It’s a tough time to be a prepper and an even tougher time to be a new prepper. For those of you who have been in the game for a while think back to when it all started to click for you. Your eyes were opened to a new reality, you felt like you had to accomplish 100 things within the next month, would there be enough time? Now imagine someone who has recently decided that prepping is the way to go. Imagine the panic that must be setting in right now!
If you are new to prepping I understand that it has to be tough right now. Lots of blogs and alternative news sites screaming about the end: Greece / Puerto Rico debt crisis, China markets failing, “Glitches” with the NYSE and the list goes on. Maybe you started out thinking a few buckets of food and a couple cases of water would be good, but then you started reading articles on xyxendtimesshtf.com which linked to more articles and Youtube vids…after 57 hours of non stop SHTF internet you’ve decided it’s time to mortgage the house and buy guns / ammo / food / silver / medical supplies! After all it’s all going to end this fall, you are practically certain it will.
Predicting the Future is…IMPOSSIBLE
Various blogs / websites have been screaming “this is the end” every year for years now. You’ll find charts that show our market lining up as it did before the 1929 crash. “Look at these charts, 2012 is the year! The stats don’t lie!” FEMA camps are supposedly being built, gun confiscation is in the works and it won’t be long before a black helicopter lands in your yard to take you away.
I’ll concede this: are there MAJOR issues with our economy / society / world which make prepping a smart thing to do? Absolutely. Yet if any of these so called experts could predict the future they wouldn’t be wrong…and they have been in the past. If it all unravels tomorrow somewhere someone will be screaming “I told you so” but at that point, who cares? You’ll have what you have and will have to make the best of it. You won’t care about some suit 500 miles away and they won’t care about you, and that will be that.
Best Practices
Here is the best advice I can give to any new preppers: Stick with your plan, don’t accumulate ANY new debt (even to prep), control what you can and remember that moderation is key. It is true that everyone should have a baseline stockpile of preps which consist of food / water / water filtration / medical supplies / personal protection equipment. How much of the aforementioned items to stockpile should be determined by a budget (what can you afford). Additionally remember it’s not always about stuff, the prepper mentality is truly a huge asset. Being awake to what is going on in this world, making calculated decisions based on that and not falling victim to hype from the mainstream media OR alternative media. Think about what skills you or others in your family have and how those could be leveraged if indeed T-SHTF. Anyone work in healthcare? What about metal or wood working?
Bottom Line
I wrote this article because my wife came home from work today and related a conversation she had with a co-worker who just started prepping. Their family is in absolute freak out mode, probably have 2 weeks of food stashed away but are talking about buying thousands of dollars in silver. That’s….a really bad idea. Prep smart and in moderation because if the crash happens tomorrow, next week, next year, 5 years from now I guarantee none of us will be fully prepared. The journey truly never ends.
33 comments
Skip to comment form
Hopefully you wont mind if I print this (with your permission of course) and give it to 2 couples I know that just started to prep. They are absolutely freaked out!!! BAD!!! I think the NYSE this morning pushed them over the edge :-/
Hearing these exact words form me did not do so much, maybe from you ????
NRP
I’ve been at it for about three or four months; luckily I’ve always been somewhat survival-minded and had a good base to build on. I’ve been slowly building up food, water storage and filtration, medical supplies (and manuals on how to use them), and a much more complete ammo stash for the weapons I already own. I did buy one new firearm in the interest of redundancy–I’ve standardized on four basic calibers/gauges and have at least two weapons that can fire each one. The deliberate and methodical approach works and saves time and money. I’m good for about two months, give or take, depending on what actually happens. Now I just trickle stuff in to build on what I have–about $100 a paycheck seems to provide a nice reasonable increase each month. I would advise anyone who is new to worry less about projecting disaster and more on what you can actually control, which is training and preparedness.
Would like your permission to print/post. We are a national bullion dealer and also own an emergency preparedness firm. We have had to talk people OUT of buying silver when they didn’t have the basics in place (or worse yet, had debt they weren’t dealing with – or were going to incur further debt!)
Thanks, Lynn
Author
Lynn
Absolutely, go for it. Just please give credit where it’s due. 🙂
PJ
There is a device, that may help with your problem. Three years ago, I was in a similar situation. I was advised by a techie to add a battery backup.I do not remember the name of said device, nor can I give you a price.Mine was a gift. What I can tell you is this battery backup was to hold a charge for a six to eight hours. The first time the power failed the phone worked for four hours. Through some experiments, I discovered that the battery life could be extended, by unplugging it and running the
battery completely dead and then plug it back in. Over time the battery would build up and it eventually lasted for a full eight hours. I hope this, may help with your problem.
Ed
Author
Ed
Were you referring to this post?
https://www.prepper-resources.com/what-i-just-learned-about-my-backup-landline/
If so thanks much.
