That’s a Problem

I’m a prepper!! There I said it.

I’ve always heard that admitting something is a problem is the first step to recovery. But is being a prepper really a “problem”?

Is it a problem for the man who has a rain suit, headlamp, and road flares in a tote in his trunk when he gets a flat tire on the way home at night? What about the family whose power has gone out, but each person knows where the flashlights are, and Mom immediately puts two frozen water jugs from the freezer into the fridge? Perhaps it’s a problem for the grandkids whose Nana had bug spray, blankets, and snacks in her car when she met them at their brother’s ballgame? I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

Who Are They?

The media has gone to great lengths to define a “prepper”. It’s never flattering, and usually cartoonish. Think Doomsday Preppers. While every group has those on the fringe, that show (and others) depicted all preppers as the fringe. The media still does.

Have you ever bought something for the next winter at the end of the current one? Do you have band-aids, cold medicine, ibuprofen, etc. in your house even though you don’t need them right now? Have you ever saved money for a future purchase, or to have it available “just in case”? These are all things that help you be prepared.

Oh, no! Are you a prepper too? Shall I pass you the tin foil?

What is Preparedness?

Preparedness is NOT hoarding with no thought of anyone else. It is being aware and using wisdom while looking forward, figuring out what will come and what may come. Looking at the situation in our world today, along with the past several years, we can accurately come to the conclusion that we are living in uncertain times. Still have some doubts about that? I have four words for you – toilet paper, baby formula.

It’s How it Used to Be

Being prepared for hard or lean times, to feed the family until the next harvest season, used to be the norm in this country. It’s still the norm in a lot of the world. Did you know that the first grocery store in this country opened in the early part of the 20th century? Historically speaking, that’s not that long ago.

Where did people get their food before that? From their own garden/farm, other local farmers, and hunting. It was in the pantry, the cellar, at the local grain mill. People had jars and jars of home canned food, fermented and pickled food, winter squash, garlic, and root vegetables stored in a cool place.

But We Don’t Need to Do That Now

Sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it? It was, and it still is. So why go to all that trouble when Walmart and Kroger are just down the road? Allow me to list a few reasons:

· A dozen eggs costs 80% more than in 2019 – the supply has been greatly reduced because of the “avian flu”

· Boneless chicken breasts have gone from $2.95# in 2019 to $4.31# today

· A gallon of milk cost 20.3% more than in 2019

· Gallon jugs of water at Walmart are up 80% in just over a year

· Limits have been placed on food items, sometimes very severe limits

· Do you need a reminder about toilet paper and baby formula?

What About Non-Food Items

· National average for gas in 2019 was $2.65/gallon

· The average cost of a used car has gone from around $20,500 in 2019 to around $30,000

· Car repairs are taking multiple months because of parts shortages (our experience was 3 ½ months)

· Our electric bill increased by 43% in less than a year

· Global supply chain issues – we are affected by global difficulties

· Etc., etc., etc.

Are You a Victim of Normalcy Bias?

Normalcy bias is a state of denial where people underestimate the possibility of a disaster actually happening, and its effects on their life and property, even when all the signs are in front of them. Their denial is based on the assumption that if the disaster has not occurred before, it will never occur. This state of denial can also happen after a disaster has already happened, but people don’t (or won’t) accept it, thinking everything will “return to normal” when that is not the case.

How to Proceed?

That’s the million-dollar question! There are lots of ways, depending on lots of factors. I would like to help you on this journey. I offer classes on basic preparedness, as well as personal consultations. Please seriously consider taking them, along with your friends and family. https://www.msdcluttering.com/mdc-preparedness-classes/

What if nothing happens, you may ask. Then you have saved a lot of money by purchasing items at today’s lower price, because everything is only getting more expensive. When the next run on toilet paper or chicken happens, you won’t have to be out there in the fray because you took the time and effort to be prepared.