I’m wondering what is going on with this.  It’s now mid-April and we haven’t had any updates.  It kind of feels like this website has died, which is really sad.  This was probably my favorite website, on the entire internet.  There hasn’t been any notable new content in almost a year and a half.  I hope that’s not the case.  I’m optimistic this is just a delay and TP will get back to putting out great quality content in the near future.  But an update would be appreciated!

Perhaps this will be an unpopular opinion, but I’ll share it anyway.  First, thank you to Carlotta, Stephanie, and everyone else who has contributed to these news roundups.  It’s about all that seems to remain active at The Prepared, which I consider my prepping bible in a lot of ways.  There hasn’t been any new content besides these, including reviews and classes, in about a year.  Maybe longer.  Yes, there’s the forum.  I’m not really a forum kind of guy.  I’m busy as hell with kids, job, elderly parents, etc.  I don’t have the free time to read through loads and loads of discussion and comments.  That was one of the main things that drew me to The Prepared in the first place, besides finding a place that was basically selling exactly what I was looking for, rational, common sense prepping.  Concise, to the point reviews, with recommendations.  In other words, we tested this stuff, buy this.  Maybe that sounds lame, but for me, again, it comes down to time, and lack thereof.  And yes, perhaps the lack of new content is because of the work that’s gone into the upcoming revamped site.  Makes me anxious/nervous though.  Kind of like one of my favorite hangouts is going to close soon.  I’ll give it a shot.  I have tons of faith in the crew running things here.  I realize I don’t, but if I had a vote, it would be to continue to focus a lot on reviews and guides, and courses.  That’s what drew me in, that’s what I use, that’s what I want out of a site like this.  The forum, for me personally, is basically useless.  The news roundups were always a nice bonus, and I’ll miss seeing them.  Anyway, keep up that great work everyone.  I’m cautiously optimistic that the upcoming changes will be good ones!

Here’s another thing you can do:  Don’t buy a house on stilts right on the ocean.

Agreed.  I’ve felt for a long time now that this was nature’s way of giving us sort of a “practice pandemic”, and we’ve failed miserably as a society.  Covid has always been one bad mutation away from being the kind of thing that societies have to rebuild from.  Two years after the starting gun and we’re actually worse at it than we were at the beginning.  

I’m an RN, and I work with a number of nurses who refuse to get vaccinated.  The rationales run the gamut of everything we hear from everyone else.  Being in healthcare doesn’t stop people from being people.  How I look at it is pretty simple.  Working in healthcare is a choice.  Nobody forces anyone to do it.  And if you choose to take on the responsibility of caring for other people’s health, then you take on the obligation to take measures that prevent you from spreading any communicable diseases to your patients.  In my state, you can’t be a nurse if you don’t receive other vaccinations, such as MMR.  This is no different.   To me, any other arguments regarding your personal rights and moral choices, your fears about the vaccine, or whatever else it may be simply take a back seat to that.   If you choose to get paid to take care of other people, get vaccinated.  

This was also the first thing I thought of when I saw this information.  Half of the island could potentially slide off into the ocean.  While, the odds of this are relatively low, it’s worth keeping a close eye on.

Prepping and partying go hand in hand.  If the world goes to hell, you’ll need to know how to manufacture a good time, right?  A Viking party sounds just about right.

Also…there’s a book that should be on here that isn’t.  The Prepared’s Guide to Basic Prepping…or something like that.  You guys absolutely should put out a print version of all this stuff.  Publish an update every year.  I’d buy it.  If SHTF, I’m probably not going to be able to get on the internet anymore.  But you all could still be helping me if I had you on my bookshelf.  Just an idea!

I’m curious why you removed the Madd Addam series from the fiction list.  As a new prepper 4-5 years ago, I basically bought everything that was on your original list and read it all cover to cover to learn as much as I could.  While informative and often well written, the non-fiction books will never be page turners.  Interspersing a fictional book that still keeps you in the prepper/survivalist mindset is a welcome change of pace.  Now, the fiction list could go on forever.  But since that series made the original list, it’s interesting it was removed.  Yes, the future scenario is far fetched in some ways, but since the category is fiction, lets not be too picky.  On the other hand, the overall plot isn’t all that out there.  It’s an excellent trilogy, and will stay on my list.  Regardless, thanks for all the hard work.  The digital stuff is great, but you never can beat a good, simple book.  Thanks!

