Preppers' First Mistake
Posted by Available-Page-2738@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 166 comments
People are still emptying the shelves during the run-up to a crisis. Why? Because, clearly, they DON'T have supplies to ride out a disaster. Covid was only a couple years ago. Some people with health conditions are still wearing their masks. And people still have to race to the Costco and strip it to the walls. Why? Because, tee-hee, Covid's over; nothing bad could ever happen again!
Don't make the preppers' first mistake. Don't tell people you prep. There is a degree of stupidity out there that CANNOT be overcome. If any ONE person knows, then any TEN people know.
CTSwampyankee@reddit
depending on the event, topping off is good practice.
As a matter of fact if the event is one of the top fantasy events (emp, contagion with high lethality, nuke war), the “stuff” I wouldn’t ordinarily buy would go on a credit card.
OnTheEdgeOfFreedom@reddit
EMP: too late to use your credit card. Lump in nuke war here, because if HEMP weapons exist, and they absolutely might, they're the opening round of nuclear war. Grid will be down, virtually all internet and comms down. Your credit card is now a piece of plastic. It might be decades before it's anything else.
Anything else: humans may die in droves, but the rich won't generally be among them, and the systems they maintain to keep track of your debts will survive just fine. If civilization goes into full collapse, the things you buy won't matter very long. If it doesn't collapse, those debts of yours will continue to be tracked and I wouldn't put it past some people to continue to charge interest.
tl;dr - any world bad enough that debts get lost is a world so bad that people are shooting each other over cans of beans and trying to reinvent steam engines, at least in the US. Fergetaboutit. This is not a winning game.
CTSwampyankee@reddit
I can always think of something more to purchase. Food, heating oil, technology, gold, a tractor, seed, fertilizer...whatever. If it helps you live longer and you have the ability to purchase on credit, do it. If you have 5 minutes to swipe the card, what are you waiting for? The bill isn't coming, that's the point.
In the face of total collapse, your savings will be eroded by inflation or rendered useless by supply chain issues, perhaps access cut to avoid bank runs. Let alone the simple fact that any crisis cleans the shelves out. I could give two shits about my credit score at that point.
Why bother doing anything if it's not a winning game?
OnTheEdgeOfFreedom@reddit
I'll simplify.
If it's a bad enough collapse, you can buy all you want, but you just get shot for your supplies somewhere around month four. There are countries where I don't worry about this, but the US isn't one.
If it's not that bad, then sooner or later things get pulled back together and the records of what you owe still exist.
I think you're hoping for some sort of hypothetical middle ground, where these are so bad that debts get lost, but not so bad that 80% of the US isn't rampaging farms looking for enough calories to survive.
I don't think your hypothetical middle ground exists, so I think your plan to hope debts never come home to roost is a failed play. But you do you. I don't live somewhere where I think collapse is going to happen in the first place.
Lulukassu@reddit
Why so fatalist about the whole getting shot thing?
If things get that bad, make your stand and let the dice fall where they may (unless your plan is escaping the country? Not a bad idea but I'm not leaving my homestead. Would love to start a secondary one somewhere in Eastern Europe if we ever get the funds)
OnTheEdgeOfFreedom@reddit
I personally don't have a big problem with dying. I've had a pretty good run. I do have a problem with vast populations dying needlessly, and if things get bad enough, prepping won't matter. That's a depressing thought.
I personally don't think the US is going to get that bad; on the other hand, I moved to Costa Rica this year, so it won't matter too much to me if I'm wrong.
chi_lawyer@reddit
Directionally agree, but the record of a debt isn't worth much without the practical ability to collect it within the statute of limitations or a good security backing it
bananapeel@reddit
The servers that keep track of that debt are in hardened bunkers scattered across the US. They back them up constantly. There are redundancies and backup power sources. As long as one of them still exists, even without power, someone will someday hook up some solar panels to it and get it going again. You better believe they will try to collect on that debt.
Lulukassu@reddit
Topping off is also good Op-Sec.
If there's somebody you know is going to want help, drag them with you and talk about how you need emergency supplies so they 'know' you aren't any better set up than they are.
If things really do get bad then you can reassess whether or not you want to extend help.
CTSwampyankee@reddit
Depending on the event, in the first hours anyone will probably be okay.
TV has sped up the rate of comprehension and things will get very sketchy as hours pass. ideally, I’m tipping off with my crew. Even if just one or two helper, They will provide security maybe stand in a long line reserving the spot as I run and fill. Don’t want debates over what goes where.
Available-Page-2738@reddit (OP)
Absolutely. If I really thought the S was about to HTF, I mean in a world/lifestyle ending way? Absolutely, I would max out every single credit card. Keep the receipts to return what I didn't need. Everyone would think I've lost my mind as I'm going to the register with a cart filled with hand axes and machetes. "Uh, sir, is everything, you know, okay with you? Were the clerks polite? I mean, the manager does want to hear negative feedback."
