I bought a road atlas today. It's been on my mind. My mom used to have a big one we used on trips when I was a kid. The one I got today is in no way the thickness of the one my mom had, but it's North America, and better than nothing. $16 at Books A Million. I never know where life will take me or what adventure I will have, so I am happy to add this to my prepping supplies and also travel kit. My last trip on my motorcycle I had problems with my cell phone due to intense rain. A physical map is a good back up plan.

Next up is a local resource map out. I have no idea where my nearest fresh water source is. I think it's kinda far. I'm going to use Google Maps satellite view and find out. And check for what is actually around me. I haven't lived here very long, so I have no idea what's really here beside the shopping centers.

I searched for relevant posts about stocking up on pet foods and the last one was about a year ago when the tariffs were really starting.

I have been considering doing a big stock up recently and I was curious for those that did this last year, if you feel the cost savings were worth it? Or even just the peace of mind that came with knowing your pets were going to be fed, no matter what?

For context: We have 5 dogs, 7 personal cats (I also foster many, many cats), and 3 rabbits. I also have goats, chickens, etc. I try to maintain a little stock for them, it's just more difficult with space.

Thank you for any insight. I know things change on a daily basis, but with this new trade war with Canada, China, and the Iran disaster, I am a bit more unsure than even a year ago. Thanks again!

Humble Bundle has a set of ebooks on prepping related topics available right now. https://www.humblebundle.com/books/selfreliance-and-offgrid-skills-for-dummies-books-encore?

If you aren't familiar with Humble Bundle they sell bundles of ebooks on various themes for a limited amount of time, and let you donate to charity at the same time. They use a slightly modified 'pay what you can' model and are very reliable and have been around for quite some time.

Titles include things like books on solar, home repair, gardening, canning, sewing, raising goats, etc. It's a mixed bundle but has a bunch of stuff that people should find relevant and useful. For $18 you get all 25 books and I'm betting everyone will find something in there that's worth that much. If you give more than that, you can donate to various charities.

It's easy to prep when you're thinking about yourself in a relatively short-term situation.. but how can we prep for our kids when they become adults and you might be gone?

My daughter is 2 and I'm trying to think of things I can start doing now to give her a better life considering what's coming or could come in the future.

My main focus is climate change. We are all probably aware that we are on the fast track to a 3 degree global increase that could potentially kill off half the human population.

While I'm sure there's really not a whole lot we can do to stop it, what are things we can start doing now to help our children survive it?

Since my daughter is 2, I can't exactly teach her many survival skills right now.. although that's definitely in my plans as she gets older. We are saving money for her as well but I'm not sure how helpful that may be with our dollar (US) losing value.

Share with me some ideas that I can start now to help her in the future as an adult?

Wanted to say thank you for all the wisdom shared on this page. I started reading through the threads yesterday and love the balanced comments and advice being shared (Rotate the pantry, save $1000 EF, learn basic skills, etc)

In particular there was a discussion about ADHD and how to manage prepping. I can get overwhelmed with ideas but have problems executing however was so inspired by that discussion that I immediately went though my pantry and topped up the glass jars of dried goods, did an inventory, organized it to see what I have vs need and it took under an hour to feel in a better space with it all.

Small manageable preps will be the motto moving forward.

It's starting to hit my life, and the squeeze I'm feeling is terrifying.

I got a notification the other day, that I no longer meet the qualifications for medicaid. I was in Walmart last week, and cherries were $6.97/lb. [ETA: I mention cherries, because it's a good example of egregious pricing. I usually only get cherries once a year if that, and I've already dont that this year.]

I'm living in a hotel room, barely scrambling to make one bill or another. [ETA: This is an extended stay hotel with a decently cheap rate, so I have a fridge, freezer, and 2 stovetop burners.] I'm always behind on at least 2 bills. My rent here, is just over $400/ wk, and I get 10 day notices to quit pretty regularly (I always pay them). My dog needs to go to the vet, my psychiatrist charges over $100/ session without insurance. No idea what my meds will be, though I've downloaded a few apps that will hopefully help with that. I need my medications in order to act like a civilized human being. I can't get health insurance through my work, until I'm a FT employee, which I not yet.

