Message to a new Prepper

[2ndGenGranola]

I discovered on another board that the term "Prepper" was new to many people and they are quite amazed (in a positive way) of the attention given to prepping. In the light of the economy and weird weather situations, they are beginning to embrace this idea.

What are some tips that you would give to a new prepper?


The first thing I can think of is to only buy things you would normally eat and rotate, rotate, rotate. Spam may be a good thing to keep in your pantry but if you are a vegetarian not only would it offend your taste buds but it would have you questioning your stockpile of TP.

[jas]

Think of at least the very basic items you need to function first.
water, grains, legumes, oil and salt, sprouting seeds, sweeteners, and powdered milk.

HBA-basics toilet paper, fem products, toothpaste and brushes, shampoo, razors.

seeds for planting, even if all you can do is container gardening

Change your mindset and fast. The pie in the sky days are gone.

The government won't and can't take care of you if there is a total melt down of the dollar.

Do it now.

Keep your business private, except a very few trusted people.

[frugalwarrior2]

-Make a plan and prepare a space for the food/hba before you stockpile .
-research for prices don't just run to Costco/Sams.
-buy a vaccumn sealer w/ extra bags and a scale
-buy a grain grinder
-LDS has a good basic sight
-Never discuss your stockpile. I keep my windows covered.

[savvy_sniper]

Start out slow and easy
Stock up on basics first
Stock what you eat, eat what you stock
FIFO - First in, first out - rotate your stock
IDENTIFY how much you use of items so you know how much to stock up on. EX: Write the date on boxes, packages, etc. when you open them and make note when you use them up.

[Homekeepn]

Don't forget pets and meds. Stock up on all first aid products and how to use them.

Know how to use the food that you have stored will help. For example: Are most of the foods ingredients to make meals or are they read to eat? You might need to adjust your water storage if you are cooking from scratch.

All that was mentioned above a big DITTO!

[NicJean]

Not that there's much call for us to get the heck outta dodge - or any (so far), a bag filled with everything you'd NEED for three days, placed by the door/in mudroom/ or even in a vehicle is a great idea. (Think: wildfire, chemical spill, flood).
Also, take it from me, a boo boo queen: gather all first aid supplies in one (okay, a couple) spots. This way you will know what you have, where to find it, and also, what you may want to purchase soon or restock.

[Daisygirl]

Be organized. If you can't find what you need you will just keep buying the same thing over and over. When I got started I had many partial bags and boxes of the same staple.

Find a tracking system that works for you. This is the way I discovered I was extremely overstocked on grains and fruits, but short on protein and veggies.

Don't depend on your electric appliances. Hopefully we will always have power, but if not, you don't want to starve to death beside a freezer full of rotting meat. Learn to can and dehydrate also.

Learn to do things the old-fashioned way. We are so dependant on machines to wash, dry, cook and heat. Learn alternative methods and practice using them. Think solar cookers, camp stoves, charcoal grills and cook fires. If you can install a heating and cooking item powered by a wood fire, do so. If you can't then figure out alternative ways to cook and heat in your home.

Store water.

[Brat]

Keeping you pantry well stocked and knowing how to use the things there before something would happen..How to cook things other that useing utilities..do many of these in advance so you know how to do before something comes up..I am better off that a lot of people because I live in the country and I have a lot of my own vegetables and have a camp fire cooking, well water that I can get to..I would't want to live this way but have the working knowlege of it if something would happen..

[scooby8themall]

Pick up extra blankets , clothes
freeze produce that can be frozen ( Shaw's marks down their fruit and veggies a day or 2 before they go out dated I buy what can be frozen)
can your garden produce
make your own jam's and jelly
sign up for freebies
use coupons to help you stock pile
every one has some great ideas thanks for sharing

[thefrug]

Start at the Basics of Life.
Water
Food
Shelter
Security

You have to have water. Clean water to survive period. That should be the #1 starting point. And don't think that just because you live in a town or city that the tap will always work. Cuz it won't. Stock water. Have a way to filter water to use. There are filters you can buy to do this. The top of the line Berkey filters clean ditch water to clean safe water.You can just use the filters and two buckets to make your own Berkey system. I got my two black Berkey filters for $99. I don't think thats too much for safe water that'll keep me alive. You can find ways to keep water "fresh" by using bleach online. Just search for it.

Food needs to be what you and your family will eat. It makes no sense to buy and store something that won't be used, unless you're to the point in prepping where you can have things to barter with. And for goodness sake, if you use canned foods, get a manual can opener. And a backup can opener!

Shelter is important especially in harsh conditions and for the very young and very old. It doesn't have to be fancy. Tarps ( and for goodness sake not the neon blue ones that scream HERE WE ARE), tents,ponchos ( army), even heavy plastic will work ( clear plastic will become wet from condensation from the sun. great for collecting water but not for sleeping in. Use black). Learn to make shelters out of the things around you. Whether thats plywood and blocks or tree limbs and vines.

Security is very important. Especially for females. It doesn't have to be a gun, but boy howdy they make the weirdoes think twice about messing with ya. You can have everything from pepper spray and tazers to just a baseball bat. AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO USE IT! Whats the point in having it if you're going to fall apart and go all "girly" and whimper and not even use it? You need to find your " Momma Grizzly" and keep her close to be able to call on her to be the one to take care of you and yours.

After you have those basics taken care of then you can get into all the other stuff. Firstaid is next IMO. But, if you're so weak from dehydration that you can barely think, then whats the point people?
Feminine hygene? Eh. Why do you think they were called rags? Because thats what they were using. They just boiled them clean and sanitized them in the Sun ( which the UV light does for free). get a Diva cup if it just too gross to even think of having to use rags. I would say grow up, but, whatever. LOL
Better have something to do for your spoiled kids, because they'll be "bored" real quick when their baby sitter the tv,pc or "games" don't work. get some board and card games cheap at yardsales and thrift stores. Good idea for the adults too.

Start with the basics. And then search online for other survival topics. There are plenty out there. Just be careful. There are some VERY hardcore boards and sites, and there are some others thats for the more "family" oriented. The "nicer" boards so you don't get your little ego hurt.
Don't wait until the last minute to get started.There won't be anything left if an event is seen as imminent. That is the time to lock down and pay attention to the info being given by your local government ( if they tell you everything)