Americans now recognize the importance of storing emergency supplies such as food, medicine, and beverages due to the recent surge in unexpected events that have affected the nation and the world.
It is crucial to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, and having emergency supplies readily available can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety and well-being.
It is essential to stay informed and take the necessary precautions to protect oneself and loved ones in times of crisis.
Whether you are an experienced prepper or just getting started, what items should you stop stockpiling or buying, and what alternatives should you purchase?
Remember that there are hundreds of things we could employ in times of crisis—far more than can fit on this list.
Below, we’ll review some of these alternatives and recommend what you should buy instead.
Toilet Paper
Stop stockpiling toilet paper. Instead, consider investing in reusable cloth wipes. Reusable wipes are much more helpful if you run out of toilet paper and can not purchase more at the store.
Reusable wipes or washcloths provide a sustainable and eco-friendly option for more than your hygiene.
Related: 12 Plants That Make Soft Toilet Paper
Another alternative is to buy a handheld bidet, significantly reducing the toilet paper you need. However, it is essential to note that this option will rely on water.
Paper Towels
Many people stockpile paper towels. While this product is helpful, there are better options. Instead of buying paper towels, invest in microfiber or reusable cleaning cloths.
These can be washed and reused multiple times, reducing waste and saving money in the long run. They also take up much less space in storage.
Additionally, using cloth towels can help reduce the spread of germs by ensuring that surfaces are properly cleaned and disinfected.
Disposable Razors
Instead of buying disposable razors, consider investing in a safety razor and replacement blades; they can be much cheaper to stockpile and will save precious space. By being mindful of the items we store, we can ensure that we make the most efficient use of our resources and space.
Cheap Boots Or Shoes
Investing in durable footwear is crucial for survival. Cheap footwear may seem like a good option, but it will likely wear out quickly and may not provide adequate support or protection. Look for boots or shoes made with high-quality materials and sturdy construction to withstand harsh conditions.
Related: How to Make Your Boots Last Longer
While it may cost more upfront, it will save you money and hassle in the long run. For example, investing in high-quality hiking boots will provide the necessary support and reduce the effects of rough terrain.
On the other hand, cheap boots may lead to blisters and injuries or allow moisture to get into your shoes and socks, making your journey much more challenging and potentially dangerous.
Batteries
Even in the best of times, batteries are expensive. Consider purchasing rechargeable batteries and a solar-powered charger.
Stockpiling rechargeable batteries, primarily commonly used sizes, will make your life much easier during a crisis.
Batteries should be considered a survival essential. A battery stockpile could be a lifesaver if you need a battery-operated radio or flashlights.
Bottled Water
Although water is essential to any survival stockpile, you need to consider how it is contained. Rather than buying individual water bottles, purchasing a water filter or water purification tablets is often better.
When storing water for long-term use, keeping airtight containers in a cool, dark place is vital. Consider using water purification tablets or a water filter to ensure the water remains safe.
Rotating and replacing stored water every six months is also recommended to maintain freshness. Instead of relying solely on bottled water, you can keep tap water appropriately treated with chlorine bleach or other disinfectants.
An even better alternative is building your own rainwater harvesting and purification system. This project takes about 3 hours to complete and can help you store 165 gallons of water.
Bleach
Bleach has a limited shelf life and can be dangerous if not used properly. Consider an alternative, such as hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. Both are excellent options for cleaning and disinfecting.
Additionally, if you stockpile bleach, rotating and replacing the product is essential.
Rotating a stockpile of any kind helps to ensure its safety and effectiveness. Educating yourself on handling and storage techniques for bleach may also help prevent accidents.
Bleached Flour
Regular bleached flour has a much shorter shelf life than other options – usually lasting only 6-8 months. Look for unbleached or all-purpose flour with a longer shelf life and fewer chemicals.
Some commercial options are available that are created specifically for long-term storage. These types are generally canned or vacuum-sealed and often contain food-grade oxygen absorbers.
These options and proper storage can allow you to store flour for up to 25 years. Remember, all products should be unopened and kept in a cool and dry environment.
Canned Goods
Stocking up on canned goods can be handy if you do not need to be on the move. However, canned goods can be heavy and take up a lot of space.
Moreover, some items may not last as long as you think, and you should always check the dates if you plan to store canned goods.
As an alternative, consider creating or purchasing freeze-dried or dehydrated foods. This process removes the moisture and allows the food to last longer.
High-Sodium Foods
What you store in your stockpile is extremely important. Salted nuts, canned soups, and other high-sodium foods can lead to dehydration and other health issues.
Consider stocking up on low-sodium or salt-free options, or even better, invest in a salt-free seasoning blend. For example, when preparing an emergency food supply kit, one could include a variety of freeze-dried fruits and vegetables as a healthy alternative to canned goods.
Additionally, a salt-free seasoning blend can help reduce overall sodium intake while still providing flavor to meals during an emergency.
Dried Beans
Dried beans are a staple of many stockpiles.
However, it would be best to consider the time it takes to cook dried beans before you purchase them to store long-term.