Kelekona@reddit
There were people who went nuts with buying toilet paper and then tried to return it when they figured out that they didn't need that much. The stores didn't allow them to.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
Then they are very stupid because you ALWAYS need tissue There’s no such thing as to much. People that couldn’t get none like to act like there is 😂 but there isn’t
Kelekona@reddit
Looking at this picture... It might take mom and me a year or two to go through that. I also can't imagine who would have trouble storing that.
I admit that I did buy more than a year's supply in 2022 when I heard rumblings about another possible shortage, but I bought one pack at a time so other people would have a chance to get some.
I was a little embarrassed that towards the end of lockdown, I was getting a little antsy. at how our supply was dwindling. At least I was able to calmly ask for a good day to try for TP before we considered it a reason to get worried.
This latest panic-run made me glad that I remembered to get some before it hit... We were down to three rolls and the emergency-pack.
ExtraplanetJanet@reddit
I set a Walmart subscription to send me a pack of paper towel and a pack of toilet paper every month awhile ago. Whenever it arrived I would have my kid put it in the storage room and sort of forgot about it. I went down last month and saw this wall of paper products and thought “what have I done?”
Then the hurricane hit us and suddenly my wall of TP feels great, lol.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
Huh? That’s why you don’t “leave some for others” think about urself cause no one is thinking about you.
Kelekona@reddit
I think I'd rather not be part of the problem. It was early enough that I was the only one "being greedy" and spacing out the purchases gave them time to order more. Also, I could have triggered a localized shortage by filling my cart.
I also feel a bit silly. Due to the hoarded storage room, I mistook toilet paper for paper towels. I think we had enough to get to December at least without touching the emergency pack.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
To each their own. I’m not taking any chances With that being the last stock. As long as me and my family can handle our business that’s what matters most. Also someone else definitely came and did what you shoulda did and took all the tissue from everyone else so what you were trying to do is obsolete.
Kelekona@reddit
Why don't you already have as much as you can comfortably store?
I did think about someone like you coming along and making it simply a moral gesture. However, it was still early enough that there was no good reason to act uncivilized.
I have a feeling that North American cultures aren't going to survive long-term. Too many preppers are ready for Mad Max instead of rebuilding society. We're going to get conquered by a collectivist culture.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
No the smart will be around to rebuild The ones that looked out for everyone but them selves will get murdered early on Or starve to death OR RUN OUT OF SUPPLY.
Kelekona@reddit
What I mean is that I don't expect the "I only look out for me and mine" types to start working together once the dust settles. Heck, any communities that do manage to survive will probably have to defend themselves against postapocalyptic vikings.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
Lol whatever you wanna think bud. The “sharing” fruit cakes won’t be able to defend against the “post apocalypse Vikings “
Kelekona@reddit
You ever seen A Bug's Life? The villain explains it better than I could.
TheRealPallando@reddit
Immortum Joe was the bad guy, my dude.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
Also, the people that are telling you to look out for yourself, aren’t your enemies the people you think you’ll have camaraderie with are the people that are nice and friendly to you every single day the people that’ll tell you not to take more than you need. but in SHTF they’ll take you out for everything you have. Good luck
Probing-Cat-Paws@reddit
I am ready for the collectivist overlords...these "individualism or die" folks are tiresome. LOL. You can never tell what is going on in someone's cart in the store: if I think something might be shaky, I may get one "extra" something for me and one for my 75 y/o friend. When COVID came, my peeps were able to share some things amongst ourselves when certain things got wiped out at the store. I learned a good lesson in that time period about my network: I've invested my emotional coin into good folks. "Each one teach one" is a thing: one can talk preparation without giving up all your personal deets...I've encouraged a few folks to start thinking about how they stock their homes for the better. If we all gently nudge someone, it doesn't have to be the Thunderdome.
IDFKSomeGuyIGuess@reddit
The toilet paper thing was comedy gold to be honest. My wife and I were still long distance in 2020 so unless my roommates' bathroom was out, 24 packs of angelsoft would last me forever. I had to buy TP about twice a year.
My parents filled a closet with the finest military grade single ply this side of the 19th century and they're still using it in the guest bathroom because they can't get rid of it. I bought a 24 pack a week before the panic. That 24 pack lasted me about three months after I gave some to my roommates and a neighbor.
People think they need way more than they actually do.
No_Character_5315@reddit
Tool return policies are usually pretty good I could see with groceries and other types of things from those stores not being allowed to be returned.
06210311200805012006@reddit
I've had this thought too and come to the conclusion that since I already have 99% of what I need, I'd max 'em just for fun on sillier stuff. Why yes, I do have a spare bugout motorcycle for you. Would you prefer the drz400 or the crf 150 or the tiger 800?
