A properly stocked kitchen is the first step to a well stocked larder (every day preps)

 The title of the post really says it all. 

I've been told so many times, by so many people, when talking about being prepared for whatever comes along, "I wouldn't even know where to begin!", and so I finally decided to tackle that question with a post.

So, I started to write a post about how to build a well stocked larder.

It wasn't long before I realised that I had gotten way ahead of myself. 

You can't well use the contents of even the most generously stocked larder if it is not supported by a good foundation of the essential basics.

It turns out I was coming from the starting point of presupposing that "everybody" has certain things on hand in their kitchen or pantry. 
That just isn't true anymore, and most people who are saying, "Where do I even start?", are not coming from that place.

Let's face it. Most people in modern times are not coming from that place!

More and more these days, people don't cook. Folks order takeout,  go out to eat, or eat fast food and pre-packaged meals. 
Even when most people say they "cook", what they really mean is that they take a box or a can from the shelf, or a package from the freezer, and heat it up, maybe even in the oven or on the stove. 
Or, if they are feeling really ambitious, the packaging will have different components that need to be prepared, packets added, water, or some milk and butter stirred in, or they use meal kits, that come with exact amounts of everything they need to make a single meal. 
Articles that offer dinner recipes ready in an hour or less are almost completely out of fashion, because who has time to spend more than 20 minutes, TOPS on dinner!? If you can't get it done faster than delivery can get it done, why bother?

When COVID hit, lots of folks realised just how much we, as a society, have come to rely on and take for granted being able to just stop and grab dinner on the way home every day, or otherwise have immediate and pretty much round the clock access to whatever we want, when we want it. 
When I initially started this post, a month or more into some level or another of "lockdown" for most of the Western world, and just starting to gradually ease out of such restrictions in some places, many people were tired of living on ramen and other instant foods, or maybe they just couldn't get them, because the stores were still out of them. 

Either way, more people than ever in the last couple decades or more began cooking all or most of their meals at home, and, for more than a few, it was a frightening foray deep into the unknown. 

I actually remember a time before there were microwaves - and, therefore, microwave meals, food delivery other than pizza or Chinese (and then only in  more populated areas, usually near a big city), 24-hour grocery stores, meal kits, and tons of the other things that are simply commonplace today, and most people ate dinner at home, that was cooked from scratch at home, the majority of the time, but that is "ancient history" to a lot of you. Yes, brontosaurus burgers were very tasty. Thank you for asking!

So! for the most basic, bare bones things you need to have on hand in your kitchen/pantry in order to make a meal from just about anything - or even just from those things, in times of desperation, check out this post. 

Once you've got that down, then come back here and learn how to take it from bare bones to properly stocked. 

So, you have the absolute essentials. You're not going to starve if the shit hits the fan, and you've experimented with what you happen to have on hand or what was on sale, or a few things you got for the recipes you found and made. Now what?

Now, it’s time to build out that foundation into something you can actually live with - not just survive on. This is the level where your kitchen stops being a room full of random ingredients and starts being your most powerful tool for independence.

The good news is that “properly stocked” doesn’t have to mean crammed full or expensive. It means balanced, flexible, and ready - you’ve got the essentials to make real food, most days, without needing to run to the store every time you want to cook something that didn’t come in a box.

First Step: The Universal Pantry Core

Every cuisine in the world is built on some combination of fat, acid, salt, and flavour base. You’ve already got fat and salt covered - so let’s expand that toolkit.
 

Flavour Builders

These are your everyday magic-makers. They show up in nearly every cuisine and will keep you from falling into the “beans and rice again?” blues.

• Onions, garlic, and celery – The holy trinity of almost everything. Buy fresh when you can, but dried or frozen works fine too.
• Broth or bouillon – Vegetable, chicken, beef. Great for soups, stews, grains, and flavouring beans. And you can make your own bone broth  or vegetable broth for free!
• Tomato paste or canned tomatoes – Adds umami depth and tang.
• Vinegar – White vinegar for cleaning and basic cooking, plus one or more additional types of vinegar (apple cider, wine, rice, etc.) for dressings, sauces, and more complex recipes. You can always buy just one additional kind per month, until you have all the types you want on hand, depending on the kinds of recipes you'll be making. More on that in the next food stocking post. 
• Soy sauce and/or Worcestershire - Salt plus savoury/umami punch.
• Mustard - Yellow for classic comfort food, Dijon for a touch of sophistication. More types as you go for branching out. 
• Hot sauce and/or chili flakes - Pick one or two you like and use it with abandon. (Your ten-plus collection belongs in the "Well Stocked Larder" section, later.)
• Honey, molasses, and/or maple syrup - Sweeten, glaze, and balance acidic or spicy dishes.
• Lemon juice or bottled citrus - Brightens almost anything.

• A handful of versatile dried herbs and spices:

• Black pepper
• Paprika (sweet or smoked)
• Oregano or Italian blend
• Basil or thyme
• Cumin
• Cinnamon

If you’ve got those, you can create just about any flavour profile with a few tweaks.