Related: Meal in a Bag: Chili with Beef and Beans
Many varieties of dried beans require you to allow them to soak before they are cooked, and when cooked, they often take a long time to soften. This can be challenging in times of crisis, primarily if you rely on fuel.
Having a small amount of dried beans on hand but keeping some other options is more convenient for most people.
Peanut Butter
While peanut butter is often a prepper staple, it does spoil. The oil within peanut butter is the problem, and most last on the shelf for only a year or so.
Therefore, if you genuinely love peanut butter, powdered alternatives are available that remove the issue-causing oils and allow safe, long-term storage.
Any Foods You Do Not Normally Eat
One of the biggest mistakes new preppers make is stockpiling foods they would not eat normally. Avoid purchasing items simply because they are on sale or will last a long time, and buy only what you know you will consume. When SHTF and all you are left with is a stockpile of foods you do not enjoy eating, times can get tricky fast.
While it is critical to be prepared for emergencies, it is also crucial to consider the quality and sustainability of the items we stockpile. Preppers should reconsider their stockpiling habits and consider alternatives that are more environmentally friendly and have a longer shelf life.
We can better prepare for emergencies while reducing our environmental impact by switching to reusable, sustainable options and focusing on nutrient-dense foods. Remember that being prepared does not mean sacrificing our health or the safety of our planet.
We can ensure that we are ready for anything that comes our way by making wise decisions and simply thinking outside the box.
Can you think of any items that people should stop stockpiling? I would love to read your thoughts in the comments. Stay safe.
You may also like:
11 Expensive Items That Used To Be Cheap
You Probably Won’t Survive An EMP Without This (Video)
The 8 Warning Signs Before a Russian Nuclear Strike
Why You Should Put A Coin In A Cup Of Frozen Water In Your Freezer
Another refresher article of past common knowledge being lost these days.
I have 5 yr old peanut butter still edible. But it’s 100% peanuts, no sugars added that may make the difference in long-term use.
Take a moment to honor our fallen heroes this day.
The elites start the wars an halfway stop them. The military has to go mop up the actions over some stupid ideology, the soldiers sometimes wonder why they are there in foreign lands.
It is amazing on Memorial Day the normal media goes on it’s merry way avoiding the fallen. Used to be this day the Patriots reserve time for fellow soldier stories. Never watch normally watch PBS except for their Memorial Day concert.
Yes I’m guilty of not properly rotating the stored food items. Busy with daily life, but do check now and then that the food items are still physically in good condition.
Some of us forget that we should thank on Memorial Day, the fallen soldiers and Gold Star families for their loved one’s service.
On Veterans Day we can thank the living vets for their service. Sometimes people get the day’s meaning mixed-up. Celebrate have a beer or so with them.
On Memorial Day lot’s of young college age don’t get the meaning we celebrate, it’s not the 4th of July day to Bar-B-Que and get drink all day. It’s a remembrance day of respect.
I like JIF peanut butter and the jar I am now eating is 6 yrs. past it’s “best by” date. I don’t eat a lot of PB but when I do I like the sugar. Just use caution and your best judgement. No spoilage has been noted.
Instead of purchasing microfiber cloths to replace paper towels – I’ve done this and I love it! When I am cleaning out clothes, I take the soft t-shirts and cut into about 8×8 squares and keep in a cute little basket by my sink. I reach for these whenever I need a paper towel. Then they go straight to the washer. They take up zero space in my laundry and when they get too stained, I then cut them into strips and use to tie up tomato plants and such.
Sugar is preservative so I’m not sure why sugar would make peanut butter go bad quicker if anything it’s the oils that go rancid and peanut butter because they’re not stable oils. Certain saturated fats are really the only stable oils you can rely on and Seed oils or not saturated fats so they’re not going to last as long before they go rancid especially when exposed to any amount of oxygen.
During Covid shutdown we ate hundreds of cans of food with a “best by” date 10-12 years back. (Threw away 4 cans) Easy open, easy fix, and foods we like every day. And thankful we had plenty of toilet paper for later. Most of these “no-nos” are fine if you have the storage space. And extra for your neighbor.
There are alternative plants used for ‘TP’ when the supply chain is down. Mullen is one of them, am sure there is a previous post about substitutes.
And if you don’t have water, the most important of all, why waste more of your drinking water supply trying to hand wash towels or yourself instead of using paper towels and toilet paper if the grid is down?
Carl – Mullein is not useful once the frost happens or it dries out. Great if you are sick but it will only work when fresh.
I have a ton of old socks. Got the butt cleaning covered!
I do not know how many I ate, but only 3 went out to the compost pile. All of the cans I deposed of had rust around the bottom.
I agree with most of these. But some paper towels should be kept for medical use. If someone infectious is sick and vomiting, having diarrhea or has an infected wound, it’s not safe to clean cloths used to clean up these messes. Better to keep some paper towels for this purpose alone. The last thing you want is a serious illness spreading through your family or group.
Bleach is vital for clean up of bio hazards as well. Stock up on powdered bleach (pool chemicals) for a longer storage.
Didn’t think about powdered bleach. Thank you.
