Prepping isn’t about hoarding and stockpiling massive amounts of toilet paper (although if you do run out you will miss it). It’s not about living in fear of the unknown doomsday scenarios as played out in the movies. It isn’t just about having an underground bunker that can withstand a nuclear bomb (although if society gets crazy enough you will want to be where they can’t find you).
We will stress the importance of being self-reliant as, at this writing more than 22 million people are now realizing they depended too much on commercial sources to provide for them.
It is time We the People start being less reliant on today’s society and that begins with a more Traditional mindset and prepping. If you are reading this, then your mindset shift has already started. Keep going! So let’s move to prepping.
What is prepping exactly? In a nutshell, it’s about taking care of yourself and your family independent of the government or outside sources. We will always depend on other people to a certain extent, but not to the point where you will die without their provision. Here’s how I started my journey.
MONEY
Prepping takes money. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get a second or third job. First, do everything you can to reduce certain areas in your budget and incorporate prepping in there. Take that money and begin to start on your list of items. Sell things that cost you more than you enjoy them.
Are you working below your skillset or being paid below your ability? Would moving to a different company be worthwhile for an increase in pay? If yes, begin that journey to see where it may take you. But if you need to stay where you are for benefits (see how they get you to so easily rely on them?) or some other reason, you may need to look at a second source of income (and it doesn’t have o be an hourly job).
Do you have a craft, skillset or talent that people would be willing to pay you for? Can you bring that to vendor shows, or sell online? Something that you can fit into the pockets of your day and won’t take you away from your family? Maybe look to start an online business or do network marketing?
There are amazing companies out there that do not rip you off, have low joining options, and great products. But you can get extra income from gardening, selling your canned goods that you make from your garden, build small furniture, provide maintenance for single moms, mow lawns, shovel snow, babysit, offer in-home daycare, etc. The only limitations are those you refuse to do.
SHELTER/LOCATION
Do you own or rent? If you live in an expensive area, would it be beneficial for you to move to a less expensive one? How about downgrade to a smaller or more energy efficient house?
Or if you’re in a large city, can you move to a more rural area? If you have to stay where you are, what safety improvements can you make to the house if needed? Can you garden in a small yard area?
Do you have neighbors that you can get along with? Is your house easily defensible? If you can’t control any of these things, do you have a back-up location you can go to, or a relative’s house you can go to?
Camping skills and equipment are an added bonus for sure, if it ever came down to that. And what if the power ever went out? Do you have an alternative for heating and cooking that doesn’t rely on the grid being operational? If the entire system went down, are you and your family safe?
FOOD & WATER
Non-perishable food and bottled water is essential during these times and what most people look for in emergencies.
Canned, dehydrated, or freeze dried foods are best. While they are expensive, there are ways to offset this if you learn some skills and get some preservation books.
Invest in some canning equipment, freezer containers, and take advantage of your local farms and farmer’s markets.
Learn how to preserve what your local community grows and produces.
I love shopping the bargain bins at the grocery store too. Most sell at a discount any fresh fruit and veggies that are imperfect or slightly bruised, or meat that is close to expiration.
I then use my oven to dehydrate certain fruits, or I freeze them for smoothies right when I get home. Meat is used, canned or frozen. Produce that is about to go bad in the fridge gets prepped and frozen. Leftovers that are more than 3 days old get frozen for quick meals later.
I learned how to make bread, start my own sourdough starter & keep it (I sell pieces of it to friends and family).
My husband hunts and we process our own free range, organic wild turkey and venison, and he’s going to learn trapping. In the summer we fish and freeze them (if we don’t eat the right away!).
My parents live in Idaho and send me some fresh frozen salmon in dry ice in exchange for some of my pickles, jams and sauces from my garden.
Water should be stored in food-grade containers, not just single-use containers. But if you really want to get serious, I would invest in Berkey water system, or something similar (you can make your own too).
