Friday's Thoughts and Other Stuff (Apartment Prepping, Part Three)

Welcome Preppers and Survivalists,

The Noe Family (ca 1933)

photograph by

Lewis Hine

Last week, I showed you some of the solutions that I have used to store supplies for an event, in my apartment. I even suggested some ideas from other preppers.

Today, I am going to talk about some issues with apartment prepping.

I Was Wrong
As I said earlier, you and your family can't survive a long-term event in an apartment. There is just too much stuff you need to survive, one, two, or five years.

If, ... it is a rare and extreme event similar to the events in Walking Dead.

Now, ... If we (you and your family) are more realistic and you're planning for an economic collapse, then surviving in an apartment might be doable. You will just have to be realistic.

First, your landlord may increase the rent, so you need an emergency fund. Or, ... Be prepared to move when lease renewal time comes around.

Second, have a quality water filter such as the Berkey or Katadyn. You can save money by buying several replacement filters and improvising a "Home-Made Filter" either brand of filter will work.

Because, cities and towns will have to cut their budget, and one way to do that might be water quality.

Third, have an extensive food supply, using buckets for furniture, that you only used during an emergency such as a labor strike, civil disturbance, or other disruption. Your family also needs to start your own garden and make contact with other folks that produce food.

Why? Folks need food and food will be scarce or the money to buy food will be scarce.

Fourth, have an extra supply of needed medication like blood pressure, blood thinner, and insulin. This 'extra' medication is used just like your stored food, only during an emergency.

Fifth, you guessed it. Have a handgun, holster, and some speed strips or speed loaders. Don't forget the ammo, semi-jacketed hollow points.

For you folks with pistols, you need extra magazines, too

I could go on listing the needed supplies, but that's the reason why you bought the e-book Prepper: Surviving the Tough Times Ahead ; - )     (Smashwords) (Barnes and Nobles), so you and your family could make informed decisions about your preps.

Lastly, during an economic event, especially living in an apartment, you and your family are going to adapt the strategy of always maintaining enough money, water, food, medicine, and other items, so when the event happens, you have a full pantry.

Real quick, let me explain.

Say you have decided to store 150 pounds of various dried beans and 500 pounds of long grain white rice in plastic buckets. This stored food is never eaten. Your family always eats what is available from the local market or grocery store. This stored food is only used when no other food is available giving you and your family the maximum amount of food for the event.


I made a Mistake
You don't hear this from many folks writing about prepping, but I made a mistake. I didn't mention storing items 'offsite' in storage lockers. These lockers are used by most families to hold excess furniture, clothing, and ... broken, worn out, wasting money paying storage fees, junk.

Needless to say, you can use this to your advantage by piling useless, worn out stuff in front of your extra blankets, extra clothing, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene supplies, and ... long-term food storage (If it's a climate controlled facility)

Remember, the landlords creed: If you can't drive by the rental property every day, don't buy it. 'Cause, the tenants will trash the place and skip out on the rent.

Or, ... In this case, someone may steal your stuff.


Next Up
You need a place to run to, preferably a place with more land, so you can plant a garden, have a wood stove (heating and cooking), and other things you can't have in your apartment.

This place doesn't need to be owned by your family. It could be owned by a friend or a group of families, such as a club. It could be something similar to Great Britain's allotments or Russia's dachas, allowing you and your family the ability to grow some of your family's food.

Another idea, you and your family could 'double up' or 'triple up' by moving in with your brother-in-law, mom and dad, or close friend. Yes, it would be difficult, but you're trying to survive.


It's Been Done
Many families have and are currently surviving living in an apartment..

So, ... Don't feel like you and your family have to own a rural retreat.


Lastly, ...
I have to go, so come back for more suggestion on how to survive the coming tough times.

Oh, ... purchase a copy of Prepper: Surviving the Tough Times Ahead (Smashwords) (Barnes and Nobles)