Hey Folks, Got More stuff from the big box store..
WHAT WILL THE RAVENING HORDES PASS UP??
probably this stuff...
Snag slimfast too! it's calories and fuel for the body.....slimfast is nothing more than a more expensive version of carnation instant breakfast. which is also something to grab in case you have kids who will be reluctant to eat other stuff. great vitamins, protein, and carbs. also for the kids....chewable gummie multivitamin and gummie fibers (adults too) as well. it's a good supplement to a shtf temporary diet until you can get something more stable...provides a moral boost too (tastes like candy)and that's a good thing on the run. good vid!
5 things you'd never think of to stockpile for economic collapse
If you are cutting back budget now to get your money to stretch here is a tip, If you use a dryer and we know how much that cost. If you can drape till almost dry then use dryer. If you cant do that put a dry towel in dryer with your wet clothes. The dry towel helps soak up water from clothes and cuts down drying time a lot Do 3 loads a week the time it saves is cut almost in half. Use the money you save to get more prep items.
Some things moms with babies want to look at getting are cloth diapers and wipes. Not only are these things great to have for if SHTF but also if mom runs out say in the middle of the night. Also think about if you have babies and are not breast feeding how you will feed a baby? It might be time to stock up on baby milk and other things like gum jel for teething babies and creams. Learning somthing about midwifery is also a good plan. I offten see so many talking about adult survival but never have yet seen a thing for babies and children. I am learning how to make my own soaps and lotions as well as all the other household and body care items I would need in a bad situation. Not only is it better for me and my family right now, it will do well in bad times. Everyone needs to have books for plants and roots you can eat. Also one for healing herbs. One last thing you need lots and lots of is HONEY! Look up all of it's benefits to find out why.
Some things moms with babies want to look at getting are cloth diapers and wipes. Not only are these things great to have for if SHTF but also if mom runs out say in the middle of the night. Also think about if you have babies and are not breast feeding how you will feed a baby? It might be time to stock up on baby milk and other things like gum jel for teething babies and creams. Learning somthing about midwifery is also a good plan. I offten see so many talking about adult survival but never have yet seen a thing for babies and children. I am learning how to make my own soaps and lotions as well as all the other household and body care items I would need in a bad situation. Not only is it better for me and my family right now, it will do well in bad times. Everyone needs to have books for plants and roots you can eat. Also one for healing herbs. One last thing you need lots and lots of is HONEY! Look up all of it's benefits to find out why.
Why Preppers Hoard Pennies
Greshams Law: Bad money drives out good. If a coins containing metal of different value have the same value as legal tender, while those coins made of more expensive metal will be hoaded or exported and thus disapper from circulation.
COPPER is a semi precious metal and a base metal. There have been no significant discoveries of copper in over 100 years. the entire world is running out of copper needed for electricity, plumbing, cable & phone lines.
COPPER is a semi precious metal and a base metal. There have been no significant discoveries of copper in over 100 years. the entire world is running out of copper needed for electricity, plumbing, cable & phone lines.
SHTF: 4 Cheap Good Guns for all Prepper Needs
Pretty good choices for low cost reliable long guns. I have to disagree about not learning on a gun chambered for the .22 long rifle like the Ruger 10/22. The purpose of learning on a gun with low recoil is so you don't pick up bad habits of flinching or jerking in anticipation of the recoil. The lower recoil means you can fire more rounds and not worry about a sore shoulder and the low cost of .22lr rounds makes it cheaper to practice.
Learn to shoot with the gun with the least amount of recoil available to you. 22 is best. Then work your way up. Failure to do this will condition you with a flinching anticipation that will be hard to overcome for the rest of your life.
Stick with the most common calibers in your area. Find out what your military uses. I agree with CP about not being consumed with your gun preps but then again, all things being equal, he with the bigger armory has the advantage.
Learn to shoot with the gun with the least amount of recoil available to you. 22 is best. Then work your way up. Failure to do this will condition you with a flinching anticipation that will be hard to overcome for the rest of your life.
Stick with the most common calibers in your area. Find out what your military uses. I agree with CP about not being consumed with your gun preps but then again, all things being equal, he with the bigger armory has the advantage.
These Preppers Will Die When SHTF
Just because you 'prepare' doesn't mean you'll live through a disaster. In fact, you may even be more susceptible to being a victim compared to that of the average citizen. The difference between preppers that will live and preppers that will die in the event of a major catastrophe are clearly outlined in this video.