Does powdered bleach last longer than the liquid bleach for long-term?
I am having trouble finding pool shock that doesn’t have plenty of other ingredients, like algaecides and such, and don’t want to get the wrong item. Also wonder about the pool tablets, the 3 inch ones?
If you or anyone else can offer suggestions in this regard, it would help at least some of us thanks!
Try ‘Chlor Brite’.
Dry ‘chlorine shock’ should have a min. 65%-72% available chlorine. It ‘must’ be kept tightly closed in an air-tight container and should only be used to make a gallon or so of chlorine bleach at a time…you can look-up directions on the internet. Keep in mind that chlorine, especially dry chlorine or chlorine gas, is an ‘oxidizer’ and can lead to a very unwanted, but, possibly, very exciting experience. Never mix dry chlorine or liquid chlorine with other chemicals, especially things that contain ammonia as it will generate chlorine gas, which destroys lung tissue, attacks the eyes and the skin. Always add dry chlorine to water and not water to dry chlorine as it generates a lot of heat. Dry chlorine powder does not really have an expiration date if it has been stored properly and is not contaminated with other things.
you should bypass the Big Box store chain pool offerings – go direct to a pool supply contractor – you’ll find the “Ultra” pool shock and it’ll be up in the 70%+ with no additives – will come in a screw lid bucket and that is what you want for storage …
ask if he has another larger bucket – double up on the pool shock storage and use the extra room for your mixing & measuring tools – make sure to include the instructions ….
Just get liquid pool shock. It is 12% sodium hypocrite (bleach). Just used a gallon today, 3 years old and it tested at 8%. Not bad. Powered bleach is hard to find. The homeowner bags of calcium hypoclorite are fine.
Just remember, stocking up on pool chemicals will put you on a watchlist. Just like people who purchase ammonium nitrate for fertilizer. If you buy too much, you might get a visit from DHS.
I disagree with some, quite a lot actually, of this article because it fails to offer alternatives to new preppers. One should stockpile enough toilet paper for at least a month. If it goes longer than that then a lot of people are going to be in trouble but one thing I would/do stockpile is a lot of prepackaged baby wipes. You can never have too much rice or too many dried beans – period. If stored properly they’ll both last indefinitely and finding a way to soak them or cook them will be the least of your worries. Natural peanut butter is a good prep item.that lasts longer than processed peanut butter. We transfer ours into glass jars and it lasts a long time – you just have to stir-it when you use-it. Liquid bleach I get but sodium hypochlorite, in its dry form (pool shock), is a good product to stockpile. Bottled water, no. Get a Berkey, yes. Canned goods? How can you say to not stock canned goods? Meats, canned fruits, some canned veggies, etc., are a must. Rotate them sure, absolutely, but canned goods are a must as well as vacuum packed tuna (retort canning) which lasts for years, longer if stipped into tight spaces in your freezer. Just yesterday we ate tuna salad made from nine year old frozen vacuum packed tuna and it was perfect. Safety razors I agree. White bleached flour I agree but you can prolong the life of flour by freezing it, even if for a week or so, before vacuum packing-it. Paper towels I agree.- they take-up too much space and are a luxury item during good times. High salt/sodium foods … say what? As a preservative, salt has been used for millennia. Also, with increased exertion, during hard times, you sweat more and drink more fluids, especially water thus you deplete your sodium rapidly. Sodium will need to be replenished or else you’ll suffer from a sodium deficiency known as hyponatremia. Your body needs sodium for fluid balance, blood pressure control, as well as the nerves and muscles.
I wondered about that…the body sheds salts during exertion, and potassium loss leads to muscles cramps. Bananas are a great source of potassium but probably won’t be available when SHTF, as a fresh tropical fruit. So dehydrated banana chips would be nice to have, also raisins, prunes, dates.
Here is a list of high and low potassium foods.
What wasn’t mentioned is VITAMIN C. Vitamin c is an essential vitamin for the body to have to maintain electrolyte balance and prevent dehydration. Scurvy was a disease associated with lack of vitamin c in a salty diet among sailors and those reliant upon fish preserved in salt/principle consumption of seafood. For medical emergencies having the potassium and vit c packs to dissolve in water could save a life. I do keep Emergen-C around for treating dehydration, and there is a long term stable form of reconstitutable pedialyte solution that I know doctors have used in remote Sudan, ethiopia
https://health.ucdavis.edu/food-nutrition/pdf/Kidney%20Disease%20-%20Potassium%20Foods.pdf
Sweet potatoes have almost as much potassium and can be grown almost anywhere bananas can’t.
Dried apricots and lentils are also a good source and can last a long, long time.
I have suffered from not enough sodium because I am one of those people who prefers water. I have also added powdered electrolytes to my prepa, Gatorade etc. And I agree with you on the rice and beans. Beans last you have to soak and may have to whip out your conventional pressure pot, works Great!
I am now using the BB 2013 tuna and only once in while find a metallic taste in my tuna salad…nothing major, but I don’t think I’d like eating it out of the can.
I found canned Sweet Sue chicken in the small cans( I’m widowed and use those now)from Amazon and ordered a lot just before the prices increased.
