Thinking about a longterm situation, whether its price increase or whatever.
Its always a good idea to have certain things on hand around the house.
Like Dawn dish soap, you can use it for showering, cleaning the shower mixed, with vinegar and jet dry in a spay bottle.
Baking soda, thats a given, it can be a fire retardant, a cleanser, stops acid spills, especially if you spill acid on yourself. (I've done it a few times) :blush:
Aside being prepared, why waste money on ready made crap, that you can make yourself?
Can you think of other products to stock up on?
Buying and storing products like Dawn or other name brand items with long expiration dates can be good for bartering, because the people you are trading with may not trust your home brews.
Quote from: Eyesabide on March 10, 2012, 09:19:57 PM
Buying and storing products like Dawn or other name brand items with long expiration dates can be good for bartering, because the people you are trading with may not trust your home brews.
OOOOH...That's a very good point!
Items like this would be very valuable in trade, because it not some of the stuff most people stock up on.
Bleach is another multi use product, but I always but the pool chlorine, its usually 5 times stronger and you can get the crystallized shock treatment which is cheap and can be made any strength you want.
I find the magazine Mother Earth News to be quite insightful at times. Plus its quite enetertaining to read some of the articles by the old hippies.
Quote from: lessthantolerant on March 11, 2012, 04:16:45 AM
I find the magazine Mother Earth News to be quite insightful at times. Plus its quite enetertaining to read some of the articles by the old hippies.
I agree, Mother Earth news is an excellent source for off grid living.
Once you can ignore who wrote it and their green agenda BS.
Iodized salt, should last a long time, and possibly some supplemental minerals or vitamins to prevent maladies such as scurvy, especially if you live in areas where fresh foods may not be available over the four seasons.
Quote from: Solar on March 10, 2012, 09:49:09 AM
Can you think of other products to stock up on?
Spam.
Stock up on lots of Spam.
Quote from: Eyesabide on March 11, 2012, 07:33:18 PM
Iodized salt, should last a long time, and possibly some supplemental minerals or vitamins to prevent maladies such as scurvy, especially if you live in areas where fresh foods may not be available over the four seasons.
Salt is one of those things most of us take for granted, seeing how its so pervasive in food, but looking at my food stores, most of it is salt free.
I guess Ford may be on to something saying stock up on Spam.
Personally I hate the stuff, but when you're starving, that last can would look pretty appetizing.
Lots of salt in Spam! It makes pretty good critter bait too.
Quote from: Eyesabide on March 12, 2012, 04:26:00 PM
Lots of salt in Spam! It makes pretty good critter bait too.
Yep, that's why I hate the stuff.
Hell, I swell up like a blimp when I eat it. :blush:
Quote from: Solar on March 12, 2012, 06:13:04 AM
Salt is one of those things most of us take for granted, seeing how its so pervasive in food, but looking at my food stores, most of it is salt free.
I guess Ford may be on to something saying stock up on Spam.
Personally I hate the stuff, but when you're starving, that last can would look pretty appetizing.
Spam is high in calories. The Russians loved it in WW2.
Quote from: Ford289HiPo on March 13, 2012, 07:57:58 PM
Spam is high in calories. The Russians loved it in WW2.
I know, but that still doesn't help the taste.
Aside the fact, the Russians were starving. :laugh:
Tooth paste
Alchohol for trade
Ammo for you guns
Shoes & clothing
Eyeglasses if you need them
Basic spare parts for solar hookups if you have them
Quote from: Dan on March 14, 2012, 09:47:22 AM
Tooth paste
Alchohol for trade
Ammo for you guns
Shoes & clothing
Eyeglasses if you need them
Basic spare parts for solar hookups if you have them
Good idea about trading goods like alcohol, or other things that most people take for granted, because they only buy it when they want it.
And the solar idea is a good one, even a single solar panel can keep one battery charged for using the radio in the car if all else fails.
Trade goods can be a whole seperate catagory, as can skills that might be good for trade as well. In a sustained environment change, eventually trade will become a neccessity. To be able to provide goods to others that you can make will be very desirable too.
The skills that would seem to be most in demand would be medical, military and mechanical. Sadly, I have none of these.
Certainly medical skills, military and mechanical knowledge will be valuable. So will being able to make cloth, repair shoes, blacksmithing, pottery, brewing, and many of the little things that wear out but make life easier for people. Weaving, boat repair, there are lots of things that not only can provide goods and services for trade, but can relieve the boredom and provide purpose for people in your group.
