I came across some listings which I thought were cool- many were seeking money for information- how sad. I found some valuable info though that I'm willing to share for a one time payment of FREE! That's right- and if you order now- I'll throw in some websites I found with valuable stuff too! But only if you order now! You got 10 minutes.....
Anyway, I came across something that I was supposed to pay $50 for- which is sad since the 20 minute infomercial I watched kept stating that it was for POOR people with debt that can't afford anything. We call that a predator. Sad day that we won't help each other- even at the end of the world.
So, the list mentioned things that we should have:
water
pasta
rice
canned soup
meats
veggies n fruit
popcorn
salt
milk (dried)
cereal (healthy, of course)
jerky
grains
cooking oil
sports drink (gatorade has a powder form one)
nuts
pickles
dried fruit
spices
honey (has all the essential nutrients for life!)
crackers
baking essentials
power bars
instant rice
coffee
alcohol (used as fuel)
hard candies
dehydrated canned entrees (not sure what this is)
juice powders
protein drinks
peanut butter
long lasting treats (like a twinkie!)
salsa - healthy and lasts a long while- strange.
ramen
fresh fruits and veggies
baby food (can be used in recipes to add nutrition)
pet food
Some, I didn't think of like: cooking oil, salsa- which has a great shelf life and full of nutrition; pickles- cuz I don't like them; baking stuff/spices- who thinks of flavoring the food when you're worried about obtaining it?; honey- learned recently that honey has all the nutrients to sustain life! ALL of them; salt- so you can keep stuff without refrigeration; and baby food- you can add nutrition to otherwise useless foods like ramen or rice. It adds flavor and nutrition!
I thought back to when my ex-husband and I started our food storage- ok, when I started the storage (I have ALWAYS had this strange fear that I was going to one day starve to death). Our storage only lasted a few months, but a few glorious months!! We didn't know how to use the very basic ingredients.... like whole wheat...
tangent:
can you imagine? Saving all the 'stuff' on all the lists, like when you beat Oregon Trail for the first time and you had food left over. Imagine having everything that you needed- cracked wheat, whole wheat, dried beans, lard- and then realizing you don't have a single clue what to do with it?! Sad day.
That was a HUGE fear of mine. I don't know how to do anything that I probably should- canning, drying, etc. The ex and I decided to be more simple. We stocked simple things: cereal, dried milk, ramen, and tons and tons of Betty Crocker cake bowls! I must have had like 30. We also bought normal box meals, rice, mac and cheese. We also included dishes, paper towels, towels, batteries, flashlights, blankets, sweats, and TOILET PAPER.
I don't expect to be destitute forever- just a few months. Or, at best, I would live a few transitioning, comfortable months before having to come up with more primitive alternatives.
I was thinking of some simple things that would ease some of the tensions/boredom that would come from not having normal things. This is also assuming that basic, independent electronics still work- we just lose the wonderfulness of the internet- which includes electricity -well, because we know that internet must play at least a part in distribution.
Think about life in general. We covered a great amount of the food. I would always suggest something 'comfortable'. Save extra boxes of kraft mac n cheese. Make sure there are cake mixes for birthdays.
One other thing would be fun stuff. Stock up on independent games that use traditional batteries. Yes, a DSi is nice- but there is no way to charge it (no electricity, remember?). There are good old fashion games from the 90s. Sometimes the entire game was only one, oh well, when you're done with it, trade with someone else that might have another one! Don't forget the battery storage and NOT to store the batteries in the game.
Board games. Think of family home evening, having friends over, parties, etc. You want to have something to do after working in the fields.
Books. Set aside a series of books 'for the end of the world'. It'll be the only time you read them. Kindles are great, but without a charger or internet- you're not going to have any luck.
Bouncy balls- because they're entertaining, small, and great!
Pen, paper, chalk, and board- I suggest the chalk board for something silly, like playing games and save the paper for letters and memos that need to be received by someone else. Don't forget sharpeners!
Ok. More serious now. Life is going to be hard. There are going to be people with literally nothing- nothing at all. You have to be practical, smart, and safe.
Knives, guns, and sharping stones. You need weapons- sadly. Also, you have to hunt. I never suggest using guns- you need something renewable like a bow and arrow or a knife that can be sharpened.
Chains and locks- you have to keep things safe but still have access to them. People will have cutters, yes, but make it as difficult as possible.
Transportation - eventually, if it takes long enough, roads will start to break down. Skateboards, roller skates, and baby scooters will be good even after we run out of gas, but something like a bicycle will serve better in the long run. You will need things to repair the bike and patch holes in the tires. You will need a manly bike and not the little tires of Lance Armstrong- aim for a rugged mountain bike that could handle some damage.
Light - candles, flashlights - this is self explanatory, but I have something on the tip of my brain that is just out of reach, so I'm listing basic things
Cookbook for basics - if you've never milled your own grain, it isn't going to come to you overnight! Have a plan, or at least a how-to book with recipes.
Water purifiers - I would first use tablets, chlorine, etc before using a purifier to save the purifier since it will one day break. You can't save enough water for the long term and you have to be prepared in case the water somehow becomes contaminated.
Metal and plastic ware - metal to cook in, plastic to eat on and wash easily- who remembers to pack dishes? If you're not at home, store your food elsewhere, or had to take off quickly- HOW are you going to eat?
Trade- found it! This is something I don't think people will think about, honestly. You can NEVER plan enough, never HAVE enough, you will eventually need something. Money is hit or miss. Most people will take your dollar, stick it in their mouth, spit it out and say that they can't eat it- therefore, it is useless. You need to have something that won't destitute yourself or your family for trade. It could be something as simple as extra blankets, extra radio or game, or extra grind stones.
Clothes/boots/shoes - on a forum, a man wrote that his job requires him to walk 3 miles a day and his shoes wear out every 3 months. I think he's not making threadbare- which I would if I didn't know where my next pair is coming from. I would save some old tennis shoes, or a pair from a growing child from each time they out grow them for younger siblings. Worse comes to worse, it is something to trade.
I'll add to this more later- but some of these things are disappearing- like a baby chalkboard, single game videogames that use traditional batteries. It isn't hard to get started- this isn't going to happen, like tomorrow or anything. Just buy 1-5 extra 'normal' items that you don't need and set them aside. Within a few weeks, I had saved months worth- and I lived in government housing (meaning I had no money).
Ok, so I'm pretty bad at saving stuff and not eating it. I also don't know how to prepare things to be saved. I found a website before that you could just purchase a year supply of food- simple. easy. done. Today, I found a website that sells food that will store for 25 years- slam. bam. goodday ma'am! It's expensive though and I can't afford it yet, but with some extra items and a basic meal thing from the site- I think I could be living a luxury life in a cave!
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