Friday's Thoughts and Other Stuff

Dear Preppers and Survivalists,

U.S. Civil Defense Supplies

from the Cold War era (ca 2017)

photograph by

Joe Mabel

When you and your family purchase food and supplies, you're really not buying food and supplies. You're buying ...

Capabilities
Several weeks ago, there was an article, at Defence and Freedom, about the Belgium military. In this article, "S O" writes about the capabilities that the Belgium military should be trying to achieve. He suggest ... Go read the article, if you're interested.

But, ... Back to my point.


Food
At this moment, several freeze-dried food companies are advertising on television, the internet, and radio. These companies suggest, you and your family should purchase long-term freeze-dried food because the country is headed to a disaster.

Now, ... Some families are going to fall for this fear-mongering, so they will send these companies hundred, if no thousands, of dollars for food.

But, ... These families have made a mistake.

First, it is true, these United States and many other countries are headed to a financial cliff. This disaster will see prices soar then fall, soar again, and fall again until no one, including the super rich, are unaffected. Families will lose jobs, their homes, retirement savings, and much more, if they are unprepared.

Second, this is my point. Families need to look at the events that they are getting prepared to survive.

So, ... If you and your partner want to feed you family for two-weeks, you look at what will give you and your family that capability.

If bagged, bottled, boxed, canned, and frozen food that you normally purchase, on sale, will provide a two week food supply, that's what you buy.

If you're thinking about feeding your family for three months, you build some shelving and buy the normal bagged, bottled, boxed, canned, and frozen food that your family regularly eat, every day.


Weapons
You and your partner want to protect your family.

Some folks are going to go out and buy an expensive AR-15 from La Rue Tactical for protection. At $2200 that might be a mistake.

Think about it.

Do you live in the big city then a EAA Windicator .357 magnum revolver might be a better choice. It's inexpensive, concealable (so you avoid police scrutiny), and ... you, your partner, and adult children can have one with a comfortable holster and some ammunition.

The same goes for folks living in suburbia because you will stick out carrying an AR-15 to the grocery store.


Other Examples
Needless to say, there are many more examples, take ...


Shelter
You and your partner want to make sure your family has adequate shelter for a financial crisis, so the capability you are looking for is a paid for home that is inexpensive to heat and cool.

So, ...

Instead of buying a MacMansion, you and your partner purchase a modest home in a nice neighborhood with people like yourselves. You take the next few months or years to adequately insulate your home, install photovoltaic panels with several batteries, add a wood burning stove, develop the soil for a garden, and ... Live in a paid for home.


Another Opinion
Now some folks are going to call me crazy because the LaRue Tactical 16.1 Inch PredatOBR 5.56 is a better rifle then the SKS rifle, for $450. The five bedroom house with separate guest house on 50 acres is better then the 1965 four bedroom home on a third of an acre in a small town. The Wise Company, Mountain House, and other freeze-dried food is better then the bagged, bottled, boxed, and frozen food your family normally eats for meals. The ...

You get my point becasue ..

They aren't better.

Lastly
Instead of rushing out and wasting precious money on 'stuff.' Take a hard look at the events you and your family are getting prepared to survive, in the days, weeks, and months ahead, and purchase food and supplies that proved capability to survive, just not make you feel good.