Back to items for long term use, it might be good to pack a few cases of Bibles and classic childrens books. Classic books in general if you have the inclination. Moral might be low, chances are there will be some type of churches popping up, and bibles can not only be used for church, as in the past, people learned to read with them. There are Bibles written in modern language that would be helpfull. Children will have birthdays, Books will always be good gifts, and kept sealed, cool and dry will last a long time in storage. You might be able to find crates of them on the cheap, or even see if you can order them in bulk from the publisher. You won't need a truckload, but a few boxes of different books might be worthwhile.
Books are a great idea. Educational books and fun fiction too. Maybe medical and mechanical and construction "how to" books as well.
Quote from: Dan on March 14, 2012, 08:03:32 PM
Books are a great idea. Educational books and fun fiction too. Maybe medical and mechanical and construction "how to" books as well.
Can you imagine the people that don't even know how to cook. :popcorn:
Me and my sisters are going to learn how to can foods next month. That is a skill that is being revived.
Quote from: Dan on March 15, 2012, 01:39:33 AM
Me and my sisters are going to learn how to can foods next month. That is a skill that is being revived.
Canning is fun. It's can be a lot of work, but once you have a few good recipe's, you have nothing to worry about. Myself and the wench just put up several quarts of greens from the garden.
OTOH, if you can brew a good beer, everyone will love you :rolleyes:
I canned 258 quarts of 'maters, beans, chow-chow, pickles(B&B, dill), corn, pickled okra, etc. Gonna have some to carry over from last year while I can some mo' this year.
What are maters?
damn yankee..........its t.o.m.a.t.o.e.s. LOL!
Quote from: hokiewoodchuck on March 16, 2012, 06:51:17 AM
damn yankee..........its t.o.m.a.t.o.e.s. LOL!
LOl, I figured that out after I posted, I kept thinking matters.
I grew up in the heart of mater country, even called it Sacatomato. (Sacramento)
I would think assorted flours, sugar, salt, pepper, lard (until you learn how to render goose fat) honey, hand crank machines for grinding nuts/grains into flours, sifters for refining the stuff you grinded (for those without a power source), basic over the counter medicines,, sewing items, knitting yarns and needles, sharpening stones and oil.....just to name a few off the top of my head......
Another long term trade Item to pack away would be Brushes, combs, finger nail clippers and general toiletry hardware.
Quote from: Eyesabide on March 17, 2012, 02:04:27 PM
Another long term trade Item to pack away would be Brushes, combs, finger nail clippers and general toiletry hardware.
Interesting point.
When you think about it, a man would be willing to trade a lot to keep his woman happy during hard times.
Take feminine hygiene products, something men would never think about packing.
Products like that would be worth their weight in gold during scarce times.
Military grade hand crank generators.
Seeds. Lots and lots of seeds.
High quality restraining devices. Collars, cuffs, irons.
Quote from: Eyesabide on March 17, 2012, 06:33:49 PM
High quality restraining devices. Collars, cuffs, irons.
They use heavy-duty zip ties now-a-days. Lighter weight and cheaper.
zip ties are wonderful things. They can also be cut easily by a rescuer or a gaurd with a sympathetic ear.
Quote from: Ford289HiPo on March 18, 2012, 07:41:46 PM
They use heavy-duty zip ties now-a-days. Lighter weight and cheaper.
Make sure there weatherproof and military grade, remember black ties have better resistance to UV light also.
Baking soda ( Can be used for deoderaant, not sure how long it will last sealed up.)
Diapers. A few cases. Bulk diaper pins too, if you can find them.
Quote from: Eyesabide on March 24, 2012, 08:04:35 PM
Baking soda ( Can be used for deoderaant, not sure how long it will last sealed up.)
Diapers. A few cases. Bulk diaper pins too, if you can find them.
Eyes, a quilt shop would have bulk pins in varying sizes not diaper pins.
I never would have thought of a quilt shop. Thanks! I am rethinking my cache system, a little outside the box as it were.
My wife and I are currently stocking up on food and other items. One of the things that we are stocking is fresh water.
You need one gallon of drinking water per day per person for two two weeks. If you can stock it in five gallon containers, it doesn't take up too much space.
We also have some water stored for washing and cleaning.
Quote from: kdub1995 on March 26, 2012, 10:46:19 AM
My wife and I are currently stocking up on food and other items. One of the things that we are stocking is fresh water.
You need one gallon of drinking water per day per person for two two weeks. If you can stock it in five gallon containers, it doesn't take up too much space.
We also have some water stored for washing and cleaning.
If you have the room for it, a water bed is a good source.
Welcome to the forum Kdub.
Thanks for welcome, I'm looking forward to interacting with everyone.
