Things are tough and getting tougher. Are you prepared?
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31633)
United States
October 29, 2009 10:17am CST
There is a lot of talk of economic crashes, etc. these days. While a lot of us are living paycheck to paycheck, did you know there are ways to prepare for unexpected hardships and weather emergencies? These are the things I do and you probably can, too:
1. Stock up on canned food. Buy an extra sale item each grocery trip. Go to the dollar store for canned meat. Food will be valuable when money is useless. Don't buy things you won't eat unless you plan to use them for barter.
2. Stock up on bottled water when it's on sale. Without a clean water supply, all the food in the world will be useless.
3. Don't forget your pets! Put aside some dog or cat food each week in a ziplock bag, buy canned food on sale, etc.
4. You can't eat with your fingers! Have some eating utensils and bowls handy in your storm shelter. You'll get tired of cold food, too, so buy some "sterno" fuel or a simple stove.
5. Always have extra clothing in your storm or emergency shelter that are appropriate for any season.
Do you have anything to add? Do you think money will be useless soon or do you think I'm nuts to have enough emergency supplies for at least a month?
6 people like this
14 responses
@laglen (19759)
• United States
29 Oct 09
No your not nuts, your being very smart. I would like to add toilet paper and or paper towels, trust me! Also, candles, pasta, coffee and stock your freezer. Keep vegetable seeds arounds - like beans, onions, peas, radish, lettuce, cabbage, quick growers. Learn to can and or freeze your harvest. Dont forget tomatoes, they are very versatile.
If at all possible, I would save for more than a month.
oh yeah - powdered milk.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
29 Oct 09
Thanks, laglen, I do have TP but forgot to include it! I have a lot of non-altered seeds, too. I'll be canning next summer for the first time, I hope I don't mess it up. My stepmother is going to give me hands-on training!
I don't fill my freezer for emergencies because what if I can't afford to pay my electric bill? I'm thinking total disaster. That way, I'm prepared for everything. Thanks for reminding us of essential paper products and preventative measures like canning! 
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
30 Oct 09
Thanks for all these tips to be prepared with possible calamities. Job well done friend!
I don't think money will matter once calamity hits our country again...what we need are basic items...food, shelter, clothing and support from each other. We can always do something about our situation and prevent another calamity to come. We can still start a new life-- i may sound crazy but i am just positive that there will still light after all these darkness and we need to be one in this battle.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 Oct 09
You might be correct in your optimism, I hope you are! If we pull together and help each other and then demand our government back even if we have to take it by force, we might just come out okay.
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
30 Oct 09
All of us have a great role to play in making this 360 degrees CHANGE. God bless us all!
1 person likes this
@mizcash (685)
• Canada
30 Oct 09
From what i have read in your discussion, you are mainly talking about when our has no use. And, yes that time is coming when all calmity will break loose because some people will be prepared and other will not be and try to take what's yours. The best preparation we can do is get ourselves knowledgeable on surviving without all the amenities and surviving off our skills in farming, cooking, canning etc. Things will be very different than it is now.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 Oct 09
I have always enjoyed living with just the basics, my dad trained us that way by taking us camping with no conveniences. It was fun to learn all that and it makes you very confident.
I think it would do our children a lot of good these days if they had to camp with no conveniences at least once a year.
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
9 Nov 09
it may very well be. my son thinks the same thing. but he thinks gold and silver will always hold some value for things from rich that seem to really care about it. so we not only have a reserve of canned goods but also he has silver put back that he isnt letting go of until the last thing.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
9 Nov 09
Bunny, your son is wise! Those of us that can't afford to buy gold would do well to invest in silver. Precious gems aren't a factor, as they are only worth as much as rich people are willing to pay. I won't buy gold at these inflated price and it's bound to go down, but many people will deal in silver when things get desperate. Also in canned goods, soap, everyday necessities!
@prinzcy (32299)
• Malaysia
29 Oct 09
Thanks for the info dragon54u. Although we don't hit by storm here, we still have other disaster to face. It's a must to be prepare.
1 - Canned food is a must. It's been raining heavily lately and there's a possibility of flood. We have a rain nearby so water stock isn't an issue. But we do keep clean water in case of emergency (once a tree fell down and blocked our road to the river)
2 - It's a good thing my cats only eat Tesco brand. I did buy food with more famous brand, they hate it. So I do buy lots of that brand excessively when I shop for dry food.
3 - We can eat with fingers, no problem. It's common to eat with fingers here.
4 - I also think it's important to put your important documents in one place. In case of flood, you might be able to reach it before the water level rise.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
29 Oct 09
Good ideas! I keep my documents safe in a fireproof box. They are in sealed bags that are waterproof, too. I would hate to lose them.
I hope you don't get flooded and stay safe from the rains!
@wigima5 (904)
• United States
30 Oct 09
I think it's a good idea what you're talking about. I live in an area of town where I usually don't lose power but my friends more in the outskirts often do. But when I do lose power there's usually a bad stove outside. What my family has is a mini gas stove that we usually use for camping, but last time there was a bad blizzard, we lost power n it was freezing. so we boiled some water and made some food and all huddled around it trying to get warm. lol. :P
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 Oct 09
I have a gas fireplace in my house, it was a big selling point for me when I was hunting for a house. If the power goes out, the gas usually doesn't and my dogs and I can stay fairly warm. Keep that independent mindset and never, ever depend on anyone to "save" you and you'll be fine no matter what hits you!
