Preparedness Pays: The Longer View

Since there is an interest in longer-term preparedness, I’m going to start a new section (book?) to pick up where Preparedness Pays (the original book in progress) leaves off. There have been requests for discussions on bugging out, with a focus on doing so by foot, and on longer-term planning including how to handle a lack of government (for) response. The need for the latter is one of those things where we do need to look well beyond simple preparedness and survival.

If I had my druthers, and the funds, I would start this with water which is the be-all, end-all, and number-one issue for being prepared. If anyone cares to hit the tip jar, what I would like to do for that is look at and experiment with at least two bulk water purification systems and two to three individual systems. A LOT has changed over the years and one of my favorite systems/companies is no more. Time to do some new reviews with your help.

Instead, I’m going to start with medium- to long-term storage, which is key to the majority of other issues. It’s more than just food, though food justly gets the lion’s share of the discussion. It’s all the things that let you stay as civilized as possible in an otherwise uncivilized situation. It’s about preserving knowledge, thought, and even the spiritual things that are needed for a full life and more.

So, tomorrow we will start looking at some of the different means and options for storage, and how to make use of it as a part of your regular life. Some of what I bring up can and should be used in day-to-day life as a means of rotating stocks while saving on the food budget. And for you to practice certain skills that will add to your everyday menu as well as to longer term preparedness. Also, there are some resources out there that can be used such that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

I’m also counting on your good inputs. Some of my knowledge is out of date. Some of mine is flat-out missing (stupid lightning). Some of what I do gets into over-engineering or otherwise going overboard on some things. I’m hoping you, my readers, will offer up suggestions, share things that work for you, or for you to tell me when I am going overboard. Equally, if I’m not taking things far enough, sing out!

If there is a topic you want to see explored in this series, let me know in the comments or via e-mail. There is lots to discuss, and to think about, especially given how the world seems to be going. While Preparedness Pays (original) was aimed at those who have never dealt with preparedness before, and primarily focused on the short-term, I want to use this series to build on it and take people a bit deeper into preparedness — and how it can make day-to-day life a bit smoother.

If all goes to plan (which it seldom does it seems), we will start tomorrow by looking at options for longer-term storage (glass, plastic, metal, and even concrete). I will say up front that some of my “over engineering” may be geared towards providing more than one item at a time for use and re-use later. Onwards!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.