If I had to guess, she had spent over $10,000 on it all, which is a decent amount for a mid-length bug-in situation. Unfortunately, she’s skipped an extremely important step.

When I asked to see her regular pantry, she was a bit confused. What did any of that matter if she had enough long-term storage food to feed her family for a year? When we looked at what she had in “regular” food she had about 3-4 weeks worth, which is better than the average American household. It wasn’t enough.

It’s not a great situation if a family is already breaking into their survival food that has a 10+ year shelf-life a couple of weeks after a long-term emergency strikes. Instead, individuals or families should have several months worth of “regular” food rotating in their pantry. Much of this will be medium-term food such as canned meals, pastas, grains, and even dehydrated meat.

Keep in mind that I own a long-term storage beef company, yet I still advise not buying any of it until a family has at least several months worth of normal foods. It doesn’t make sense to have to bust open a bucket of freeze dried lasagna on week 3 of bugging in.

The reason is simple: Freeze-dried meals and meats are more expensive than their canned or boxed counterparts. Canned tuna, chicken, and beef can supply a lot more protein per dollar spent than survival meats. Granted, canned beef is, in my humble opinion, far less appetizing than tuna, chicken, or even Spam, but it fills its purpose.

It’s important for these items to be something you’d eat regularly. Most canned foods are shelf-stable for 2-5 years. Frozen meats generally last 12-24 months. Boxes of pasta or rice can last a couple of years, though they can be transferred to vacuum sealed food containers with oxygen absorbers to more than double their shelf-life. The same is try for flour, though it’s best to have whole grains and a mill (one electric, one manual) rather than the flour itself.

Without rotation, a lot of the food could be wasted. And if it’s food you wouldn’t normally eat, then it’s just going to sit there until it goes bad unless, God forbid, an emergency strikes in the near-term.

Bottom line is this: It’s important to have long-term “survival food” ready to eat if necessary, but having regular food that can keep your family fed for months is the step to take first.

Those that are preparing for such a scenario are known as “preppers”, and “prepping” has become increasingly popular in recent years.

For example, the Daily Mail just published a story on a 38-year-old prepper named Rowan Mackenzie that has become extremely popular on social media…

A doomsday prepper, who has built a bunker, has revealed how she spent $75,000 to prepare for a nuclear disaster amid ongoing wars across the world and the soaring cost of the living crisis.

Rowan Mackenzie, 38, became a became a social media phenomenon after revealing she’s been prepping her home for 12 years because of fear of an emergency and has upped the ante, spending a whopping $75,000 on supplies as a result of the intensification of issues in the world – including the war between Israel and Palestine.

She has been able to accumulate so much because she did a little bit at a time for many years.

If you haven’t been preparing like she has, you have a lot of catching up to do, and it isn’t going to be easy.

I know that it can seem a bit overwhelming if you are just getting started, and so let me give you 4 key areas to focus on as you prepare for the chaotic events of 2024 and beyond…

#1 Food

Without enough food, you will not make it for long. If you can hunt or forage for edible plants that will help, but that will only take you so far.

Anyone that has watched “Alone” knows exactly what I am talking about.

When things really start hitting the fan, most Americans will get very hungry very rapidly. In fact, it is being reported that 18 percent of Americans are already not getting enough food to eat…

According to consumer data firm Dunnhumby, one-third of households are skipping meals or reducing their portion sizes to save money.

Researchers found that 18 percent of the survey’s 2,000 participants noted they weren’t getting enough food to eat.

Furthermore, 31 percent of households have reduced their portion sizes due to empty pantries as a result of rising grocery store prices.

I recommend storing food that you really like to eat and that will last for a very long time.

If you like beef, that is going to be a challenge, because beef now costs a lot more than it once did…

Being a carnivore has never been so expensive. According to the USDA, beef prices soared to another record high this week, and are expected to face a 100% increase next month compared to the same period a year ago. Steaks will likely be out of the dinner table of many Americans in the coming months as shortages already started leaving grocery shelves empty. Even cheap meats like ground beef are about to shoot up in price due to the lowest supply in decades, the Department said.

The nation’s shrinking cattle herd combined with surging input costs at U.S. farms and ranches have pushed wholesale meat costs to over $8 per pound, official data shows. Analysts predict that the figure could jump above the $ 10 mark in December due to the seasonal spike in demand. As a comparison, beef costs in 2022 were hoovering around the ten-year average of $5 per pound. The rapid price appreciation means that you will have to pay double what you paid a year ago to bring your favorite cut home this winter.