Proteins That Stretch

Protein keeps you full and powers all the repair work your body does, but it doesn’t have to mean expensive cuts of meat. Mix shelf-stable and fresh options for balance:

• Eggs – Fresh, or powdered for backup.
• Fresh or frozen cuts on sale or in bulk – Especially stuff marked down for quick sale! Remember, you can freeze portions that you won't use right away. This is where a vacuum sealer really comes in handy. 
• Canned tuna, chicken, or salmon – Quick proteins with long shelf life.
• Lentils – They cook fast, keep forever, and can go from soup to curry.
• Beans (dry or canned) – You’ve already got these, but variety helps.
• Nut butters – Energy, fat, and protein in one spoonful.
• Cured or shelf-stable meats – Bacon bits, spam, corned beef, pepperoni.

Grains & Starches

Flour, oats, and rice are the backbone; now let’s give them some friends.

• Pasta – In all its glorious forms.
• Cornmeal or polenta – Fried mush, cornbread, grits - all comfort.
• Breadcrumbs or panko – Stretch meat, coat fried foods, thicken stews.
• Potatoes – Fresh, powdered, or dehydrated flakes.
• Tortillas, crackers, or shelf-stable wraps – Fast carb delivery systems.
• Dry cereals (hot and cold ones) - But rather than buying the pre-made "9 grain hot cereal" and similar mixes, make your own, on the cheap, by adding other grains and seeds to your oats. Recipes coming soon(ish), and will be linked here. 

Vegetables & Fruit

Variety is both nutrition and morale. Keep a mix of fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable on hand.

• Frozen mixed veggies – Don’t knock them. Perfect for soups, pot pies, and stir-fries.
• Canned goods – Tomatoes, corn, peas, carrots, green beans, fruit.
• Dried veg mix – Great for soups and emergencies.
• Root vegetables – Onions, carrots, garlic, potatoes - they last ages if stored right.
• Dried fruit or fruit cups – Sweet snacks and baking boosters.

Dairy & Alternatives

You don’t need a dairy aisle in your fridge, just the key players.

• Fresh, powdered and/or evaporated milk – For sauces, baking, and tea (or coffee, in a pinch, if you don't have half and half, or are a savage, heathen.. err, I mean, not a coffee snob).
• Cheeses – Whatever variety(ies) you will be using most, in blocks and/or shredded. Both freeze well. I recommend buying in bulk and separating into 1/2 lb to 1 lb blocks/bags. Vacuum seal the smaller blocks, and store the shredded in quart freezer bags with all the air squeezed out. Don't forget to label things clearly!
• Butter and/or ghee – Adds flavour and stability.
• Plant milks (if applicable) – Almond, soy, oat, whatever fits your diet.

Tools & Kitchen Consumables

Your food is only as useful as your ability to cook it. If you’re missing a few basics, pick them up second-hand or one at a time.

• Baking sheet & casserole dish
• Frying pans, saucepans, and at least one really large (5 qt or more) pot or Dutch Oven - Cast iron is extremely versatile, can be used directly in/on open flame, and will last multiple generations with a little TLC. 
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups/spoons
• Wooden spoon 
• Cooking spatula (AKA pancake turner) 
• Rubber spatula
• Whisk
• Strainer/colander
• Foil
• Parchment paper
• Plastic wrap
• Storage containers or reusable freezer bags

Next Step: Add Your Own Flavour

Once your basics are set, then you can start flavour-branching. These are small, high-impact tweaks that steer your kitchen toward your favourite cuisines without cluttering your shelves. 

Start with one region or comfort zone and expand naturally. If your spice shelf starts to look like it’s holding a UN summit, congratulations - you’re doing something right!

Here are some examples...

Italian / Mediterranean

• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Oregano
• Garlic
• Pasta
• Canned tomatoes

Mexican / Latin

• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Beans
• Rice
• Tortillas
• Salsa

Asian

• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Lime juice 
• Rice vinegar
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Rice noodles
• Sriracha sauce 

American Comfort Foods

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Gravy mixes
• BBQ sauce
• Bouillon

Remember - Build It Slowly

The biggest mistake people make is trying to “complete” a kitchen in one shopping trip. 

Don’t.

Add one or two new things each week - maybe a spice, a different type of beans, a bag of another rice variety.
Tape a “use-and-replenish” list inside a cupboard door. If you use the last of something, or, better yet, if it's getting low, it goes on that list immediately.

The goal is to cook regularly from what you store and store what you actually cook. That’s how your kitchen stays both thrifty and reliable - no more mystery cans from the apocalypse of 2008!

Next Stop: The Larder

At this point, you’ve moved from bare survival to functional, flexible living. You can make a real variety of meals, feed others, and handle a few weeks of disruption without stress.

In the next post of this mini-series, we’ll move on to the well stocked larder - where things start getting deep, literally and figuratively. That’s where we talk about bulk buying, rotation systems, long-term storage, and yes - the luxury of ten mustards, twelve vinegars, and a hot sauce for every mood. That next post will be linked here as soon as it goes live. 

Because preparedness isn’t about hoarding; it’s about Freedom! 

Prepping for Full Time Outdoor or Mostly Outdoor Living

You may not ever need to commit to living outdoors/off the grid or without power and running water full time, for the long haul, but if you prepare for that, you'll also be prepared for the inevitable short term periods of power, water, or gas outages, which can be caused by any number of things, and will also be prepared for worst case.  

