Do not get overwhelmed by all of the incredible resources that talk about how to be prepared for an economic collapse or a zombie apocalypse!
There is nothing wrong with those books, courses, or videos – they are totally fine! They are definitely helpful in getting your feet moving towards greater prepping.
But unfortunately, many people become distracted by all of the flashy features or cool products that some companies put under their ‘doomsday’ mottoes.
A lot of these items cost money which can add up quickly if you have already paid for expensive food stock, home improvements, or insurance.
So, before buying something new, make sure it is related to survival / self-sufficiency and does not spend too much money.
Store food and water
One of the first things to do when preparing for an apocalypse is to make sure you have enough food and water to survive. This can be tricky, as most people get hungry and thirsty at different times!
If possible, it’s best to always stock up on foods that will last a long time such as dried fruits and vegetables, meat, and pasta or rice dishes. These are all good starting points if you don’t know what else to buy.
You should also try buying one set each of plates, cups, and utensils so that you aren’t having to buy lots extra every time you go grocery shopping.
A great way to ensure your survival in the event of a disaster is by stockpiling large amounts of drinking water. You want about a week’s worth per person, with a goal of keeping at least a half-tank per person per day.
Experts suggest developing a “bug out bag” which includes important items like bowls, spoons, towels, and other toiletry supplies.
Find out about emergency shelters
As we mentioned before, knowing where to go during a major disaster is an essential part of being prepared for anything. Fortunately, you don’t have to be completely stocked up with food and water in order to help your neighbors or even the community after an earthquake, hurricane, tornado,or other natural catastrophe!
Knowing where all of the local shelters are will give you some insight into how well organized an area is ahead of a crisis. It also gives you information on what kind of supplies are needed at those facilities, so that you can make sure to pack enough for yourself.
Shelters need to stay open until everyone there has been evacuated and they have enough resources to deal with anyone who needs them. This means they must remain free from outside interference as well as running low on their own supplies.
So how does one get ready for a disaster? Start by finding out if there are any national guidelines or regulations on preparing for emergencies.
Learn about survival skills
Starting to gather supplies is the next logical step towards preparing for an emergency. One of the first things you should look into are survival skills or training. You can find free resources online and through your local community organization or educational institution.
Many people begin by learning how to cook, which is a great way to get started as most people have access to a grocery store nearby. By knowing how to make your own meals, you will not need to run out and buy anything!
Other basic foods like baking and washing fruits and vegetables are very important pieces of equipment that everyone should know how to do. Luckily, there are many ways to learn these basics quickly.
There are even websites where you can earn credit hours for teaching yourself various culinary arts. It is never too early to start educating yourself, especially if you want to prepare healthy food for your family. Many people also learn how to sew in order to create their own new clothes or fix broken ones.
Running water is another fundamental skill we all need but few seem to know how to use effectively. There are many ways to teach yourself how to take care of your health by practicing this skill.
Know where to go during a crisis
In the event of an apocalyptic catastrophe, your survival will depend largely upon how well you are prepared for what comes next.
Prepared means having enough food and water to last you for at least several months, as well as knowledge or skills to ensure your continued survival.
By being aware of potential disasters and be ready in advance, you have already started on this path to preparation.
It is not too early to begin thinking about becoming more prepared, though! While it may feel like there’s never enough time, once you realize that you can spend those few extra hours every week preparing yourself, you will see that passing moment evaporate.
Now let us look at some ways to get even more specific with our recommendations.
Reminder: Even if you don’t think you’re quite ready to start stockpiling, you should still keep an eye out for warning signs of disaster.
Start with a plan
It’s great to be prepared for any situation, but it can get expensive very quickly!
Do not spend money you don’t have on random products that seem like they might help in your preparation.
Many people begin prepping by buying lots of food, water, and supplies. While these are important items, they cannot be completed without knowing what tools you need to use them.
For example, most people purchase an oven and cookbooks to prepare baked goods such as bread and cookies. However, you will need a pot or pan to bake things in which can cost another couple hundred dollars.
You would also need something to heat up the cooking vessel- usually a stove top is needed next. A pot and burner set typically costs around $100-$150 alone.
All of these additional parts make up the rest of our budgeted spending. Luckily, there are ways to save money while still being effective at preparing yourself for disaster. Here are some tips for keeping expenses down.
Build a stockpile
Before you can even think about adding new foods to your shelf, you have to first make sure your current food supplies are sufficient. This is the most important step in starting any sort of survival plan!
Most people begin thinking about stockpiling food at this stage, but unfortunately, many quickly run into trouble!
Too much buying at one time can easily add up cost-effectively, so they don’t get very far. Or worse, they spend all their money on groceries and then nothing left for other things like fuel or medicine!
Before you buy anything, try going without it for a few days. If you really need it, then by all means purchase it, but keep an eye on how busy your local stores are – if they look pretty empty, chances are good that you won’t be able to find enough to satisfy your hunger!
Also remember that some foods go down faster than others, so check out the nutritional value of what you’re taking stock of before deciding to invest.
Stockpile food
One of the best first steps in preparing for an economic collapse or natural disaster is to stock up on some foods that will keep for several months. This can be done through either your home store, online stores, or by shopping at agricultural markets or yard sales.
There are two important things to know about stocking up on food. First, it should be noted that buying enough food to last you for a few months without spoiling is expensive! Second, there’s no singular definition of what “enough” means, so go into this with a general idea of how much food you need and then evaluate whether or not the sellers at the market have left enough leftover supplies for later.
Store water
One of the first things to do in any kind of survival situation is to ensure you have enough water. Even if you are only planning to survive for a few days, it is important to be aware how much water you need.
If your plan is to live off the land, then ensuring you know what plants contain moisture and how to prepare them is essential. If you live close to nature, then exploring the surroundings is an easy way to gather needed liquid.
In either case, knowing the average person’s requirement is around one glass (500 ml) per day is helpful!
That’s about two and a half cups per person per day. Some people require more than that because they are active individuals or they suffer from special needs like diabetes.
By having a couple of weeks’ supply at all times, you will not run out suddenly in a crisis. Also, knowing how to conserve water is very important as there may not be many opportunities to drink it.