Delicious-Response88@reddit
Spare ? Anything I buy is for me and my group lol They stuff yall say let’s me know that when shtf people gonna rob yall cause yall “share” to much
babyCuckquean@reddit
Everything youve said so far has made it pretty clear that the a$$es coming for us will sound something like you. Only people will that "fuck everyone else, its all about me and mine" can justify taking things from others. You, sir, are the problem here.
There is ONLY strength in community, as individual humans we are weak as piss. As communities we can build skyscrapers, aircraft carriers, hospitals and more. We have resilience. We have combined knowledge and shared experiences. Lone wolves and rugged individualists will not last long.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
You won’t build anything. You’ll just ask for hand outs. I can’t get things done on my own with my small group. lol I already have. What y’all don’t realize is the life you are preparing for I already live. Built my home with my own bare hands. It’s the sharing fruit cakes that’ll run out of food cause they shared and the over weight ones ate everything lol Have a good one
babyCuckquean@reddit
Id bet you didnt build anything with youre bare hands, o keyboard warrior. Youve commented aggressively and derisively all over this post - more than any serious prepper would because you know what? they value their time more than that . You keep on lolling and feeling superior. Make sure youve got sharpies at hand bro, for when that basement youre typing from fills up.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
lol this ignorant at 40 is comical. You sound very infuriated that I’m more self sufficient than you. These comments will replay in your mind when I’m right lol. Have a great night
babyCuckquean@reddit
You sound very pleased with yourself. The kind of pleased with yourself that never ends well. Im not infuriated by anything, you are acting absolutely comical. Cheers for the giggles.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
You still talkin ? Geez
06210311200805012006@reddit
Don't tell me how to SHTF.
Me and the boys are gonna BRAAAP.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
lol sureeee
Corporate-Shill406@reddit
Pro tip, if you fill your cart with enough weapons and you look crazy enough they just give it all to you for free
klassy_logan@reddit
I have found that the purchase of an ax also works wonders
Freebirde777@reddit
Axe, shovel, tarp, rope, and duct tape.
Non crisis time, put these in your cart and start following people around.
sbinjax@reddit
And for extra grins and giggles, be a 5'2" woman who does this. ;)
horse1066@reddit
I sometimes wonder if I should take some of that stuff out of my boot in case anyone gets the wrong idea...
MrHmuriy@reddit
Eh, no. You'll be just one of twenty who did it before you.
rctid_taco@reddit
It really is. Even if someone is generally prepared there's always more that can be done once there's a specific and imminent threat. The ideal prep for a Texas 2021 style cold snap is going to look a bit different from the ideal prep for a hurricane or a pandemic.
And even if you have everything you might need for any possible disaster it's still nice to stock up on fresh food.
Lost-Captain8354@reddit
The nice thing about stocking up on fresh food at this time is that all the panic buyers are busy with the toilet paper and tinned food.
I did a few shops for meat and veg on the weekend when people first went crazy with Covid here and it was very weird seeing people filled to the brim with stuff like toilet paper but completely ignoring the normal food. A week later people were doing things like buying chest freezers and stripping the shops of fresh food as well, but the initial craziness definitely left the fresh stuff alone.
Additional-Stay-4355@reddit
Yeah. I don't want to be stuck eating canned and dry goods. I need my veg!
No_Character_5315@reddit
Stocking up while you can even if you have solid prep plant doesn't hurt if you have the time and money why wouldn't you get extra from the store.
Pinkcoconuts1843@reddit
Depends on when you go. Someone paying attention will be early, but too early would be stupid for creating debt and having too many aging preps.
Just in time might get you with your head knocked in while loading your car. Its not an easy needle to thread.
transitional_path@reddit
I'll lick the thread for you:
Earlier is better, and maintain your preps. Consume and rotate food. Oil and lube your equipment so it doesn't rust. Rotate water. Check on everything every once in a while, recharge batteries.
Unless you have a crystal ball, that's the only way.
Syenadi@reddit
The credit card discussion here reminds me of my default response to people who ask me "but just how would you know if a real EOTWAWKI scenario was here?" My half joking half not answer is always: "if you still have to pay your Visa bill it's not here yet".
famouslongago@reddit
Telling a prepper to be discreet about it is like telling a vegan to keep it under wraps. You're asking the impossible.
hoochlad@reddit
That’s why I befriended a couple Mormons.
stlouisbrother@reddit
Besides food, what about ammo? Besides a safe, is there a better way to store ammo???
Ftank55@reddit
Locking fireproof file cabinet. Usually cheaper on secondary market than gunsafe and multiple drawers to fill instead of stack floor up
Aural-Robert@reddit
Buy your shit a little at a time friggin noobs
WUMSDoc@reddit
Covid isn't over at all. There is a degree of stupidity out there that can't be overcome.
