JWR:
I try to find a good compromise between comfort and simplicity, and have come to the conclusion that preparedness is like dressing for cold weather; it is most efficient to do so in layers. Working from a level of maximizing comfort at one end of the scale to maximizing simplicity at the other end, I can gauge my response to conditions as they are encountered. Beginning with a robust supply and security source at my primary residence, I have layers of response that I can work down through as the conditions dictate. If I have to bug out, I can tailor my load to the mode of transit that can be accommodated. By staging equipment and material according to whatever means of transport may be at my disposal, I also have the advantage of adjusting the load on the fly. In the event a given mode eventually becomes untenable, I can download to the next best and so on. So my primary bug out choice would be the truck and trailer, with labeled bins going into these conveyances. These items are likewise prioritized so that in the event of an incomplete loadout the most important items are included and so on. If the primary fails or is rendered unavailable, then I have a loadout for a hand cart and/or bicycle departure. If that is not workable, then I have my bug out bag. Lastly, I have my EDC, which may include constant loads in the vehicles as well as on my person daily. Each layer is an essential loadout to the next highest layer, so the EDC is part of the BOB, the BOB is part of the cart/bike load, and the cart/bike load is part of the truck/trailer load. This isn’t a comprehensive scheme, but meant to illustrate the logic of such a plan.
As M.D.M. indicates, it takes some discipline to forsake hard earned inventory. However, it is imperative that one’s primary focus be foremost on making do and learning to cut loose on material goods. An experienced prepper will know this because one realizes that no matter how much prepping you do, there is always the capacity to do more. The master then understands the logic of finding a way to make do with less. In this way, it may indeed be possible to pass through the eye of the needle. One need only realize that millions got by in this hostile world with nothing more than the shirt on their back and a rock in their hand, at least to begin with. “What one man can do, another can do” ought to be a prepper mantra. – Ben P.
James,
Let me start out by saying [to M.D.M.], “great article!”. I got in that mindset than gardening season started and set I off to the side till the snow starts to fly. I have a similar method of dealing with the clutter; do I use it, need it or foresee needing it than toss it in a box. If I use it, it stays. The clutter goes in a box and gets carried down stairs to be dealt with later, if you need it you know where it’s at. When the mood strikes me I will go through the boxes I have carried down stairs. The problem I have is that I can find a future use for a lot of stuff when we become broke and hungry. This I throw in a box and it gets shelved, I have an unfinished basement so I don’t hurt on storing it there for a while waiting to see how this mess turns out. The common denominator in respect to the items that leave the house seems to rely on electricity; stuff like old videos, games, appliances that have been upgraded or impulse bought.
Recently, just a week or two ago my wife and I had the discussion about what we would do if we were both laid off and we were at the ropes end. You see, we have a few acres just out side of a somewhat major metro area for better jobs and the money. This summer we decided to try mini farming and selling at the local farmers market to see how we would do at just being farmers. The current drought has made it rough for sure but has only added to the experience. For example, I think watering would be manageable by attaching a hose to a bucket uphill of the large garden, would save a lot of foot work.
My parents live a good two hours from us and I have, along with them seeing the troubles facing us today have started to turn their 30 some acres into a working farm that could provide us enough food to make it. It would be hard to walk away from everything my wife and I have worked so hard for but on the other hand we now know that we can make it running a mini farm and could do quite well selling at the local farmers market, could hit one just about every day of the week which makes it quite tempting to walk away from our current lifestyle to start over on a new, more down to earth one. Regards, – Scott M.