 

This post will most likely be edited plenty, over time, but it's good enough to post as-is, for now. 

 

A few things to keep in mind right off the bat

• Being prepared beforehand, all the time, is always key! 
• This means always having certain things on hand, and USING them regularly.
  
• The time to find or learn to use your gear is NOT when you need it most!

If you don't already have it, start building up a full complement of good, rugged camping gear. You don't have to break the bank, and it doesn't have to be expensive stuff. LOTS of what you need can be found second hand, or for cheap at discount stores. Good doesn't have to mean expensive.

There are a few basic necessities which we all need for survival, and a few more that make surviving FAR more pleasant.

Shelter/Protection From Elements

If you're bugging in, you already have basic shelter, so you just need to take steps to make it as secure from the elements and other hazards as possible. If you already have measures in place to block or take advantage of the sun, cold, wind, etc, perhaps to save on your electric bill - things like solar panels, blackout shades, vent turbines, or similar, you're already mostly set in this area. If not, there are simple things you can do, like sealing around windows and unused doors with plastic and tape, to keep out the cold and wind, insulated curtains to keep out cold or heat, and blackout panels (purpose built or DIY) to keep out heat and/or block inside light from showing outside. You can tape foil or mylar sheeting to the windows facing, out, and further insulate with cardboard, newspaper, foam, extra blankets, or whatever else is handy to get similar effects to the ready made blackout panels/curtains. I'm not going to go into further detail on these options, but I'll likely eventually add posts further detailing them, and, in the meantime, you can easily do an internet search on any of the above and learn more.

If you're bugging out to a location that doesn't already have established shelter, unless you are in a very mild climate, you'll want to make setting that up your very first priority, before food, fire, or even water. Even if you're in a mild or moderate area, you'll still want to at the very least have a tarp or something to shield from rain and condensation (dew).

The nicest thing, short of actually constructing some sort of building, is going to be a large tent that is big enough to stand up in, and has space for cots or double high air mattresses and maybe a small table and camp chair (coolers also make good seating or side tables), but start with whatever you can afford and fit in your vehicle (or wagon or carry with you, if walking). Most of my regular camping supplies live in my primary vehicle, full time, except when in use, and that has been the case as long as I've been driving. That means that even if I had to get out of my house RIGHT NOW, with no time to grab anything not right at hand, and drive away, I would have all my basic needs met rather comfortably for quite some time. I have a big ol' van now, so have upgraded some things, because I can, but even with a compact car, you can fit a lot if you plan and pack well.

Even a tiny tube tent, hammock tent, tarp lean to, debris shelter, or just a bivvy sack is better than no shelter at all, so start with bare basics in every category, and then upgrade as you can based on your priorities and specific needs.

Water

The general standard for survival situations is at least one gallon per person, per day of water for drinking and absolutely necessary sanitation. That is not allowing for any real measure of comfort or anything else beyond not dying before rescue or resumption of services, and is based on staying put and not exerting yourself any more than absolutely necessary. That isn't something that you will be able to maintain more than a few days without some serious consequences.

This means you should really keep a bare minimum of five gallons of potable water (per person) in a sealed container at all times. More is better. Water containers are cheap and don't take up that much room. You can use plain old tap water if you are on municipal supply in most places. I recommend a lot more than that, and rotating by routinely using what you have in containers (get the ones with spigots, like this - they stack well and are almost as convenient as a regular sink) and refilling them, to keep it fresher. The collapsible containers are good to have on hand too, but are better for shorter term storage and use.

Conserve water by reusing as much as you can. Use the same water you used for boiling veggies for other cooking. Collect water in a bucket or pot under your handwashing station to pre-wash your dishes or to wash clothing. Use the last batch of rinse water for the next batch of wash water. Dip cleaning cloths into a container of water, instead of using "running" water, etc. Look for an upcoming post solely dedicated to conserving water in a SHTF situation. It will be linked here once it is finished, and some of the longer portions of this post (cleaning stuff, mostly) will be moved there.

If you have to bug out, a roof rack on your vehicle is a really good place for those water containers (and lots of other things), so if you don't have a roof rack already, install one! It nearly doubles your vehicle's storage and hauling space. It may not look sleek or cool, but you'll be glad you did the first time you put it to good use, whether in a bug out situation, or just hauling home something big and bulky. I'll get into larger filtration and purification systems in other post(s) as well, but you should also already have some kind of emergency filter system, like a Mini Sawyer System, Lifestraw, Seychelle bottle, etc. If you don't, get at least one. Do it now! Don't wait!

Fire, Food, and Cooking

You're going to need a way to heat water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning, and to cook food. That means some kind of fire. There are LOTS of options available, like propane, butane, charcoal, alcohol, chemical tablets, etc, and I'll address that in another post, all about outdoor kitchens and emergency cooking, but you should still know how to build and use the oldest and most basic - a campfire. 