RKEdwards3@reddit
Covid was a joke and a scam. Anyone working medical that has more education than a CNA or hasn’t decided to take the blue pill rectally will tell you the same.
logic11@reddit
No, you clearly are in an echo chamber. Covid was exactly what epidemiologists predicted for, well, since the beginning of epidemiology. I had a few people in my life who were heavily affected by Covid. One lost both her kidneys after being in a coma, and was given a transplant, which is the only reason she lived. She has a master's in public health administration. I'm pretty sure she takes Covid rather seriously (we have discussed this). The other one was my dad. Unfortunately he didn't survive Covid. Now, those are anecdotes, just personal stories, and anecdotes aren't data... But the data is absolutely in sync with them. Usually people who take your approach only have anecdotes (that and misunderstanding or lies), so I bring them out to counter those anecdotes. Please stop giving out misinformation and FUD
RKEdwards3@reddit
The death rate is absolutely not in sync when I know for a fact that people I was doing CPR on were written in at the hospital as having died of Covid instead of the stage 4 cancer that killed em, or the gun shots, or the aneurisms… Idk… something about 15 years in healthcare and having been a paramedic for quite a while, I guess I see BS when I see it.
But you do you, and wear your mask and good luck 👍🏻
Similar_Resort8300@reddit
human greed
Delicious-Response88@reddit
lol greed ? In a shtf you’ll run out of supplies because you were avoiding being greedy. It’s me or them I always choose me
Similar_Resort8300@reddit
oh well. i am kind.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
Kind and foolish are very different
Similar_Resort8300@reddit
no shit sherlock
Similar_Resort8300@reddit
that's why we are in runaway climate change. your greed.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
That’s why you’ll starve during a basic shtf situation. Ignorance
Similar_Resort8300@reddit
nah i am kind
mbelcher@reddit
I thought we were over this as a subreddit?
Talk to people about prepping. You don't have to give everyone a printed out inventory of your stuff, but talk to them about shit that will help them out in a crisis.
The more people who prep the better off neighborhoods, towns, and cities are in a disaster.
Plastic-Juggernaut41@reddit
I will say- the only good thing to come out of the helene incident- was the eye opening moment when most of my work colleges and neighbors realized it's important to prep. Prepping is good.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
You one of the ones that tell everyone you prep huh?
mbelcher@reddit
Yes. Talk to your neighbors about the natural disasters that can happen in your area.
My neighborhood is by a river. It's been a decade since the last big flood, and a lot of new people have moved in. We talk about what happened last time so they can prepare for the next time.
Delicious-Response88@reddit
lol good luck with that. All Y’all think about is natural disasters when there could be wars or locks downs in the future And they’ll rob you in a minute because you’ve told them what you have
mbelcher@reddit
Did you not help out neighbors during the last "lock down"? You sound like a horrible person to live near.
RKEdwards3@reddit
And how exactly do you prep differently for a war/lockdown vs a natural disaster? Btw… natural disasters are 100x more common.
Get over yourself and get off the sub before someone looks up where you live and takes all your preps like the boogie man
Delicious-Response88@reddit
lol ammo is my favorite stock. So do what you will
TheRealPallando@reddit
He does some lone wolf Incel'ing, apparently. It's unorthodox, but he seems very sure.
KamikazeAlpaca1@reddit
People really think lowly of their neighbors. It’s like they think those neighbors wouldn’t be willing to return the favor if you help them.
c10bbersaurus@reddit
As a volunteer with a relief organization, I think it's important, in fact a civic responsibility, to inform locals of locally relevant natural disaster risks that require having plans in place, and the importance of preparing at home supplies, and the resources to help them, such as the American Red Cross 72 hour lists, and local, state, and federal emergency resources sites.
That is not a mistake, and not something anyone should feel they are mistaken for doing.
ScoreSeveral4831@reddit
I bet all those peppers in NC who spent a fortune on underground bunkers to store their supplies are really enjoying the 6 feet of water currently covering their land.
kingofthesofas@reddit
This is bad advice IMHO. When winter comes the lone wolf dies but the pack survives. Lots of my neighbors know about my preps. When disaster struck us during the Texas freeze I was handing out what I could to the people we knew. Since I have good winter clothing and a 4x4 with chains I went out to help people get stuff from the stores and stood in the long cold lines. If it had continued long term that community and co-operation would have been vital for survival as I could have started banding together with them for defense, chores and resource gathering as there is a strong trust bond there already.
Also consider that in something like a Hurricane it's not a grid down forever sort of situation. 99.9% of the situations you run into you will be better off helping others around you instead of sitting on a hoard of MREs like a paranoid dragon with your AR-15. Just my two cents.
babylonsisters@reddit
The last paragraph drove this whole comment home lol
TinyEmergencyCake@reddit
It's incredibly jarring to read in a prepper sub "covid was" or "covid is over"
Covid isn't over. The Public Health Emergency is over, which was a legal designation allowing for massive $ubsidies.