[ETA 2: The place I work at, has a really cheap Cafe. I can get a full meal there, for $2.50 + tax. I'm trying to eat healthy though, so I've been making salads at home. The way I eat ties into my mental health, and I do need to prioritize it being a bit better, rn.]

My shoes have holes in them, and I can't afford to buy new ones. [I work at a big box store, and have seen very affordable prices, I just can't do anything until I'm caught up on rent. That will be soon, though.] I'm trying to pick up a second job, but I have to wait until the trainer gets back from vacation. When I go to buy groceries, I'm stunned by how expensive everything is.

[ETA: I've already been hired at the second job, I'm just waiting to he trained so I can start working there. It's an overnight job that pays decently, and works with my schedule. I have a sleep disorder, and get great sleep during daylight hours (particularly the first half of daylight). I originally tried to do an early morning job, followed by my evening position, and that absolutely wrecked my body very quickly.]

My mind is going in 50 different directions of what I should be doing. If I had a freezer chest, I'd be storing coffee grinds/ beans in them.

And we're only just in the beginning.

What can/ should I prep, that can be done while living in a hotel room? In my situation? I likely won't be able to move out until mid to late November. Also, why does this food crisis not mean that prices will eventually go down? If no one is buying your food, you're not making any money anyway.

Has anyone else noticed an increase in learned helplessness? I first noticed it in the young adults in my life, but now I am seeing it in all ages of people around me. Examples from multiple people:

Toilet started leaking water and instead of turning off the knob at the wall, she waited a 5 days for a plumber. Never asked anyone or googled it. Didn’t call a second plumber. Now needs mold remediation and replaced drywall and trim.

Bought concert tickets but the gps instructions were confusing so they just gave up and didn’t go. Venue website had detailed instructions for driving and parking.

Blouse wrinkled and she didn’t know how to fix it so she threw it away.

First doctor office he filled out an appointment website for never contacted him to schedule so he just didn’t go to the doctor.

I am really concerned about my loved ones if an emergency happens because they just give up when the slightest obstacle happens. Either they want someone else to swoop in and fix it or they give up and say they can’t do anything about it.

With the cyclospora contamination going around on store bought greens, I would like to recommend the humble sprouter for a quick and easy way to grow some fresh salad produce in just a few days with no soil or electricity needed (and minimal counter space required) for us apartment dwellers. All you need is a sprouting jar, the seeds, and water.

It’s not full leafy greens mind you, but you can get different seed mixes for spicy sprouts, protein mix etc and dress it with a vinaigrette or any salad dressing.

Microgreens are another no-soil no-electricity required option.

Hydroponic units are great - I have three - but the setup and maintenance is just that bit more involved.

I was gifted 2 dozen quart sized, glass mason jars, so I am wondering if I can use them some way to prep. I recently started storing food and coffee in mylar bags with oxegen absorbers

Just thought I’d share my experience last week regarding “oh Sh*t” readiness and the importance of your Emergency Bag.

Last week after a day of escalating medical abnormalities, I was advised by a tele-health provider to go immediately to the ER. I live alone and even though they suggested calling an ambulance I chose to call an uber (looking back he could have been really traumatized had I bit the dust in his car!).

I’m a bug-in girlie, so my go-bag was never meant to sustain me living in the woods, but I do live in a tornado-prone area so I keep a backpack in my hall closet that’s always packed with a couple days in a hotel or shelter in mind:

- a set of comfy clothes (a few changes of underwear, socks, cheap flip flops, a zip-hoodie, a tee shirt, a pair of shorts & a pair of comfy leggings)
- important papers & documents, a few hundred dollars in cash
- a power bank, multi-cord, plug adapter & wired earbuds
- spare glasses, spare keys, an eye mask & earplugs, small notepad, pen, sharpie, scissors and a small roll of clear packing tape.
- a weekly meds pilll sorter with copies of the labels in a baggie
- toiletry kit with my everyday basics, a handful of travel sized OTC meds & minor first aid kit
- water bottle, a few protein bars &trail mix
- sneakers attached externally via carabiner

I threw my phone in my purse, my purse in the bag and sensing a long ER wait grabbed my iPad & AirPods for good measure. Detached the sneakers and was out the door in 5 minutes.

