STOCKPILE PREPPING: INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Stockpile preppers are the most widely known yet highly misunderstood groups. Stockpile preppers are often incorrectly labeled as hoarders, however where hoarders collect virtually everything they find and have no rhyme or reason for organization, stockpile preppers collect only what they intend to use and every last bean is accounted for and in its place. Preppers who stockpile goods do so according to a budget, type of emergency, and the expected duration of self reliance. Another misconception of stockpile prepping is that people think it is over analyzed, however when we properly analyze we eliminate waste and hazards associated with poor planning.
Stockpile preppers are the most widely known yet highly misunderstood groups. Stockpile preppers are often incorrectly labeled as hoarders, however where hoarders collect virtually everything they find and have no rhyme or reason for organization, stockpile preppers collect only what they intend to use and every last bean is accounted for and in its place. Preppers who stockpile goods do so according to a budget, type of emergency, and the expected duration of self reliance. Another misconception of stockpile prepping is that people think it is over analyzed, however when we properly analyze we eliminate waste and hazards associated with poor planning.
While it is possible to analyze something to death and I am occasionally guilty of this preppers become more analytical the longer they prep. In the beginning many people will prep by simply throwing a bunch of canned goods or freeze dried meals together and call it good. I have seen a number of so called “professionals” offer this advice, and if this the way you wish to prep then by all means please do so. However these rough preparations fail to take into consideration the special needs of people, flexibility or options, human psychological factors-which are never good at handling stress, the concept of resources “versus” stuff I have gathered, and a whole host of other issues.
Principals of stockpile prepping are fairly loose, given that many prepare for different events, some have specific priorities, knowledge and experience varies considerably, and even the differences in climate or region can impact the how and what of your purchases. There are however three subjects, that if loosely applied can be used to define the Principals of Stockpile Prepping; Budget, Type of Emergency, and the Expected Duration of Self Reliance.
Most preppers stick to a budget, usually out of necessity because so many lack the funds to go crazy. Also many preppers utilize a budget because they understand, from experience how easy it is to get caught up in prepping. My family for example, love to prep and learning new ways to do so, but if you do not put controls in place then you waste a lot of money. The basics of budget prepping are the Essentials List, Luxury List, and The Essentials-Luxury List. Each are definable and discernable and I do so under the section "Principals of Stockpile Prepping".
The next principal of stockpile prepping, Type of Emergency, is probably a reason you decided to prep in the first place. Prepping for a specific event is a reason many begin their quest. The types of events are divided into the following categories; Everyday Emergencies, Large-Scale Disasters, and Protracted Events. For the most part these three categories are the work of the Common Sense Prepper Network, although many other preppers, survivalists, homesteaders, and government agencies have begun to use them.
Look for a complete analysis of each category in the Library, coming soon! Analysis is what we do!
The last principal of stockpile prepping is the Expected Duration of Self Reliance. Self-reliance is the real goal of any prepper, survivalist, or homesteader. Each may have a real emergency they prepare for, but it all breaks down to being more self-reliant. In fact most who begin prepping for Everyday Emergencies, such as, a hurricane or earthquake, eventually expand into becoming more self-reliant. It is the nature of the beast that as you realize how “independent” you can become you naturally want more and more of this power. Expected durations of self-reliance are fairly flexible, some prepare for a mere 72 hours-which actually covers most Everyday Emergencies, others prep for a 90 Day event-where most Large-Scale Disasters fit, and yet you will find those who prepare mainly for Protraction-an Everyday Emergency or Large-Scale Disaster that spins out of control and lasts several months, years, or in some cases indefinitely. Someone once told me that a Protracted Event that lasts indefinitely was impossible, I told them to tell that to the Holy Roman Empire, the numerous civil wars in Africa, and of course Terrorism. You might also say that America’s and really the worlds economies have been in Protraction for about five years, which could last another decade or more.
Principals of Stockpile Prepping
BUDGET: When preppers stockpile they try to stick to a budget, first prepping the essentials then second the luxury items.