It blows my mind how much information people give away about their "prepping prowess" on social media. As far as anyone knows about me I enjoy camping on my free time and I may or may not have a gun. I figure no matter how good you are at prepping you are still just as vulnerable to a gun as anyone. I don't think a SHTF event will happen in my life time but its a mathematical probability that it will happen. So keep the tradition alive so at least my kids or grandkids will have a chance.
It blows my mind how much information people give away about their "prepping prowess" on social media. As far as anyone knows about me I enjoy camping on my free time and I may or may not have a gun. I figure no matter how good you are at prepping you are still just as vulnerable to a gun as anyone. I don't think a SHTF event will happen in my life time but its a mathematical probability that it will happen. So keep the tradition alive so at least my kids or grandkids will have a chance.
The Ultimate Prepping & Survival Checklist
It's extremely important that every prepper has a survival checklist so that they know well in advance all of the things that they will need and require should disaster strike. Your prepping checklist should include things like:
Documents: Even when society crumbles you should still have enough documents on you to prove who you are. These include things like a birth certificate,
Food Checklist: When it comes to food make sure that you get items that you can keep for a long time without spoiling. This includes things like bean, dried corn grain, pastas, nuts etc.
Clothes: Make sure to prepare clothes that can keep you warm in even the harshest of environments.
Medications: Be sure to prepare any medications that you need because it can become extremely hard to find in a survival situation.
The Top 10 Barter Items For A Post Collapse World
I tend to agree that
most of these items are 100% necessary. Are they on your list?
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What to Include in Your Basic Wilderness First Aid Kit
While exploring the wilderness can be an eminently satisfying undertaking, some of the very aspects that make it so enjoyable can also make it dangerous. Escaping from civilization can certainly be freeing. However, it also means being separated from important services—like medical care.
It’s important for each and every member of your party to be well-versed in basic first aid so that everyone can contribute effectively if there’s an emergency.
Building a Basic First Aid Kit
The first step to being prepared for a medical emergency in the wilderness is to ensure that you have the best tools available. Whether you build your own first aid kit or opt for a prepared first aid kit, you should take the initiative to ensure the kit has the following items, and that you know how to use them.
• Gloves, preferably nitrile, as latex is an all-too-common allergen. You’ll want to have quite a few pair—remember, they shouldn’t be reused.
• Athletic tape, 1 inch wide. Bring ample supplies of this—approximately one roll per person multiplied by the number of weeks you anticipate being in the wilderness. Not only is this tape essential for dressing wounds, it’s also great for preventing/treating blisters or for supporting joints (like a twisted ankle).
• Sterile wrapped gauze pads in a variety of sizes. Make sure you get some that are non-adherent, as these are ideal for certain types of wounds like abrasions or burns.
• Rolled gauze or a similar product to help maintain a dressing in place over a wound
• A tourniquet
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Basic over the counter medications: topical antibiotic cream, antihistamines, pain relievers, and gastrointestinal medications (stomach soothing medications, anti-diarrheals, etc.)
Pack your kit in an organized fashion and in a waterproof container.
7 Homesteading Skills You Should Teach Your Kids
More and more people are turning back to the skills from the past to become more independent or even just to escape the fast paced lifestyle that surrounds us.
You can pass these skills on to your children and grandchildren.
You will be teaching them valuable skills that will carry them through life.
Here are some skills you can teach your kids:
Sewing/crocheting/knitting
Start off with a fun project that your child will love to make.
For example, you can start with a simple square quilted baby blanket for a girl's doll crib.
It will teach her to cut fabric, use a sewing machine, and match colors.
Laundry/sorting/ironing/stain removal/drying
You can teach children as young as five to do laundry.
Probably the best way to start is to teach them how to sort clothes.
How to separate white s from colored clothes and towels from jeans, for instance.
You might find that your three your old soon learns how to fold clothes better than you.
Cooking/baking/meal planning/preserving
Give your child his or her own cookbook and they will soon love to make dinner for their parents.
Cleaning/schedules/bed making/organizing/natural cleaners
Cleaning their rooms is one of the first lessons most children learn.
Show them how to do it the correct way a few times.
Teach them how to organize their toys and make their beds.
Gardening/herbs/flowers/lawn care
Children love the outdoors, so gardening is the perfect way for the whole family to participate.
Teach them what weeds look like and what plants look like.
They will learn where their food comes from and how to feed their families by planting a garden.
Wood/chopping/splitting/firestarting
Older children should learn all the basic skills they will need to provide warmth for their family.
Young children can start stacking and hauling wood, even if it is one piece at a time.
