Preparedness for when

Frugalsod

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

This is what we have all been waiting for. it seems that global collapse is definitely in the pipeline

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/02/limits-to-growth-was-right-new-research-shows-were-nearing-collapse

The current rush to recover oil and gas via fracking is a perfect example of more and more resources going to recover fewer resources. The prices of these will increase. If the prediction is right and that living standards fall to the same level as in 1900 I think a lot of governments will collapse for their failings. Few governments are actually preparing for a greener world and when they realise that the costs will be beyond their ability to pay for the adjustment. It is why I am planning for these sorts of changes to be able to generate my own solar power if necessary.

moneyistooshorttomention

S_Wales_Saver wrote: »

Photo from a friend of FB yesterday showing at least 50 police bikes in a convoy in Newport.

In reply to Money too short, I was told that all pubs in the vicinity of the Celtic Manor (where the NATO conference is being held) were going to be shut for the two days with NO compensation being paid. Apparently a few have said it'll cause them to go under . Don't know if that is the case.

It may well be the case. A lot of businesses are operating on a knife edge as it is as to whether they survive or no and we've certainly seen a lot of pubs shut over the last few years. The photo didn't come through...do you have a link to it?

I think that's appalling.

Now what was that post jko made recently with an article about the excuses being made for intervention in the Ukraine?

It is just so worrying that these characters might be sitting there later this week trying to drum up further excuses for intervention and, in fact, I'd bargain on it being part of what they will be talking about.

Here we are suffering already...courtesy of these businesses being affected by their blimmin' meeting and just where is the money coming from to keep that lot safe and how much is it costing (and I bet its us that are paying that bill - in fact I seem to recall reading something saying its the Welsh Assembly that is being made to cover that bill - grrrrr).

EDIT: Note to self for day is "Mynd ar goll" = "Get lost" apparently. Sounds a good phrase to learn today......

1Tonsil

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/pensions/11067567/New-flat-rate-state-pension-how-much-will-you-get.html

moneyistooshorttomention

1Tonsil wrote: »

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/pensions/11067567/New-flat-rate-state-pension-how-much-will-you-get.html

That so does not surprise me.

[Deleted User]

I think we've all heard the phrase, and have a pretty good idea what it means.

It is most commonly associated with hostage situations, but it obviously also applies to SHTF and EOTWAWKI situations.

And therein, IMHO, lies a problem.

It's easy to blend in with your fellow hostages, but how easy is it to blend in with your neighbours, during a protracted SHTF situation?

It's going to be very easy to give yourself away, by being better washed, less sweaty, clean shaven, or just cleaner dressed, than your fellow man/woman.

That's not even considering the contents of your bin (which could give you away), or the cooking smells, emanating from your kitchen.

Then there's the amount of light escaping through/around your curtains.

Additionally, there's the risk of letting something slip, while discussing with your neighbour, how you are all struggling.

Young children are notorious for blabbing, to people in general, and their friends in particular, about what they've been up to, what they had for tea, etc.

Maintaining OPSEC isn't going to be easy.

RAS

One of my rellies was a little tealeaf basically (did time as an adult) so his WW2 escapades were family legend.

Amongst his antics was the early morning he took his brothers to collect the eggs from the hen house on the local farm. The kids there had been boasting about the eggs they had daily for breakfast when all the other kids got one or two a month.

Their carer was faced with a bit of a quandary but decided to keep the eggs. She had to buy isinglass in small amounts from all over the place because large purchases would have given the game away. Needless to say the tealeaf thought fit to taunt the farm kids......

Then there was the box of butter than literally fell off the back of a lorry when it swerved. That was buried for some time..........

moneyistooshorttomention

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I think we've all heard the phrase, and have a pretty good idea what it means.

It is most commonly associated with hostage situations, but it obviously also applies to SHTF and EOTWAWKI situations.

And therein, IMHO, lies a problem.

It's easy to blend in with your fellow hostages, but how easy is it to blend in with your neighbours, during a protracted SHTF situation?

It's going to be very easy to give yourself away, by being better washed, less sweaty, clean shaven, or just cleaner dressed, than your fellow man/woman.

That's not even considering the contents of your bin (which could give you away), or the cooking smells, emanating from your kitchen.

Then there's the amount of light escaping through/around your curtains.

Additionally, there's the risk of letting something slip, while discussing with your neighbour, how you are all struggling.

Young children are notorious for blabbing, to people in general, and their friends in particular, about what they've been up to, what they had for tea, etc.

Maintaining OPSEC isn't going to be easy.

Too true and then there's the risk that friends might inadvertently blab to others and the mere fact that you've had to tell friends that couldn't miss you are prepping not to "let on" you are prepping to those who might be ill-intentioned and hope those friends are trustworthy. You might be surprised just how fast a friend gets asked about you....and you'll be feeling thankful (or otherwise) that you are a good judge of character.

You might have judged your friends correctly (ie as being people of integrity), but they might still possibly be a little bit naïve as to the reasons for questions by Others and its a very fine line to draw to let them know exactly which answers to give in advance (ie because you've already seen that one coming....). You have a good friend indeed if they come straight out with the answer you wanted them to in response to questions (even if you know they are wondering if you've gone a little "over the top" in your prepping).

[Deleted User]

I'm not religious and I'm not political either but I don't think that this is the thread to discuss either of these topics on or we'll have the board moderators down on us like a ton of bricks. It's fine to have opinions but those areas are just too contravertial to air them freely on a thread that is about preparedness and skills and staying safe in diverse dangerous situations. Please don't think I'm criticising anyone here I just think that we are fine if we stay on subject but not if we stray off into personal areas of opinion.

moneyistooshorttomention

Back to a very direct point raised by Bedsit Bob, ie as to the contents of your bin. It would probably get noticed if everyone else was on "bread and dripping" and you were sending out tins of "caviar". Well...not quite...but that's the gist of it....

Trench composting is one thought I'm experimenting with currently (for a variety of reasons), ie digging in suitable kitchen food waste (of the fruit/veg variety) into flowerbeds. The Americans have to do it in those states where compost bins are forbidden (ie compost illicitly by doing things that way) and that is a way to help give extra "nourishment" to any food you are growing.

The other thought for getting rid of "living as normal" type rubbish if life wasn't normal at the time is to sneak it out and leave it in Council rubbish bins (ie so dustbin men couldn't spot signs of "life as normal" and neighbours couldn't see the contents of your dustbin liners if seagulls had chosen that time to tear them apart and scatter the contents).

Living in a detached house (if you can manage to move to one if you haven't got that yet) means any sound within your house remains private from neighbours is another thought. Some walls are thin enough that neighbours can overhear conversations inadvertently.

Frugalsod

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I'm not religious and I'm not political either but I don't think that this is the thread to discuss either of these topics on or we'll have the board moderators down on us like a ton of bricks. It's fine to have opinions but those areas are just too contravertial to air them freely on a thread that is about preparedness and skills and staying safe in diverse dangerous situations. Please don't think I'm criticising anyone here I just think that we are fine if we stay on subject but not if we stray off into personal areas of opinion.

Personally I doubt that religion will be a factor when the SHTF. 99% of people only want to make a living regardless of what religion you follow.

Personally I suspect that another financial crisis will be the first thing that hits us followed in time by the realisation that the climate is screwed unless there is a real change in policy, which will mean a change in living standards. Only today there was a report in the news about people having to cut down on red meat to save the planet.