The pandemic rages; millions of new infections weekly and thousands of deaths weekly.
Being a prepper includes being acutely aware of the immediate threats to your health, life, family, and property. Referring to an ongoing contagious, deadly and disabling disease in the past tense is a strange thing to do. You can have severe outcomes, not just "some people with health conditions".
Do better and protect yourself.
Available-Page-2738@reddit (OP)
I plead metonymy. As one of the people who has to still wear a mask due to health problems, I fully understand that Covid hasn't gone away. I was referring to the disruptions in supply chains. Thank you for the point though. You are correct. I should have been more clear, and will emend the OP.
CryptographerOk6831@reddit
What if the powers that be declared hoarding a crime, open snitch lines as they did in the scamdemic . They could use your debit/credit card or store loyalty cards to identify buying patterns of storable food . Maybe best to hide the majority of your supplies and have a sacrificial stash in case of a raid .
GlocksnFeet@reddit
Money is still a big issue for a lot of people. It’s hard to stick up when you are struggling to pay bills. If you can though, grab a couple cheap cans of soup or veggies when you go shopping. Grab one or two rolls of TP too. Might seem small but it builds up over time. Also, good idea to grab a few of those 5 gallon water bags. Fillem up before a disaster just in case.
DeflatedDirigible@reddit
I disagree. Prepping is just stocking from sale to sale. Don’t buy lower quality cheap…buy on sale. Use the saved money to buy more of the next item on sale. That way you rarely have to buy things full price. Sales aren’t as regular and predictable as before Covid but they are coming back now much more often. I also buy scratch and dent and near-expiration bakery items. Saves a huge amount of money doing that.
Individual_Run8841@reddit
This
distracteds0ul@reddit
I’ve been buying an extra case of water and toilet paper every 2-3 weeks at Costco for the past 6 months. Basically been picking stuff to stock up in case of civil unrest around the election. Slowly collecting gear such as a gas stove, backup power, ammo and emergency food every now and then is great too. You never know when these things can come in handy.
Additional-Stay-4355@reddit
I'd be stocking up on "nice to have" items ie: beer/wine and charcuterie items to accompany my endless supply of rice and beans.
ABagOfAngryCats@reddit
Yeah, even if it’ll only be good for 2-3 days, if I have the option to safely pick up some fruit and fresh veg before a crisis I’m absolutely taking it.
EquivalentResearch26@reddit
So sick of seeing people telling others not to share that you prep. I want a village, and my friends will play their roles if need be. Enjoy being lonely and prideful.
Syenadi@reddit
Agree with a couple of caveats:
"Covid was only a couple years ago." Nope. Covid never left, it's still here, it's not "over". See https://pmc19.com/data
"Some people with health conditions are still wearing their masks." Nope. Lots of people who don't want to get a potentially long term debilitating disease that can cause severe neurological harm are wearing masks. Doing so requires a "I don't give a shit what you think" attitude and a resistance to normalization pressures to not wear masks that some folks can't seem to muster.
HappyAnimalCracker@reddit
And the ones who refuse to mask think of themselves as rebels 😆
TheLaughingRhino@reddit
Alot of people don't have the finances nor space in their living situation to have extensive "preps"
That being said, people should try to do the best they can with what they have in their specific situation.
I also think most people overestimate the "stock" that the average grocery store has or even a big chain like a Costco has if the trucks stop running.
For example, rice. In the average grocery store, how many units are there of rice in the entire store? Compared to the actual population of the city around it. Modern "inventory" systems don't have tons of stockpile in the back like the old days.
The country runs on diesel and trucking. If you have a major disaster, the trucks stop running. If that happens and the news spreads, the average grocery store will be emptied in about four hours.
No offense OP, but you are making this very "simple" in your perception of it all and it's likely not the case. Yes, many people are not prepared or poorly prepared, but the dynamics and logistics around our food supply are actually pretty complex.
Sleddoggamer@reddit
Ideally, people would just keep constant subscriptions for all their essentials and always stay at least 2-4 weeks ahead and leave the volume purchases to people expecting rough times.
There would be less waste and lower costs for everyone if people only paid grocery costs for perishable groceries, while everything else comes in bulk boxes or small crates
DeflatedDirigible@reddit
This is the most bachelor comment ever.
Creative-Ad8310@reddit
yup. if you just look at variables and previous events and possible events in future that current events point to and still dont think you need things on hand. gfy. ive tried to warn my family. i am a truck driver im literally front and center at the supply chain and i drive all over the usa. i see alot. including the economy. we are the canary in the coal mine. and not all of us are idiots. they think im crazy. couldnt understand why id need a woodstove or buckets of dried beans etc...and they think guns are bad lmfao. my mom literally ignored me when i said cant wait to stop driving so i can go hunting. smh. if shtf which im 50% on. we r def headed towards hard times. ill still help them out but it pisses me off.