If you don't know how to build a proper fire, LEARN NOW!!
Seriously. Start with dry/cured wood, ideal tinder and kindling, and actual matches or lighter, then go from there to learn with less favourable conditions. Learn to do it with no additional accelerants, and minimal matches or lighter use. If the lighter gets too hot, you're taking too long. Everyone in my girl scout troop learned to make a one match fire (as in, laying a proper fire setup with tinder, kindling, and initial fuel and having a full on campfire going from that, using only one match, with no accelerants) within a single 4 day weekend, decades before Google or YouTube. If a bunch of 8 and 9 year olds can do it, so can you!! There are a lot of really good bush-craft channels on YouTube that will show you dozens of efficient ways to build a good fire. They all involve proper use of tinder, kindling, fuel, and airflow, but, from there, lots of options. Go do some searching, and then follow up with practising. 

Your fire can also enable you to use hot water bottles or heated bricks/rocks to help stay warm at night.

*Note: Wet/river rocks should be heated very slowly, at the edges of the fire until they are totally dry, or they can explode.
Exploding rock shards hurt!

I strongly advise having at least one good pair of leather firepit/welding gloves on hand. they make it so you can pick up hot pots or Dutch ovens, pick up and move around coals/burning logs, use hot fire tools, etc with no problem. Bonus: They ALSO double as general work gloves to protect you when cutting brush/thorns/brambles, handling splintery wood, sharp rocks or other rough/sharp surfaces, handling biting or clawing animals, and all kinds of other things. Just get some!!

Make sure you have at least a couple of basic, fire safe cooking pots/pans. I highly recommend using cast iron for most cooking and always having a stainless steel or aluminium kettle/coffee pot on hand anyway, for many reasons, but even if you aren't ready to do that, make sure you have a cast iron Dutch oven and good sized skillet (if they are both the same diameter, the lid will be interchangeable), and a pot or kettle for boiling water.  

Start using and cooking the most perishable foods in your refrigerator first. If the power is out more than 24 hours, you'll end up having to toss a lot of what you don't use up before it spoils, unless it's cold enough outside to keep foods cold. Meats will generally stay good a little longer if you cook them. Fresh veggies last longer raw. 

Don't open your fridge or freezer more than once a day, and keep coolers in the shade and/or under a reflective tarp if it's warm weather.

Most foods in a well stocked freezer should be safe for 72 hours, but you'll need to cook and re-freeze or use stuff pretty soon. 

Smoking, curing, and dehydrating foods can preserve them for longer.

A multi-fuel generator is an investment worth its weight in gold, and the fuel can last a long time if you only run it an hour or two a day to run your fridge/freezers and charge devices. You can also use it to charge a Yeti Power Station or similar at the same time, and have power for things like CPAPs/BIPAPs charging phones, portable phone chargers, emergency radios, batteries, etc. And, of course, solar panels are a very good thing to have on hand. Goal Zero makes some really awesome, compact ones that fold out and can continuously charge a power station and keep you at least minimally powered.

Hygiene and Sanitation

Since you likely have a limited water supply, unless you happen to be right next to a body of water, you need to be able to strike a really good balance between cleanliness and conservation. I mentioned a few ways to save water earlier in the post, but I'll add a few specifics here. 

Dishes & Food surfaces

For washing your dishes, you should have three tubs. They only need to be big enough to accommodate a few dishes at a time, and they don't need to be changed unless they get too gross (or soapy, for rinse water) to do the job. NOT too gross for you to feel nice. Wash water can be pretty murky and have floaties and still get dishes clean!

• Wash tub: Should contain 1-2 drops dish soap per gallon of water. Too much soap will waste rinsing water and soap! You don't need a bunch of suds. Heating optional. It's nice, especially in cold weather, but not necessary.
  

 Scrape off as much food stuff as possible before putting in wash water, so you don't have to change it so often. If you have pets, they can be great for "prewashing" for you. (Just make sure you know what foods are unsafe for your pet type!) Let soak if needed, and scrub dishes clean in the wash water. Swish around in the water to remove as much soap as possible before rinsing.

• Rinse tub: Plain water. 

 Rinse well by swishing. You don't want soap in your bleach water, or it will keep it from doing its job as well.

• Sanitise tub: Cool water with 1 Tbs unscented chlorine bleach per gallon of water - Enough to submerge dishes.
  

 Soak each batch of dishes for at least one full minute, then air dry completely (Don't rinse again. The bleach will evaporate). A dunk bag is really handy for this. You can put the rinsed dishes in the bag, then dunk in sanitise tub, so you don't have to reach your hand in bleach water, then hang the bag from your line*, and not worry about dishes taking up surface space or getting knocked off a table or whatever. Note that you need the coarse weave mesh for this, not the super fine mesh, to allow for the right amount of air and water flow.

 

For cleaning food surfaces, dip a dish rag in your wash tub and wring out to clean, then dip another (dedicated for this step) in your sanitising tub, wring out, wipe down, and allow to air dry.  

*Speaking of your line, this is a line of rope, twine, or cord, strung tautly from one stable point to another (trees, posts, side of the house, vehicles, whatever, as long as it's high enough to keep stuff off the ground), which you can use to hang all manner of things. Laundry, dishes, drying meats, fish, unruly children (KIDDING... sort of), lighting, etc. You will really want at least one line in your camp. Bonus - hanging stuff can double as shade/privacy.

