Author Topic: Survivalism On A Budget  (Read 20036 times)

jba302

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #50 on: April 17, 2014, 09:55:26 AM »
In a real survival situation, there are tremendous amounts of food readily walking around on two legs in cities.  All you have to do is chase them down.

Chase is a stretch. Walk down would be more accurate.  On a similar note, I almost ran into a group of deer driving to work this morning. 4 of them in fact, strolling down the middle of the road (I had to honk twice, then got stared down as I drove by. wtf?). I realized in the mornings before light they come check out our oak trees in a little route through the subdivision. Even the deer are getting lazy.

GuitarStv

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #51 on: April 17, 2014, 10:06:13 AM »
I prefer leaner cuts of meat.

golfer44

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #52 on: April 18, 2014, 09:58:35 AM »

brewer12345

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #53 on: April 21, 2014, 06:57:24 PM »
The kids had today off school, so we went for a hike in the mountains.  Among other things, we saw a yellow-bellied marmot.  It is probably wrong, but I could not help thinking "looks like good eating on that thing, and its a LOT bigger than a squirrel."

DollarBill

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #54 on: May 16, 2014, 07:11:28 PM »
If the SHTF I will go to the nearest Military base and camp out. I will bring all my weapons and ammo and join the side that is most likely to survive. It will provide security, food, shelter and medical. If it does happen most will run for the hills and that will become a dangerous place.

No need for a bug out or huge supply of food.

Annamal

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #55 on: May 16, 2014, 08:01:49 PM »
I work with a lot of people in Christchurch, which means I've got a reasonable grasp of what was needed and what wasn't through two major building destroying earthquakes.

1) People are usually awesome in the direct aftermath of disasters, there's the occasional shop which ups prices but for the most part neighbourhoods band together to help each-other (it's about 2 years later when the ptsd well and truly kicks in that things get problematic)

2) having enough food and water to get through a few weeks is good (and means that you can share with neighbours).

3) having a bag with your essentials and some cash which you can grab as you head out the door as your building falls down.

4) A comfortable pair of walking shoes at work ( I have water and a torch as well).

5) Cellphones burn through power much quicker in disasters, agree on only turning yours on to check and send text messages, don't try and call anyone, everyone else will be trying to call. Save phonecalls for true emergencies.

6) There was a group of people who had abseiling gear at work and managed to abseil out of the building when the stairwells were unuseable...so yeah, you never know what is going to be handy.

Prepping seems predicated on people being horrible to each-other and that really didn't turn out to be the case when the chips were down.

jordanread

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #56 on: May 19, 2014, 08:26:29 AM »
[...]
Prepping seems predicated on people being horrible to each-other and that really didn't turn out to be the case when the chips were down.

I see that attitude a lot, as well. For me, it's more about not needing to care how nice or how douchey other people get. I can account for both situations.

As far as water goes, I'm heavily considering something like this: http://www.justwater.me/products/high-country-filtering-bag/, maybe coupled with the filterable camel-bak bladders.

dcheesi

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #57 on: May 19, 2014, 08:30:06 AM »
@Annamal: A good article on perceptions vs. reality in crowd behavior, both in emergencies and during unrest...
http://aeon.co/magazine/living-together/crowds-show-us-working-together-at-our-best/

@DollarBill: You seem to assume that we'll go directly from business-as-usual to complete anarchy and tribal warfare. More likely the disintegration of society would be more gradual, and you'd be waiting a long time between when it starts and when the local military organizations start looking at gun-toting preppers as potential allies rather than dangerous nuisances...

totoro

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #58 on: May 19, 2014, 10:38:45 AM »
Well, count me out of the apocalypse club.

We have an earthquake kit in the shed and a first aid kit in the car.  I also installed a wood stove just in case of a long-term power outage.  That is it.