We (my wife and I) are currently working on a food storage and emergency products/supplies and equipment for our family. I'm reading through to get ideas as well as share what I can.
It's fairly evident that all here share some similar feelings about the current state of our economy as well as the political issues our country is facing. I for one hope it's just a blip on the radar and this country rights itself sooner rather than later, but I'm not leaving it to chance, I'm preparing the best that I can for what could be the worst of times.
Quote from: kdub1995 on March 26, 2012, 03:42:34 PM
Thanks for welcome, I'm looking forward to interacting with everyone.
We (my wife and I) are currently working on a food storage and emergency products/supplies and equipment for our family. I'm reading through to get ideas as well as share what I can.
It's fairly evident that all here share some similar feelings about the current state of our economy as well as the political issues our country is facing. I for one hope it's just a blip on the radar and this country rights itself sooner rather than later, but I'm not leaving it to chance, I'm preparing the best that I can for what could be the worst of times.
Great, the more input the better.
I think even if the country rights itself, prices are going to soar for awhile, so having supplies on hand will help offset the inevitable cost increases to come.
Quote from: kdub1995 on March 26, 2012, 10:46:19 AM
My wife and I are currently stocking up on food and other items. One of the things that we are stocking is fresh water.
You need one gallon of drinking water per day per person for two two weeks. If you can stock it in five gallon containers, it doesn't take up too much space.
We also have some water stored for washing and cleaning.
I'd raise that water ration there a bit if I were you. You'll need 5 gallons per person, per day for drinking, cooking, personal hygiene.
Stock up on some plain chlorine bleach without fancy additives or scents. 8 drops per gallon of clear water, 16 drops per gallon for cloudy or murky water.
http://www.csgnetwork.com/h2oemergencypurifycalc.html (http://www.csgnetwork.com/h2oemergencypurifycalc.html)
Quote from: Ford289HiPo on March 26, 2012, 05:25:21 PM
I'd raise that water ration there a bit if I were you. You'll need 5 gallons per person, per day for drinking, cooking, personal hygiene.
Stock up on some plain chlorine bleach without fancy additives or scents. 8 drops per gallon of clear water, 16 drops per gallon for cloudy or murky water.
http://www.csgnetwork.com/h2oemergencypurifycalc.html (http://www.csgnetwork.com/h2oemergencypurifycalc.html)
Thanks for your input. We've actually separated our drinking water from the washing water. Washing water is in 3 different 55 gallon drums, drinking water is in 5 gallon containers. The drinking water and cleaning water has had a bit of bleach added to keep it cleaner longer. We're also stocking up on bottled water. We have 20 cases of 24ea on hand.
Water is hard, it's tough to transport if needed and also keep clean. Has anyone here purchased a filter or purifier? We're looking at a couple of Katadyn filters at the moment and can't decide.
Quote from: kdub1995 on March 26, 2012, 07:48:40 PM
Thanks for your input. We've actually separated our drinking water from the washing water. Washing water is in 3 different 55 gallon drums, drinking water is in 5 gallon containers. The drinking water and cleaning water has had a bit of bleach added to keep it cleaner longer. We're also stocking up on bottled water. We have 20 cases of 24ea on hand.
Water is hard, it's tough to transport if needed and also keep clean. Has anyone here purchased a filter or purifier? We're looking at a couple of Katadyn filters at the moment and can't decide.
Heres a link, but if you look at some of the threads here in survival, you'll find an awful lot of great info.
http://conservativepoliticalforum.com/survival-tips/must-have-water-filter-system/
Quote from: kdub1995 on March 26, 2012, 07:48:40 PM
Thanks for your input. We've actually separated our drinking water from the washing water. Washing water is in 3 different 55 gallon drums, drinking water is in 5 gallon containers. The drinking water and cleaning water has had a bit of bleach added to keep it cleaner longer. We're also stocking up on bottled water. We have 20 cases of 24ea on hand.
Water is hard, it's tough to transport if needed and also keep clean. Has anyone here purchased a filter or purifier? We're looking at a couple of Katadyn filters at the moment and can't decide.
Keep bottled water in cool dry dark place as softer plastic bottles break down in the sunlight. (even in a refrigerator over time)
Also check this out by SeaWolf for filtering water, you should read the hole thread when you have time.
http://conservativepoliticalforum.com/survival-tips/must-have-water-filter-system/ (http://conservativepoliticalforum.com/survival-tips/must-have-water-filter-system/)
Quote from: kdub1995 on March 26, 2012, 07:48:40 PM
Has anyone here purchased a filter or purifier? We're looking at a couple of Katadyn filters at the moment and can't decide.