@wigima5 (904)
• United States
8 Nov 09
Thx for the advice! Yea, I'm hoping I'll have a fireplace when I buy a home. One of my parent's friends used to have a fireplace in thier houes. I remember once when d power went out we went to their house and all warmed up by the fireplace. it was so nice!
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
30 Oct 09
I've been thinking about that lately, and also am feeling a big urg3e to simplify, simplify, simplify..
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 Oct 09
Simple is so much better! Our lives have become so complicated and we've let them become that way. Storing food and water and other things allows us to be independent and self-sufficient.
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
30 Oct 09
Canned meat is a big one. We've purchased quite a few things of canned ham that is already cooked and has a pop top so there is no need for electricity and it doesn't need to be cooked so it's great.
That also brings me to another choice. I hate hand held can openers but really, what would you do if you didn't have any power and needed to open a can? So save yourself the trouble and make sure you have items that can be used without power. Things like hand crank flashlights and radios are also other great options and really don't cost much.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 Oct 09
I've always hated electric can openers, they are so noisy! I have a hand can opener and an army issue can opener with no moving parts.
I got really sick of cold food when I was 4 days without power. I laid in a supply of sterno and a small platform to hold a pot over it. It was on sale last fall and I bought them out at ten cents per can!
@kylanie (1204)
• United States
30 Oct 09
No because you can never tell what is around the corner the only other few things I would suggest is have some first aid supplys around and paper products because it does not hurt to have them around when you need them thats the only few things that comes to mind.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 Oct 09
Good thinking! It would be really uncomfortable without toilet paper!
@maehan (1439)
• United States
29 Oct 09
Well, honestly I only prepare for days like no electricity, or minor disaster.... My storeroom is store with the items for emergency shown below.
1) torchlight with no battery require (those that generate electricity by circling the handle numerous time)
2) Can luncheon meat/ tuna/ cambell noodle soup
3) 5 gallon of water
4) A bag of 2 set of clothing for the family & 4 Blankets.
5) 1st Aid kit box
6) Candle/lighter
7) Steamboat that using gas
8) Whistle
9) Wet Tissue & Dry Towel
10) Hand Sanitizer
11) Garbage Bag
Other than this, I keep my finger cross.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 Oct 09
That's a good start! You really need to have at least a month's worth of supplies, though. It may be nothing will happen but if it does you'll be glad you prepared.
@sid556 (30953)
• United States
30 Oct 09
I so so hope that your predictions are wrong. I am not in a position where I can really plan for something like this. I have no storage and a very small apartment. The economy has really taken it's toll and stocking up is pretty impossible at this point. I mean I do stock up a little if something is on sale and if I have the extra money but it's limited as to what I am able to do. I guess if the world comes to this point then I'll pretty much be a goner. I don't even have an emergency shelter. I'll bid you my goodbye now just in case. Goodbye dragon friend. It has been a pleasure knowing you. 
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 Oct 09
I always prepare for the worst case scenario. I doubt that it will be as bad as I'm projecting so don't be discouraged. Just prepare however you can so you don't need much help. Think positive and conserve your resources.
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
30 Oct 09
I have been thinking about this a lot too. One major thing for me is that I'm trying to reduce the dose of my medication because the scariest thing for me is not having access to my medication I mean I am practically dependent on it and I hate feeling that way. I worked with my doctor to get down to one dose and thank GOD its working and Im still healthy, my god. I also am working on staying in shape and to completely cut my smoking habit--I want to be able to think clearly if Im going to go through a depression the way things are looking. I have always kept a nice stash of beans in my cupboard and not too many canned foods but I think Ill do that. Even though its disgusting I thought beef stew in a can would be most sufficient for any type of emergency. Something Im not too proud of is that I do not have a flashlight, at least a working one--didn't get my batteries and this is on top of my list, have my emergency kit with banadages and all but no flashlight and thanks for the good advice, a easy stove would be oh so useful.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 Oct 09
Ask your doctor if you can get a month's worth of meds so that if anything happens you'll have it. Rotate it so it's always fresh. That's what I did with my dog's phenobarbital that he takes for epilepsy. I just replace it each month with the fresh prescription.
Try to get a Farraday flashlight that you just shake in order to power it. I have some that you squeeze to power the cell. And beef stew is very tasty when it's right out of the can--I know, I've been homeless and camping in the desert and it tastes mighty good when there's nothing else to eat and you can't have a fire!
@junmae (1586)
• Philippines
30 Oct 09
Hi dragon! Those tips can be more useful especially today, we never know if calamity is coming. I myself learned a lot from the calamity that happened here in our country. I realize that in times like that money doesnt havea value, we should prepare the real food to eat so that during emergency we are not starving.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 Oct 09
That is so true! People tend to think money will solve everything but it's only useful as long as others are willing to accept it.
@Fulltank (2882)
• Philippines
29 Oct 09
The tips I read are all very nice one, but. I'm just wondering, as our stock room is on the basement of our house. The recent calamity that hit the Philippines is flood. And if I stock it in our basement, flood water will devour it. We also don't have a second floor. Any tips?
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 Oct 09
Keep it in your first floor closet. If you have any storage space at all above the first floor, put it there. Closets are great for storing food. Keep a bottle of bleach handy and if the waters enter your first floor you can use the bleach to sterilize the cans before opening them and to kill any germs that get into your water.
