What have you all done to prepare for these blackouts/food shortages that are in our near future??? I keep getting popup adds for 3 month supply of emergency food. My pantry is pretty stocked and I have a few cases of bottled water and plan to get more, plus batteries, ammo, etc. But 3 months? Is that a true possibility? I mean better safe than sorry but really?
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Since we have governors who will shut down power during wind or for any reason they can think of and infrastructure systems that can be "hacked" and we just dont know everything they are capable of, 3 months would be the minimum in my opinion. I dont say this to create fear but we need to be real that things could get very bad in some areas and we cant rely on anyone but ourselves.
We have the good fortune to live in a rural area and could get by for at least a year without a trip to town if we had to. The Preppers Handbook, Where there is No Doctor and When Technology Fails are books I have given all my grown kids to help them put together plans.
In addition to having plenty of food, medical supplies, water, and batteries with solar chargers, people sometimes overlook having tons of garbage bags on hand for human waste (if there is no water for flushing), walkie talkies or cb radios (if cell signals are jammed), and a way to cook food - you tube has some great videos on homemade stoves and prepping.
Agreed.... but the 3 month survival kits have me on edge. I get they're probably just trying to make $$$.
It's difficult for most of us to buy a 3+ months of food at once. I've been ordering a #10 can of emergency food every other paycheck for months now. There a Company called Auguson Farms that is reasonably priced, they have a good variety, and it's approx $30 a can.. Check it out
For sure, I wasnt looking to purchase, more focused on the timeframe advertised.
Everything is a possibility at this point.
From what I have read, canned goods are good indefinitely. They may lose texture or whatnot, but apparently they are good decades past their "best by date".
Buy a shot ton of chili&beans when it goes on sale for below $1 a can. It's an instant meal unlike dehydrated beans (which I always have at least 20lbs of as well lol)
3 month minimum. I've been a prepper for 30+ years and always have a years supply of food at a minimum. I keep 24 cases of water on hand and rotate it as my drinking water. A wood stove for heat and cooking.
Years ago I lived on 5 acres in the country in the Midwest. I had gardens, fruit trees, firewood and two stoves, my own well and family near by. Today I'm a city dweller on the East coast with public utilities, a small lot and a small house. I still do my best to have a little garden, store some food and water, and I have a generator, LP tanks and modest home defense. We do the best we can with what we have and trust God for the rest.
Check out YT for videos from experienced Preppers. That is what I did. Got a list of basic requirements and supplies needed. Tells you how much water to save based on how many people you are planning on, how to rotate water, conditioning water, what types of containers...on and on.
That was my best resource for getting my plan in place.
It's good to have a few LED lanterns for reading/eating by. The type with rechargeable battery and solar cell on top so the sun recharges them during the day.
This is just a random link to show you what they look like but you can buy them FAR cheaper:
https://www.mexten.com/product/led-solar-camping-lantern/
In addition to storing food/water/gun&ammo, it's important to have some stuff on hand you can barter with if financial systems break down and you need food and/or supplies. Could be as simple as cigarette lighters (I remember reading a post where this item was popular). Also having silver on hand is a good idea.
I know which company that is with their 3 month supply and I once wrote to them about their fear mongering statements in their advertising. Not that I would not like to have 3 months worth, but, most serious info coming from White Hats say they expect 3 days of no power, but just in case, be prepared for longer, maybe even 10 days. However electricity being out for 10 days is not realistic.Too long. It is implied over and over that we will be shielded from excess ramifications during transitions, and I believe that. II can get by on cans of cold green beans if I have to, but I do have concern about feeding all my animals, and water. Have to build up some extra, and want to get an above ground cistern I can fill, plus the faucet assembly that fits on it. Horses take a lot of water every day, for one thing.
3 months of reserve food is less about you and your family, and more about providing for an entire neighborhood for 7 days.
I purchased two community life straw water filter systems. One for my family and one to throw out to the barbarians if need be. Seriously though, it never hurts to be prepared. There are many events that can send our civilization backwards. You should be prepared to be self sufficient ... forever, if need be. That means at least knowing how to grow food, catch food, clean dirty water, and build shelter. You could spend some money on things to make it easier, but the knowledge is currently freely available.
I do the rule of 3: 3 months to start, 3 years to finish; 3 methods each for food, water, hygiene, cooking, heat, light, protection.
Easy way to start: spaghetti often on sale at $1, same with tomato sauce. To serve spaghetti once a week for a year you need 52 of each. That comes to $104 for the year. Then plan similar with other meals you like.
Then I pressure can foods, like hearty soups, meats, etc, lasts at least 5 years.
I have some of the freeze dried foods but they dont taste great and have lots of salt in them. I have these as last resort.
I do not keep my emergency foods in the pantry.... anywhere but the pantry for When SHIF