Some folks think that I am paranoid, or crazy, but I think that there is no fault in being prepared, especially since it can't hurt anything. Most everyone knows that I take personal responsibility very seriously, and do not have much sympathy for those who fall victim to their own poor planning.

That being said, I am posting this to help my fellow wire folks out (if they want help that is) by posting up some basic ideas, and suggestions for surviving hard times.

Everyone has different needs and scenarios... IE single apartment dweller is going to have different needs, and responsibilities than a married w/6 children homeowner. I will also do my best to offer advice, or suggestions to get you and your family as prepared as possible. For some, this thread may have come too late, but maybe it can help someone. This being said.....I am by NO means an expert on this subject, but It's not rocket science. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
I'll start with what I think is most important.

What you should have on hand
#1 EATS As much food as you possibly can afford to store. The more the better here folks. Wal-Mart, Winn Dixie, CostSavers, CostCo, Sams Club..... are not going to have "shelves *O* plenty" forever. The days of ordering pizza will be over. You will NOT be able to run down to the supermarket, and pick up a pack of ground beef, and taco fixins for mexican night at the "casa de apocalypse"

The More you stock up the better, and buy things that you like to eat. I like rice, and I hate kidney beans, so guess which I have more of?? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> Canned foods are cheap, so buy lots. Tunafish, Spam, soup, fruit, veggies....

If you've got a canner(and you should get one if you don't) you can can things that you buy at the store. I like large mouth mason jars I like these jars because they are so versatile, and you are able to fit large chunks of meat/fish in them without chopping it up into mince meat.

( these also happen to be my favorite beverage container because we grew up poor. It just does not feel right unless there are glass jar lid threads on my lower lip when I am drinking Iced Tea)

Anyway... You "can can" basically anything that you like.... steak, or ground beef, or any other kind of meat that you find in the grocery store, vegetables, wild game, poultry, fish(my favorite(canned brine smoked reds)), or any livestock that you have raised. Canners are awesome. Get one, and learn how to use it.
Wheats... Rice, ,Pastas, Beans, Grits, oatmeal, flour, cornmeal....... The best way to store these guys is in bulk. Food grade buckets. Some folks put them directly into a sanitized food grade bucket, and call it good. Some use 02 absorbers, but the best foolproof way to do this is to use 1 gallon mylar bags, with food grade buckets, and o2 absorbers. This way you can pull a gallon of X out at a time, and not risk contaminating your entire supply. If you have access to a vacuum sealer, then get on it.
Powdered Milk, Eggs, Bisquick,
Other things to get that are often forgotten.....
Cooking oil. Canola, Olive, Corn.. whatever you like.
Sugar. Our society is SO spoiled when it comes to the luxury in food. Try going sugar free for a month, and then eat a nutty buddy. Buy sugar.
Salt. This is necessary if you are going to cure things and hang them to dry, or to add into food. Makes bland stuff taste so much better.

Random Tips. Mormons ROCK OUT on food storage. From what I hear they will let non Mormons make use of their sealing and canning stuff. Just require a deposit on the canner, and a copy of your ID.

This is the method I use. http://www.employsystems.com/stuff/buckets/storing_food_in_buckets.pdf Excellent step by step for using Food Grade Buckets, Mylar bags, and o2 Absorbers.

Youtube video on food storage in buckets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW7_cTn6YpE


Ive got some more posts to make on other subjects in the near future when I am not so sleepy. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />




Medicine/sanitation

Water!!!!

communications / electronics

Security / Personal Protection

skills necessary to go the long haul

As always, we will survive. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />
Ninja Edit.
PLEASE DO NOT POLITICIZE THIS THREAD It is for information related to preparation.

I think this thread has the potential to rock <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> I have my Depression Era grandparents to thank for my knowledge.

Your local Cooperative Extension Service also has many free/cheap publications on all sorts of topics, like how to make your own jerky, can using cans (like tuna fish cans), gardening, etc. The USDA oversees them; you can find them in your State Blue Pages. Ours:

http://www.alaska.edu/uaf/ces/publications/

http://www.backwoodshome.com/store/files/ss49prep-pack.html
Just the pub itself is interesting

I refer to this book quite a bit; I believe it's in its 4th edition:
Putting Food By

What Curtis refers to is this stuff for your basic needs:

Basic Canning Kit It's important to keep in mind that with old canning books, they are sometimes outdated; it's best to pick up new ones periodically, as preservation techniques improve and are safer. Ball and Mason are your main canning suppliers.

I also have one of these; you can make solar ones for your latitudes/temps as well.

Excalibur dryer

I want to try the little panel cooker sometime <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

Solar cooker Lots of YouTube film for these.

Last, but not least, make sure everyone over the age of 12 in your house knows CPR and basic first aid. Contact your local Red Cross for classes.

Bogo had it right awhile back; sugar, salt, n seeds.

There is one important rule you already blew. #1 Don't tell anyone that you have anything saved up for survival, hide it well, don't publicly display that you are much better off. If you did and there is truly survival situation they will come and get it.

Deleting pictures

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Yeah... thats called OPSEC, and will be under

Security / Personal Protection

Got to break the rules sometimes. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You know what?? You've accidentally reminded me of another subject that I'd like to talk about.

Transportation when you can not afford fuel.

I have some other modes of transportation. 2 Wheels and don't run on petrol. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

And your whole end of the world doomsday plan is nuts I think. Just saying. Time will tell I guess. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

First off I did not say anything about the end of the world, or doomsday. Please re-read the title of this thread.

You are correct that time will tell, but as I said before... It can't hurt to prepare.

This is all true. And we wil see what happens. I predict a whole lot of nothing. Aside from the money and ecomony issues.



We have some Mormon neighboors maybe I could get a hookup on a canner. They are off the deepend when it comes to being normal. There son hauled <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> when he turned 18 and moved out west and got married.

My plan, covert to Mormon. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />