Preparedness
Start Prepping Now: Simple Steps to Secure Your Future
It’s never too late to embark on the journey of preparedness. Whether you’ve been prompted by recent supply chain disruptions, inspired by reading a novel like “One Second After,” or simply want to be ready for natural disasters such as hurricanes and blizzards, the reasons to start prepping are numerous and varied.
When beginning this path, it’s common to feel overwhelmed by the idea of needing to “get everything,” especially when you’re unsure what “everything” entails beyond the basics of “food and toilet paper.”
The traditional prepper mantra of “beans, bullets, and bandaids” remains relevant, but it’s crucial to approach this with a strategic plan. This means taking stock of what you already have, setting a budget, and determining storage solutions to avoid wasted time and effort.
Another valuable principle in the prepping community is “Two is one, and one is none.” This doesn’t necessarily mean duplicating every item but rather having multiple methods to achieve the same goal. It’s about ensuring redundancy in your plans.
Start by conducting a thorough inventory of your current supplies. You might be surprised to find you already have a week’s or even a month’s worth of essentials. Take note of expired items and remove them. These are likely impulse buys that didn’t get used, so avoid purchasing them again. Focus on what your family actually consumes, particularly canned goods with long shelf lives.
Next, establish a budget for your prepping activities. Even if your financial situation is tight, there are still ways to progress without incurring debt.
“Your budget may be so tight that you can barely keep the lights on but there is still hope.”
For those with more financial flexibility, adopting cost-saving strategies can help you stretch your resources further.
Storage is another critical consideration. Without adequate space, a large shopping trip may leave you with nowhere to put your purchases. If space is limited, consider researching tips on maximizing storage for your preps.
When it comes to building your food supply, it’s important to tailor your purchases to your family’s preferences and rotate stocks using the First In First Out (FIFO) method to prevent food from expiring unnoticed. While some may aim for a year’s supply of food, your financial and spatial constraints will dictate what’s feasible. Various food storage calculators can assist in planning for your family’s needs, whether for a few months or an entire year.
Purchasing dehydrated or freeze-dried foods is another option for long-term storage. Companies like Mountain House offer convenient meals that only require boiling water, making them ideal for hikes or inclusion in a bugout bag.
“My Patriot Supply and Augason Farms are two well-known companies that provide food for long-term storage with shelf lives of 20-30 years.”
These companies offer kits for specific time periods and individual items like fruits and vegetables, which can be consumed straight from the can.
If your budget allows, you can invest in a year’s supply of food for each family member or start with a three-month kit and supplement it over time. Some Walmarts stock Augason Farm items, offering a convenient option for purchasing in-store.
Ultimately, freeze-dried and dehydrated foods offer a low-effort solution that complements any fresh food you grow yourself, serving as a safeguard against crop failures.
Given the current high demand and potential delays in delivery, My Patriot Supply is reportedly well-stocked, making them a reliable choice for those considering this route.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.