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Post by Stealth on Feb 12, 2022 20:44:39 GMT 10
I was thinking about it just recently and with what's going on in multiple areas (Russia/China) and possible shenanigans that may ensue, what are you doing? And I'm talking off-shore, rather than on-shore. I was thinking today of prepping things I've slacked off on and I realised that some of them have been because of normalcy bias. Time to kick that to the curb!
I picked a week because we often think about what we would do in a day. Or on the day. But something I noticed was that as preppers we're generally more likely to cue in to warning signs a bit quicker than the general population. So in the week before others have cottoned on but your spidey senses are tingling, what are you doing?
My example goes pretty much like this (and this is definitely an evolving plan, as it always should be, depending on your situation and what arises);
Day 1. We're not in our preferred bug in location so we deal with what we have but start making plans to move asap. If not hubby and myself, at minimum we organise to get the kids over to family on the other side of the country (which is where we're planning to move to anyway). All steps after this assume that we can't action that and have no choice but to bug in where we are.
Day 2. I'm quietly hitting up the local Indian store and buying up several large bulk bags of dried beans and legumes and spices. The vast majority of liquid cash goes into dried produce and things like jars of passata, onions, garlic, and potatoes before the shelves get hit. I'm buying as many bags of frozen veg as I can without looking suss. The idea is to stock up without making others if they should do so as well, so divide and conquer by maybe visiting a couple of different stores to not raise suspicion. These will be great for filling up space in the chest freezer that hasn't yet been filled. Use up every spare inch. I'm also buying up more non-perishables like bulk loo roll, bulk garbage bags, pet food/essentials, and a quick run to the Reject shop to snag a couple of boxes of cheap bathroom and laundry products. We have a store of them already, but best get more while we still can.
Day 3. Calling family and friends that live close by to see if they're as prepared as they can be on short notice. Giving them the heads up of places/stores that may yet have options. Inventorying what we have in stock and picking up a spare battery for the battery box for solar. Filling cars up to the brim, powering up ebike, charging anything that can be charged like torches etc. With kids in the home and not much storage space we don't store liquid fuel but if I'm really freaked out I'm buying a couple of jerry cans and filling them.
I'm also buying a heap of disposable freezer trays. These will be used on day four for cooking perishables that are in the fridge that will go bad within the next week if they're not used in time.
Day 4. I'm hitting Bunnings for a supply of soil improvers and potting mix for easy planting and hopefully a quicker start up for dodgy garden spaces that we aren't yet using. Probably also going to find myself whatever I can get in the way of heritage seeds and planting out as much as I can in one day. Today's the day I get in all that gardening work that I've been putting off and setting up garden beds in areas that we wouldn't otherwise use. It's going to be a heavy physical day. Any green veg/salad food in the fridge is going to be cooked up into bulk meals that can go in the smaller freezer so that they're not wasted by going bad. Keep the nutrients in the food while still palatable.
Day 5. I'm still ordering things that require postal delivery. For the first two weeks at least, I don't expect postal services to be entirely bunk for at least the first two weeks anything that's offshore. After the first couple of weeks I'd expect to see delays or even non-deliveries. Yesterday was a pretty full on day physically (gardens and cooking) so I expect today to be a lower energy day. Check off inventory. Make a plan for any purchases that are absolutely necessary for the next day's shop. Discuss the relocation plans with the other half and see if we can make it happen any better/faster.
Day 6. Check in again with family and friends. Check in with neighbours. Prepare a BoV in case we simply can't stay at the house with our supplies, but expect to bug in.
Day 7. Check, check, check again. Supplies. Comms. Community.
This is a very sketchy idea of what I'd do if for example, I suspected that a proxy war might be kicking off not that far away from our own country. I might do something different if I felt that the Russian/Ukraine thing was what was likely to pop off. Possibly more financial preps in preparation for a stock market nose dive rather than sudden food shortages etc. That part would be a little more slow time as the stores that we have now would keep us going for a few months first.
And keep in mind in this scenario you don't KNOW it's going to go off. You just have a feeling deep down that it's about to go to custard.
So you've got seven days. What are you going to do with them?
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Feb 12, 2022 21:58:12 GMT 10
Interesting list.
I did something like this process in Jan 2020, when it seemed no-one was expecting any impact to us of c19.
Why do you garden in that week rather than do it the following week?
