- What would you do?
Preppers List : 10 Things To Do Now!
No matter how much I beg, some of you, no doubt haven’t done anything to prepare (you know who you are). I don’t know what else to do. All I can do is give you the information, it’s up to you to act. No one can do it for you.
No doubt some of you are intimidated by my repeated suggestions of storing and using whole grains. If it doesn’t come from the supermarket shelf it’s strange and unfamiliar and you want no part of it. Fair enough.
But you still need to prepare. Here are ten things that you can do right now that will make you better prepared than probably 90% of the population.
And everything is available at your local shopping center – so it’s easy. You can do all ten steps at once or divide each into a separate week and shopping trip. But you need to get it done as soon as possible.
Keep in mind that this is only a starting point and isn’t presented here as a completed list.
1. Head to the nearest Wal-mart, Kmart, Costco or whatever and pick-up 20 lbs of white or brown rice and 20 lbs of pinto beans. White rice has a better storage life while brown rice has more nutritional benefits – your choice.
2. While you’re there grab 5 lbs mixed beans, 5 lbs of white sugar, 5 lbs of iodized salt, one gallon of olive oil (can be frozen to extend shelf-life), 5 lbs oats, 10 lbs each of white or wheat flour and cornmeal.
3. Now head over to the canned foods and pick-up 20 cans of canned fruits and 20 cans of canned vegetables. Be sure to buy only those brands and contents you normally eat and nothing exotic. No need to shock the senses.
4. Now over to the canned meats. Pick-up 20 cans of various meats, salmon, stews, spam and tuna. Again buy only those brands with contents you normally eat and nothing exotic.
5. Okay. Now to the to the peanut butter shelf and toss two 40-ounce jars in the cart. The listed shelf life is just over two years and each jar has over 6,000 calories. Peanut butter is an excellent instant survival food.
6. Over to the powdered drink mix – go on I’ll wait…Okay, pick up two 72 Ounce Tang Orange drink canisters (provides 100% of the US RDA vitamin C requirement per 8 oz. glass). Also grab six 19-Ounce Containers of Kool-Aid Drink Mix.
7. Off to the vitamin and supplement aisle, pick up 400 tablets “one a day” multivitamin and mineral supplements. I buy this brand at the local Wal-Mart - comes in 200 count bottle for $8 each.
8. Now to the department we all love – sporting goods. Go to the camping aisle and pick up 4 five gallon water containers. Fill with tap water as soon as you get back home.
9. While you’re there buy 250 rounds of ammunition for your primary defensive weapon. More if you can, but this should be a good start. Also a good universal cleaning kit.
10. And lastly pick up the best LED flashlight you can afford, extra batteries and bulb. Also grab two boxes of wooden matches and several multi-purpose lighters.
Don’t forget to date, use and rotate – remember first in first out. Let’s get started.
What would you add to the list?
{ 91 comments }
Nice, straightforward list. One thing remains — how to cook the food. In a situation where you’re hunkered-down at home (hurricane, winter storm, zombies) and the grid is likely down, you’ll need a method to cook all these foods. If you have propane, you may be OK *if* your tank holds enough, and you keep it topped-off. Otherwise, an ‘alternate’ cooking method with enough ‘fuel-stuff’ to cook all the food you have stored.
With cast iron cook ware you can use them on any heat source. What to cook with these ingredients is another story. How about casseroles made from rice ,meat & vegs. Rice & beans or baked beans are good and hearty. Pea or bean soups pared with cornbread or biscuits is filling. How about pancakes or pie crust for meat pies (pasties or pot pies). These recipes use your stored ingredients and are not difficult to make. Any one else with suggestions on what to make with your stored ingredients?
Great list. Considering water is your most valuable resource, what about a container of iodine or unscented bleach to disinfect water should your primary sources fail.
Remember, it has to be 5.25 percent Hyperclorite content bleach.
I cannot find any grocery in town that has any kind of matches. But WalMart has book matches in the pots and pans section. And Ace Hardware have strike anywhere matches in the BBQ section.
Learn how to rub 2 sticks together :-)
Walmart also has strike anywhere matches. Try the cleaning supplies, sometimes you have to look for them.
#11 Kick your bad habits so you can save money to buy #’s 1-10.
If you can’t kick your crutches, do you really think you have what it takes to survive?
Kicking the bad habits should be #0 – ahead of everything. That is THE most important element of survival.
Spoken like a true reformed Atheist….:))
I don’t know about “The” most important. Food and water certainly exceeds the need for a sip or a toke. But I understand where you come from my friend. I have 2 fifths of bad habits on my shelves, and when it’s gone, it’s gone. I have accepted that there will be a time after SHTF without a smoke or a drink. That first week or two will suck for sure, but the state of mind of survival works both ways.
It’s not that hard to make ‘sipables’ as for bad habit, it’s an analgesic, disinfectant, gun cleaning solvent, fuel for lantern, fuel for stove, fuel for the truck.
I tell those who don’t know where to start to begin with recipes. Take 14 pages of plain blue-line school paper. Write down one dinner on each that you and your family will eat. They must be able to be made with all storable foods. Think hard and creatively, many many common American meals can be made with storable foods.
Write the ingredients, and instructions. You may not be the one left with the task of fixing dinner post disaster.
Put these pages in a small binder located where you store this food.
On another paper, write each ingredient’s amount and add them together. For instance, all together your recipes required 8 teaspoons of salt, 6 cups of rice etc.
