In the event of a natural disaster (Hurricane Katrina) or man-made disaster (an epic financial collapse), there’s bound to be high anxiety coupled with mass chaos. If you’re not a prepper, that’s understandable, I get it, you don’t want your family and friends to think you’ve lost your marbles and entered a state of perpetual paranoia. But, if you’re like me a wanna keep it on the lowdown, and acquire a few things that may be useful in these particular scenarios, take note. Now, I am not a prepper, per se, but I do think we live in difficult times, with many challenges ahead, so I am accumulating a few things. I’ll give you a hint at what I am keeping in close proximity, just in case the s$@t hits the fan:
How-to and reference books:
Say you wanna build a fire, without matches, could you do it? A good reference book on how to build a fire would come in handy.
Since grocery stores typically have 3 days worth of inventory on hand at all times, you might want to learn about growing your own food sources, canning, and raising livestock. This may be difficult if you live in a big city, but there are options for food prepping in an urban setting.
Wanna forget all your woes, and drown your sorrows in alcohol, having the knowledge of making moonshine, may come in handy.
The internet, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, these may be obsolete during a disaster, so you might want to consider the antiquated operation of a transistor radio, and learn to build and maintain one. Lastly, your world will be completely rocked without the ability to have some power, whether it’s to keep you warm or provide some sort of lighting. Learning how to build small heat and power systems for remote areas will definitely come in handy!
Guns and common caliber ammunition:
Whether or not you’re a gun rights advocate like me, or a gun control advocate, guns and particularly ammunition will be in great demand. Homeland security is buying up ammunition in mass, not sure why they need 1.6 billion rounds of ammo, but nevertheless it is driving up the cost for the small buyer. Common caliber ammunition can also be used to fend off that hungry trespasser, hopped up on moonshine, looking to steal your livestock. Another great use for guns and common caliber ammo is that it becomes sort of a currency, a bartering tool if you will. If you need water filters or a first aid kit, you may be willing to trade a box of 12 gauge shells for them.
Silver Coins (preferably pre 1965):
These American Eagle coins have a higher silver content to them. Yes, the government has been watering down the amount of silver in a quarter since 1965, probably even before that. These are great for collection, and will likely go up in value in the years to come. Silver is used in many different products from medicine to solar energy. Also, Silver’s uses far outweigh those of gold, not to mention with gold trading at $1318.70 an once, it’s hard to make change for small purchases.
A Community
Seeking like-minded folks who also believe it’s prudent to prepare for any number of disasters, can not only be therapeutic, but beneficial should disaster strike. One family may be fabulous at raising livestock, another may be great at carpentry and small building projects, yet another may have the experience to provide adequate security. These are all necessities in a disaster setting, so by putting all the human capital together, everyone can benefit.
Productive Farmland:
This is a tough one in the middle of New York City, I get that. I also understand that in many parts of the country the cost of a productive acre can be unaffordable. That said, today’s price will look cheap in ten years, and there are a lot of government programs which can help offset the cost of your land. Take for instance, the Environmental Quality Incentives Programs (EQIP) which provide grant money to land owners who are willing to take part in conservation programs which include; improving soil quality, erosion control, and maintaining and improving plant and animal habitats. With EQIP, you can still raise your livestock, grow your garden, facilitate your prepping, all while doing your part to protect the environment and hey, get paid while doing it!
Photo credit Barkers and Rubes
Here are a few others things you may want to keep in close proximity:
Tools
First Aid kits
Water and water filters
Gas and diesel
First aid kits and other medical supplies
Candles
Batteries
Zip Lock bags.
Do you think that the financial preppers list of ‘Must Have’s’ would work for you in case of emergencies?
The most.likely disasters to hit an average family are loss of job or an illness that causes someone to lose work.
That being said…most families could benefit from a basic pantry and enough savings to keep them afloat for a month or two. Even if they get another job or get well within a couple months, having these bases covered would go a long way.
You are right Sherry, the loss of a job or an illness are disasters to the people affected. While we may not see them as disasters because they do not effect a broad swath of people, those situations can be disastrous to those effected. Didn’t want to sound insensitive with my post!
Preppers get a bad rap as crazies who are either white seperatists, or conspiracy theorists but guess who people will look to in a time of a real national catastrophe to bail them out of trouble. They will be expected to share their provisions just like chicken little who grew the wheat, harvested it and baked the bread. Any government we have left will undoubtedly declare that all provisions must be equally shared and anyone who has more must give up his hoard to the others who didn’t have as much. I remember during the Sandy storm that hit the east coast some people were complaining because others had purchased generators prior to the storm. I believe the comment was “why should they have generators when I don’t?: Duh, because they purchased them.
You are so right Kathy. Doomsday Preppers does a great job of marginalizing preppers to make them appear abnormal. I personally know a dozen or more, totally normal people who prep. That is unbelievable that people were complaining about those who had the foresight to purchase a generator, geez what a sad society we live in!
While we are not preppers, my wife and I are intrigued by the subculture. I find it interesting, and I think there’s a great deal of overlap with a group that is often on the other side of the political/social spectrum: homesteaders. Both groups are essentially talking about self-sufficiency, but in different circumstances.
That is a good observation DB! I think learning, at least basic self-sufficiency skills, is a prudent hedge against a disaster.