All Things Prepping, Simple Living, Back to the Basics [Survival Today, an on going thread]

CottonBall

[CottonBall]

This is an ongoing thread – meaning come back to chat, post information, or ask questions any time. Hopefully the thread won’t stagnate and I’ll do better at posting weekly (or bi-weekly) topics than I have in the past. (anyone willing to post a topic now and then we'll be highly praised and appreciated).

We are in for some bumpy rides, and prepping can only help. If for peace of mind, if nothing else. We have a wonderful gardening thread and a current-events survival/prepping thread, and hopefully this one can piggyback off of those, maybe having a longer discussion about certain topics or … whatever. It's your thread, do what you like with it! (civilly, of course)

Here are granny’s threads, if anyone wants to peruse them:

nw_arizona_granny’s Thread #1

nw_arizona_granny’s Thread #2

nw_arizona_granny’s Thread #3

[CottonBall]

“Just remember to chunk away any cans that are not sealed. You can tell these by noticing a lid bulging. Also store in dark room. Cooler the better.”

I use Tattler lids, and they just come right off if not sealed. I check them at least every few months, okay I try to do it every few months - it’s more like every 6 months.

I have them in the basement, that’s as cool as it gets here. But dark, thanks for reminding me! The basement is just a big open room right now and we will add walls. That’ll help a lot, putting the food storage in its own room.

Would you be interested in doing a topic on canning? Or anything else you are interested in?

[eartick]

Yes I am proof. I am eating canned peas from 2012 for lunch

[CottonBall]

Our topic this week is Financial Security. I combined 2 posts from Diana in Wisconsin with great get out of debt advice:

“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.

More links for your topic next week. :)

Debt Free in a Year:
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/debt-relief/debt-free-in-a-year-steps-and-strategies/

More Dave Ramsey, My Hero:
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/ways-to-get-out-of-debt

The Case for Being Debt Free:
https://www.cnbc.com/select/being-debt-free-and-how-it-impacts-life/

And while I HATE Mother Government and all she stands for, there IS some helpful advice here from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of all places:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-get-out-debt

Drastic times call for drastic measures!

Diana :)

[CottonBall]

This is your ping to the All Things Prepping, Simple Living, Back to the Basics [a place to come sit on the porch and chat, an on going thread]

This week's topic is Financial Security at Post 403

If you want off/on this list, just let me know.

[JudyinCanada]

Great topic!

I love Dave Ramsey as well. The kids read his book years ago, and it gave them practical and doable steps. The only debt they have now is a relatively small amount on a rather substantial property and business. Debt free is the best.

I would like you to put my name on the list for financial security - do you mail me a check, or can I sign up for direct deposit?

Hahaha unfortunately, it’s too late for me to worry. We’ve already cashed in and are living with minimal expenses, but I like reading good advice for those younger.

[Rusty0604]

Thanks CottonBall! Great topic!

[cyclotic]

We always lived frugally with very limited debt, a small house and cheap cars.

It’s rubbed off on the kids. One owes us a small amount and another bought a car from her brother that she’s making payments to him interest free on. Besides that, zero debt among four kids.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Besides that, zero debt among four kids.”

That’s impressive! :)

When ‘The Middle Kid’ was ready for college, I told him he could live at home rent-free (while enrolled) and I would pay for his fees and books. HOWEVER - he also had to be working part-time to cover his tuition at the local Tech College. I would not pay one DIME towards a socialist state college - he needed to be earning a degree in something that would make a solid living. He also had some financial help from his ‘real’ Mom. I was just his Evil Step Mother. ;)

And now? He’s a Traffic Routing Engineer for a major Midwest city. He’s the one that studies the traffic patterns and has input as to where new roads, road expansion and round-a-bouts are placed for the local DOT. He’s also very knowledgeable on computers, so that helps a LOT with this job.

All accomplished on a pay-as-you-go basis. :)

[cyclotic]

Only one of mine did four year college. He had a job in his field as a junior and earned enough to pay his last two years.

He did have some loans for school. (Some from us). They were paid in full within one year.

He’s an astronautical engineer. He controls a bunch of satellites at nasa.

Other kids are a member of the gig economy, a book editor and a trucker.

[Ellendra]

Right now, the jobs market is pretty bad. You’d think with so many companies crying that “nobody wants to work” it would be easier to find a job. I’m kind of limited in what I can do because of medical issues, but my nephew is the fittest guy I know, and it took him months to find a job!!! Even the one he found is temporary, so he’s still looking for a permanent one.

I have a couple of side-hustles I’m trying to make a go of. Feels like I’m just treading water.

[CottonBall]

“You’d think with so many companies crying that “nobody wants to work” it would be easier to find a job”

I hear that all the time here, that nobody wants to work. Maybe employers are hesitant with the failing economy.

[Iron Munro]

Good subject and good post.