If you’re thinking there may be shortages in stores the following week, wouldn’t you schedule in another day of topping up supplies eg a trip to Bunnings/garden centre, then look at the garden the following week when you want to avoid shops? Also I’d focus on starting seeds in pots if anything if there was a chance I’d be moving across the country - just until we’d decided what to do re moving.
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Feb 13, 2022 5:27:36 GMT 10
If I 'knew' something very big was going to happen in 7 days, my biggest task would be convincing Mrs Frostbite and our children that this was the case. Other than that, spending like there's no tomorrow to top up stores and get a few last big ticket items if they are available for immediate delivery, loading up the trailer and ute and transporting all the preps to the retreat.
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Post by Stealth on Feb 13, 2022 9:08:44 GMT 10
Why do you garden in that week rather than do it the following week? If you’re thinking there may be shortages in stores the following week, wouldn’t you schedule in another day of topping up supplies eg a trip to Bunnings/garden centre, then look at the garden the following week when you want to avoid shops? Also I’d focus on starting seeds in pots if anything if there was a chance I’d be moving across the country - just until we’d decided what to do re moving. You could absolutely do it that way. I would be putting a physical work day in just because I know from past experience that I get a bit mentally drained once we're a few days in. The first lockdown, our Bunnings was tapped of gardening supplies in the first week. But the main reason I chose to put gardening in the middle of the first week is that I know from experience that even when I'm prepped (which I generally always am) I get a few days in and start to second guess myself. The anxiety that sits in the back of your subconcious with 'what if I forgot something?' tends to irritate. I get a bit narky. A little anxious. It's for absolutely NO good reason! So having something physical to do with a tangible outcome really helps to avoid that niggling little feeling of not being sure I've done everything I can. Little mental health steps that make a big difference really change outcomes so if your morale is high because you're achieving small goals regularly you're a lot more likely to come out of stressful situations relatively in tact  |
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Post by Stealth on Feb 13, 2022 9:11:44 GMT 10
If I 'knew' something very big was going to happen in 7 days, my biggest task would be convincing Mrs Frostbite and our children that this was the case. Other than that, spending like there's no tomorrow to top up stores and get a few last big ticket items if they are available for immediate delivery, loading up the trailer and ute and transporting all the preps to the retreat. I have a similar situation. The hubby is well up on prepping for our pantry and the like now. Doesn't really pull on the reins when I want to buy things like solar power camping supplies etc. But there'd almost have to be blood in the water for me to convince him that the s is about to hit the f so hard that I want to send the kids to the other side of the country. I'm a bit envious that you can pull up stumps and head to your retreat. At the end of the day if it all fizzles you can say "Oh well, good practice run folks!". Our practice run for relocating the kids is a massively expensive endeavour so it's not something we would do lightly. |
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Feb 13, 2022 12:50:09 GMT 10
…. But there'd almost have to be blood in the water for me to convince him that the s is about to hit the f so hard that I want to send the kids to the other side of the country. …. Our practice run for relocating the kids is a massively expensive endeavour so it's not something we would do lightly. This is my other question. If I thought something big was about to happen, one of my priorities would be to keep my children near me. But you’re planning on sending them far from you. I assume you’re planning on following? Why would you not just all go? Or keep them with you? You were also starting to plant, which sounds like you’re planning on bugging in. Please don’t take my questions as criticism. Just looking to understand. And I do think building in a day of strenuous physical work sounds like a good idea for you when you explain that. |
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Post by Stealth on Feb 13, 2022 14:39:32 GMT 10
Haha no problem at all!
Yes, the plan would be to send the kids over to family on the other side of the country. But that's just planning. In this scenario, we wouldn't send them away straight away. We'd just be organising a way for them to go if things really got hairy in the next few weeks or even months. Given that this scenario is a more out of country scenario I don't necessarily see bombing in Australia any time soon. But we'd spend the first day working out whether or not we needed to plan for imminent movement for the kids.
This is mostly a 'things are weird but nothing is overtly exploding yet' so it's actually very similar to what we did in the weeks before the first round of covid hard-lockdowns. It worked well for that scenario. Not sure how we'd go with economic crashes due to proxy wars but that's why I was asking. It's good to see what other people would do too.
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Feb 13, 2022 14:44:47 GMT 10
I can't see a hot war over Taiwan impacting us other than shortages of goods and escalating prices.
