It is simple really. We prep for days like today where my husband and I both got notifications we will not have our jobs after December 15th. Need any more reasons? This is a pretty good one. We are not panicked. We are prepped.
Have a great day.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Prepping on a Budget
First off, I need to give a shout out to Dana for allowing me to post. Secondly, after reading through some of the post here and talking to friends, family and co-workers, it seems a lot of people are wanting to prep, but are having trouble getting started due to a tight budget. Contrary to what Doomsday Preppers would have you think, you don't need hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars to prepare.
Everyone has to start somewhere. Some of us have only a few bucks to spare a month while others may have a little more. Regardless, there are things you can do to get started. Below, I will try to outline somethings to help those on a tight budget get started.
First, you need to decide what the risk is of a disaster happening in your area and what the most likely disaster is. Do you live in a hurricane prone area? How about living on a fault line? Or in an inner city? Your preps should focus on what is most likely to happen first and once that area is secured, then branch out into broader preps.
Ok, now on to getting started...
Food. You've got to have food to survive. One cheap way to start storing up is to buy just a few canned goods extra with each trip to the grocery store. Over time, you will end up with several weeks worth of food. Buy the things you and your family already eat. When you buy more, rotate the stock, that way, nothing ever goes out of date. Also, by doing this, you are beating inflation....think of it as an investment. A can of soup now is $1.15; next year, it may be $1.35 or $1.50. The more you buy now, the more you will save. Other things to store....pasta, rice and beans - very cheap. To properly store these, you will need a bucket. I buy these from Lowes for about $3.00. Inside the bucket, you will need a Mylar bag. You can get 5 gallon bags and O2 absorbers together from Amazon for $26.99 -http://www.amazon.com/10-OxyFree-Absorbers-Freshness-Dehydrated/dp/B001Y0Y8C6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354160543&sr=8-1&keywords=mylar+bags . You can either use a lid from Lowes that comes with the bucket or you can get a Gamma seal lid for somewhere around $8-10 depending on which website you find. Other items that are cheap and will be in high demand are salt, sugar, flour, pancake mix, etc. Most of these are very cheap, especially if you buy just 1 extra each time you go to the store. You likely won't even notice your grocery bill has gone up. And don't forget about coupons. (How to store food is beyond what we are discussing here).
Water. You gotta have water. This is a little harder because most of the ways to get clean water are expensive. Water tanks cost a lot. However, if you have room, start buying the gallon drinking water jugs from Wal-Mart. They are about a dollar and you just rotate these like you would the food. Another option, although a bit more expensive, is to get a water filter, like a Katadyn or a Berkey. There are also water treatment tablets, like Potable Aqua.
Security. If you're on a tight budget, buying a Glock or a $1000 .223 rifle is probably not feasable. My take on this is what weapon could have multiple purposes - defense and hunting. There are 2 - the shotgun and the .22LR. You can get a basic 12G or 20G shotgun for usually under $400. Slugs can be used for game hunting, buckshot for humans when they try to steal your food and birdshot for hunting birds and turkeys. The 22 is around $300 or less. Ruger makes a take down 22 that comes in a nice handy back pack. The good thing about the .22 is ammo is super cheap. A .22 LR cartridge can kill squirrel, rabbit, birds, etc for food. It could be used for self defense in a pinch, although certainly not the best choice. It is quite and has no recoil.
Power. Lights. Fire. All important. Generators are expensive and require fuel, which is also expensive. If you can afford this, great. If not, then stock up on emergency candles. Make your own candles. Oil lanterns aren't very expensive. Light sticks. Flashlights (with plenty of extra batteries). And you need several ways to start a fire - matches, flint and steel, magnesium, lighters.
First Aid Supplies and Medicines. Try to catch basic first aid supplies on sale. Try to get your doctor to write you refills for your maintenance medications and go ahead and pay cash for several months. See if your doctor will write you a supply of antibiotics off the $4 list from Wal-Mart.
Important documents. You can get a 2GB or 4GB jump drive for less than $10. Put all your important papers - marriage license, social security card, banking info, etc on the jump drive. If possible, get several and put one in a safe deposit box and give one to a trusted friend or family member.
Well, I guess this is a good start. It is certainly not everything. This is just my opinion. Please feel free to add to this, take away from it, or comment on it in anyway. We are all here to share info and to help each other learn so we can all survive the likely coming collapse.
Everyone has to start somewhere. Some of us have only a few bucks to spare a month while others may have a little more. Regardless, there are things you can do to get started. Below, I will try to outline somethings to help those on a tight budget get started.
First, you need to decide what the risk is of a disaster happening in your area and what the most likely disaster is. Do you live in a hurricane prone area? How about living on a fault line? Or in an inner city? Your preps should focus on what is most likely to happen first and once that area is secured, then branch out into broader preps.
Ok, now on to getting started...
