Preparedness for when

BessieBooBoo

mardatha wrote: »

I sort of fancy a Rugged Vet as well actually.... but suppose a Ratty Virgo is what I'm stuck with!

LOL! Just realised I have one of those too - only he's more grumpy than ratty... GV sounds like a disease though. Like gingivitus!

BBB :)

[Deleted User]

increase your stocks, at certain times of the year, or if there's an indication that trouble may be ahead?

Or do you always maintain the same level of stocks?

maryb

I do tend to stock up in autumn more than in summer but that's because a big chunk of my preps are for short term disruption rather than TEOTWAWKI and that sort of disruption is more likely in winter. I like to have more cash on hand when there is a suggestion of trouble ahead - I didn't think there would be any knock on effect from Cyprus here in the Uk but it made me realise I had run down my cash, which I like to have on hand.
Logs I tend to buy in summer a year ahead so they can season - that's just normal seasonal planning

thriftwizard

Bedsit Bob, that's not a straightforward question! I have a feeling that our stocks across the board are probably fairly even, but of any given item they will vary according to the time of year or even whether I've remembered to get any in lately. For example, jam supplies will be getting low in, say, May, as the last of last year's gets used up, but by the end of summer they'll be high again because I've made more - just plain seasonal variation. But if I get wind of a price increase or a potential shortage of something we use a lot of, I'll stock up, within reason. With anywhere between 5-9 people living in the house & subject to variation at short notice, we'd be penniless and/or hungry in short order if I didn't.

My entire system hinges on getting more of something when stocks get down to a certain point - I'll order another sack of oats when the current one is down to a quarter full, for example. But I collaborate with one or two other local households at certain times of year; we'll buy a sack of spuds between us which will last for about 2-3 weeks when they're likely to sprout, but a sack each when they're more likely to last 6 weeks. And if one of us happens on a really good bargain or find, we'll pick up enough for the others, too.

I suppose I don't react much to rumours of trouble ahead because I don't have to - if we run out of one thing, there's almost certainly something else under a bed or cupboard somewhere that'll do instead. I reckon we could survive for 3 months on what's around at any given time, though it might be a bit boring at times. And there might not be any jam, if TEOTWAWKI happens at the end of May...

grandma247

Maryb I haven't time to read all the posts tonight but just wanted to say it is possible to do just one jar in your canner. All you have to do is load it up with jars of water, no lids except on the one you want canned. I have done it when I only wanted to can 2-3 jars.

wondercollie

I start my stock up after May. Winters here are long and cold, so I like to have the pile high for October. I then replace as I go along in the winter because I only go to the shops once a week then.

I always keep three sacks of kibble in for WonderCollie, along with his snacks and biscuits.

Bottled water for everyone. Coleman stove has fuel.

Not much else we can do. Natural gas heats the house and if that supply was to ever fail, we'd all freeze to death

grandma247

I got my canner from here. Their customer service is very good and I asked if the company was reputable on the canning group before I ordered. All who answered said they were an excellent company to deal with.

craigywv

hiall been lurking againwhen you all talk about something i know nowt about i dont post so its was canning recently and cant rem the name of other thing drying out stuff, thick or what! but i canparticipatein bedsit bobs question........i prep all year now , toilet rolls dwindling down to under 40 .gettin the shakes looking at the pile so its of to Hooome Bargaaaains for those anyday soon. need to go b and q for paraffin as got the 12 inch hurricane lamp someone advised onhere, will order more wick for it. candles..............lets say house like the Vatican even got boxes and i dont mean single boxes i mean boxes with 24 boxes of 8 stashed around house, shed and bags. just need 1 bottle of gas for extra gas hob and thats me for a good 2 yrs cooking/heating. got tinned food up to where i want it to be,dried packets the same, sugar tea/coffee............you DONT want to know!!! and clothing myself and oh enough coats shoes and warm clothes for a goodfew yrs......boy aged 9 now thats a different story but what can i do he shooting up in every direction so been getting stuff when its on sale for 12-13 yr old etc and been putting away in spare wardrobe......yesterday got him in mr t housecoat sorry dressing gown we call it hc over here for 2 quid reduced from 9 quid and 3 packets of 3 boxers for a quid down from 5 quid!!! also good sensible slippers from 8 quid down till 2 so they put away. also various tops in bigger sizes downto 50p. i prep everything i use not just food. this week i went boogaloo on seeds so when theycome i shall divide and sow some and freeze most. bonkers.........probally . well off to work folks Happy Easter all xxx

frosty

I go shopping very early in the morning because you have more chance of getting things at silly prices in Tesco.Over the last few months I have found Colgate toothpaste ordinary and sensitive at 40p a tube the price labels are white not the yellow ones which they use when things are on offer.Tesco own brand anti dandruff shampoo large bottle for 23p and shower gels for 20p.Well worth stocking up.

I decided to buy two solar showers the ones you fill with water and hang outside in the sun to heat up,with no sun available I just fill them with hottish water then I found a door hanger that's fits on the back of a door and hung it on the shower screen door,it worked great.Now if the power goes off for any length of time we can heat the water on the multifuel stove or gas stove and have a shower.

Shropshirelass

Just want to say because of recent problems (combination of our bad weather and EU financial) DH seems to converting slightly to prepping ideas, instead of considering my (minor) plans madness - things like wind-up torches, lamp, radio, hot water bottles, solar chargers for mobile phone etc.

And I have ordered a slow cooker, which I have desired for a long time, cant wait for it to arrive, maybe Wed.

Keep spreading the word!