Pristine-Dirt729@reddit
This is a potentially incorrect assumption. Even if I have everything I need, if there's a disaster incoming I'd rather make a trip to the store to get more of my immediate needs since idk when it'll be available again. So I suppose I'd be part of those people who are emptying the shelves. Just because people are shopping doesn't mean they're not prepared.
jjwylie014@reddit
Same for me. I already have stockpiles of TP and other "essentials" but when I heard about the longshoremen strike, I bought a bunch more.
My logic is this.. I don't want to dip into my SHTF stockpile over a labor strike, so I'm topping off my supply to cover these incidental supply chain hiccups
Freebirde777@reddit
But the TP and bottled water are domestic products. Import strike would be more coffee, tea, chocolate, and 'made in China' items.
jjwylie014@reddit
True.. but now I have more TP if SHTF. Win win situation
less_butter@reddit
You literally helped cause an unnecessary shortage. It's not a win-win situation.
The people who stockpiled TP because of the strike outed themselves as people who don't know how supply chains work. And people bragging about stockpiling TP because they thought it was smart are only showing that they're just not very smart.
And hilariously, there was no shortage where I live because Helene just came through (western NC) and we had tons of TP available that other people brought int.
jjwylie014@reddit
I bought a box of TP from Amazon. Pretty sure they're well stocked.. so no
less_butter@reddit
You literally helped cause an unnecessary shortage. It's not a win-win situation.
The people who stockpiled TP because of the strike outed themselves as people who don't know how supply chains work. And people bragging about stockpiling TP because they thought it was smart are only showing that they're just not very smart.
And hilariously, there was no shortage where I live because Helene just came through (western NC) and we had tons of TP available that other people brought int.
Ryan7817@reddit
I did the exact same thing, now my next few grocery trips will require less purchases since I have extras.
FantasticCombination@reddit
I bought extra Italian cheese when COVID was hitting Italy hard. They were in the news as the one of the first Western countries to deal with COVID, so I figured I'd get more of the cheeses we like in case we had delays in getting it.
papajim22@reddit
Prepperoni!
First_last_kill@reddit
Quiet and peaceful is a good way to keep yourself safe .
Forkboy2@reddit
If you don't run to store to stick up, then that tells me you are a prepper.
less_butter@reddit
I just went through Helene in western NC and my neighbor spend 8-10 hours every day for 3 days after the storm trying to buy gas. He kept telling me he'd buy some for me if I needed it. But I didn't. Because I already have enough gas. My vehicles were topped up the day before, and I had 20 gallons in gas cans in my garage. I didn't have to buy gas until the closest gas station to me opened up with no restrictions and they were taking cards. Before then they were limiting people to 10 gallons and it was cash only. Why be a lemming who waits in line for shit?
Forkboy2@reddit
I'm the same way with toilet paper :)
auntbealovesyou@reddit
This is actually a great observation. If your area does have a significant crisis, even if you are totally prepped for it, it might be a good idea to get in line with the other sheep and get the bottled water, etc. If everyone around you is starving and you are gaining weight, it may give away the fact that you have significant stores of food at home.
horse1066@reddit
I can gain weight on an empty fridge. I don't even know why I bother buying food...
transitional_path@reddit
"Oh NO there's a DISASTER! What do we do? I guess I'd better get some toilet paper....... Honey grab the Charmin, we're gonna die! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Alright....now let's get the fuck out of here.....
Kelekona@reddit
Or dumber than a sheeple.
GeorgiaViking1812@reddit
Ant and grasshopper wasn't just a story.
Vesemir66@reddit
It’s a great story. 90% of Americans are grasshoppers.
GeorgiaViking1812@reddit
But if SHTF, the grasshoppers will expect you to care for them.
Vesemir66@reddit
Define "care". There are those that have use and those that get you killed.
transitional_path@reddit
This is basically what I was discussing last night and got shit on a little for it.
I think there's people who are wise enough to realize they have not many options, and you could delegate labor.
You go get pond water for me, you go gather wood. You go do this, you do that. We can get a lot done that way.
Those who can't calm down and turn into animals are fucked. Fear is the mind killer. They are of no use to anyone.
Look at any high stakes situation. Scuba diving, cave diving, mountain climbing in settings like Everest. Or getting lost in the Amazon or anywhere terribly remote. The ones in fear, anger, and with no emotional regulation — the ones who becomes infantile are the ones who destroy.
Everyone goes through psychological trauma when a horrible tragedy hits at first. Everyone does, even if they don't show it. We shouldn't demonize anyone for that because it's a normal human process. But once it settles a bit, some truer colors come out. Those who want to blame everyone else, can't take accountability or make themselves useful or humble themselves, are the ones who feel entitled to take and destroy rather than fit into a framework and settle for what they can offer and what they can receive.
