I have been talking about prepping since the financial collapse of 2008. Only now I have one sister who is getting around to the potential financial disaster and my older brother is starting to wonder. All my friends only one is starting prepping (he was from Russia) and one living in Baltimore is concern about the Martin trial and possibility the black community may invade the nice white/tourist/rich area if Martin is found innocent. My advice is to store enough food and etc to support immediate family members and another 10 or so people for six months to a year. Biggest hurdle to my prepping efforts is my unbelieving spouse.
So don't prep. Just buy in bulk what you normally buy when stuff is on sale. ;) You can eventually save 10-20% on your food budget if you do that a lot.
It's not prepping, it's saving money.
/johnny