Common Myths About Prepping Part 2

There are lots of misconceptions about being a prepared citizen or ‘preppers’ as we’re often referred to. I would like to take a little time over the next week or two to address a few of those. Hope you enjoy

Preppers are all right-wing extremists

While many preppers/survivalists are driven by their political views, the movement is really as diverse as the population itself. Fact is, I personally know several folks that most people would consider to be ‘preppers’ who are definitely left of center. The desire to be prepared or simply more self reliant really has no political boundaries.

You live in constant fear/paranoia

Again, while this maybe true of some, most preppers I know find that being prepared gives them a certain peace of mind. Preparing for potential disasters is like buying insurance; if something bad happens, you’re covered. To me it’s like money in the bank; a job loss, ice storm, blackout, or civil unrest – I am covered.

Preppers are just religious zealots

Building an Ark? While many Christians will cite Proverbs 21 as a basis for their preparations “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up”; not all Christians subscribe to this concept. I have even heard some Christians say that prepping is based on a lack of faith – though I disagree with this, the fact remains that some do believe this. Just as prepping is not limited to those who hold certain political beliefs it is also not limited by religious affiliation.

You have to have an underground bunker

While there aren’t any solid statistics to back up my conclusion (where would you even get those), this is clearly false. While the ultra rich silicone valley types may have such elaborate preps, the vast majority of us do not. Fact is, a pantry stocked with food, water and other basic supplies will get you through most disasters you might face. Disclaimer: I do have an underground bunker stocked with food, water, medical supplies, firearms, ammunition and communication equipment all powered by a solar back up system – it’s called a basement.

Preppers just hate Obama

“Clinging to their guns and Bibles” certainly didn’t endear him to many folks in this part of the country, but the fact remains that the prepper/survivalist movement long predates the Obama presidency – remember Y2K? Some say it began during the Cold War, others say that it goes all the way back to the Pilgrims. My parents were both depression babies and always prepared for “what might happen” – it was just what you did. While the movement may have picked up steam during this time, the basic premise is false.

You live in the mountains eating MREs and wearing camo

You might certainly get this impression if you look at the stereotypes that are often attached to the term ‘preppers.’ Fact is the term ‘preppers’ is often used as a derogatory description of the prepared citizen – and the very reason I chose it for the name of the website. True, I personally live in the mountains for a variety of reasons, however I do not OWN any camo and I absolutely hate MREs. No, preppers live in cities, suburbs, large towns, small towns, urban, rural and probably right next door to you.

What misconceptions about preppers have you heard?

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Happy prepping!

Common Myths About Prepping Part 1

There are lot’s of misconceptions about being a prepared citizen or ‘preppers’ as we’re often referred to. I would like to take a little time over the next week or two to address a few of those. Hope you enjoy.

Prepping is expensive

Yes, we’ve all seen stories about Silicon Valley millionaires buying luxury underground bunkers and staging helicopters to whisk them away to a secluded island, but the average prepper is living on a budget just like you. Can it be expensive, of course, but that depends on you. You can spend $50 a month or $1000 a month; even $5 a week can make you far more prepared than your neighbors – slow and steady wins the race.

You have to have commando like skills

While skills are certainly an important part of being prepared, you don’t have to be skilled in hand-to-hand combat to prepare for most disaster situations. Are there preppers with a military background, absolutely; helpful, yes; necessary, no.

You are just gun nuts with an arsenal of guns and ammo

This is probably the most common misperception about preppers. While most preppers are keenly aware of the need for security, prepping is far more than collecting piles of guns and ammunition. Do you lock your front door, of course you do. Do you leave your keys in the car, I certainly hope not. Preppers tend to own firearms because they are aware of the world we live in and refuse to rely on someone else for their family’s security.

You are a delusional/conspiracy theory nut

You don’t have to be an Alex Jones fan to realize that natural and man-made disasters can, do, and will happen. I do not think that the government is reading my mail (although they obviously have the ability) nor do I think that aliens are secretly running our government – yes, I actually heard that one recently. Are there a few ‘different’ individuals in the prepper movement, of course, but isn’t that true of any group?

You are hoping for the end of the world

While I’m convinced that some of the folks appearing on ‘Doomsday Preppers’ are indeed hoping for the end, most preppers certainly do not. Preparing for a disaster is not an indication of hoping for one no more than carrying a spare tire in your trunk is hoping for a flat tire. Sorry, we like air conditioning too!

