAT
III%
Semper Fi 8541
@ Night breaker
Good post!
But if I may add slightly to it & per your handle:
TRAIN-TRAIN-TRAIN for nocturnal ops also. Get the gear & acquire the mindset & necessary skills.
–“LEARN HOW TO OWN THE NIGHT”–
…as that capability, coupled w/ the knowledge of your area of operations(geographically), will likely result in the difference between life vs death/victory vs. defeat!
Hunter ,
I agree own the night!
I cannot empathize Training , Train Like there is no Tomorrow!
Most movement under SHTF conditions will be nocturnal to avoid contact with hostile elements.
There are some very outstanding Training schools that prepare you with small unit tactics instruction with realistic training conditions. One of the outstanding ones I highly recommend is MAX VELOCITY TACTICAL it’s open to all , some of the others require military or law enforcement credentials.
a classic book called NIGHT MOVEMENT can be down loaded from Internet archive , this book was required reading in Recon School , written by the Japanese just before WW2 , the information is still useful.
learn to use you gear , take a simulated bug out weekend in your local area , it will really educate you to how well your gear selection will perform . Refine and make the necessary changes.
This type of planning is always dynamic in nature .
As Dirty Harry Says “A Man has to know his limitations” better to find out now than when the real deal happens and there is no margin for error.
Also you can obtain online USGS maps of your AO in electric format which you can print on a large format plotter ( Use the one at work or go to staples) these contain a wealth of information ,
Water sources , contours ( for micro cover) ariel photo . Etc. know your local terrain.
RESIST NO MATTER WHAT
III%
Semper Fi 8541
Night Breaker.
Good stuff but fear with all that gear I would roll around on the ground like a slug the minute I put it on.
AZClimber.
I will get back to you on fire prevention and putting them out. I’m just too pissed at BBJF and his stupidity.
@AZClimber, it’s my understanding that you need to keep combustible foliage and trees trimmed and away from your house. An arborist who used to work for the forestry dept. told me that. She also said that you should figure the distance of trees from the house and, top the tree to less than that, in case it catches fire and falls, you won’t have a blazing torch-of-a-tree reach your house. I’m sure you already know how to keep the exterior wet during a fire and, to put several feet wide of gravel patches between your foliage and the treeline.
That’s all I’ve got.
AZClimer,
A quick coarse in fire prevention and firefighting.
Triangle of fire. Heat or ignition source, Fuel, oxygen.
Take any part away and fire can not exist. Types of fires.
Class A. wood and paper.
Class B. Petroleum, Gasoline, Plastics.
Class C. Electrical.
Class D. Metals.
Class A. Water, dirt and dry agents to extinguish.
Class B. CO2 and chemical dry agents. Be aware of flashback of fire when using CO2. Flashback is the re-ignition of the fire. Water from fire hoses cool and smother fuels. Your garden hose may not have enough pressure to extinguish completely and may spread the fire. Ground the CO2 canister to prevent an static electrical shock. Do not carry when discharging.
Class C. Chemical dry agents and CO2. “MAKE SURE THE POWER IF OFF” when using CO2. You can be electrocuted. Electricity can travel up the vapor trail. Same for water. Did not want to list water as a primary fire extinguisher for safety but can use after power is off. Class D. They are metals that burn and make their own oxygen. Magnesium and Phosphurous are hard to put out and may shoot metal fragment into the air while burning and be very bright and hot. Do not use water as material can flare up when you add water. These have to be smothered by fire foam, dry chemical or dirt and they still burn. If there is a opening in the coverage they will re-ignite.
If your home has a fire resistant roof with shingles or tiles it is a plus. Remember to plug the air vents with non combustible material to prevent fire entering your attic. Thirty feet is the recommended distance to clear around your home of brush. You can have a home made sprinkler system place on your roof. Keep your gutters and roof clean of leaves or pine needles. A shallow well with a generator will make you independent from a water pressure or power loss.
Wet your grass area and if close to another structure too. Wooden privacy fences and other burnable structures.
In the case of the firestorm of Sandy. Wind will be a major factor. Know when to get out.
Keep in mind what your neighbor has in this shed. Gasoline, Kerosene, aerosol paint cans, engine oil and propane tanks. Some of that stuff can explode and also become flaming missiles. Be aware of what is in the smoke. Plastics give off toxic fumes then add insecticides and other hydrocarbons and the smoke can kill you.
The fire extinguishers like Kiddie have limit product to fight fires. Aim at the base of the fire and use a sweeping motion. CO2 is good as they do not leave a mess like dry agents. Again always ground the extinguisher to prevent a static electrical shock and grab the wooden handle to prevent frostbite. It is very cold. Application is the same. Base of fire and sweeping motion. Using a garden hose you use straight stream to kill coals that build up and spray for coverage and knockdown of high flames. Those of you who have pools can rig up a pump and hose system. There are small Halon units for car fires. I have pick up some old water fire extinguishers, refilled and pressurized. The Indian water pumps are expensive but mobility is a plus. Never underestimate the power of a shovel. For you woodsmen, you can cut the top of a small live pine tree and beat a small fire out. About 3 ft. long is good. Remember how fire radiates heat to surfaces way before it reaches combustible material. A preburn if you will.
Store your firewood away from your home.
If there is a firefighter in our group please correct if there is bad info.
If you are in brush country where it gets really bad two items to think about. The forest service has fire bags and they do work, second, lots of people died in prairie fires when if they had started a small fire, right down wind and then moved into the burned spot they could have made it. The ground fires only last about 5 minutes and then you can move into the burned spot. With a small fire extinguisher you can make a place to live, if it has already burned, they are no good fighting a significant fire.
I got a couple pounds of #1 and #2 salt for meat drying and sausage making along with a pound of Motron Tender Quick Meat Cure and some more sausage skins.
Oh yeah, and some cheese wax
I would love to learn how to make my own sausage!
