Are Preppers Normal? Blending Prepping Into Your “Normal” Lifestyle… by M.D. Creekmore for MDCreekmore
By: Matt in the Midwest
I enjoy prepping. I value independence, self-sufficiency, and taking responsibility for myself. I consider it a hobby with perks. I like growing my own food, canning, hunting, shooting, reusing or repurposing materials. I love reading apocalyptic fiction as well as survival nonfiction; homesteading (free homesteading guide), organic gardening, Mother Earth News, Outdoor Life, Guns and Ammo.
But I also live in the “real” world of having a wife, 2.5 kids, full-time job, a mortgage, car payments, vacations, soccer, baseball, and gymnastics. Trying to find a balance or better yet an “integration” of the two worlds is what I try to achieve. Not everything can fit in both worlds. But I use this as a guideline. The more integrated I make prepping into my life the more I can work towards being prepared. Here’s how I do it.
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Where to start? That depends on you, your family, cash flow, and interest. I’ll describe my situation and where I’m at. I’m not saying this is the only way or the right way. Just saying this is how one man and family is doing it.
I consider our basic needs and multiply to broader situations or applications. Some categories to consider Water, food, shelter, security, communication, medical, transportation. Get the basics in place then add to each area. Look for ways to work on preps as you go about your “normal” life.
I avoid putting too much emphasis on long term, unlikely to use, hope I never have to use it items or supplies. I don’t own a bulletproof vest, Geiger counter, or gas mask. Hard to justify this as useful in my “normal” world.
When I consider a purchase, I often ask myself, “will I use it now? (meaning in the next 6 months or so). And would it come in handy in 5-10 years if “bad things happen?” I don’t dwell in the doom and gloom issues, but at the same time, a little preparedness goes a long way. If you have the money or see a great deal, by all means, add something off your wish list.
I didn’t think I was really prepping for many years. I had hobbies I enjoyed like hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. I like to reuse things, save money, buy used, repair what I can repair. I also buy bulk when I can. Two for one deals, coupons, dented cans, day-old donuts, whatever.
Along the way, I realized the combination of these activities, and the mindframe of preparedness meshed with what is known as prepping. Adding on to activities you already do is one way of making more progress with your preps.
Thriftiness: I’m a sale shopper. Goodwill, resale shops, yard and estate sales are my favorite places to shop. I once found a new Blackhawk tactical pack at Goodwill for $5. Sold! Saved me $80-100 that one time. Kevlar chainsaw chaps for $8? Sold.
I often walk away empty handed which is fine by me. Buying to just buy isn’t for me. I’m not a big shopper, but if I’m at a pharmacy to get something, I take the time to walk through looking for clearance or sale items.