It is really none of my business what people do, but I can never grasp this obsession with precious metals. If we can’t eat, wear, drink, or shoot it, then why have it after teotwawki. The poor souls in Hiroshima and Nagasaki had gold and silver too. But for whatever it’s worth you are correct the doomsdayers have preached the end for so long for so many reasons, from the Mayan Calendar, to UFO bases under the pyramids, until people are tired of it. However, this is Shemitah, and I am convinced beyond doubt that this is our last year. So, if I were a new prepper I would be coming on strong, but cautiously. Purchase only what you know you will need, but purchase those items in large quantities. If you can’t afford an expensive gun, then get a Marlin 22 semiauto. You can pick one up for around $150 and a box of good long rifle ammo for around $6. A 22 is not an AR15 but it will defend you and that’s a good thing. You can also get an Escort 12ga. self defense shot gun for around $250 and a case of double 00 buck for about $175. Then start making the decisions of what to purchase next. FLAGS is my slogan. Food…Life Straws…Ammo…Guns…Shelter and Socks. If you got these items you can add on later for other things you might need. Medicine etc. Wish you the best if you are just getting started, but can’t overemphasize: You are running out of time very quickly…get started and don’t stop. Blessings. PS: Above and beyond all else, do not ask friends and family for advice. They will lick the red off of your lollipop every time. Do your prepping privately and keep quiet, very, very quiet. thanks
Author
Great point on the socks! I try to pick up an additional pair of quality wool socks every paycheck or so, after a few months a nice stockpile forms in the drawer and I feel really good about it. Socks are KEY, gotta take care of your feet.
Ok I wasn’t finished, if you will allow another post please. All this talk of collapse doesn’t bother me for we have been there before several times and have always worked our way back on top. There is a trigger event though that changes everything this time around. And that is Martial Law. As sure as night follows day if this government cannot keep the ebt cards loaded then our cities will be burned to the ground. That is the trip wire that will bring this nation to it’s knees and put troops on every street corner in America, regardless of which country or countries those troops must come from. When the entitlement crowd gets hungry, we are done, and in the worst possible fashion. If you were alive and watched live coverage of the Rodney King riots then multiply that times every city in America an you have arrived at what you need to be prepping for. Blessings…we are going to need them. thanks
Well said messenger, I totally agree with you 1000%
Unfortunately, it seems the occurrences are happening faster and faster in the last few years. There have been many predictions that this Sept. will be it. There are even more predictions that it will never come to pass. No idea what side of the fence to be on honestly. But here is an observation, Prepping can be for many many reasons and scenarios. Pick one, or ten, that does not matter. Just a week ago a train crashed causing the evacuation of over 5000, I wonder how many of those people had a BOB or BOV ready??? Sometimes I wonder where we will be in 10-20 years? Frightening for sure, but as a proper we need to keep our heads and be the ones standing when (not if) TSHTF.
One comment on the slouverment, it’s becoming self feeding, it will TAKE anything/anyone it wants. It’s become more than just people running it, there seems to be nobody in charge, Obummer sure is not (he’s just a figure head) it’s not congress or the courts. Follow the money, THAT is where you find the ruination of this GREAT country of OURS!!
NRP
The thing about gold, is it is recognized the world over as having value. it is also easily portable, a mere (troy) ounce if gold is worth over a thousand dollars in out current day. a small stack of gold can easily be hidden from confiscation, and is virtually impossible to destroy. Many people do not prep as an end of the world, but for a situation that will be resolved in time. perhaps years, but a recovery will happen. in that case, gold will be a universal currency to rebuild financially with.
I prep for a more open view of what “it: may be. maybe it is an EMP. financial ruin. natural disaster, alien invasion or the zombie apocalypse. or maybe i break a leg and cant work for a couple of months, or loose my job. then a bit of gold or precious metals is a way to pay bills until i get back into shape if need be.
i would also recommend having a sense of urgency but to remain calm. what will come will come. prepare as you can. panic will never improve any situation.
Author
Well put icaurus, I couldn’t have stated it better myself. What will come will come.
Author
The EBT card scenario (and just hungry people in general after a few days) is a scary one. We are truly 9 meals away from anarchy and I don’t care who you are, if you have a squealing baby and a few hungry toddlers you are going to do whatever it takes to feed them which include stealing. Once people realize that there is no gubmint truck full of hot chow coming to feed them…it could get ugly.
Also, be aware that companies out there are eager to take advantage of new preppers. All ‘Survival’ entities are NOT out there to help you!
Author
Great point Ron. As a quick example: I’ve tried numerous food storage brands and not all are created equal, additionally look at calories instead of meals. Personally I like Readymaderesources.com, Beprepared.com. Wise brands food storage was subpar compared to Mountain House and other brands…just a tip.
Thankyou, I must admit asset one time like all I started to feel the end is near but it would pass and the world kept turning. I started to realize the folks who fared the best during bad situations were the ones living simply relying as much as they could on their own and networking with people but above all kept a cool head.
Author
Stay focused a keep your cool. Great point Dan0.
Amen Ron
Predicting the future is impossible. For this reason I am preparing for what I see is an impending collapse. I have been prepping for 7 years. If the SFTF hits tomorrow will the author be comfortable telling the unprepared to go slow and be calm? Tell that to Greece or Cyprus or Ukraine or ……………..
