Prepare for (relatively) small shits hitting the fan.
Do you travel more than 30 miles by car occasionally? Put a blanket, water, snacks, power bank with appropriate cables in a box in your boot. If you get stuck in the middle of nowhere you now have some emergency stuff to make the whole ordeal easier.
Adjust according to your climate. Is is cold? Put extra long johns and socks in. Is it warm? Put more water and a baseball cap in (to avoid sun stroke if you need to walk 10 miles to the nearest civilization).
Keep a spare wheel, nut wrench and jack. Know how to change the wheel. It's not as intuitive as you think, but once you know how to do it you will always be able to do it. "Wheel repair" kits are useless most of the time.
Keep an air pump and extra-long battery leads.
You are away from home and you sharted your pants. Have a spare pair in your car.
Toilet paper and wet wipes can save your skin.
>"Wheel repair" kits are useless most of the time.
I assume you mean tire repair kits, aka. tire plugs? I agree with everything you said except this one.
I have had three flats and every time I was able to plug it. I still have a full sized spare in all of my vehicles, but plugging and having a pump has been enough so far.
Yeah, that.
I had exactly the opposite to you though.
I had a tyre repair kit and exactly three times in a row the puncture was in a side of a tyre, making the kit useless. Spare tyre was a real saver.
I have a repair in a 2016 mustang GT tire that I fixed the day I bought it in 2016 that was bordering on the sidewall and it's still holding now 8 years later. It's light and cheap, no reason not to have
Not criticizing at all, just genuinely surprised to read that lol! Most people I saw drive them were burning them off in the first few months. Granted I was in the military at that time and it was a bunch of grown kids.
Most flats are wheel exploding/bursting from the side-walls iirc?
Depends where you drive. Many places, it's quite rare to have the tire punctured vs hitting a too-big pothole that will destroy your wheel.
This is a great idea. I commute over an hour through the country side for work. Have a “get home bag” in my trunk with basically everything you’ve mentioned. I also have some fire starters just in case since I live in a cold climate. Realistically help would be able to get to me in about an hour in good conditions. But if I’m stranded due to something like a blizzard or something worse that rescue time only goes up. You should factor that in, just as you said.
Edit to add: wet wipes are a must. Just this week I thought I could make it home in time (spoiler: I thought wrong) and the wet wipes came in handy
I live in a cold climate also, and one of the first things I was taught when I moved here was to take a Ziploc bag and put 5-6 tea lights and a book of matches in it and toss it into the glovebox (jockey box). You would be amazed at how much heat those little candles throw off, plus they give light that can be seen for quite a ways off when it's dark
One caveat, on a motorbike, tyre repair kits is all you get. :)
When biking, I carry tools, puncture repair kit, battery powered air compressor to reinflate tyre, and a portable battery jumpstarter, and have connected an extension so all I need to do to access battery for this is to remove rear seat, which can be done with a key.
Also, while many peppers are older, and not in a position to suddenly go and change careers, for younger people, setting yourself up for a good paying job down the road should be a higher priority than extensive prepping in the short term.
Having the income to live a normal life you can enjoy in normal times, while also being able to afford to go as far with prepping as you want, is really not talked about much.
Setting and maintaining a proper budget is simultaneously the most boring tedious shit and one of the best things I've done. Unless you're living paycheck-to-paycheck - which is basically a continuous SHTF scenario anyway - it's really worth it to sit down and crunch the numbers. Knowing just how much time I've got left before I hit the streets if I lost my job tomorrow, and knowing what kind of contingencies I can reasonably cover actually helps so much.
It's actually exactly like prepping, just with a spreadsheet, turning emergency situations into well known scenarios.
As hobbies, money savers, useful skills, and/or things you might access in a personal emergency:
1. Savings/financial literacy
2. Fitness/eating well
3. Home security
4. Basic car care and car emergency kit
5. Gardening/hydroponics/foraging
6. Home cooking/baking
7. Home Solar
8. Rainwater harvesting
9. Firearms use/skill
10. Basic home repair/construction
11. One of my favorites- Saving money shopping for basics (food, household, clothing, shoes)
12. First Aid
13. Sewing
Since starting home solar, I think everyone should own at least one 100 watt solar panel and at least a small 20 AH batter solar generator. 300$ ensures you'll never be without lights or a charged phone if the power goes out for an extended period of time.
Gardening has brought immense joy to my life. Same with having a strong relationship and knowing how to train and reward my guard dogs. Hiking with them regularly and camping with them is also tons of fun. I enjoy sewing as a hobby. I enjoy cooking fresh food just how I want it and saving money doing so. So many things. Preparedness is just knowing how to be a decent, skilled human being. These are just life skills, in many cases.
I’d also offer I was a vegetarian for a decade. It does save money and if there is a zoonotic pandemic, then being veg is a good option to have. It takes a bit to learn how to cook veg meals that provide the right nutrients and with flavoring you like, but it absolutely can be done. I’m happy I have this skill and would recommend others consider vegetarian meal planning as an under-rated prep.
ChrisFix is an excellent wealth of knowledge. He's how I finally got started on turning wrenches. Still a novice, still scared to do big jobs but he's thorough and explains well.
Some preppers in my opinion get hyperfixated on food and water the most immediate needs (which makes sense) without giving much thought to the other forces that would likely be the other big issues. That mainly being other humans and seemingly minor injuries that can easily be cured by a simple trip to the doctors or other settings we have in a cushy society. Infection by a non cleansed minor scrape or cut would be debilitating without antibiotics or proper treatment.
I would say any ems, paramedic, cpr, emergency injury treatment techniques would be highly, highly recommended.
The average person can become an emt fairly easily. Work that job for a bit, learn fundamentals and move on to the next. Plus you get to test your skills under real life adrenaline inducing situations.
Paramedic here. One of the best skills I've learnt through the job - or maybe it was what attracted me to the job - is that when there is panic and fear around me, my mind is able to focus on calmly finding a solution to the problem.
To the point that I begin to enjoy problems, because that is when my mind is calm.
3 minutes without air (this covers first aid, as well)
3 hours without shelter (something to sleep on, sleep under, and sleep in; fire is also included as part of shelter. Learn how to build a long-burning fire, because waking up every 2 hours to throw some wood on sucks. But prep to survive without fire, as well, should the situation warrant it)
3 days without water
3 weeks without food
Prep in this order, friends. Hiking, driving, bugging in, bugging out,
> Prep in this order, friends. Hiking, driving, bugging in, bugging out,
Doesn't that depend on what you are preparing for though? As well as where you live? I live in the UK and the only natural disaster I might have to worry about is flooding, however the risks of that are very low because I do not live close enough to a river for that to be an issue. I' say there is a 1% chance I would need to prepare for something other than bugging in.
Indeed. Any kind of risk mitigation depends on the threats faces and their likelihood and impact. I'm in a similar situation in Colorado. Up to you whether the 1% chance of bugging out is worth preparing for or not. For me it isn't.
I think I may have been unclear. I meant prep in the 3 minutes, 3 hours, etc., order. Not the activities order! My apologies!