@ sixpack, it’s like all things, you start off simple and build up from there. The key is that you have to start. It’s not that hard and there’s a lot of resources to get you doing it safe.
Posted below is a recipe that I’ve tried a few times and it’s great.
@ sixpack, here’s the recipe
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_homemade_sausage/
I took the sausages that I was going to freeze and vacuum sealed them. They last a long time in the freezer. The sausage can be taken out of the skin and broken and browned up in a pan and used with spaghetti sauce for a little extra zing.
thanks, I’m checking that out!
Now, SilverSax, I’ll refresh everyone’s memory how to use those freezer(Ziplok) bags to conserve cooking energy and water.
Heat any and all foods in the ziplok bags(also keep the food warm while heating next item). Saves heating source as well as water.
And you can reuse that water lots of times if kept clean using those ziplok bags.
My preps so far this week:
2 Extra pairs of can openers
Candle making supplies
Fleece material to make sew-less blankets (check out tutorials online)
Extra yeast to make bread
More rice and beans
Chocolate bars
Whiskey
while i agree with your post Obtuse, I will say that while I can’t eat my 870- it CAN put something on the table for me to eat!
Obtuse…Good luck with your heater. They work good. I had one mounted for around ten years (it’s out above the garage now) and my experience is that they work well for fall or early spring heating instead of firing up the woodstove and cooking yourself out.
I even sprung for the add on blower but it was a waste of money. Poor design.
The only drawback I saw was it ate fuel like mad (mine was LPG) and when the price of propane tripled around here I gave up on it. I assume that with NG being fairly cheap now it would be worth it.
We planned to just have the gas line capped and convert the fireplace back to wood. Certainly would have been a cheaper conversion, assuming we didn’t have a box installed.
NG is cheap here for the time being. We can get unlimited wood for free so long as we are willing to cut and haul it. When you factor in the cost of gas for the truck, though, wood is cheap, but not free. Another consideration is that my wife can just turn the thing on without the time and effort of wood, and she can also just turn it off if she wants to leave the house. No maintenance for the chimney, either, and no ashes to haul. That thing puts out a lot of heat.
We will burn wood in the basement. Need that to make sure the pipes don’t freeze during a midwinter power outage. Also, if there is a disruption in the gas supply we won’t be popsicles.
Finally an article and not a boiler room sales pitch.
The one most important things for those with their eyes recently opened. Don’t believe a freaking thing that you read or hear, make your own conclusions and don’t let anyone think for you.
This world of the prepper can be hyper inflated and over exaggerated and can drag you down a rabbit hole, stay focused on why you are here and on your goal. Don’t get sucked into the drama that others thrive on.
Buying your way to security is a false security, it doesn’t matter how many preps you buy, you will run out or rot will make them useless. You need to learn skills and self sufficiency. You are better off with a ton of knowledge and an once of preps that you are with a ton of preps and an ounce of knowledge. Find the balance that fits where you’re at and keep adjusting the scale as you acquire new skills.
Rick,boiler room sales,my response,buy now or be priced out forever!I think I may have heard that in my past!
You always go with what you will use anyhow be it food tools/skills ect.,life is not just about being ready for a bad/worse case scenario,have driven myself nuts when over think it.To new folks especially on a tight budget,remember that the smalls add up.I built up quite a stock of food and med supplies by just dipping a few bucks every time I hit the store.Many tools/camping gear/skills ect. are already a part of my life.I would say,also look at what you have and improvise/think outside of the box on different uses for different items,ask questions,read others ideas,knowledge is your best asset.As I said,don’t over think it too much,friend and I were talking recently and he asked me what I would do if it hits the fan,doubt the forum really wants to know as insane and over the top!Live for today and enjoy life,prepare for tomorrow and not just disasters.
Many good tips in this article, thanks Tess!
Especially these:
“Buy preps that are multi purpose.
You want to make the most out of your preparedness investment so do some extra research and find preparedness items that have multiple functions.”
Agree 110%
ALL of your purchases need to be carefully thought out-
Where was it made? How long is it good for? Can I repair it easily and quickly if it breaks during SHTF? Can I use this for more than one purpose? Is this the best I can do for my money, or with just a little bit more, get something 150% better?
If you are not asking yourself those questions, then you are planning for failure. I have talked about Silver on here many occasions as being the perfect PM and currency backup. Gold sure looks nice, but it’s the same as a Ferrari with no fuel…it goes nowhere. Silver can be used for silverware (doh), storage containers for water, vinegar or wine, colloidal silver solution, bullets, bandage dressing for burns, and it kills over 650 known viruses by itself. Sorry Gold, but you are the “Trophy Wife” of precious metals and I need more than just good looks. Silver is less costly, more utility and more bang for your buck!
One thing that was not really mentioned was the improper storage of preps. Are you buying pasta, beans, rice, flour or other dry goods and leaving them in the original boxes, bags or containers? Big mistake.
Humidity, mold, mealworms, mice and others would love your preps for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you’d better store and seal them correctly! This means 5 gallon (HDPE) buckets with Gamma seal lids if possible. They are water tight, easy to get back into and very strong. If you are storing in a cool, dark place (like a basement) get those preps OFF the floor! Concrete holds moisture and it will absorb right into those dry preps, even with a bucket. Even a few 1×2’s or 2×4’s laid down flat will help as the buckets are no longer touching the floor and air can still flow, very important. If you live in a high temp, high humidity area you best get a good dehumidifier… it can really save your preps life…and yours!
Good advice.
Another thing about silver vs. gold – gold is worth so much more than silver, how will you get any change back from it? If I give someone a 1/10th oz. gold coin for a few rounds of ammo, I have a lot of change coming! On the other hand, a silver dime might be about right for a silver/ammo exchange.
In a barter society what’s a nail worth? If you have to dig up the ore, cut the fire wood, smelt the ore into iron, hammer out the iron into the shape of a nail, then what’s a nail worth? is it worth burning down your old house to recover the nails so you can use them on your new house as our fore fathers did? is a hand full of nails now worth more than a shinny token?
