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Five Things New ‘Preppers’ Forget When Preparing for Bad Times Ahead

The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times like Y2K, the 2008 economic crisis, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had enough toilet paper, but didn’t stock up on anything else.

Things have changed. There is a growing fear in this presidential election year that has led more Americans to prepare for crazy events in the future. Some of that is driven by fear mongers, but there are legitimate concerns about the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass riots that have pushed the average American into “prepper” mode.

There are degrees of preparedness. You don’t have to be a full-fledged “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure bunker in Montana to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being perfectly prepared for every conceivable eventuality. It’s about reducing government dependence for as long as possible. Those who are “prepared” won’t be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.

Below are five things that people new to prepping (and sometimes even experienced ones) often forget when they’re prepping. All five are common sense ideas that don’t rely on doomsday to be useful. Owning a tank during the apocalypse can be fun, but there’s only so much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have a place in the lives of average Americans, doomsday or not.

Please note: The information provided in this publication or related communication is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial or legal advice.

Safe wealth

Whether in the bank or a retirement account, most Americans consider their savings to be relatively safe. Or at least that was the case until the last few years, when de-banking, geopolitical unrest, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.

It is in the best interest of Americans to diversify their assets. If there is a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. dollar, wealth can quickly evaporate. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: crypto and physical precious metals.

Cryptocurrencies have huge benefits, but there are also inherent risks because ‘virtual’ money can be difficult to spend. Add to that the pressure from central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions that they control, and the risks are compounded. There is nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today, but things can change quickly.

When it comes to physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep enough in their safe deposit box. Converting or rolling over retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months for the gold and silver to be shipped if the owner decides to close their account. Here’s why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories ensures fast closing and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can be helpful when things seem to be going badly.

Plenty of drinking water

One of the biggest shocks new preppers face is the realization of how much drinking water they need to survive. Experts say one gallon of water is needed per person per day. Even the most conservative estimates put it at more like half a gallon. That means a family of four would need about 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps were turned off and the stores ran dry.

Being near a source of fresh water, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among seasoned preppers. It’s also imperative to have a water filter, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water, even when there’s no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite, but they’ve been targeted by regulators, so the Alexapure Systems are solid replacements.

For those in the city or far from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be a challenge because good water storage containers take up a lot of space and are difficult to move if needed. For “bug in” situations, a larger container that can hold hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they are not easy to transport and can be expensive to install.

Water is crucial. If chaos breaks out and water infrastructure is compromised, a large reserve supply can be life-saving.

Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies

There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medications and antibiotics that many of us need.

Stocking up on prescription medications can be difficult. Doctors are generally reluctant to prescribe large quantities of medications, even if they have a long shelf life. It is good practice to ask your doctor if he or she can prescribe a larger quantity. These days, some people are understanding of concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming unavailable. Tell them your concerns. It is worth a try. The worst they can do is say no.

If your doctor is not willing to help you with taking your medication, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily medications or antibiotics that are delivered to your home. As advocates of medical freedom, they sympathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case something goes wrong.

Energy sources

The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a huge burden when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no cheap solutions.

People who live off-grid have had to spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to set up their alternative energy sources like solar. For those who don’t want to go that far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are two of the most popular, and while they’re not cheap, they’re not out of reach for most Americans who worry about being without power for extended periods of time.

Natural gas is another necessity for many, but it is much harder to replace. It is important to have alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if the gas and electricity grids go down. Have a backup for items that require power, such as manual can openers. If you are stuck with canned food for a while and you only have an electric opener, you are going to have problems.

Don’t forget the proteins

When most people think of “prepping,” they think of their food supply. More and more Americans are turning to gardening and self-sufficiency as ways to produce their own food. Others are partnering with local farmers and ranchers to buy directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether or not doomsday comes, but it’s especially important when the food supply chain is broken.

Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks’ worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truck drivers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process could fail. It is in the best interest of Americans to localize their food purchases as much as possible for several reasons.

Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned goods, MREs, and freeze-dried meals sell out quickly, even as prices rise. But one component that’s noticeably absent from shelf-stable foods is quality protein. Most survival food companies offer “protein buckets” or low-quality cans of meat, but they’re often barely edible.

Prepper, all natural offers premium cuts of steak that are cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25 year shelf life. Their offerings include Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin.

Buckets of beans and rice are a good start, but a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy during crises.

Prepare without fear

With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are afraid, and there is nothing irrational about their worries. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to meet basic needs can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best, but prepare for the worst. And when the worst comes, knowing that we have done what we can to be ready will help us face those challenges with confidence.