The city I live in in Canada now was shut down for a week as a result of a freak blizzard in 1996.  This area usually has no snow in winter, one snow plow for the city, and most people don't even have snow tires.  It was totally fun - I got to know my neighbours.  Life was simpler and more meaningful for a bit.  People who had snowmobiles brought them out and drove emergency workers to the hospitals.  People who ran out of heating oil bunked up with friends and neighbours.

I lived through a major earthquake in Japan and people were really good to each other, although maybe the US might be different?  I do wonder about the effect of a bunch of preppers let loose with their guns and ammo in end of the world survivalist mode.

DollarBill

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #59 on: May 19, 2014, 10:45:04 AM »
@Annamal: A good article on perceptions vs. reality in crowd behavior, both in emergencies and during unrest...
http://aeon.co/magazine/living-together/crowds-show-us-working-together-at-our-best/

@DollarBill: You seem to assume that we'll go directly from business-as-usual to complete anarchy and tribal warfare. More likely the disintegration of society would be more gradual, and you'd be waiting a long time between when it starts and when the local military organizations start looking at gun-toting preppers as potential allies rather than dangerous nuisances...

I'll go early to get the good camp site :)

Annamal

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #60 on: May 19, 2014, 06:39:17 PM »
@Annamal: A good article on perceptions vs. reality in crowd behavior, both in emergencies and during unrest...
http://aeon.co/magazine/living-together/crowds-show-us-working-together-at-our-best/

@DollarBill: You seem to assume that we'll go directly from business-as-usual to complete anarchy and tribal warfare. More likely the disintegration of society would be more gradual, and you'd be waiting a long time between when it starts and when the local military organizations start looking at gun-toting preppers as potential allies rather than dangerous nuisances...

Wow that's an awesome article, I'm as guilty as anyone of accusing crowds of being mindless but that does not tie in with what happened after Christchurch (and after any number of disasters).
That's made me rethink a few things.

Roland of Gilead

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #61 on: May 20, 2014, 06:44:48 AM »
I don't think the random earthquake or snow storm is the type of widespread disaster that could trigger negative behavior (although Katrina brought out some pretty bad behavior in New Orleans).

I think of situations more like Argentina in 1989 with the food riots, hyperinflation.

Erica/NWEdible

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #62 on: May 20, 2014, 07:02:34 AM »
I would not have considered myself a prepper until I started regularly listening to "the survival podcast" and realized how much of that "modern survival" mentality is about gardening. Now gardening I can do! So now I think maybe I'm "prepper lite" - I definitely am into maintaining a deep pantry, food storage and preservation, debt elimination, gardening and a more DIY, urban homestead lifestyle.

totoro

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #63 on: May 20, 2014, 07:48:03 AM »
I don't think the random earthquake or snow storm is the type of widespread disaster that could trigger negative behavior (although Katrina brought out some pretty bad behavior in New Orleans).

I think of situations more like Argentina in 1989 with the food riots, hyperinflation.

Yes. Hyperinflation and a depression could occur.  Risk and outcome are hard to measure and predict, but if prepping is how you manage your concern that is fine. 

Spartana

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #64 on: May 20, 2014, 01:02:51 PM »
If the SHTF I will go to the nearest Military base and camp out. I will bring all my weapons and ammo and join the side that is most likely to survive. It will provide security, food, shelter and medical. If it does happen most will run for the hills and that will become a dangerous place.

No need for a bug out or huge supply of food.
Most likely the military will disarm you and kick your butt as far off site as possible - at gun point. With Martial Law and curfews, etc... imposed they can legally do that. Last thing anyone in the military wants is armed civilians roaming around near them. Civilians aren't too keen on taking orders. Doubt if they will feed and clothe you either.

