As many of you know, this has weighed heavily on me for a long time. I'd say in the past 6 months especially, but I have lived this way for more than 10 years. I'm seeing the signs of massive slow downs, hearing and reading multiple articles and sources talking about markets, grains, shortages and even banking/loan industry issues, and that's just within the United States. None of this even touches the multiple fronts that tensions are rising around the world, which will undoubtedly play a major part in our country with imports/exports, shipping, manufacturing, distribution and supplies. So, while I have personally heard comments about not caring about outside the U.S., we sure as hell better be caring and we better be paying attention!
Today, I'm going to touch on some headlines and a small prep list you all better be working on. We currently have less than a 3 week supply, worldwide of wheat. Union Pacific Railroad is slowing fuel shipments across the nation by as much as 50%. The US production is at a 75 year low. Inflation is at a 40 year high. Stock markets and stocks have had an 8 week losing streak, not seen since 1932. Supermarkets are now warning of major shortages and limitations. 40% of GDP value has been lost in 2022. Even IF everything cleared up today, it would be 6-12 months before the US was fully functioning again. The real estate markets across the country are on the verge of total collapse again.
So, as you can see...the news is terrifying! What is it going to take to shake people awake? What happens when everyone actually does wake up? Think about the toilet paper shortage of 2020...except this time it will be food, water, fuel, AND toilet paper. So, what are you doing to be prepared? What have you done? What can you do? Do you know where to start? Since I've already dealt with the initial stress, let me share some ideas, use them or alter them to fit your needs. It's important that we all do our best to prepare for whatever chaos may ensue.
Making a plan: I can tell you for lots of experiences, have multiple plans! I can usually count on getting half way through the alphabet before find one that kind of works! Let's start with what do you currently have in your household. Think about what you use everyday, what kinds of foods you like to eat, if you drink coffee/tea/soda, what are your shopping habits, what kind of space do you have to work with. Take a full inventory of your home - food, water, cleaning items, bathroom items, pet foods, medicines, first aid, flashlights, batteries, means of cooking, etc. Think about what you would need if the power was out. Do you have a grill, charcoal, firewood, etc. Do you have pans you could use cooking someplace other than your stove? Do you have utensils other than plastic that you can use on a grill or open fire. Do you have plenty of foil, if you need to cook outdoors? Do you have a generator? If so, how long will it run on the fuel that's in it and do you have backup fuel? Do you have a propane grill and do you have enough propane? Do you have firewood and a place you could build a fire to cook on if necessary? If the power were to go out, have you thought about the fact that it could cause you to not be able to get water? Do you have enough water to drink and cook with? Do you have extra fuel cans you could fill to keep for emergency use, if the prices get to high or there is no fuel in your area?
Next, make a preparation list. This is difficult since everyone is different, so I will give a few suggestions some of it I use, some I don't. It is all going to be based on what is used in your own households. You will need to determine an idea of what you use in a week, 2 weeks or month...depending how you shop. Because I'm not a psychic nor do I have a crystal ball, I will recommend 2-6 months of backups. Here is a general list to work with, and you can add to it to fit your own needs:
*Water - 3 gallon daily, minimum for drinking and cooking, per person(remember we are coming into the hot months so dehydrating will be an issue)
*Food - canned soups, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meats. - Spam, spaghettios, beans, peas, corn, fruits, canned hams,fillers - pastas, rice, potatoes, peanut butter, jelly, butter, etc.
*Cooking supplies - Outdoor list - foil pans, tin foil, metal utensils, charcoal, propane, firewood. Indoor - mostly normal.
*Bathroom Items - toilet paper, soap, shampoo, feminine products, toothpaste, extra tooth brushes, bar soap as a backup.
*Cleaning Items - Lysol, paper towels, sponges, scratchers, bleach, laundry soap, dryer sheets(used dryer sheets work great to help start fires)
*Pet Items - extra food, litter, treats, medications...whatever your pets will need for 2-6 months.
*Medicines - this is for prescriptions, as well as over-the-counters; tylonal, allergy meds, cold/flu, first aid supplies, peroxide, alcohol, witch hazel, gauze and tape, butterfly stitches, triple antibiotic cream, poison ivy spray, etc.
*Flashlights - working flashlights, candles, batteries, matches and lighter sticks, batteries, lanterns
*Outdoor options - Grill - propane or charcoal, firepit with a grate for cooking, extra propane, extra charcoal, extra lighter fluid, firewood, grilling utensils
Now, we have a starting spot. Go through your current inventory. If you do not have 2-6 months of any of these things on hand, there is still some time. You can work towards these goals every pay period. I know we are all squeezed to the max right now, but we NEED to get a 2-6 month supply in our homes in the next 6 weeks. I would recommend learning to grow a few items in containers if you can't put in a garden. Lettuce, radishes, onions, tomatoes and even potatoes are fairly easy to grow in buckets and containers. Right now, you can get hardened plants ready to put in soil. This is a great summer learning project for kids out of school for the summer, plus it helps with the family food supply.
I will end this blog here. If you would like more suggestions, have additions, or questions...feel free to message or comment.
Salli
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