Episode Notes Podcast #4, January and February 2022 How Much is enough?

No one can buy it all, even if they are the best at e-bay or garage sales or the best couponer. This month’s podcast addresses this question by setting forth ideas which can help complete your Lord aided prep plan which we started last month.

So how much is too much? Here are conversation starters which you and our wonderful Lord can discuss. Remember, He knows your situation and His love reaches out to guide you. This is not just a thought, a nicety, it is important and the point of this podcast that you pray and hear from the Lord exactly what should go into the plan.

• Last month’s podcast. Last month, we looked at for whom you are prepping. Several items were presented to help you and the Lord plan which fits your place in life and your future. If you have not listened to last month’s podcast, I suggest you listen to that one before this one or in addition to this one!
• After prayer and hearing from the Lord, count the people which you included in your plan. Remember this plan is for now and does not mean that it is carved in stone. In fact, it should not be. But it is a starting point of a well guided plan.
• Yourself: Must follow the mandate of preaching/sharing the gospel. So, include yourself!
• Your Family: So how far did you take the family tree which will be included in your first planning?
• Your close and not so close friends: Count your initial structure of persons
• Community and drop-ins: Neighborhood and those who happen to know that you have prepared.
• Now let us look at how to turn this information into an action plan or development of the item priority list.
• Make a table of people, gender, ages and other dietary (must haves) not simply whether they like something or not
• Total each group and look up average caloric needs for everyone based upon gender, age, and possible workload.
• Add a column for how likely they are to get to your current location or bug out location. (The place/places where preps are stored) Use a numerical value such as the list below: (Note, I have included abbreviations or values as suggestions for each item as this would make input to your spreadsheet or written record shorter)
• Not able to get here/there 10% yes and 90% no (n) (1)
• Probably not able to make it; 37% yes and 73% no (pn) (2)
• Mid-level chances 50% yes and 50% no (m) (3)
• Probably able to make it 73% yes and 37% no (pa) (4)
• Barring unforeseen circumstances, they will make it 90% yes and 10% no (a) (5)
• Now sort the table via their likeliness of arriving
• This table will allow you to prioritize your item or caloric purchases
• When completed, please make a printed copy in put it in your prep-book/binder
• Pray about your storage capabilities. Look at some of the items below:
• Under furniture; Lots of room! Beds especially. Just put them on risers and this creates a large square footage quickly
• Closets, garages, or spare rooms; Use shelves in these areas because they give you the ability to get something out without unstacking all the other items. Garages are great but make sure their temp swings are not outside of the range for the type of supplies you are storing
• Basements; Be careful of this one! If it is needed, have a pump to keep water out. Second, but not store items at floor level. Raise them at least 18 inches above floor level and have a backup for that all important pump. Also, if damp, use a dehumidifier.
• Out buildings; Again, lots of space but must be temp controlled
• Rented storage areas; Think of this as an investment. The money you spend is offset by rise in costs, price, or availability at time of disaster and the inability to get those items at any price in an emergency. A small facility (even 7 x 7 feet) will store a lot of stuff. This should be climate controlled. Many places have a prohibition against food storage but most of the time this refers to open food. Storing in plastic containers or buckets with mylar bags inserted would be fine. Applies to renters, mobile homeowners, and other life situations in which one may not have a lot of storage or do not want others to know about your preps. Keep storage facility close to your living space or bug out area. Use shelving, if possible, as again, it can be selectively accessed, shelf by shelf. Remember climate control. Know your access times and alternate ways of access if after hours.
• Know your group member to whom you are trusting your preps too. However, this is a way to work with those in your group and develop trust and relationships.
• A retreat location you plan to get too. Boost their capability and put into the group for yourself and those you are bringing with you.
• Make sure that your group has planned for storage and people by sharing a copy of your plan with them and getting there OK to include this in the total group plan. They must also consider storage and environmental controls and conditions.

Next month: the completion of this series.

Your host!

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