Should I do any kind of prepper stuff? Single mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:During a conversation the other night, I found out that basically all my friends (with husbands) have firearms, a safety plan, some kind of food and cash stores and go bags. Is this what everyone is really doing? I was shocked as these are not what I would have thought of as “gun” people.

I have an alarm system, go to the atm like once a year, have the typical kid Costco lunch snacks in the pantry and usually some basic groceries. I don’t really cook. Definitely do not have any firearms!

Can someone tell me what I should realistically put together? If you have “go bags” how frequently do you refresh them? (Just thinking kids sizes etc). What else should I be doing in case this Iran thing blows up, no pun intended.

Also, I live in the close in VA suburbs if that matters.

What? No. This can't be. Who are you hanging out with?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:During a conversation the other night, I found out that basically all my friends (with husbands) have firearms, a safety plan, some kind of food and cash stores and go bags. Is this what everyone is really doing? I was shocked as these are not what I would have thought of as “gun” people.

I have an alarm system, go to the atm like once a year, have the typical kid Costco lunch snacks in the pantry and usually some basic groceries. I don’t really cook. Definitely do not have any firearms!

Can someone tell me what I should realistically put together? If you have “go bags” how frequently do you refresh them? (Just thinking kids sizes etc). What else should I be doing in case this Iran thing blows up, no pun intended.

Also, I live in the close in VA suburbs if that matters.

What? No. This can't be. Who are you hanging out with?

NP. Over my years in corporate market research, I learned that at least three of the apparently mild-mannered male managers had handguns and were more than conversant with their use. People who grow up in blue-collar families, rural areas, etc. have more exposure.

Two of these 3 guys are conservative but don't talk Trump. All 3 married with kids.

I used to say that the market research team would be well-defended in the zombie apocalypse.

I have known these men for more than 20 years and they continue to act normal and pleasant. I've lived in two states where guns are pretty normal and still have relatively high amounts of hunting and military reservists.

My dad and uncle grew up with handguns and target practice but my dad had daughters so he left that hobby with his family of origin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having a gun and not knowing how to use it (which requires more than a couple classes/time at the range) you should absolutely not have a gun.

It's always a good idea to have some extra gas, food, and water. You never know when a basic natural disaster can hit. But PP has a good list. It's more about setting yourself and family up for success in a normal future. Let's be real, if what happens that they are planning for actually happens, it's not going to matter much. Where do they plan to go with their "to go bag". Unless you have a place not in a major city and are somehow able to get out before it gets bad, you're screwed.

I'm from CA, where earthquakes and fires are regular enough no-notice events that we all keep go kits and emergency supplies ready. Here? If there's political unrest in DC and I have the ability to drive away from it, I'm leaving. If the power's out for an extended amount of time, I'm going to a hotel. If there's fire or flooding, and I can get out, I'd rather not stick around. I'm not planning to bug out to the wilderness or anything. I just don't want to have to pack and prep while possibly panicking.

If you may need to seek shelter elsewhere, having a pre-packed change of clothes, snack, set of meds, etc. ready, along with copies of important documents and a bit of cash, saves you time and trouble.

[Anonymous]

I mean, it's kinda late to get on the prepper train. Being ready for power outages is one thing. But going off the grid is not going to be feasible for you.

[Anonymous]

OP, normal life will get you. Not a doomsday situation.

[Anonymous]

The federal government and literally every single state has a list of things you should have on hand to prepare for various emergencies. It's common sense, not "prepper stuff." I can't believe you're a single mom and you haven't thought about this yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:During a conversation the other night, I found out that basically all my friends (with husbands) have firearms, a safety plan, some kind of food and cash stores and go bags. Is this what everyone is really doing? I was shocked as these are not what I would have thought of as “gun” people.

I have an alarm system, go to the atm like once a year, have the typical kid Costco lunch snacks in the pantry and usually some basic groceries. I don’t really cook. Definitely do not have any firearms!

Can someone tell me what I should realistically put together? If you have “go bags” how frequently do you refresh them? (Just thinking kids sizes etc). What else should I be doing in case this Iran thing blows up, no pun intended.

Also, I live in the close in VA suburbs if that matters.

You don't need a go-bag, you need new friends

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have weird friends.
The only to go bag you need is to escape an abusive partner.
Signed,
Single mom of 3

Go bags are useful in places where you might have to evacuate to a shelter (the items are already assembled and will make your stay much more comfortable) or have somewhere else to go and may need supplies for the trip. Having things (especially documents) already assembled makes this quick and much less stressful.

OP - We restock these every year on the day the clocks turn back (which makes it easy to remember). The kids have fun eating whatever snacks are in there.

[Anonymous]

Getting out some cash to keep at home and having some extra shelf stable food and water is pretty standard OP. Battery powered or crank / solar radio, light and fan.

Think of it more like preparing for an extended weather event (power outages, blizzard, hurricane) that we have around here every few years.

I don't have a "go bag" - where are you going to go in a gridlocked place? Or weapons, because that's expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The prepper stuff that we all need to do is not the nuclear war scenario or zombie apocalypse.

We all need to prep for job losses, electric grid loss, sewage back-ups, forest fires, contaminated water, supply chain shut downs, lack of essential medicines etc. And it cannot be a nervous panic reaction. You have to take very normal measured steps that you should have taken like every other person around the world for normal living. Ask these questions.