And if you lost power or city services, do you have a source for water and a way to filter and sanitize it? If not, those are essential questions to ask yourself. I get my freeze-dried food from www.mypatriotsupply.com.
HEALTH
If hospitals are overrun and you’re turned away, how will you handle an emergency medical situation? Do you have essential items in your emergency kit? Do you know how to treat an infection that is bacterial or viral? What if you have no pharmaceuticals available?
I watched Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy on their YouTube channel for help in this area. He is a licensed doctor and she is a real nurse, and they educate you on how to handle these things in a less than ideal situation.
They also have resources available for purchase, and tell you the best way to build your own medical kits with things you actually need, as well as where to get antibiotics without prescriptions.
But as much as we talk about emergency medicine, the BEST way to prevent any illness and possibility of injury is to increase your overall health.
Any doctor will say losing weight and eating right is what you need for overall health, but there’s more to it. Exercise is also essential, but if it’s done correctly.
Western medicine is great at handling emergencies (for the most part) like car accidents, etc., but we sorely lack in the prevention aspect. The less you can rely on outside, unnatural sources of nutrition and healing, the better.
Also because our food is sorely lacking in nutritional value, vitamins and natural supports are greatly needed. Tablets of multi-vitamins and minerals are primary, especially food-sourced (rather than chemicals). Vitamins B, C, D and E are essentials in times of stress, so extra may be needed.
Herbal supplements to naturally support our bodies are crucial, and learning to grow and forage for them is an incredible skill to have.
Herbalism courses can be taken very cheaply and you just need some basics. I am also a HUGE proponent of marijuana and CBD for medical reasons. I do recognize that marijuana is excellent at relieving pain (which will be essential in any emergency situation), as well as many other health benefits we’re just beginning to understand.
CBD has scientific studies coming out regularly showing that it may help with regulating circulatory, digestive, immune and neurological systems, some mental health conditions, giving a general sense of overall well being, assists your body with stress responses, helps you recover from physical activities, and a host of other issues. It is also found to be ant-bacterial, anti-fungal, and I believe is anti-viral as well.
All these benefits make it worthwhile to Cannabis and CBD in your kit, but make sure to do your due diligence and study up on it before you buy it. Don’t fall for the marketing gimmicks. Oil-based CBD is best and has a long shelf life, where others don’t. 3 to 4 or less ingredients are best. And make sure they have testing!
SAFETY
Personal protection is a must. While many will not agree with guns, I believe they are a necessity when it comes to personal protection.
But in cities where they are not allowed, I would at least recommend learning knife skills and some sort of close-combat techniques such as Krav Maga, and take at least some classes to learn how to handle a gun so if you’re in a position one becomes available, you know how to use it.
For females and children this is especially important. While your bug-out location may be remote and safe, chances are the road there is not. Many local karate studios and gyms offer self defense classes every so-often, and they are worth the money.
But don’t just practice at the class. Continue to do so afterwards on a regular basis. Target shooting is great practice, but situational training is going to be much more practical. Make sure you have good shoes, protective clothing, and that you know how to use your equipment. Spend the extra money to get good quality items instead of cheap ones.
This is by no means exhaustive, but just a starting point, and not everyone will agree. I follow James Wesley Rawles for information and all things prepping. Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy on their YouTube channel. Search for some prepping forums where people share their ideas and experience.
In times where we cannot rely on our government it is up to us to take responsibility for our own and our family’s well-being.
Buy CBD online at www.lifeonpurposecbd.com. We do have a wholesale program option as well for the CBD. I’m also happy to answer any questions you have and figure out dosage!
Facebook business page at Life on Purpose CBD.
Bird Clan Messenger is proud to welcome Meghan to our fantastic group of writers. Megan has been a prepper for more than a decade and will be sharing her knowledge about homesteading, food production, and plant medicine with us. She and her husband live in Eau Claire Wisconsin, USA and are working toward their dream of having a hunting lodge and farm/ homestead and growing their personal business.
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