Prepping: the new world...

DryTheRain

How are people feeling about/preparing for the uncertain times upon us? I've started slowing increasing stocks of things with long dates that I know I'll use such as bread flour, yeast, tinned stuff; partly because I think things will increase in price and, if they do, I won't be competing with those who need things more than I do if there are shortages, and if everything is fine then I'll use it anyway. Any thoughts?

Nonnadiluca said:

How are people feeling about/preparing for the uncertain times upon us? I've started slowing increasing stocks of things with long dates that I know I'll use such haven’t been on the prepping forums for quite a while now, but I’m worried about food prices too + potentially £rising as a result of Trump’s tariffs, and the ripple effects from them.. 

So my carer very kindly went to the shops for me yesterday, returning with tins of fish, tomatoes and baxter’s soup (hurray for the return of spicy parsnip!) plus jars of olives and pickles, cheese, butter, peanut butter and wholegrain crackers - along with a couple of bars of dark chocolate, which is rapidly becoming a luxury item thanks to climate related crop failure.

I think the decision to stock up is very sensible and rational, even in ‘normal’ times. Say you’re ill and unable to shop, you may not feel like eating immediately but tinned fruit always tastes amazing when you do, so juicy and refreshing especially if you keep it in the fridge. Also surprisingly good with Aldi’s big packs of grainy ham, which can be teased out, bagged up and labelled with a sharpie for the fridge or freezer/compartment.

Also your thought about not denying others in a crisis is a lovely one, but remember that sometimes you have to look after yourself first in order to help others.

Best of luck and I’m sure there’ll be lots of suggestions here for you! 🙏

Treasurequeen

As a disabled person, setting up both LPA’s was a way for me to prep for my future knowing that my wishes will be met. I’m in my 30s and thought I was too young to set one up. But seeing what I have seen with other disabled people I know, they had nothing in place and the county took over everything even though they had a next of kin. My parents have done theirs too, and we did it ourselves so no solicitor needed. I now recommend it to others and think anyone over 18 should have one in place you never know what’s going to happen. 

DigForVictory

Much intrigued by the advice of Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister and ex-British Army captain turned Conservative MP. Some of it I agree with "Every home, business and organisation needs to be able to function for at least 72 hours without outside help."

He emphasised the importance of having food, water, and other essentials on hand in case of an emergency. His warning was clear: "Could you and your family stay safe, warm and informed for three days without power, water or internet?".

Then he got specific (I quote MSN quoting his article in House magazine, so take with the salt you deem appropriate) 

• 100 litres of clean water

• Non-perishable food, ideally ready to eat or able to be consumed cold.

• Candles and a working torch.

• A battery-powered radio for news updates.

• Iodine tablets in case of nuclear fallout.

• Money, in case cash machines and card readers go down.

• A basic first aid kit.

Now 100 litres of water is a challenge to lift & store & he doesn't say that is for how many people or it you're expected to try to flush a loo with it. Food, light, a radio, cash & a first aid kit - this is not rocket science, this is prepping 101 Even if the idea of a hand cranked radio has bypassed him (well, the Army) & that we're usually quite keen to burn things eg camping gas, kelly kettles, whatever it takes to get tea (let alone a hot meal) -  we may be amateurs but we're not quite as helpless as he seems to presume. (For which hurrah, but what about our more vulnerable &/or venerable? Let alone those with specific biological or medical needs - nothing about sanitary tackle or nappies - again So Military!)

However, I have massive issues with the iodine tablets. Mostly as In The Event that buys you a few extra hours. If a genuine nuclear bomb has gone off, pills are only part the answer & without the rest of the system & health care? You've given money to a pharmacist without the rest of the system. I'd rather buy a decent bar of chocolate & sit outside & watch. 

What really riles me is he says 'stockpile', when some of those who need to can't afford to.

New_in_the_fens

I pretty much avoid the news, so wasn’t aware of this particular missive, but I was a teen in the 80’s and we used to talk a lot about the ‘four minute’ warning. 

I always said that if it happened, I’d go and sit on my lawn and watch. Just take me out in the first blast. I certainly don’t want to live in a post nuclear apocalypse world. 

My outlook hasn’t changed on that particular point!

slm6002

I saw this list too and noticed that the tablets were a new addition to the list suggested a week or so ago.  Think I live too close to army bases to worry about this.  I imagine they would be targeted and that would be that.  I am prepping for the no power type scenarios that is in my mind more likely to happen.