Bathing

You don't need to take a shower or bathe every day, or even every week, and being dirty (with dirt) poses no sanitation hazards as long as you wash or sanitise your hands after anything that can cause bacteria spread and before handling food, and do a daily "sponge bath" of your hands, face, bits and pits. For that, you really only need about 8-12 oz per session, maximum! I'm a very large person, and I can get by with that much. Using a rough, terry cloth or microfiber washcloth is key for making this work. As mentioned above, instead of running/pouring a bunch of water, put some in a small container (I usually use an 8 oz metal, mess kit cup. I heat the water in that too, and it only takes a minute or less on a propane burner to get to a good temp) Dip your hands in to wet them, and work a SMALL amount of soap to a lather between your palms, and massage into each part you're going to wash. Next, dip your washcloth, wring it out back into the container, and use it to scrub and remove most of the soap, ideally starting with your face, then pits, then bits.  Dip the cloth again, but this time squeeze out into a secondary, grey water collection bucket. Get as much of the dirty water out as you can, then give another good dip and use, sopping wet, to do another scrub/rinse, squeeze into the grey water bucket, and then do one more dip, squeeze to grey, and give a last once over of yourself. Then rinse the cloth well in the grey water give it a good misting with your 5% bleach solution, and hang it in the sun to dry.

Hand Washing

For just cleaning general dirt, grime, food during eating or food prep and whatnot, use a washcloth wet with just enough water to make it damp. For actual hand washing, which should definitely be done before food prep and after bathroom or handling any biohazards, setting up a hand washing station is best. Here is a link to the old school, Girl Scout method, using a gallon jug. I actually prefer using one of the aquatainers with the spigot, and tying the soap bylon to the handle. Either way, be sure to put a collection bucket underneath to collect grey water to use for other things, and don't use your hand washing container for drinking water!

Laundry

As with bathing, you don't need to worry about washing most of your clothes, unless they get something REALLY nasty or hazardous on them. The exception is socks and underwear. And, of course, you'll need to clean your kitchen towels and linens. There are various ways to clean laundry. Plunger or hand agitate in a bucket, manual drum washers, etc, but my favourite for camping, travel, no power, etc is with this guy right here! I love it, and it has worked very well for me for years, in all kinds of situations. It's rather pricey though, and you can also use any dry bag to achieve similar results. It will take more work and not get stuff quite as clean, but it will work. Grey water from your handwashing station is perfect for initial wash water, and your old dish rinse water that is too soapy for dishes will be fine to rinse clothes. After you rinse your laundry, that water can be reserved for the next batch of laundry wash water, general cleanup, or lots of other things. Again, at some point, I'll be making a post that is JUST about water for SHTF situations, and I'll include more info there.

Clothing

Invest in some sturdy, utilitarian, fire resistant clothing and a good pair of combat/tactical boots. Even if you can't/won't make it your daily wear, you need to have it around. Again, it needn't be expensive. Cruise the thrift shops and get some good, thick jeans (not designer ones - work ones), Carhartts or decent Carhartt knockoffs in canvas/duck cloth, and a couple canvas, cotton flannel or wool long sleeve shirts. They are great for layering and are fire resistant. A good base layer (thermal underwear) in synthetic material (NOT cotton!) is a very good idea too.

 Carhartt makes all kinds of very durable outerwear (and inner-wear, and every other kind of wear!). If you can find any second hand, it will likely still be in good condition. If not, at least try to invest in a one of their jackets. I have this one, and it is super toasty warm, sturdy as hell, extremely fire resistant, and has stood up to all kinds of abuse for several years. I have never needed a warmer jacket, and that includes a cruise to Glacier Bay in Alaska in September, with many hours spent outside, on deck, and even in a storm with hella wind and 18-20 foot swells. Plus, I just think it looks sharp. 

Propper is another great brand for sturdy, utilitarian, every day wear, especially their TDUs. Do an Amazon search.They are my every day pants and shorts - literally all I wear when I'm not dressing up fancy or lounging at home. They can be pressed and creased and look sharp enough for business casual, or be bloused easily with a quick modification, and go the distance for anything you throw at them!

It's hard to find decent boots at the thrift store, but check these out! They are what I finally decided to try after I couldn't find the old (okay, fine - ancient now) style flight deck boots I had always preferred. I was sceptical, due to the amazing price, but took a chance based on all the even more amazing reviews, and now my only regret is not making the switch WAY earlier! 

I've got a fairly comprehensive list of good, outdoor clothing that I use, here.

Lighting

Ideally, you'll make the most of daylight, and get most things done then, but in the fall and winter months, you'll need to supplement. 

I prefer to have a variety of options available at need - candles/candle lanterns, oil lamps, propane lanterns, and led lanterns, tent lights, flashlights, and string lights, both solar and battery powered. If you live somewhere that reliably gets a lot more sun, you may be able to get by mostly with solar power, but I live in the Pacific Northwest, so not really something to count on.

For outdoor lighting, tiki torches are cheap, simple, and can use several variations of fuel. They can be especially handy when filled with citronella torch oil to keep mosquitoes away(you don't have to buy the special jugs of it if you keep citronella essential oil on hand. Just add a few drops to whatever fuel you're using). 