Go buy these items in these amounts. Of course you won’t buy only 8 teaspoons of salt. Get the largest package of salt you can afford. Same with the others, you’ll use them eventually. Be sure to include every spice, oil, sugar, every single ingredient.
You now have 2 weeks of food, and KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.
when you have that 2 weeks, do a month.
When you have a month, do it again, and again.
Add new recipes if you like, but most people are happy with 14 different meals forever. This avoids monotony.
these recipes will likely, and should be, what you already eat. If not, begin sprinkling them into your diet now to accustom yourself to them. For instance, my family rebels against beans. I make them eat them on occasion, anyway, so beans will not be alien to them post-disaster.
Your list is excellent, but make sure you know what you’re going to do with what you’re buying. A bag of flour is useless to someone who’s never picked up a measuring cup in their life.
This is an awesome approach to food storage. Very easy to do and practically insures you’ll eat what you store.
I think you posted this excellent bit of advice a couple months back – it was a time when I was struggling about exactly what to stock my pantry with to ensure it would actually get eaten (it will be a cold day in Hell before my family eats beans…) and your advice really gave me the framework to build a terrific panty. Thanks!
#12. Go to the first aid aisle and pick up a first aid kit along with extra bandaids, asprin, topical anticeptic, etc.
I would add powdered milk and oatmeal to this great list!
God I wish there was Walmart’s in Europe (no ASDA isn’t the same even though it’s owned by Walmart)!
They just don’t stock the sizes and resources we need in one place (eg: 400 one-a-day vitamin tablets), you’d have to buy 20 tubes of the 20 one-a-day tablets for that alone. There probably wouldn’t be even 20 cans of tinned meat on any shelves, you’d have to wait for them to re-stock in a few days!
Maglites are nearly the only flashlights for which replacement bulbs are available.
Good guide though, it would be very helpful in getting people started.
Well Brian I don’t know the in’s and out’s of Europe but have you looked in to Mail Order? (If it’s legal, ofcourse) They might be able to provide bulk vitamins if the stores can’t.
Another way to address the bulk buying of canned foods issue is look in to restaurant suppliers or distributers. Or you could do like poor old me, and just buy that can or two more than you usually buy and “put it back” in storage.
In a while you’ll have a surprising amount of items without a spike in the budget or the “advertisment” that you putting large amounts of food stuffs away.
I know it’s a lot to brave for beginners, but look into home canning. Great instructions on-line. Meats are actually easier than fruits and vegetables, because you don’t have all that blanching, peeling, seeding, etc. You’re not stuck with tuna or spam. There is roast pork, chicken, beef, chili, bacon, any meat in any style can be home canned.
That too!! I thought about it when I typed said response, but it never got put in. That and growing a garden is a great thing to learn, to boot.
Good heavy duty boots that FIT – your feet will likely become your main transportation at some point.
Along with your LED flashlight, a good solar battery charger as well as rechargeable battery sets. If you are left in the dark after sun goes down, you are missing out on 1/2 your day!
Great list and suggestions there folks – Thanks!
Consider some kind of a tarp for shelter from rain and sun, as well as a barrier vs cold. Have a way to secure it to a tree or other structure.
A good knife (survival knife, or good folding/locking blade)
Also, a high powered pellet gun is cheap to buy, cheap to shoot, and can help you stave off hunger (in a real SHTF TEOTWAWKI scenario, domestic animals will be gone. Squirrels and birds can prove to be tasty).
For any prescription meds you must take (insulin, blood pressure meds, coumadin, anti-seizure meds,…), keep an extra month or two on hand (realizing some will also need to be refrigerated to maintain efficacy. And maybe some meds for “just in case” like ibuprofen, tylenol, and a good broad spectrum antibiotic for any wounds that won’t heal readily (bactrim, cipro, augmentin, clindamycin,…).
The other thing to bring with you is knowledge. The more you know, the better off you’ll be. Read, practice, read some more, and practice some more. It’s non-perishable, portable, and practical.
Mark, I’ve thought about the high powered pellet gun, but I don’t think it makes much sense. After SHTF a spring loaded pellet gun would be best and a cheap rifle costs about $109 at walmart, plus $10 for 3000 BB’s = total of $120, pellets would be even more expensive. Or you could use that $120 to buy 4000 rounds of .22 lr for the gun you already have. The only way a pellet/BB gun makes sense is if you can find one at a yard sale really cheap.
Thanks for considering my suggestions.
I find that I’m a little more accurate with the pellet gun than with a bb gun. It’s also more lethal. And the cost of a bunch of pellets really isn’t all that high.
I also considered the .22, but I think the pellet gun, the quieter gun, might provide you with some anonymity if you’re trying to keep a low profile. Not arguing that the .22 isn’t a great little gun, but that’s the reason I didn’t list it.
I’m not against guns making noise either. But I wouldn’t want to draw any attention at all. I’d also carry a .45 discreetly, and a high capacity AR at my base, or near enough to be able to use it quickly. Thinking about “The Grey Man”.
http://westernrifleshooters.blogspot.com/2007/05/next-steps-grey-man.html
Well, I do have to admit I have shot a few pesky varmints in town with a BB gun when they were harassing my pets. I see where they have a OPSEC role, too. My CO2 powered pistol broke recently, and I have been reluctant to buy CO2 again and have been debating on a spring loaded rifle. I have noticed that the spring loaded Ruger pellet rifles keep going on sale at Sports Authority for about $100 and I’ve heard the Storm XT spring loaded rifle at walmart is good at $109. I couldn’t justify anything more expensive when I compare it to .22 ammo. But I don’t live in town and could use use sub-sonic .22 ammo and/or a water bottle wrapped in tape on the .22 if I needed to be quieter.
