THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

moneyistooshorttomention

I think we prep according to what we know in our own set of circumstances. I've certainly realised in recent years that the vast majority of people at some level think that "Life" is the same throughout the country (and that applies whichever part of it one lives in).

So - yep...a city-dweller's definition of prepping basically boils down to "Go out - and throw some money at whatever-it-is".

My definition of prepping then basically centred round:
Electric cut = go out for meals (lots of choice of places). Go out if I just want to sit around (bad weather meaning the decent-size library or the decent-size theatre or worst case analysis a quick nip to sit reading in the waiting room of one of the local hospitals).
Water problems and so can't shower = go out (friends place/one of the swimming pools/one of the spas).

You name it and the answer boils down to = go out (and pay for whatever-it-is outside the house).

In semi-rural area where I am now it is more of a problem. Any cooking problems would be a lot more difficult to resolve - having ordered a take-away from what I was told was best place locally and thrown it in the bin and there's very little choice of cafes/restaurants and the pubs...errrm...

So my own personal definition of cope with food prep. if the electric were off means I've been putting some thought into what foods don't require cooking and I've put research into cheap places that serve my sort of food (and have bus timetable and taxi fare to hand to ensure I can get to them),

Showering - well there shouldnt be a problem. I've got both gas-heated water (from the central heating system) and electric-heated water (the shower).

I'd hate to think what level of prepping one has to do if living in the most remote areas and guess that would boil down imo to "got to have one car and better have a second one in case of breakdowns - so I can drive elsewhere" and confess I'd find it impossible personally to live anywhere that remote in the first place. A single urban person without a car struggles sometimes in a small town. A single urban person without a car living in a most remote area just wouldn't manage at all (at least if the weather was noticeably worse than they're used to - and I'm guessing it would be).

[Deleted User]

If the electricity is down because of a major fault to the infrastructure of the grid and across a wide area perhaps the entire town it might not be possible to go out to eat as the 'eateries' and takeaways would have no electricity either (I know that's not probable but is 'possible') and as we found when we had the problem last week it only took a pinhole in a water tank which needed then to be replaced to remove the option of heating and hot water altogether even though we still had gas and electricity. It was a cold old week and the wood stove was a Godsend or we'd have been unbearably cold for the week it took for the tank to be purchased and fitted. I don't like being hungry or cold one tiny bit so provision for ensuring neither happens in extreme circumstances only seems sound sense.

VJsmum

Doesn't gas centrally heated water need electricity to be pumped? As well as timers, ignition etc...

We have spare heaters, electric blow heaters and oil filled radiator if the CH goes down and a gas fire and calor gas heater if the electric goes.. As well as candles, paraffin lamps etc which will generate some heat.

[Deleted User]

I am rural, in a village with some neighbours but no shop or pub. Everything in my house is based on electric. The best prep for me is being so well insulated, having some candles and being able to use my portable stove. I keep some dried goods that can be used instantly but that is now pretty well it. I would still be able to survive for 6 weeks, even now eg pasta into boiling water. Switch off and cover with a towel, it still cooks

2010, having moved here in july, we had that winter and spent 6 weeks not going anywhere, seeing cars spinning on the lane was enough. I had not built up stores but me being me, we had plenty of food, even though it got boring. Cabin fever was the worse thing. Dh went on his turbo (cycling) and I bounced on my rebounder for exercise

You, esp mrsLW have taught me a lot and my next home will have to have at least a chimney, this now is one of the first things I look for on rightmove, that and storage for wood and coal

Witchwomble

I prep for mostly all the reasons you’re talking about, to give us a buffer against difficult times, to help save money,to have piece of mind, I’m always future thinking.
I keep food stocks high,rotate everything,menu plan,use it all up,some weird dishes,but everyone fed,keep everyday medicines in,so when we are ill, like we all were with flu just before Christmas,I at least had plenty of painkillers and sore throat sweets etc.
Also I’m not keen on big crowds ,don’t particularly like shopping so will take advantage to stock up on the occasion of a trip to a big supermarket.
We have a stove for a few years, it’s a massive help when it’s cold, everything is paid for upfront, don’t have heating on very much at all now,keeps our bills lower ,win win.
But it takes time. And effort. Which I gladly give it. But then I’m very lucky that I’ve got the time , and I always am grateful for that.

moneyistooshorttomention

Cabin fever is a problem if someone has been used to a large urban area. In such a setting one can just "go out" and see what's happening - might be free music on the streets, a free event put on by the local Council, a guided walk in the vicinity, etc, etc, etc and the weather was very rarely too bad to do that. I'm trying to recall if weather ever stopped me doing anything I'd decided to do....

In a more rural area and with worse weather - cabin fever is a problem sometimes. Free events? What are free events?:rotfl:Thank goodness I've got a buspass - if not a lot of buses to use it on....and so, in better weather, there's getting out exploring as per The Plan.

Being trapped at home - with weather too bad to go out if there were any free events etc to go to is something I'm still working on finding remedies to personally.

Instead of doing things on an "as and when" basis - everything indoor possible has now been shifted to being done in the winter (paperwork/springcleaning/general planning/experimenting with more elaborate cooking/etc) so as to be as free as possible to just "go out" at times of year when weather is likely to be better. A local taxi firm is on speed dial if I think the weather is too rough to walk somewhere I've decided to (thankfully the weather doesnt get that bad that cars have problems). I've swopped my computer screen to the most enormous/versatile/etc high quality one I could get my hands on - so I'm better able to watch tv programmes etc on Iplayer if I decide to.

Any further suggestions on managing in a "worse weather/more rural" area at times when the weather is bad (again!) welcome. Thank goodness at least it doesnt seem to snow here - so vehicles can always get around. As Kittie knows - I'd be climbing the walls/going ballastic living where she does by the sound of it....

[Deleted User]

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I'd be climbing the walls/going ballastic living where she does by the sound of it....

haha, it is very quiet here but I am self contained ie able to cope with quiet, in fact I like quiet. I suppose it is called a `close` community esp my small area, I would not be short of help if needed

Maybe my liking for quiet comes from being the eldest of 7 siblings, then always being in a vocal job with vocal loud children. I am quite happy to let my thought do the speaking, in my head

Money, I am always busy, never stop because of my lovely hobbies and now MK and keeping on top of maintenance, sorting and cleaning, very much not ocd btw

moneyistooshorttomention

True - one's background probably impacts on that. I describe myself as "an only child - that had a brother come along a few years later". With a fair-size gap and he's totally different to me in every possible respect - then yep...still basically an "only child". My mother is a city person too.

Hence - there has to be at least a minimal level of facilities - and I'm doing my bit to push for more/lots more....:rotfl:

mardatha

Thriftwizard, that is my idea of heaven - being snowed in on Dartmoor for 6 weeks!! Perfect peace, no stress, no hassle...It's currently battering down with snow here and the world looks like a bucket of milk is being poured over the house. Lovely

fuddle

Do you craft at all money? I know you like to cook but do you turn your hand to anything? The reason I ask is it a fantastic way to occupy yourself should you feel like climbing a wall. You can teach an old dog new tricks. I think I'm an old dog now and I'm still learning.

I do think people who have grown up away from the city life, and I'm generalising, seem to appear to cope with a more solitary life and are quite ok in their own company.

It's fascinating really.