YoungBlueEyes

I didn't see that article but I've gotta say - I already have most of the things on that 'emergency' list and I call that keeping good stocks because I'm an Organised Woman. I don't keep water, and I don't have iodine tablets for the reasons stated above. I wouldn't want a few more hours in a post-apocalyptic world. I'd be outside watching the marvelous skies/mushroom cloud/whatever for however many nano-seconds the blast allowed me live.

I do always have a few packs of baby wipes, in an emergency they'd do instead of a shower if they had to. I could do with getting a battery powered radio though, and then I'm good to go. 

These things always make me wonder if shares in iodine tablet producing companies have gone up... and how many of the people who write these lists have shares in them...

boultdj

I would not be watching the skies if it happened, I'd be kissing other half.
And yes it does make you think have they got shares.

elsien

I'm not going to be keeping 100l of water.
I can survive without washing for 3 days although I appreciate that would be different for babies. And it does rather beg the question what then happens when your 3 days are up?
I can remember having to stockpile for a care home when there was the Y2K palaver, and although I don't think water will go off despite the bbf date, you do need to keep using and updating your supplies. I never drink bottled water so I would be buying just for the sake of it. 

ETA - I also notice that although he references keeping warm, there is nothing on his list to help with that.....

Harry227

DryTheRain said:

How are people feeling about/preparing for the uncertain times upon us? I've started slowing increasing stocks of things with long dates that I know I'll use such as bread flour, yeast, tinned stuff; partly because I think things will increase in price and, if they do, I won't be competing with those who need things more than I do if there are shortages, and if everything is fine then I'll use it anyway. Any thoughts?

Nonnadiluca said:

How are people feeling about/preparing for the uncertain times upon us? I've started slowing increasing stocks of things with long dates that I know I'll use such haven’t been on the prepping forums for quite a while now, but I’m worried about food prices too + potentially £rising as a result of Trump’s tariffs, and the ripple effects from them.. 

So my carer very kindly went to the shops for me yesterday, returning with tins of fish, tomatoes and baxter’s soup (hurray for the return of spicy parsnip!) plus jars of olives and pickles, cheese, butter, peanut butter and wholegrain crackers - along with a couple of bars of dark chocolate, which is rapidly becoming a luxury item thanks to climate related crop failure.

I think the decision to stock up is very sensible and rational, even in ‘normal’ times. Say you’re ill and unable to shop, you may not feel like eating immediately but tinned fruit always tastes amazing when you do, so juicy and refreshing especially if you keep it in the fridge. Also surprisingly good with Aldi’s big packs of grainy ham, which can be teased out, bagged up and labelled with a sharpie for the fridge or freezer/compartment.

Also your thought about not denying others in a crisis is a lovely one, but remember that sometimes you have to look after yourself first in order to help others.

Best of luck and I’m sure there’ll be lots of suggestions here for you! 🙏

Probably best NOT to rely on storing too much of your 'store' in the fridge as when/if the lectricty goes off for any time then the stash will be spoiled unless you're planning on eating it very quickly.  The same goes for the freezer of course (unless you have an LPG gas fridge).

weenancyinAmerica

Trying to think of all of the things I will need this next year that I haven't bought already. I am worried about the tariff war and the lack of imports from China.
So far, I know I will need to get:
2 bottles of washing-up liquid
a new toilet seat for one bathroom
a large wastebasket for the same bathroom
a gallon of bleach
2 regular room thermometers as roommates keep complaining how cold it is in their rooms
at least 8 LED light bulbs
a two-pack of toilet bowl cleaner
air filter for our furnace
2 sets curtain rod holders to keep up the curtains the cat pulled down
2 packs more of compost
a 50' garden hose
a new house thermostat (have to order online)
a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood for repairs for our ramp
a grab rail for the shower
a new computer as ours is not Windows 11 compatible
at least 8 bottles of acetaminophen
3 large packs of toilet tissue (only know where to stash one pack though)
hoping I can get all of it before the 10th of May except for the computer (still have a couple of months to work on that one)
package of paper towels for pet problems
4 pack of facial tissue
Working on making a list of the best place to get each thing. Been buying a few things each trip to the store but need to get serious now. Got enough laundry detergent and stuff to make more if need be already. Feel like I am preparing for a siege or Y2K all over again. I do have a year's supply of food for 1 (which should last the 5 of us for 3 months with the extras just in case). Even have a hand-cranked radio. Probably need a solar-powered battery charger and batteries. Lots of soap (I like to collect different scents). Not sure what else to do yet. Except 
buy it all and then sit back and relax. I may need to buy my friend in Colorado some more matches though as they ran out in the stores near her this winter. And find a nice tin container to mail them to her.