What happens if you lose your job? How on-track are your finances?
- Track your expenses. What are your real pared-down expenses to live on per month.
- Have an emergency fund. Save for 6 months of real expenses.
- Live a frugal life now. Sell off things in pyour home that you are hoarding.
- Have a budget and stick to it.
- Contribute to your retirement to get the full employer match.
- Save for your kids's college. Have your kids, parents, siblings etc...move in with you to save money.
- Can you start some side gigs (dog walking, doing laundry for other people, tutoring) to make more money?
- Keep a track of your credit reports. You are more likely to get scammed or your credit card compromised, or identity theft happen to you, than a war.
- Yes, keep some cash on hand, just incase you are unable to get to cash. Maybe $500.

What happens if you can't get to health services? In case of war, pandemic, natural disaster, unemployment or unaffordability?
- Keep healthy through your own efforts. Don't drink, smoke, vape, or do drugs. Exercise. Eat healthy organic foods. Eat a lot of greens. Exercise. Drink a lot of water. Mediate. Do yoga. Sleep well.
- Wear helmets when riding a cycle, scooter, or motorcycle. Wear seatbelts in cars. Check for lead in your paints and pipes.
- Be up-to date with all the booster shots and diagnostics that are covered by insurance. Same for your kids too.
- Do a health makeover through diet, exercise etc so that you are off prescription drugs for BP, Diabetes, Cholesterol. Cure yourself. End your dependency on drugs.
- Have natural remedies on hand - ginger tea, turmeric milk, manuka honey etc.
- Make sure that you wear masks when outside in public places
- Maintain dental hygiene and health, strengthen your muscles, improve your balance. Get your eyes checked.

What happens if schools closes or it is remote learning again?
- Be an involved parent. Be aware of the syllabus and where your kid stands. Buy second hand textbooks and start supplementing at home now. Make sure that your kids are preparing for an admission cycle that will be highly competitive. Get them in the habit of being good students.
- Get tutors if you can afford it so that your kid is not lagging behind.

What happens if sewage backs up in your home?
- I don't know. The sewage is still spilling in Potomac. This can happen and has been happening around DMV. Sorry if I gave you a new nightmare.

How to save your house from catching fire? Or water leaks? Or flooding. Or CO poisoning.
- Change batteries in all smoke alarms. Have working Carbon Monoxide alarms with fresh batteries. Keep the drains flowing to your sump pump clean. Winterize your pipes. Have fire extinguishers that are easy to use. Clean your dryer vents periodically. Clean your exhaust hood filter. Have water leakage alarms. Get regular maintenance of your home, yard and vehicles done.

How to protect your home from burglary
- Don't have valuables. Don't be flashy.
- Have good lights around your house.
- A good alarm system. Make sure that your doors and windows are secure.
- CCTV or ring monitoring. In and outside your home.
- Be aware of your surroundings.

Where to get your news
- Reuters and AP.

What happens if there is a chance of no electricity, no food, no water and no toilet paper.
- Have a manual can-opener, manual clock, match boxes, normal stand-alone battery operated transistor, flashlights, candles, first aid kit, masks.
- Get a hand held shower attached to the toilet to mitigate the risk of no toilet paper.
- Always fill a tub with water if an extreme weather event is predicted that can disrupt water supply. Keep some drinking water at home.
- Cans of food that you can eat and survive. No more than 2 weeks worth of food.

Unless you have a fortified bunker filled with food and that can withstand a nuclear blast, or a spacecraft that takes you to Mars, there is nothing more you can do.

Mitigate normal situations that you are most likely to encounter in daily life that can do you more harm. Don't worry about nuclear war. The more functional you are in peacetime, the more likely you will survive in war.

AI slop ^^^

Not AI slop, but I am flattered. I will be able to use AI in my life and work effectively because I can quickly think through things.

You? AI will eat your job

Bless your heart, my sweet summer child.

[Anonymous]

I think Jim Bakker still sells online Armageddon Survival Buckets. You can get a 10-gallon Home Depot bucket of Mac&Cheese.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Getting out some cash to keep at home and having some extra shelf stable food and water is pretty standard OP. Battery powered or crank / solar radio, light and fan.

Think of it more like preparing for an extended weather event (power outages, blizzard, hurricane) that we have around here every few years.

I don't have a "go bag" - where are you going to go in a gridlocked place? Or weapons, because that's expensive.

I have a "Go bag" because many emergencies can be anticipated before the roads are gridlocked.

[Anonymous]

Glad to know my parents aren’t the only weirdos that do this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting out some cash to keep at home and having some extra shelf stable food and water is pretty standard OP. Battery powered or crank / solar radio, light and fan.

Think of it more like preparing for an extended weather event (power outages, blizzard, hurricane) that we have around here every few years.

I don't have a "go bag" - where are you going to go in a gridlocked place? Or weapons, because that's expensive.

I have a "Go bag" because many emergencies can be anticipated before the roads are gridlocked.

In an area with several million people, you aren't going to be alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting out some cash to keep at home and having some extra shelf stable food and water is pretty standard OP. Battery powered or crank / solar radio, light and fan.

Think of it more like preparing for an extended weather event (power outages, blizzard, hurricane) that we have around here every few years.

I don't have a "go bag" - where are you going to go in a gridlocked place? Or weapons, because that's expensive.

I have a "Go bag" because many emergencies can be anticipated before the roads are gridlocked.

In an area with several million people, you aren't going to be alone.

I mean, having a "go bag" is fine, but you really aren't getting out of the DC metro quickly. And I wouldn't count on people in West VA wanting you there.

Best to plan to shelter in place if you can.