It's been a while since I blogged about anything. I've been trying to find my balance in the world of prepping, and recently had a death in the family so I've been giving myself some space. During this time of "self reflection" we'll say, I've been thinking a lot about the why's and how's of preparing for the future. To be completely honest, the idea of it all was something that was on my mind 100% of the time, even if it was in the back of my mind, it was still an ever present fixture in my thoughts. I was beginning to feel overwhelmed. I needed to take a step back. In doing so, I learned something really important. I needed balance.
It's easy to become overwhelmed with prepping, and when you "wake up" to the world around you, new preppers sometimes have a "Come to Jesus" moment about prepping. In the sense that they want to tell everyone, talk about it all the time, or think about it non-stop. It begins to transform into this out of control monster that starts to take over every aspect of your thoughts. When you go to the grocery store, not only are you looking for sales for your basic short-term pantry needs, you're looking for sales for long term prep items. Clipping coupons starts to become an obsession because lets face it, prepping isn't always cheap. Every time you go online you start reading the current news, then visit other prepper sites and start reading the news there. You start to dream about it, fight with your spouse about it, especially if they do not agree with you. Your friends get tired of hearing about it, because while they think it's important to be prepared for things that could happen in your area (i.e. natural disasters etc) they don't think it's cool that you bring it up in every conversation. I don't think I've ever met a prepper who hasn't had at least 1 if not multiples of these things happening to them along their journey to preparedness.
As a community, it's easy for us to forget the need for balance. Finding other things to occupy our time or thoughts besides prepping. To do things that have absolutely 0 to do with prepping. Conversations, play dates with our kids, lunch or dinner with friends - no prep talk allowed.
So to all the preppers that may come across this blog, veteran or newbie, take my advice. Allow some time in your schedule for non-preparedness discussions and activities. Take note of how much time during the week you devote to prepping, even if it's just talking about it. Then make time to do something for just as long that doesn't have anything to do with prepping. In the end you'll find yourself happier, and I honestly think it'll give you a whole new outlook on how and why you prepare.
PC
Monday, February 25, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Prepping Basics: Medical Supplies
In the event of an emergency sometimes people just think about food and water, forgetting all about the other things that they would need. It's easy to just get stuck on prepping food and water storage. Trust me, I've had my head pretty much stuck in my pantries with the amount of food I have and it's still not a FULL years supply...I still actually need a little bit more.
I took time out of prepping food and water to prep some medical supplies. There's a whole slew of things that you should have on hand in the event of an emergency. For brevity's sake, I'm going to just assume that the people reading my blog have 0 medical training. This is a problem in and of itself. Make sure you can find the time to take a CPR class at the very least. You can call your local Red Cross for information and costs of CPR classes. Because I am going to assume that people have limited to no medical knowledge reading my blog, I am not going to list things that surgeons would use because while it may be "flashy" for you to have these items, they do you 0 good if you don't know how to correctly use them. You have no need to be cutting someone open with a 10 blade if you've never done it before the SHTF. On to the list:
I will say this. If you are going to be in a community of preppers, that will include women within their child bearing years, you or someone you know that is in your community and will be with you during a disaster needs to have some midwifery skills. I am referring to a very long term SHTF situation where we would be without medical treatment from a hospital. Everyone is going to have nothing to do at night except maybe security detail, so there's going to be a lot of sexing going on. If the condoms run out, or people just don't use them, you may be surprised how quickly a lot of the women in your "village" turn up with baby bumps. Back before modern medicine, women died a lot in childbirth and labor and delivery should be something at least 1 or 2 of you in your "village" have knowledge in.
These things listed aren't the "end all be all" list of a prepper, but they should be included in your preps even if you just have 1 bottle of everything listed. Remember 3 is 2, 2 is 1 and 1 is none. Redundancy is your friend.
PC
I took time out of prepping food and water to prep some medical supplies. There's a whole slew of things that you should have on hand in the event of an emergency. For brevity's sake, I'm going to just assume that the people reading my blog have 0 medical training. This is a problem in and of itself. Make sure you can find the time to take a CPR class at the very least. You can call your local Red Cross for information and costs of CPR classes. Because I am going to assume that people have limited to no medical knowledge reading my blog, I am not going to list things that surgeons would use because while it may be "flashy" for you to have these items, they do you 0 good if you don't know how to correctly use them. You have no need to be cutting someone open with a 10 blade if you've never done it before the SHTF. On to the list:
- Antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Ciproflaxin, Azithromyacin, Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Ampicillin. Can be obtained via Fish Antibiotics. Also get a Physician's Desk Reference and The Merck Manual) Be careful of the dosage. Make sure it's accurate and look out for allergic reactions to Antibiotics.