If you give your eyes time to actually adjust, you'll find you really need far less light than you may have expected, which means you can save on fuel/batteries, and create less of a beacon advertising your location far and wide. Instead of firing up everything on full brightness the second dusk hits, try letting your vision adjust with the setting sun, and only using the dimmest light necessary to get things done. Sure, sometimes full light is called for, but for most things, just finishing up dinner, sitting around conversing, or hanging out, there's no need for additional light at all, and even for getting up and walking around, especially if you've gotten to know the terrain well, you really won't need more than a dim glow. 

 

Practise Makes Better!!

Take your acquired gear and learning, and go camping (real camping, in the wilderness! Not some fancified camping resort that is more like a hotel where you sleep outside!) as often as you can. Practice set up and strike and ways to do all the day to day things. Get good at it.
Work out routines for setting up and striking camp, preparing meals, taking care of personal hygiene and camp sanitation, making firewood/supply/foraging runs, etc. Do it the same way, every time, other than making improvements here and there to make the routine better.

Whenever at all possible, stay for at least a week or two at a time. Most State and National Forest lands officially require you to move to a different area every two weeks, so you may have to strike camp and set up a few miles away, but many times, the Rangers will look the other way if you're not in a particularly popular area, are treating the land, wildlife, and resources right, and can assure them that you do have a regular, permanent address, and are not trying to take up full time residence on their patch. This can be ESPECIALLY true if you are friendly with them and let them know what you're doing. Some will be more than happy to give you some additional tips and resources too!

If you can't go camping, fake it. "Camp" outside in your yard, if you have one, or a friend or neighbour's yard if you don't. Even if those aren't options, you can still get some practice by doing utility outage drills regularly (Google it and/or look for a linked post here soonish). 

In summary, you can do several little things, starting right now, to get yourself ready to handle just about anything that comes your way, so don't put it off any longer. 

If you've got questions, or additional idea and information to add, please feel free to post them in the comments! (As long as it isn't spam for the sake of spam. Links to good gear is fine. Links to random BS will be deleted.)

 

 

Do you really need to bug out? (probably not)

 

We have our go bags, bug out bags and vehicles, plans, locations, checkpoints, drop points, and all, but the likelihood, for many of us, is that we will never actually have to  completely "bug out", or "get out of Dodge". 

That doesn't mean we shouldn't have them though, 

More likely, we'll run into some of life's little (or not so little) snags, and our preparations will make them into minor inconveniences or slight changes in plans, rather than major mishaps. 

Having a bug out/get home bag in your primary vehicle (whether or not that is also your BOV) means that if you get caught out somewhere with car trouble, severe weather, a closed, washed out, or otherwise blocked only way to your destination, or any other issue, you've got food, water, hygiene supplies, warm bedding of some kind, and extra clothing to see you through comfortably until you can get home. 
Even if you have the means to get a hotel for the night and eat out/order in whenever the need arises, and there happens to be something close enough to your location, and they have vacancies/are open, AND if they actually have all you technically need, even with no overnight bag or whatever, you are going to have a much nicer time if you have your own toothbrush, change of clothes (especially if yours got soaked or filthy), and something quick and easy to eat.

Having your go bag at the ready in an easy to grab spot in your home ensures that if you need to travel on short notice; maybe to babysit for a friend, fly to an ill or injured relative, take a colleague's place at a convention, or even get invited to an event on short notice, not to mention any number of other possible scenarios, you only have to throw a few trip specific items in, if anything, rather than spend your limited time packing at the last minute. Then you can spend the time you have on making sure other things go smoothly, and avoid extra stress, knowing you have everything you need, because you weren't packing at the last minute, probably haphazardly, and almost definitely forgetting at least one important item. And don't forget the go bags/inclusions for pets and kids too, whether they are going with you, or have to be picked up by or dropped off with a sitter or something on your way to your destination!

So, just like I say in my more comprehensive, It's probably not the Zombie Apocalypse post, from a few years ago, "being prepared frequently means the  difference between an emergency or survival situation and an inconvenience. In true disaster conditions, it can mean the difference between surviving and not."

You CAN afford a deep freezer, and you probably have room for one if you're not homeless

A deep freezer is worth its weight in gold; Maybe even worth its filled weight in gold!

Why?
Because when you have one, you can buy in bulk at massive savings, always have meal ingredients on hand without frequent trips to the store, have plenty of delicious, healthy, home cooked meals ready to heat and eat at pennies a serving, and never have to worry about running out of things, even if you can't get to the store (or the store shelves are all bare! Like... I dunno, maybe during a global pandemic?) for a while - even weeks or months at a time! Most properly packaged foods stored at 0°F or less (Home deep freezers will be somewhere around the -6°F range) can be stored indefinitely, without losing their original flavour or quality
(Freezer burn is the result of improper packaging, not deep freezing!).

There are a lot more details and reasons to add, but those are for other posts. This post is to help you figure out how you can reap those benefits, even on a budget (Yes, even in qualify for food assistance level poverty budget!) and/or living in tight quarters. 
It IS doable in most situations!