Interest payments on the national debt were $475 billion in fiscal year 2022

Every responsible intelligent person knows the best financial policy is to be debt free.
We know that's not easy but remaining as debt free as possible is a good first step..

The only large personal debt we ever incurred was our home mortgage.

Once we saved enough to buy a home large down payments were required and interest rates were high (9.5%).
We took a 15 year mortgage, made some advance lump sum payments and doubled down on monthly payments as much as possible
By scrimping and doing without we were able to pay the loan off in a little less than 11 years.

Once we owned our home free and clear it made a big and positive impact on our finances.
Keeping the money that would have gone to pay interest is like giving yourself a fat pay raise.

Since then we have stayed out of debt.
We do use a credit card to make almost all purchases but pay it off every month and pay no credit card interest at all - ever.
Plus we get money back - it is a small percentage of our purchases but once again - it is like a pay raise for being financially responsible.

So - if everyday people (like us Freepers) know the wisdom of not throwing away wealth by paying avoidable interest

WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH OUR GOVERNMENT?

Millionaires in Washington borrow trillions of dollars to throw around the world and to finance unnecessary expenditures.
They incur avoidable debt that saps billions of dollars of taxpayer money to pay as interest to other millionaires.

Then they pat themselves on the back and compliment each other on their virtue and generosity.

Right now the federal government is spending about $7 million dollars a minute!!!!!

Republicans control the House of Representatives that (supposedly) controls the "nations purse strings".
But most seem to have abandoned the traditional republican principles of small government and balanced budgets.
Instead they have jumped on the band wagon with democrats and throw billions of dollars around like parade confetti.

They don't even speak out when the president unilaterally decides to hand out billions of dollars that was not budgeted by congress.

And no matter how we vote the debt keeps going up and up at an ever faster rate.

Right now the national debt is about $33.5 TRILION DOLLARS!

And it is currently growing by about $2 Trillion dollars a year!

[CottonBall]

Awesome post, IM!

I was nervous around 2008-9 when I thought our debt was unsustainable. Meaning the county’s. Like you, we scrimped and saved and saved up money for purchases instead of going in debt. Worked on paying both the house and the rental off in 10 years. And only then did we move up to a bigger house, one that we could easily afford. While most of my friends started off with the huge house and crushing debt.

I thought that sacrificing was good enough for us, then the country should be willing to pay off its debt as well. Now it’s so much I think it is unavoidable that we will have hyperinflation to make the debt cheaper.

In 2009 I got food storage, ammo storage, lol, water filters, whatever else we might need, adding to it while rotating. So I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.

[Iron Munro]

In 2009 I got food storage, ammo storage, lol, water filters, whatever else we might need, adding to it while rotating. So I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.

In a way the one good thing that came out of Obama's selection and his immaculation in 2009 is the fact that it prompted many of us to start prepping in a serious way!

We were raised in the post depression, post WWII era when people still had "Victory Gardens", home canned their own food and stocked the larder in case of hard times.

So as adults we followed tradition and kept extra food and goods on hand in case of an emergency but not in a serious, organized manner.

However, like many others, the "Obama Scare" caused us to start prepping in in a more thoughtful way.

[CottonBall]

“the “Obama Scare” caused us to start prepping in in a more thoughtful way.”

That’s very true. Before that I just sort of accumulated an item here, and item there. I went to a full your Supply Plus, and keeping track of everything on a spreadsheet.

[Iron Munro]

BUGOUT BAG WEEK

I have various levels of preps for 3 different situations

1. GET HOME BAG – LOCAL TRAVEL (24 Hours)
(see the detailed list of contents below)
2. GET HOME BAG – EXTENDED TRAVEL (3 to 4 Days)
(I’m working on the content list - hope to post later)
3. TOTAL BUG-OUT
(Get Home Bags and everything else we can fit in the vehicle goes, most is pre-packed in plastic storage bins)

To start with, I have a small “Pistol Bag” that I carry in the vehicle around town most of the time and always on trips beyond the immediate area.

PISTOL BAG
It’s a waist belt or shoulder carry sling bag about 10” x 7” x 5” with multiple compartments
Contents: Pistol with holster and belt, extra magazines, box of extra cartridges, small pistol cleaning kit,
bear spray, Morakniv brand 9” fixed blade knife with sheath, Combination LED Flashlight/Stun Gun (rechargeable with recharge cord)
(if you need a fixed blade knife take a look at the Morakniv line. IMHO they are high quality and affordable)

GET HOME BAG – LOCAL TRAVEL (24 Hours)
Small tactical bag: Waist belt or shoulder strap carry. Overall size 15” x 9” x 6”.
Main compartment is 10” x 7” x 4”. External pockets: 2 side, 1 front, 1 top and external MOLLE attachment points
Plus I have added two small bags to the external MOLLE attachment points
NOTE: I really like this bag it it is versatile, easy to carry and holds an amazing amount of gear for its size
See it here - https://tinyurl.com/GetHomeBagLocal
(a slightly larger size same design 17” x 10” x 6” bag is also available)