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bushdoc2
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Post by bushdoc2 on Feb 13, 2022 19:23:57 GMT 10
I can't see a hot war over Taiwan impacting us other than shortages of goods and escalating prices. Or USA gets involved, invokes NATO/ANZUS/AUKUS, then RAN/RAAF gets involved. China uses influence in Oz to weaken US/Aus effectiveness, eg. blockade of fuel shipping from North Asian refineries to Oz, to cut off RAAF fuel, or pressure Oz gove to talk to US to back off....etc. This is a game of chess, not checkers. And it's not a game.
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Feb 13, 2022 20:02:40 GMT 10
By us I mean the average citizen. ADF personnel will be affected, but I can't see bombs falling on Aus cities.
Petrol might be $2.50 a litre though.
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Post by spinifex on Feb 13, 2022 20:28:55 GMT 10
I kinda got everything I need to have at any given point in time. I'd be looking at profit making opportunities ...
I'd probably stock up big on fuel if I had a weeks notice ... like spend 5-6k on a bulk delivery in a 3000L fuel trailer.
Oh ... and decent bottled wine ... LOTS of it. It'll become a profitable commodity.
And ... big quantities of coffee beans. Again ... profitable trade item.
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iceage
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Post by iceage on Feb 13, 2022 23:30:16 GMT 10
Im a keen fisher so probably stock up on tackle, reels, rods, baits and pots etc etc. My home is pretty remote as it is, im generally on the road for most the year so id head back home with all that gear. Probably make sure i got more cooking oil, salt, sugar and flour as well. Maybe some creature comforts like a case of scotch and bourbon. Dont drink coffee but probably stock up the tea bags.
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Post by Stealth on Feb 14, 2022 7:25:31 GMT 10
I kinda got everything I need to have at any given point in time. I'd be looking at profit making opportunities ... I'd probably stock up big on fuel if I had a weeks notice ... like spend 5-6k on a bulk delivery in a 3000L fuel trailer. Oh ... and decent bottled wine ... LOTS of it. It'll become a profitable commodity. And ... big quantities of coffee beans. Again ... profitable trade item. That's a great idea. Wine and coffee are absolutely going to be luxuries in an economic crisis. I wonder if it'd even have to be decent though. Pretty sure a few cases of goon would be just as hot of a commodity! But you make a great point, luxury items are definitely something worth stocking up on. So I'll add into my shock-troop style purchases a few extras like wine, cheap makeup like mascara and lipstick. Ask any lady during the wars what they missed the most, pantyhose were right up there but they're not common anymore. But mascara and a subtle pink lipstick shade which both can be purchased from the Reject Shop very cheaply... That's the kind of thing that becomes as good as gold later on. I have a coffee roaster and you've reminded me to buy up some more green beans. They store for much longer than roasted beans and a fresh cup of coffee does just as many wonders as a cold shower if you haven't had any for a while! |
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tactile
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Post by tactile on Feb 14, 2022 7:59:48 GMT 10
Vacuum sealed blocks of ground coffee & blended or US whiskey (whisky?) for the win...
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Feb 14, 2022 11:34:54 GMT 10
Chocolate, lots of chocolate. The $2 Aldi blocks are a treat. Keeps for a long time in a cool dark place,and is instant energy. I think the warning signs will more likely be 24 - 48 hours at the most, so here is my thoughts..... 48 hours out. As we are already living at our bug out location, a trip to town (120 km round) to stock up would be first up. Concentrating on long life food supplies, cans, chocolate (I love the aldies $2 chocolate !), coffee, rechargeable AA and AAA battery's, and the like. One of us hits different shops, coles, aldies wollies etc, without attracting too much attention. The other goes to the Norco feed supplier and gets bags of lucerne chaff, dairy meal, feed wheat (for bread making), potting mixes, chock feed, bulk dog food, cat food, veterinary medicine supplies, licks etc. On the way back into town, into the gun shop and purchase as much ammo as I can, along with gun supplies, like gun oil, powder etc. Top off all the fuel drums and tanks, get some spare oil for the machinery as well. We would be taking both vehicles, the wife Prado and my farm ute and the trailer, so plenty of room for purchases. On the drive in and out, the wife wold listen to the local radio stations, whilst I have the short wave converter in my ute and can tune in to international broadcasters. Intel will be vital as it all comes unglued. Of course, keeping in touch via the UHF whilst driving, as the mobile network may be overloaded during this time. 36 hours out: Checking off supplies, sorting out seeds to plant, depending on the season. Checking fuel stores are secure, oiling weapons and arranging ammo. Turning on the short wave and the FM transmitter, so I can listen on the Walkman whilst working and gathering intel. Check on my parents down south, who are staying put in their house in suburbia. That's their choice and I have to respect it. 24 hours out:
