Mr. Rawles
I could not agree more that water and lots of it is the place to start for preparedness on any budget. I purchased DOT/UN/FDA certified closed-top 55 gallon drums which are made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) from my local Pepsi Bottler for 15 dollars each. I try to buy the white ones that contained lemon lime flavoring syrup so my water doesn’t taste like Dr. Pepper etc. They also sold me 15 and 5 gallon containers which I use to store rice, beans and other dry goods.
The best deal I have found for purchasing bulk rice and soy beans is at my local Asian Market. A 50 pound bag of rice sells for under $25. One can easily how much further your survival dollars can actually go when spent correctly. Every major city has an Asian market and that means that there is absolutely no excuse to put off starting a food supply. I tell that to everyone I know as my conscience would not be clear if I didn’t. You may not be a big fan of rice but are you a fan of being alive?
Although she has always supported my need to prepare my wife use to think I was nuts I learned a long time ago not to talk politics, guns, etc. with her and in turn she would not ask why each week I throw five extra cans of stew in the cart that never get eaten. However; during hurricane Rita I got an e-mail from her thanking me for the fact that she knew she would never be one of those souls stranded on the side of the road without fuel trying to get away from Lake Charles, Houston, et cetera. I felt more like a man that day than the day I earned the title U.S. Marine. I am the dad and I must take this kind of thing seriously because if I don’t then the sin is 100% on my shoulders.
Thanks and keep up the good work. – R.L., in Oklahoma