Category: Survival Mindset

Letter Re: The Value of Human Relationships in a Grid-Down or Survival Event, by J.C.

I have to disagree with the article “The Value of Human Relationships in a Grid-Down or Survival Event.” In this article, what J.C. is describing is nothing more than Crony Capitalism, which is what happens when those connected or who are friends or relatives of the “rulers” get favors that others in society don’t receive. It’s happening now at all levels of government, and it’s one of the main things wrong with society today. Those in government are supposed to treat everyone fairly and equally. Just because you’re friends with someone or related to someone in government, doesn’t give you …


The Accidental Prepper, by J.C.

This isn’t as much of a “how to” as it is a “how I have done it” in the spirit of sharing my “experience, strength, and hope” instead of giving advice or instruction. I am a little over two years into my own serious preparations as well as recovery from my own personal TEOTWAWKI. Prior to August 12, 2012, I had been sort of a hobbyist or dabbler but mostly a self-absorbed guy. I was working 55 miles from home in my chosen career, which I will acknowledge will never be worth more than about 45K a year. My wife …


The Value of Human Relationships in a Grid-Down or Survival Event, by J.C.

There is an often-overlooked type of disaster preparation, which everyone can make a regular part of their lives, that has the following characteristics: It costs nothing, except time. It can reap benefits every week, year in and year out. It comes in really handy in a grid-down or other scarce-resource event, and it helps the prepper out in unexpected ways and pays dividends when you least expect it. I am talking about human capital– the network of relationships we form in our community with those public servants and elected officials that may, in the future, have interactions with us during …


Survival Information Binder, by C.L.

Introduction I am assuming that, since you are reading this, you are either prepared for the uncertain future we face, in the process of preparing, or curious about the subject of the preparedness lifestyle. You may have supplies on hand or have a support group of like-minded people to help when TEOTWAWKI occurs. You may have thought about possible scenarios that could occur and what you will do when they do happen. Do you have a backup plan? Do you have a second backup plan? Did you train others to do your job or jobs? Does everyone know how to …


I’ve Discovered I’m A Prepper, by H.H.

How did I get here? About a year ago, I was covered up with apples from my one, lonely apple tree in my back yard. (I have since planted another.) I ate some, gave some away, canned a lot of apple butter, but I still had about a bushel basket of apples left. Not wanting to waste them, I did an Internet search for ways to can the remaining apples and found some great information. I ended up canning applesauce and apple pie filling, too. This Internet search for ways to can apples led me to many prepper and survivalist …


Letter Re: Prepping from a Wheelchair

Hugh, Although many good posts on SurvivalBlog embody it, this one somehow drove home the most important resource we must develop: a proper mindset. From it all decisions are made and actions effected. I wish I was local to this woman, as I’d like to contribute my skills, resources, and *my* mindset to her team. She is a refreshing alternative to the “Yeah, I need to buy some candles or something” response I usually get when carefully suggesting our avocation to associates. May God use her willing hands and mind to accomplish His will during adversity. – D.D.


Prepping On A Budget, by VRP

I once worked with a woman who only gave her dogs bottled water to drink. When asked if she could drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, she replied, “Oh no! I’d rather walk!” Seriously? There was no pioneer spirit there! In post SHTF, people like this may find it difficult surviving, much less finding bottled water for their dog. Preparing for emergencies or post SHTF can be overwhelming and expensive, but there are many ways to prep on a budget. Two years ago when a derecho (Editors note: a widespread, long-lived, straight-line wind storm) came through our area, the …


The Costs of Survival, by F.R.

For many, the costs involved in preparing for any kind of emergency, whether man made or natural, is too high for most people to afford. It can be expensive to accumulate the things that would be necessary to give us some options in an emergency situation. I have always been cost conscious and have striven to get the most for my money, so this struggle is not new to me. Even if we had lots of money, it is still wise to try and get the most bang for our buck. When I first started preparing, I made some purchases …


Surviving Financial SHTF and Becoming Debt Free, by K.D. – Part 2

Meanwhile, I made another spreadsheet. This spreadsheet listed everything we owned, and I do mean everything. Well, it included everything except our house. We were underwater and basically renting anyway. Since we were at war with the banks, everything was in the fight, including all of our preps, everything. After all, this was our SHTF situation to deal with. We prioritized our “stuff ” from 1-5. An item identified with a one was among the most useful to our survival, and those things that were least useful were given a five. We then began selling the items listed as fives …


Letter: Psychological Preparedness

Hugh, People often can accept and understand, mentally, some horrific issue they have experienced, and yet they cannot accept it psychologically. Police, who have been shot and survived, have been interviewed, and almost invariably they will state that they could not believe that someone was actually shooting at them. Mentally, they could see what was going on; they could see the gun and hear the shots, but psychologically, they simply could not comprehend that someone was actually shooting at them. I think the same psychological dynamic goes on in the whole collapse/economic depression scenario. You may have intelligent people who …


Surviving Financial SHTF and Becoming Debt Free, by K.D. – Part 1

We recently experienced our own financial SHTF situation. Well, that’s true, if you could call six years “recent”. Before I get into our situation, I think a little history would be appropriate. The wife and I had started prepping together in 2002. We actually were taking baby steps prior to that but when the economy trashed we went all in. I thought that was it. There was no way we, as a nation, could just print money and keep the ship afloat. Early in 2009, I realized we may actually have a bit more time. If every civilized country in …


Seven Survival Tips for the Modern Feminist, by J.

1

Hello, my name is J, and I’m a recovering feminist. Sure, that may sound like a joke, but I am being completely honest and forthright when making that statement. In this article, I will explain my background and rational for this topic of choice as well as clearly spell out seven survival tips for the die-hard feminist. These tips can be put into action right now. It is my hope that at least one die-hard feminist will read this article and consider prudently preparing for the unexpected now. You may ask yourself, what the heck does feminism have to do …


Letter Re: Your Friends

Good day, DD’s post was full of stark and poignant remarks and possibilities which resonate with me greatly. It was much like “Why I Won’t Be Charitable When SHTF” by Chris Carrington. I have previously discussed preps with close friends but in hindsight regret this, given that loose lips costs lives. To redress the balance, when opportunity is arising, I’m backtracking by stating that I got a little over interested in the subject and have since come to realize that such a situation is highly improbable (while still emphasizing the importance of preps) and have been compelled to give a …


Prepping from a Wheelchair, by The Petite Prepper

Howdy, friends. I am a 57-year-old, pint-sized, handicapped, widowed prepper. My awakening happened in 2011, when Congress voted yet again to raise the debt ceiling. I had desperately hoped that our elected leaders would do the right thing and get our government spending under control. When they didn’t, it dawned on me that they probably never would (was I right?) and that our nation was on a collision course with disaster. I started asking God to show me how to get off this runaway train before it goes over the cliff. Well, friends, there is no getting off. Not only …


Two Letters Re: Your Friends

Hugh, Take 25 minutes and watch the old Twilight Zone episode called “The Shelter”. It is a great example of the behavior described by DD in his/her article. – P.S. o o o This is an excellent insight into the mentality of the sheeple, but I did find some flaws about the tactics of those who would lay siege to a well-stocked house or retreat. How would these besiegers maintain a siege very long without starving, or in winter without freezing? I don’t think such predators could afford to play a long game like that, nor disable equipment or kill …