Food. You've got to have food to survive. One cheap way to start storing up is to buy just a few canned goods extra with each trip to the grocery store. Over time, you will end up with several weeks worth of food. Buy the things you and your family already eat. When you buy more, rotate the stock, that way, nothing ever goes out of date. Also, by doing this, you are beating inflation....think of it as an investment. A can of soup now is $1.15; next year, it may be $1.35 or $1.50. The more you buy now, the more you will save. Other things to store....pasta, rice and beans - very cheap. To properly store these, you will need a bucket. I buy these from Lowes for about $3.00. Inside the bucket, you will need a Mylar bag. You can get 5 gallon bags and O2 absorbers together from Amazon for $26.99 -http://www.amazon.com/10-OxyFree-Absorbers-Freshness-Dehydrated/dp/B001Y0Y8C6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354160543&sr=8-1&keywords=mylar+bags . You can either use a lid from Lowes that comes with the bucket or you can get a Gamma seal lid for somewhere around $8-10 depending on which website you find. Other items that are cheap and will be in high demand are salt, sugar, flour, pancake mix, etc. Most of these are very cheap, especially if you buy just 1 extra each time you go to the store. You likely won't even notice your grocery bill has gone up. And don't forget about coupons. (How to store food is beyond what we are discussing here).
Water. You gotta have water. This is a little harder because most of the ways to get clean water are expensive. Water tanks cost a lot. However, if you have room, start buying the gallon drinking water jugs from Wal-Mart. They are about a dollar and you just rotate these like you would the food. Another option, although a bit more expensive, is to get a water filter, like a Katadyn or a Berkey. There are also water treatment tablets, like Potable Aqua.
Security. If you're on a tight budget, buying a Glock or a $1000 .223 rifle is probably not feasable. My take on this is what weapon could have multiple purposes - defense and hunting. There are 2 - the shotgun and the .22LR. You can get a basic 12G or 20G shotgun for usually under $400. Slugs can be used for game hunting, buckshot for humans when they try to steal your food and birdshot for hunting birds and turkeys. The 22 is around $300 or less. Ruger makes a take down 22 that comes in a nice handy back pack. The good thing about the .22 is ammo is super cheap. A .22 LR cartridge can kill squirrel, rabbit, birds, etc for food. It could be used for self defense in a pinch, although certainly not the best choice. It is quite and has no recoil.
Power. Lights. Fire. All important. Generators are expensive and require fuel, which is also expensive. If you can afford this, great. If not, then stock up on emergency candles. Make your own candles. Oil lanterns aren't very expensive. Light sticks. Flashlights (with plenty of extra batteries). And you need several ways to start a fire - matches, flint and steel, magnesium, lighters.
First Aid Supplies and Medicines. Try to catch basic first aid supplies on sale. Try to get your doctor to write you refills for your maintenance medications and go ahead and pay cash for several months. See if your doctor will write you a supply of antibiotics off the $4 list from Wal-Mart.
Important documents. You can get a 2GB or 4GB jump drive for less than $10. Put all your important papers - marriage license, social security card, banking info, etc on the jump drive. If possible, get several and put one in a safe deposit box and give one to a trusted friend or family member.
Well, I guess this is a good start. It is certainly not everything. This is just my opinion. Please feel free to add to this, take away from it, or comment on it in anyway. We are all here to share info and to help each other learn so we can all survive the likely coming collapse.
Monday, November 26, 2012
The fiscal cliff
So the " fiscal cliff " is approaching. How are you preparing or are you not worried ?
Friday, November 23, 2012
72 Hour Bug Out Bag Basic List
Bedding and Clothing
Change of Clothing (short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
Undergarments
Rain Coat/Poncho
Blankets and Emergency Heat Blanks (that keep in warmth)
Cloth Sheet
Plastic Sheet
Fuel and Light
Battery Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps, etc.) Don't forget batteries!
Extra Batteries
Flares
Candles
Lighter
Water-Proof Matches
Equipment
Can Opener
Dishes/Utensils
Shovel
Radio (with batteries!)
Pen and Paper
Axe
Pocket Knife
Rope
Duct Tape
Change of Clothing (short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
Undergarments
Rain Coat/Poncho
Blankets and Emergency Heat Blanks (that keep in warmth)
Cloth Sheet
Plastic Sheet
Fuel and Light
Battery Lighting (Flashlights, Lamps, etc.) Don't forget batteries!
Extra Batteries
Flares
Candles
Lighter
Water-Proof Matches
Equipment
Can Opener
Dishes/Utensils
Shovel
Radio (with batteries!)
Pen and Paper
Axe
Pocket Knife
Rope
Duct Tape
Personal Supplies and MedicationFirst Aid Kit and Supplies
Toiletries (roll of toilet paper- remove the center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag, feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc.)
Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc.
Medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children's medication etc.)
Prescription Medication (for 3 days)
Toiletries (roll of toilet paper- remove the center tube to easily flatten into a zip-lock bag, feminine hygiene, folding brush, etc.)
Cleaning Supplies (mini hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc.
Medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, children's medication etc.)
Prescription Medication (for 3 days)
Personal Documents and Money
(Place these items in a water-proof container!)
Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts, etc)
Insurance Policies
Cash
Credit Card
Pre-Paid Phone Cards
Miscellaneous
Bag(s) to put 72 Hour Kit items in (such as duffel bags or back packs, which work great) Make sure you can lift/carry it!
Infant Needs (if applicable)
(Place these items in a water-proof container!)
Legal Documents (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Wills, Passports, Contracts, etc)
Insurance Policies
Cash
Credit Card
Pre-Paid Phone Cards
Miscellaneous
Bag(s) to put 72 Hour Kit items in (such as duffel bags or back packs, which work great) Make sure you can lift/carry it!
Infant Needs (if applicable)
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