So how was 2011 ? - from a prepping pov

[Brambles]

Managed to finally get rid of the debt shackles.

Got back into preserving in a big way.

Realised the stupidity of relying on a veg garden. Last year had a cracking harvest, this year truly pants.

Got a bargain Coleman Lantern and Aladdin Heater from Evilbay, then learned how to get them back into working order.

Started to change what I'm storing and how much.

Loads of other stuff, mainly gaining knowledge.

[Alleycat]

I changed from a person that has a full freezer in case s**t happens to someone who has stopped buying another pair of shoes because that £40 - 50 quid could be spent on...food stores, a solar shower, butane gas, wind up torches and lanterns, paper plates, and also the stupidly late realisation that turning a few lights off and putting an extra blanket on beds can actually save a lot of money......do'h!!!! Wishing you all a peaceful new year and no reasons to use your stores xxx

[itsybitsy]

Erm - started prepping! So:

• increased my food stores - considerably!
  
  Bought candles, torches, first aid kits, etc.
  
  Tried to grow stuff - unsuccessfully, except for potatoes, a few spring onions and two basil plants.
  
  Started a (small) library of prepping 'type' books, mainly growing/preserving/foraging related.
  
  Gained a lot of knowledge on various things.

[Big fat bill]

Done a lot of thinking, evaluating, reading and planning.

Done a stock take and found out shortages.

Built up knowledge base that will not use electric to revisit.

Become a lot more paranoid, worried, stressed, scared for the future BUT not in a Myan 2012 end of civilisation way but the Euro, Iran, Syia, Russia, China Poverty in the UK, Fuel and food cost escelation kind of way.

For 2012
I know we were not asked for these but...
Convert a room into a safe room / store room.

Build up food and water stocks to 3 years worth.

Recommission the three pedal bikes and trailers. I want one of these http://www.steves-workshop.co.uk/vehicl ... rindex.htm

Have installed a wood burner with back boiler.

Grow more food and save more seed.

Read More

[hobo]

A very good year!

Both my health and that of my wife's have improved a lot after a HORRIBLE 2010 - think hospitalisations, disabilities, and at one point an evacuation!

In 2011, I:
Met with 10 preppers over 6 occasions. 3 of them are in my town so I'm looking forward to joint planning and support in 2012!
Increased our food and water store.
Moved house to a better insulated one with a wood burner.
Took on an allotment, grew stuff and dug over ready for next year (can't wait!).
Bought loads of practical books (and read some!)
Invested in some decent PMR radios (intek 5050s) and learnt about modifying them.
Reduced debt by half.
Bought a dehydrator and started using it.
Learnt how to make jam and soap.
Bought and installed more low-level solar.
Stopped being paranoid!
Stored 10 times the amount of chocolate I think we'll need....

Next year
Mylar lots of stuff! (Thanks Brambles)
Re-learn how to ride a bike....
Learn how to save seed.
Want to take an amateur radio course and learn about CB.
Get rid of debt.
Start candle making again.
Learn about natural ways of healing.
Start up several home-based 'industries'.....

Hobo

[Technik]

- Started prepping
- increased long term food storage from nil to around 6 months
- got a lot of torches, lanterns, candles, 3 paraffin lanterns, 2 paraffin heaters, 1 paraffin stove and 1 gas cooker
- bought 2 tents and a lot of other camping equipment
- almost finished our 2 bobs and made 2 bags for the van
- got more warm clothes
- got a vacuum sealer
- finished an archery course
- moved to a house with a garden (a tiny one but still a garden)
- dumped all the rubbish food and now in 90% eat organic and in 50% raw
- slowly getting back to martial arts and meditation

[KalPrep]

For me, some personal circumstances solidified my prepped mindset and I got started in taking control over the stuff I can control so I am ready for the stuff I can't.

Started :

turning my office/chill out room into my prep room
Building up food stocks
Building my first of 2 BoBs
Learning more about basic preps and dealing with loss of power/water
Getting the better half on board

For 2012

Keep building up stocks
Finish BoBs
Do more growing
Get into preserving etc
Learn more!

[andy prepper]

This is first year for me that I felt at ease with my preps even though I do need to improve in few areas.
In 2011 I did following
- Increased my food storage from 2 weeks to 3-4 months
- Built my raise beds only grew carrots and onions but everthing in place for next year
- Got my bug out bags sorted for me and my partner and got bug out plan in place
- Increased my water storage and bought 2 water purfiction devices
- Cleared place in garden for my wood storage and stock it with near a cord worth of wood
- Increased my knowlegde on preppeing subjects and try to aquire new skills
In 2012 I would like to do the following
- Get my amature radio liscence
- Increase my food storage another 6 months worth
- Increase my wood storage
- Buy a different wood stove
- Get an old generator runing for use as emergency power
- Sort out my fuel storage
- Buy some solar panles
- Join the TA to learn a new trade