-Essentials: Grains, Canned Fruits and Vegetables and Soups, Salt, White Sugar, Ramon Soup, Dried Bulk Products such as Potato Flakes and Beans and Powdered Eggs and Milk, Peanut Butter, Yeasts, Mixes such as Pancake and Bread and Pudding, Canned Meats such as Tuna and Chicken and Beef, Seasonings, Hygiene Supplies, First Aid, cooking-fuel supply, blankets, and of course Water. There are many other essential items, however these form the basics of most who stockpile. These products can be used to make breads, soups, whole breakfasts or dinners, just about anything. Another concept of the "Essentials List" is that preppers gather items that fit their budget first, then add luxury, such as, name brand products later.
-Luxury: Shaving razors, candy, batteries, generators, etc. The next item is always luxury, although some will make the mistake of prepping these items before the essentials or placing them in the "essentials list". These are items that if need be, you can absolutely survive without. You can also duplicate items from the essentials list if you wish to opt for more of one item, such as, water, flour, soups, etc.
-Essential-Luxuries: There is a third group of items which I would call Essential-Luxuries that could fall after "Luxuries" or in between Essentials and Luxuries. What constitutes an Essential-Luxury item is that most people can live without them, but because human psychology is frail we use them to make life more bearable, especially during times of high stress. These items are; toilet paper, feminine hygiene supplies, name brand products, games or books for entertainment, hair conditioners, air fresheners, etc. The nature of these items place them in the Luxury List, however because of human frailties (our inability to master stress) we tag an Essentials to it because we often use them to cope. Just as with the Luxury items you can also duplicate items from the essentials list if you wish to opt for more of one item, such as, water, flour, soups, etc.
How do you determine what is an essential, luxury, or essential-luxury item past what I have provided?
Because your preparations should be focused on you and yours the classifying of a specific prep is more of a personal preference, than what I or anyone else has to say about it. However keep in mind that essentials should focus on the absolute necessities of what you will need to survive. The Essentials List should absolutely get top priority when the budget is put together and adding items to this list that do not belong will only increase your costs and put your household in danger. I have seen some very strange items added to the Essentials List, some that scream personal preference and not essential, but it is up to the individual and the household.
Note: Some items appear on each of the lists, because we first determine the item to be essential to our survival. Next we add it to the other list if we decide we want more of it, or if an item we add to this list requires it, such as, freeze dried foods requiring additional water to reconstitute.
TYPE OF EMERGENCY: We have just stumbled on to the most difficult area to analyze. This field involves "all" who prep, such as, preppers, survivalists, homesteaders, government, etc. There are literally thousands of reasons or events that encourage people and governments to prep. For one reason or another preppers began to prepare for some type of foreseeable cataclysm. The prepared for event could take the form of an Everyday Emergency, such as, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, home invasions, droughts, floods, etc. It could also extend into Large-Scale Disasters, such as, a Hurricane Katrina event, national or state economic collapse, disintegration of the infrastructure or emergency services, dramatic increase in crime or civil strife, crop failure, or even a pandemic. Lastly preppers may prepare for Protraction, an event that begins as an Everyday Emergency or Large-Scale Disaster and spins widely out of control and well outside the bounds of normalcy.
However for whatever reason a prepper has in mind some event to prepare for. They will tailor the items they buy and the contingencies they prepare for, around a specific emergency or emergencies. The basic premise of prepping for an emergency is to be self-reliant or self-sufficient, applying “enough” of the necessary items that will enable you to deal with the expected emergency, without external help. Whatever emergency you decide to prepare for, take into consideration items that need to be added to your lists to deal with that specific event.
EXPECTED DURATION of SELF-RELIANCE: Self reliance is a highly respected and coveted position inside the prepper community. Self-Reliance and Expected Duration are interwoven during the planning stages of all contingencies. The goal of any prep is to be self-reliant, that is needing zero or very little external resources for a specific period of time. There are three basic concepts of duration; 72 hour, 90 day, and 2-5 year.
72 Hour
Many preppers begin their adventure by preparing for Everyday Emergencies. Most of these events last approximately 72 hours or less, although some have the potential to last much longer. The Common Sense Prepper Network strongly suggest you begin prepping at this stage. Prepping for a 72 hour Everyday Emergency is highly practical and much easier to undertake.
Many preppers begin their adventure by preparing for Everyday Emergencies. Most of these events last approximately 72 hours or less, although some have the potential to last much longer. The Common Sense Prepper Network strongly suggest you begin prepping at this stage. Prepping for a 72 hour Everyday Emergency is highly practical and much easier to undertake.