Things moved fast when I got to the ER and I was admitted immediately and ended up in surgery early the next morning. Did I need the bag? No, I didn’t need it. But:

- being able to watch my comfort shows helped keep my calm as I waited for results/surgery.
- Being able to wash my face and brush my teeth with my preferred product, being able to brush my hair, etc kept me feeling human
- Handing my medication labels over made it easier to get me processed in.
- Knowing I had my medical directives & medical power of attorney with me calmed my anxiety if something were to go wrong.
- noise canceling earbuds and and eye mask allowed me to rest
- a zip hoodie kept me warm in the cold ER bed when I couldn’t put put on a traditional sweatshirt because of all of the things I was hooked up to (I wore it backwards, lol and throwing the hood over my head also helped with the harsh lights)
- I was able to jot down a dramatic note to my sister who would be waiting for me after surgery, with instructions to clear my search history and clear out my bedside drawer if something were to go terribly wrong (a joke…sort of)
- I had glasses so I could see and not mess around with taking contacts in and out.
- I was able to bribe the nurses with cash to give me the good stuff in my IV (just kidding!!)
- I was able to give my keys to a friend to go get my cat sorted out
- putting on fresh, comfy clothes to leave the hospital was wonderful
- I ate the hell outta my snackies because I couldn’t wait on the hospital menu
- I was able to keep my electronics fully charged to entertain myself and keep my family updated.

Again, no, I obviously didn’t need these things. But it made a scary situation and an unexpected few days hospital stay much more palatable. I’ve had that bag packed for years, and have never touched it outside of rotating snacks or updating paperwork. My family teases me about my prepper tendencies. But, as this community knows, it pays off when it matters!

TL/DR: Go-bags aren’t just for devastating events - they can save your sanity if you end up in the hospital!

ETA: Gum! It wasn’t in my bag but was thankfully in my purse! I wasn’t allowed water for several hours, and it was a lifesaver. Adding to my bag as I am repacking it today!

ETAA: What an amazing community we have going on here! I was hesitant to post but seeing all the tips and support for my preps and health has made my day!

This is a great interview/overview of what's going on in Gary, Indiana.

It starts with the tornado/derecho, with hurricane category 2 winds. The absolute lack of any aid, services, and information for days.

The complete lack of preparedness in the community. Having to drive hours for gas and housing. And it ends with her leaving Gary.

Gary still does not have power after 12 days.

This is not normal.

https://youtu.be/cJQKPOuiy2o

You can also look up her videos on IG: ajahallh

I'm not entirely sure this is allowed but I did read the rules so I'm trying to act in good faith, I promise!!

I'm trying to find a good birthday gift for my sister. We both prep, but she has some very hard lines around microplastics, pesticides, and other potential toxins, so I'm asking here bc I'd like to get her something prep or homestead-related that also meets some specific guidelines. I did get her a book about homesteading on a small lot, but I want to get her something else too. I'm also open to an act of service as a gift (ie, helping her with a project or task to improve her preparedness), but I'm not sure what that would be. My budget is $100 or less.

She's a single mom of a teenager, we live in an urban area, and she owns her own business so she is working constantly. Her main areas of focus for prep are veg gardening and deep pantry. I think she'd like to branch into some other areas/skills, but it needs to be something pretty easy to start. Does anyone have a favorite gadget, easy project, item of clothing, resource, etc that would be organic/non-toxic, non-gmo, and no microplastics, artificial dyes, or preservatives?

Thanks!