I was not seeing the small cans in stores after the fake pandemic started.
I like 3 can soup that uses beef or canned chicken…
You pointed out that bleached flour has a relatively short shelf life. The only things I can think of that would support the chemical changes that lead to “off-flavor” would be moisture and oxygen. The moisture can support microbial growth and the oxygen will react with carbohydrates to break them down. I designed an experiment for my students using a plastic water bottle and steel wool to show the effects of slow oxidation. Placed inside the bottle and the cap screwed on, the bottle weight did not change, but the bottle collapsed as the gaseous oxygen reacted with the few drops of water remaning in the bottle forming rust with the steel wool. And at the end of the experiment, the bottle was dry inside. This can be adapeted to preservation of flour, I believe, by placing a wad of steel wool in a plastic bag, or other air-tight container, along with a sack of flour, then sealing it. What I expect will happen is that any moisture in the flour and its surroundings will react with oxygen in the bag to rust (oxidize) the steel wool. In a clear outer container (i.e. – the plastic bag), rust formation will be obvious. Also, collapse of the bag will indicate a loss of internal air pressure (partial vacuum) that could aid in preservation. I don’t know if this idea would work to preserve beans because I think enzymes in the legumes contribute to changes in taste and quality independent of external conditions.
WELL Said.
I’d add some information about Calcium Hypochlorite… It will decompose as well although not nearly as fast. I’d like to mention that it needs to be store AWAY from combustible or flammable materials ( it makes an unusually good fire when mixed with these things. An exposion is not out of the question either).
As for Hydrogen Peroxide, it too has a short 1/2 life read the information on the container carefully before rushing out to get it. I suspect that you will find that its not the best deal in town.
Most companies that sell long-term food items say their products can be stored to 10-30 yrs.
If we can’t find any replacements for the emergency food. Are there new techniques to restore those expensive foods back to anoter 10-30 yrs.?
Has someone or a company found a new technique for that we can use?
Freeze drying. It’s what the emergency food sellers are selling. Freeze dryer prices start at about $2500, though.
Other family members Cats & Dogs or backyard animals. Have the members here found any long-term emergency food for our friends to eat?
Are there companies that stock such items?
Are there techniques we can do to make long-term food for animals?
My cats know how to feed themselves because they “live off the land” if you get my drift. Yes, I give them cat food, but they also know how to forage independently. Our chickens eat a lot of leftovers and they forage as well. Their eggs are invaluable, and we only keep enough layers to keep my husband and me in eggs throughout the year. Our need for chicken feed has been dramatically reduced since we don’t try to raise meat birds. We’re thinking about getting a couple of goats to forage and provide us with milk we have a small acreage. Our garden is an important part of our prepping plans. We plan to grow most of our own food in a sustainable manner.
My street raised cat keeps his hunt skills up, just in case too:)
We live close a urban city, there are raccoons and coyotes that came back to the neighborhood. Since the recent two years of brush-fires has reduced the predators food sources.
Have lost a couple hens to coyote and raccoon. So don’t do much free range with the chickens these past few months. These predators go in cycles, sometimes they find other locations to hunt.
Growing a garden during Covid we had tons of rats and mice invade the neighborhood gardens. Last year found and experimented with a liquid rat solution that is for farmers. So this year Summer will have a better chance for a garden.
Some wacko group got the State officials to pull the first kill rat and mice poison off the store shelves. These idiots don’t want people to kill these diseased vermin for some reason.
Some made good points others made bad problems worse. Silica packs outside the flour bags that should be wrapped in plastic before storage along with food grade Diatomaceous earth in the storage bucket/container absorbs moisture and keeps pests at bay. You CANNOT flush paper towels or baby wipes into a septic system, no matter what they say about septic safe. So you need to also have alternatives to disposal of those. Burn barrels where you can siphon the heat into your home during the winter or making paper pulp logs for your fireplace during the summer. 1 ring 12vdc solar panel will drive 3 to 4 computer fans to push outside heated air over your Burn barrel using open pipe racks. Remember large to small and you increase air heating/cooling the Egyptians had ice using the 1st type of car AC. 90lbs of beans rice and grain per person per year. Plus adding colloidal silver gold Zinc iron copper to your garden areas if you haven’t started composting yet will improve your plants and your immune system. If you are not making soap adding urine to your ash pile will add ammonia Nitrate to your ashes that can be spread onto your garden during the winter. Feces has to sit a year before you can safely add it upon your garden. Same as for barn waste. The white powder that you see as you spread your piles is Potassium Nitrate and you know what that can be used for. If you don’t just another tradeable Skillset for people who do. The 1st year you will need to hide your garden because of FEMA and looters. I pray that the 10% left afterwards will be willing to work together to save humanity? We’ll see. Regardless of who wins the election this cycle there’s going to be bloodshed and government over-reach. Best thing to remember is that the government is not your friends.
Flour: Has anyone got experience with cooking/breadbaking with 10 yr old flour? I ran across an unsubstantiated comment that old flour didn’t rise so well, to the point of blaming the yeast. Any data on this?
