Hi everyone.
I am new to the board, and very new to prepping. I must admit that I was first turned on to the idea of prepping through the natgeo tv show doomsday preppers. I'm sure that there is a lot of that going around these days.
First and foremost, I want to use this post to introduce myself, but I also want to congratulate you all for having the foresight to prepare for the worst. For most of you, it did not take a tv series to open up your eyes to the fragile state of our "civilized" world. Kudos to you all. Also thank you all for contributing to this forum so that newbie preppers like myself have a dedicated resource on which to steer our own personal goals, instead of driving blindly without knowing where to start.
After watching the show, I was immediatley hooked. Not because of the biased angle that reality tv has put on the culture, but by the individuals themselves for opening their world up for the rest of us to see. I saw past the "look at these crazy hermits" that is so readily available, and saw through to the core of the issue: that this world has been on the brink of something for along time, and no one knows for sure what that might be. All sources point to one of two things however. Either everything is fine and will be until the end of time... Or the world as we know it could stop in a heartbeat from just about anything.
After watching the show, I began to do my own research. While I agree that some theories of doomsday are unrealistic (zombie apocalypse, alien invasion, etc), there are some very real and tangible disasters that could change everything. The worst being the total unpreparedness of mankind. I agree with most on these threads that no matter what happens, there will definatley be a massive destabilization of society, and as we have seen in history and in the recent past, mankind seems to love nothing more then an opportunity to destroy itself.
My personal biggest fear, living in the resource rich west of canada, is the downfall of our super power neighbors to the south. I do not know enough to say how it will happen, but my guess would be any of the big 3. War, foreign debt leading to a financial collapse, or possibly some sort of emp that wipes out the grid.
I already have started forming my to-do list for survival, and like all of us I'm sure I have big dreams and low budget. I hope that by talking to others on this forum I will be able to find my way to prepardness, one step at a time.
Thank you all for reading, and sorry for the long first post!
See you all after.
Buggie
See you all after.
Welcome Buggie, I am a newer member of this group but not to the concept of "prepping". We have been watching the world change for many years and have seen how quickly things can go wrong. Even if the disaster is short-lived and has limited consequences it is worth the peace of mind to know that you are ready for most of the things that can happen. I find the concept of bugging out to be difficult. Leaving behind friends, co-workers or family who just can't or won't be able to go is really, really tough but I guess that the will to survive is very strong within me. Not all of the preps have to be expensive and adding a few items on each shopping trip helps me feel more ready. Living near Edmonton, we worry about the refineries being targeted or tornadoes which we know can happen and I have found that identifying what you are most fearful of somewhat dictates what your preps will be. Hope you will find as much useful information as I have on this forum. Thanks for being on the front lines in Calgary, take care
"It's better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret"
I whole heartidly agree about bugging out being difficult, however in my current situation I feel like if an event were to happen tommorow, myself and the ones I love are not prepared. Living in a major urban center for work has me locked down to this particular area for the next 25 years (hopefully anyways lol), and I feel that given my fears the city is one of the last places I would want to be when shtf.I fear that bugging out would be the only option I would be satisfied with. In my mind, I see myself purchasing property somewhere remote as a vacation spot... However to me it would also serve as my bug out location. As I am still new to it, the logistics of my plan have yet to be thought out, especially as far as who would know about it, who would be included, etc. I am still a young man, and hopefully I still have enough time to establish proper means that would insure my survival as well as those I care about. I am sure that as my own journey progresses, and my plans begin to fall into place, I will update those on this board (but not too much!) and ask questions as needed.
I know that there are several topics on bug out locations already active on these boards, but if anyone has any ideas or resources for a newcomer I would greatly appretiate it! Unfortunatley, I don't see myself being in a position to purchase my ideal location for at least 5-7 years.
See you all after.
Welcome from Northern Ontario.
Howdy Buggie,
Welcome. The first steps you have taken, by joining this Forum and posting. Keep posting, that is a big part of it.
CFD, thanks and keep up the good work and traditions.
Not meaning to flog my own blog, but it may have some starting point items for you to review. Of course, once you are comfortable in the Alberta Forum, you will want to explore the Canadian Forum and the Ontario & BC Forums. There is some great info on this site, you may have to dig (read) for it but it is out there. Careful, this site can get a wee bit addicting at times. The thirst for knowledge, can be wet but maybe not quenched here. But this is a good starting point.
Keep us posted of you progress.
Cheers,
Mountainman.
Howdy Buggie. Prepping on a budget is not as tough as you think. My family is managing quite well and we have all of the regular bills and I make a modest living. For food stocking I recommend the "Mormon Four"; Wheat, Salt, Powdered milk and Sugar.
The Mormons (I'm not Mormon) have over a hundred years of studying food stockpiling because it is one of the basic tenets of their faith to have a year's supply of food on hand. So these guys really know what they are talking about.
Also when Canada sends emergency food to famine struck countries like Ethiopia they send wheat, Sugar Powdered milk and Salt. A bag of wheat costs $11 for 25 lbs.
For example a family of 3 will need 48 bags for a year's supply.
Hello Buggie & welcome! Just a note that if you get wheat ensure you also get a mill to grind it in...lol...and some recipes that contain those 4 items or you will be chewing hard wheat kernels and drinking salty sweet milk...lol..I come from the belief that you should store what you eat...there is no point in storing food you don't eat, don't like or are unfamiliar with and haven't cooked with it. Here is a seminar it would benefit you to watch( 8 parts you tube videos) that will help you to figure out what to store for you and your loved ones that I find much tastier than some other ways of storing...in the beginning of my storage I purchased many different kinds of beans and lots of rice...I am unfamiliar with beans other than in chilli and in tomato sauce and though I can eat rice I will appreciate much more other foods in my current storage system...I wish you well on your way to finding what you need that will give you peace of mind during your journey of preparation for an uncertain future...hope to see you arounnd!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BUaFMEyLXOM
I will post this as a new forum
thanks all for the warm welcome.
@mountainman: thank you for the blog link. i will be sure to check it out in depth. Any tips on starting out are always welcome! and yes... i can already tell this is going to be a new addiction ugh.
@forward: Thanks for the info about bulk shopping. I already had the premise in mind, but as igsbrooks stated, you cant just eat a bag of flower with sugar sprinkled on it haha. I will have to do some research on food preperations with basic necessities, and with my budget im sure they will make a staple in my diet. Other things will have to be added to supplement of course, but I have to start somewhere.
@igsbrooks: thank you as well for the videos. i will give them a look and hopefully have a better idea on food storage.
See you all after.