Why would anybody have to burn down a house to recover some nails? If you’re building something, better to reuse the lumber and other stuff too. A claw hammer pulls nails just as easily as it drives them…but then, I’m a bit partial as a carpenter by trade.
Our fore fathers when moving into new territory could bring with them a limited amount of supplies and had to depend on nature to supply the rest. Trees were plentiful so an axe, saw, wedge, hammer and a bag of nails were enough. When it was time to move on there was no place to go to replace the nails so the old abode was burned down and the nails were recovered before moving on. The nails that were used were more like spikes. It was the way thing were done until a town sprouted up and a general store was able to stock supplies.
My Great Grandfather did this on his homestead.
My father did this too when a trash fire got out of control and removed an old barn from our property when I was a kid. My brother and I had to gather up all of the metal fixtures. Yes we complained but Dad pointed out that the money we saved on the old hinges and nails could buy us extras so we went back to work.
I think if it was that hard to get nails, I’d build timber-framed structures, with wooden pegs, and just skip the nails altogether…luckily, there are plenty of nails to scavenge, these days.
When the Romans left England they burned down everything they could and put the nails in peat bogs so they could get them later. Brits keep finding them, hard on the equipment. Romans are likely to be PO’D when they come back.
IMHO, ammo will wind up being literally worth it’s weight in gold. Change back? not so much.
Rats/mice will chew thru those buckets in a heart beat.You may even think you have em better have those buckets either in large metal trash cans and or hanging say off of a closet pole,have personally seen what those tenacious little critters will do to plastic buckets with a meal inside.They will bore into containers/walls ect. just to see what is available!
I’m in my late sixties and I have NEVER had a rat or mouse chew threw one of my buckets of grain. My father used to tell me that kind of stuff and I’ve spent the last 40 years prepping and have never had it happen. Maybe if you keep your stuff in the barn they might but I don’t keep my preps in the barn and un-attended. Do you keep your stuff stored in the barn or what?
Crabbe,my home is fine but a family member lives in a area loaded with rats/field mice ect.Excepting the cat not a lot of natural predators.I have done my best to block all chances of entrance and that along the with the cat seems to do the trick,still,as a family member want them to be covered no matter what.This area has had more then it’s share of car fires due to the little dudes eating/nesting in cars.Naptha moth balls seems to keep em out of family members vehicle but that may just be luck.I do not blame the little dudes,just trying to survive and thrive,just can’t have it at my or family members expense!
They’d better be damned quick at my house.
My cat “loves to eat them mousies, mousies what he loves to eat…bite they little heads off and nibble on they tiny feet”.
http://www.crazyshirts.com/product/crew+neck+t-shirt+white+eat+them+mousies.do?sortby=ourPicks
Add a cat or 2 to your preps. They’ll take care of the mice.
Multi purpose preps,,
Rope!
After we hang the arsehoils who got us into this mess,
We can use them to tie up all manner of things!
Here’s one for you. Clove oil works very well to stop toothaches…ever had a bad toothache? It’s hard to think of anything else. Clove oil is good, and expensive too. I’ve recently found out from experience that regular ground cloves works on toothaches too. It’s also much cheaper and stores much longer than the oil.
You just mix a small amount in a little bit of warm water and swish it around like mouthwash. You can feel the numbing effect in your whole mouth and, when you’re in real pain, the taste is irrelevant.
I’ve added a few sealed bottles of ground cloves to my medical preps—plus, it taste good in pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake, squash, carrots, yams…
Clove is great and it’s in my preps. But I also wanted to mention that I have knocked out a toothache and infection with Oil of Oregano. I’ve also got rid of strep throat with it. It’s very potent and I wouldn’t be without it. I’m thinking it’s also a good idea to have some regular antibiotics on hand just in case.
I’ve had an abscess a couple of times. 2 goldenseal root capsules, three times a day for 2 days will knock out the infection and stop the pain. I SWEAR BY GOLDENSEAL ROOT, since I was a teenager.
My advice is to research it’s uses and GET PLENTY IN YOUR PREPS. It works internally and externally. I’ve dumped some of it into open wounds and the results are dramatic. There will be no infection and it heals in less than half the time.
Thanks six, I will definitely get some goldenseal!
6-pak & Monster
Thanks to both of you for such natural medicine info.
Any additional data would be appreciated.
what about crushing a few cloves in to some veg or olive oil in a jar and seal it with wax for a few months, like steeping a tea or a tincture…make your own clove oil. I make white willow bark tinctures with dried willow bark and cheap vodka…takes 3 months but its great for pain but don’t use if you are allergic to Aspirin.
My most potent toothache concoction is a cup of distilled water, a pinch of table salt, cloves and half of a jalapeno pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes, strain and let it cool.
I used an eye dropper to apply to the tooth and surrounding area. Swallowing it won’t hurt you as long as you’re not allergic to one of the constituents.
Yes, it’s HOT, BUT VERY QUICK AN EFFECTIVE.
When you’re in severe pain, that’s what matters, right?
Number 1 rule to prepping: Don’t let it consume your life.
I only woke up in January and got started right away. My first rule is to prep with minimum disruption to my family life.
First off I have to say I have been prepping for years.
Have been through my share of generators, chain saws and all sorts of cutting tools and the tools and fuels to keep them running.
Whatever you buy, buy the best you can afford and do the maintenance to keep them in top shape. Learn how to correctly sharpen each tool. Fuel additives and filters and oil mix for the fuel. Change the oil often. A few extra spark plugs. Maintain oil levels in equipment that you operate continuously. Keep them out of the weather when not in use.
Any of you experience trying to get a weed eater or chainsaw to start that would not turn over? You can wear yourself plum out because of poor winter storage. Then spend more money to ungum the carb. This ethanol gas mix kills them and you must use additives. A good set of files and stones are a good prep. Keep your knives, machete’s and axes sharp and encased. Look and see what the tree surgeons and rescue uses for gear. Has to be dependable and they know what is and what is not.
