Prepper wondering , Now What.

[cleanheart]

I've been prepping for hard times ahead and now since deciding to become a Vandweller I don't know what to do with my preps. I have quite a bit stored up so I'm thinking this is going to be a problem. Does anyone think I should stop prepping and just start using up my preps? I don't really have any place to keep everything. I don't really want to pay for a climate control storage space since I'm trying to save money not spend it. Hmmmm.......

 

[ShesJustJodi]

Interesting question. I am getting started with my serious prepping and I was going to get on here and ask what everyone does about food storage? I was wondering about a small cargo trailer as a tow?<br><br>For example:<br>http://www.haulmark.com/bumper-pull_cargo-trailer/passport-4wide/<br><br>Am I crazy? I was wondering about climate control....<br><br><br>

 

[Galactic_eyes]

I am a prepper also. I have asked myself the same question and have yet to come up with an answer.

 

[lampliter]

Put them in 5 Gal plastic buckets; Make sure the rubber seal is intact and the lid is on tight and bury them. Since you're not a squirrel you won't be able to find them; so make a map. You can also put them in one of those bags that you suck the air out of with a vacuum cleaner and then put them in the bucket.

 

[cleanheart]

I do have 7, 5gal. buckets that have food in them vacuum packed in Mylar so I suppose they could be buried. I have just the place too. Good idea lampliter. and I have more mylar that I can use to pack the boxes,taking things out of boxes of course so they will store easier.Sure got my work cut out for me tho. All the canned goods well, I don't know about them. I'll have to figure something out for them.&nbsp;<br>Thanks!<br>Marsha

 

[ShesJustJodi]

I know a lot of people bury, but I also want to have enough with me at all times if I can't get to the spots where it's buried. I guess vacuum bags would make the most of every inch of space.

 

[cleanheart]

Hi She,<br>I think I will keep a tote full of some food saver bagged items like rice and beans and oats under the bed. My foodsaver has been a "life saver" as far as space goes. I'm going to be sad to give it up. I may not, might just see if I can keep it somewhere. I'm really trying not to rent some kind of storage space. There may be no way around it tho. We'll see once I get closer to moving into the van. I think I can keep a lot of the food with me what I will actually use that is.

 

[ShesJustJodi]

I was reading your comment about a storage space and I remembered that I am currently prepping for a family! When I am in the mobile life it will only be me and Annie and the family will be my storage space. Duh! LOL I am sure I can keep enough with me for just the dog and I.

 

[akrvbob]

I am a semi-prepper. I don't think it is realistic for me to try to have more than 6 months supply of food with me. I buy freeze dried in #10 cans. I haven't done an inventory, but I am figuring 1000 calories a day&nbsp; for bare survival, 30,000 calories a month x 6 = 180,000 calories. Find the servings per container and multiply that by calories per serving and that is the total calories in that can. <br><br>So I keep buying #10 cans until I have that much. Walmart caries some. I just look everywhere I go. Mountain House are my favorite, but they are expensive.<br><br>6 months may not be enough, but its better than nothing.<br>Bob

 

[kyuubs]

I would say screw storing food and start learning how to grow/forage/acquire&nbsp;it. &nbsp;I read multiple sources that claim one can live off a garden of just a few square feet (4-6, i forget). &nbsp;Not to mention the benefits to the earth, yourself, and everyone else of growing vs storing. &nbsp;It's not currently my forte, but I plan on learning how to grow and cook as my next skill. &nbsp;I figure its worthless storing food in an end world&nbsp;scenario&nbsp;because you will always run out, and then what are you to do? &nbsp;Can't count on the grocery store anymore. &nbsp;Does anyone grow in their van/truck?

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I think the idea is have enough food for the initial whatever (and when desperate people run out of supplies) to live on or supplement while you establish an alternative food plan (forage/garden/hunting/raiding).

 

[cleanheart]

Thanks everyone for weighing in. You're exactly right DazarGaidin! That is the plan.&nbsp;<br>kyuubs, Forgaging will only take me so far. Especially if I'm mobile and not in a place where I am familiar with the areas natural food. I wouldn't want to eat the wrong thing. I am an avid gardener and grow a garden every year and will have one this year and the next. I will garden and can until I get this van paid off and am able to get a bigger van.&nbsp;<br><br>My &nbsp;goal is to be able to carry at least 1 year's worth of food with me. Cans are heavy but dried foods packed in mylar using oxygen absorbers will be much lighter when I leave Illinois behind in 2 or 3 years. I will be in the van in a couple of months but not able to leave Illinois for a while yet.&nbsp;<br>Thanks Bob on the calorie count.....I do try to plan meals according to calories when prepping. So far I figure I have about 2 years worth of food put up.&nbsp;<br>Marsha<br><br>ETA: I'm not necessarily storing food for TEOTWAWKI but for the high costs coming down the pipeline. Food prices have gone up in the past couple of years close to 40% but my wage hasn't gone up and I do use my prepps trying to replenish as I use them. I haven't bought TP or Coffee for 3 years and I'm just about out of both. Time to amp it up!!!!

