Just as I think I’m doing really well towards my preps, I check my lists and re-evaluate what we have stored. It’s true, once you have 6 to 12 months food storage you can breathe a slight sigh of relief. I said slight because that is when you realize how under prepared you really are. You cover the basics but then, you read another article, book or blog or listen to a pod-cast and realize how whoa fully under prepared you really are. The “what if” scenarios will drive you crazy.
And is it just me ore does everything on my Prepper /Survivalist budget list in regards to capital expenditures cost about $200 to $300 dollars… let’s see, dehydrator, vacuum sealer, water filter, pressure canner… almost every item is two to three Benjamins. I know there are cheaper items and solar and, and, and, but I want quality items that will last. Period!
Back to my lists, I’ve been doing really well with food storage some cans goods, some bulk grains, beans, rice, honey and salt. I’ve canned fruits, vegetables, meats and butter. I have dehydrated, vegetables, fruits, beans & rice, pasta with sauce and made fruit roll-ups. Then to round off the supplies I have what I think is an adequate supply of long term commercially packed foods. My challenge with storing food is that I know I’m not just storing for my immediate family but I have the overwhelming burden of storing for my local extended family. The same family members that tends to laugh when they come over and see my food buckets and Rubbermaid tubs. Of course just yesterday one made the comment… “I know where to come when the economy collapses” …my response… you better not come empty handed or you’ll meet a hot load of buck shot when you come to my door. Of course I wa
s kidding him and he knew it, we both laughed and I followed up with, “you really should stock up of some basics”. Just as always he said he would get started soon… we’ll see.
Gasoline! can you ever store enough gas or diesel for your auto or generator? Fuel will become a greatly prized item in any sort of disaster. Hurricane, earthquake, tornado, economic collapse; if we think about any of them, delivery and distribution of petroleum products will be a huge problem. I just bought two more 5 gallon red gasoline cans today, on sale at a local box store. Let’s see… 4.5 gallons of gas and 2 oz of Stabil, that should about do it for at least several years. I don’t trust it however, the Stabil that is. I still rotate the cans every 3 to six months. Need gas in the truck, empty one can in the tank and take the empty with me to refill at the station. It may be a little paranoid but when the time comes and I really need it I don’t want bad gas that will foul the engine on my generator. The last thing I need is an engine failure and I lose a freezer full of meats and veggies.
As I’ve said before any good prepper must have a list of things to do, items to store and skills to learn but the best among us will continue to grow and modify their list. Unlike our US Constitution our Prepper list should be an ever changing, growing, living document.