As for these items that make noise you can use them till it becomes too dangerous but you can cut a hell of a lot more wood with a chainsaw than a bow saw and ax for the winter and quickly. An extra bar, bar oil and chain is nice. A good sledge hammer and wedges to split wood.
Work Hard or Work Smart.
Yes they run on gas but use them while you can and store them for possible future use.
Slingshot,was looking at some crosscut saws,pretty pricey for something decent but figure always splitting by hand and feeling good about it,want to try say a 3 foot cross cut with a starter kerf on the tip,minimum a 100 for something decent but figure fun to use,keep me in shape and when the gas goes so does my chainsaw
Warchild.
I live in the south and when the gas goes, well I have a fine axe. A good set of pruners for small limbs for kindling. Splitting mall and wedges. I did manage to pull five large lighter knot stumps up and bring them to camp. I would like a crosscut saw but I guess I will split the log and then axe it into small pieces as needed.
I have axes including a double bladed one,just thinking a cross cut would be a nice addition.I really look at the wood thing as a staple in the north lands of New England but also my membership along with carpentry to a health club,hence the crosscut saw desire.I am recently looking at cross cut saw porn,expensive for quality but try and save where I can so dammit:I may not be eligible for a obama/bush phone or ebt card but I deserve a cross cut saw!Hence,save a few bucks and get one!Works well will post results.
This is a good article having read it on another site, but it makes sense. Unless, I am forced to, I intend to stay in place. Bugging out is not necessarily always the best option and actually could be the worst.
We say that if this certain situation occurs, then I will do this or that. Actually the only way a plan and be certified as a good plan is to practice/drill. All of us have experienced power outages for one reason or another for at least week at a time in our lives. It is during this time that our SHTF plans/operations are be tested. Having gone through many adverse weather events as many of you, I have learned from my mistakes and afterwards revise and reset.
In regard to operational security, I would not tell anyone not even close family members until I had to. If asked, without lying, I would just say I’m working on it. I wouldn’t be the first to lay all my cards on the table.
In regards to weapons, you may consider buying spare
parts. Your choice, but I would look first at extractor pins, firing pins…extra mags, some stuff… Because as murphys law would have it, things happen.
NEVER STOP PREPPING……….BECAUSE WE (YOU AND I) MUST LIVE THROUGH THE FORTHCOMING EARTH CHANGES WHICH ARE A FAR MORE LOOMING THREAT THAN THE GOVERMENT AND SOCIAL ISSUES THAT IS DEVELOPING……..
GOD BLESS EVERYONE……..
Just my opinion………
Here’s one they didn’t mention.
Don’t neglect your mental health. Take the time to add hobby materials, board games, decks of cards, books, back issues of your favourite magazines, etc to your preps.
Also have comfort items planned like fleecy sleeping bag liners, real pillows and even camp chairs.
Also, comfort food and treats. You can fuel the furnace with MRE’s, crap in a can and rice and beans but eventually you’ll crave a real meal or a chocolate bar or a cup of coffee, a drink or any of a million things. Keep that in mind when you prep.
Your mental health is as important as your physical health if not more so.
C vet,don’t forget guitar strings and and some way to power a boombox!
If that’s what does it for you, go for it.
Really, it pisses me off to no end that all the long-term survival information I’ve come across, I found no more than cursory passages about appetite fatigue, finding one’s faith or addressing boredom as the only concessions for mental well-being.
I don’t care how tough people claim they are, if they didn’t plan for ways to enjoy themselves, relax and treat themselves after SHTF, they will eventually crack and break.
I know mental health isn’t a popular topic for most people but it has to be given as much consideration as any other aspect of your preps.
Sorry, but I have it on good authority, I’m already nuts. Luckily, most of the voices tell me I’ll be OK it’s just all you people.
I found myself making grumpy-cat face at this article.
# 1 issue was finding a great deal on a can of something you didn’t like so you gave it to a food bank. I suppose it depends on how long you want to be prepped for and the space you have. That “can x of yucky stuff” is still food, and you can trade it or feed it to animals. My chickens love my cheap fails. As do my dogs. Experiment with your weird cans to find a way to make it tolerable and you will learn how to cook.
#2 Buying $200 in canned food was the smart thing to do. After that “base” stock maintain it by rotating cans and learning how to make meals around your older stuff. If my pantry is half full its time to make a costco run of 2-300 bucks. Its a coat-closet floor to ceiling. If you can’t afford the bug-out, freeze dried 25 year stuff, buy cans and rotate.
Bottom line, If you are hungry enough you will eat it. And maybe eat the can of sea food medley diluted with a stew early on to maintain nutrients, or trap a cat…
Simple solution to food: I have a sealable mylar bag; each week I go out and buy two or three 1 lb pkgs of lentils, black beans, pinto beans, etc. – whatever is on sale. Within a few months you will have a nice little stock of food that can store for a good long time. You could also add O2 absorbers or diotomaceous earth as well to increase longevity and bug resistance.
Easy to stick in freezer for a week to kill any bug larvae,
No it isn’t easier.
Okay, remove items in freezer–our freezers are full, not half empty.
Diatomaceous Earth is $12 for 20 lbs. at Tractor Supply and can be used for lots of other reasons. Like ant control.
Who wants to keep dry goods in a freezer for days??
When all is needed is a little in the bottom of the bucket, a little in the middle, and a little on top spread around.
Much easier than the freezer method.
I have 58 buckets of dry goods and used DE–not one insect found and I have opened many buckets.
Ok, sorry, sheesh!
My mom lives next door and has an extra freezer in her garage,, i forget not everyone has the same resources! Sorry,
Worked good for me though!
kula–I have two freezers(chest and upright) in the garage–I still don’t have room for dry goods, like flour and cornmeal and pancake mix–maybe I buy more than some people, like 5 gallon buckets, but it is still easy to put DE in the buckets and it works.