CONTENTS
Most items are always pre-packed and I have things like water, energy bars, Lances crackers etc. in the vehicle to add
Small items are packaged together in ziplock bags or vacuum sealed

GENERAL
Document Envelope: copies of IDs, prescriptions, Birth Certs, other important documents, 2 blank checks, extra cash, local folding map,
small folding magnifying glass, pens and pencils, Rite-In-Rain notepad with telephone numbers, addresses, user instructions, etc.,
Small folded up Visqeen ground cloth for sitting, rain cover, etc. (about 4’ x’4’)
Contractor grade trash bags (2)

HEALTH AND HYGIENE
Anti-bacterial disposable wiping cloths – small packet
Toilet paper – partial roll, center tube removed, flattened and vacuum sealed
Aquamira Water filter straws (2)
Potable Aqua water purification tablets
Tick Remover Tool
Small bottle of hand sanitizer - travel size

MEDICAL
Small home-made first aid kit in recycled peanut butter jar (fits inside cup)
Sanitary disposable latex gloves (4 pair)
QuikClot gauze 1 packet
Super glue – 2 small tubes
Alcohol Wipes (10)
Aanti-biotic ointment – 1 small tube
Prescription meds and daily vitamins in small seven day pill organizer
Spare prescription eye glasses and clip-on plastic sun glasses
Asprin, ibuprofen, etc. in small envelopes
Single dose eye drops (Refresh, Soothe, etc.)
Packet of Ben’s 30% DEET Mosquito, Tick and Insect Repellent Wipes
Sunscreen lotion, travel size
Moleskin – 1 package
Chapstick

CLOTHING
Gloves, lightweight shooters or work
Marine Corps Boonie Hat
Mosquito net (fits over Boonie hat)
1 pair socks, wool or wicking
1 pair blousing Bands (substitute heavy duty rubber bands)
Ankle gaitors (to protect from ticks, etc. if trekking through brush or weeds)
Lightweight disposable Poncho
Emergency Space Blanket

SUSTANANCE
Stainless steel cup with handle (first aid kit fits inside)
Plastic utensils and 1 metal spoon (to stir hot soup or beverage)
Military style P-38 or P-51 can openers (2)
Esbit folding stove and fuel tablets
Folgers Choice instant coffee packets (6)
Mrs. Grass dried soup packets (2)
Instant oatmeal packets (2)
Tuna or chicken pouches (2)
Packets of sugar, salt & pepper, etc. in ziplock bag

EQUIPMENT
Small sewing kit (needles, thread, safety pins)
Small roll of duct tape (flattened)
Hank of strong twine - about 100 feet wrapped around the roll of duct tape
Hank of 550 parachute cord - about 50 feet
Small roll of thin wire - about 50 feet
Whistle
Compass on lanyard
Small Binoculars
Small night vision monocular
Matches, wood waterproof strike anywhere in watertight match safe
Matches – 4 matchbooks vacuum sealed
Lighters 3 BIC disposable lighters
Fire starters – Home made Vaseline soaked cotton balls in small reused pill bottle
Glow sticks (4)
UCO Candle lantern with 1 candle inside and 1 spare wrapped in aluminum foil
Small LED flashlight
LED headlamp
Spare batteries in ziplock bag
Leatherman Multi-tool
Pocket knife
Knife sharpener (small flat stick type)
3-in-1 Survival Hatchet
Small folding trowel
Carabiners, load bearing (4)

[CottonBall]

Wonderful lists!!!

That is so helpful , I see i need to go shopping! 😁

[Iron Munro]

It looks like there isn’t much interest in this Prepper thread at this time.

That surprises me what with the open border, collapsing dollar, the resurgence of muslim terrorism with the HAMAS killing spree against civilians including women, children and babies.

Especially with the growing muslim population centers here in the US.

And we even have militant muslims in our own congress cheering HAMAS for the attacks on the Israelis.

[Marmolade]

Thanks for posting your lists. I see some things that need to be gathered together. My kids used to laugh when I gave them emergency tins made from metal coffee cans to put in their cars over winter. They were small but held a lot.

There’s so much to do these days, its hard to find time for the various threads. I have to sneak a read when I can. I used to follow granny’s thread back when. That got me to try canning for the 1st time. The garden is about done, so that will be off my plate in a bit.

[CottonBall]

“It looks like there isn’t much interest in this Prepper thread at this time”

That’s what always happens. I just don’t have the knack for doing whatever it is that keeps people interested. I even forgot to post the topic this week, if I was more consistent that would probably help. I am thinking of going to every other week, just because interest dwindles. so mine does too.

Thanks for your bug out bag information! I’ll post that on Monday or tuesday.