Unfortunately I'm thinking that's probably most people. But I don't know. I don't think there's studies on this sort of thing.
Major_Pressure3176@reddit
There are studies on the percentage of people that are clinically psychopaths, which might be a good place to start. I don't remember anything specific, but I think I saw one where the number they came up with was somewhere in the low double digit range.
GeorgiaViking1812@reddit
If SHTF, there will be a tide of refugees nationwide/worldwide, depending on the scenario. They will have a car full of stuff with little food, water, medicine, etc. If things are bad, government either won't be much help or will expect YOU to give up your supplies to help.
Vesemir66@reddit
That ain't happening. Vlad the Impaler had a great modality to deal with invaders that want to take your shit.
pajamakitten@reddit
And I think a lot of people underestimate how popular those methods will be if SHFT. People will become a lot more insular in such a situation.
pajamakitten@reddit
They will expect you to give them your supplies too. Because apparently it is your fault that someone who lives in a hurricane hotspot does not have water and tinned goods in hurricane season.
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bikehikepunk@reddit
3-4 weeks Pre-Covid shutdown, our family did a couple paychecks at Costco to buy up the standard haul x3. We saw the crisis bloom in China and wanted to hedge against it going global.
My family (household) now understands completely why I like to have backup to just about everything we use. Also nice to have a full pantry for 60 days or more of regularly used items and rotate stock as it is used. Nice to also take advantage of bulk purchases when it saves money.
kitty60s@reddit
We did the same thing. But it was more gradual, went to the store more often and bought more than usual. I was following the pandemic unfold on Twitter and by the time we locked down (a week ahead of everyone else) we had 3 months worth of food and supplies.
SgtPrepper@reddit
So many people just don't get OpSec. I've known people at work who let out a random boast about how prepared they are, and I cringe inwardly.
There's no way in hades that the dock workers are going to get their 70% raise, so I'm thinking they either spend a ton of time bargaining down or automation will take over their jobs.
Either way it's going to be a while.
freebroccolli@reddit
Disagree...I tell folks I prep. Tell em they should too. They know what else preppers have beyond TP and canned goods and immediately aware im not the one to come to with a hand out...
CougarWithDowns@reddit
Typically it's people buying machetes and sawed-off shotguns without having any food or water lol
dude the other day posted grappling hook and definitive instead of just saying was stupid
MIRV888@reddit
If you are prepping in order to look down on people you may be doing it wrong. tee-hee
horse1066@reddit
I read that in Michael Jackson's voice
sbinjax@reddit
Try it in Prince's, it's funny too
MattDH94@reddit
Lmao OP is an angry prep-virgin
sbinjax@reddit
I wore a mask to go to a museum today. I have multiple sclerosis and I'm on Ocrevus, an immuno-suppressant drug. Covid is *not* over, and neither is the flu, RSV, and a host of other nasty infections that people keep bringing to public places. It pisses me off.
I grew up next door to a Mormon family that kept a year's supply of food in their basement. I thought that was a little extreme but I could see the value in it even as a kid.
I have always been somewhat prepared; 20 years in Florida got me to methodically check my supplies.
OnTheEdgeOfFreedom@reddit
I didn't see the connection between paragraphs one and two, but whatever. People have been doing last minute buys before storms as long as there have been stores. It's likely worse now because people have bad habits from the pandemic, but it's always been a thing. It's WHY you prep - you can't count on last minute availability. You never could.
As for telling people you prep, of course not. But in any disaster over a couple days people will figure it out. You're the guy with the generator who isn't hungry. You can play tricks like going grey and convincing people you're hungry too and all of that, but sooner or later folk figure things out. Hungry people get real perceptive.
It simpler and probably cheaper to stock food for many people than it is to try to convince them you're bad off too, and then have to stock ammo when they figure out you lied.
A round of ammo can run you a dollar. An egg, where I live... \~$0.20 each. Five eggs or one bullet; one deal makes you a hero and one deal makes you a problem to be solved. Maybe in some places you need some of both; but at any rate I'm getting less convinced that hiding what you have is a long term strategy.
Useful-Contribution4@reddit
Its crazy that people who live in Florida still refuse to prep. Yes even people who do have the extra income to spend on preps still don't until the last moment. Bunch of idiots.
Darwinism shall be awarded...
CyclingDutchie@reddit
"There is a degree of stupidity out there that CANNOT be overcome."
George Carlin on stupid people; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKN1Q5SjbeI
EverVigilant1@reddit
That's a good one.
The other one I like is
"You can't fix stupid"
and
"You're a special kind of stupid, aren't you?"
CyclingDutchie@reddit
Ron White has a show called 'you cant fix stupid'. its on youtube, i think.