JK,agree,the smalls add up quickly,was how I started on the food prep/med end of things.
Mac, this is a real good article with fine advice. I must though stress to be EXTREMELY CAREFUL to let too many people know that you have what you have. I have been so personally disappointed with the loyalty and trust of so many different people from both family and friends that have turned on me. I cannot emphanize enough to everyone out there just how dangerous it is to have the WRONG friend. Even someone that is loyal to you right down to the last stand, they still must be TRUSTED not to let others know about any type of survival plans and supplies.
I don;t know about everyone else out there, but I feel that almost everyone or everyone has had one or more people in their life that has proven to be a snake or someone that just can’t keep their mouth shut when it is essential that they do so. It is so frustrating when you trust someone with something important and they go blabbing it everywhere, or even to just one wrong person.
You see what someone is doing IF others know you have a lot of food and other needs after SHTF is the same as telling the wrong people that you have have hundreds of thousands of dollars under the mattress at your home during pre SHTF times. You will have a home invasion, likely a violent one. Same holds true for survival goods after the collapse of society. Keep it secure and keep it as secret as you can.
We make it a policy to tell NO ONE what we have, EVER. I do believe in giving though, and the best way to do this is through a church or other trusted charity, while remaining silent on all other fronts. There have always been ways to share without letting anyone, including the recipient, know who their benefactor may be. Trust does not extend past our front door when it comes to what’s in our wallets or pantry. Sad, is I not…but we must first protect our families.
Informed,while I believe in being careful friends trust me with their homes when away,guard dog/babysitting their kids at times.As have no personal family i.e. wife/kids either trust or the fuck with it,just ain’t worth survival!On a side note majority of my friends prep also,even if at small levels due to finances,these are the people I want to survive with/and or sacrifice myself for!
Well, you can trust to a certain extent, and must do so in many things, but certainly you don’t trust others to use your bank accounts, credit cards, or choose your friends do you? Perhaps if you were married and had children you might feel differently about such a broad deceleration on who and what to trust. Your statement reminds me of people who say, “When my job is no longer fun, I’m gone!” as if fun, rather than putting food on the table was the most important issue in life. That sort of reasoning is most often heard from the very young, not adults. 🙂
I do leave if working for a ass of a boss.My own customers vet me out and I do the same,have what I call a 20% value added aggravation tax if I believe a personal customer going to be a pain!My bids usually high and don’t get gig but if I do then am getting paid to listen to nonsense/deal with non issues.I enjoy working,have other ways to make money when I do not enjoy,and yes,I never completely grew up(no need to)!I will trust my friends implicitly,sad for those that can’t.
Too true for what little space is here to comment.
If you do not trust someone alone in your house why would you trust them enough to tell them the security combination to your safe? Your preps, health, and family are your valuables. Safeguard them.
I started preparing for the Y2K scare. I slacked off for a few years, but then, I decided to at least get my earthquake preps going, considering where I live. I’ve been prepping ever since. It’s true that we’ve had a lot of “the sky is falling!” news in the past couple of years, but, who knows? I keep prepping because someday, the sky might indeed fall. And I found a hand-operated grain mill, a Big Berkey, and a washboard from my Y2K preps stored way back in a cabinet in the garage, and was I happy to see those. That’s why I don’t let myself get burned out. We just never know, do we?
I consider myself as a rookie-prepper too. Thanks for all your valuable inputs.
cheers!.
since we’re talkin’ about preppin’
http://hesperian.org/books-and-resources/
(I strongly advise purchasing hard copies,available from
Amazon and others)
http://armageddonmedicine.net/
(Armageddon Medicine is a great book to have)
http://armageddonmedicine.net/?cat=594
http://www.doomandbloom.net/
(Survival Medicine,another fantastic book)
What mistakes have I made.
Buying stuff we dont really use,
Bought soybeans, im still not really sure what for, but hey i have 50# of em.
Not paying close enough attention to expiration dates when buying stuff.
Guess thats the charity stash.
Not replacing stuff as quickly as i should.
Baked Soybeans
2 cups soybeans, 6 cups water, 1 tsp salt.
Boil beans for 2 minutes, let stand 1 hour. Then cook 2-3 hours or until tender. Drain; save liquid
Mix into beans; 1/4 lb diced bacon, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp dry mustard, 1/4 cup light molasses, and bean liquid plus water to make 3/4 cup. Bake in a 2 quart covered casserole for 3 hours at 325 degrees. Remove lid during the last hour to reduce liquid and brown top.
This is from a booklet titled “Aunt Sammy’s Radio Recipes” a USDA production from the 20’s. Aunt Sammy was supposed to be Uncle Sams wife. She obviously had spare time, if she spent 6 hours making baked beans. Or maybe she was the original multi-tasker.
Was going to try this someday, mostly as a joke, but who knows, could be good. And I just happen to have thousands of bushels of soybeans…….
we’re gonna need more bacon!!
Sgt. McKenzie Lyrics
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I’ll not be afraid
Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears
Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me
Never more shall I see the sun
For I fell to a Germans gun
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Where before many more have gone
In memory of Sgt. Charles Stuart MacKenzie
Seaforth Highlanders
Who along with many others gave up his life
So that we can live free
We will remember them
This weekend remember those that have given the ultimate sacrifice
They gave their tomorrow’s for our today.
SEMPER FI 8541
Heres an interesting website i came across a few years ago, lots of low tech and third world solutions to everyday stuff
http://journeytoforever.org/
I do agree with those who warn against prepper obsession and letting it control your entire life…but for me it’s a way to stay self sufficient on my farm. I don’t just buy stuff, I grow it, raise it, breed it, hunt it, and make it…so it’s my occupation. I would be doing this anyway, even if the world wasn’t about to implode under the forces of the evil ones ruling our land. Hell is in session, and prepping is one way to stay as free as possible from the oppressors now in the WH and beyond. Plus, time is short, get ready while you are still able to do so.