- Prescription Medicines (It's best to be off these obviously in a disaster, but if you're not you need to stock up on the ones you and your family use.)
- Gauze - Sterile and Non-Sterile (4x4 and 2x2)
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- 100 Proof Alcohol (Moonshine, Pure Grain Liquor)
- Super Glue
- Benadryl
- Tylenol
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Acid Reducers
- Immodium AD
- Mucinex & Mucinex DM
- AZO Yeast
- AZO Standard
- Nasal Sprays
- Nasal Saline (different formulation than the nasal sprays listed above)
- Calcium Supplements
- B-12 Vitamins
- B Complex Vitamins
- Mature Multivitamins (Centrum or One A Day is fine)
- Magnesium Supplements
- Omega 3/Fish Oil
- Vitamin D-3
- Vitamin C
- Acidopholus
- Band-Aids
- Iodine Swabs and Tablets even a Bottle of Iodine too
- Petroleum Jelly
- Splinter Removal Kit
- Nystatin and Triamcinolone Cream (Anti-Fungal Cream)
- Electrolyte Replacement Bars
- Cornstarch Baby Powder
- Butt Paste
- Gold Bond Foot Powder
- Saline Solution (for cleaning wounds)
- Vagicaine
- Monistat
- Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Clorox Wipes
- Sterile Gloves
- Cough Drops
- Kotex Pads
- Lotion
- Caladryl
- Sunscreen
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Bug Spray
- Dermoplast
- Thermometer
- Instant Cold Pack
- Exam Gloves
- Triple Antibiotic Cream/Ointment
- Hydrocortizone Cream
- Neosporine
- Epsom Salts
- Duct Tape
- Flash Light
- Ground Ginger (can help relieve morning sickness or upset tummy/nausea)
- Dramamine
- New Skin
- Theraflu
- Vicks Vapor Rub
- Nasal Decongestants (Sudafeds, Claritin etc)
- Molefoam
- Moleskin
- Ear Plugs
- Carmex
- Condoms
- Pregnancy Tests
- Stethoscope
- Blood Pressure Cuff (learn to read blood pressures without using a digital reader)
- CPR Masks
- Elastic Gauze Bandages
- ACE Bandage
- Non-Adherant Sterile Pads
- Kerlix Bandage Rolls ( Can find these online)
- Cohesive Bandage and Tape
- Sutures and Needle (for minor cuts not gaping wounds)
- Steri-Strips
- Kelly Forceps ( for the small minor cut sutures)
- Ear Loop Masks
- Hand Sanitizer
- Castor Oil
- Neem Oil
- Tea Tree Oil
- Olive Oil
- Clove Oil
- Cinnamon Oil
- Lavender Oil
- Rosemary Oil (Read up about using essential oils and their uses)
- Get a Herbal Medicine guide that includes using essential oils and their mix rate with carrier oils.
I will say this. If you are going to be in a community of preppers, that will include women within their child bearing years, you or someone you know that is in your community and will be with you during a disaster needs to have some midwifery skills. I am referring to a very long term SHTF situation where we would be without medical treatment from a hospital. Everyone is going to have nothing to do at night except maybe security detail, so there's going to be a lot of sexing going on. If the condoms run out, or people just don't use them, you may be surprised how quickly a lot of the women in your "village" turn up with baby bumps. Back before modern medicine, women died a lot in childbirth and labor and delivery should be something at least 1 or 2 of you in your "village" have knowledge in.
These things listed aren't the "end all be all" list of a prepper, but they should be included in your preps even if you just have 1 bottle of everything listed. Remember 3 is 2, 2 is 1 and 1 is none. Redundancy is your friend.
PC
Monday, February 4, 2013
Prepping Basics: Food & Water Storage
Storing food and water is at the center of the basics of preparedness. Even FEMA suggests storing extra food and water, most preppers store for a lot longer than FEMA suggests though, and with good reason. FEMA suggests a food and water storage of at least 2 weeks. It's not a bad place to start honestly since the majority of people barely have enough food for their entire families for 3 days sitting in the homes. I suggest that you should aim for 1 year of stored food and water, and this is just touching the basics. In later blog posts I'll be going over more prepping basics. Even just starting with food and water can be overwhelming to some. The trick? To do it a bit at a time.
