[appleseed]

Just a few things to add, my wife is Blackfoot Indian and spent several years in the deepest darkest Mexico as a missionary so my six is covered. We have a stock-pile of food but that is our normal way of doing things. Been my experience that TP is better than grass, leaves or my fingers and I might add that one can't eat gold or silver. Been without electricity so I have all the stuff that requires manpower to operate, just out of experience. Got a bunch of books to keep busy and can also be used as tinder if needed. As far as luxuries, toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne I'm not stockpiling. May be good for bater but I live in the sticks and probably won't be doing much of that.

As far as kids goes, my grandaughter loves stickers. I have about a dozen sticker books which should last until she moves on to another passion. I thank God for the wisdom he has given me to prepare for the worst. When I look at my kids and my grandaughter I see my blessing and I am thankful. My self-reliant life has prepared me to take care of them.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Good for you, having the knowledge will take you much further than gold ever will.

I am 3/4 Cherokee and was born on a sharecroppers farm in the Texas Panhandle, so also know that windmills produce water and it comes in a bucket.

We did not have electric or gas, so used kerosene and wood stoves.

LOL, do I have to admit it has been a lot of years since Texas, but some things one does not forget.

Your family is lucky to have you, for they will be safe.

Lots of folks will miss the really old Sears catalogs....