Stocking up - Current Events changed anything?

[kitaye]

I was reading several threads on another board and it seems that people are making changes to what and how much stuff they are stocking up based on the current events in the Middle East. Have you made any changes and if so what?

[bergere]

I try to stay stocked up. Mainly because we are out in the tweddles. Oh,, then there is Mount St Helens off in the distance.

Just got back from going up to the military base to pick up some food stuffs. So we are doing better than we were.

At some point I would like to stock in a years supply of everything. Though right now I can't afford it.
Just a good idea to stock up if you can.

[Deleted]

I always think about stocking up, and thats usually how far it gets, why i put it off I don't know, maybe in the back of my mind i don't think anything will happen or want anything to happen. but when i say that DH always mentions the blackout a few years ago, now that was scary!! there wasn't any ice, and gas was running out, long lines at the stores and of course the ATMs were down.. wasn't a fun time.
but the way things are heating up, now theres something with South Korea and i heard something about US troops on high alert, what the hecks going on with this world??
Some say it's getting towards the end, but i don't know.. who really knows for sure.

[bbird]

I keep all the scratch food up (flour/salt/sugar ect), and the rice, beans. Meat is always here and stocked. Water jugs get filled with new water periodically incase we need them. I also have seeds collected, and keep them fresh and up to date incase we have to grow our own food.

Don't forget animal feed, that is a hard one because it's spendy and you have to be careful it doesn't get moldy. You can free range some animals and that will help.

I think we would be okay. Of course the family would probably complain alittle if we had to live off our stock food only. They are spoiled by having "treats."

[Kathy]

I have a years worth of most everything including meds. Water is now my one weak spot-I'm no longer on the farm with the ponds or the year round creek.

Today I did go and add a few more tubes of toothpaste, antibiotic cream, hydrocortisone cream, bandage materials and some plastic silverware to the mix. I already have 1000 styro plates in case water is in extremely short supply and needed the disposable silverware to keep things even.
I bought a lot of foil a while back-you can line your pans before cooking so you're pans stay pretty clean.

I have 50# of soy wax and enough wicks to last for a a year to 18 mos. Same with lamp oil and wicks. ;D

I have stocked up on extra material and patterns in case it's hard to buy premade clothes. I may not be the best seamstress but at least my butt will be covered. ;D

Did anyone else notice how expensive even the cheapest charcoal has gotten? I have to believe that the manufacturers are taking this opportunity to make some extra money on the current ME crisis.

[Deleted]

Kathy, your so good at stocking up.. thats wonderful I should.. I'm jealous.. and i have to worry about my DH and girls if something were to happen, I need to think about that.. I read someone put in a post that Home Depot and somewhere else had run out of 5 gallon gas tanks, i wonder if people are thinking ahead in case something does happen, I mean with the gas it has to effect us and it will with prices, but what about food and groceries that will all be affected too.. I'm a little worried about all this, and only watching and reading the websites in small doses, otherwise i will worry to much.
Is anyone else like that?

[Kathy]

If you can't find the red 5 gal fuel cans-get the blue ones for kerosene and before filling them the first time-clean with a degreaser(Dawn Ultra works) and spray paint them red!

You may have to repaint occasionally but it's better than not being able to stock up. I was lucky, at a flea market I found the metal gas cans-they needed repainting but at $4 each I thought I'd hit the jackpot! ;D The generic Rustoleum type paint works well once the cans are thoroughly cleaned and dry and costs less than half of the name brand. ;D

[bergere]

We really need to pick up gas and diesel for the lawn mower and wee tractor but did not get to it this weekend.

Our major problem like you Kathy is water. If the power goes out,, then no water.

Was thinking about those hand pumps and seeing if there was any place the water was close to the surface and put one of those in. Kind'a like a mini well.

[kitaye]

We have a well on our property but it has been designated garden use only. Our drinking water comes from municipal but tastes terrible. So for our drinking water supply we have several 18 litre bottles of mineral water in the cellar. These get rotated out every time we as we switch them out for our daily drinking water. If it came right down to it I would drink the water from the well. I figure if it is good enough for the garden then it won't kill us to drink it....much.

[Kathy]

kitaye said:

We have a well on our property but it has been designated garden use only. Our drinking water comes from municipal but tastes terrible. So for our drinking water supply we have several 18 litre bottles of mineral water in the cellar. These get rotated out every time we as we switch them out for our daily drinking water. If it came right down to it I would drink the water from the well. I figure if it is good enough for the garden then it won't kill us to drink it....much.

