Getting Started - Ideas?

[tcpipdhcp]

I need some help. Some ideas if you will...

I guess I should start by informing you that I am an "all around" prepper. Meaning, I am planning on prepping for anything and everything really - WW3, Natural Disasters are I guess my main concerns though..

So far, to get started I created an Amazon wishlist of things to buy. I figure this way, as I go, I can either order it from Amazon or use it as a checklist when I am at the hardware store or walmart, etc...
The wishlist includes everything from self defense supplies, hunting supplies, food supplies, and other knick knacks.

So I guess my question is this, do you think this is a good start? How did some of you start?

 

[lonewolf]

started with the obvious thing we will all need to survive...............FOOD.

 

[tcpipdhcp]

Food is a definite necessity! I guess I should have added that I have a constant food rotation ranging from wheat, rice, beans, canned goods, and water.
Problem I have with this, I need to learn how to cook and prepare it! I can have all the food in the world, but it's useless if I can't cook/prepare it correctly.

 

[jimLE]

great so far..i believe that your best start,is with with where you are located..your winters are different then where i live.and so are your summers..so at least some your prepps are gonna be different then mine..and here's some items to think of..and ALWAYS keep in mind at all times.just like the rest of us here.unless your a millionaire.your not stocking up,all at once.and not everything can/will be bought online..

at least 1 year supply of food and water.buy what you eat.and eat what you buy.and always rotate your supplies
weapons of choice.might try going to different practice ranges to learn what works best for (you)..
1st aid supplies
extra clothes
feminine products if there's any females in your household.and they make good fire starters as well.
there's a recipe section here.might learn something about cooking there.look for pdf files to download onto your pc and/or cd..and print them,and then put into notebook...

 

[jontte]

check the food section on this forum..and don't be afraid to try,begin at home,then take your cooking gear with you and try it outside,just get the feel of it.
a good blade or two is something you need,any advice on these send a PM to Roninsensei.
first-aid is something to know and the stuff you need,we have several preppers here who knows about this.
take baby-steps and think always when you buy something,is this it,or if I save a buck more and buy that next week,would that be better and last longer, as a budget prepper myself,that's something I need to ask my self quite often.

 

[tcpipdhcp]

great so far..i believe that your best start,is with with where you are located..your winters are different then where i live.and so are your summers..so at least some your prepps are gonna be different then mine..and here's some items to think of..and ALWAYS keep in mind at all times.just like the rest of us here.unless your a millionaire.your not stocking up,all at once.and not everything can/will be bought online..

at least 1 year supply of food and water.buy what you eat.and eat what you buy.and always rotate your supplies
weapons of choice.might try going to different practice ranges to learn what works best for (you)..
1st aid supplies
extra clothes
feminine products if there's any females in your household.and they make good fire starters as well.
there's a recipe section here.might learn something about cooking there.look for pdf files to download onto your pc and/or cd..and print them,and then put into notebook...

Thanks! I definitely don't plan on buying a bunch of items all at once. I figure buy at least a small amount of items each time I go shopping? Just a thought I had. Maybe set a dollar amount limit? But at the same time this worries me a bit, not going to lie... I worry because I fear my area could be due for an earthquake any moment and my supply is rather small so at some point I wonder if breaking down (at least once) and going on a spree would be beneficial?

I didn't think about feminine products being used for fire starters.. makes sense though. I do have a wife though, so will need to find other sources for fire starting Nice idea though!

 

[tcpipdhcp]

check the food section on this forum..and don't be afraid to try,begin at home,then take your cooking gear with you and try it outside,just get the feel of it.
a good blade or two is something you need,any advice on these send a PM to Roninsensei.
first-aid is something to know and the stuff you need,we have several preppers here who knows about this.
take baby-steps and think always when you buy something,is this it,or if I save a buck more and buy that next week,would that be better and last longer, as a budget prepper myself,that's something I need to ask my self quite often.

Thanks to you as well! I didn't see a food section yet... of course, I've only browsed a handful of sections so far... I thank you for the suggestion.
First aid is something I will need to brush up on!
Thank again!!