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Happy prepping!

The Next Step in the Journey

It’s a bit surreal to think of how far we’ve come on this journey to a more self sustaining life. Our goal of leaving the rat race, to live a simpler more fulfilling life, has been a long and difficult one. Now, more than 10 years since the journey began, we are about to take the next step. When I awake Saturday morning, I will no longer have an alarm to set, or work schedule to adhere to. No, the 60 hour work weeks will be over, something that is hard to wrap my head around. Wish us luck, we’ll keep you posted!

“So often times it happens, that we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key.”

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Happy prepping!

Outside the Comfort Zone – The Journey Continues

Often very little growth is accomplished inside our comfort zone. Sure you can hone a skill, or slowly improve your place in life through hard work, but most often our ability to learn is challenged when we step into the unknown. Our journey to a more independent life started over 10 years ago, progress mixed with a few stumbles along the way has led us here and it’s time to take that next step. I admit we’re a bit behind schedule as fear has given us pause at times – questioning ourselves – are we really ready? Well, one way to find out! The pantry is stuffed full, money in the bank, gardens ready to plant, solar power back up in place, here we go! The 14 day countdown is on, wish us luck!

Where it started: Fear of taking that next step – the journey continues

28 Day Countdown – Fear of Taking the Plunge

28 Days and 14 hours as of this writing until I take that next step, leaving the 60 hour a week job for solitude in the mountains. It’s been a 10 year journey with mixed results, but we think we’re ready, but there is always fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of bad decisions, fear of losing that safety net. Hope for a better life, hope for living a healthier life, and hope of finally fulfilling that dream. Spring is always a time of new beginnings as nature emerges from its hibernation, we hope the same will be true for us. We have improved our situation a great deal since we first moved to the mountains.

· Retirement funds rebuilt
· More cash in the bank
· Debt is gone
· 2 new paid for cars
· New, more efficient appliances
· Improved security
· Reduced costs of living
· Large stash of food, water, etc.
· Growing and saving more of our own food
· Added solar power to our preps

I’m sure there are things we are missing, something we’ve overlooked, but here we go! We pray for guidance.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Happy prepping!

Why we’re not Doomsday Preppers

I imagine most people have at least heard of the show Doomsday Preppers, and I will be the first to admit that I do enjoy it, but I am not one of them. I watch the show for entertainment and sometimes pick up and idea or two, but our motivations are different. The Doomsday folks seem to constantly be living in fear, sorry, to me that’s not living. Please don’t get me wrong, I am not knocking them; I don’t have a crystal ball and for all I know they could be right. Natural and man made disasters can and do happen all the time. See What type of events or events are you preparing for? But I am a prepper for the same reason I have car insurance; just in case. I do not fear a car accident every time I get in to my car, but I do have insurance. Prepping is like having insurance or saving for retirement – it’s just common sense. Being well prepared should give you peace of mind – we can’t prevent world events, we can only prepare for the most likely events.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Happy prepping!

Why be Normal?

“If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take gets us closer to the wrong place.” – Stephen Covey

Normal is running non-stop through life. Normal is working hard, paying bills and still piling up debt. Normal is buying things you don’t need because we think we’re supposed to. Normal is taking selfies for Facebook to impress people you don’t know and hope they click the ‘Like’ button. Normal is grabbing a Starbucks on the way to a job you hate, grabbing fast food for lunch, ordering takeout for dinner and watching some mindless TV before bed; stop-rinse-repeat. Normal is working too much, spending too much, sleeping too little, eating poorly and dying too young. If any of this sounds like you then maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your situation. Trust me; the 70 year old working at Taco Bell isn’t there because he loves Chalupas, he’s there because he still has bills to pay. Is this really the life you want? Maybe you wonder how in the heck did I get here? You expected life to be a certain way and yet you’ve done what everyone else has done and forgotten why you do it. Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t work hard, what I am saying is that maybe your hard work isn’t getting you all it could. Focus on what you want. Set goals, real goals, and focus your efforts on getting there.

Being normal is being broke and stressed out; look around and ask yourself if this is where you want to be 5 years from now. Life is about more than just working to buy things you don’t need, spending money you don’t have just to appear normal – the heck with normal!

One day over 10 years ago we came to the realization that we were ‘normal.’ We began a journey to change that: here’s our story Fear of taking that next step – the journey continues

What will yours be?

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Happy prepping.