How you described it is pretty much how I started with my food cache awhile back – but instead of 20 lbs, I went with 200 lbs each of white rice and pinto beans right away. I figured that with all the other 90+ day supply of canned foods we had, and trapped/hunted food, my family could survive for at least a year without having to rely on anyone else. 200 lbs each of beans and rice only cost about $200 total – pretty cheap life insurance for my family.
I would up the olive oil on your list to 5 gals – you’re going to need a lot of extra fat in your diet to go with the beans & rice. I would also get a 5-6 gallon plastic food bucket and put 25 pounds of sugar in it – it’ll store forever just as it is. The peanut butter makes great bait for your traps – raccoons and possums love peanut butter. I’ve got a couple of the metal ‘live’ box traps and every time I have a garden thief, I put peanut butter in the trap and catch the critters the first night. A dressed out raccoon will give you 4-5 pounds of good meat. :)
Man…200lbs of pinto beans. You might want to add air freshener to the list
Go to http://www.supercook.com/ use the ingredient bar at the side to type in the ingredients you have & to find use-able recipes. Add as few or many as you like because it will suggest “if you also have…” for additional recipes. Its a great search engine.
I have also accumulated any number of ways and means to carry and protect my supplies. One of my favorite bags is like this,…
http://www.rei.com/product/785185
It’s a large dry bag with a harness like on a back pack to allow for easier portage. Just in case I need to hoof it a while. You can also cache them safer bc it’s waterproof, even burying them if needed.
Coleman 2-burner stove, 20 lb propane canister and singles
Potassium and B vitamin supplement(lose these quickly during heavy exertion)
Spices
Ramen noodles
Triple antibiotic ointment
Pocket Bible
I agree that we should consider cooking, but instead of solely relying of fuel (propane or wood), we should rely on solar where possible and then use fuel as a backup.
So for #11 on the list, go to the hardware section and pick up a couple cans of non-toxic flat black spray paint and some duct tape, the head over and get some reynolds clear oven bags (the ones in which you cook turkeys). Then obtain some cardboard boxes and fix yourself up a nice solar cooker (search for “Minimum Solar Box Cooker” online). Save your fuel for other things.
+1
I had my daughter make and compare 3 solar ovens for her science project in school. It’s amazing how cheap they are to make and how hot the food gets, even on relatively cool but sunny days. They cook just like a crock pot, load em up and come back 5 hours later for dinner.
I love Solar cookers. I’m looking into building a small platform that will use a circuit and electric motor to track the sun and keep my cooker in full sun without having to go adjust it similar to systems used on solar panels.
It’s over the top and the ultimate definition in laziness but the more tasks I can automate in my life the better.
The sign of a true genius – work hard & create a great solution so you can have more free time.
I really don’t like you …
I bought a turntable at Lowes for less than $20 for my solar oven. Haven’t motorized it yet, but I’m thinking it would be easy to superglue a bike chain to the rim and use a small motor to do the job.It only have to move a few degrees in 4 hours.
Another great post. I would add honey to the list. Very nutritional, with an indefinite shelf life. I have found it to be a pretty good deal at Costco. If you have never tried it before, cook some plain white rice and drizzle some honey over it, it’s actually pretty good.
Also, I would add a big jug or two of BBQ sauce. It too stores for a good amount of time. While we are extending our food stores by taking what wild game we can, this will help extend your spice longevity. Besides, if you are cooking meat you normally don’t eat,(birds, snakes, rats, etc.) then a good smothering of BBQ will be a good replacement for the butter we probably won’t have.
Good luck to us all, because the clock is a tickin’, and if you ain’t a preppin’, then you best git ta startin’!
#11: TWO MANUAL CAN OPENERS! How can you eat the tuna and the canned fruit if you can’t open the cans? And if one of the can openers breaks/ gets lost/ your neighbor needs one…
#12: A small cast-iron habachi-type grill for outdoor cooking (uses any kind of wood/ charcoal) and one of those emergency Sterno cook stoves and lots of spare cans for indoor use.
#13: A couple of good size stock pots. You need to boil drinking water, sanitize tableware, clean yourself, wash your socks and underwear, etc.
#14: The universal tool : an AXE!
There’s more I can add, but this is for those on a tight budget and short time. There are LOTS of nice-to-haves we could all add to the list, but I’m sure there are others waiting to chime in. Hope this helps, Bubblehead Les.
And pay the money for good ones!! I cut my index finger at the big knuckle & needed 4 stitches to close the wound. A year later it still doesn’t bend all the way & there are some things I just cannot do as easily as before – like open water bottles that are sealed too tightly. In the long run that was one very, very expensive can opener.
OOPS! My Bad! You may not have some of what I wrote if you only have a normal supermarket in your neck of the woods to get your food stuffs. But the axe, stock pots, Habachi/Sterno can be found at Wal-marts, Kmarts, Targets, Costcos, etc. Another hint. After you finish shopping, on your way home, top off your gas tank in your vehicle. The old rule of thumb was never let your car get below a half a tank. But I recommend when you get to 3/4 of a tank, fill it up. Why? Gasoline is expensive, and it is cheaper to buy 3-5 gallons at a time rather than 8-10. Hope this helps, Bubblehead Les.
let’s keep the math simple. 5 gallons at 3.00 per gallon equals 15 bucks.