Hunting and fishing/gun safety/woods survival/butchering
Familiarize your children with chicken butchering, fish cleaning, and hunting safety from an early age.
They will learn early on where their food comes from and to respect the life cycle.
Children as young as six or seven can start learning basic small animal butchering.
5 Surprising Things That Will Be Like Money When SHTF
When SHTF and society collapses, paper money could be worthless. You will need other items to take their place and for bartering. Items that prolong life or make it more enjoyable will be very valuable commodities. You might want to start investing in some of these items now.
Toilet paper
You probably never thought of toilet paper as something rare. It will be after SHTF. It will be known as "rolled gold." Toilet paper will be an item that will be hard to make after a collapse, so stock up on it now.
Water filtration kits
Water may be the most important thing to have after a disaster. Clean, disease free water, that is. For that, you need a good water filtration kit.
Cigarettes
Even if you don't smoke or can't stand someone who does, you have to admit one thing... Many people will do anything for a smoke after a collapse. Cigarettes will be very good barter items.
Salt
This will be a precious commodity, as it has been in the past all over the world. The word "salary" comes from the Latin word for "salt" because Roman soldiers were paid with salt. Salt is portable and can be bartered in any amount you choose.
Antibiotics
These will keep people alive when the medical system breaks down and conditions are less than sanitary. Of course, you need a prescription, so they are hard to stockpile. However, you can get antibiotics for animals, such as fish, without a prescription. Many people say they are almost identical to the human versions.
75 Bug Out Bag List Essentials
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| (Image by Bill Bradford) |
Seemingly, not a day goes by that news doesn't flash across our televisions or computer screens reporting of the latest catastrophic natural disaster, terrorist attack or threat, or even the imminent collapse of some major geopolitical or economic system. Sounds all too familiar doesn't it...
It's because of these increasingly unpredictable, or black swan events that there's a growing movement amongst individuals like you to be sufficiently prepared, come what may.
One of the simplest, most crucial steps in disaster preparedness is to have a well-thought-out and organized bug out bag list to aid in your preparations. This will ensure you have the equipment needed to make your departure from an area of disorder or complete chaos a safe one.
A Bug Out Bag List is Not One Size Fits All
An excellent bug out bag starts with a great bug out bag list.
It doesn't necessarily mean everything you put on the list will end up going into your bag, but at least you've got a pretty good idea of where to start.
The last thing you want to happen is not start because you don't now how. Especially if you're just beginning, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the ton of information out there.
Some of it's really good. Some of it's... not.
Building A Bug Out Bag Does Not Have to Be Difficult
Building your own customized bug out bag doesn't have to be difficult. In fact, it should be a fun and enjoyable experience. After all, having a solid bug out plan, and knowing that you're planning well-in-advance should help put your mind at ease about "SHTF" scenarios.
So whether you're new to the idea of bugging out, or you've been in this neck of the woods for a while now, there's most likely something you can take away from the following.
Choosing a Bug Out Bag
The first item on your bug out bag list is the bag itself. There are several schools of thought on this topic, of which the two main ones are:
1) You should choose the best bag for you
2) You should only choose the bag after you have the items
Regardless of how you decide to go about it, make sure your bug out bag is durable, fits you well and is comfortable and has plenty of storage space and compartments to stow your survival gear.
Make sure your bug out bag list includes the following items:
Water and Hydration
Arguably the most important bug out bag essentials are related to water and hydration. The human body can go without water for only 72 hours, whereas it can go without food for about 3 weeks. Water is an absolute must-have in your bug out bag. One liter minimum, per day, per person is highly recommended.
Recommended items critical to adequate hydration are listed below.
- Drinking Water (3 Liters)
- Collapsible Water Bottle
- Hard Water Bottle
- Metal Water Bottle / Canteen
- Water Filters / Purification Systems
- Water Purification Tablets (Qty 3)
Food and Food Preparation
Next up are food stuffs. In the preparedness community there are a lot of people eager to recommend various products, mostly off-the-shelf, dehydrated, store-bought items. A goog bug out bag list contains a variety of non-perishable food items, some that might require water and some that don't. In a real bug out situation, you don't know how scarce your water source might be. To be safe, plan for more scarce than you think.
Most of these items are self-explanatory, but the important thing to know now is, you'll want enough food to last three days at least. Multiply your food requirements by the number of people that would be traveliing with you. For heat-resistance and durability, make sure you have metal cooking utensils and cookware.