THE DUMBEST SHTF MOVIE EVER CALLED “CAPTAIN PHILLIPS”
WHY DONT THEY JUST LET THE MERCHANT MARINES HAVE GUNS?
Eisen,
International law forbids the use of arms on a merchant vessel,
If armed teams are permitted the definition changes to a ship of war by international law and can be denied harbor entry.
Yes the law of the sea has a commerce clause.
Semper Fi 8541
I am interested in learning to harvest wild yeast. Anyone know how to do this? I think it is setting out some sort of fruit for a period of time but can’t remember.
Well, you can trust to a certain extent, and must do so in many things, but certainly you don’t trust others to use your bank accounts, credit cards, or choose your friends do you? Perhaps if you were married and had children you might feel differently about such a broad deceleration on who and what to trust. Your statement reminds me of people who say, “When my job is no longer fun, I’m gone!” as if fun, rather than putting food on the table was the most important issue in life. That sort of reasoning is most often heard from the very young, not adults. 🙂
Not sure if I should post this since I haven’t tried it, but I’ve heard of people using grapes &/or apple peels to grow yeast. Also, you might be able to get some brewer’s yeast if you have a friend who makes beer as a hobby. Maybe that could be your new hobby 🙂
https://sites.google.com/site/windintheroses/wildyeast
Whatever you want to make (mead, beer, bread, vinegar, assorted fermentations) you let it sit exposed in the air and see what you catch without using a commercial yeast. Then the Magical Yeast Fairy brings you a good yeast or a bad yeast, and you get the fun of discovering it in your stocking. If you already have a yeast or a mother, then you make sure to keep your food covered. “The Art of Fermentation” is an excellent resource.
Well, for sourdough just take a potato clean it and boil it till it falls apart with just a bit of water. Set it on the window sill and wait. When it turns disgusting add flour, use that as your starter; keep warm and add starch and a tiny bit of sugar, once in a while. The old trappers kept a bit of it in a bag around their neck. That’s why they were called sourdoughs. Oh well.
Thank you everyone.
My big rookie mistake: Before I found websites like this, I wanted freeze dried and dehydrated #10 cans of food. Well, I contacted a place with free sample and before I knew it, a salesman was at my door. We spent $2,000 on stuff I know now I could have gotten much cheaper watching sales or even going through Costco’s on line service. Plus now, neither of us can eat gluten, so we have a lot of prepared meals in a can (like beef stroganoff) that we can not eat without bad stomachs or sore joints….Live and learn!
Kin,save until replaced,rather a few sore joints then starving!That said,give when unnecessary to a shelter or would be more then happy to take it!When paying attention we all hit learning curves daily,our lives are better for it daily!Live for today and enjoy,plan and prep for tomorrow.
KinSanDiego,
Sell the gluten containing preps you can’t eat on craigslist or ebay. If you sell on CL, just meet the buyer away from your house so they don’t know where you (the prepper) live. Use the money to buy preps you can eat.
Kin…try posting on American Preppers Network or Prepared Society.
I see things posted all the time on those sites and those preppers will pay a good price.
The only thing is shipping. That may cause you to not get full price, but it’ll be better than not selling at all.
Good luck.
Watch out for allergies you may have. Most of the prepackaged military style survival foods do not take any allergies into consideration. Packaging your own will make surviving a little less painful. For example: Gluten free foods.
I’ve got a tip I just learned while making chili. We all know that soaking your beans in a little baking soda “de-gasses” them. Well, I add a half teaspoon full of baking soda just before I add the tomato sauce and LEAVE IT IN.
It helps correct the high acidity of your chili without changing taste, and lowering your body’s acidity helps fight viruses. Here’s some reading for you…
http://www.totalityofbeing.com/FramelessPages/Articles/FightingViruses.htm
http://www.mcvitamins.com/is-your-body-too-acid.htm
I forgot to say I’m not selling anything, these links are for the information value only, supporting my position that lowering the body PH is a good thing, and a little baking soda goes a long way towards that goal…please, research it yourself.
Why in the hell would anyone want to “de gas” chili? I guess you missed Canadian Vet’s post earlier about mental well being. What could be more stimulating than clearing a room out of kin folk.
Well, there is that…
Haha. Here’s a good laugh for all you veteran preppers….back when Dubya bombed Iraq I ran to the store, bought a six pack of water, a bunch of single serving cans of veggies I’d never ever eat, and some grits and oatmeal. Threw them in a runbermaid bin. Hubby said ” what are ya doin?” I said ” the terrorists are coming and I’m ready to hunker down!” ROFLMAO. What was I thinkin?
No Pity, this made me smile. When things were heating up with North Korea a few months back, I insisted that I go to the store at 11 pm to get extra water. I could not rest, until I got that extra water! lol I bought about 30 gallons extra. You should have seen the look on the cashier’s face. Late at night, getting all that water. Even the cashier said, “So what’s going on out there?” LOL
That urge or restlessness that you speak we all feel.
I personally think that it should be an entire article for discussion. Like a train wreck we cannot help the fascination.
How many times, over how many different items have we felt the need, yes need, to buy something now? Problem is sometimes we are right. Like buying that food and then getting laid off and needing it. Or sometimes you get those little birdy warnings that will not let you be in peace. Sometimes your subconscious mind knows more than it lets on. Of course if you hear voices telling you to kill and eat your neighbor maybe you should consult a doctor instead of considering him a prep.
I am glad that people have the opportunity to buy too much right now. Since I do not live in a city or near one it is actually nice because my wife and I do not need to run into town to get that one darned thing to get the job done.
I know what you mean about restlessness, I’m having lots of trouble sleeping these days…from the looks of this article, it ain’t gonna get better any time soon.
Biggest mistake. Not knowing how are having the capacity to grow your own food.
