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Have you spent money on prepping and later found that what you bought was a waste?
Have you needed your preps and found holes in your plan?
Do you know things now that you wish you had known when you started?
We're going to talk about that on today's episode

Ten Things We Wish We Had Known Before We Started Prepping

We all started prepping at the same place - from scratch
Some of us learned a lot of expensive lessons along the way, because we didn't really understand prepping.
We did some things we shouldn't have, we bought some of the wrong things, and for the wrong reasons, and we didn't do some things we should have.

Make a plan when you are starting out
     Risk assessment
     Prepping plan
     Financial plan
You can start storing shelf stable foods while you make your plan, but get started on that plan!

We need to prepare for more than the societal changing end of the world type events
     Do a threat assessment of what YOU are most likely to face
       For us, it is power outages from tornadoes, the occasional snow and ice, or a drunk hitting a pole.

     You are more likely to face food shortages than EMP
            We saw shortages during COVID

You are more likely to face Inflation and skyrocketing prices than zombies
We are feeling the inflation and price increases NOW

You are more likely to face economic downturn than aliens
Many economists are expecting a recession within a year

You are more likely to face Job loss than nuclear war
We've been there and our preps really helped.

You'll need to eat a lot more than you'll need to shoot
   Prepping is a lot more than guns and ammo
   Firearms and shooting are a lot of fun, and they have their place, but....
Every time we have needed our preps, for whatever reason, we have not needed our firearms... but we have needed food, water, and a way to stay warm.

You'll need a lot more water than you think
       Especially if you have a lot of freeze dried foods or dehydrated foods
       FEMA & Red Cross recommendations say 1 gallon per day per person
             Double that
       You’ll need it for drinking, food prep, hygiene
       Don't forget to prep for your pets

Financial preparedness IS prepping, and it IS important
       Start living below your means immediately
       Get on and stay on a budget
       Don't go into debt
              “If you are in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging”
       Build a cash emergency fund for unexpected expenses
       Start investing now
       Save 10% of your income
       Don't put all your eggs in one basket

Knowledge is more important than gear
      Knowing how to build a water filter is better than just buying one
      Not saying don't buy one, but realize it could break
      You can build a water filter from a 2L bottle, rocks, gravel, charcoal, and sand.
      There are lots of ways to purify water, but you have to know how.
      Knowing how to cook on an open fire is better than just owning a propane camp stove
      Knowing how to grow some of your own food is better than just buying it at the supermarket.

Don't assume everything you buy will work when you need it
      Time of need is not the time to be trying to learn to use your gear
      Time of need is not the time to test new equipment
      We need to practice with our gear
      HAM radios bought "just in case"

Store what you eat and eat what you store
    Don't buy a bunch of long-term food in the beginning

    More expensive than regular shelf stable food
            But it Has it’s place, we have some from 4Patriots
                        Don’t want to go to it for a three day local event like snow
             But, you don't have to rotate it

Don't over do it with beans and rice

     Buying bulk is great, but can you deal with 50 pounds
     Mylar bags, vacuum seal, food grade buckets
     Better: Canned meats and veggies, soup mixes, pastas are much better for short term issues

Build a supply over time
      One week, then two week, then a month, etc for as long as you wish

You WILL need first-aid training and supplies
     Learn CPR
     Learn to stop bleeding
     TQ
     Pressure points
     Pressure dressings
     Learn to care for burns
     Learn to splint fractures
     Build a good first aid kit
               Cheaper to build than buy
               Get the supplies you really need, rather than 189 Bandaids
     Customize it
     Carry it with you
     No good in the prepper closet if you need it away from home

Don't forget about hygiene and sanitation
     Need a “poop plan”
     Need a plan to stay reasonably clean
     Need to be able to brush our teeth & wash our hair
     Absolutely must take care of our feet

These are just some of the things we wish we had known when we were started out. You may have some things you wish you had known when you started out. We’d love to hear about that, so drop us an email.

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Episode # 415 "Ten Things We Wish We Had Known Before We Started Prepping"