90 Day
The next step for most is a 90 Day preparation. History is all the evidence you need to determine that occasionally Large Scale Disasters do happen. These disasters do not occur as frequently as Everyday Emergencies, but severity wise they cause a much wider cataclysm.
The next step for most is a 90 Day preparation. History is all the evidence you need to determine that occasionally Large Scale Disasters do happen. These disasters do not occur as frequently as Everyday Emergencies, but severity wise they cause a much wider cataclysm.
2-5 Year
Most preppers who prep as a lifestyle do so with the mindset that major cataclysms are on the horizon. After building up a 72 Hour and then a 90 Day prep many will choose to take the next step and prepare for a 2-5 year. History once again provides a lot of evidence for preparing for this period of time; The Great Depression, numerous Plagues and Pandemics, the Dust Bowl, World War, regional wars and conflicts, deep economic recessions, and much more! On occasion Everyday Emergencies or Large-Scale Disasters create Protraction and the number of people impacted grows as time progresses.
Most preppers who prep as a lifestyle do so with the mindset that major cataclysms are on the horizon. After building up a 72 Hour and then a 90 Day prep many will choose to take the next step and prepare for a 2-5 year. History once again provides a lot of evidence for preparing for this period of time; The Great Depression, numerous Plagues and Pandemics, the Dust Bowl, World War, regional wars and conflicts, deep economic recessions, and much more! On occasion Everyday Emergencies or Large-Scale Disasters create Protraction and the number of people impacted grows as time progresses.
External sources criticize preppers for preparing for this period of time, suggesting that these disasters are not likely to occur on the scale they once did because of modernization. The problem with this theory is that critics fail to see how modernization may have actually created the opportunity for these cataclysms that has never existed, case in point; because of modern transportation a person infected with any number of pandemic capable diseases can travel the globe in a matter of hours, increasing the chances of widespread infection in a relatively short period of time. Most pandemics occurred in history prior to commercial aviation. It took weeks for passenger ships to navigate the worlds oceans, and during this period many people often died and were quarantined on the ship. Also during the periods prior to commercial aviation most nations quarantined immigrants and visitors because of the possibility of pandemics. These quarantining programs have not been in effect since mass commercial aviation took flight.
Our ultimate goal at the Common Sense Prepper Network is to get as many people as possible to this level of preparation, because our analysis of pandemics and a handful of other disasters indicate that they are plausible and likely in the near future.
Beginning your Quest “Stockpile Prepping”
I have divided the entire process into the following; Listing Consumables, Classify your Lists, Listing Emergencies, Building your Budget, and finally Acquisition of Resources.
LISTING CONSUMABLES
The best way to begin your prepping quest is to assess what you normally consume on a 72 hour, or 90 day, or 2-5 year duration, this depends upon what length of time you are prepping to be self-reliant. My advice is start with a 72 hour preparation and build on that, because most emergencies occur and end within a three day period and also because millions of people die worldwide each year from Everyday Emergencies. List all items used, prices and quantities. Note: The list can be extensive, another good reason for beginning with a 72 hour consumables list.
The best way to begin your prepping quest is to assess what you normally consume on a 72 hour, or 90 day, or 2-5 year duration, this depends upon what length of time you are prepping to be self-reliant. My advice is start with a 72 hour preparation and build on that, because most emergencies occur and end within a three day period and also because millions of people die worldwide each year from Everyday Emergencies. List all items used, prices and quantities. Note: The list can be extensive, another good reason for beginning with a 72 hour consumables list.
CLASSIFY your LISTS
Now classify your list items into the three categories of Essentials, Luxury, and Essential-Luxuries. IMPORTANT NOTE: If possible the entire family should take part, because I have witnessed the results of one person assigning what is “Essential”, and what is a “Luxury” item. Another reason everybody should be present is because people have a natural tendency to negotiate a better deal. For the purpose of your prepping quest, this could be a good thing.
Now classify your list items into the three categories of Essentials, Luxury, and Essential-Luxuries. IMPORTANT NOTE: If possible the entire family should take part, because I have witnessed the results of one person assigning what is “Essential”, and what is a “Luxury” item. Another reason everybody should be present is because people have a natural tendency to negotiate a better deal. For the purpose of your prepping quest, this could be a good thing.
