The age old question

[Bubbles]

How do you convince the other half its a good idea?
I have run different scenarios by her, what if there's a fire in the house? - answer, it's online and we can borrow clothes.
What if the power goes out for a uncertain period of time -answer we will just stay with family with power.
What if there's a terrorist attack? - answer the army will deal with it.
What if there's an economic crisis - answer we will sell stuff.

Now I understand these are standard responses to normal people but... A torch, extra batteries, a solar charger, a water store, some extra food, means of cooking it, some self defence items would these not help slightly.
What if it's UK wide what's the plan then? - answer the government have to do something it's their job.
That's when I realised she's naive.

How have you all convinced your loved ones, or are you a grey man within your own family?
I think the next problem is through my years of training I'm much more confortable bugging out to the back woods and hunting,fishing and trapping my way til judgement day but with little ones it's much harder.

[Brambles]

There's only me and the Brambling now and he's been raised with the siege mentality, just as I was. He's perfectly happy that there's food, alternative heat and cooking faciliities, although he does pat my head at my more off the wall ideas.

His father had no time for it, I just carried on regardless.

[nickdutch]

Get them by the wallet

"what if I end up with no money coming in and the government wont support us, our savings have run out and we need to feed ourselves?"

Always get them by the wallet.... and the stomach.....

[whenfires]

I know without directly asking her that my OH would just not get it at all. Her reaction to scenarios I have explained from "Last Light", "One Second After" and others I have offered up has been that she gets how quickly things would collapse if the world all went wrong on us, but sees the chance of that as ridiculously small.

I am prepping on the quiet for the time being, hoping that a simple thing like an extended power cut or water shortage will suddenly show the use of it all and then she will get the idea fully.

Love her to bits but she just doesn't get it!

[Deeps]

I've persevered and she's slowly accepting it although I've justified it by trying to store foodstuffs that we use often, there are a few bits and bobs that we wouldn't normally use but they're fairly cheap, I've got 5 litres of UHT milk for example so if it goes out of date its no biggy. The other thing I've done to help persuade her is I've gotten more into the stuff that she actually enjoys like the allotment and as of the other night jam making. She's really taken to that side of things, we've (well she has) had an allotment for years but I had to be dragged there to do the heavy stuff now I make more of an effort.

One thing I'll say and of course I don't know you from Adam but I thought I'd be able to live off the land, as a boy (up until I joined up basically) I hunted, snared etc and generally knew a lot more about what was going on in farmers fields etc. I took it for granted when I 'officially' became a prepper that I would be able to feed myself off the land, a look round and a bit of a think to myself and I'm not too sure I could now for any real length of time. If things are that bad then half the country is going to be out trying to catch rabbits etc. Its something to consider anyway mate.

[Scousebob]

I think my better half is also starting to slowly come around, foodwise she can see the sense in it and this week has actually started to bring home food on sale of items that we would use when she is out and about. She also agreed that it was a good idea to buy some led torches, rechargers and batteries. I think I just have to stop scaring her by showing her GSR masks and machete's.

[PreparedKent]

My misses doesn't get it, I educate her at every opportunity and she just humours me. At one point she said she thought I was mentally ill because I had loads of food stashed away for "the day" but she doesn't bat an eyelid now. She will thank me for it when SHTF

[Decaff]

That's a difficult one, it has to be done slowly with none of the "scary zombies, nuclear, or guns ablazing" scenarios. How about the "if we lost our jobs, fell seriously ill approach and saying I would feel better knowing I could provide for/feed you and the kids without adding to the already stressful situation that would be going on"
A reminder that both sets of parents/grandparents would have had basic food stocks, emergency lighting and cooking facilities as the norm? Leave a couple of historical books on food rationing during the war casually on the table, not mention or pressure her into reading or acknowledging them, curiosity should take care of that
Just carry on doing what you need to do and be upbeat about it, in a hey there's no harm in having a few extra things in, kind of way.
Slowly slowly catchee monkey.
My OH is clueless about just how much "stuff" I have squirreled away, I just get on with doing it quietly in the background and there have been a few times my "weirdo ways" have been really helpful and saved his backside over time, but a smile and making no big deal of it is the way forward at Chez Decaff.
Take today for instance, he's out on an emergency with his adult autistic son, his phone is about to run out of power and he desperately needs it to keep in contact with the police, social services and the mother. He laughs his backside off that I carry 2 fully charged portable phone chargers with me when I go out, bet your bottom dollar this time next week he will have at least one of these with him and its not funny anymore. I won't do the I told you so bit but will be chuffed that he's another step further on as he will know it makes sense.

[Bubbles]

So I'm not the only one squirrelling away then Decaff. My OH hasn't got a clue that at least one floorboard in each room has some for of cache under it. Only small stuff but each is ok without the others but as a whole make a reasonable kit.
It's interesting to hear that some of you went for the all or nothing approach but I agree with the other side that slowly slowly will work better in the long run. As for he books on rationing my OH would just tell me to stop reading rubbish - as she picks up her latest Mr grey book.
I thought this post might spark some interest and it's given me a few ideas to go on with.
Cheers all

[Yorkshire Andy]

Report her bank card stolen........... (there's a mini financial crisis only one phone call away)


one way to kick off the prepping without really upsetting her is to book a "romantic" camping weekend away (only going to work if she can take her GHD's tho or she isnt bothered about here hair ) for this issue go outdoors sell this

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/maypole-mob ... 0a-p311812

in one swoop you will be able to justify a tent.. some warm sleeping bags, camp bed rolls, camping stove/s torches and lanterns water container and what ever else you think you can get away with


just try an avoid self defence talk on here or you might upset the mods