I baked with some. Cookies and pie crust. about ten or 11 years old. Came out good. No bugs, good flavor. Had been stored in a large zip lock bag.
This may be a bit off-subject, but still relates to foods and SHTF hard work. Mercola.com had an article in the last month (available now only on his substack and potentially for $5/mo. to review any/all of his archives over the last 3+ years). He said that most seed oils, especially Corn oil and Soy oil, but including canola oil… have a half-life in the body (in body cells) of about 3.5 years, meaning that it could take up to 7 years to get rid of the corn oil that you ate yesterday or today. He said this is why so many heavy Americans can’t lose weight. The oil stays in the cells and won’t degrade; HOWEVER, it will go rancid in your body that will make “us” not feel so good, be weak, etc. He also said, skin cancers (unheard of in the early 1900s) is because of the rancid seed oils in skin cells; and not because of too much sun (if cells are healthy).
So, don’t plan to lose “heavy weight” when SHTF starts if you only cook and eat corn oil and processed foods and cereals that use corn oil.
Secondly, you/we may be too weak to be very effective helping our team (family/friends). Since H20 purification takes a long time, keeping fire burning (even in hot summer) and keeping pots full and storing it without contaminating it with dirty water, and getting firewood—my thought-point is that the ones too weak to walk need to become the the designated “Water man”. If you or we weigh close to 300 lbs what can we do beyond sitting on a stump and monitoring the fire (and cooking a stew)? Mercola recommends cooking with meat/egg, dairy and fish fats, such as Ghee (butter liquid with milk solids removed), butter, Tallow, lard, and coconut oil, etc. Ask your grocery butcher what he has for animal fats. The tallow, lard, and other animal fats are boiled and the liquid fat strained from the solids. In a jar they look white and solid; but if you see a fat that says hydrogenated–that is a seed oil, probably corn oil. These were used for donuts all the time at the bakery I worked at; and I could squeeze a cooled donut and watch many drops “in a run” of seed oil come out of my palm squeezing one fried donut. As the Fry-Guy said, when you see how much corn oil a donut soaks up, you will never eat another one again. Another thing: it is said that Indians used animal fat oil in their dried Pemmican (with meat, berries, grains, etc.) and it did not go rancid and “was good” for about a year. Many today say the same thing. Meat/fish fat oils are essential to body cells and physical health; many seed oils are unhealthy detrimental. I still eat a donut once in awhile. Mercola says the ideal consumption ratio among all oils is 1-1-1 (1) Omega 3 meat oil to (1) Seed (any kind) Omega 6 oil, to (1) Seed/plant Omega 9 oil. Today American eating ratios is approximately 1 meat oil, to 9+ seed oils, to 1-2 combo meat/plant oils. As reported by readers on some sites (and I’ve seen it with my own eyes in the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives)–Fur trappers that ate only rabbit (least oily of many animals) died within a year for lack of oil in body and skin in the 1600s-1700s. Meat oils, and our food oils is a critical issue in SHTF food and cooking planning.
That is a part of the puzzle, additives in food. Prez. Obam-bam signed screwed up bill about GMO and Non-GMO’s so companies are not held accountable for those labels.
Have seen lately food and candies that use to be normal ingredients are made with GMO’s.
The Non-GMO labels help, but not every company goes by those Non-GMO label standards. So you don’t know for sure.
Another worry-some labeling popping up is in the small print on food labels. “Bio-engineered food ingredients.” If we are not looking closely you won’t know.
Have pointed that out to other shoppers who mentioned they look for the Non-GMO labels. They get a shocked look on their faces. The “Bio-engineered food ingredients” are being sneaked into the labels.
What else do we not know about our food manufacturers doing to our food?
Have found some American grocery stores have canned food products made in China. And some fresh vegetables shipped all the way from China.
Don’t buy any of those items to consume.
It’s bad enough that China makes Fentanyl for the Mexican drug cartels to kill Americans. Can you trust canned Chinese food? Not talking about the Oriental grocery stores but the average American grocery store chains. Who’s in charge at the FDA?
The arab countries sell heroin to the cartels as well.
Hey Dan I agree about the heroin problem. But the current issue is fentanyl. This is current attack on us. China is following the Art of war book, you don’t always have to shoot bullets.
If we let all those street drug users, not the accidental non-drug innocent user die. Could we solve our drug using problem or not?
America tried to ban alcohol during prohibition era, we see how that went.
The uptight no alcohol religious type temperance movement caused people like the mob to make money off the alcoholics.
What can we really do?
Well maybe finish building the Southern Border wall and kick out Biden’s welfare illegals for starters.