Get Water, Food and Meds now!
Author
Is the S going to HTF tomorrow? You seem to know better than anyone. 🙂 I think you missed the point of the article but I’m happy you’ve been prepping for 7 years, that’s fantastic.
@Tahoejohn
I have a question, since your an experienced prepper of 7 years. When you first started prepping 7 years ago, did you go out and buy absolutely everything you have now? Did you have the resources to learn everything you now know about what is need to survive after TSHTF? I mean you make it sound as if the world is going to or “may” end tomorrow and we’ll all be on our own. Sure it may but do you feel it’s a good idea to run out and spend every dime, mortgage the house, sell the first born and stock up on water, food, and meds? Or is it a better idea to make a plan and get what one can and work on the preps as one can? I’m betting you like me, did exactly that, could be wrong.
I personally have been doing this gig for awhile also and see this sort of statement all over the place. Waving ones hands in the air and shouting “the end is near” may be one way to get the message across. BUT……
Of course your welcome to your opinion as I am mine.
Lets just hope we never have to find out if we are “really” prepared
NRP
You’re right. Predicting the future is impossible! It seems silly to freak out and overspend on getting supplies for something that may never even happen. I like your advice to prep in moderation. Thanks for sharing!
Author
Everything in moderation, including eating pizza and fries (which I love). 🙂
NO!!!!
There is never Never NEVER moderation on “stuff yourself foolish Pizza Night” ever! LOLOL
Gata LOVE it
NRP
EXCELLENT advice Mr. Ed!
I know the feeling these folks are going through as they awake to what is approaching.
What kills people more quickly than anything?
PANIC. Because when you are freaked out you just do not think or reason clearly. Take a deep breath, build relationships with other like minded people who can bring some alternate ideas to your thoughts and plans.
To that end you guys are doing a great job here in cyber space, keep up the good work!
i have a question i hope can be answered 🙂 First of all i have been watching videos on how long canned food will last, but can someone tell me how long bottled water will last? i am new to this “prepping” thing, but i truly believe in my heart something very serious is going to happen soon. i am a new mother well 2 years new, and i wanna make sure that in a sink or swim event or situation, that i amm prepared at least somewhat. Enough for my family to survive. i know that probably sounds silly! also my other question is what kind of water filter should i look into? Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Author
Amy
Information on bottled water is rather ambiguous once you get past the “expiration date” printed on the bottle / jug. Storage environment plays a huge role in the lifespan of bottled water as well as the type of bottle itself. Additionally there will be some plastic taste which seeps into the water over time, but I’d rather drink plastic tasting water vs no water. I think it’s important to consider two things.
1- Rotate through your bottled water. Whether it be jugs, gallons, little bottles….rotate through it so you can extend the lifespan as long as possible if something happens.
2- Consider the storage environment. I keep mine in a cool basement with no sunlight and it does rather well, this as opposed to an outdoor shed which experiences temp fluctuations.
3- Water filtration! If you do have bottled water that is a few years past the expiration date, I’d probably put it through a Berkey Water Filter or similar before drinking it…certainly can’t hurt.
In addition, you can easily build a Tesla device at home that generates free electricity, I found the instructions & video proof at http://reviewcrewtv.com/how-to-create-a-tesla-free-energy-device-that-generated-free-electricity/
Try being a 60 yr. old single female with grown children who think she is crazy to be concerned with “all this SHTF stuff”. I live in a small 1 bedroom apartment( lost everything..and I mean EVERYTHING in a brutal divorce) and feel pretty alone and scared..OVERWHELMED” is a good word as well.
Keep prepping..quietly..never lose sight of why your doing it and remember the fable about the tortise and the hare!
As some above have said it is a “one day at a time” proposition.
Balance and moderation are key 50 lbs of rice and one gallon of water is not balanced.
A long time ago I read “If there were 10 things you knew you would need the day after a disaster why wouldn’t you have them the day before”
It all boils down to water, food, shelter and security.
actively preparing will help the thinking process.
Making a written budget and understanding what you can afford to invest in emergency preparedness will keep your process moving forward.
I’m pretty new to prepping. I actually just found this site and really appreciate your advice! I’m starting after accumulating quite a bit of debt, though, which I see as quite a hurdle to reaching my goals. I have included prepping as a small part of the budget while trying to focus more on paying down my debt. Also trying all kinds of stuff online to make more money to address both of these goals. In your experience, what is the greater priority? What is the best way to balance these two needs?
I’ve been reading the posts and the replies, all informative and useful. But all seem to have a similar thread – pile it up and stockpile! But what happens in cases of fire, flood, earthquake or tornado? Everything you have stockpiled in your home is gone!
If I may suggest to Steve Twigg, that is why you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. A BOB (bug-out-bag), several caches in different directions within walking distance, a BOL (bug-out-location) or two. As Mr. Murphy stated: anything that can go wrong will in the worse time and place! You have to learn to roll with the punches. A 5-6 gallon food-grade plastic bucket (or several) make a good BASIC cache easy to do, just don’t put anything in there (them) that you can’t afford to lose! Shit does happen! GLAHP!