 

[jontte]

you are welcome

 

[jimLE]

dollar amounts are good..especially when on a limit..check the dollar stores..you might find some preps there.they have chicken and tuna salads in the can,that is if you like food items like that..if you have a extra 5 to 10 dollars on hand for whatever.that'll sure come in handy at the dollar tree...then there's yard sales.i've bought winter jackets,tools and other item at them..

 

[TheShadowKnows]

As for food, my wife and I just throw two or three cans or cheap boxes of pasta or bags of rice in the cart when we go grocery shopping. You'd be surprised how quickly it adds up.

Most important I think are your skills. This goes for everything from camping to cooking, firestarting to basic home repair, First Aid to weapons and self-defense training. All the gear in the world won't do you a lick of good if you don't know how to use it.

 

[Gazrok]

So I guess my question is this, do you think this is a good start? How did some of you start?

I started with a Bug Out Bag (or BOB as we affectionately call them). Just a simple backpack with some basics: Good knife, some food that keeps well, a couple of metal water bottles, a first aid kit, a way to make fire, a flashlight, and any other extras.... You'll constantly add to it, sub things out, upgrade, etc.

I also put a lot of items on my wishlist, and got them as gifts for Christmas, Birthdays, Father's Day, etc.

I got the family involved with this little idea....a car bag. Understand, I have 3 full grown women in my household, so this bag has: a first aid kit, flashlight, lighter, cell phone battery pack (we all have the same kind of charger), brush, OTC meds, spare prescription meds, hair ties, spare socks, food items, feminine hygiene products, spare panty hose, a revolver and ammo, water purifiers, collapse-able water bottle, safety pins, sewing kit, eyeglass repair kit, all kinds of stuff. All in a little bag that fits under the back seat.

So, when we're out, and they need something, just reach in the bag, and we got it. Just this morning, the wife needed a moist toilette for some makeup goof....no problem, it was in there. LOL. This bag went a LONG way towards getting them all on the prepper bandwagon. I just put it together one day, and before long, they were making suggestions for it (and we got a bigger bag, but still amazingly small).

But, now, I'm committed to trying to have the ability to be more self-sustaining. At our ranch, we've got bunnies, chickens, and probably before the year is out, goats. We have a horse, and board horses as well. (Used to have 3, but had one pass, and sold another one). We're starting a garden this year, and planting some fruit trees and berry bushes. Eventually, we'll have some solar solutions for necessary components (well pump, charging station for tools), and other preps....so a work in progress.

Can't expect to just go from zero to prepped overnight. It's very much a building process.

 

[Brent S]

I started with a Bug Out Bag (or BOB as we affectionately call them). Just a simple backpack with some basics: Good knife, some food that keeps well, a couple of metal water bottles, a first aid kit, a way to make fire, a flashlight, and any other extras.... You'll constantly add to it, sub things out, upgrade, etc.

I also put a lot of items on my wishlist, and got them as gifts for Christmas, Birthdays, Father's Day, etc.

I got the family involved with this little idea....a car bag. Understand, I have 3 full grown women in my household, so this bag has: a first aid kit, flashlight, lighter, cell phone battery pack (we all have the same kind of charger), brush, OTC meds, spare prescription meds, hair ties, spare socks, food items, feminine hygiene products, spare panty hose, a revolver and ammo, water purifiers, collapse-able water bottle, safety pins, sewing kit, eyeglass repair kit, all kinds of stuff. All in a little bag that fits under the back seat.

So, when we're out, and they need something, just reach in the bag, and we got it. Just this morning, the wife needed a moist toilette for some makeup goof....no problem, it was in there. LOL. This bag went a LONG way towards getting them all on the prepper bandwagon. I just put it together one day, and before long, they were making suggestions for it (and we got a bigger bag, but still amazingly small).

But, now, I'm committed to trying to have the ability to be more self-sustaining. At our ranch, we've got bunnies, chickens, and probably before the year is out, goats. We have a horse, and board horses as well. (Used to have 3, but had one pass, and sold another one). We're starting a garden this year, and planting some fruit trees and berry bushes. Eventually, we'll have some solar solutions for necessary components (well pump, charging station for tools), and other preps....so a work in progress.

