Also, some preppers haven’t thought of the benefits and security gains of networking, lending a helping hand, being known as someone who will come over with maybe a bag of beans and some useful advice on open-fire cooking, or with some seeds and advice on how to get them started.
I have a lot of hard liquor in my survival stock that I don’t use, while it is good for trading, taking a little over to a house to have a little drink and comforting talk, (especially for the neighbors who miss booze more than they thought they would) and doing some schmoozing, is a way to gather intelligence information and to build the eyes and ears of allies.
Composed people who know things such as what seeds are and how to use them, will be liked and appreciated when people are stressed and ignorant about basic life, and the bigger your friendly bubble, the better your personal security.
The ability to make wine without using store-bought sugar is going to be an important skill, I think! The best wine I ever made was from butternut squash and ordinary bread yeast.
It might be prudent to grow a few tobacco plants every year, even if you don’t smoke. Addictions get worse under stressful situations. And if you choose the right variety of tobacco, it’ll have nice blossoms to enjoy.