10 gallons at 3.00 per gallon equals 30 bucks Let’s say you get 15 miles per gallon. Every five miles you go costs a buck. Keeping the tank full is a good idea but stopping everyday and spending 5 dollars is not any cheaper than spending 50 bucks every ten days. either way you are going to need 50 bucks every ten days. It is not cheaper , just a lot more aggravating.
I’d add canned beans, pasta and pasta sauce to the menu. Otherwise your list looks just like my pantry!!!!
Beans,Bandaids,then Bullets folks…
-dave
Well I’m a newbie to this fine site and have to say Wal Mart got some of my funds this evening. An excellent blog entry !
I only added one item out of the norm and that is my old pal the sling shot. I’m down to a few good guns and the replacement parts because I’m unable to carry them all. Thanks again for the good advice.
I am looking at solar panels for the camper. I just have to figure out the battery and wireing. This one I’m a little overwhelmed.
I bought two used bikes and the parts that can wearout now have replacements.
I’m lucky enough to live in ND and don’t have to be concerned about bailing out of a larger city.
Thanks for all the great advice.
NDHOJO
ndhojo: If you’re looking for help on a solar project of pretty much any size go to http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/ and ask the experts there. They are extremely helpful. Full disclosure, the forum is hosted by Northern Arizona Wind-Sun, an alternative energy dealer. Great site.
Go here: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/775557/hack_a_sling_shot/
Wait for the ad to run out. The Hack is really good!
To get over the preparedness hump, just buy one of these items the next time you go to the store. Everyone who is a newbie want’s to avoid the “what the heck is that guy buying all that stuff for” stare, and honestly I think that’s why most people don’t start their preps in the first place (don’t want to seem ‘crazy’, etc). Once you have more than 20 cans of anything in your cart, most regular people will feel pretty self consious. Remember that you can take this list and buy slowly.
Ha, I definitely know the stare. That would be a great idea for a post: “What was the most embarrassing or awkward moment you’ve encountered while preparing?”
I’ve not gotten much comment or stares with the grocery items. I just say I have a large family. It’s the toilet paper that gets snickers and stares. Even one mega pack of TP makes people say “What has that family been eating that they need that much!”
Try buying 4 mega packs! It’s actually embarrassing.
HA! I sure know that one. One time I bought just such a gigantic load of TP and even saw a few people pointing and giggling. In that case, it was to fill a huge box that got wrapped in pretty paper as a (sorta) gag wedding present. The TP lasted longer than the marrage (just as I expected).
s
Not quite germane, but…
Leaving Costco one afternoon, a teen-ager stepped in front of me. I said pretty loudly, “Boy don’t get in front of an old man who is carrying a box of Depends!” His mother laughed out loud and hauled him (red-faced) out of my way.
We usually load up around halloween. People laugh and tell us to stay away from their property – we just play along with it.
I had just moved into my new place and was expecting a delivery from the CMP of 3 crates of the Greek HXP 30.06 (you know, the ones about 3′ long that had 4 spam cans, back when the CMP used to sell full crates). I had placed a note on my door instructing the FedEx driver to leave a “pick-up ticket” if I wasn’t home and I would pick it up at the local office. Well obviously the FedEx guy couldn’t read English because he left the crates with my neighbor whom I hadn’t met yet. What a great first impression I made, knocking on my new neighbors door with a handtruck to haul the ammo home.
Me: “Hi, I just moved in down the street. Did you get a FedEx delivery today for me?”
New Neighbor: “You mean the 3 crates of 30.06?”
Me: “Uh, yeah…that would be it”
Great way to meet your new neighbor.
There so many funny come backs to the “stare” -
What, doesn’t everyone buy this much?
I am preparing for my mother-in-law’s visit this weekend …
I’m going to return it all – without a receipt – when the prices go up.
This is the first time I’ve ever shopped for food, is this a lot?
Why are you buying so little?
I’m preparing for the end of the world – how about you, what are you preparing for?
You think this is a lot, you should see my gun collection.
and for the toilet paper stare – I know what you’re thinking however, what you don’t know is my wife/husband has an enormous butt.
Since this is not a “bug out” scenario, based upon your list, here’s a few other things to get:
* When you are in the dry goods section, pick up some chicken and beef bouillon. Just add water and rice, and you have a warming meal. If you have dehydrated tomatoes or carrots, you have a very nutritious meal.
* While in this aisle, pick up a few lbs of iodized salt (if your health allowes iodine), and a few bottles of the cheap spices($0.50 ea) of garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, etc. People require iodine in their daily diet, and salt is a perfect source of it. And it’s a great barter item at $0.34 – $0.60 a pound. I don’t think salt ever goes bad, unless it gets wet.
* Then walk down the aisle and pick up powdered/instant milk. Even if you don’t have water available, your canned goods do have water in them. (A “secret” source of drinkable water!)
* Then go over one or two aisles, and pick up dry cereal and instant oatmeal.
* Go to the laundry aisle, and pick up a gallon of unscented regular bleach. (When you get home, mark the date on it, and discard after 6 months.)
* Go to the next aisle, and pick up toilet paper.
* Go to the small appliances section, and pick up two boxes of wooden matches. And while you’re there, pick up a box of wax. (I think it’s in that section). Make your own waterproof matches and store in ziploc baggies.
