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Reply to: Rotation in food storage Posted November 28, 2021
Reply to: What medieval life taught me Posted November 28, 2021
Reply to: Should I start with a bug out bag or preparing my home first? – New and need advice Posted November 28, 2021

I started prepping when I became a single mom and my fear is around a biological threat (which came in handy at the start of this pandemic) around the time of Ebola (2014) so here is what I did starting out and I’ll try not to be redundant to the other great answers here. I didn’t start with a BOB or house I did both at the same time slowly. I became a coupon queen, and when sales are going on I’ll buy extra. To echo what someone else said though, buy what you eat. I wasn’t thinking as clearly so I bought more spam than I normally eat in 3 years, I only like it every so often, and that ended up being wasted, wish i had spent that on other protein like canned chicken, tuna or even peanut butter. Rotate everything. I’d follow the advice alrdy given about water.    For my BOB I started out with an old backpack and have upgraded thru the years, don’t get something too big that you wont be able to carry. My child has kept a size appropriate bag that they change out every so often. It’s no use to you of you can’t get around with it. Socks would be one of those things that is very important that many don’t think of in a BOB. have a few different ways to make fire and keep them in plastic bags. Think of how you are going to be able to cook and prepare any food you have, I think back to that twitter thread of the texas person whoms brother was a “prepper” but during the ice storm all his preps failed cause he relied on refergeration and didn’t have a non electronic can opener.    For me medical supplies was also important. If you or people in your family need medication or anything of the like see if you can get an extra month supplies here and there (again rotate). Say for a vacation or something of the like. When I started out (and since) I had a biological threat in mind so I also bought N95s gloves etc. But get a couple first aid kits, or make your own. Infections from a cut no matter what you fear will be a big down fall after a collapse.    I’d also start looking into skills, don’t know how to make a good fire learn, sewing (again handy for medical reasons too) learn, making butter out of powdered milk, growing food or hunting, whatever. Take basic first aid classes, learn skills that will help you in the future and something you can trade for. People have a lot of different views on what will be good for trade, which is another thing to think about in the future, a common one is alcohol but a guy in one of my old groups soap was his thing. Either way also try to start a local group even if it’s not exactly a “prepper” group, community will help in hard times. Sorry if any of this was redundant or long winded, good luck on your journey!   

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Reply to: Rotation in food storage Posted November 28, 2021
Reply to: What medieval life taught me Posted November 28, 2021
Reply to: Should I start with a bug out bag or preparing my home first? – New and need advice Posted November 28, 2021

I started prepping when I became a single mom and my fear is around a biological threat (which came in handy at the start of this pandemic) around the time of Ebola (2014) so here is what I did starting out and I’ll try not to be redundant to the other great answers here. I didn’t start with a BOB or house I did both at the same time slowly. I became a coupon queen, and when sales are going on I’ll buy extra. To echo what someone else said though, buy what you eat. I wasn’t thinking as clearly so I bought more spam than I normally eat in 3 years, I only like it every so often, and that ended up being wasted, wish i had spent that on other protein like canned chicken, tuna or even peanut butter. Rotate everything. I’d follow the advice alrdy given about water.    For my BOB I started out with an old backpack and have upgraded thru the years, don’t get something too big that you wont be able to carry. My child has kept a size appropriate bag that they change out every so often. It’s no use to you of you can’t get around with it. Socks would be one of those things that is very important that many don’t think of in a BOB. have a few different ways to make fire and keep them in plastic bags. Think of how you are going to be able to cook and prepare any food you have, I think back to that twitter thread of the texas person whoms brother was a “prepper” but during the ice storm all his preps failed cause he relied on refergeration and didn’t have a non electronic can opener.    For me medical supplies was also important. If you or people in your family need medication or anything of the like see if you can get an extra month supplies here and there (again rotate). Say for a vacation or something of the like. When I started out (and since) I had a biological threat in mind so I also bought N95s gloves etc. But get a couple first aid kits, or make your own. Infections from a cut no matter what you fear will be a big down fall after a collapse.    I’d also start looking into skills, don’t know how to make a good fire learn, sewing (again handy for medical reasons too) learn, making butter out of powdered milk, growing food or hunting, whatever. Take basic first aid classes, learn skills that will help you in the future and something you can trade for. People have a lot of different views on what will be good for trade, which is another thing to think about in the future, a common one is alcohol but a guy in one of my old groups soap was his thing. Either way also try to start a local group even if it’s not exactly a “prepper” group, community will help in hard times. Sorry if any of this was redundant or long winded, good luck on your journey!