Are you prepping for the future? Are you prepping at all? If not, you might want to ask yourself why. Think back to last week. Did you add to your preps in any way? I'm going to start asking that question of myself every week. There is NO reason to have to say "No, I didn't do anything" for an answer. There is always something you can do. I used to catch myself thinking "I just can't afford to do anything this week". But you know what that is? That is just an excuse. A cop-out. Because even if you are flat broke you can still be working on your preps. It doesn't always have to be about buying things. There are tons of things you can do to help with your prepping efforts that cost nothing more than some of your time.
How, you ask? One of the first things that comes to mind is research. Learning costs nothing and yet is one of the most valuable assets available to you. Here are a few ideas just to get ya "kick-started".
Do you know what plants grow naturally in your area? Would you know how to forage for food in your neighborhood? Would you even know what you were looking for? Look it up. Learn some herbal remedies. Speaking of remedies, how about reading up on some basic First Aid?
Do you have water stored? If so, when was the last time you rotated out your bottles or containers?
Have you been thinking about learning to can your own foods? Why not read up on the process? Canning is NOT hard to do. You would be amazed at how easy it is actually.
When was the last time you did an inventory of the things you have on hand? Do you know where the "holes" in your preps are? Take some time and think about it. Make a list of the things you still need to get done.
Do you use coupons to help save money on your preps? If so, go through them and toss out the expired ones and print out the new ones.
Have you got seeds for your spring garden? This is the time of year that the new seed catalogs start coming out. Many of them are free. Have you requested yours yet? Have you decided what you are going to grow come springtime?
What new skills would you like to learn? What old skills could you use some brushing up on?
So you see, even if this week you might not be able to add something tangible to your preps, you can still add something.
These are just a few suggestions of the things you could have been doing this week. So when you ask yourself "What have I done to prepare this week?" Don't let the answer be NOTHING.
~~ Hey... I'm Just Sayin' ... ~~
I'm canning and dehydrating at least once a week.
ReplyDeleteSmall preps are being added once a wek.
My next learning experience is soap making. Got it all gathered now, including the stick blender!
I combed my hair :-)
ReplyDeleteGood question. I actually do prep and last week was a slack week for me personally. I didn't really do much of anything along that line. However, my husband took on the big project of rebuilding a pond on the back of our property. I think that qualifies as a pretty big prep item. I think I have some pictures so I should post on my blog about it.
ReplyDeleteGood post Sci!
ReplyDeleteGood ideas...this is the time of year I really watch the sales...always better for canned goods and baking needs this time of year. Canned goods are the least of my favorites but they could really come in handy for a long time if there was a problem with transportation...I did encourage my niece who is completely dependant on thyroid medicine (she had her thyroid taken out due to cancer) to get at least 3 months supply..I need to check back with her on that...you are right...lots we can do without spending money...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great suggestions.
ReplyDeleteAnon 7:27 Sounds like you are staying busy! WTG! Good luck on your soap making adventures. Making soap is easy and SO much fun.
ReplyDeleteDizzy - LOL At least that makes one of us!
Roxie - It sounds like a big job your hubby is doing. I would love to see some pictures of the project.
SFG- Thank you and thanks for stopping by!
AFCG - You are sooo right about the sales this time of year. This is an excellent time of the year for picking up extra baking supplies. And way to go on getting your niece to start working on her meds. Lots of folks totally forget that if SHTF you are STILL going to need those medications.
Toyin O - Thank you so much for stopping by. Come back anytime!
everything from saving seeds, dehydrating eggs, canning chicken, rice and veggie soup,bought more ammo, checked on stored water, read up on growing my own grain, ordered all heirloom seeds for spring/summer/fall garden that i needed over and above what i saved, cleaned out greenhouse, bought an 8' propagation mat, and on and on...i do not consider myself a "prepper" just an "old hippie grandma" doing what I have always done! and teaching my grand kids to do the same!
ReplyDeleteI cant buy anything for preps this week but I am in the process this week of building raised garden beds. When finished I will have 4 beds measuring 4 feet wide by 12 feet long. The lumber was salvaged from an old pier from a lake cottage. Lots of 12 foot 2 x 6's and gobs of 4 x 4's that were to be thrown in a dumpster. I simply asked for it and the family was happy not to have to rent a dumpster.
ReplyDeleteI cant buy anything for my preps this week but I am building 4 raised garden beds. Each will be 4 ft wide by 12 ft long. The lumber is from a lake cottage pier I salvaged last year, I asked for it and the family was happy not to rent a dumpster.
ReplyDeleteAs of today my raised garden beds have been built and filled with dirt. Tomorrow they will get a healthy dose of lime to help "sweeten " the dirt. I got a late start on planting my onions but I have plenty of wild ones coming up all over the property. More than I can eat so the excess will go to the dehydrator.
ReplyDeleteIm harvesting & water-bath canning 200-300lbs of native pears that a neighbor just let us have (along w/ 6 cases of mason jars) in exchange for ONE case of pear butter. Im pickling a gallon of hard-boiled eggs this week too. The kids (14, 17 & 18) are squirrel hunting and we are freezing those until we get enough to piece them and pressure can a batch of meat (the bones go back to the freezer for either meat stocks or for the dog & barn cats 100% raw meat diet thru the winter). That takes a few, but we have a bag limit of 30, so that will be about 20lbs of free meat, fed on pecans mostly. Im also experimenting with buying 5lb blocks of cheddar and dividing them up into 1lb blocks and then waxing each 1lb block for long term storage. Oh and daughter and I started a 2nd quilting class, so in 8 weeks will have another 2 new quilt tops done for 4-6 beds this winter. NEXT WEEK: I have to pay utility bills, darn it. I only really "prep" one week out of the month...but I generally do LOTS with that week :o)
ReplyDeleteWell, I've been in a prepper funk lately, discouraged after elections, not alot of extra money, and need to put a new engine in the car, however, after reading these posts I feel better. I did site in a couple of rifles last week. Learned to sew a few new projects, and have been quilting. I finished watching a series "Green Valley" with the kids which is five people living on a 1600's era farm for a year, with all period tools, etc. Learned a lot about harvesting wheat, etc. in this series. I'll be learning how to set a fish net today under the ice on our river, which is a great source of fresh fish all winter. Trapping season started last week and I haven't set any yet, but I have had the new dog out working rabbits. I guess I forget that the things I love to do and learn are good for the future as well.
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