I’m so glad I started prepping. We started about a year ago, after watching black Friday videos. Prepping has already paid off for me. When my husband was laid off for a short period of time, I didn’t panic because I knew we had enough food to get us through. I had to dip into about 4 weeks worth of food put back, but I was able to replace it again. If I had not prepped, I know we would have had to either borrow some money or go for food stamps. It felt good to be self reliant.
I have a lot to learn, and that’s why I’m here. We have not networked with other preppers in our area. I’m sure they exist since I’m in Montana. I think we prefer to just go it alone and keep it on the down low.
Lincoln County?
Somewhere north of Whitefish 🙂
Im ewest of Kalispell.
I wish the shtf then at least then all the air stealers would be gone
My family prays to the Obama god. So I am pretty much alone, but I do smuggle a hundred bucks every month. I read a lot(old Nat Geo plant and tree books, How to the live in the woods indefinitely by Bradley Angier (I think) wrote and bound a book with the most important stuff and bagged it. I have enough for everyone here for 3 months but if they flake on me I can go it alone for a week before being forced to implement the book knowledge and never be seen again.
Reading through all these comments I realized how many brite people you have on this site Mac. I have been coming here for a few yrs now. And even if I did stop posting for awhile I never stopped reading it everyday. Even if I never meet any of you.
Its been a honor getting to visit with many of you.
CATIYMF-NOMI,
DPS
Did you ever get back into ripping around in the dirt again? I thought some time back you were flirting with the idea.
Also do you still email nina o once in a while? I kind of miss that crazy militant SOB. He told it the way he thought it that is for sure.
Rusted,
The bikes ready and waiting, I had some health problems for a while that put me down. But I have been getting the Harley out some.
Been getting the urge to hitting some rides again just waiting to get stronger.
I havn’t e-mail that crazy nina o in awhile sure hope hes doing ok, I do worry about mano’s and his family and hope for the best.
I was really hoping to go get a elk this yr too but that just isn’t going to happen, but hey venison eats good too..
I hope all is good with you and yours?
NOMI
DPS
Some time ago you said something on here to the effect that you wanted to go out and live life and enjoy it a bit rather than always concentrating on when the other shoe would drop. I kind of decided the same late this summer. Did some camping with the wife and it was a good time to teach her some things. It bothers me that she just assumes I will always be there.
As far as manos. I have a friend that was over in Greece this summer for business. She stayed in the tourist areas I am sure but she said she thought the economy was bustling. But Manos certainly painted a different picture. So near as I can tell Greece has turned into kind of what mexico is. Keep the tourist places nice and the hell with the rest of the country.
Felt good to step away from it all for awhile didn’t it? Ihit the slopes last winter and did get to ride the KTM a few times. But for the last few months I have just been doing some shooting. Last i heard from mano’s he was bailing out to the country hell who knows he maybe just living simple and enjoying life there.
I have been trying to teach my GF to shoot for the last few weekends she does good with her 22 but she sure doesn’t like the pistol or the bigger guns. Maybe that will change but at least shes trying.
DPS
It was fantastic to go up in the mountains and just look at wildlife, stars and do some four wheeling.
I pimped out the wifes 9mm with duracoat and now she loves the damn thing. Tried to get out shooting at least a couple times a month. That is also a nice release of stress.
Hopefully manos is doing well wherever he is at.
Take care buddy.
Why we all prep has different meanings economic collapse or Zombies. I think that one of the basic mistakes of new preppers is not prepping for what really does happen to us on regular a basis. Such as Job loss, sickness, weather problems, break-ins, injury, breakdowns, home repair, stupid neighbor kid playing with matches, paychecks that get spent too fast, or failed to get deposited on time and then fees charged take up your extras budget for the month. (@Canadian Vet, Yahtze and Rummy-0 have played a big part of entertainment in our home some months.)
Prepping also helps for the good times. Get a half of beef or an extra deer that there is no room in the freezer for, you can break out the canner and dehydrator.
Have un-expected guests, maybe family from away, get the camping gear. If it’s cold out they can camp in the living room and the kids will enjoy it.
Bonding with young ones, try out some of your plans and ideas with the kids to involve them and get some real time with them instead of with the TV.
Bonding with family. Am going hunting with both my brother and my wife in a week. And looking forward to the time with both of them.
The garden makes for good food, and healthy outdoor exercise.
Learning to sew saves money, not that I make anything but it saves lots when you repair instead of buying new all the time.
Cooking a meal for under $5 for your family saves money and time. Do not give the BS excuse of prepared food is cheap. It takes me the same amount of time to cook our home raised steaks and potatoes with a side of canned vegetables as it does the frozen dinners.
I think that on of the biggest mistakes is just trying to pin down the big reason. I prep because of what life has thrown at me in the past.
Do I fear getting frostbite on the side of the road again while trying to fix my car in the middle of winter, no, but do I carry extra gloves, toque, scarf and gear in that car yes. Have I needed them since, yes.
Is that paranoid?
Do I own a portable projectile security device?
Yes, Have I used it? Good question.
Bambi thinks so.
And Bambi tastes good.
And his brother, mother, sister, father.
I was lectured this past summer on the unnecessary availability of firearms to crackpots by someone who was eating a dish prepared with meat supplied by said firearms. This person’s husband had also just finished telling me a story about how he wished he had been carrying his rifle while out in the woods looking for his lost dog. It seems that he was chased by coyotes.
Being prepared is having the flash light in the dark.
Changing your tire at night on the side of the road.
Convincing the drunken guy who just kicked in your door in the middle of the night that it would be very unhealthy to proceed. Having a pen to write a love note to your wife in the morning.
Life is prepping, get over it.
Some people are more able to handle life than others.
Dont do some of the same shit I have done! For example. Keep an Inventory list of everything you buy! I have bought things then six months later ran out and bought more when I forgot I already have some. Rotate your food supply. LABLE STUFF. Seriously simple stuff I never thought of to do, that I wish I did.
