You know that the sheep think we are "stupid" to prep.... of course THEY would be the first ones to show up at your doorstep too so we do not tell anyone other than the select few what we have been doing. As far as food goes, the worst thing you can do is "eat it" or donate it to a food bank or shelter or someone that is in dire need so food to me is just for that..... We have always tried to keep things on hand for none of us know what is going to happen be it our job or some disaster or something worse... We even get things that we can barter with.... We all have our packs in our cars, and we just are about to change the clothing now that its getting cooler weather.... remember to NOT store bottled water in your car, due to the heat I bought us all the boxed water since the temp is better in your car. I know that some folks keep their BOBs at their doorstep I have ours all in our cars and when my hubby and I are together we just toss one that is in the trunk in the car we are going to be going out with. We have a separate pack for medical supplies and that thing has just about anything you can imagine. I also have been buying alcohol products even though we rarely drink... if you have kids you may wish to get board games books and things like that. After I saw a movie that was with Denzel Washington I cannot recall the name of the movie I started gathering up those small wipes that you get at some of the fast food places as well as the plastic ware that has salt pepper and sugar and flatware and napkins.. With the cost of food we have been buying things that are on sale that we LIKE to eat and have been putting those items away too.. I don't thing any of us can ever totally be prepared for whatever especially mentally but I will say that we are not going to be without food, a way to prepare it without electricity.... I even bought roll your own smokes and tobacco and tubes!! I have all of this packaged and put up along with self defense items as well.. Do NOT forget toilet paper ... garbage bags..... WET WIPES..... OTC's... the list goes on and on as well as spices for cooking.. LDS will let you buy from them for the 25 year items and other things as well. I think being prepared is being SMART.

Congratulations on your start, every journey starts with a single step and choosing to prep is that first step, the step that no one here has ever regretted. All of the posts shared here are excellent advice from experienced long term prep experts, take the time to read through the many posts in the history sections on many different categories, I learned a great deal there, valuable information about things like getting water in the desert, some things I knew, some I didn't. How to grow a sustainable gardens, how to choose and care for chickens (okay I love my chickens and fresh eggs, but I raised them from tiny babies and made them pets, never name your food). The peace that you gain from knowing that you and your family are prepared for what could come is priceless and learning how to do these things efficiently and cost effectively is both a challenge and great fun. You will find that the people here are willing to share both knowledge and great humor. Best wishes to you and yours on this wonderful journey to self reliance.

wulfin wrote:I suggest getting a weapon to defend yourself if you have to bug out. One never knows and the world is a dangerous placeith many ill meaning dangerous people.

got that one more than covered !plus i reload my own ammo,so we're in good shape there!

TangoBird wrote: "After I saw a movie that was with Denzel Washington I cannot recall the name of the movie I started gathering up those small wipes that you get at some of the fast food places as well as the plastic ware that has salt pepper and sugar and flatware and napkins.." .

we've been saving those since way before we started preping,glad now we did! BTW,that movie was THE BOOK OF ELIJAH.