There are a lot of good ideas in these articles. One size does not fit all. The key to survival starts with common sense. The only reason to stock something you don’t use or like is trading stock. Make good decisions. A good decision is more difficult to make. That is why children and young people need guidance learning to make good decisions. Are you prepared to survive with no electricity or heat or running water for a year or more? I see that a lot of people talk about food in a freezer. Do you have an electrical supply that will be there when TSHF? If not, that freezer food will turn to garbage in a few days. Think about medicine. Most older people could not survive more than a month without their meds, some less than that. There is a lot to think about. No electricity, no computer, no internet, no TV, no toaster, no electric stove to cook on, no hair dryer. Lotts of thing to learn to do without. Your brain is the most valuable thing you have if used properly. Your worst if not. Shelter and water is the #1 thing to consider. You have about 3 days without water. 20+ days without food. Weather could determine shelter. In the movies, cowboys sleep under the stars. Have you ever tried that? There are a lot more things to think about. I hope this advice falls to someone that can use it.
The cowboy method works during the Summer season. Sleeping on an army type cot is good for awhile unless a person has back issues. Ask a vet about sleeping on army cots long term use.
Good thoughts on looking at the big picture. We sometimes get too focused in one niche of prepping.
Prepping or survival is what works for you only, well your family too. But take those lessons and info from survival, prepping sites and see if those are a good fit for you.
Some prepper articles may sound great for one section or region of the country. That is when you adapt, overcome and make it work for you. For the desert, snow-country or the Forrest and mountain regions in all 4 seasons.
Good thought provoking comments.
We learned a lot of these issues cruising for a few years on our sailboat. Water conservation was a priority then, too.
Our freezer section went out this winter. I pressure canned all the meat and veggies.
(We have a gas range and propane). If we run out of propane we cook on our wood stove, which is our only heat source.
Plan B, and C.
When one of my freezers died, I went to Lowe’s!!!
Those disposable razors blades also have multiple uses, as well. Scraper, for one. But, don’t forget the straight razor. The only razor that you need to practice with, for those youngster who never used one before. So you don’t cut your throat. If you have a good leather belt, is easy to sharpen. And makes a good utility blade.
Why shave?
fuck up the facial fit on your gas mask in a real to life pandemic or caustic-type environment – if you live thru the fuck up – you’ll learn to shave close
For those that believe their going to live an 1800 mountain lifestyle may work. Those who live in other regions an my need to use a gas mask, you shave.
Ask a military vet about gas masks and shaving why. Ask a relative who served, there is a reason to.
But then again depends on the situation, terrain and what season your in to what action you take.
Instead of relying on toilet paper, I bought a bag of rag towels. Use these and then boil in hot water to sanitize. Just like we did with cloth diapers many years ago.
Some survivalist have mentioned back in the Roman era they use sponges for wipes.
Never tried a bidet, but no water pressure in SHTF, may not be an option.
Still think the Cowboy toilet paper method is interesting.
There are cheap ‘travel’ refillable hand held ‘bidets’ with excellent ‘targeting’ that can be quite useful in such situations as rashes from prolonged diarrhea… small, light, easy to tuck into a tight space. Young mullen is not always available when you need it. The more options available the better, imo..
Buying cheap foods that you don’t normally eat is not a bad idea. Say, cheapo ramen packs. If you’re down to the end of everything and you’re Hungry, those Ramen noodles will be delicious. Also, this will give you something to give someone else without depleting your primary resources.
Saying names out loud for Memorial Day.
One way tried and true way to store flour in bulk is make hardtack. Those can be pounded back to flour, added to soups or chili or like old days drop one in your coffee. Tried and true way to store a lot of flour for years. I have a mason jar full since 2021, just watching to see if it molds. It has not.
Incandescent VS. LED lights?
Ever wonder why your eyes are feeling more tired these days? It’s the blue light emitted from those CCP LED lights. Blue light wave is not good for the eyes. And staring at a smartphone or monitor for hours can tire out your eyes. Get blurred vision.
Does someone really know why we switched from incandescent to LED light-bulbs?
A news article back when had this to say;
Some fire department has an Edison light bulb on for a 100 plus years, never burned out yet. Know the secret? The constant on/off switch on the lamp causes the incandescent filament to burnout. Something about when the surge of electrical amps hit the filament. Instead of a constant amp flow.
So we Americans lost many jobs to China CCP slave labor being once again dependent on commies than being free.
Another future news media subject on home security. Is it true or not?
There have been potential whistle blowers in the past that have the foregoing info.
Those online ring camera doorbells and simple camera security alarm kits are nothing more that CCP monitoring surveillance database systems. There is backdoor info sent to other people, besides the security USA based company. The smartphone apps do the same thing of tracking location.
So those thinking the China social credit system is not here in America, guess again.
Yeah, beans cook a long time, dry. HOWEVER, you can grind them and store them. Stir the water until the beans are evenly distributed in it. THEN the water is now so thick the boiling point is way higher, so the beans cook way faster. The ground beans aren’t fresh as long, so thely need all the processing you can do.
INSTEAD OF PAPER TOWELS, SAVE THE LINT FROM THE DRIER. THIS LINT CAN BE USED TO CLEAN UP PET ACCIDENTS SOMETHING DROPPED ON THE FLOOR. I DOESN’T COST ANYTHING. I’VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR OVER A YEAR WHEN PAPER TOWELS COST WENT SKY HIGH.