And thanks to the bird flu, chicken and turkey are going up in price too…

An additional 1.2 million chickens will be slaughtered to prevent the spread of the bird flu after the virus was confirmed on an Iowa egg farm in the second massive case this week.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced the latest bird flu infection at a farm in Taylor County Friday, and Iowa’s governor immediately declared a disaster there to make sure the state has the resources to respond quickly.

The Iowa case is just the latest one in the outbreak that began early last year and has prompted officials to kill a total of nearly 63 million birds. Earlier this week, 1 million chickens were killed on a Minnesota egg farm.

Ultimately, you will want to store up enough food for yourself and for everyone that will be depending upon you for as long as you plan to stay alive.

#2 Water

The good news is that water is not expensive.

But when it stops coming out of your taps, what will you do?

I do believe in storing up bottled water.  But you can only store it for so long, and no matter how large your property is you can never store enough.

Each one of us uses a tremendous amount of water every day, and in a survival situation you can reduce that amount quite a bit.

But you will never be able to store enough for a long-term survival scenario. So access to fresh water is key. You need to have a plan for gathering fresh water, filtering fresh water, and boiling fresh water.

#3 Shelter

Most of you already have somewhere to live. That’s great. But will it be suitable for a long-term survival scenario?

If not, you either need to move or you need to have a location to “bug out” to when things get really hairy.

If you are considering relocating, I give my thoughts on all 50 states in my new book.  But thanks to absurdly high housing prices and rapidly rising interest rates, it will now cost you far more to relocate than it would have a few years ago.

And no matter how great your location is right now, you will need to be prepared to leave if for some reason staying at your current home becomes untenable at some point.

#4 Energy

A great survival home won’t do you much good if you can’t heat it during the winter. And you are going to need to be able to cook your food and boil any water that you collect. So you have got to have a plan for energy.

If you have rigged your entire home so that it can be fully powered by solar energy, that is great. But that is not feasible in all areas of the country.

A gas-powered generator is always helpful, but what will you do when you can’t get any more gas? Whenever the lights go out, we are reminded of what a world without power would look like.

Personally, I recommend having more than one source of energy, because that way you will not be in a desperate situation if the one source you are depending upon ends up failing.

Of course everything that I have discussed above needs to be protected. If someone comes in and tries to take all the stuff that you have stored up, what would you do?

That is another question that you need to consider, because when things get really crazy out there a lot of people will suddenly become very uncivilized.

Sound off about this on the Late Prepper Substack.

Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.

Frugality.

We have to make different choices with our money.

Many of us will be forced to do it. We will make different choices because we won’t be able to afford to make the same ones we’re making right now. We will have to cancel some of our regular expenses and downsize parts of our lives.

Others might be able to squeak by spending as they have been for a little bit longer. We saw this over Christmas. A lot of people put the holiday on credit cards. They bought the same food as traditionally served, epic gifts for the entire family, and decked the halls full on. They wanted “normalcy” and “one more good holiday” for their families. It’s not the decision I’d make, but I do understand it. Change is hard. Seeing your children forced to adapt can be painful. Getting a spouse on board can be next to impossible.

One way or the other, 2023 is going to look different for nearly all of us.

What is the projection?

We don’t need a crystal ball to know that the outlook for our economy is rather grim.

First, there’s inflation. Many experts expect inflation to increase in the coming years due to rising demand and the impact of government stimulus measures. The Federal Reserve predicts that inflation will remain below 2% in the near term, but could rise slightly above 2% in the long term. Of course, anyone who has visited a grocery store recently can attest to the fact that the “official” inflation and the real-life effects are entirely different numbers.

We’ve also been dealing with supply chain issues since the Covid outbreak in China in 2020. Exports dwindled, and store shelves emptied. While we recovered to some degree, our supplies have never reached pre-pandemic levels, and prices have remained high.

And it isn’t just shortages causing economic issues and supply chain problems. The U.S. economy is heavily dependent on international trade, and the ongoing trade tensions with China and Russia will continue to have an impact on the economy.

Then there are the bubbles.

There are several subprime lending bubbles that could potentially burst in the US economy, including:

1. Auto loan bubble: The subprime auto loan market has been growing rapidly in recent years, with many borrowers taking on high-risk loans with high interest rates and low credit scores. If people begin to default on these loans, it could lead to a wave of auto loan defaults and potentially a recession.
2. Student loan bubble: Student loan debt in the US has reached an all-time high, with many borrowers taking on high-risk loans with high interest rates and low credit scores. If people begin to default on these loans, it could lead to a wave of student loan defaults and potentially a recession.
3. Mortgage bubble: The housing market has recovered since the last recession, but there are concerns that the subprime mortgage market could still be vulnerable to a bubble. If people begin to default on their mortgage loans, it could lead to a wave of foreclosures and potentially a recession.