Rest, as hard as that's going to be, recharging to be ready for the zero hour. 12 hours out: Even though we plan to make our stand here, we do have a bug out plan. Time to go over it and check the bug out gear. Locking all the external farm gates, and a check on family. More intel gathering. 0 hour: Listening to the news sites, or if the net is still up, keeping on sites like this one. Locking and loading, moving spare ammo to be close at hand. Setting up the night vision gear, the CCTV cameras, and checking water tank levels. A professor is someone who talks in somebody else's sleep. |
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spatial
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Post by spatial on Feb 14, 2022 17:40:43 GMT 10
no of the political issue, would likely trigger an n economic collapse, which is currently my main concern, few random thoughts Priority things to do an escalation plan - Get Max cash out of of bank accounts
- Medical top up, or any last minute procedure that one needs done
- Fuel storage top up.. ps price of oil sky-rocketed on Fridy, so did a top up already
- Veg seed
- Sand bags, wooden planks for home defended
- Ammo for hunting !!
- Canning supplies if available
- More foooooood, fishing trapping
- Poisons for garden pests, rodents etc,,, thy will be in biblical proportions when thing go south
- Keep ear on news and info gathering
- Major fortification of house, caltraps, spikes, bear traps board up windows
- Remove road signs on street, send fake pamphlets out saying there is shelter and food at a sports stadium, clean out the neighbourhood
- Take over local primary school that is well fenced multi story brick building water and gas tanks with family and few friends
- Run for the hills with tail between your legs
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peter1942
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Post by peter1942 on Feb 15, 2022 12:37:52 GMT 10
I note that you are going to fill up the chest freezer therefore you either have your own power supply or relying on the mains power not to be turned off.
Also interesting the people that have still some of the so called big ticket items to purchase, a lot of valuable time could be spent on sourcing those items at the last minute.
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Feb 15, 2022 13:07:25 GMT 10
I mentioned big ticket item. Specifically some more large water tanks. Just a 30 minute drive into town to see what they have in stock, hand over the cash and arrange delivery within the next day or so. Not a biggie, I already have a number of tanks and a permanent river on-site I can pump from, but if I knew a moderate shtf event was about to take place I'd bring forward the planned purchase. For a major shtf event I'd just sit tight and take whatever I wanted after the event for free. I might even buy a truck load of cement, c-purlins, tophat and corro just to keep spare in case I want to increase my accomodation for any pretty young Vietnamese backpacker refugees that rock up to my place. Within 12 months these items (apart from the backpackers) will be on-site anyway.
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Post by Stealth on Feb 15, 2022 17:25:43 GMT 10
I note that you are going to fill up the chest freezer therefore you either have your own power supply or relying on the mains power not to be turned off. Also interesting the people that have still some of the so called big ticket items to purchase, a lot of valuable time could be spent on sourcing those items at the last minute. Yep, solar panels and battery box will do the job for a short period. I'm not expecting the world to go entirely dark in my situation though. Short sighted? Probably. But I can only deal with one dilemma at a time, and filling gaps in the freezer and opening it as little as possible should give at least a few days before everything is entirely defrosted. So long as you can get the temp down to the right range (I believe Provident Preppers just had a video about it on youtube, with sciences and everything!) once a day you generally can keep everything frozen adequately. As for big ticket items I agree. Not wise to still need those items when things get hairy. I'm very much a 'don't go into debt to prep' person though and with our funds tied up trying to save a deposit for a house (that's a never-ending 'yeah so now you need an extra $20k' loop) so I can understand people who aren't necessarily buying the huge price sink items straight away. |
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Feb 15, 2022 18:07:46 GMT 10
Fill the bottom of that freezer with flat sided water bottles, will help keep it cold when the power goes out.
I'm a 'don't get into debt to prep' type as well, but with a million dollars invested in preps already( and that's not including my home), I'm at the point where I really need to decide how much money I want to invest in something that will probably never happen, hence the reticence to buy any more big ticket items.
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