PINTO BEANS ARE MY FAVORITE!!!!!!!!! PUT THEM IN A STRAINER. RINSE 3 TIMES DUMPING THE WATER OUT 3 TIMES. EASY TO DO JUST PUT A BOWL UNDER THE COLANDER DUMP THE WATER OUT OF THE BOWL WHILE THE BEANS REMAIN IN THE COLANDER. PUT THEM IN A POT COVER WITH 1″ OF WATER ABOVE THE BEANS. SALT TO TASTE AND BRING TO A BOIL. BOIL THEM FOR 10 MINUTES HARD BOIL. COVER AND REMOVE FROM HEAT. LET STAND FOR 1 HOUR. DON’T FORGET TO SET THE TIMER.
MEAN WHILE COOK YOUR BROWN RICE. PUT 1 CUP OF RICE IN A POT. COVER WITH 1″ IF COLD WATER. ADD YOUR SALT TO TASTE AND A HUNK OF BUTTER. HEAT TILL GET REALLY HOT THEN TURN IT DOWN AND COOK UNDER MEDIUM HEAT.
YOUR BEANS WILL BE DONE SITTING. NOW, IT IS TIME TO ADD THE SEASONING. USE THE 3 HOLE SIDE AND SHAKE TILL IT LOOKS LIKE WORLD WAR II. FIRST THE THYME, THEN POWDERED CLOVES AND POWDERED GINGER. COOK STIRING OCCASIONALLY. TAKE SOME OF THE JUICE FROM THE BEANS WHILE COOKING AND ADD IT TO YOUR RICE WHILE IT IS COOKING.
TAKE A BOWL AND CHOP 1 CLOVE OF GARLIC AND SOME MONTEREY JACK CHEESE OR MILD CHEDDAR. PUT A BIG SPOON OF RICE IN THE BOWL PUT THE BEANS ON TOP OF THE CHEESE AND DON’T FORGET TO ADD SOME OF THE JUICE FROM THE BEANS. TOP WITH A FEW PICKLED PEPPERONCINI PEPPERS.
WARNING USE STAINLESS STEEL POTS. DO NOT USE NON STICK COOKWARE. BUDWICK SENT ME AN E MAIL. THEY SAID, THEY USE THE MOST TOXIC GLUE TO PUT THAT NON STICK LAYER ON. THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT RECOMMEND ANY NON STICK COOKWARE AT THIS TIME AND TO STICK WITH STAINLESS STEEL AND OR CAST IRON.
BUDWICK HAS BEEN RESEARCH AND TREATING PEOPLE FOR CANCER AND DIABETES FOR MANY MANY YEARS– SO THEY’D KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BON APPETITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good info!
Yeah heard of the non stick pan are not healthy. I too use cast iron and stainless steel. People either got lazy or don’t know how to cook with cast iron. But some older folks with arthritis find some of the heavier cast iron difficult to use.
I cook with cast iron skillets and years ago, I learned why granny always put her washed skillet on the stove with a hot eye for a few minutes.
Rust kills cast iron and I still do this after every use.
TOO WEAK. HUH?
FIRE YOUR GARDENER!
GET THE HOULA HOE OUT AND HOE YOUR COUNTY STRIP.
PULL YOUR WEEDS OUT.
MOW YOUR OWN LAWN.
YOU’ED BE SURPRISED AT THE ENERGY IT TAKES.
YOU WON’T NEED TO GO TO THE GYM!!!!!
IT’S FREE TOO!!!
Good idea
Speaking of firing the gardener. My friend in California is telling me the gardeners have to switch from gas operated to electric weed-trimmers, blowers and electric battery lawnmowers. The nutty environmentalists and Governor Newscum are causing the panic over there. What’s the push for electric everything only?
I’ve thought about trying one of those old-time Scythe Weed Cutter for lawn work.
Geologist, Vulcanologist and AstroPhysicist Alex Hammer on Brighteon.Com shows near weekly diagram presentations from earth satellite data on earthquakes across the world; and he predicts the next quake near the opposite side of the fault-plate and sometimes he also uses Satellite photos of USA ground to show what on the ground is near the epicenter of the earthquake site (it is usually a fracking or oil drill site; sometimes it is a huge field of Solar panels. Earthquakes may be caused by electricity from center earth, but they definitely follow the moving earth places from oil drilling. Recently in the last month (May 6, 2023) there have been fires shown on his website running continuously from up the Pacific Coast of Mexico, thru California and into Canada adjacent to the Pacific Ocean (and on earth plate lines).
Potentially Global Warming IS NOT air/atmospheric warming, but ground warming from earth’s plate movement friction. Hammer has said before that when mountains rise there are layers of softer soil mixed in layers of hard rock. A major quake can cause the soft layers to avalanche out of a mountain and bury people living in valleys. If earth along fault lines are warming up any reflective trash on the ground can cause (by sunlight reflection) a fire ignition of grasslands. Which is worse, less gasoline fuel use from less drilling, or more 3,000 mile long fires, major quakes, and great disturbance to ground water? Apparently solar power is considered safer than breaking up the upper crust of earth by penetrating the crust with oil drilling that can be viewed as transforming hard crust into something like cardboard (filled with holes). Governments never tell what really drives major political change. They want doubts because there are financial incentives to being “the first to know” and via investment in new products.