Mindset is everything.  If you’re in a lousy situation and you believe you’re going to die, you’ll die.  If you believe you’re going to survive, you’re well on your way to achieving that.  This applies to both the big and small things in our every day lives, too.  Couldn’t agree more with all of this.  Well written.  Party on, Josh!

Personal Opinion – I like Citizen watches.  For me, they cover both the every day use, and would work as a survival watch.  The main reason I’d also use them as a survival watch is the battery, as Citizen watches are powered by light (not just sunlight, but ANY light).  To me this is huge.  I have never had to replace a battery in a Citizen watch.  If the world goes to hell, I bet I’ll have a hard time finding a watch battery a few years from now, but if you don’t ever need one, problem solved.  Basic Citizen watches don’t do much other than tell time, date, day of the week.  But honestly, for me, that’s all I need it to do.  All the rest of the things that these watches do is neat, but not necessary.  I can live without the features.  Plus I don’t have to remember to get my special survival watch out in an emergency, when I’m probably thinking about anything but doing that, as I’m already wearing it.  Lastly, the price isn’t obscene.   A basic low tier Citizen watch can be had for $150-200.  More expensive than the basic recommended watch in this article, but to me the forever battery is worth it.

My family bought a Big Berkey last August and have been using it ever since, every day.  Our experience is very similar to yours.  One pair of filters used, working  with second pair now.  We’ve found the filters don’t quite live up to their billing as far as how long they last, but we’re still happy with it.  We upgraded to a stand and the stainless steel spigot and thought they were worthwhile.  One other thing we did, in an effort to get everyone to drink more water, was invest in a six-pack of Boroux glass drinking bottles and a caddy (picture how milk bottles used to come), and then we also got a 1.25 gallon jug that’s thin, but the length of the fridge.  These both sit in the fridge so we have nice, cold, Berkey water always on hand.  We all feel the glass bottles are a great investment, and significantly cuts down on plastic waste.  My wife thought I was nuts spending upwards of $300 on a water filter, but now she uses it more than I do.

As someone who, until a few years ago, had little experience with firearms, I’ve asked a lot of questions similar to this.  Taken a lot of classes, done a lot of training, spent a lot of time at the range.  One thing I’d mention, that I hear a lot, is that if you’re going to carry a firearm, keep it loaded and have a round chambered.  In the unfortunate event that you’re going to have to pull it out and use it, the average person will forget to chamber a round due to adrenaline, fear, etc.  Basically having it ready to be used is your best bet.  However, if you’re not comfortable with that, then you should practice drawing it the way you will carry it.  I prefer to have a safety on my EDC pistol.  So when I go to the range, I fire a couple magazines each visit practicing drawing it from a holster, disabling the safety, and firing it, to build that muscle memory and make it something you don’t have to think about if you’re ever in a situation where you have to draw your weapon.  However you choose to carry it, practice it that way.  Good luck!

Hey!  Been following you all, here and on Facebook, for three years now.  Like many here, had an interest in being prepared but was overwhelmed by the info.  I’m not sure how I even stumbled on this site, but now this is basically my prepping bible.  Anyway, here’s a request – Much as you’ve done a comprehensive review on BOB’s and their contents, even making a kit list (both are fantatstic, btw), I was hoping you would do the same for GHB’s as well.  Yes, they are 80-90% the same stuff.  It’s that remaining 10-20% I want to know about.  Actually, I’m posting this on this article’s comments page, because there was an earlier version of this post that had a pretty good list of GHB gear, some of which was definitely different than the BOB list.  I subscribe to the theory of having a fully stocked bag in each vehicle, as my wife and I both travel some distance to/from work.  Also, we live in northern Wisconsin, so a seasonal section to a GHB post wouldn’t hurt.  If anyone could put one together, it would be well used.  Regardless, huge fan of your work, keep up the great effort and posts!

I’d also love to see some recommendations for storage, with photos.  Currently putting this kit together, bit by bit, and am finding the overall volume a little daunting in regards to storage and organization.  A lot of this stuff doesn’t do much good if you can’t find it when you need it.