Steady As You Go In The World Of Prepping
Times are tough in many households, yet while discretionary income shrinks, it seems like our awareness and uncertainty is increasing. Sometimes, it can be discouraging when you think of your state of preparedness or ability to withstand various events in the future, but it’s important to remind ourselves that this is a process, a continual process.
I think it’s important to do a few things a month. Our lives our busy with keeping our jobs, paying our bills, spending time with loved ones, keeping up with our house, etc. It is encouraging, however, to see how impactful doing a few things a month can be.
For example, I try to pick up some silver coins each month. I try to purchase a bulk food item for my storage each month. I try to read up on some new skills each month. I try to practice shooting each month.
The goal here is a long term adjustment to what we’re planning for. Over the long term, we shall be more ready for uncertainty. It’s easy to freak out when you join the “survivalist” club and think you have to do everything in a matter of days because TS is about to HTF, and while this might be true, it’s more of a “steady as you go” approach in my opinion.
What do you think?
Look at the means you already have and make the most of them before dumping money on stuff you think you need. For example, I’ve been in the Army for the last six years and have accumulated a lot of gear that I don’t have to turn back in. I put most of my bug out bag together with this gear, a survival knife, old BDU’s, MRE’s, Combat Lifesaver Bag, IFAK, fire starters, pocket guides, and my smart book from basic training. Only after I use all the things I already have will I put money out on more. Look around your house and you’ll find things that will be useful before plunking down cash.
I try to spend about $100 a month on supplies to put back. Rice, Silver, Ammo, a gun once in a while. Of course I’m already pretty well prepped. It took me about a year to get here. I started in the middle of last summer. My biggest prep will be the garden and the chickens. I’ve been experimenting with chickens for two years. I’ve finally figured out what I need. I have 4 hens that lay an average of an egg every other day. They’d lay more if I fed them more but I like the open range concept so they get all the garbage and whatever bugs they can eat. I only supplement with a little bit of corn and crumbles. The garden I’m finding is full of weeds! …and I’m eating them. Lambsquarters and perslane. I’ve got a good crop of peas, beans and turnips coming on. LOTS of turnips. Can one live on just turnips? If that were the case, I’d be in good shape. Just keep working at it, everyone. Its not a dump the money and then forget. Its a constant state of working toward a goal and taking advantage of opportunities. -NR