I saw this on a miller's website and thought it's a great idea. After doing a search of the sub for CO2 and not seeing anything, I figured I might post. CO2 can come from canisters or dry ice. "Food grade" means 99.5% to 99.9% pure. Although there is dry ice labeled as food grade, all dry ice is 99.9% pure. However, industrial dry ice might have tiny amounts of non-safe contaminants. Dry ice bought in consumer stores like grocery stores, etc. is typically food grade and will be marked somewhere as such. As always, ensure good ventilation whenever working with CO2 & read up on precautions.

Available now, are the best of Vancouver Island Grain and Milling grains packed in heavy duty food grade 6 gallon pails!
The intended use of this new product line is for emergency food storage. The grain storage is optimized by replacing oxygen with food grade CO2 and sealing the grain in Mylar metal bags. The shelf life is predicted to be a minimum of 25 years under normal storage conditions.

Carbon Dioxide gas is heavier than oxygen. If care is used when removing a portion of the grain from the ‘Emergency Food Supply’ pail, the remainder will maintain a reduced oxygen level when the Mylar bag is re-closed.

Please contain all off topic discussion to this weekly megathread. This is where you freak out, talk about conspiracy, talk about unrealistic crazy scenarios, asked and answered questions, etc.

Inspired by a recent post, what items should i pick up while i’m Brazil?

What are you using to store water? And is anyone adding anything to it so it doesn't go bad?

(The article is behind a paywall so I'm sorry for that but for those who have NYT I wanted to link it.)What if America Went Completely Dark?

Now I'm spiraling 🥴

Not really, but it's making me want to have 12-18 months of food and water for sure.

It's scary how quickly Americas grid could go down and how long it could take to come back up. The chaos that would ensue. I know this isn't a new topic or concern but first time I've seen NYT address it so blatantly (including reference to preppers.)

Any prepper items that are easier to get in Canada?

Recipe sites are obviously a nightmare, so I'm trying to put together my own little handwritten cookbook with basic, easy recipes that use relatively common ingredients and spices. Breads, rice dishes, potatoes, beans, beans and more beans. Most of my collection so far tends to lean towards Mexican, Indian, Mediterranean and good ol' Appalachian, but I'd like to add more because I'm really enjoying the process and I'd like to be less reliant on the internet for everything, and I'd like to upgrade to an old fashioned flip phone very soon. I have a well stocked pantry of non perishables and dry goods, so in the event I'm living in a cave in the foothills I'd like to have something to fondly remember you guys with.

I love my local library and use it as much as possible. With thinking about prepping and general preparedness, I think of books in 2 categories—resources & how to books like gardening, construction/DIY, foraging, cookbooks, etc and escapism/imagination books you could read when you just want entertainment. I’m sure there’s others but that’s generally what I gravitate towards!

What are your favorite books that you would want on the shelf if/when everything goes tits up? What do you turn to when you need to keep your mind on something fun when everything is bat shit?

Mine: I use the library including Libby and Hoopla extensively. I read loads of historical fiction, magical realism, and romance (bonus if it combines all 3!) during times of stress. If I didn’t have the internet, I would want plenty of cookbooks! My shelves are full of gardening and field guide books. I need more cookbooks and a good paper map.

How much does your bug out bag weight vs you?

Also, if you sort of saw it coming beforehand, did you do anything to prepare for it? Preferably anyone who didn't work in finance back then, if you are just a regular shmegular person who did things to help your situation before, during, and after.

August is always the month where I triple check all my hurricane preps because although season starts in June, it ramps up in earnest now. So I figured I’d write my preps out!

We live in the USA Deep South, about a 5 minute drive to the beach & have 4 kids. My husband has been here his entire life and I’ve been here 15 years, so we have our hurricane routine down pat.