When you're first starting out, take a good look at what you and your family eat in any given week. If you have really old cans of veggies or meat and if it's economical for you to do it, give those to charity and start fresh. Especially if you can't remember when the last time it was that you bought <insert canned item here>.
If you normally buy 3 cans of corn at the grocery store, the next time you go buy 6. If you normally buy 2 boxes of spaghetti, the next time buy 4. Eventually as you start doing this, you will build up extra food in your pantry over time and before you know it, your 3 day supply will turn into 3 weeks. Your 3 week supply will then turn into 3 months, so on and so forth. Look for sales at your local grocery stores. Clip coupons and don't be afraid to use them. And when you're stock piling your pantry with canned goods, remember the following rule: First in, First out. All older cans should be rotated to the front of your pantry so they get used first, the newer cans should go in the back. Every time you go to the grocery store, remember to do this when you come home and put your groceries away. When you're just starting out, it will help you know where you are with your preps. If you're OCD like me, feel free to grab a black Sharpie and write on the cans the date that they were purchased. Do your homework and research the shelf life of the items you prep. I could do it for you, but everyone eats different things, and I'd be here all night listing the various items and how long they're good for.
Grey Water is the used water from washing your dishes, or taking a bath. It's basically water that can be recycled for other things. You can use old water from washing your clothes to flush toilets. You can use old water from cooking to water your garden, as long as the water doesn't contain anything that could kill your plants.
Fresh or Purified Water is the water that you have boiled or purified for drinking, cooking, or taking a bath, washing clothes and dishes etc. There are a few different ways you can purify water.
Bleach is a great way to purify water. Make sure you're using regular 5-6% chlorine bleach. Not any of that fru-fru smelly perfumed stuff. The only other suitable option for purifying water is boiling it. You don't need to boil water for 5 minutes, like some people say. Just heat it to a rolling boil and then it's ready to consume. Obviously you'll want to let boiled water cool first, and if it has a flat taste to it, just aerate it by shaking it up or pouring it in between 2 clean cups a few times. It'll put oxygen back into the water and will make it taste better. Below is a table you can use for water purification:
When you're first starting out, take a good look at what you and your family eat in any given week. If you have really old cans of veggies or meat and if it's economical for you to do it, give those to charity and start fresh. Especially if you can't remember when the last time it was that you bought <insert canned item here>.
If you normally buy 3 cans of corn at the grocery store, the next time you go buy 6. If you normally buy 2 boxes of spaghetti, the next time buy 4. Eventually as you start doing this, you will build up extra food in your pantry over time and before you know it, your 3 day supply will turn into 3 weeks. Your 3 week supply will then turn into 3 months, so on and so forth. Look for sales at your local grocery stores. Clip coupons and don't be afraid to use them. And when you're stock piling your pantry with canned goods, remember the following rule: First in, First out. All older cans should be rotated to the front of your pantry so they get used first, the newer cans should go in the back. Every time you go to the grocery store, remember to do this when you come home and put your groceries away. When you're just starting out, it will help you know where you are with your preps. If you're OCD like me, feel free to grab a black Sharpie and write on the cans the date that they were purchased. Do your homework and research the shelf life of the items you prep. I could do it for you, but everyone eats different things, and I'd be here all night listing the various items and how long they're good for.
Long-Term Food Storage
Storing food for the long haul is quite a different beast than just beefing up your pantry. This is where a majority of your bulk preps are going to go. Things like rice, dry beans, oatmeal, wheat berries, flour, powdered or dehydrated foods. All of these things fall into a long-term food storage category. There are different ways to make your foods shelf stable from anywhere to 1-30 years. Re-packaged by you, properly, there are some items out there that will sit on your shelf and be good 15 years or more down the road. These items are also relatively cheap for the amount that you're buying.