- Protein / Energy Bars (Qty 6)
- MREs / Dehydrated Meals (Qty 3)
- Spork
- P-38 Can Opener
- Metal Cooking Pot
- Metal Cup
- Pot Scrubber
- Portable Stove
- Stove Fuel (Qty 8 Tablets)
Clothing
Choosing clothing for your bug out bag is a very personalized selection as everyone has different body types, tolerances and levels of fitness. The items listed below are to be strategically layered to maintain a healthy, comfortable body temperature at all times.
Your clothes selection will obviously depend on your location, climate and the other factors listed above. You should evaluate your bug out bag every six months. At these times you'll want to have a seasonal selection of clothes that you can swap out when necessary.
At least two changes of clothes ensure you can always have a dry set to wear. The last thing you want while bugging out, and in the elements, is wet clothes. Not only are they uncomfortable, but hypothermia is a real concern not to be taken lightly.
- Lightweight Long Sleeve Shirt
- Convertible (Zip-Off) Pants
- Underwear
- Wool Hiking Socks (Qty 3 pair)
- Medium Weight Fleece
- Hat w/ Flex Brim
- Working Gloves
- Rain Poncho
- Shemagh
Shelter and Bedding
At first glance, to the experienced survivalist, some of the items listed for this category might seem excessive or even impractical. But the items on this list are specifically made compact and lightweight with the backpacker in mind.
Yes, you can make a shelter out of a tarp or use a trash bag filled with leaves as a makeshift ground pad, but these items are a wise choice to include for numerous reasons. Being well-rested, both mentally and physically, is extremely important when times are rough. Do what you can to make sure you're at your mental and physical peak at all times.
- Tarp
- Tent
- Sleeping Bag
- Ground Pad
- Wool Blanket
Heat Source
Having several means for starting a fire is also essential when bugging out. The following basics should be included in every bug out bag. The reason being, there is a saying in the survivalist and firearms communities:
"Where there are two, there's one. Where there's one, there's none."
Essentially that means, if you don't have a back up, and your primary fails you... you're toast.
For that very reason, have at least three different means of starting a fire on your bug out bag list of items to pack.
- Ignition Source (Qty 3)
- Tinder (Qty 3)
- Waterproof Storage
First Aid
First aid is one of those areas where there are a lot of "done for you" type products out there that just aren't well-suited for a survival kit. Look for first aid kits that are specifically made for "survival" and have high ratings from reputable sources. Of course, you can always build your own if you know the right items to include.
- First Aid Kit
- Insect Repellant
- Mylar Survival Blanket
Hygiene
Various aspects of personal hygiene are often overlooked when compiling a bug out bag list of essentials. But the implications of forgoing any of these for an extended period of time might lead to infections and a rapid deterioration in health. When bugging out, you need to be at the top of your game, so be sure to pack these items.
- Wet Napkins
- Hand Sanitizer
- All-Purpose Camp Soap
- Hygiene/Signal Mirror
- Small Pack Towel
- Travel Toilet Paper (Qty 2)
Tools
Next to weapons, this is the one category that everyone loves to go crazy over. And it's easy to see why; gadgets are cool, and some of these are especially sweet. But remember this: "every ounce counts." Determine the must-haves and forget the rest. That said, consider including the following three tools in your bug out bag.
- Survival Knife
- Multi-Tool
- Machete
Lighting
Illumination, like fire sources, is something you'll need multiple instances of as well. If one fails or you lose it somehow, you have another to take its place. Each item listed below has multiple uses, but they all serve the same purpose - helping you see what you're doing or find where you're going. Don't forget the extra batteries!
- LED Headlamp
- Mini LED Keychain
- Light Glowstick
- Mini LED Light
- Candles
- Batteries
Communications
Communications is another highly contested category in the preparedness community. Not all potential scenarios will allow for use of these items, but if your situation does, you'll be glad to have these items with you.
- Cell Phone
- Crank Power Charger
- Emergency Radio with Hand Crank
Travel Aids
Depending on the situation you find yourself in, these items might prove quite useful. Don't leave home without carefully thinking these through first.
- Documentation (Passport, Identification etc.)
- $500 Minimum in Small Bills
- Quarters (Qty 8)
- Gold / Silver Bullion Coins
- Local Area Map
- Compass
- Small Note Pad / Pencil
- Emergency Whistle
Self Defense
Without a doubt, this is a controversial topic.
Self defense is something everyone should give serious consideration. Bugging out, in its severest of circumstances, is a survive or die proposition. Whether you choose a handgun, a rifle, both, or just a can of pepper spray, it's completely up to you. But you can be sure in a bug out scenario, being equipped to defend yourself and hunt wild game will be a welcomed option for most.