If these bubbles burst and people begin to default on their loans, it could have serious consequences for the US economy. It could lead to a wave of bankruptcies and foreclosures, which would negatively impact the housing market and the overall economy. It could also lead to a drop in consumer spending, as people struggle to pay their debts and bills. This could lead to a recession, as businesses struggle to make ends meet and lay off employees.

And not only is this a threat to our overall economy – it’s going to be very difficult for us on personal levels.

It’s not our first rodeo.

The thing you have to remember is that, as a country, this is not our first rodeo. We’ve been through difficult times before. Very difficult times.

1. The Great Depression (1929-1939): The Great Depression was a severe economic downturn that lasted for more than a decade. It was triggered by the stock market crash of 1929, which caused a widespread panic and led to a collapse in demand and a sharp contraction in economic activity. The depression was marked by high unemployment, low industrial production, and declining prices, and it had a profound impact on the United States and the rest of the world.
2. The stagflation of the 1970s: The 1970s were marked by a combination of high inflation and stagnant economic growth, a phenomenon known as stagflation. This was caused by a variety of factors, including rising energy prices, supply shocks, and monetary policy mistakes. The stagflation of the 1970s had a negative impact on the US economy, leading to slow growth and high unemployment.
3. The savings and loan crisis (1980s-1990s): The savings and loan crisis was a financial crisis that affected the US banking industry in the 1980s and 1990s. It was caused by a combination of factors, including regulatory changes, economic downturns, and risky lending practices. The crisis led to the failure of hundreds of savings and loan institutions, and it had a significant impact on the US economy.
4. The dot-com bubble (1995-2000): The dot-com bubble was a period of rapid growth in the technology and internet sectors, followed by a sharp decline. It was characterized by the rapid rise of internet-based companies, the overvaluation of their stocks, and a speculative frenzy that eventually led to a burst of the bubble. The dot-com bubble had a negative impact on the US economy, leading to a slowdown in economic growth and a decline in the stock market.
5. The Great Recession (2007-2009): The Great Recession was a severe economic downturn that affected the global economy, including the United States. It was caused by the subprime mortgage crisis, which was characterized by the widespread issuance of risky mortgages and the subsequent collapse of the housing market. The Great Recession had a significant impact on the US economy, leading to high unemployment, slow economic growth, and a decline in the stock market.

The common link between all of these?

Despite leadership that may or may not have sufficed, we survived each and every one. We adapted. We made the changes we had to make. We got through it.

And we’ll survive this one too.

How can you adapt?

There are big ways to adapt and small ones. The changes you make will depend on your situation. You’ll adapt to your unique circumstances.

If your circumstances are dire, you will be forced to make huge adjustments because there’s simply no alternative. The credit is gone. The money isn’t there and won’t stretch to cover newly inflated prices. If you are in this kind of scenario, you may need to revisit your living arrangements, consider dropping down to one vehicle, or cancel extracurriculars for the kids.

Others may be able to pick and choose the changes that they make. Lots of smaller cuts can be easier to handle for some people than huge, dramatic cuts. Little things like dropping down to the next level of internet service, skipping the daily drive-through coffee, and swapping out name brands for generic can make a difference if you don’t have to overhaul your budget entirely.

Slashing your budget in one way or another will happen for just about everyone. But we’ll survive. It’s what we do as human beings. We’re wired to get through stuff.

It doesn’t have to be miserable.

The way you approach the upcoming changes will greatly affect how you and your loved ones handle it. It’s essential to adapt philosophically too. You can’t think about everything you’re losing. You have to find the positive things. Maybe your life doesn’t look like it once did, but it can still be good.

Look, I’ve lost everything. EVERYTHING. And it happened after I built myself up from nothing as a single mother making minimum wage. I lost my house. I lost my car. I was forced into radical changes. I had to move to a tiny little apartment with my girls, and it had to be close enough that I could walk to work. Then, I lost my job, too, during that delightful Great Recession mentioned above. I ended up getting an old beater of a truck and moving out to the boondocks of Canada in the Algonquin forest in a drafty cabin that only had wood heat. It was literally the cheapest rental in Ontario. That was my search parameter. And there, I rebuilt my life again. I went in a different direction, re-budgeted, and I started over.

And you know what? It turned out to be awesome. It’s how, eventually, I found freedom.

It was a different kind of awesome and it certainly wasn’t immediately wonderful.

Suddenly I didn’t have a job with benefits and a boss. Everything was on me. I worked a lot. But I also learned a lot.  I started a new career and a business of my own. I had outdoor adventures living out there in that frozen wilderness. Instead of going out to lunch, we went for a hike and identified animal tracks in the freshly fallen snow. We learned to look forward to the days when the power went out because we could play games and read books without guilt for not working. We found new ways to enjoy life, ways that didn’t cost us a lot of money.