Can't expect to just go from zero to prepped overnight. It's very much a building process.

I agree, don't expect to learn or gather everything you need overnight. Even if you had an unlimited budget, your priorities change over time, so you'll always be growing and changing. I think the bob is a great start, and still think a water purifier in it is wise.

 

[Maverick]

Don't rely solely on supplies! learn foraging, gardening and food preservation, both foraging and gardening are two of the cheapest preps practically anyone can do and easily affordable the only requirement is one's mind maybe a book or two. Sustainable water and food is first and foremost everything else is a matter of comfort.

 

[Shenandoah]

I need some help. Some ideas if you will...

I guess I should start by informing you that I am an "all around" prepper. Meaning, I am planning on prepping for anything and everything really - WW3, Natural Disasters are I guess my main concerns though..

So far, to get started I created an Amazon wishlist of things to buy. I figure this way, as I go, I can either order it from Amazon or use it as a checklist when I am at the hardware store or walmart, etc...
The wishlist includes everything from self defense supplies, hunting supplies, food supplies, and other knick knacks.

So I guess my question is this, do you think this is a good start? How did some of you start?

Agreed, food is imperative! For our food storage, I did the 1+ plan. Meaning, whenever I went to the grocery store, I bought what I needed to replace the used items plus one extra. In a years time we had a full years worth of food storage and actual food that we eat, I'm not sure about you but in a crisis situation, the last thing my stomach needs is a whole new diet to deal with!

 

[Brent S]

Agreed, food is imperative! For our food storage, I did the 1+ plan. Meaning, whenever I went to the grocery store, I bought what I needed to replace the used items plus one extra. In a years time we had a full years worth of food storage and actual food that we eat, I'm not sure about you but in a crisis situation, the last thing my stomach needs is a whole new diet to deal with!

agreed, I have some powdered milk stored in jars with oxy absorbers, that even the thought of drinking makes me kind of ill!

 

[carhugger_prep]

If you want a basic layout of things I suggest you get to for at least natural disasters here is a list.

• Durable backpack (used for GHB or BOB or both)
• Non-perishable food (i.e. rice, pasta, peanut butter, nuts, etc.)
• Water
• Water purification (tablets or drops)
  
• Camping gear (miniature or single burner propane stove, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, etc.)
• Different forms of fire starting
• Plastic tarp
• Candles
• Maps (state, regional, and country)

 

[Gazrok]

Don't rely solely on supplies!

Yep, and practice by going hiking/camping.

By the way, here's a great thing for your BOB/GHB (Get Home Bag)....

Playing cards that help you learn about indigenous plants:

http://www.campingsurvival.com/playingcards.html

They have others too. The more you play with them, the more you retain the info.

 

[TheShadowKnows]

Yep, and practice by going hiking/camping.

By the way, here's a great thing for your BOB/GHB (Get Home Bag)....

Playing cards that help you learn about indigenous plants:

http://www.campingsurvival.com/playingcards.html

They have others too. The more you play with them, the more you retain the info.

My wife got a book of edible and medicinal plants; I think this is a good gift idea for the next occasion! Good find Gaz.

 

[Maverick]

My wife got a book of edible and medicinal plants; I think this is a good gift idea for the next occasion! Good find Gaz.

Just make sure the books are on the geographic one resides in, what's edible in one state may be poisonous in another, I've seen many books talk about the cattail but never warn the reader of the iris look alike in the spring that grows in the same locations, as long as people are aware books are for reference only and not for life saving identification

 

[Brent S]

Just make sure the books are on the geographic one resides in, what's edible in one state may be poisonous in another, I've seen many books talk about the cattail but never warn the reader of the iris look alike in the spring that grows in the same locations, as long as people are aware books are for reference only and not for life saving identification

I've always heard that if you see the wildlife eating it then you're able to as well. I always figured skipping the salad and go for the wildlife first anyways.

 

[Maverick]

I've always heard that if you see the wildlife eating it then you're able to as well. I always figured skipping the salad and go for the wildlife first anyways.