The first step is to figure out where you could put one. 
If you get an upright, it will take up about the same space as a small card table or easy chair/recliner. That isn't much, considering the benefits.
Be creative. It doesn't have to be in the kitchen, or even indoors, necessarily! It can go in a corner of the living/dining room, or bedroom, on a porch, patio, or balcony, in the yard, driveway, garage, in a in a storage closet/shed, etc. As long as you can run an appliance extension cord to it and there is around six inches of air space around it, it's all good! 
If it goes outside, it's a good idea to protect it from the weather, but not mandatory. If you are worried about it being unsightly or getting flack from management for having it outside/on your patio or balcony, you can easily and cheaply disguise it with a couple sheets of garden lattice and some 2x4s to make a frame, or you can even go extra simple, foldable, and portable by zip-tying the lattice pieces to one another. Put a couple potted, trailing plants (real or fake) on top, and it will look like a mini garden project. 

There are also a couple other DIY disguise ideas running around the internet. Here's one originally using a small fridge, but easily used for a freezer. There are custom made fridge wraps available, but you can get the same effect with a $20 shower curtain or two! 
Again, get creative and make it your own! You've got this. I have faith in you!

While chest style freezers are usually cheaper and slightly more energy efficient (in theory), an upright will be MUCH easier to keep organised, so you can get to things quickly, meaning it is not hanging open for extended periods of time, thus negating any energy savings. Since they take up less floor space, and you can store things on top of them too, that is like double space saving, and, using one is way better on your back!

A brand new one, if you get about the largest home model, will run you around $600-$800, which is a lot, BUT will easily save you at least that much in the first two years or less. 
If that price point is unattainable, even with saving up or (ugh!) renting to own (A freezer is about the only item I feel is worth going the rent to own route. That's how important I think they are.), look for dented/floor models to get significant savings on a new unit, go a little smaller, and/or check local want ads, Craig's List, Freecycle, and Buy Nothing to see if anyone is selling one at a price you can afford or even giving one away. You'd be AMAZED at the things people are willing to give away for free or sell massively cheaply.  



The bottom line is that, for lots of reasons, especially if you're poor, you can't afford NOT to do your best to get a deep freezer.

It's probably not the Zombie Apocalypse! (Realistic SHTF scenarios for regular people)

"Khaos is waiting for the zombie apocalypse! LOLOLOLOL!"

"We'll all just come to your house when the world ends! Harharhar!"

"Don't you mean BUNKER? Trololololol"

"She runs a Costco on the side! Hahaha!" 

Yup. Hilarity! I routinely hear these, and all sorts of other knee-slapping, solid bronze comedic content from friends and family.

The sad fact is, most "ordinary" people, it seems, still view stocking up beyond next week, having emergency supplies on hand, knowing how to do things without modern conveniences (and having the tools and materials to do so!), are silly, pessimistic, foolish, "asking for trouble" (WHAT!?), or downright crazy. Somehow, they equate being prepared for any eventuality with hoping for or hastening some looming, doomsday scenario.

Reality check, folks:
Being unprepared for an emergency won't keep one from happening! All it does is make you and those who depend on you more likely to suffer the consequences.

Being prepared frequently means the  difference between an emergency or survival situation and an inconvenience. In true disaster conditions, it can mean the difference between surviving and not.

If your car dies on the side of the road and you've gotta wait a couple hours for assistance, it could mean you have a "bathroom", plenty of water (and coffee!), something to snack on, protection from the weather, and maybe something to keep the kids (and grownups) entertained while you wait.

If the power goes out right before supper, it could mean you can still have a good meal, instead of scrounging for something that doesn't need electricity to prepare or having to go out to get something.

If the roads, power, and water are out in a good sized area for a few days or a week and you have taken the trouble to even stock up on a few days worth of food, water, extra medications, an outdoor cooking method, candles and/or battery powered lighting, and a few other supplies, things may be a little uncomfortable, but you're going to be just fine. Conversely, those people who refuse to plan ahead even in the slightest will have a true emergency on their hands. Not only are their own lives and well being, and that of their dependents, in danger. No - their (in)actions have endangered countless others as well. They've placed additional burden on their neighbours, communities, and emergency services. Now, rather than just having to worry about getting needed services and care to those who legitimately rely on electricity, special equipment, and such for medical reasons, first responders and rescue personnel have to spend precious moments and supplies bailing out some asshole who had the means to look after themselves, and chose not to. If it were up to me, I'd probably let them hang! Oh.. I'd take in their young kids and pets if I could, since they didn't have a say in the matter. The idiots though - those same folks who laugh the loudest about how stupid "preppers" are? They'd be on their own! Cause guess what? Nope. You're NOT coming to my house (or bunker, or BOL, or...) when the SHTF! And if you decide to try anyway, just remember your "Rambo" wisecracks regarding my gear, training, "paranoia", and defences, and think again.

Those few who happen to have been in my company when things have gone wrong... who enjoyed hot food and coffee, clean water, warmth, a safe and comfortable place to sleep, and that sort of thing when they would have otherwise been cold, hungry, afraid, and otherwise ill prepared when power or water has gone out, a vehicle has broken down in the middle of nowhere, roads have become impassable and the city (transit, emergency services, power, stores and other businesses closed) basically shut down, and the like, no longer join in the heckling. Of course, they don't risk being lumped in with the "loony" by standing up and saying anything either, but that's ok for now. Ya can't win 'em all!

