Preparedness for when

Hollyberry

TeaCake wrote: »

I'm creating a folder of 'useful information', stuff like how to use bleach to purify drinking water, how to build a hobo stove, basic first aid.
Can anyone think of anything I could add that might be useful reading for a non prepper if found in a shtf situation.

That's really made me think, TeaCake, thanks.

So in a SHTF situation, I would be thinking about cheap and easy one pan cooking recipes. Perhaps some info on outdoor cooking too. Also quick gardening if needed - sprouting seeds? Something on nutrition, to try and ensure some balance when there are more restricted options for food.

If you have family to entertain, then some ideas on what to do to keep people amused when there are no gadgets. I appreciate we will all be pretty busy if SHTF, but down time is still really important.

Some general emergency guides might be useful, depending on your local position, and what kind of emergency you could realistically expect. For example, general flood procedures (lifting furniture on blocks, taking essentials upstairs etc) could be relevant. It may seem self evident, but it's amazing what you forget in a crisis if the adrenaline is flowing. Also a list of key stuff to take with you if you need to leave the house for some reason (BOB lite, I guess). And a list of emergency contact numbers, in case you are without access to numbers stored in your phone.

RAS

GreyQueen wrote: »

I think commercial powders contain optical brightening agents which make whites look whiter.

With natural fibres you can line-dry them and the sun will have a brightening effect but it actually yellows white synthetics. What to do with a white poly-cotton, hey?

One of the trivial disappointments of flat-dwelling (don't even have a balcony) is that I can't dry washing outside. Just love that line-dried scent.

The other traditional way of whitening fabric and removing stains was to wait until a heavy frost was due, soak the clothes/linens in cold water and hang up to freeze.

Leave until as stiff as a board and preferably over more than one day (to soften and harden again).

Take down when it thaws or bring inside to thaw.

Wash the items.

The water freezing forces the fibres apart and loosens dirt/stains.

We used to do this when I was younger.

Good for stained collars, hang shirts by the tails so there is lots of water in the collars.

Re mangles - remember cufflinks and those little double buttons? You canot mangle clothes with buttons; not sure about zips. Great for linens though.

kezlou

Within the council they have housing officers which deal with specific estates with an area.

In the main council office housing benefit and council tax benefit are just called benefit advisor's.

to be honest i was really angry when they asked those questions, but i know its because of the government.
Were seen as being on a low income less than £10k for the year so we qualify for an nhs exemption certificate, so pleased about that!

I understand why some families go without food, when your on a low income and your on working tax credit even if its only 1p then you are not entitled to free school meals or assistance with transport. Instead my partner and i would rather go hungry to make sure our kids are fed.
But if you have no money and no food then theys nothing you can do. I know when my kids were little and we struggled a lot, then my partner and i would only have our main meal in the evening so the children could had enough to eat throughout the day. Which didn't me any good as my body went into starvation and stored it as fat . My children are still blooming skinny even though they eat like horses!

BitterAndTwisted

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Back in the autumn we were discussing the possible emergence of 30s style Soup Kitchens, I feel that things are progressing towards that eventuality fairly rapidly. I wonder how long before we do see some communities taking steps to organise themselves into providing one hot meal a day for those folks who can't afford to be warm and eat as well? It's a damning indictment of life in 2014 isn't it when children are actually fainting from hunger at school, makes the UK sound third world which it is becoming. I think there is a real need to review how the population are expected to manage with constantly spiraling prices and some extra provision made to feed those who are experiencing actual hunger, that is so wrong on all levels.

I'm not convinced that it's ordinary kids from ordinary families who are fainting from hunger at school. It will be the ones who come from chaotic homes, where people can't or won't manage their money properly. These days, families claiming benefits who have kids aren't particularly badly looked after. It's the singles who are expected to live on a combination of tuppence ha'penny and a bit of fresh air.