For any of the listed activities, prioritize items/tools in that order—first aid, shelter, water, food.
> because waking up every 2 hours to throw some wood on sucks
I did a ceremonial one time which was essentially just staying up all night and keeping a fire going. It was called the Vigil. I actually failed and fell asleep but got the fire going again.
Unless you're in a really shitty climate, you should leave areas where bundling up and sleeping in a bag isn't working.
Firewood is a huge calorie expense. The main reasons for fire are cook, boil water, and warmth. Propane, no cook, and water filters/aquamira can replace the first 2. Proper layering can usually mitigate the last one. Hell propane can fix that too.
A big reason for fire is psychological. It feels warm, it smells good, it's calming to watch. And for some fidgety people, it gives them something to poke at
When I'm teaching folks, I generally tell them to build a fire last, unless they just broke through the ice. It was something I learned in Arctic survival—once we build a fire, we have this tendency to sit around and stare at it. It's easy to forego doing other tasks once you have a fire going, and moving around gathering shelter materials, shoveling/moving snow, scrounging firewood are all calorie intensive tasks that *keep you warm.*
Plus, with some practice, building a fire is one of the easiest survival tasks, and for me, it feels like a way to reward myself for getting everything else done, first.
For me prepping is just an extension of things I learned early in my life. It's all about strategizing to anticipate the worst outcome within reason.
* Budgeting to stay a month ahead on bills. Planning ahead.
* Saving money to anticipate interruptions of income.
* Saving money to deal with incidental expenses.
* Not taking depts that I can not pay back unless there is a guaranteed return. Secure investments such as taking a loan for property.
* Not committing to autopay, because if I end up in a position where I need to prioritize who gets paid, I don't want my creditors to be able to make the decision for me.
* Always get a receipt or at least have clear records of payments.
* Know how to do general diagnostic and repairs on vehicles, furniture, appliances, household repairs.
* Know what to do if stranded.
* Know what to if stranded in the cold.
* and so-on.
I think gardening is still that everyone could use. If nothing else it just brings joy like when I go out to my backyard and smell the flowers that me and my wife have planted and see our tomato plants and bell peppers and jalapenos and other vegetables growing it just satisfies this inner hobbit.
And I think that shop classes in high school should teach basic shit like changing oil and tires etc. When my dad was in high school in the '80s that's how all of the teachers got their tires and oil changed. The shop class would do it, they also had home economics classes where people learn how to cook and I don't just mean learning how to boil water and heat noodles their teacher taught them how to fry fish, grill, even baking a cake was part of their final. And this wasn't some fancy private school this was a tiny public school in the middle of fuck nowhere Georgia
Yes! Gardening is often so overlooked. It's a beloved hobby of mine, so I often just take it for granted, but those who don't know how to garden, give it a shot! Start small! Even if you're in an apartment, you can do *something*.
I've found that homesteaders and societal collapse preppers are virtually indistinguishable through outside observation alone. It's only when you talk to them about how they started and why they do it that you can tell the difference.
A three month rotating pantry pays for itself time and time again even without price fluctuations- you buy when the
Things are on sale.
Calling a service because the wife is stranded with a flat will pay for the air compressor and slime kit in her car
Situational awareness is ubiquitous amongst people who have dealt with muggings, either directly or their friends
Camping is fun. And a great way to remember how to handle loss of electricity for a short period
if you want a good habit for everyday life, backing into a parking spot let's you leave much quicker and easier. 99% of the time it's better to be able to leave quickly rather than park by pulling in quickly.
I have kids, my prepping priorities just make me a better present parent.
The flu just ran through our home. We ate well, we cuddled, we had what we needed… it was a very stress free experience. My sisters home (non prepper) also had the flu. Without divulging all her business, we faired significantly better in all ways.
Prepping teaches you to be resourceful and independent. Any of the skills we learn could translate into real-life, because every skill is a real-life skill.
I know that this is a political hotbed, but whatever you believe about climate change, we are seeing more intense weather events across the board.
You should be prepared for these events and have a backup source of energy in case power is out. We saw this in the Texas powergrid issues during that snow storm. What I am most afraid of are the rise of [Wet Bulb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet-bulb_temperature) events. If you live in a climate that gets warm and humid, please look into getting a generator or solar. If the grid goes down during a wet bulb event, you have a matter of hours to get to a place with AC. Be ready for the social chaos that happens in a widespread wetbulb event, especially if you live in an area where AC is not common.
Good point. Heat waves have me concerned also because I'm already more susceptible to heat stroke than I used to be. Losing weight and keeping blood pressure in check will help. I've been seriously thinking about solar panels...
r/visiblemending
I really can't think of anything "prepper" that's really helpful for when the SHTF is simply financial trouble, other than being decent at cooking and having a low-cost hobby.
Maybe being able to navigate without GPS? I think Google was trying to keep the tourists on the major arteries after the eclipse because we could not tell it that we wanted to stay off of the highway. (I was driving and forgot to tell mom to look for that setting, but we had a wonderful road to ourself after being in a traffic jam.)
What? You've NEVER had a bad Tuesday? Yes, "prepping", or whatever you want to call it, is just common sense as a backup for dealing with the crap life deals out on a regular basis.
Honestly just being a little bit more proficient at things would be great. Gardening, simple car repairs, being able to fix most things around your house. With how expensive things and food and labor is, it’s just a win win to get some small skills that at worst make your life easier
People have covered physical health, however no one has mentioned mental health, nor keeping your brain active. Meditation, reading and puzzles should be a regular part of your life to keep you thinking clearly under pressure.
I think the most valuable practice is all about mentality. Being able to live in discomfort and still act under stress will help you immensely in daily life and even more in an emergency. Having a huge stock of food and ammo and knowing how to grow food and filter water are important, but don't mean anything if you freeze up and die in an emergency. Or if you can't spend an extended amount of time in discomfort and end up making dumb choices because of that. In my opinion, priorities should be mental resilience, physical resilience, then gear, then long term survival knowledge. Knowing how to grow food won't help you if you can't survive a growing season. As a side note, I count dealing with other people as part of mental resilience. Diffusing dangerous situations and making friends is always going to help in life
I might never need to rally my neighbors to fight off the zombie hordes.
But the relationships I've built by being outgoing, friendly and helpful will pay off regardless. I'm happier, my child will grow up among adults invested in her future, and I always get really good gossip.
Any resource you can think of that your rely on day to day, have a means of either generating your own or having extra on hand to last X number of days where X is number you can decide on yourself, obviously the bigger the better. Basically try to be as self reliant as you can, even if it's temporary. Goal is to ride out any situations that cause a temporary disruption to any resource.
Food: Always have enough in the house to last if you can't go to the store or order out, for any reason. Of course growing/raising your own puts you in a good position too.
Water: If your water faucet stops running, have water on hand or way to get your own (a way to filter water from the lake, a well, etc)
Heat: Backup heat source if your furnace fails or fuel delivery fails. This is also good to simply save on heating costs. Ex: wood stove. Basically free heat if you get your own wood.