* While in the Sporting Goods section, pick up TWO dynamo lanters, and a dynamo radio. Why do I want to spend $20+ on a lantern that requires fuel and batteries that have to be replaced, when I can pay extra for a dynamo that requires no batteries?
* Also while in the Sporting Goods section, pick up at least two collapsible, portable water containers (I think they are either 1 or 2 gallons). While the 6 gallon containers are nice, when full of water, they weigh close to 50lbs a piece.
* Pick up a hand axe while you are in the sporting goods section.
* While in the Sporting Goods section, take a look at the ammo, the slingshots, the pellet guns, and the bats.
* Walk through the hardware section now, and pick up a hammer, some nails, a pry bar, rope, shovel and a hand saw if you don’t own them. Also, consider purchasing one of the box cutters.
* Head to the Gardening Section, and pick up a few of the solar lights. These will really only hold a charge for about 6 hours, so plan accordingly and actually, these aren’t really necessary and would really be a luxury item.
* While in the Gardening Section, look at the pool supplies. You should find 5 lb bags of Baking Soda, which would be needed for cleaning, cooking, etc.
* While your getting vitamins, look towards the end, and pick up a few boxes of “feminine” supplies… try to work up to a six month supply. For bartering, work on getting a years supply.
* While your in that same area, pick up a bottle/container/tube of each in generic form; Tylenol, Pepto, Neosporin, Alcohol, Provodine, Immodium AD, Nyquil and Dermaplast (no generic form). Make note of the expiration date.
I do not think WalMart carries these, but purchase a solar battery charger ($20 off Amazon) for items that you use that require batteries. Then purchase whatever size rechargable batteries you need and then triple that amount of rechargable batteries when purchasing. It generally takes about 8-10 hours in full sunlight to fully recharge 2-4 batteries in a solar charger.
Also, consider how you are going to go “potty”. You can use a 5 gallon bucket, cutting a hole in the top, and adding garbage bags inside the bucket. There are manufacturers of degradable bags for this use however, they are generally quite expensive.
And a note about buying canned fruit. They are mostly sugar and only a few of them have any Vitamin C worth mentioning. Take a look at V-8 varieties instead, they have Vitamin A, C, and E in them.
One other thing to consider. If you purchase multivitamins, then your diet/foods not need to focus on vitamins, you need to focus on protein and carbs, as you will need them to prevent loss of muscle and adequate energy. So instead of getting cans of fruit, spend that extra money on tuna and high protein foods. Don’t waste your money on protein bars and solely rely on them for your source of protein. Your main sources of protein could be tuna, peanut butter, instant oatmeal and powdered milk along with beans. One other option, although a bit more expensive, is Carnation instant breakfast. Ultimately however, focus on purchasing dehydrated cheese, milk and butter through a vendor such as Honeyville.
For cooking methods, there are multiple choices. A small propane stove with a good supply of propane, a regular grill, or an open fire. The types of pots/pans you would get would be determined by which choice of “fire” you have. You should have at least one large stockpot, one small pan, and one frying pan. At a minimum, get those camping sets where you have a small pan/pot and utensils which run about $5 a set in the Sporting Goods section. Also consider picking up cheap plastic plates, bowels and glasses (Right now at WalMart, these are $1 for a set of four). You don’t have to worry about breaking them, and they are easy to clean.
Speaking of cleaning, make sure you have some antibacterial dish soap and a small container to wash/rinse them in. Two small plastic tubs work well for this.
For “bathtime”, this will require a trip to Lowes. Purchase a galvanized steel tub. Water can be boiled in this and hot water for anything. Its also great to wash clothes in, so pick up a plunger to wash clothes with… oh and some rope, clothes line and clothes pins. If you want, pick up a washboard. And when washing clothes, remember, shampoo removes grease from clothing, so just pick up some cheap VO5 shampoo or extra laundry soap.
Oh and one other thing I forgot. Sunblock……..lots of it. If you don’t have this, and you aren’t used to being in the sun, make sure you stock up on LOTS of Dermoplast.
YankeeGal
Silly question but, are you single???
Yes darlin I am however, I have been living in “sin” for about five years. :)
Dump him, you deserve better! :-D
I’d marry her, and require no “sin” from her. (I’m a woman too, and not a gay).
Midge you little flirt …
I just realized something … I can not believe how many people have cut and pasted what I typed on this blog and attributed it as their own. That is really sad.
What goes in must come out….TOILET PAPER, or some reasonable substitute. Rolls of plastic sheeting, useful for covering broken windows, making improvised shelters, covering outdoor supplies of all kinds, making into solar stills for water, etc. Extra trash bags, food storage bags, aluminum foil. Rolls of duct tape. Bag of charcoal – 3 briquets in a can filled 1/3rd full of sand makes a great improvised stove. Stop off at the local store deli and ask if they have any empty plastic buckets, most deli’s have some buckets that used to have doughnut cream fillings, icing, pickles, etc…a little elbow grease and some bleach water and they clean right up. Vitamin fortified pasta, stores easily and indefinitly and is a welcome change from beans and rice. Sewing kit. Balls of string, twine, rope. Extra spool of fishing line, box of hooks various sizes, assorted lures. Packets of seeds. More important than all these things….knowledge how to use them!