When I re-package oatmeal for my long term storage, I buy a bag that looks like this:
Then I measure out enough oatmeal to fill a 1 gallon mylar bag (usually around 4-4 1/2 cups of oatmeal. I toss in two 100 CC oxygen absorbers and I use an old hair straightener turned up high to seal the bag. Packaged this way, this oatmeal will last for 15 years. I break the 50 pound bag down into smaller sizes because I am never going to use 50 pounds of oatmeal at once, unless I'm trying to feed an army, which I'm not. I don't want to have to go back through the process of re-heat sealing the mylar, and if it's a disaster scenario, I might not have electricity to seal it and then I'll have to eat oatmeal for every single meal so it doesn't go to waste. No thanks.
If you buy dehydrated items from any reputable seller and they come in #10 cans, you do not have to re-package them. Just store the #10 cans in a cool, dry place and they should be good for as long as the manufacturer says they will be. Also good to mention is that if you're going to store food for the long term in 5 gallon buckets, make sure they are food grade (HDPE 2). Always wash the buckets before you use them, whether or not you're using a mylar bag inside of them. I have heard some people say that you do not need to use Food Grade buckets to store food in IF you are lining said bucket with a mylar bag. In theory, it's true, the mylar will protect your food from anything that's seeped into a non-food grade bucket, heat, sun, light, bugs, etc. HOWEVER, I believe, better safe than sorry! I also believe that it's a good idea to make sure that the bucket is colored, or if it's white, that it's a very thick white, not a translucent white. You do not want light getting into your preps...ever, as long as you can help it.
Water Storage - What's Safe
If you're going to buy a lot of dehydrated food, you're going to need a lot of water to cook it, so keep this in mind when you start planning how much water you need to save up. The general rule of thumb is 1 gallon of water/person/day (per person, per day). This is just for drinking though. Really sit down and think about how much we use water on an every day basis. We take it for granted because right now we can get it from bottles, or the faucet and not even consider where we'd be without it. And I can not stress this enough - THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF WATER YOU SHOULD STORE. You can live for weeks without food, but you'll be dead in 3 days without water. Dehydration is a bad way to go, and it's slow and painful so make sure that you have plenty stocked.
Keep in mind that you are not only going to need water for drinking, but also for the following:
- Washing clothes
- Taking baths
- Washing dishes (unless you're using paper plates)
- Washing pots and pans you use to cook
- Flushing toilets
- Watering your garden
- Brushing your teeth
- Cleaning wounds/scrapes
- Possibly putting out a fire
- Cleaning your home or area you're living in
Grey Water is the used water from washing your dishes, or taking a bath. It's basically water that can be recycled for other things. You can use old water from washing your clothes to flush toilets. You can use old water from cooking to water your garden, as long as the water doesn't contain anything that could kill your plants.
Fresh or Purified Water is the water that you have boiled or purified for drinking, cooking, or taking a bath, washing clothes and dishes etc. There are a few different ways you can purify water.
Bleach is a great way to purify water. Make sure you're using regular 5-6% chlorine bleach. Not any of that fru-fru smelly perfumed stuff. The only other suitable option for purifying water is boiling it. You don't need to boil water for 5 minutes, like some people say. Just heat it to a rolling boil and then it's ready to consume. Obviously you'll want to let boiled water cool first, and if it has a flat taste to it, just aerate it by shaking it up or pouring it in between 2 clean cups a few times. It'll put oxygen back into the water and will make it taste better. Below is a table you can use for water purification:
If you're getting your water from a well follow the column for treating cloudy water. Better safe than sorry. Once you've added the bleach to your water, let it sit for 30 minutes without touching it. Smell the water and see if you can slightly smell the bleach/chlorine, if not repeat the steps listed above in the reference table and let it sit for 30 more minutes. Boiling water is really the best way. Personally, I'd boil it, then filter it through a Katadyn or Berkey filter if I needed drinking water and was out. This information is mainly for water obtained after a disaster happened and you have no way to tell if even the water from your faucet is safe for consumption. If you're a good little prepper, you should already have water stored. If you store the water now, all you have to do is rotate it every 6 months. Fill it up from your tap and store it in a sterilized (bleach washed and really well rinsed) container and dump it out every 6 months and repeat the process.
When you are looking for ways to store your water, do not use milk jugs, or jugs that have had juice in them. Old 2 liter bottles are okay, but if you're looking for a really long storage time you need to get something that looks like this:
Always make sure that you do not sit these containers directly on concrete. If you're going to be storing water in containers you always want to place them off the ground on a wood palette or some wooden boards thrown together. If you choose to save water in huge 55 gallon drums, then you need a way to pump the water out of the drums.
In prepping always remember the rule of redundancy - 3 is 2, 2 is 1 and 1 is none. Always have a back up for your back up. Stocking up this much food and water may seem like a lot of work, and it can be. But you need to remember that you are preparing for a possible uncertain time and by doing the work now, you'll have to work a lot less later. Besides, if disaster strikes there's going to be enough on your mind, why should what your family is going to eat and drink to survive be on that list? It shouldn't.
PC
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Prepping - What It is, What It Isn't & Why You Should Be Doing It.
Preppers...Described by most as crazy people. I am here to tell you that we most certainly aren't. Just like in every social setting there are going to be some weirdos, but those people do not make up the majority of the Prepping Community. People that "prep" are doing so to make sure that they and their families are taken care of in a worst case scenario. If you would poll the prepping community at large and ask them the question, "Why are you preparing?" The answer you get won't be the same with everyone. Prepping is as individual as the person doing it, but there are basics that we all pretty much follow: Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids. Food. Security. Medicine.
I lived most of my life "asleep". I was clueless to what was going on around me. I never watched the news or really had interest in reading it. I was fine going on about my life planning as if I'd likely die of old age. I had about a 3 day or less supply of food in my home, no gun, no ammo, and not a clue how to even start a fire. I haven't been prepping that long, but the only word that could describe me when I started was; Overwhelmed. It almost seemed impossible, to get what I thought would be a worthy supply of food for me and my family. Things going on in the world seemed so bad that I almost gave up before I even began, but I am glad that I held out and stayed determined. I have more security now and a sense of peace about how me and my family will fare, that I'd of paid triple what I've spent (which isn't very much) to feel the way I do now. I absolutely do NOT regret my eyes being opened and the people that I have come to know and those that have helped me thus far on my journey have been some of the nicest and most down to earth people I've ever spoken to.
Prepping - What it isn't.
Prepping is not hoarding. The difference in Preppers and Hoarders is this: We use what we prep and store. We have a justifiable need for it, and we don't leave it cluttering up our houses, taking over every inch of space that we live in. We may have preps in every room of the house, but we're not tripping over them to get to the bathroom.
Prepping is not paranoia. Preppers aren't paranoid, we're passionate. Contrary to popular belief, we actually hope we never have to use our preps, because we don't want to go through a disaster. We don't want the world to end, we don't want civil unrest, and we do not want to live without creature comforts. We actually like having running water, and a flushing toilet. We love hot showers, and we like living in a world where chaos isn't king.
Prepping is not crazy. Being unprepared is crazy. Seeing the world in the shape it is today and not making yourself ready is crazy. Running to the store for a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread THE DAY the snow storm hits, or the storm takes out the electricity, is crazy. Why wait for crap to hit the fan? Why not just prepare now when life is normal...well as normal as normal really is anyway.
Prepping is not new. Our grandparents and their parents and their parent's parents, prepped. It was just called something way different, and it wasn't frowned upon. You were weird if you didn't do it back then. Keeping a garden with veggies, raising your own chickens, it wasn't that long ago that everyone did it, and it was widely accepted. My grandmother went through the Great Depression. She kept everything she could, rarely throwing anything away. She kept a garden, canned veggies and fruit and meat. Made home made jam and jellies. Knew how to make bread from scratch, could cook on an open fire. There were more cast iron skillets in that woman's house than in some antique shop. She was a prepper, but back then it was just how things were done.
Prepping - What it is.
Prepping is necessary. Something will eventually happen to you or a loved one that will make you wish you had prepared if you didn't. Whether you or your partner lose your job(s). The cost of food gets higher. Your electricity goes out and stays out for days because of a storm. Your water gets shut off because of a pipeline busting open. You are snowed in for weeks at a time. You name it. There's a million reasons to prep, even if it's just "I would like to not run out of <insert item here> anytime soon."
Prepping is smart. People that prepare for the worst before it hits have the sense of peace that comes with knowing that you will be okay. Or at least as okay as you can be for the situations you are preparing for. Not making a mad dash to the grocery store the day the weather guy says a big storm is coming is really nice. If you like to get your kicks by laughing at people, drive by the grocery stores and gas stations during the time that people normally get off work on a day that weather is going to be bad, and see what a mad house it is. You'll thank yourself for not having to pop a Xanax to deal with the people who are fighting over a gallon of milk.
