by CCCooper
Once you are of the mindset that preparing or living a prepared life is necessary, you must first do a self-assessment.
This entails an honest evaluation of you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Ask yourself about your health, your mental makeup, and your specific reasons that you are preparing. Most people have their family as their number one reason for getting started on the journey. What is yours?
So, now you are ready for the actual preparing “STUFF”. Be advised that this will take some dedication on your part. You MUST become a reader if not one already. You MUST become organized, if not so already. Now, we all know there are different levels of preparedness, organization, and mental mindset, but starting the journey is the first step.
Take stock. What exactly do you have on-hand? Water, Food, Medicines, First Aid Stuff, Tools, Sturdy boots, and well-made clothing. Security Items, Knowledge stored in the form of books, binders, print-outs, etc.
Once you have a good idea of where you are, then you can get a good idea of where you want to be. Some people use the buy 2 method. This is simply buying 2 items that you use on a regular basis rather than 1. Stocks are rotated in the FIFO method. (First in; first out) Other folks have a separate savings jar for specific items. They save up over a period of time and make purchases on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis. Some people use a combination of the two methods.
Storage of your “STUFF” must be addressed early on. Where will you put the extras? A well-stocked pantry is wonderful, but your ultimate goal should be a well-stocked HOUSE. Take steps early on to organize your stuff for efficient use. Cabinets, shelving units, storage containers, root cellars, basements, and room additions where possible are all ideas to consider.
OK, now that you’ve started down that road, there is one very important thing to consider. OPERATIONAL SECURITY.
Do not share with the world around you that you are prepping’. Do not explain to the clerk at the big box store or Sam’s Club that you are prepping’. Do not let everyone on your street know that you have EXTRA ANYTHING! Be very careful who you DO share this info with. Your life and the life of your family may depend on it.
Proud 3%er
He who is not prepared today is even less so tomorrow.
3 comments
LEE
April 25, 2012 at 2:18 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I am not new to prepping I was ready when Y2K didn’t happen. But looking at the current world condition I believe that this country is headed for some serious trouble. The problem is that most of our citizens don’t have a clue to what is going to happen. I would like to contact some like minded citizens in Washington Parish for possible discussions on the subject of prepping. I am retired and a christian and feel that the time is near. I feel the necessity for prepping is to be a resorce to my family and neighbors. God bless, Lee C.
gregg
December 13, 2012 at 2:40 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
i feel the same way and its hard when your better half is haveing a hard time seeingwhat you see i was never in to y2k but this is som ething another ball game the heat this sumer was very bad storms 2001 also all the other countrys fighting now north koreoa sending a rocket i really feel its just a matter of time also mayia cal thses people had stones and wod for tools and yet they were able to build temables that were just off the hook and really unreal with being able to look at stars and see whats giong to happen and were we are really doing a bad thing to this place we live earth and its giong to fight back and when it does its giong to be bad sandy was just a warm up for whats coming i just knew if i was right
gregg
December 19, 2012 at 2:49 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
i been watching the sky and the news and the 21 is 3 days i think if somethin g was giong to happen we would be
seeing something and maybe if the white house goes off the cliff then maybe but am really thinking nothing is giong to happen and this might sound mess uped but i wish something would happen like maybe just power for a short while just to wake people up but after seeing the poor littler kids being killed witch breaks my heart for those familys
and resonders but most of the kids were 7 years i am not sure but ithought i saw something some were maybe in the bible or something i might of read it said something about that number