“We are in for some bumpy rides, and prepping can only help.”
Ain’t that the truth! And it doesn’t even need to BE THIS WAY! Grrrr!
“What do you think is the most crucial SURVIVAL topic to start with?”
I probably sound like a broken record, but get yourself DEBT FREE. That, in and of itself, frees you up to so many possibilities and opportunities! Use whatever method works for you. Snowball-Method Debt Payment, Dave Ramsey’s ‘Baby Steps’ or just cut up your credit cards for starters!
How the Debt Snowball Method Works:
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/how-the-debt-snowball-method-works
The Seven Baby Steps:
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps
I was debt free when I retired (I sold my farm, my only debt) at age 56. Having a positive cash flow is so important if you want to buy a generator for your home, pay cash for that big freezer and the side of beef you want to buy below grocery store prices. You don’t have to worry about a big car repair or any other life emergency that crops up (and they DO!) because you’re financially prepared.
I have been ‘prepping’ since I was a kid; I grew up in Tornado & Blizzard Country, so I learned from the best - My Dad. He was always prepared for anything; I felt VERY safe growing up and I still want that level of safety and readiness in my life, today. (Miss You, Dad!)
Yeah, skills learned in the Army helped a lot, too - but you can read an Army Manual for any of THAT kind of stuff. ;)
One more thought: I’m NEVER going to be the kind of hard-charging prepper that wants to be the Last Woman Standing. If things are THAT dire (world war, a nuclear strike, aliens invade us hoping to find intelligent life) *SMIRK* I’d rather head for Heaven than eat bugs and live in a cave or the shell of our former home.
Been making our own canned dog food lately. Boneless skinless chicken breasts and fresh carrots. I can put back a case of it for less than a third the cost of that store bought stuff.
Leo The Snaggletooth Wonderdog absolutely loves it. We do buy his kibble, though.
L
Very good advice and thanks for the links!
Can I use your post as topic number one?
I thought I might ping the list on Tuesdays or wednesdays. I see you do the garden thread on Saturday so that would be spread out enough. Unless you have another idea?
I totally agree with you, Diana. And thinking about CottonBall’s original question of “What do you think is the most crucial survival topic to start with?”, I would say number 1 should be to make sure I am right with God. By that I mean a firm foundation in the importance of a strong personal relationship with Jesus, knowing that He paid the price once and for all for my sins, assuring me of an eternity in Heaven, my life belongs to Him, and what ever time I have left on this earth is His to direct.
I’m trying to imbed as much of His Word (scripture) in my mind and heart in case my Bible is lost or taken away. I’m trying to learn to live in total trust and faith that If and when things get hard, He WILL provide.
That said, I still understand the necessity to prep, and pray that He will guide me with that and keep me mindful to remember that having enough for my family to survive is good, but having enough to share with others around us is also important.
So I guess what I am trying to say is #1 in the prep plan is a firm foundation in attitude and faith to guide the way for all the rest. Because when the SHTF for real it may not be possible to protect all the amassed stored food, planted gardens, generators, ammunition/guns ……