 

[bk2valve]

Having had some good survival training, I would suggest that other than your basic bug-out bag and the tools in it, it will be what you know rather than what you carry that will help you survive. Gas will be the first thing to go in any real event.<br><br>Bri

 

[McBe]

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I’ve found myself more and more interested in practical prepping as in what really works and what doesn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">There are probably an infinite number of possible doomer scenarios to plan for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As I think back on “weird” or “bad” stuff that’s happened to me over the years what I remember is that things often came fast and without warning or “out of the blue.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">It seems to me that the first thing to consider is how to get out of a bad situation, and that could be as simple as having basic survival knowledge, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>a passport, being a fast talker (social skills), or even having a bicycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Here are some things that have come to mind recently. . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>In the past I’ve experienced some major power outages where you couldn’t use a card at the pumps or even in the stores,--- cash or checks was all they would take until the system came back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I’ve also become so dependent on “on-line everything” as in bill paying, banking, etc that (I know this sounds dumb) I’ve virtually “forgotten” how to do things the old fashioned way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m taking steps to change these dependencies by having some cash on hand and keeping phone and account numbers handy when internet access is down.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Many think that zombies will come after us when chaos ensues but from what I’ve gathered from others and experienced myself is that often times people go out of their way to be helpful and compassionate in emergencies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Sometimes I feel sorry for <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>preppers when I read about how they spend all their time, money, and thinking in prepping and all it could take is just one tank to come in and destroy the compound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>I say be nimble, as healthy as possible, be centered so you can make good decisions, keep some water and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>non-perishable food on hand, and have some basic first aid and survival knowledge.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I’m not some billionaire who can build a self-sufficient biosphere, so the next best thing for me is to prepare for basic emergencies of hopefully a limited duration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></p>

 

[AltTransBikes]

Let's face it, unless you're driving a big rig, serious prepping and the nomad lifestyle just do not combine well. Food is heavy. Do what you can. The reason nomads are mobile and keep moving is to find new ground to graze.

 

[c_hasbeen]

my two cents worth<br>this is the list of items I would want to include<br><br>Cash<br>Ax<br>some hand tools<br>shovel<br>some silver dimes<br>pour over water filter of some type<br>good knife<br>basic fishing gear<br>encyclopedia of country living book<br>dry food that you rotate and use up and replace<br>first aid kit and over the counter medicines you normally use and replace<br>bicycle with rack and containers you can use to haul water on the bike.<br>bicycle tire pump<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[cleanheart]

Good replies all! Thank you!&nbsp;<br>I have had some survival training so I feel I can be self sufficient to a point. I am heavily into Bushcraft/Fieldcraft and am quite knowledgeable. I too, believe that what a person knows will come in more handy than what you have. I primitive camp a lot and am able to manage with what nature provides. But that is here so I will need to study up on each place I stay at. I will be in Illinois for some time yet but still mobile. Just wanting to be prepared. I have this mindset of preparedness and will carry it with me no matter where I go. I must say keeping a full tank of gas is very important to me.<br>I use only cash as a means to pay for anything. I pay all my bills with money orders or just cash if possible. I do not use credit cards or debit cards for anything. I do have both but don't keep any money in the bank other than my car payment. All else is cash. Period! I learned the hard way that I'm not very good with checks. lol or credit cards. Don't use them.

 

[owl]

&nbsp;&nbsp; @ cleanheart &amp; McBe, alright, you two are making way too much sense. Stop or the government will be investigating you. My plan----Stock up on toilet paper. It's better than gold or silver and you can trade it for anything you'll need.

 

[cleanheart]

Hahahahahaha! Good one owl! &nbsp;Believe me I'm sure I'm already on someone's list! LOL Stocking up on TP is great! like I said before I still have enough for another year. lol Trade it? NO WAY!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br><br>

 

[ShesJustJodi]

Lots of sensible replies here. I am currently stocking up at home due to rising food prices. I feel that in a true cataclysmic situation, anything can happen and I will probably have the wrong stuff anyway. I am more concerned with water first, especially because we have septic, so if the power goes out we have no water pumping to our home. Beyond that, I am just trying to freeze prices by getting the more expensive staples like coffee that are really important to me. The roommates currently buy the food for the house. I'm storing the backup when the prices get so bad we cant eat as well as we do now.<br><br>As for when I am mobile, I want to know that if I get stuck somewhere, I can have enough supplies to keep Annie and I in water and food for a while. For me, it's just the mom thing of being practical and planning ahead. I am not a doomsday prepper by any means. Although, I am well read in History and global politics, that's for sure. I am definitely not a sheep. But that's topic for another thread...