Why you should have a BBQ grill, camp stove, and/or fire pit even if you never camp

So, the title is pretty self explanatory!

Everyone should have outdoor cooking supplies, even if you have NO interest whatsoever in camping, picnicking, or cooking out.

Why?

Because when the power and/or gas goes out, even if it's short term, you'll still be able to cook, and if it's a longer lasting outage, you can use fire to preserve your perishable foods. 

Sure, you might be able to just eat sandwiches or go out to eat if your power is out, but what if the power is out because of downed trees, heavy storms, or other inclement weather? Even if you can drive or walk anywhere, are restaurants going to be open? If the outage is widespread or roads are dangerous or impassable, that answer is going to be a no for anything nearby, and the closest places that are open will likely be mobbed, so there will be long wait times, overcrowding, and they will run out of things. 

Another thing to consider is that when things go wrong, people tend to panic. Panicked people can do some pretty stupid shit!

You'll be much better off avoiding all the hassle and staying at home, where you can have a home-cooked, hot meal without a whole lot more hassle than cooking indoors. 

Just about anything can be cooked on a grill or fire, and often tastes better than conventional methods! 
This includes desserts, breads, soups, stews, vegetables, casseroles, and pretty much anything you can think of. 

If you don't believe me, just pick any dish that you think won't work and do a search for "grill recipe". I bet you'll find it! And if you don't, let me know in the comments, and I'll be shocked if I can't find or create one for you. (Yes, that did look like a challenge, didn't it?)

Oh, and just FYI, since I strongly suspect many of you are going to go straight for the "you can't do baked Alaska on the grill" challenge, think again. Google just gave me About 835,000 results in 0.32 seconds.

Nexxxxxxt? ;-)

The absolute, MOST vital survival tool! You and those depending on you WILL DIE if you don't use it!

Make sure this is part of your every day carry!!

Sure, there are lots and lots of articles, advertisements, blog posts, and such out there claiming that this or that piece of gear is the number one, most important thing to have in your kit, but this one is the only one that pretty much guarantees failure if you don't use it. 

Everyone already has on at their disposal, and it's free to use. In fact, the more you use it, the more useful it becomes, and, unlike most gear, the longer it takes to wear out!

I'm referring, of course, to BRAINS - Not just the zombie apocalypse delicacy of choice, but a fully integrated, versatile, and irreplaceable item!

A quick Google search for "most important survival tool" yields many hits, and differing opinions, with a few enduring trends.

Among the claims of what ONE thing will save you if you have nothing else, the most common were (in order of popularity):

• knife
• multi-tool 
• water filter
• water
• food
• water container
• machete  
• axe
• warm clothing
• ammo
• can opener
• tarp (WTF??)
• prayer
• first aid kit

The third hit got close, with, "knowledge", and the third hit on the second page of results added to that with, "Practice and Common Sense", but it was halfway down the third page of results before I finally found, "the three-pound object that rests between your ears. Your brain!". 

In the articles, blogs, how-tos, etc on the first five pages of results, including comments on the various articles, "brain" or "mind" only popped up three times! The ones listed above all were mentioned a great many times, and there were lots of other one-offs, but it seems the idea of being smart is just not all that popular.

I admit, talking about how to prepare SMART doesn't make for nearly as cool articles and videos as all the latest, ultralight gear, knives and firearms to make Rambo green with envy, and video tutorials on how to make a fire bow & drill, build a debris shelter, collect water, and the like, and all those skills and a lot of the gear are absolutely great to have, but seriously, none of that is going to be worth a thing if you can't think on your feet and make smart decisions on the fly and in short order!

SO... If you have nothing else at all when the shit hits the fan, be sure that you've been keeping your most important and useful survival tool in your EDC honed to a razor-sharp edge and using it daily, so it will serve you well when life depends on it.

Nalgene bottles really ARE all they're cracked up to be!

Who knew?
Well, OK.. Technically, a lot of people knew this already, but I was pretty sceptical for many, many years. I ended up getting an old one given to me several years back though, and, since it was purple, and a decent, sturdy container, I kept it. I even filled it with water, as an emergency backup to my backup drinking water I keep in my van, figuring that it could at least be used for extreme need. 

Then it got misplaced. 

For over 5 years. 

I finally found it the other day, when my vehicle was partially dismantled, and was going to use the water for washing something. Out of curiosity, I smelled the water. It smelled fine. Now is when I should mention that I am severely picky about my drinking water. I am what is known as a "super smeller/taster". That means that even really good municipal tap water smells and tastes like a over-chlorinated  pool to me, nice, tasty filtered water that's been in a typical bike bottle even for 10 minutes is no longer at all tasty, and that even slightly stagnant water tastes and smells NASTY to me! More curious, I smelled it more, then, very cautiously, tried a sip. It seemed just fine, so I drank more. It still tasted great - just as good as it did when I first filled the bottle 5+ years before!

So, this bottle has been knocking around in a van all that time, and actually shows some wear on the outside. It looks like it got gouged and scraped pretty thoroughly at some point in there (it isn't dirty - those white marks are damage), but still maintained a perfect seal, only has slight cosmetic damage, and kept drinking water for even picky me tasting great that entire time! 

I'm sold!