Prepping can save you money in the long run. Lets say that your local grocery store is running a special on veggies, or fruit, or meat. Normally you'd have to worry about freezer space if you were about to go out and buy 10 pounds of meat for 10 bucks. Any of you reading this knows that at this day and age paying $1.00/lb for any meat is super cheap and there's no reason you shouldn't take advantage of it. If you are a prepper, you don't really rely on your fridge or freezer for long term food storage. If you have a way to pressure can meat, pork, or poultry, you can take advantage of this sale without wasting space in your freezer. Canned chicken as an example is easy to do - if you follow instructions and it's got a 1-2 year shelf life. Think about how long 10 lbs of chicken would last you, and how much money you save. This is just 1 example out of many. Food storage can save you tons of money in the long run, if you do it right.
Prepping can get expensive if you don't pace yourself. Just as it can save you money in the long run, if you ran out and bought everything you'd need for 1 year, today, you'd spend a ton of money. Not very financially sound, unless you just have a ton of money to blow and price is no option. If that's your situation, I'm incredibly jealous but happy for you! Knock yourself out and buy thousands in food.
Prepping - Why You Should Do It.
In one simple phrase, Peace of Mind.
Knowing that in the event of a catastrophe, personal or world wide, that you and your family are taken care of... you can not put a price tag on that. Knowing that if you do it right it could save you money in the long run...who couldn't use a few extra bucks these days?
People need to wake up. The world isn't getting any better. There are more people today without jobs than there has ever been. The average household income is incredibly low. The dollar isn't even worth a dollar and hasn't been for a very long time. The national debt is climbing at an alarming rate. We are on the brink of yet another war, and who knows when war will eventually hit America. Earthquakes, Sinkholes, an unstable economy. I could be here for hours listing everything going on, and scream at you to wake up and start at least putting back some extra food and water, but all you need to do is read news that's not from the mainstream media. It will give you every bit of proof you need to prepare.
Will people think you're crazy? Probably. The one's who matter will think you're smart. Being prepared is a growing trend, and just about everybody I know has at least heard of prepping, even the ones who do not prep. Who cares what people think of you. When they go through their own personal SHTF, they'll figure out really quick that you weren't nuts. The look on their face when they ask you for help, will be all the "I'm sorry" you'll need. They might not say it, but you won't need them to. In the end all you have to do is ask yourself this - If all the food trucks that deliver to the groceries stopped running tomorrow, how long would it take me to go hungry? If the answer is anything less than 1 year...you're going to be in trouble. Start now. Don't wait.
You'd rather be prepared and nothing happen, than something happen and not be prepared.
PC
I lived most of my life "asleep". I was clueless to what was going on around me. I never watched the news or really had interest in reading it. I was fine going on about my life planning as if I'd likely die of old age. I had about a 3 day or less supply of food in my home, no gun, no ammo, and not a clue how to even start a fire. I haven't been prepping that long, but the only word that could describe me when I started was; Overwhelmed. It almost seemed impossible, to get what I thought would be a worthy supply of food for me and my family. Things going on in the world seemed so bad that I almost gave up before I even began, but I am glad that I held out and stayed determined. I have more security now and a sense of peace about how me and my family will fare, that I'd of paid triple what I've spent (which isn't very much) to feel the way I do now. I absolutely do NOT regret my eyes being opened and the people that I have come to know and those that have helped me thus far on my journey have been some of the nicest and most down to earth people I've ever spoken to.
Prepping - What it isn't.
Prepping is not hoarding. The difference in Preppers and Hoarders is this: We use what we prep and store. We have a justifiable need for it, and we don't leave it cluttering up our houses, taking over every inch of space that we live in. We may have preps in every room of the house, but we're not tripping over them to get to the bathroom.
Prepping is not paranoia. Preppers aren't paranoid, we're passionate. Contrary to popular belief, we actually hope we never have to use our preps, because we don't want to go through a disaster. We don't want the world to end, we don't want civil unrest, and we do not want to live without creature comforts. We actually like having running water, and a flushing toilet. We love hot showers, and we like living in a world where chaos isn't king.