Just completed a survival skills course by Christopher Nyerges. He recommends fire starting tools such as magnesium sticks; water purification tools such as Katydyne filters; keeping emergency flares in one’s vehicle. Also learning to identify wild edibles. He has written excellent books – one such is You Can Survive Anywhere; and another good book for reading by a different author is Botany in a Day. Granted, takes lots of practice! Got my homework cut out for me! Appreciate all of the other comments and recommendations by other readers here, thanks.
One thing not mentioned unless I overlooked it is ramen noodles. They last for a long time and are very inexpesive. Like 11 cents a pack on average.
Ramen noodles, Spam & Vegemite are the only foodstuffs that will survive a nuclear holocaust!
BTW, Ramen noodles is a great choice – filling and cheap.
Yes and you can always add things to them to make them better. Such as an egg, crushed red pepper, grilled chicken, a rat in an emergency situation. lol! The possibilities are endless.
Ramen noodles are as apt to get bugs as any other pasta, and like any other, apt to begin to break down after a few years. They don’t last “forever”, and have little nutrition. If you’re stocking them, learn to package them with O2 absorbers, and rotate, rotate, rotate. Absolutely include other foods to give you nutrients. Noodles of any sort are mainly “filling for the belly.”
BTW, the cheapest oxygen absorber you can buy is a “Hot Hands” hand warmer. It is made of the exact materials as the commercial packs for sale at a fraction of the cost.
In looking at the grocery ads that came in my mail box this week I find one store that has bulk pinto’s and rice for .33 a lb another sale has 26 oz. salt regular or iodized .33 apiece. I agree that the best time to prepare for anything was yesterday, but just looking around a bit can save a bunch of $$$$$$. As for a cheap fuel source newsprint with little oil on it. Take a cookie sheet lay a piece of newsprint on it drip expired cooking oil on it till saturated, lay on two sheets dry paper cover with two more repeat till 4 or 6 [20 to 30 sheets total] layers deep and roll tightly. I burn mine in a Safari grill. but any grill that allows plenty of air to fuel will work. Cost lets see, newspapers from recycle bin, and every free weekly paper, and cooking oil past it’s use by date. Store papers in paper bags and they can even be used as insulation.
Wow! talk about getting you guys fired up! Super sugestions!
I don’t have any other than to say just start! Beans or rice or water jugs, just start!
The list is a good starting point.
The one flaw in the list, and just my personal observation, would be that if you haven’t recoginized the need to start prepping, you won’t realize it’s time to start until the shelves are empty.
Ah, the bliss of ignorance.
How do you wake people up to the fact that spending money on supplies is an investment in their future? Can you eat stocks or bonds? What about that new bathroom remodel? When the power is out do you think that 36″ flatscreen HDTV will be a good barter item?
Sure its nice to have stuff, but take care of the esentials first, you must be ALIVE and HEALTHY to enjoy that stuff.
Most importantly, kick the credit habit! If you purchase stuff on credit others own you. If you can’t pay for it with cash, you don’t get it, and you will realize after a while that you are now capable of determining the difference between “want” and “need”. The difference of want and need was blurred when credit became easy, madison ave pushed the next and “new and improved”, and keeping up with the jones’ denoted a certian social status.
If you are having a hard time deciding where to start, your choices are many and varied. Lowest balance first, any extra you may pay on this card or that car payment is all concentrated on the lowest balance until its paid off, now you have that much extra for the next lowest, etc, until your out of debt per se. Another approach is highest intrest first, which in the long run may save you more money. Personally I went with the first option, I looked at it like losing weight, you get discouraged when you don’t see results, and using the first option you will see results fast. than, with cofidence bolstered, you switch to the highest intrest ( this really worked for me due to the 2 payments I had eliminated I doubled the payment on the high intrest card and it disapeared in no time).
Get out of debt, and prepare for your future of independence!
Another helpful tip, nearly free. We like to store our spare water in the 2 liter SQUARE bottles that Ocean Spray or house brand Cranberry juice comes in. Why? Square stuff stacks and packs easier. Drink the juice, clean out the bottle with hot soapy water and bleach (don’t forget the lid!), rinse well, air dry, refill with fresh tap water and a couple of drops of PLAIN Bleach (perfumed stuff will kill you!), and store in a hanging file folder crate that looks like a milk crate. The crate measures 11x14x10 or so, and holds 9 bottles, which is 4.5 Gallons per crate. The crates run abut $4-5 bucks each, but can be found cheaper sometimes at the office stores sales. The bottles are made out of the same plastic as 2 liter soda, but the lid is bigger, and my sink faucet actually goes into the bottle, which makes for a dryer filling time, and I like the molded-in handles. If a bottle breaks, you haven’t lost 5 gallons of water, just a half. One other nice thing about them is if you are using a MEDIUM surplus ALICE bag for an emergency pack, the three outer pockets will hold one bottle each, giving you 1.5 gallons on your pack, without having to find lots of canteens and/”camelbacks”, which can be very pricey.(Since I don’t have a LARGE ALICE, I don’t know how they fit, since the middle pocket looks different). Rotate twice a year, leave room for ice expansion if you keep a crate or two in your vehicle year round, one less thing to worry about, and its CHEAP! Hope this helps, Bubblehead Les.
HAHAHAHA….Everyone keeps adding to the original list, as if there wasn’t an entire blog already dedicated to this very topic. It seems kind of redundant to list the hundred plus necessities in this comments section when there are already articles on this blog about this very same topic!