And as I have said in the past. Depending on where you live, and where you plan on holding up. If you have neighbors around you. Only buy some gas or batteries, etc. Why? Cause when people leave to go be with friends and family. They will leave in a rush and wont pack things like batteries, T.P., matches, blankets, whatever. So buy some, but don’t go overboard. As for Gasoline….there will be plenty of cars around you can syphon some gas out of! IMO…God Bless and keep Preppin!
One thing new preppers need to know is that NOT everyone writing a blog on survival/prepping is an expert. It’s amazing how many “experts” regurgitate something that they read somewhere and it turns out to be a bad idea or method. Before doing any major investments, research, research, research and after that take it slow.
Then, practice, practice, practice what you’ve learned.
Good luck getting your friends and family on board. Expect almost everyone to think you’re crazy. My wife believed a collapse was coming but only wanted to buy an extra can or two each week to stock up. I was buying $500 worth of extra food a week for awhile and that became a strain on our marriage. I still won’t be 100% vindicated until there are armed gangs in our neighborhood. She still thinks we could cook outside after TSHTF when nobody else has food and we’d still be OK. I used to try to get her involved by asking her how much of a certain thing we needed and her answer was always, “We have enough.” It’s been an ordeal at times.
It’s terrifying to know how many whack jobs are armed to the teeth like this
We are the Good Whack Jobs. Wait till you meet the bad ones.
Interesting to see prepping referred to as a fad. If that is the case, then it is a fad that has been going on for thousands of years. The perception of prepping as a “fad” has its roots in the fact that after WWII, much of our rural population moved to the cities, with baby boomers growing up in mostly urban areas, forgetting the basics of the rural life.
I luckily spent most of my growing up years in a rural environment. We always has a garden, and we always grew too much and wound up sharing with neighbors. In the fall, the ladies would get together and have canning parties. We had a storm cellar loaded with canned goods from the garden. My grandma made clothes for all of us kids on her pedal Singer sewing machine. She also made our own bath and laundry soap, starch, bluing et al. (I have my own set of formulas for a lot of household stuff). My Dad, grandpa and I fished an awful lot – and we’d freeze what we couldn’t eat. Later, my Dad built a big tank on the farm strictly to raise catfish, so there was always plenty to eat. Pop gave me my first .22 rifle when I was 11 years old and taught me to shoot and to hunt. Thanksgiving dinner always had rabbit, dove, duck and quail in the mix. Mighty tasty!
The earth provided us with practically everything we needed. A few years before my Dad died, he told me a story about how the local gas station guy had wanted to buy his old Ford pickup (1971). It was in pristine running condition, with only 23K miles on it (in 2005). Fact is, Dad rarely drove into town – only to get a few things like toiletries they couldn’t grow or make on the farm. He was one of the most self-sufficient guys I knew. Did not care for TV, liked to read instead or chat with friends. I turned out pretty much the same way, thanks to him, and I think of him practically every day of my life – the best and most honest man I ever knew.
So is prepping truly a fad? Does anyone remember the story of the grasshopper and the ant – a story likely developed many centuries ago?
Problem is, the just in time conveniences of the late 20th and early 21st century have lulled the majority of the population into an internet/TV stuper. Fast food, fast service, instant gratification. Fact is, any supermarket will be out of food in only three days in the event of a major problem – a fact confirmed to me by a friend who is a buyer for one of the major chains.
I used to talk with my parents a lot about growing up in the Great Depression. Technically they were very poor, but they never felt it. They always had food to eat. They had loving family looking after them. They had faith in God and peace in their hearts. They felt accountability to their fellow members of the community. Life was simple then, and in the midst of terrible economic times, things were actually pretty peaceful.
We are already in a new Depression, and things will get much worse. It will be much different this time. People are already acting real ugly to each other – no God – no sense of shame – only dependence on the state and an entitlement attitude. What people call prepping now was simply normal life just a generation or two ago. But now people who prep, who own firearms, and who are self-sufficient are looked upon as the crazies of society, myself very definitely in the prepper group. I personally find it fascinating how much in denial the general population is. Sad to see how few people today have critical thinking skills. I suppose we can thank our dumbed down school system for that.
So, I figure folks who are not prepping are the foolish ones. Who cares if we are mocked? Does it really matter? And why even bother arguing with them? As Ben Franklin said, “a fool convinced against his will, will be of the same opinion still.” And if you don’t believe that, just look at the Kool-Aid drinkers who still think Obamacare is a great idea.
For all you folks in Texas, we have a great gun show in Houston at the George R. Brown convention center this weekend. Course, you probably already know that, so see you there. For you folks out of state, come and see us, and bring cash!!! Best gun show you’ll ever see.
An important topic mentioned is boots. I used a pair of heavy insulated boots for years in the Mojave and Southern Sierra on my hunting forays. I hunt quail and chukar, and thought my burning feet were part of climbing rocky ridges throughout the day. Before I moved to that same locale, I went to REI, where the salesman suggested my problem might be the weight of the boot, and the insulation. I purchased a pair of Merrell’s without insulation. and a variation of Goretex that breathes. The difference makes me want to cry when I remember all the days I barely could drag myself off a mountain at sunset.
“Personal Experience – I can’t tell you how many times I have had to throw away unopened food because I didn’t use it within its expiration date.”
LOL. There’s gonna be a bunch of good, canned food available because people won’t eat it if it is passed the “best by” date.
I ate hundreds of canned “C” Rations in the 70’s having a date stamp of production in the 1940’s.
No health issues today.
For some people prepping means starting with their NBC underground bunker. For others it’s simply a 72 hour kit. Myself it’s more like what can I reasonably prep for that could plausibly happen in my AO.
For example if you were a prepper in the Philippines your preps might be a whole lot different than if you lived in Colorado.
Speaking of which, how do you prep to retain your preps in Hurricane alley or the firestorm areas of Colorado and California. That’s all part of prepping as well.