Posted on 03/05/2011 9:14:08 AM PST by Kartographer
We all realize it won’t happen, but the dollar is very weak. That’s just a fact.
Anything I read about survivalism indicates to keep at least a few weeks or even months supply of food on hand. As far as guns and ammunition, I seriously doubt that one person can protect what they have if people are starving. This means a network of friends is needed. That way the things that you have can be shared and protected.
I do know many people will say they can’t afford it. A food item that costs $1.00 today could cost $2.00 or $3.00 or even more by mid summer. We should all know that gasoline which won’t even store well, especially now with the ethanol can’t really be stored in quantity for any length of time.
The interest on just about any investment is presently much less than the increase in the cost of food. Therefore, a few hundred in savings spent now, will increase in value faster than just about any investment there is.
(Excerpt) Read more at mypeoplesvoice.com ...
If space is an issue you can also use a vacuum sealer or zip lock bags and store in garbage cans- you can even cut plywood rounds to put on the garbage cans, cover with a table cloth and use for a table. I store well packaged food in plastic tubs and that seems to work too. For grains, flour, sugar and things like that the buckets work best for me.
If space is an issue you can also use a vacuum sealer or zip lock bags and store in garbage cans- you can even cut plywood rounds to put on the garbage cans, cover with a table cloth and use for a table. I store well packaged food in plastic tubs and that seems to work too. For grains, flour, sugar and things like that the buckets work best for me.
I cannot emphasize to people enough the importance of getting started.
All it would take is buying an extra five pounds of rice or beans a week, and putting it in a safe/secure area.
If you can do more, that’s even better.
You’re entirely correct in your views. A REAL skill is going to be the only way to survive. It’s how it’s always been.
Good suggestions from all. And don’t forget producing your own food. A small raised bed garden or even a small aquaponices setup can supplement your needs. Backyard chickens can also provide a continual protein supply. Also of value would be first aid supplies and some knowledge in folk remedies. Every little bit helps.
I agree that your brain and bartering is what will make the difference in long-term survival. I do think people need to have stockpiles of vital foods in order to survive until the process of bartering kicks in. I think there will be a messy learning curve for most people that have no concept of trading skills. Everyone will need to be able to survive the short-term turmoil before long-term survival will be a possiblity.
You’re assuming that there will be clean water.
It’s not possible to store “6 months of food”. You’ll have friends and family looking to take shelter, thefts, and wealth when improperly managed (How are you going to turn down friends and family at your door?) will expire quickly.
Don’t focus on it. Focus on news ways to get food daily. This includes hunting, scavenging and “other” (Such as my willingness to steal food from raiders and other “bad people”) That way you’ll know your capabilities at just all times.
Do you have any friends who are Mormon? If so get them to take you to the Bishop store. You will be able to can rice, beans and other dry goods very cheap. A $100 dollars of rice and beans will go a long way when other food is not available.
I’m not assuming anything.
I have AT LEAST 100 gallons of water stored, and I live in the Pacific northwest where water is not a problem.
And I have gallons of iodine solution and bleach...
That one year stockpile is for you and your family and to “share “ with those who have not prepared.
That is the Morman way.
After that....?
I have easily six months of food stored, about 25 of the 18 gal Rubbermaid thingies full of all sorts of stuff, and probably 500 lbs of canned goods.
And no, your are not invited...
Sorry.
I have had good luck saving seeds in canning jars in a cool dark place, I have limited fridge space but have used seeds from many years ago stored in canning jars with success.
Water is one item that is so often over looked in survival planning and yet is one of the most important. That’s one reason why I arranged my Preparedness Manual according to the rule of three:
3 minutes without breathing
3 hours without shelter in an extreme environment
3 days without water
3 weeks without food
This too is in the manual:
From a Sarajevo War Survivor: Experiencing horrible things that can happen in a war - death of parents and friends, hunger and malnutrition, endless freezing cold, fear, sniper attacks. 1. Stockpiling helps. but you never no how long trouble will last, so locate near renewable food sources.
2. Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.
3. After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold’s.
4. If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity - it’s the easiest to do without (unless you’re in a very nice climate with no need for heat.)
5. Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy - it makes a lot of the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs enough heat to “warm”, not to cook. It’s cheap too, especially if you buy it in bulk.
6. Bring some books - escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more valuable as the war continues. Sure, it’s great to have a lot of survival guides, but you’ll figure most of that out on your own anyway - trust me, you’ll have a lot of time on your hands.
7. The feeling that you’re human can fade pretty fast. I can’t tell you how many people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to lose your humanity. These things are morale-
builders like nothing else.
8. Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches
I’m doing all heirloom seeds this year so that I can save them for next. I ordered from heirloomseeds.com and they were very reasonable. Something we’ve done is buy canned beans. They take up more space, but if water becomes too precious then we won’t be using it to rehydrate beans.
Big thumbs up to the gravy, which I have some of in canned form but literally over a hundred of the dried gravy packages.
Three cups of water brought to a boil, toss in a handful of egg noodles or rice, add gravy pack, little pepper, maybe some oregano (in my garden!!! Very easy to grow! It’s a dang weed!)
Then chow down!
(and I’ve tried this scenario a couple times. It is very, very filling, and quite tasty!)
Clean your own water.
Dip water from most any source, even roadside pits. Filter it through a cloth to get the big debris and if further straining is needed, run it through a coffee filter. Then to each gallon add a few drops of Clorox and let it stand over night. The amount of Clorox to use can be found using Google. I have the amount information written on a Clorox bottle with a Marks-a-Lot, but I’m not home to check it.
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