I just looked at the jar of peanut butter that’s about empty. It’s ONLY TEN YEARS past it’s ‘best buy’ date. Can’t tell the difference between it and new.
FYI : Failure , FUBAR , Total meltdown so the Surfs and invaders can not be the new Slave s
They dont even know what they are coming for
The Agenda : 2030 NOT saving planit earth , having a 80% kill off ratio
Watch the real web sites , not the WEF News Propaganda statiions
NO TV , new s is Good news
Way too many sites for reality and truth out there
Agenda is 90% poverty , 10 % filthy rich
Sorry, not going to “de-influence” me. I know what I saw in 2020 and later and I also know that telling people to stop stockpiling prepper essentials like bleach, canned goods, dried beans and peanut butter is a bad idea. We have ALWAYS rotated stock on everything that can go bad. That isn’t a problem. But buying a high dollar freeze dryer (which I have) can be an issue for many people.
I could not afford a freeze dryer by myself. So I pooled resources with others and share in it’s use. That might be an option for others.
I totally agree with Missouri Prepper. I started stocking foods in 2009 and am eating BB 2013/2014 now.
Look at prices now—I saved a bundle of money.
Store what you can afford and know the only foods I lost were crackers and cereal…someone’s pigs got those.
Allow a year for sealed crackers..not much longer.
Allow about a year for cereals in the vacuumed plastic in the box.
NOt years !!!
I even buy several jars of mayo and keep in the fridge–can’t freeze.
When SHTF the last thing I will be worried about it the Socialist Global Warming Propaganda! Pure peanut butter (no sugar and additives) will last years, even in the plastic jars. Canned food does need rotating but will also last 10+ years, same with dried stock and flour.
I’ve had natural peanut butter in glass jars as well as in plastic jars. In my experience, the plastic jars don’t have the same integrity, and the pb goes rancid faster.
I’ve opened both jars after the best by or expiration date. Glass jar contents tasted fine, but plastic jar contents were starting to turn. Ymmv, of course.
mbi–use the freezer…the pb lasts forever!!!
No, power? Plan on sharing,
some people do not have the space or money to stock up what they suggest and the freeze dried food has gotten so expensive and comes in large cans it is wasted on single people or even couples. A lot of this article sounds like a sales pitch. Also using cloths to wipe your bottom is asking for some infectious disease and to was them sounds to risky. I learned as a boy scout if you have pine trees you can use pine needles to wipe yourself, after all TP was made from trees in the past.
I agree with you regarding regarding using cloth rags instead of toilet paper. If someone in your household contracts a disease like typhoid fever, Salmonella, or Hepatitis A that can be passed by contaminated feces (a situation that becomes increasingly likely in a SHTF situation), you could very likely cause your own demise or the demise of one of your loved ones by handling cloths that have been contaminated with an infected person’s feces. THIS IS A BAD IDEA! USE DISPOSABLE TOILET PAPER INSTEAD AND BURN IT OR BURY IT IF SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY HAS ANY KIND OF INTESTINAL DISTURBANCE. I CAN’T STRESS THIS ENOUGH! (I spent 43 years of my life working in medical laboratories, so I feel that I am qualified to address this issue.)
One word regarding toilet paper alternatives: bidet. A bidet saves you money and is better for you.
Enough of the woke bs about saving the planet. Humans have little to no effect on saving the planet. From what?
When SHTF the last thing we have to worry about is the environment.
Several things to consider:
1. Toilet Paper
Anyone who has had to launder cloth diapers knows the problems and amount of work necessary to clean cloth. Also, it takes a lot of hot water and detergent to clean properly. Heating water uses a lot of energy, which in itself is a valuable commodity. If you are hunkered down, toilet paper is definitely worthwhile.
2. Bottled water.
A rainwater recovery system is a great idea.
Unless you are in an area that has limited rainfall.
Even Florida has a dry season.
So do not depend solely on rainwater recovery
Also invest in a water recycling / purification system for recycling your urine.
If possible, be sure that your bug out location has a local source of plentiful water such as a lake, stream, or even the ocean and a way to filter it for particles, and always boil it before consuming.
3. Sodium.
We all need salt, and other minerals to survive. Many if not most of us get way too much salt in our diets.
Getting your salt in processed foods reduces your need to keep bags of salt.
However, bags of salt will keep forever whereas processed foods will not.
Also, iodized salt contains iodine which is also essential.
4. Dried Beans
Soaking time is related to cooking time.
The longer they soak, the softer they get and the less time (and therefore fuel) it takes to cook them.
Also, using a simple pressure cooker can significantly reduce the amount of time for soaking / cooking dried beans. You don’t need a fancy electronic instant pot. A simple ‘old style’ pressure cooker with a latching lid will do the job just as well
I’ve just finished using my BB 2013 cans and have started using my BB 2014 canned goods.
I buy peanut butter in cases and put in the freezer.
It’s great when you thaw it. Some oils remain on top but I just stir well.