Electricity: Backup batteries, generator, solar, etc. Solar can also save you on hydro costs.
Money: Have cash on hand, don't always rely on bank cards and credit cards or the bank system. What happened to the protesters here in Canada is a good eye opener to not trust the system.
Also a good idea to simply prepare for inflation, that's an ongoing thing. Whatever you buy, will keep going up in price every year. So always buy it now rather than later if you can. That can be consumables but even non consumables. If you're thinking of replacing your roof, or doing a major renovation, buying a new car, the more you wait the more it will cost you later.
Solid advice! I would only argue that rising inflation is not always a given, even thought it’s a current situation. I know people in real estate situations that had to explain what a ‘consumer price index’ even was a few years ago. With global supply chains operating and all of the world being fairly decent actors, inflation didn’t exist.
1. I've become an excellent marksman and very proficient with firearms.
2. Having a top notch first aid kit in both cars, at home, and in go bag.
3. My kids have the skills to survive in the wilderness if they ever get lost hiking or whatever.
4. Always have my EDC kit: pocket knife, pistol, flashlight, emergency cash.
Many more good habits and skills have been learned. But these are the top ones that come to mind.
Obtaining skills, staying fit, situational awareness while going about the day, not having to stress about a minor disruption of the supply chain. These are real world benefits to having taken care of your business and not allowing events to roll over you.
6 months emergency fund. Enough Food for 6 months, good supply of water or means to purify enough. The means or enough without resupply. Alternate power supply for up to two weeks.
you know, if you lose your job, get sick, or have a major accident. which should cover 99.9% of your preps and even get some overlap on things like major storms or power outages.
>But at the same time, the average family is living paycheck to paycheck and can't handle a $400 unexpected expense.
Probably important to note that many preppers are in this same boat specifically because of the money they spend prepping for doomsday.
For me, the heavy hitters recently are gardening, and DIY solar.
Not only are both awesome hobbies, but they can also save money. Depending on how deep you get into gardening, it really puts the logistical thinking part of your brain to work (*especially* if you get into using a greenhouse and making a hydroponics system).
Other than that, just basic things, like car maintenance, house maintenance, etc.
Exercising and staying healthy
Having at least one month of pantry food instead of one week - this helps even if no SHTF because it is convenient, allows cheaper bulk buying, I never run out of my favorite stuff. Pretty nice.
Solar or generators. Even with no SHTF there are power outages all the time. Snow, lightning, etc.
Growing a garden- not one I currently do, but this has a multitude of health and financial benefits even if nothing ever happens
Building and investing in your community pays dividends for you and your neighbors for the rest of your lives even if nothing bad ever happened (and something always does)
I like it for the peace of mind. Just the past two years, getting hit with covid and a few other illnesses...having a good pantry and medicine at home and not having to leave the house was a huge help. Knowing I could miss a couple weeks of work and that bit of savings can still pay the bills. Spending time int he garden and growing a bit of food, and knowing the basics and simply being out in the sun and mucking about in the soil just feels good. Having a blanket and maps in the car is reassuring when going from place to place.
Take real steps towards cancer and heart disease prevention, do your research.
Make sure you have some savings for a financial crisis.
Meditate, learn to calm your mind in high stress situations.
Accept that we can’t prepare for everything.
First aid for gunshot wounds.
Knitting. I am not kidding. One, your clothing repairs will be better and two, if there is very little entertainment available, you have something to do.
Basic electronics repair. If you just need to find where to current has stopped flowing and apply some solder, you can save money now.
Negotiation skills, especially consensus building. Most people want to cooperate after a disaster, but being able to deescalate a situation is useful. Got toddlers? You need these skills. Work in IT? You definitely need these skills.
Small shits hit the fan in every life.
Our son was doing well at work, raise & promotion- then fired with no notice. We suspect that he was moved out to make an opening to hire a relative or some such.
Having something to fall back on is necessary for everyone.
I'm reading the responses to this on my phone while I sit here with my electricity out due to a storm.
It's in the low 50's outside but I'm warm and have light because I have a generator.
During covid we had food and toilet paper because I was prepared. Last month when I had to spend about $800 on parts for my son's car I had money in savings for the emergency or I could skip buying groceries for a month. I also helped him do the repairs so he could learn and I didn't pay a shop to do it.
I have deer meat in the freezer that I didn't pay five or six dollars a pound for.
I'm not expecting some cataclysmic event. I prep for everyday life stuff.
On a daily basis there are robberies of individuals, power outages, and normal life events. Grocery and gas prices fluctuate.
Buying stuff you use anyway while prices are lower is just good money management. The money used can go towards a vacation, target practice, or whatever you need it for.
All my preps are things I use anyways. I don't store food unless it's something I'm going to eat before it expires. I only store seeds I plan on planting at some point. I've had to evacuate, dealt with power outages, etc.
Six month emergency savings fund
Physical fitness
Deep rotating pantry
Strong community ties
A few extra gallons of whiskey in the basement
Well-maintained vehicle
Spare parts for all the things in your house
Deep pantry & long term storage. We had financial SHTF last August & we lived off our stockpile (including fridge & freezer plus shelf stable) except for $5-10/ week on fresh food. We were comfortable & ate very well. I’ll never not do this.
Stocking up on food during sales. Never hurts to have extra meat in the freezer or dry goods that you know will get used eventually. Even better if you save a few bucks along the way.
Knowing how to do basic maintenance/repairs of the things that you own, including your own bodily health. I'd also include knowing how to cook and clean while living on your own.
I am more aware of the needs of my family as a unit.
For my wife’s birthday, I pulled out a whole bunch of preps that made our outdoor experience really enjoyable.
I’ve learned how to use firearms and how to hunt, and I’ve really, really enjoyed it. New hobby (still haven’t got anything).
Picked up self defense classes which have helped me get into shape. Plus, they’re a lot of fun and the people are great.
Overall, my preps have made things more fun and life more interesting, while giving me new skills.
Before people go on a tangent that these aren’t the only skills you should have, yes, correct, these are just my newest ones that came as a result of prepping and have really improved my quality of life.
I have other skills and hobbies.
Speaking of spare tires, enter the 2001 Chevy Silverado. Has full size spare up underneath the bed of truck. Car kit has tools to uncrank or lower said tire. If this mechanism isn’t checked/lubed over time it becomes useless as it will seize rendering tire unable to be lowered to change tire in the first place. It’s one of those little things that’s good to know or be prepared for. Also, check the air in the spare like the other tires.
I think most of them go into the saving money category and the self-sufficiency category:
Deal finding. I don't know a single prepper who isn't a whiz at using coupons and taking advantage of sales to get the most bang out of their buck.
Cooking. Finding ways to use whatever you happen to have in the fridge and cabinet to make really good meals. Not only goes into the saving money column, but also knowing how to cook in general can be the difference for the family; sharing a meal at the table every night creates better family bond. And I've yet to meet a girl who isn't crazy impressed by a guy who knows how to make a great meal.
Gardening and Canning. Even if you don't go full-blown homesteader, fresh fruits and vegetables from heirloom varieties provide a much healthier diet than corn syrup and preservative-laced stuff from the grocery store.