Kitaye, I'd highly recommend a Big Berky Berkefeld Water Filter. I have the largest one they make with the 4 ceramic & silver filters and it's wonderful. It will filter muddy water to the point of it being purer than filtered commercial water. ;D

They're not cheap but since it's a once in a lifetime investment you might be able to justify the expense. You might be interested in reading up on what all it can filter out and the kinds of water it can make safe.

British Berkefeld Water Filters

[moongazer]

I've been having hubby top off the gas tank every morning
on his way home. He has a 70 mile round trip to work each day.
We're also keeping the mowed gas container topped off.

I also make sure in the evening just before dark I go out and top off the waters. I fill jugs and use them the next day and refill them (keeping the water always fresh) for the bunnies.
When we had the power out water was the thing I found I was most lacking.
Plenty of food and wood for heat.
I do need to get more candles and lanterns.

[Deleted]

Yes, stocking up more on medical supplies. Went into a GI depot store..thought I could find some ammo..nope..
Water is always an issue.Thumbing through camping magazines...
tnborn

[kitaye]

Thanks for the link Kathy. I'm going to do more research and talk to hubby to see what he thinks.

[Kathy]

For anyone who's thinking about stocking up this may be some news that affects your timeline.

With the serious heatwave in CA; dairy cows are dying; so far I've read the numbers may be as high as 20% have died.
The vegetables & fruits are withering and dying on the vines & trees.
I understand many of us may have gardens but if you don't and buy your canned goods-you might want to stock up on those items NOW before the shortfall increases the prices at the stores. Not to mention there may be serious shortages of certain items such as tomato products, dry & evaporated milk and fruits.

[bbird]

I've read that too Kathy, and it is worrisome. I know here in the PNW August temperatures are suppose to go through the roof and be the worse one's we have ever seen. I can't imagine how prices are going to escalate.

Sad fact, but usually August is my big canning month but instead I am going to try and catch every sale on canned goods from the store because I fear there won't be the fresh fruits and veggies for me to can. Plus there is that money factor where canned goods will be cheaper...argh. I don't really like store canned stuff, but it's better then nothing I suppose.

Tnborn-are you having a problem finding ammo in your area? It's getting bad here. Some places are limiting the number of rounds you can buy, and certain popular ammo is out altogether. That is one thing I buy weekly just to stock up on. I've gotten to know one of the guys who works where I buy the ammo, and he saves me two boxes of each kind we need when he gets the orders in but instead of weekly orders they will get only 1-2 orders in a month because the companies are not sending it to them. This is a big hunting store, so that is scary.

I'm thinking about picking up another freezer too.

[bergere]

admin said:

For anyone who's thinking about stocking up this may be some news that affects your timeline.

With the serious heatwave in CA; dairy cows are dying; so far I've read the numbers may be as high as 20% have died.
The vegetables & fruits are withering and dying on the vines & trees.
I understand many of us may have gardens but if you don't and buy your canned goods-you might want to stock up on those items NOW before the shortfall increases the prices at the stores. Not to mention there may be serious shortages of certain items such as tomato products, dry & evaporated milk and fruits.

Oh joy.... I did not hear about that. Shows you how up on things I am.
We did get the the military base to pick some stuff up, so we are a bit better off.
Need to do an Azure order soon. They deal in bulk Certified Organic foods.

[Deleted]

Yes bbird. The selection of ammo is not much. I can get 22. But, try to find 44, 7mag and other....It is easier to find a needle in a haystack.
tnborn

[Deleted]

Herbal remedies Mullin for earaches. Yes this works. I did this for an ear infection and felt better.

Chickweed for poison ivy
Herbal books and medicinal info.

[Kathy]

I check out the trusted websites for natural/herbal remedies and find out which books are recommended. Then to save money, I go to Amazon.com or Half.com and but a used copy. ;D One thing though; check the cost of shipping on used books. In some cases I found that buying new with free shipping(after buying $25) was cheaper than buying a used book with $6-7 in shipping.

If you have a vacuum sealer; seal up any containers of herbs you're stocking up on. It will help keep out moisture and prolong the timeframe that they are effective.

tnborn said:

Herbal remedies Mullin for earaches. Yes this works. I did this for an ear infection and felt better.

Chickweed for poison ivy
Herbal books and medicinal info.

[bergere]

neat idea kathy.

also found out you can use q-tips as splints for fingers.