LISTING EMERGENCIES
Now it is important to define what emergency you wish to prepare for. As noted in the “Listing Consumables” section it is best to begin with Everyday Emergencies or 72 hour preparations. Do some research and find out what emergencies are most prevalent in your region. Note: A great source for local emergency and disaster information are your own Insurance Agencies or one located in your area. Databases and statistics are what they do. Once you select the appropriate emergencis to prepare for make a list of additional items that pertain to each emergency, such as, house or wildfires; fire extinguishers, dramatic rise in crime; motion lights for your home, and lets not forget actually purchasing insurance. The items you listed for each prepped for emergency, if practical should be added to the “Essentials List”.
Now it is important to define what emergency you wish to prepare for. As noted in the “Listing Consumables” section it is best to begin with Everyday Emergencies or 72 hour preparations. Do some research and find out what emergencies are most prevalent in your region. Note: A great source for local emergency and disaster information are your own Insurance Agencies or one located in your area. Databases and statistics are what they do. Once you select the appropriate emergencis to prepare for make a list of additional items that pertain to each emergency, such as, house or wildfires; fire extinguishers, dramatic rise in crime; motion lights for your home, and lets not forget actually purchasing insurance. The items you listed for each prepped for emergency, if practical should be added to the “Essentials List”.
BUILDING your BUDGET
The Common Sense Prepper Network wish for you to prepare afterall we make our living getting people to do so, however we want you to prep responsibly. Prepping is smart, fun, and an exciting adventure but it can also be very expensive and sometimes dangerous. One of the most essential items of prepping is a strong Budget. Build your Budget and stick to it! If your unsure how much you should be spending on your preps each month start with a modest 5% increase in consumable spending. If you fail to identify any flexibility in your budget that would allow you to increase spending of consumables by 5%, then try to locate ways to cut something from your regular budget to find the 5%. I know 5% does not sound like much, but your less likely to do financial harm beginning here then what I have seen many others do to themselves.
The Common Sense Prepper Network wish for you to prepare afterall we make our living getting people to do so, however we want you to prep responsibly. Prepping is smart, fun, and an exciting adventure but it can also be very expensive and sometimes dangerous. One of the most essential items of prepping is a strong Budget. Build your Budget and stick to it! If your unsure how much you should be spending on your preps each month start with a modest 5% increase in consumable spending. If you fail to identify any flexibility in your budget that would allow you to increase spending of consumables by 5%, then try to locate ways to cut something from your regular budget to find the 5%. I know 5% does not sound like much, but your less likely to do financial harm beginning here then what I have seen many others do to themselves.
ACQUISITION of RESOURCES
I. Always start with your Essentials List, hopefully you put water at the top.
II. Build out from your Essentials List with small purcahses of Essential-Luxury and Luxury List items.
III. Utilize reviews and input of previous purchasers.
IV. Avoid purchasing large expensive kits without first trying the food, water, or any item they are selling. Many places offer free samples or smaller quantities of products, be responsible, try first, then if you and everyone in the household likes it /buy it in large quantity.
V. Avoid expensive multi-tools for Bug In Contingencies. Multi-tools are great but they have their place, Bug Out is where they best fit. If your contingencies does not involve Bug Out then keep with the concept of “every tool has a job” and not “the tool for every job”.
I. Always start with your Essentials List, hopefully you put water at the top.
II. Build out from your Essentials List with small purcahses of Essential-Luxury and Luxury List items.
III. Utilize reviews and input of previous purchasers.
IV. Avoid purchasing large expensive kits without first trying the food, water, or any item they are selling. Many places offer free samples or smaller quantities of products, be responsible, try first, then if you and everyone in the household likes it /buy it in large quantity.
V. Avoid expensive multi-tools for Bug In Contingencies. Multi-tools are great but they have their place, Bug Out is where they best fit. If your contingencies does not involve Bug Out then keep with the concept of “every tool has a job” and not “the tool for every job”.
Other notes...
Our library and information are slowly being added to our website. We have much more to add and will be doing so over the next several months.
Our library and information are slowly being added to our website. We have much more to add and will be doing so over the next several months.