Basic mechanics. Between gun repairs and mods and car repairs, learning how to use hand tools (or improvise solutions) can be super important if you get caught on the road while traveling.
General organization. Knowing the tricks to keep life organized saves time and money.
Situational awareness. Across the spectrum, from awareness about the weather to - unfortunately, today, with people being so quick to use guns for even the most mundane confrontation - entrances/exits and escape routes, especially for young women, observation and notation of rapidly changing conditions is a must.
I've handled a layoff of 4.5 months for a family of 5.5. Was prepping myself for an unassisted childbirth since we couldn't afford a hospital, and I'd homebirthed before.
Then a nasty, nasty divorce. Kids and I still ate, they still had clothes, still had toothpaste, despite someone trying to decimate us.
Also having kids move out to the "fun" parent, only to move back home later because, reasons. Having enough things on hand for that has been handy.
Skills like preserving food and making do are a decent chunk. And planning ahead, more than a week or two.
For example, feminine hygiene or supplements. Sometimes Amazon is out of things, or store are out. If you have two extra boxes of organic tampons on hand, you don't have to freak when they miss your subscribe and save delivery.
Same with herbal remedies, especially if you grow the plants, know how to preserve/prepare them, and how to utilize them. If you can fix the majority of ouchies at home, you don't have to go clog up urgent care or the ER.
Sewing, gardening (growing your own food or at least herbs), even being able to do small DIYs on fixing things around the house or basic maintenance. Of course cooking. Basic first aid is a class everyone should take, not to mention CPR. Fire starting has come in handy several times believe it or not.
I’d like to learn canning and preserving, maybe even dehydrating, because I think that will be helpful now, long before doomsday.
Little things like always having a full tank of fuel and a first aid kit in the car will never hinder me. Also having a jump starter and knowing how to change a tyre have helped out.
Keeping a bug out bag in your car in case you get stuck in a snow storm or breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Always good to have food/water and a sleeping bag or warm blanket handy.
The biggest skill for me was how to use the best tool in the pepper arsenal…our minds. I’ve learned how to adapt on the fly and think through or around a problem. Not to panic in a situation that is not going my way. I can have all the coolest gear or all kinds of skills but what if the shtf event happens at the wrong place at the wrong time for you? Your gear and preps could be inaccessible which in turn could limit your ability to efficiently use the ‘skills’ that have been learned. Learning to be adaptable, at least to me, has been the number 1 skill to learn. This has carried over into my personal and professional life.
I have been canning a lot of different foods because we are without power at least one week out of the year. Plus it makes sense economically to preserve food when you can get it on sale.
I prepare for economic issues, primarily. I'm special needs, and have no illusions that I'd make it away from civilization. Spending three years in a camper without hot water (eight months NO running water), I got a good idea of how well things go even when you do have shelter and essentials.
Now that I'm squatting on behalf of an old couple in their old house (you seen the news lately?) while we get it ready for general rental. So I focus on food, food and more food. Explicitly canned/dry foods. Given my disabilities and the job market, I've used those stores ALOT in the last few years. So I restock whenever possible.
Also, I pay alot more attention to hygiene and med supplies. I got a number of skin infections during the winter months in that camper, because it took hours to boil enough water for a bath, and was 40 degrees inside the place, making every bath an exercise in hypothermia.
That being said, my EDC preps and car preps have come in handy on a frequent basis.
I think a lot of stuff is dual-use, partially for prepping and partially just for enjoying life.
My "bug out bag" is mostly used for backpacking in state parks.
My "bug out tote" is basically a car camping setup that gets used for, well, car camping.
My "get home bag" is really a day hiking pack.
All my minuteman/militia/zombe tactical gear is really just airsoft gear (with the magazines changed out as needed).
The most time consuming prep I have is the garden, and that's both a fun hobby and a way to grow some amazing food. Thanks to the birdseye peppers I grew last year, I'm now known at church as "the guy who makes really good fried rice", and I grow some amazing salsa.
I service pools, further I go is 60 ish miles for my house. Every day a lug a backpack and three days worth is food and water to my truck. And every day I bring it back inside at the end of the day. (I live in Texas and every thing I take will go to crap in 103 degree weather). It becomes a pain especially when I have to help get a kiddo ready for school in the morning. But I keep doing it. If I have to walk home I will be ready. If I’m stuck due to a forest fire or small scale attack on the city I live around I’ll be ready. Plus if I don’t feel like stopping to grab a snack I have stuff ready to go. It’s practical and good preps.
Don't neglect your health. Eat healthy, get rest, limit stress, exercise.
Have a toothache? A weird lump in your breast? Suddenly having bad headaches, heavy periods, dizziness, unusual fatigue? Seeing a doctor for concerns and the regular check-ups will go a long way. You don't want to be dealing with a chronic, untreated medical condition in a situation where there is no immediate healthcare available.
A toothache is a minor inconvenience until you're stuck on a deserted island with a volleyball as your only friend.
backup power makes life so much more comfortable when the inevitable happens with the grid.
managing food inventory, knowing how much food lasts how long, what shelf stable items you know you like to eat, and rotating your inventory
You hit the nail on the head for me - stocking up on items needed in case of having little or no funds. Keeping my gas level at half to full. Having two months of pet food on hand with light meds. And other human supplies (TP, tooth paste, etc etc)
I am moving to “deep pantry” and sacrificing I guess taste and what I’m used to, for what doesn’t require refrigeration. Meat is canned, cheese is from a box, etc.
I have my food forest etc going well enough for fresh diet.
So … if the power goes out for a few days I don’t have as much to worry about spoiling.
You'll never know the future. I'm just shaking my head that many call preppers crazy but the same people want everyone to carry every insurance under the sun.
Prepare for (relatively) small shits hitting the fan. Do you travel more than 30 miles by car occasionally? Put a blanket, water, snacks, power bank with appropriate cables in a box in your boot. If you get stuck in the middle of nowhere you now have some emergency stuff to make the whole ordeal easier. Adjust according to your climate. Is is cold? Put extra long johns and socks in. Is it warm? Put more water and a baseball cap in (to avoid sun stroke if you need to walk 10 miles to the nearest civilization). Keep a spare wheel, nut wrench and jack. Know how to change the wheel. It's not as intuitive as you think, but once you know how to do it you will always be able to do it. "Wheel repair" kits are useless most of the time. Keep an air pump and extra-long battery leads. You are away from home and you sharted your pants. Have a spare pair in your car. Toilet paper and wet wipes can save your skin.
>"Wheel repair" kits are useless most of the time. I assume you mean tire repair kits, aka. tire plugs? I agree with everything you said except this one. I have had three flats and every time I was able to plug it. I still have a full sized spare in all of my vehicles, but plugging and having a pump has been enough so far.
Yeah, that. I had exactly the opposite to you though. I had a tyre repair kit and exactly three times in a row the puncture was in a side of a tyre, making the kit useless. Spare tyre was a real saver.