I had to keep going to get to the good part. To the new happiness. To live well.

And that’s what it’s all about. Living well. Sure, we’ve got to spend less money. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a life with no fun, no joy, and nothing to look forward to.

It’s all in how you approach it. What you see depends on where you put your focus. Are you focused on what you’re gaining or what you’re losing?

Check out our new PDF book, One Year of Life-Changing Frugal Living Ideas and Philosophies. Get more than a thousand pages of savings, large and small. Our philosophy is that you can live well while spending far less money than the Jones next door. We’ll show you how to do it in this epic roundup of more than 200 “Thrifticles” that will make it easy to live well while spending less. We want to make this available for everyone, so this weekend, you can name your price for this PDF book that will seriously change your life. Go here to get your copy.

Don’t plan to just grimly live through it. Plan to find some happiness while still adapting to your circumstances. That way, you’ll not only survive, but you’ll grow as a human being.

Americans are resilient.

There’s no denying that the very fabric of our nation has changed over the past 50 years. Heck, America now is practically unrecognizable from the country of 20 years ago with all its wokeness and PC nonsense.

But the idealist in me believes that deep down, the resilience of our ancestors remains. I sincerely hope we will channel the resourceful spirit that has seen us through every other difficult time in our history.

Your attitude about the changes you’ll face will be everything. The difference between success and failure is all in your mind – and your mindset. You can set an example for your family and help them with their own perspective.

The only way to get through this upcoming economic melee is frugality – perhaps even extreme frugality. Nobody’s version of this will look the same. We can’t individually repair the entire nation’s (and the world’s) economy, but we can change the way we manage our own money. We can roll with what life throws at us. We can thrive.

What do you think?

What do you believe is the key to surviving 2023? Are you concerned about the economy? Are you making changes to handle looming inflation?

Let’s talk about the future. Let me know what you think in the comments. Article cross-posted from The Organic Prepper.

The list below by Ashley Allen from The Organic Prepper is such a list as it details one important prepper item based on the letters of the alphabet. While I personally would never do such a list, I’m publishing it for two reasons. First, at this stage in human history we should allow any gimmicks that might wake people up to the need to get prepared. Second, it’s a really good list. While it’s ludicrous to think there is only one item that starts with the letter “J” that preppers need, I don’t think anyone would have that illusion. Therefore, I’m publishing the article on merit even if I wouldn’t have made such a list myself. Enjoy!

Emergency preparedness is serious business but not all of our endeavors need to take on the gravity of life and death. This is a fun list, and while the suggestions are solid, it is by no means a list that covers everything you need to be prepared.

Without further ado, here’s an alphabetical list of preps that could serve you well.

Emergency Preps from A-Z

I’ve chosen one prep for each letter of the alphabet to help you get ready for disasters large or small.

A – Alcohol-based hand sanitizer: It’s important to have hand sanitizer on hand in case you don’t have access to soap and water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can help reduce the spread of germs and bacteria. Not a fan of hand sanitizer and prefer a natural approach? Here’s an article that explains when to use what kind of product.

B – Battery-powered radio: In the event of a power outage, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio can be a vital source of information. It can help you stay updated on weather forecasts, evacuation orders, and other important alerts. We recommend this one.

C – Cash: In an emergency, ATMs and credit card machines may not be available, so it’s important to have a supply of cash on hand. This can be used to purchase necessary supplies or pay for evacuation expenses. Put back small bills. You may not be able to get change during a crisis.

D – Drinking water: It’s important to have a supply of clean drinking water in case the water supply is disrupted or contaminated. Consider storing bottled water, or filling up jugs or other containers with tap water in case of an emergency. Here’s an article on water storage.

E – Emergency contact list: Having a list of emergency contacts can be invaluable in an emergency situation. This should include phone numbers for family members, friends, neighbors, and any relevant agencies or organizations. This is an important part of an emergency binder. Get a printable template here.

F – Fire extinguisher: A fire extinguisher can be a crucial tool for putting out small fires or containing them until the fire department arrives. It’s important to have one on hand in case of a fire emergency. Here’s an article on choosing and maintaining your fire extinguishers.

G – Generator: A generator can provide a reliable source of power in the event of a power outage. This can be especially important for those who rely on electricity for medical equipment or other essential needs. Daisy has this one for her apartment, and here’s some advice on choosing a larger one.