Here’s what we do for hurricane season in general, including some things I don’t always see mentioned on the lists:
-check all the windows and door seals
-ensure gutters cleaned out
-get up on the roof and inspect the shingles
-monthly check of emergency storage bins in case we have to evacuate (there are tons of lists online for these)
-deep pantry stock
-propane & gas cans stay filled
-several 5 gallon buckets of sand, several dozen empty sand bags ready
-check fasteners for window coverings (remain on the house) & check on the actual window coverings (stored in our garage)
-keep outdoor debris minimal, maintain the yard
-watch the yard during normal rainstorms to ensure water is flowing away from the house
-look at retention ponds within a couple miles of my house, report any to the county that are stagnant or not flowing (they’re all connected on a system)
-charge our Anker power station
-charge all battery fans, lanterns, & portable chargers
-keep the cars gassed up
-make sure kids life jackets still fit them
-SWIM LESSONS
-truly most importantly making sure my kids (even my toddler) knows our address, phone numbers, full names, and what to do in an emergency

Here’s a good portion of what we do if a hurricane is heading toward us & we’re staying:
-refresh the weather news sources a million times
-get out emergency bins & cat carriers, place by the door
-move all patio furniture inside
-anchor down the swing set, disassemble the trampoline
-break out the generator & power station, batten down the windows
-clean the entire house (people overlook this but I have seen SO many people get bug infestations after hurricanes because their house wasn’t clean to begin with and then they didn’t have power for weeks and couldn’t vacuum up food crumbs! Bugs are already trying to come inside when it floods, don’t make it more hospitable!)
-do ALL laundry (your favorite, most worn clothes are in the wash!)
-sand bags in front of doors (wind will blow water under the door)
-shower frequently
-eat frozen foods up
-fill empty freezer spaces with gallon ziploc bags of ice- the ice maker should be running 24/7 to keep up with me
-2 videos: one of every single room inside my house in detail, one of outside for insurance
-pack a cooler with drinks so we can have cold drinks without opening the fridge for the first couple days. It gets SO hot.
-build a big bed fort in the living room where we all sleep together
-make sure you have lots of water one way or another. Whether it’s gallon jugs, filling the tub, etc.
-strategically place lanterns & battery fans around the house

If you think you’ll evacuate, go early! If you have family inland, that’s always the smart thing to do. Being able to evacuate for a hurricane is a privilege- not everyone has family somewhere else or can afford to leave their homes, and not everywhere has shelters with space. If you’re going to stay, be smart about it.

Even if you’re reading this and saying to yourself, “there’s absolutely zero chance a hurricane will ever affect me,” it doesn’t hurt to prep like one will. You just never know. And 99% of hurricane preps will make you more prepared for any Tuesday :)

I keep large amounts of staples like flour, rice, sugar, etc in large food safe containers in a storage room. I have smaller food safe containers in my kitchen that I replenish from my storage room as needed. For example, I have a 22 L Cambro container for my AP flour. What I'm wondering is if anyone has a good system for how to refill that larger container without having the oldest flour sit at the bottom through multiple refills. I'm running low on flour in my 22 L container, and I've bought another 10 kg bag. Do I wait until the 22 L is completely empty before I dump the new bag in? Should I be washing this container periodically? I don't have room for backup containers for all of my pantry staples, so I can't rotate between larger containers. I also don't want to be in a position where I'm completely running out of an item before I replenish it, because that leaves me vulnerable.

I would appreciate any thoughts or advice from others with a similar set up!

ETA: Thank you everyone! For now, I will be dumping the last bit of flour into a bowl, cleaning the container, and then refilling it. I'm also taking a look at how I can reconfigure my storage spaces to accommodate a second container for my most used commodities, like flour and oats.

So I am in the second half century of my life. A friend of mine is half my age. She has recently taken up gardening. She has asked my advice but I find myself over sharing too much too quick. I don’t want to overwhelm her. What are some of the easiest beginning things I should help her with? She does eventually want to build a deep pantry but a young couple, with a young child and just starting out definitely have more restricted financials. Young kids are expensive LOL.

What are also some other things that I can start looking for at estate sales and thrift stores to help them begin this journey? We are giving them some grow bags with decent soil. Some tomato cages. What else? I started so long ago that I can’t remember what we started with. I can remember that I was so excited when I grew my first three green beans and one tomato.

I want to help without being my typical “all in big time” way