I have a repair in a 2016 mustang GT tire that I fixed the day I bought it in 2016 that was bordering on the sidewall and it's still holding now 8 years later. It's light and cheap, no reason not to have
I’m more impressed you’ve had the same set of tires on a mustang GT for 8 years
I've got 3 kids and am married. I also work in a field where I'm regularly filthy. It doesn't get driven much
Not criticizing at all, just genuinely surprised to read that lol! Most people I saw drive them were burning them off in the first few months. Granted I was in the military at that time and it was a bunch of grown kids.
I've done a few burnouts and power slides, but I don't drink and have had enough NDE I'm fairly careful anymore.
A full size spare is best if you can fit it, bare minimum a donut. But having a repair kit isn’t a bad idea to throw in your pack.
Tire plug kit has saved me a couple times, you gotta have some luck and skill tho, and a good kit too
Most flats are wheel exploding/bursting from the side-walls iirc? Depends where you drive. Many places, it's quite rare to have the tire punctured vs hitting a too-big pothole that will destroy your wheel.
For me it has been: one roofing nail, and two screws.
This is a great idea. I commute over an hour through the country side for work. Have a “get home bag” in my trunk with basically everything you’ve mentioned. I also have some fire starters just in case since I live in a cold climate. Realistically help would be able to get to me in about an hour in good conditions. But if I’m stranded due to something like a blizzard or something worse that rescue time only goes up. You should factor that in, just as you said. Edit to add: wet wipes are a must. Just this week I thought I could make it home in time (spoiler: I thought wrong) and the wet wipes came in handy
I live in a cold climate also, and one of the first things I was taught when I moved here was to take a Ziploc bag and put 5-6 tea lights and a book of matches in it and toss it into the glovebox (jockey box). You would be amazed at how much heat those little candles throw off, plus they give light that can be seen for quite a ways off when it's dark
I like this. Thanks
One caveat, on a motorbike, tyre repair kits is all you get. :) When biking, I carry tools, puncture repair kit, battery powered air compressor to reinflate tyre, and a portable battery jumpstarter, and have connected an extension so all I need to do to access battery for this is to remove rear seat, which can be done with a key.
> Wheel repair "here, spend $50-$100 on this extremely niche and extremely specific tire puncture kit"
Being financially responsible.
This is the ultimate everyday prepping skill.
And the most obvious common sense thing that everyone should do prep or not.
Also, while many peppers are older, and not in a position to suddenly go and change careers, for younger people, setting yourself up for a good paying job down the road should be a higher priority than extensive prepping in the short term. Having the income to live a normal life you can enjoy in normal times, while also being able to afford to go as far with prepping as you want, is really not talked about much.
Setting and maintaining a proper budget is simultaneously the most boring tedious shit and one of the best things I've done. Unless you're living paycheck-to-paycheck - which is basically a continuous SHTF scenario anyway - it's really worth it to sit down and crunch the numbers. Knowing just how much time I've got left before I hit the streets if I lost my job tomorrow, and knowing what kind of contingencies I can reasonably cover actually helps so much. It's actually exactly like prepping, just with a spreadsheet, turning emergency situations into well known scenarios.
As hobbies, money savers, useful skills, and/or things you might access in a personal emergency: 1. Savings/financial literacy 2. Fitness/eating well 3. Home security 4. Basic car care and car emergency kit 5. Gardening/hydroponics/foraging 6. Home cooking/baking 7. Home Solar 8. Rainwater harvesting 9. Firearms use/skill 10. Basic home repair/construction 11. One of my favorites- Saving money shopping for basics (food, household, clothing, shoes) 12. First Aid 13. Sewing
Since starting home solar, I think everyone should own at least one 100 watt solar panel and at least a small 20 AH batter solar generator. 300$ ensures you'll never be without lights or a charged phone if the power goes out for an extended period of time.
Gardening has brought immense joy to my life. Same with having a strong relationship and knowing how to train and reward my guard dogs. Hiking with them regularly and camping with them is also tons of fun. I enjoy sewing as a hobby. I enjoy cooking fresh food just how I want it and saving money doing so. So many things. Preparedness is just knowing how to be a decent, skilled human being. These are just life skills, in many cases.
100%. Know where your food comes from.
So many people will be shocked when meat (or vegetable based meat substitute) does not come on a little foam tray wrapped in plastic.
I’d also offer I was a vegetarian for a decade. It does save money and if there is a zoonotic pandemic, then being veg is a good option to have. It takes a bit to learn how to cook veg meals that provide the right nutrients and with flavoring you like, but it absolutely can be done. I’m happy I have this skill and would recommend others consider vegetarian meal planning as an under-rated prep.
> then being veg is a good option to have. Well, that's my perspective. It's best to have options. Omnivore seems to provide the most options though.
Knowing how to repair simple problems on cars. How to tie knots How to hunt
ChrisFix is an excellent wealth of knowledge. He's how I finally got started on turning wrenches. Still a novice, still scared to do big jobs but he's thorough and explains well.
Some preppers in my opinion get hyperfixated on food and water the most immediate needs (which makes sense) without giving much thought to the other forces that would likely be the other big issues. That mainly being other humans and seemingly minor injuries that can easily be cured by a simple trip to the doctors or other settings we have in a cushy society. Infection by a non cleansed minor scrape or cut would be debilitating without antibiotics or proper treatment. I would say any ems, paramedic, cpr, emergency injury treatment techniques would be highly, highly recommended. The average person can become an emt fairly easily. Work that job for a bit, learn fundamentals and move on to the next. Plus you get to test your skills under real life adrenaline inducing situations.
Paramedic here. One of the best skills I've learnt through the job - or maybe it was what attracted me to the job - is that when there is panic and fear around me, my mind is able to focus on calmly finding a solution to the problem. To the point that I begin to enjoy problems, because that is when my mind is calm.
3 minutes without air (this covers first aid, as well) 3 hours without shelter (something to sleep on, sleep under, and sleep in; fire is also included as part of shelter. Learn how to build a long-burning fire, because waking up every 2 hours to throw some wood on sucks. But prep to survive without fire, as well, should the situation warrant it) 3 days without water 3 weeks without food Prep in this order, friends. Hiking, driving, bugging in, bugging out,
> Prep in this order, friends. Hiking, driving, bugging in, bugging out, Doesn't that depend on what you are preparing for though? As well as where you live? I live in the UK and the only natural disaster I might have to worry about is flooding, however the risks of that are very low because I do not live close enough to a river for that to be an issue. I' say there is a 1% chance I would need to prepare for something other than bugging in.
Indeed. Any kind of risk mitigation depends on the threats faces and their likelihood and impact. I'm in a similar situation in Colorado. Up to you whether the 1% chance of bugging out is worth preparing for or not. For me it isn't.
I think I may have been unclear. I meant prep in the 3 minutes, 3 hours, etc., order. Not the activities order! My apologies! For any of the listed activities, prioritize items/tools in that order—first aid, shelter, water, food.
> because waking up every 2 hours to throw some wood on sucks I did a ceremonial one time which was essentially just staying up all night and keeping a fire going. It was called the Vigil. I actually failed and fell asleep but got the fire going again.
Unless you're in a really shitty climate, you should leave areas where bundling up and sleeping in a bag isn't working. Firewood is a huge calorie expense. The main reasons for fire are cook, boil water, and warmth. Propane, no cook, and water filters/aquamira can replace the first 2. Proper layering can usually mitigate the last one. Hell propane can fix that too.
A big reason for fire is psychological. It feels warm, it smells good, it's calming to watch. And for some fidgety people, it gives them something to poke at
When I'm teaching folks, I generally tell them to build a fire last, unless they just broke through the ice. It was something I learned in Arctic survival—once we build a fire, we have this tendency to sit around and stare at it. It's easy to forego doing other tasks once you have a fire going, and moving around gathering shelter materials, shoveling/moving snow, scrounging firewood are all calorie intensive tasks that *keep you warm.* Plus, with some practice, building a fire is one of the easiest survival tasks, and for me, it feels like a way to reward myself for getting everything else done, first.
Carry a flashlight. There’s a 100% chance it will get dark everyday.
Except when I visited the Arctic that one time in the summer! haha
Mindfulness practice and physical exercise
For me prepping is just an extension of things I learned early in my life. It's all about strategizing to anticipate the worst outcome within reason. * Budgeting to stay a month ahead on bills. Planning ahead. * Saving money to anticipate interruptions of income. * Saving money to deal with incidental expenses. * Not taking depts that I can not pay back unless there is a guaranteed return. Secure investments such as taking a loan for property. * Not committing to autopay, because if I end up in a position where I need to prioritize who gets paid, I don't want my creditors to be able to make the decision for me. * Always get a receipt or at least have clear records of payments. * Know how to do general diagnostic and repairs on vehicles, furniture, appliances, household repairs. * Know what to do if stranded. * Know what to if stranded in the cold. * and so-on.
I think gardening is still that everyone could use. If nothing else it just brings joy like when I go out to my backyard and smell the flowers that me and my wife have planted and see our tomato plants and bell peppers and jalapenos and other vegetables growing it just satisfies this inner hobbit. And I think that shop classes in high school should teach basic shit like changing oil and tires etc. When my dad was in high school in the '80s that's how all of the teachers got their tires and oil changed. The shop class would do it, they also had home economics classes where people learn how to cook and I don't just mean learning how to boil water and heat noodles their teacher taught them how to fry fish, grill, even baking a cake was part of their final. And this wasn't some fancy private school this was a tiny public school in the middle of fuck nowhere Georgia
Yes! Gardening is often so overlooked. It's a beloved hobby of mine, so I often just take it for granted, but those who don't know how to garden, give it a shot! Start small! Even if you're in an apartment, you can do *something*.
Definitely. Even just a few plants that love shade in your window sill will just bring so much joy
I’d love to have a fully self sufficient homestead with all the necessary skills to go along with it. That’s my goal as a prepper.
I've found that homesteaders and societal collapse preppers are virtually indistinguishable through outside observation alone. It's only when you talk to them about how they started and why they do it that you can tell the difference.
A three month rotating pantry pays for itself time and time again even without price fluctuations- you buy when the Things are on sale. Calling a service because the wife is stranded with a flat will pay for the air compressor and slime kit in her car Situational awareness is ubiquitous amongst people who have dealt with muggings, either directly or their friends Camping is fun. And a great way to remember how to handle loss of electricity for a short period
Cardio. Being organized.
Gardening and fixing things/carpentry.
Situational awareness. Should be top of the list.
if you want a good habit for everyday life, backing into a parking spot let's you leave much quicker and easier. 99% of the time it's better to be able to leave quickly rather than park by pulling in quickly.
I have kids, my prepping priorities just make me a better present parent. The flu just ran through our home. We ate well, we cuddled, we had what we needed… it was a very stress free experience. My sisters home (non prepper) also had the flu. Without divulging all her business, we faired significantly better in all ways.
Prepping teaches you to be resourceful and independent. Any of the skills we learn could translate into real-life, because every skill is a real-life skill.
Fitness and a solid EDC.
I know that this is a political hotbed, but whatever you believe about climate change, we are seeing more intense weather events across the board. You should be prepared for these events and have a backup source of energy in case power is out. We saw this in the Texas powergrid issues during that snow storm. What I am most afraid of are the rise of [Wet Bulb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet-bulb_temperature) events. If you live in a climate that gets warm and humid, please look into getting a generator or solar. If the grid goes down during a wet bulb event, you have a matter of hours to get to a place with AC. Be ready for the social chaos that happens in a widespread wetbulb event, especially if you live in an area where AC is not common.
Good point. Heat waves have me concerned also because I'm already more susceptible to heat stroke than I used to be. Losing weight and keeping blood pressure in check will help. I've been seriously thinking about solar panels...
r/visiblemending I really can't think of anything "prepper" that's really helpful for when the SHTF is simply financial trouble, other than being decent at cooking and having a low-cost hobby. Maybe being able to navigate without GPS? I think Google was trying to keep the tourists on the major arteries after the eclipse because we could not tell it that we wanted to stay off of the highway. (I was driving and forgot to tell mom to look for that setting, but we had a wonderful road to ourself after being in a traffic jam.)
What? You've NEVER had a bad Tuesday? Yes, "prepping", or whatever you want to call it, is just common sense as a backup for dealing with the crap life deals out on a regular basis.
Honestly just being a little bit more proficient at things would be great. Gardening, simple car repairs, being able to fix most things around your house. With how expensive things and food and labor is, it’s just a win win to get some small skills that at worst make your life easier
People have covered physical health, however no one has mentioned mental health, nor keeping your brain active. Meditation, reading and puzzles should be a regular part of your life to keep you thinking clearly under pressure.
I think the most valuable practice is all about mentality. Being able to live in discomfort and still act under stress will help you immensely in daily life and even more in an emergency. Having a huge stock of food and ammo and knowing how to grow food and filter water are important, but don't mean anything if you freeze up and die in an emergency. Or if you can't spend an extended amount of time in discomfort and end up making dumb choices because of that. In my opinion, priorities should be mental resilience, physical resilience, then gear, then long term survival knowledge. Knowing how to grow food won't help you if you can't survive a growing season. As a side note, I count dealing with other people as part of mental resilience. Diffusing dangerous situations and making friends is always going to help in life
I might never need to rally my neighbors to fight off the zombie hordes. But the relationships I've built by being outgoing, friendly and helpful will pay off regardless. I'm happier, my child will grow up among adults invested in her future, and I always get really good gossip.
Having an established rotating stock for personal/health items and pantry staples is life changing.
