Overwhelmed.

[JimmyJoeseph]

I feel so overwhelmed right now. When I got the random urge to think about prepping a few weeks ago I thought maybe I had time and was ahead of the game. But then the more research I have done I realise that the government made and announcement to stockpile. (I don't watch news or have much socials). This has triggered people to panic buy. Now I am worried I will go to do my first stock up and look just like a panic buyer.
I do have already a few days of tinned food in because I always have done for quick meals on the fly.
On the plus side Friday I did pick up a power bank and stove and gas.
With money being tight now I don't want to over do it.
Please advise and calm words needed right now.

[pseudonym]

Slow and steady wins the race. You are racing yourself, not your neighbours and no one from here

Store what you eat, eat what you store.

If on your normal shop you buy 2 tins of beans buy 3.

Store the extra one eat the other two.

On your next shop do the same you are now a week ahead.

Rinse and repeat for every item.

Don't forget to rotate your dates.

[JimmyJoeseph]

Thank you and yes you are very correct. I need to not worry as much. I have spent a fews days on Facebook and lost my head. Need to put the phone down and pick the bible up more.
Here's what I have stored and this was just what was in anyway except the beans and can of ham that I got midweek.

[ForgeCorvus]

Breathe!

You making a start, therefore you are in a better place then you were last week.

Prepping isn't a sprint.... It isn't even a marathon.
Its a way of life...... And you eat an Elephant one plate full at a time

Now, what are the first three things you are prepping for?
Mine are:
Power/water outage (because where I am, if the electric goes out then the pumps that pressurise the water also go)
Supply Chain disruption (I live rural so we are at the end of a long chain)
Loss of job (but isn't that always a worry?)


Look around, read and ask questions....... The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask

[JimmyJoeseph]

Breathe!

You making a start, therefore you are in a better place then you were last week.

Prepping isn't a sprint.... It isn't even a marathon.
Its a way of life...... And you eat an Elephant one plate full at a time

Now, what are the first three things you are prepping for?
Mine are:
Power/water outage (because where I am, if the electric goes out then the pumps that pressurise the water also go)
Supply Chain disruption (I live rural so we are at the end of a long chain)
Loss of job (but isn't that always a worry?)


Look around, read and ask questions....... The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask

Thank you.
The reasons for my prep are, 1st power/water/gas outage.
2nd supermarkets run dry or get hacked and we cannot buy anything.
Don't really have a 3rd. But losing my job would suck because I've only just started it and I really like it. Could retire there lol
All that i do is for my family.

[Adjee]

Anyone new to prepping needs to forget preparing for the end of the world scenario and concentrate on everyday, immediate and future emergency situations that you can plan for and deal with. Stay calm and build your resources and skill set slowly, quietly and confidently. Also lose your trust in the Government and the Emergency Services, if the SHTF they will not be there for you! Apologies if that offends anyone!

[Frnc]

You are accumulating some food with a long shelf life, and have a camping gas stove and gas. A great start. Also maybe some bags of pasta? Is easy to cook, you don't even necessarily need to simmer it. Hot water will cook it if you can insulate it. Eg add boiling water, put lid on, wrap in towels or whatever, and leave for about 12 minutes or so.

Water is your next thing. Do you have any water stored? Do you know how to store it? You can buy it bottled, of course. Or you can buy a food grade container, say 10 litres. You need to do an initial clean with a drop of washing up liquid, thorough rinse, then sterilise. I use 2 Milton tablets. Swap the water out after 6 months and keep away from sunlight. Or any light really. I put a bin bag on mine. I also add Oasis tabs to the stored water for backup. This is mainly for drinking, of course. But also cooking the pasta or whatever.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Thank you.
The reasons for my prep are, 1st power/water/gas outage.
2nd supermarkets run dry or get hacked and we cannot buy anything.
Don't really have a 3rd. But losing my job would suck because I've only just started it and I really like it. Could retire there lol
All that i do is for my family.

Start with a pen and paper handy...

Do a dummy run for leccy turn off the breakers for a couple of hours on an evening and see how you cope... Now is not the time to be trying to put batteries in the new torch and try and open the plastic packaging

Note what your short on ...


Next do the same for gas (turn off the boiler and don't use the cooker) how did you do

Small practice runs let you get familiar with your kit and what's what ..


Whilst reading on here just remember is old hand have been at this 15+ years in my case and still find more things to ponder over or buy

It's important not to let it rule your life but prepping can save your life or at least make it more comfortable don't go letting it bankrupt you work it into your budget.. look for special offers beans on offer one week buy a few extra for example toilet roll on bogof the next week you know the score

Camping kit gets expensive in the spring likewise heavy winter coats get cheaper in the end of season sales