Well, since Mr. Creekmore ASKED what we would add to the list (read the last couple lines of his post), and since it’s HIS blog, and people all over the WORLD are submitting stuff that works FOR them, and they are trying to HELP each other out, and since I’m NOT one of THOSE “humans” who THINKS he knows it all and CAN’T/WON’T learn something NEW or something I MISSED in my preps that might keep myself, my wife, my family, my friends and my neighbors alive and healthy through the coming bad times, and my parents raised me to be polite( the same type of politeness that Mr. Heinlein wrote about), I’ll let you think about what you just wrote, while I’ll wait to learn more from those GOOD people out there who might add something USEFUL to the discussion. U.S. Navy Veteran “Bubblehead Les”.
JR,
Although you are against it, it never hurts to repeat things. Consistant reminders either validates our efforts or nudges us on to complete our preps.
Stick to useful, less arrogant comments.
EGADS! Here we go with the Ramen suggestion again! What IS it with these things that people think they’ll be good survival food? 200 (max) calories per serving- even with the added flavoring that barely eliminates the cardboard taste.
If you absolutely NEED spaghetti, get some Angel Hair Pasta and a jar of boullion cubes. Boil the pasta, add some boullion and- WOW of WOWS!- ramen noodles with some taste.
Definitely get ahead of the curve on toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine napkins- not tampons- cuz napkins can make a much better wound dressing than a tampon; razor blades- right: not an electric razor- and a shaving cup/dish and brush rather than canned Barbasol. Vitamins come in a one-year supply bottle: 365 tabs to a year. Have never seen them in any other form but 30-day supply. Twelve times 30 is… ugh, darn: five tablets short of a year.
Every time you buy shampoo, buy two extra bottles. Ditto with dish soap. If you live in the country and have a septic tank, don’t use dish soap containing anti-bacterials or bleach unless you want to kill your tank- and it ain’t cheap getting them drained.
In the camping department, get yourself two compasses: one for your pants and one for your pack. Forget the “life-saving tools” like mirrors and whistles- in a SHTF situation, you won’t want to be found so they’re wasted weight and space. Instead, get more bullets.
Get an extra LARGE bag of dog and cat food. You won’t want Fido or Fifi chewing on your toes at Zero-Dark-Thirty cuz they’re hungry. That canary in the cage- let him go and Fifi can have fun getting exercize before the bird finds the open window.
Now that you have your trunk loaded, go home and surreptitiously unload the car- NEVER tell your friends and neighbors what you have or what you’re up to. They’ll find out soon enough- when their bellies are growling.
Shy III
Of all the items you listed to buy at the grocery store, the most important of them all is the peanut butter in my opinion. Not only is it instant food, as you mentioned, but it has a very good balance of nutrients. Even for most diabetics, this food is ideal. It doesn’t need refrigeration after opening, as most jarred or canned food requires, and that also makes it a good survival food. I keep lots of it on hand and it is a regular part of my diet.
for beginners……top off your gas tank and maybe fill 2 five-gallon gas can while your at it…………….also…start following this blog…it will save a life,maybe your”s…………..LETS PREP IN ODER TO SURVIVE………..
JAY,
Where have you been – thought you had left us or something. Good to have you back.
some things had came up but have been worked through……THANKS for the welcome my friend…..
How about learning something you don’t know that will come in handy someday.
Everyone’s circumstances are different so I can’t
make recommendations.
Can everybody hook up 220 volts safely? Cut metal with a cutting torch?
A big library of How-to’s would make a fine addition to preps.
Most excellent suggestion. Buying goods can be pricey, but knowledge can frequently be free, and done in your free time.
Quick, while the internet is still up and running, learn something.
Milk a goat
Butcher a chicken
Sew
Cook
Make cheese
Stitch a wound
Repair a barbed wire fence
Weave cloth
The list is endless
Canned vegetables – be sure to pick ones with food value.
I occasionally see canned green beans mentioned, but the commercial canned green beans in water are essentially a diet food – some fiber, but little calorie content.
Pick foods like canned sweet potatoes (high calorie, and tastier than plain white potatoes), stews (just heat & eat)
What about Velveeta (melted over pasta, better than any boxed mac & cheese)
I have purchased several items fro eBay cheap. I bought a Coleman latern for 15 bucks and a single burner Coleman stove for 10. they use Coleman white gas. You can buy this at Walmart for 10bucks a gallon. It is very stable and lasts for years. I have some old Coleman camp stove that also use white gas. Got them from family as handmedowns. You can get these cheap from garage sales or Craigs list. I also got a couple of Dutch ovens from eBay really cheap. Under 30 bucks each. Be sure to get the kind that have legs and lipped lid so you can put charcoal on the lid. I also have 4 of the 20 pound propain tanks and a Coleman propane stove. I bought a long hose and an adapter from Walmart for the larger tank.
I’ve been reading this blog for quite some time now and have only seen gloves mentioned once. All the tools in the world aren’t worth squat if your hands are blistered and torn from not being protected. A few pair of gloves could make a world of difference if you’re chopping wood or clearing an area.