EverVigilant1@reddit
Right! That's the guy- Ron White
SurFud@reddit
Luv it. During this same act, George says, "Beware of the power of large groups of stupid people." That's very symbolic of politics and voters. BTW I am not necessarily speaking of the US. I live in Canada.
CyclingDutchie@reddit
George said; "if fascism ever comes to america, it will be in nike shoes and smiley shirts."
SurFud@reddit
LOL I wonder if there is a hard copy book of quotes been published. I am going to look for one if it exists. Pass it on to the grandkids. Cheers.
CyclingDutchie@reddit
Thanks for chatting a bit !
JamesSmith1200@reddit
I miss George. He was fantastic
CyclingDutchie@reddit
Me too. He was a philosopher, and a social commentor, who used jokes as a way to express himself.
luvmy374@reddit
The good thing is where I live everyone is a prepper. The bad thing is everyone runs out eventually.
gizmozed@reddit
People like to laugh at "preppers" but I like to laugh at them.
The other thing that cracks me up is TP. The first shelves to be empty. Note to dimbulbs who went out and bought TP:
"TP is the last damn thing you are going to need if the sh*t hits the fan".
-Spinal-@reddit
I got laughed at a lot pre Covid - prepping in Europe is rare. Then Covid happened, and people were panic buying toilet paper.
I, on the other hand, sat at home playing video games. Got a call from a friend asking if I had spare flour, as the bakery had no bread at one point.
Lesson learnt : don’t tell people you prep. on the anonymous Internet, sure. IRL? Nah…:
Cool-breeze7@reddit
How else are you suppose to clean the fan then?
paulthebackpacker@reddit
I'd make sure i was behind the fan, and then use my portable bidet.
The_London_Badger@reddit
Peppers should be selling half thier toilet paper stocks for gold rn. People are selling thier 1st born for some 3 ply.
Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit
The assumption here is that if people know you are a prepper they will come for your stuff. Possibly true.
Buy why take the chance? Information shared can not be unshared. That casual office conversation about your stockpile of beans may come back to haunt you. The service technician that spotted the preps in your house may be back later when he needs them. You just never know.
Yeah, you can stock extra. Yeah, you can help out your neighbors. But do it on your terms, not theirs. Your supplies and the safety of your family are too important.
Finally, back to the assumption that THEY are coming for your stuff. Many in the Tuesday crowd view this as paranoia. That anyone who practices OPSEC is antisocial. That anyone who has a stockpile is unstable. That anyone with an AR-15 is a threat.
For my part, I prep so I don't need to worry, I can be social on my terms, and most importantly so I'm NOT a threat to anyone. It's one of the best reasons to prep... and keep your moth shut about it.
OdesDominator800@reddit
You mean that roll-off storage container with 100k rounds of ammo and two gun safes full of ARs alongside a wall packed with rice and beans? They just compliment the cases of medication and first-aid all surrounded by filled bottles of propane and barrels of wood chips we've pee'd in for years. Good thing I've got no neighbors for miles.
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
Military mre. Put it in the freezer. Now you have matches. Toilet paper. A bag to take a poop in if needed.
Water is the only other thing. Chloroflock. Polar pure. Boil in a pinch. Helps to have a water bottle with a stainless steel cup that fits on the bottom.
Iwatani grill. And an excess of the fuel.
silasmoeckel@reddit
Why I have 30 years of carbs/protein at multiple locations that does not mean some pre event shopping does not make sense. Unless there is a danger to it like rioting picking up french toast fixing, topping up on fuels buying a few new books to read all are perfectly reasonable and safe things to do.
While I dont advertise to people that I prep in person there are going to be signs. This is advise is exceedingly location dependent, live where getting snowed in for a week is not abnormal everybody preps to an extent, city folk have like a day's worth of groceries in their house it seems. They also seem far too willing to pillage and riot. Best prep is not being anywhere near that sort.
AlwaysThrowAways1234@reddit
I tell people to start slowly. Buy 1 extra thing at the store every time. When I explain that they are serving the social good by not competing with poor people for limited resources in the time of an emergency, they usually listen.
silysloth@reddit
Start asking if people have inner monologs.
Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit
Don't we all? Or do you mean evil or spit personality monologs?
silysloth@reddit
No. Some people do not have an inner monolog. Ever.
I've been curious about it for a while, and I'm starting to get the idea that it impacts their ability to future plan.
Put it up in here. I'd be willing to bet nearly everyone into prepping has one.
OdesDominator800@reddit
You mean the inner "two personalitys" having a conversation like, "What do you think about this?" And the other saying, "Might as well buy two just in case." Yep, I've been down the road with him for a long time. It's just that when his friends pipe in, it gets a little hectic.
Claggy_Bottom@reddit
I’ve read that some people do not, which I find impossible to believe.