I'm working allbeit earning pretty close to naff-all. After paying my rent, council tax and fares I'm left with £32 a week and a tenner of that needs to go towards my monthly mobile and internet bills. If someone could tell me how I could feed myself and pay the utility bills on that I'd be very grateful indeed. Just as well I've got a decent store-cupboard to shop from or I'd be looking for a very stout rope.

Butterfly_Brain

Stock market has fallen again, we are definitely heading for a crash
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jan/27/asian-shares-hit-by-stock-market-selloff-business-live

RAS

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I'm not convinced that it's ordinary kids from ordinary families who are fainting from hunger at school. It will be the ones who come from chaotic homes, where people can't or won't manage their money properly. These days, families claiming benefits who have kids aren't particularly badly looked after. It's the singles who are expected to live on a combination of tuppence ha'penny and a bit of fresh air.

Agreed but the big issue seems to be benefit changes according to the Trussel Trust - 65% of their cases.

So if the family move (every 6 months if they are unlucky), there can be a delay in getting LHA sorted out; if one partner's income changes or they are sick, a delay in sorting out working tax credit or child tax credits, if one person moves in or out of the household, another delay in getting all the benefits assessed. On the benefits forum it is not uncommon for people to get no benefits paid for 6-8 weeks whilst they are re-adjusted.

That's before you start dealing with the problems if they use payday loans to cover the gap and then get their bank accounts stripped when they are paid.

In my city, there is every day there is one place that offers a hot meal (except the one Saturday in the month when it is sarnies and a hot drink).

You would have to walk a fair bit to get to them all but it is possible.

kezlou

tea cake, i've learnt from experience have board games, books, colouring books, lots of colours, paints to keep yourself entertained!!
oh and lots of blankets we have a huge one, we snuggle up under, so warm and cosy
Oh and candles, we have lots, they create a lovely atmosphere especially when the powers out and your snuggling under a blanket
We have family nights like this just reading and relaxing. Well i say relaxing i'm normally acting out the gruffalo !

BB they also like to know how old your pets are, and looked shocked when you say they are neutered spayed and chipped! As apparently that's the next question. They asked why we had oats and various cereals, why we had flour etc

Another question they asked is why i have toys outside when they should be inside and why i was growing veg in the garden.
i replied 1) i enjoy gardening and 2) why are toys not allowed outside?Apparently they look messy, i just shook my head at them saying i have a 9 year old child who enjoys playing dinosaurs in the grass.

My tenancy agreement does state we are allowed to have play equipment in my garden as long as it does not affect or impede my neighbours in any way. The toys are small dinosaurs not a trampoline.

Very intrusive, but i answered them with firm politeness,offered them cups of tea and coffee etc. They coming back in three months for another check (its does says this in the tenancy agreement as were new tenants, so i'm fine with that)


After our pay they is virtually nothing left, £20 a week the schools want off us for school meals. Its scary so ds2 has pack lunch and ds1 alternates between them.
Our transport cost between myself and 2 boys was over £200 a month on public transport. Now i'm walking 3 miles to collect ds2 from school and we either walk back or get the bus if can manage it.

But i can't complain we have a roof over our heads and i have two miracle babes who are amazing. A partner who makes me laugh and can fix a leak! five crazy cats who are more like dogs lol What more could i ask for

[Deleted User]

I don't think it matters what type of family the child or person of any age comes from, the stark fact that anyone is fainting from hunger in a so called civilised society for any reason is so intrinsically wrong it offends us all. I can understand that some families are chaotic and have no income management strategies to speak of but CHILDREN suffering to that extent? NO that is deeply and appallingly wrong!

nuatha

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I don't think it matters what type of family the child or person of any age comes from, the stark fact that anyone is fainting from hunger in a so called civilised society for any reason is so intrinsically wrong it offends us all. I can understand that some families are chaotic and have no income management strategies to speak of but CHILDREN suffering to that extent? NO that is deeply and appallingly wrong!

Agreed 100%

kezlou

completely agree lynn!