While its hard to think of in the summer…
#11 Buy extra couple of pairs of Sorel boots, a couple of winter coats and snow pants, touques and gloves/mittens – once that stuff gets wet you are done for the day…
#12 Several snow shovels and road salt
#13 A couple of good sleds – the best are the type sold for small children that have a curved back – they’ll hold a garbage can and help haul groceries/wood/etc
#14 Snow shoes and cross country skis will improve outdoor mobility
On the learn to build category…
How to build an ice house
How to cut ice and the tools neccessary
I didn’t read all the comments so maybe this has been covered. Solar battery chargers for AAs, Cs and D size batteries. .I have yet to find one that does 9v batteries. The one I have has a charge level meter to show sun strength and charge rate. Really works! Be sure to buy rechargeable batteries marked for all types of chargers. Not all rechargeable batteries are suitable for solar chargers
Make your own weather resistant matches. Dip wooden matches in varnish. Both ends! I dry them in an empty 100 round 22lr. plastic container. When dry put them in the military type tubular match holders with some cotton balls to keep them from rattling around and use the cotton balls as tinder. Once dry strike some of them to see the results. I find they burn hotter and 3 times as long. Try it you’ll like it.
Along with everything mentioned above and the really obvious stuff (water/food/ammo etc…)
Some not so obvious items…
Spare watch strap (or watch)
Scissors
Silica gel block/Hydrosorbent (keep damp from stuff)
Unfashionable clothes?
Am I mad? No, but there are lots of really cheap clothes and shoes that you may not want to wear right now to work or for leisure, but could come in handy if there is a crisis and cheap imports market grinds to a halt. For example I see reasonable shoes, boots, socks, jumpers and trousers for less than £10/$10. You won’t care if you’re dressed like Napoleon Dynamite when SHTF!!!
Over and out from the Irish prepper (probably the only one!)
#1 you should buy a berkey water filter, yeah it costs about 200-400, so what buy it, it will last for 6000 gallons before it needs to have its filters changed.
#2 Check for local co-ops in your area, it is possible to buy a large amount of organic, grain, wheat, kumot, barley etc for bargain basement prices. (cheaper than the grocery store)
#3 Buy a good gun selection, A. Buy a (mbr) main battle rifle first, (M1a, FAL, HK91) get it in size 308. B. Then buy a ruger 10/22, or marlin model 60 22 rifle. C. Buy a shotgun, preferably 12 gauge, eg Remingtion 870, or Mossberg 500a. D. Buy a handgun that will hold a lot of rounds, in caliber 9mm, 40, or 45. (think Glock) E Buy a handgun for concealed carry, (Keltec 380, Micro desert eagle, Bersa thunder 380 etc). Buy a minnimum of 500 rounds of ammo for each calliber, (ammo turns money into skill)
Yes it costs a lot, so what, you get what you pay for, you also can find quality guns on craigslist if you are diligent, look under barter, and sporting sections very frequently as they tend to get flagged.
For those people who are cheap and frugal like me, just know this
–”The sweetness of a low price never outlasts the bitterness of low quality”—
Sometimes it is cheaper to buy quality, than buy some cheap china junk, that will break right away, and then has to be bought again and again.
Well, if the president and his minions have it their way, they will do like the gov. in Poland does, they take a good portion of your garden (you know, the food you intend to eat) and life is hard in many places. Better start preparing hidden gardens and places where they cannot see from the air or via satellite. A friend of mine said that he saw one of his family members walking from their car up to their house, via the internet and the satellites did a very good job of seeing everything. Storing sealed buckets of food without the metal handles attached will help prevent anyone with a metal detector from finding your cache indoors. As for those who have not decided to get going on this matter, they are those who need to enter a real scenario, go through some hard times and then they will do something about their situation and be prepared. It must be nice to have passing thoughts of survival yet still live in a world of being catered to. Boy, I am now glad that I have been preparing for just over 6 years and all that is left is refreshing the water and making sure my stuff is edible. It will be nice to have a full stomach, my own home made medicine, and knowledge and skills to take care of my self and some of my friends and family when the time comes. If it were me, I would get a couple hundred gallons of gas on hand and purchase and add that stuff that preserves fuel because gas is one thing that will be very hard or impossible to obtain and it can be not only a life saver but also a great bartering item providing you are toting your shotgun with you to prevent theft while bartering with others. As for hard grains and other foods, I would purchase dried peas and other edibles that do not require cooking before ingesting as they can be soaked until they are soft, changing the water a few times a day so they do not go bad, and then eating them with a little salt added. A few cases of top ramen can be enjoyed uncooked. They are crunchy but will swell in the stomach and take off that hunger. The salty seasoning pouch, when the contents are sprinkled over the hard ramen, give the noodles a better flavor than their trademark bland taste. Just make sure to have a bit of water on hand to drink while eating the flavored noodles. Even when top ramen or other similar noodles go bad, they can still be consumed, usually, without making you sick. I think it is time to bust out the spam and enjoy some of it sliced and fried with pancakes dripping with a little butter and homemade maple syrup and a few fried eggs before the shtf. Yumm. I would have to say that the only thing I can add to the list are complete meal tablets. Some of the survival foods companies sell them. If you do not have any food, they will absolutely suffice. I understand that they are packed with the vitamins and minerals that the body needs to live. I buy whole food vitamins in the local Fred Meyer store’s health food section. They are a bit spendy but when it comes right down to it, if there were no food because it was gone for some reason or another but only those were all that was left, then I would at least get close to eating something that would also be good for my body. Alongside that I would also pick up some whey protein powder and store them side-by-side. Good article and thanks!
aybe I missed it,I am pretty tired right now. Coffee! coffee! coffee! Even if you don`t drink it ,it is the ultimate barter item. Steve
CHOCOLATE! Necessity of life! Great source of energy! Chocolate chips are a cheap source. And don’t forget the soy sauce for the rice!
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