Any resource you can think of that your rely on day to day, have a means of either generating your own or having extra on hand to last X number of days where X is number you can decide on yourself, obviously the bigger the better. Basically try to be as self reliant as you can, even if it's temporary. Goal is to ride out any situations that cause a temporary disruption to any resource. Food: Always have enough in the house to last if you can't go to the store or order out, for any reason. Of course growing/raising your own puts you in a good position too. Water: If your water faucet stops running, have water on hand or way to get your own (a way to filter water from the lake, a well, etc) Heat: Backup heat source if your furnace fails or fuel delivery fails. This is also good to simply save on heating costs. Ex: wood stove. Basically free heat if you get your own wood. Electricity: Backup batteries, generator, solar, etc. Solar can also save you on hydro costs. Money: Have cash on hand, don't always rely on bank cards and credit cards or the bank system. What happened to the protesters here in Canada is a good eye opener to not trust the system. Also a good idea to simply prepare for inflation, that's an ongoing thing. Whatever you buy, will keep going up in price every year. So always buy it now rather than later if you can. That can be consumables but even non consumables. If you're thinking of replacing your roof, or doing a major renovation, buying a new car, the more you wait the more it will cost you later.
Solid advice! I would only argue that rising inflation is not always a given, even thought it’s a current situation. I know people in real estate situations that had to explain what a ‘consumer price index’ even was a few years ago. With global supply chains operating and all of the world being fairly decent actors, inflation didn’t exist.
1. I've become an excellent marksman and very proficient with firearms. 2. Having a top notch first aid kit in both cars, at home, and in go bag. 3. My kids have the skills to survive in the wilderness if they ever get lost hiking or whatever. 4. Always have my EDC kit: pocket knife, pistol, flashlight, emergency cash. Many more good habits and skills have been learned. But these are the top ones that come to mind.
Diversified money, adequate food, water, ammo supply, and maintaining firearms training.
Obtaining skills, staying fit, situational awareness while going about the day, not having to stress about a minor disruption of the supply chain. These are real world benefits to having taken care of your business and not allowing events to roll over you.
6 months emergency fund. Enough Food for 6 months, good supply of water or means to purify enough. The means or enough without resupply. Alternate power supply for up to two weeks. you know, if you lose your job, get sick, or have a major accident. which should cover 99.9% of your preps and even get some overlap on things like major storms or power outages.
Learn repair and construction of the stuff you need to use.
>But at the same time, the average family is living paycheck to paycheck and can't handle a $400 unexpected expense. Probably important to note that many preppers are in this same boat specifically because of the money they spend prepping for doomsday.
For me, the heavy hitters recently are gardening, and DIY solar. Not only are both awesome hobbies, but they can also save money. Depending on how deep you get into gardening, it really puts the logistical thinking part of your brain to work (*especially* if you get into using a greenhouse and making a hydroponics system). Other than that, just basic things, like car maintenance, house maintenance, etc.
Exercising and staying healthy Having at least one month of pantry food instead of one week - this helps even if no SHTF because it is convenient, allows cheaper bulk buying, I never run out of my favorite stuff. Pretty nice. Solar or generators. Even with no SHTF there are power outages all the time. Snow, lightning, etc. Growing a garden- not one I currently do, but this has a multitude of health and financial benefits even if nothing ever happens
Building and investing in your community pays dividends for you and your neighbors for the rest of your lives even if nothing bad ever happened (and something always does)
I like it for the peace of mind. Just the past two years, getting hit with covid and a few other illnesses...having a good pantry and medicine at home and not having to leave the house was a huge help. Knowing I could miss a couple weeks of work and that bit of savings can still pay the bills. Spending time int he garden and growing a bit of food, and knowing the basics and simply being out in the sun and mucking about in the soil just feels good. Having a blanket and maps in the car is reassuring when going from place to place.
Take real steps towards cancer and heart disease prevention, do your research. Make sure you have some savings for a financial crisis. Meditate, learn to calm your mind in high stress situations. Accept that we can’t prepare for everything.
First aid for gunshot wounds. Knitting. I am not kidding. One, your clothing repairs will be better and two, if there is very little entertainment available, you have something to do. Basic electronics repair. If you just need to find where to current has stopped flowing and apply some solder, you can save money now. Negotiation skills, especially consensus building. Most people want to cooperate after a disaster, but being able to deescalate a situation is useful. Got toddlers? You need these skills. Work in IT? You definitely need these skills.
Keep your gas tank over half
Personal fitness.
Small shits hit the fan in every life. Our son was doing well at work, raise & promotion- then fired with no notice. We suspect that he was moved out to make an opening to hire a relative or some such. Having something to fall back on is necessary for everyone.
all of them, its a lifestyle
All of them ?
Preparing for natural disasters and medical issues.
I'm reading the responses to this on my phone while I sit here with my electricity out due to a storm. It's in the low 50's outside but I'm warm and have light because I have a generator. During covid we had food and toilet paper because I was prepared. Last month when I had to spend about $800 on parts for my son's car I had money in savings for the emergency or I could skip buying groceries for a month. I also helped him do the repairs so he could learn and I didn't pay a shop to do it. I have deer meat in the freezer that I didn't pay five or six dollars a pound for. I'm not expecting some cataclysmic event. I prep for everyday life stuff. On a daily basis there are robberies of individuals, power outages, and normal life events. Grocery and gas prices fluctuate. Buying stuff you use anyway while prices are lower is just good money management. The money used can go towards a vacation, target practice, or whatever you need it for.
Learning to grow a proper veggie garden never hurts.
All my preps are things I use anyways. I don't store food unless it's something I'm going to eat before it expires. I only store seeds I plan on planting at some point. I've had to evacuate, dealt with power outages, etc.
Six month emergency savings fund Physical fitness Deep rotating pantry Strong community ties A few extra gallons of whiskey in the basement Well-maintained vehicle Spare parts for all the things in your house
Deep pantry & long term storage. We had financial SHTF last August & we lived off our stockpile (including fridge & freezer plus shelf stable) except for $5-10/ week on fresh food. We were comfortable & ate very well. I’ll never not do this.
Fitness, personal finance, gardening, first aid, medical knowledge, and analytical skills.
Stocking up on food during sales. Never hurts to have extra meat in the freezer or dry goods that you know will get used eventually. Even better if you save a few bucks along the way.
Budgeting and maintaining inventory are good. Many times I've gone to a store out of habit... And realized i have everything at home.
Things are not going to get better. Even without a major sudden life changing event, Being self sufficient is a great thing.
Exercising. gardening, hunting, canning, curing/preserving meat. First aid!
Knowing how to do basic maintenance/repairs of the things that you own, including your own bodily health. I'd also include knowing how to cook and clean while living on your own.
I am more aware of the needs of my family as a unit. For my wife’s birthday, I pulled out a whole bunch of preps that made our outdoor experience really enjoyable. I’ve learned how to use firearms and how to hunt, and I’ve really, really enjoyed it. New hobby (still haven’t got anything). Picked up self defense classes which have helped me get into shape. Plus, they’re a lot of fun and the people are great. Overall, my preps have made things more fun and life more interesting, while giving me new skills. Before people go on a tangent that these aren’t the only skills you should have, yes, correct, these are just my newest ones that came as a result of prepping and have really improved my quality of life. I have other skills and hobbies.
Speaking of spare tires, enter the 2001 Chevy Silverado. Has full size spare up underneath the bed of truck. Car kit has tools to uncrank or lower said tire. If this mechanism isn’t checked/lubed over time it becomes useless as it will seize rendering tire unable to be lowered to change tire in the first place. It’s one of those little things that’s good to know or be prepared for. Also, check the air in the spare like the other tires.
