I remember one suggestion I heard a while back; that was to put back a reasonable supply of small denominations of money - ones, fives, and tens, and some smallish coins - because you may need to have some exact change due to cash registers not working. Assuming even that would be acceptable in such an event, but you stand a better chance of functioning with a few ones and fives instead of having a bunch of large bills that require change when you make a purchase. - Hide them in a safe place; and have a decoy piggy bank in plain site with some pennies and nickels and a few dimes in it so possibly a thief would be tickled to find that and move on.
We need to be on speaking terms with our neighbors just in case we have to go to a barter system, too.
We also need to keep our gasoline tanks in our cars reasonably well filled. We live quite far out in the country.
Regarding food; take the advice of Doris Jantzen Longacre (”The More With Less” books from years ago) and SHORTEN YOUR SHOPPING LIST, eat simpler, and quit trying to eat gourmet every day. Be sure to provide for WATER, WATER, WATER. You can’t live very long without it; you can live a long time on less food than you’re used to. I have a lot stored on the “fat of the land”.
A source of heat in winter months is vital. We got a wood stove several years ago; and have not regretted it. Also got an automatic wood splitter that’s been worth every penny we paid for it. Last year, the storms toppled lots of trees on our place; fortunately, husband likes to use the chain saw, but if you have to, BUY some good stove wood. - Also, have some serious cover (quilts, blankets, etc.) squirrelled away.
No one listens to a -
Twinkie -
But, this is some good advice!
I love those "more with less" books....
I'm trying to move away from paper napkins and paper towels...trying to learn all basic cooking and baking with simpler ingredients....