We used to use PUR water filters when I was in the military. Katadyn is also a good filter if you need a lightweight/light duty unit. The choice is yours.
http://www.waterfiltersurplus.com/PUR-water-filter/pur-hiker-water-filter.html (http://www.waterfiltersurplus.com/PUR-water-filter/pur-hiker-water-filter.html)
Condoms have approximate shelf lives of two to five years, and are often overlooked in long term survival chests.
there is going to be alot of those "overlooked" type of things.....
;)
This site is called Emergency Essentials, and sells lots of freeze dried rations for long term survival:
http://beprepared.com/category.asp?c=60&SID=GOOGLE&EID=GLFS200703209&gclid=COz3g4CLn68CFYFeTAodZF6c4g (http://beprepared.com/category.asp?c=60&SID=GOOGLE&EID=GLFS200703209&gclid=COz3g4CLn68CFYFeTAodZF6c4g)
Nice site......
thanks for sharing it.
Quote from: cblackink on April 05, 2012, 06:38:10 PM
This site is called Emergency Essentials, and sells lots of freeze dried rations for long term survival:
http://beprepared.com/category.asp?c=60&SID=GOOGLE&EID=GLFS200703209&gclid=COz3g4CLn68CFYFeTAodZF6c4g (http://beprepared.com/category.asp?c=60&SID=GOOGLE&EID=GLFS200703209&gclid=COz3g4CLn68CFYFeTAodZF6c4g)
Excellent link, I book marked.
Many people overlook the water aspect of survival. All freeze dried food require rehydration to make palatable. So with water becoming a dwindling source what to do?
55 ga drums under the house really don't last that well unless one can control the growth in them.
What is a good plan?
Unless you have a well, spring, or other source, for the very long term you will probably end up moving near water unless some infra structure is maintained, so it is a difficult question to blanket with a simple answer. Have multiple filters, both commercial and at least have the materials to make your own still or barrel filters. Your success is also going to depend on climate and the size of your group.
Another overlooked item is sports equipment. Yes most equipment you can make, but a year or two into a severe cultural change a new Bat and ball or frizbee can go a long way towards keeping people happy. Bring Back the Lawn Darts!
Quote from: lessthantolerant on April 14, 2012, 03:28:33 AM
Many people overlook the water aspect of survival. All freeze dried food require rehydration to make palatable. So with water becoming a dwindling source what to do?
55 ga drums under the house really don't last that well unless one can control the growth in them.
What is a good plan?
Eyes is right, you may have to move near water.
But there are other band aid solutions, like a few water bed mattresses in the back of a pick up truck along with a pump to fill them.
My neighbor lived this way for more than 10 years, he transfered the water to a holding tank at his house.
Actually he had a special bladder that held 1000 gallons on a flat bed truck, I'd see him down at the creek every weekend.
Another source of water can be found in fruits and vegetables, as a supplement. Canned for the off season, there is a lot of water in those cans and jars. as long as you have plenty of food, it is fine to get much of your liquid intake this way. Also, if you have fruit trees or grom melons or tomatoes and other water bering fruit, that will also provide water to stretch your supply.
I've been looking into mylar food storage bags... those and a 5 gallon bucket I think I am in..... They have many sizes but theres one thing I wont do, is store anything in bigger containers then I can lift.. I mean its great to have the huge containers of whatever,,, but if you have to go and you can take it with you.... ya gotta move those big giants... just sayin...
LED Head lights. Very long hours of usage and it frees up both hands for you to do chores or even read a book. The blogger I read from South America said he wished he had purchased several before their currency collpased. You will NOT be reading by candlelite.
I posted about an excellent water filter called Berkey. Buy the filters and make your own drip system, will save you money.
Quote from: Seawolf on April 28, 2012, 03:10:42 PM
LED Head lights. Very long hours of usage and it frees up both hands for you to do chores or even read a book. The blogger I read from South America said he wished he had purchased several before their currency collpased. You will NOT be reading by candlelite.
I love those things.
But then again, I have a thing for flashlights, I can't seem to have enough of them, like women with shoes or purses.
I have at least 5 headlights and 20 LED flashlights, and still buying the latest on the mkt.
OK, I have an issue. :glare: :laugh:
Quote from: Solar on April 28, 2012, 03:28:38 PM
I love those things.
But then again, I have a thing for flashlights, I can't seem to have enough of them, like women with shoes or purses.
I have at least 5 headlights and 20 LED flashlights, and still buying the latest on the mkt.
OK, I have an issue. :glare: :laugh:
Well then you are set because of all the things this guy wished he could have bought ahead of time this was at the top of his list.