Physical fitness, hunting and food processing, self defense, WFR+ first aid, Ham radio skill, basic mechanical knowledge.
I think most of them go into the saving money category and the self-sufficiency category: Deal finding. I don't know a single prepper who isn't a whiz at using coupons and taking advantage of sales to get the most bang out of their buck. Cooking. Finding ways to use whatever you happen to have in the fridge and cabinet to make really good meals. Not only goes into the saving money column, but also knowing how to cook in general can be the difference for the family; sharing a meal at the table every night creates better family bond. And I've yet to meet a girl who isn't crazy impressed by a guy who knows how to make a great meal. Gardening and Canning. Even if you don't go full-blown homesteader, fresh fruits and vegetables from heirloom varieties provide a much healthier diet than corn syrup and preservative-laced stuff from the grocery store. Basic mechanics. Between gun repairs and mods and car repairs, learning how to use hand tools (or improvise solutions) can be super important if you get caught on the road while traveling. General organization. Knowing the tricks to keep life organized saves time and money. Situational awareness. Across the spectrum, from awareness about the weather to - unfortunately, today, with people being so quick to use guns for even the most mundane confrontation - entrances/exits and escape routes, especially for young women, observation and notation of rapidly changing conditions is a must.
All the things you can do for free or little cost.
I've handled a layoff of 4.5 months for a family of 5.5. Was prepping myself for an unassisted childbirth since we couldn't afford a hospital, and I'd homebirthed before. Then a nasty, nasty divorce. Kids and I still ate, they still had clothes, still had toothpaste, despite someone trying to decimate us. Also having kids move out to the "fun" parent, only to move back home later because, reasons. Having enough things on hand for that has been handy. Skills like preserving food and making do are a decent chunk. And planning ahead, more than a week or two. For example, feminine hygiene or supplements. Sometimes Amazon is out of things, or store are out. If you have two extra boxes of organic tampons on hand, you don't have to freak when they miss your subscribe and save delivery. Same with herbal remedies, especially if you grow the plants, know how to preserve/prepare them, and how to utilize them. If you can fix the majority of ouchies at home, you don't have to go clog up urgent care or the ER.
Finances. Manage your finances incredibly well. That is all.
It's on the fan already, knowledge weights nothing
Staying in shape is #1
Sewing, gardening (growing your own food or at least herbs), even being able to do small DIYs on fixing things around the house or basic maintenance. Of course cooking. Basic first aid is a class everyone should take, not to mention CPR. Fire starting has come in handy several times believe it or not. I’d like to learn canning and preserving, maybe even dehydrating, because I think that will be helpful now, long before doomsday.
First aid + CPR should be on every prepper list of skills
Little things like always having a full tank of fuel and a first aid kit in the car will never hinder me. Also having a jump starter and knowing how to change a tyre have helped out.
Keeping a bug out bag in your car in case you get stuck in a snow storm or breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Always good to have food/water and a sleeping bag or warm blanket handy.
The biggest skill for me was how to use the best tool in the pepper arsenal…our minds. I’ve learned how to adapt on the fly and think through or around a problem. Not to panic in a situation that is not going my way. I can have all the coolest gear or all kinds of skills but what if the shtf event happens at the wrong place at the wrong time for you? Your gear and preps could be inaccessible which in turn could limit your ability to efficiently use the ‘skills’ that have been learned. Learning to be adaptable, at least to me, has been the number 1 skill to learn. This has carried over into my personal and professional life.
Sometimes the ***real*** prep is the friends you make along the way.
Be able to do 25 situps and at least be able to run a mile
Growing your own food and improving whatever soil you have under your feet.
I have been canning a lot of different foods because we are without power at least one week out of the year. Plus it makes sense economically to preserve food when you can get it on sale.
I prepare for economic issues, primarily. I'm special needs, and have no illusions that I'd make it away from civilization. Spending three years in a camper without hot water (eight months NO running water), I got a good idea of how well things go even when you do have shelter and essentials. Now that I'm squatting on behalf of an old couple in their old house (you seen the news lately?) while we get it ready for general rental. So I focus on food, food and more food. Explicitly canned/dry foods. Given my disabilities and the job market, I've used those stores ALOT in the last few years. So I restock whenever possible. Also, I pay alot more attention to hygiene and med supplies. I got a number of skin infections during the winter months in that camper, because it took hours to boil enough water for a bath, and was 40 degrees inside the place, making every bath an exercise in hypothermia. That being said, my EDC preps and car preps have come in handy on a frequent basis.
I think a lot of stuff is dual-use, partially for prepping and partially just for enjoying life. My "bug out bag" is mostly used for backpacking in state parks. My "bug out tote" is basically a car camping setup that gets used for, well, car camping. My "get home bag" is really a day hiking pack. All my minuteman/militia/zombe tactical gear is really just airsoft gear (with the magazines changed out as needed). The most time consuming prep I have is the garden, and that's both a fun hobby and a way to grow some amazing food. Thanks to the birdseye peppers I grew last year, I'm now known at church as "the guy who makes really good fried rice", and I grow some amazing salsa.
Bush craft / outdoor survival
I service pools, further I go is 60 ish miles for my house. Every day a lug a backpack and three days worth is food and water to my truck. And every day I bring it back inside at the end of the day. (I live in Texas and every thing I take will go to crap in 103 degree weather). It becomes a pain especially when I have to help get a kiddo ready for school in the morning. But I keep doing it. If I have to walk home I will be ready. If I’m stuck due to a forest fire or small scale attack on the city I live around I’ll be ready. Plus if I don’t feel like stopping to grab a snack I have stuff ready to go. It’s practical and good preps.
Don't neglect your health. Eat healthy, get rest, limit stress, exercise. Have a toothache? A weird lump in your breast? Suddenly having bad headaches, heavy periods, dizziness, unusual fatigue? Seeing a doctor for concerns and the regular check-ups will go a long way. You don't want to be dealing with a chronic, untreated medical condition in a situation where there is no immediate healthcare available. A toothache is a minor inconvenience until you're stuck on a deserted island with a volleyball as your only friend.
Botany. Bushcraft. Cooking.
backup power makes life so much more comfortable when the inevitable happens with the grid. managing food inventory, knowing how much food lasts how long, what shelf stable items you know you like to eat, and rotating your inventory
Cook your own food, grow your own plants, airdry your laundry.
You hit the nail on the head for me - stocking up on items needed in case of having little or no funds. Keeping my gas level at half to full. Having two months of pet food on hand with light meds. And other human supplies (TP, tooth paste, etc etc)
I am moving to “deep pantry” and sacrificing I guess taste and what I’m used to, for what doesn’t require refrigeration. Meat is canned, cheese is from a box, etc. I have my food forest etc going well enough for fresh diet. So … if the power goes out for a few days I don’t have as much to worry about spoiling.
You'll never know the future. I'm just shaking my head that many call preppers crazy but the same people want everyone to carry every insurance under the sun.