Very true to an extent depends what animal one is following and what part of the vegetation the animal is eating, some will eat the tip of a leaf leaving the remaining leaf giving the impression the whole leaf is safe I've seen deer eat the leaves from a tree that's toxic such as a snowball tree, the deer eats the leafs but the tree is toxic to dogs and humans. I have seen 'survival experts' give wrong information to students that could potentially harm or save lives a good example, the hemlock tree being deadly to humans here I also have read the same thing in books NOT TRUE it's the hemlock 'bush' that is poisonous NOT the tree, the tree has many life saving properties like most evergreens, that is why books are for reference only not a source of facts.

 

[Brent S]

Very true to an extent depends what animal one is following and what part of the vegetation the animal is eating, some will eat the tip of a leaf leaving the remaining leaf giving the impression the whole leaf is safe I've seen deer eat the leaves from a tree that's toxic such as a snowball tree, the deer eats the leafs but the tree is toxic to dogs and humans. I have seen 'survival experts' give wrong information to students that could potentially harm or save lives a good example, the hemlock tree being deadly to humans here I also have read the same thing in books NOT TRUE it's the hemlock 'bush' that is poisonous NOT the tree, the tree has many life saving properties like most evergreens, that is why books are for reference only not a source of facts.

It occurred to me that most areas have a dept of forestry or some type of govt agency that could be a good resource to learn more about you specific area.
I remember a guy named euel gibbons when I was a teenager. He made a big deal of eating all natural stuff, like pine bark and such. Anyways, he died young. The moral here, educate yourself. ( I actually don't know how he died, could've been run over by a bus, but it helped my story .)

 

[Gazrok]

One of the healthiest guys I ever knew, died in his 20's. He was super fit, ate all healthy foods, muscular, handsome dude, had a knockout for a girlfriend.....died from a blood clot one day. When your number's up, it's up.

 

[Maverick]

I eat whats healthy for me and not over doing it, I'm a meat and potatoes kind of guy but I eat in portions through out the day very seldom a large dinner setting, I'm not a sweets eater so I'm safe from that agony It appears to me that more the people follow the governments nutritional guidelines the younger the groups who have ended up with health issues particularly with allergies or have died.

 

[Brent S]

On the whole, we eat like crap in this country. Something like 90% of our food is processed now. My main weakness is chips. I love salty/crunchy.

 

[Gazrok]

Just another reason we're looking to eventually replace any veggies with the ones we grow, and have already switched to just our own eggs exclusively. Now if I could just get the wife to give up her soda poison....

 

[jontte]

mmmmm,chips and toffee....but only once a week,have it that far...

 

[Brent S]

mmmmm,chips and toffee....but only once a week,have it that far...[/quote that's the secret to any guilty pleasure,don't give it up, just don't overdo it. I still eat too many chips, but it takes me a few days to finish a bag. A few years ago I'd polish off one in two sittings. I also like soda, but have cut that down to very little. We had a going away party at work today, and everyone brought something in for the potluck. I was a howser! I had lost 6 lbs, but probably gained 8 just today. It sure was fun though! I love trying new dishes. I snacked all day! Honestly, I don't feel bad about it, but am really glad we don't do this all the time. I guess I'll have to behave for a week to atone . I think if you try to cut out every indulgence you love, then you'll drive yourself crazy.

 

[Dani]

I enjoy a bag of chips (Hijole puffs, I like the spicy cheesy kick ) about once every couple months. . . and yeah they can get polished off in about 3 - 4 settings. But like you Brent I love a potluck which we get about 3 times a year at work for holidays. And Jontte I love me some toffee in some cookies. . . oh yeah those are gone in a couple days too.

 

[Brent S]

I enjoy a bag of chips (Hijole puffs, I like the spicy cheesy kick ) about once every couple months. . . and yeah they can get polished off in about 3 - 4 settings. But like you Brent I love a potluck which we get about 3 times a year at work for holidays. And Jontte I love me some toffee in some cookies. . . oh yeah those are gone in a couple days too.

Toffe in cookies? What a great idea!