Prepping is not crazy. Being unprepared is crazy. Seeing the world in the shape it is today and not making yourself ready is crazy. Running to the store for a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread THE DAY the snow storm hits, or the storm takes out the electricity, is crazy. Why wait for crap to hit the fan? Why not just prepare now when life is normal...well as normal as normal really is anyway.
Prepping is not new. Our grandparents and their parents and their parent's parents, prepped. It was just called something way different, and it wasn't frowned upon. You were weird if you didn't do it back then. Keeping a garden with veggies, raising your own chickens, it wasn't that long ago that everyone did it, and it was widely accepted. My grandmother went through the Great Depression. She kept everything she could, rarely throwing anything away. She kept a garden, canned veggies and fruit and meat. Made home made jam and jellies. Knew how to make bread from scratch, could cook on an open fire. There were more cast iron skillets in that woman's house than in some antique shop. She was a prepper, but back then it was just how things were done.
Prepping - What it is.
Prepping is necessary. Something will eventually happen to you or a loved one that will make you wish you had prepared if you didn't. Whether you or your partner lose your job(s). The cost of food gets higher. Your electricity goes out and stays out for days because of a storm. Your water gets shut off because of a pipeline busting open. You are snowed in for weeks at a time. You name it. There's a million reasons to prep, even if it's just "I would like to not run out of <insert item here> anytime soon."
Prepping is smart. People that prepare for the worst before it hits have the sense of peace that comes with knowing that you will be okay. Or at least as okay as you can be for the situations you are preparing for. Not making a mad dash to the grocery store the day the weather guy says a big storm is coming is really nice. If you like to get your kicks by laughing at people, drive by the grocery stores and gas stations during the time that people normally get off work on a day that weather is going to be bad, and see what a mad house it is. You'll thank yourself for not having to pop a Xanax to deal with the people who are fighting over a gallon of milk.
Prepping can save you money in the long run. Lets say that your local grocery store is running a special on veggies, or fruit, or meat. Normally you'd have to worry about freezer space if you were about to go out and buy 10 pounds of meat for 10 bucks. Any of you reading this knows that at this day and age paying $1.00/lb for any meat is super cheap and there's no reason you shouldn't take advantage of it. If you are a prepper, you don't really rely on your fridge or freezer for long term food storage. If you have a way to pressure can meat, pork, or poultry, you can take advantage of this sale without wasting space in your freezer. Canned chicken as an example is easy to do - if you follow instructions and it's got a 1-2 year shelf life. Think about how long 10 lbs of chicken would last you, and how much money you save. This is just 1 example out of many. Food storage can save you tons of money in the long run, if you do it right.
Prepping can get expensive if you don't pace yourself. Just as it can save you money in the long run, if you ran out and bought everything you'd need for 1 year, today, you'd spend a ton of money. Not very financially sound, unless you just have a ton of money to blow and price is no option. If that's your situation, I'm incredibly jealous but happy for you! Knock yourself out and buy thousands in food.
Prepping - Why You Should Do It.
In one simple phrase, Peace of Mind.
Knowing that in the event of a catastrophe, personal or world wide, that you and your family are taken care of... you can not put a price tag on that. Knowing that if you do it right it could save you money in the long run...who couldn't use a few extra bucks these days?
People need to wake up. The world isn't getting any better. There are more people today without jobs than there has ever been. The average household income is incredibly low. The dollar isn't even worth a dollar and hasn't been for a very long time. The national debt is climbing at an alarming rate. We are on the brink of yet another war, and who knows when war will eventually hit America. Earthquakes, Sinkholes, an unstable economy. I could be here for hours listing everything going on, and scream at you to wake up and start at least putting back some extra food and water, but all you need to do is read news that's not from the mainstream media. It will give you every bit of proof you need to prepare.
Will people think you're crazy? Probably. The one's who matter will think you're smart. Being prepared is a growing trend, and just about everybody I know has at least heard of prepping, even the ones who do not prep. Who cares what people think of you. When they go through their own personal SHTF, they'll figure out really quick that you weren't nuts. The look on their face when they ask you for help, will be all the "I'm sorry" you'll need. They might not say it, but you won't need them to. In the end all you have to do is ask yourself this - If all the food trucks that deliver to the groceries stopped running tomorrow, how long would it take me to go hungry? If the answer is anything less than 1 year...you're going to be in trouble. Start now. Don't wait.
You'd rather be prepared and nothing happen, than something happen and not be prepared.
PC
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