H – Hazardous materials kit: In the event of a chemical spill or other hazardous materials incident, it’s important to have a hazardous materials kit on hand. This should include protective gear, such as gloves and respirators, as well as supplies for cleaning up and neutralizing the hazard.

I – Insurance documents: In the event of a natural disaster or other emergencies, it’s important to have copies of your insurance documents on hand. This can help you quickly file a claim and get the financial assistance you need to recover. This printable helps you create a home inventory for insurance purposes.

J – Jacket: A warm jacket can be essential in an emergency situation, especially if you are evacuated to a location with a different climate than you are used to. It’s important to have a jacket that is appropriate for the weather in your area, as well as any locations you may need to evacuate to.

K – Knife: A knife can be a useful tool in a variety of emergency situations, including cutting through debris, opening cans, and preparing food. It’s important to have a reliable and durable knife on hand in case you need it. Here’s some advice on choosing a knife.

L – Light source: In the event of a power outage, a light source can be essential for navigating your home and performing tasks. This can include flashlights, candles, or a headlamp. This article discusses different types of emergency lighting.

M – Medical supplies: A basic first aid kit should be part of your emergency preparedness kit. This should include supplies like bandages, gauze, and pain medication, as well as any prescription medications you or your family members may need. Check out this article about OTC medications and medical supplies.

N – Non-perishable food: It’s important to have a supply of non-perishable food, such as canned goods, dried fruits and nuts, and protein bars, in case you don’t have access to fresh food. These items will keep for a long time without refrigeration and can help sustain you in an emergency situation. Here’s some advice on building your prepper food supply.

O – Oxygen tanks: If you or a family member relies on oxygen tanks for medical purposes, it’s important to have a supply of tanks on hand in case of an emergency.

P – Pet supplies: If you have pets, it’s important to include them in your emergency. Here’s a printable checklist.

Q – Quick clotting products: Quick clotting powder is a highly effective bleeding control agent that helps to stop bleeding within minutes of application. It is made from a clay-like substance that is applied directly to the wound, where it absorbs excess blood and helps to form a clot. This can be a lifesaving tool in situations where traditional methods of bleeding control, such as applying pressure to the wound, are not enough. Here’s a source of Quik Clot gauze and Celox powder.

R – Respirator mask: In the event of a natural disaster or other emergency situation, it’s possible that the air quality may be compromised. A respirator mask can help protect you from inhaling harmful particles and contaminants in the air. Here’s our guide to respirators and masks.

S – Smoke detector: A smoke detector is a vital component of any emergency preparedness plan. It can alert you to the presence of fire in your home, giving you the opportunity to evacuate or take other safety measures. Be sure to test your smoke detectors regularly and replace the batteries as needed.

T – Tent: A tent is an important item to have in an emergency because it can provide shelter in case you need to evacuate your home or if you are caught in an unexpected outdoor situation. A tent can protect you from the elements and provide a sense of security. Here are the pros and cons of bugging out with a tent.

U – USB charger: In an emergency, it’s important to have a way to charge your phone or other electronic devices. A USB charger can be a lifesaver, especially if you need to use your phone to call for help or stay in touch with loved ones. This portable charger has fantastic reviews on Amazon and is very reliable.

V – Vaseline: Vaseline is a versatile product that can be used in a variety of emergency situations. It can be used to protect and moisturize skin, as well as to seal small cuts and scratches. In a survival situation, Vaseline can also be used as a fire starter or to lubricate gear.

W – Water filter: A water filter is essential in an emergency because it can allow you to access clean drinking water if your regular source is compromised. There are many different types of water filters available, including straw filters, gravity filters, and pump filters. Choose one that is appropriate for the situation you may face. We recommend a gravity-fed water filter for home use and a Sawyer Mini or Lifestraw when you’re on the go.

X – X-Acto knife: An X-Acto knife is a precise cutting tool that can be used to cut through a variety of materials, including paper, fabric, and plastic. It can be especially useful in an emergency if you need to cut through small items or make precise cuts.

Y – Y: Yellow rubber cleaning gloves – You know the kind – your mother and grandmother swore by them to protect their hands when doing dishes. Yellow rubber gloves can be worn when handling hazardous materials, cleaning up after an emergency, or handling human waste.

Z – Ziptop bags: Ziptop bags are a useful item to have in an emergency because they can be used to store and protect a variety of items. They are great for organizing supplies and keeping them dry, and they can also be used to store food or other perishable items.

Your turn!

Pick a letter (maybe the first letter of your username?) and give us some prepping suggestions for that letter. Let’s have some fun with this in the comments!

About Ashley

Ashley Allen is part of a prepping family. She has spent her entire adult life getting prepared for one event or another. She enjoys traveling, gardening, and decorating.