If you choose not to carry a weapon, or are not allowed to do so, then at least consider some degree of self defense training - especially if you have a family - as they'll be depending on you for their safety.
- Pepper Spray
- Handgun
- Takedown rifle
- Ammunition (Qty 25 rnds minimum)
Miscellaneous
These are items that didn't necessarily fit into any of the other categories, but they're just as important for inclusion in your bug out bag. Chances are some of the items will have you scratching your head, but you'll want these items in your bug out bag too.
- 550 Parachute Cord (50')
- Cotton Bandana
- Duct Tape (25')
- 55 Gal. Contractor Garbage Bag (Qty 2)
- Resealable Bags (Qty 5, Various Sizes)
- Sunglasses
- N95 Face Mask
- Sewing Kit
- Latex Tubing (3')
- Fishing Kit
- Condoms (Non-lubricated)
- Binoculars (Optional)
- Face Paint
- Military Surplus Survival / Snare Wire
The Bug Out Bag List above isn't intended as Gospel truth. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to do your own due diligence and come to your own conclusions. Your bug out bag will not "automagically" keep you alive. It is, however, intended to help you survive a bug out scenario.
If you don't learn how to use these items effectively and practice using them on a regular basis, all the bug out bags in the world probably won't be able to help you.
Emergency preparedness is not a fad, nor a hobby. It's a way of life. If you believe that, you'll be all that much better off as a result.
If you enjoyed this article and would like a free, detailed version of the list for your own personal use, be sure to visit www.BugOutBagAcademy.com for this and other great bug out bag related resources.
Also, if you know of anyone who would like this post, please share with your like-minded friends. By doing so, you'll be helping educate and empower other people to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sterling_F._Cooper
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The Realities of Homesteading Today
By William Kelland
Is homesteading still a possibility for those desiring a simpler, more natural life? The answer is YES, with some qualifications. Find out the realities of homesteading today in this article.
Homesteading today is unlikely to begin with finding free property. There are no national programs that provide land in exchange for developing it. The programs that do exist are local, and tend to be in remote areas of the country.
This means that most likely you will be buying your homestead property, and possibly acquiring a mortgage to do so. Even if you are able to acquire the land and build on it mortgage-free, there will still be property taxes. Therefore homesteading today will require more cash money than in pioneer days.
This means you will need a plan to support yourself, with one or more work from home businesses, or a job off -homestead job. It is possible to run your homestead as a mini farm, raising vegetable crops and livestock to feed yourself, with a surplus for sale.
However, don't underestimate the learning curve required to be successful at these endeavors; it can take several seasons to learn how to reliably and efficiently produce most crops. And if you are depending on your mini farm for cash flow, you will need to focus on crops that provide a quick turnaround.
This would rule out starting an orchard for example, as most tree fruit will take several years to bear a crop. Even most small fruit will produce nothing the first season. One business that does provide relatively quick cashflow is a market garden.
The start-up cost for this homestead business can be quite low, if you start smart. You could begin by growing vegetables for yourself and perhaps a few friends and neighbours. You could even solicit some cash from them to help with the start-up costs, and pay them back with vegetables from your garden
Market gardening is easily scalable; that is, you can start small, then as your skills and confidence grow, you can expand to the limits of your property (and your ambition). This fulfills one of the requirements of homesteading today.
Raising meat chickens and weaner pigs are two more possibilities for the modern homesteader. Day-old meat chicks will be roaster size and ready for sale in 10 to 12 weeks; weaner pigs will reach market weight in about 4-5 months. This means that, in most areas, these livestock animals can be raised in a summer season. Raising your livestock in warm weather only means low start-up costs.
These are great starter farm businesses, and the whole family can help out. Kids can get involved looking after the animals, and learn where there food really comes from.
These three homestead businesses have the potential to provide you food and folding money. But before you jump in, you need to ask yourself if you are ready for the realities of homesteading today. Needless to say there will be hard work, but beyond this successful homesteading requires a mindset of self-reliance.
You are 100 percent responsible for the success of your homestead; you need to value function over form, have a tolerance for setbacks, and have a genuine love for going your own way. Your life partner better have these characteristics, too, or it will be an unhappy little homestead.
So if you are immune to stress, treat every problem like a learning opportunity, and believe that the only real security is what you can carve out for yourself, you may be ready for homesteading today.
William Kelland is the owner of award-winning New Terra Farm and the author of 4 books about making a living on a small property. You can find out more about the realities of modern homesteading at Homesteading Today
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Kelland
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Realities-of-Homesteading-Today&id=4807630
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