For me, who is not a survivalist, I do have a small bug out bag at my home and in my car in case I have to evacuate immediately. I just have a few things in it to make a potential wait for help more pleasant then not. Having things like a small tarp or space blanket and some fishing line to shelter me from the sun or rain, a water pump or chlorine tablets, some power bars, good hiking shoes, and electronic back ups of important papers/photos and some cash can all help if you are stranded somewhere (ALA Katrina) for a few days. I am also armed (and yes, ex-military :-)!) so have some extra ammo in my pack but nothing for a long sustained survive thing. It's just for self-protection, not hunting down and killing the Zombie horde :-)! Have basic water and food at home too (and have some outside the house in case it is destroyed) and camping gear in case I have to sleep outside. Also have extras for my dog in the pack and at home - including a leash - as I recently saw the police evacuate people from a big fire here in SoCal and they had to run for their lives (literally) and many of their dogs were running next to them loose.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2014, 01:13:28 PM by Spartana »

Spartana

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #65 on: May 20, 2014, 01:23:59 PM »
.  (In case of zombie apocalypse my goal is to get bitten as soon as possible and enjoy the easy access to brains that the early zombies will have.)
Ha Ha! I plan start-up a "Brain Bank"  where the 1% can buy and harvest the brain's of the 99% to feed to the zombies so the 1% remain safe. Specifically those 99%er's who have student loan debt for that PhD in Poetry they will never be able to pay off. And you thought we couldn't repossess your brains :-)!

DollarBill

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #66 on: May 20, 2014, 03:10:26 PM »
If the SHTF I will go to the nearest Military base and camp out. I will bring all my weapons and ammo and join the side that is most likely to survive. It will provide security, food, shelter and medical. If it does happen most will run for the hills and that will become a dangerous place.

No need for a bug out or huge supply of food.
Most likely the military will disarm you and kick your butt as far off site as possible - at gun point. With Martial Law and curfews, etc... imposed they can legally do that. Last thing anyone in the military wants is armed civilians roaming around near them. Civilians aren't too keen on taking orders. Doubt if they will feed and clothe you either.

Crap...didn't think of that part. This is probably true. I need to think of a new plan...any one want to join a MMM militia? :)

jordanread

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #67 on: May 20, 2014, 03:24:42 PM »
...any one want to join a MMM militia? :)

That would be the most laid back militia ever.

GuitarStv

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #68 on: May 21, 2014, 07:10:25 AM »
...any one want to join a MMM militia? :)

That would be the most laid back militia ever.

I like the concept though.  The challenge of sustainably outfitting a fighting force would be interesting to see.  I'm picturing a lot of mustached men wearing leather armor and cycling around the apocalypse with longbows.

Spartana

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #69 on: May 21, 2014, 08:50:37 AM »
Yeah, my brother used to work with some serious peppers. One guy cashed out his retirement fund(!) to buy a farm and stock it with tons of guns & ammo. Based on recommendations from other preppers, his goal was to have five rounds of ammo for every man, woman, & child in the surrounding counties?!

Chances are that the poor fool will be retiring in poverty and trying to run a farm in his old age, with a huge pile of ammo sitting useless in his basement. And even if his  apocalypse fantasy did happen, how is he going to use all that ammo anyway? One guy can only fire off so many rounds at a time, regardless of the number of guns in his arsenal.
He might end up being the wisest of us all. With the scarcity and price increases of ammo (not to mention the potential for greater restrictions in the future) he can probably sel that ammo 'stache   at greatly marked up prices and become rich. Maybe ammo is the new gold and silver :-)!

Spartana

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #70 on: May 21, 2014, 08:52:38 AM »
...any one want to join a MMM militia? :)

That would be the most laid back militia ever.
Ha Ha - yeah everyone would finally not have to go to their jobs and just want to sleep in :-)!

jordanread

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #71 on: May 21, 2014, 08:58:00 AM »
...any one want to join a MMM militia? :)

That would be the most laid back militia ever.

I like the concept though.  The challenge of sustainably outfitting a fighting force would be interesting to see.  I'm picturing a lot of mustached men wearing leather armor and cycling around the apocalypse with longbows.

If we're going to be cycling around, I must insist on having a joust at the quarterly games, but we'll be in armor.


DollarBill

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #72 on: May 21, 2014, 07:07:51 PM »
...any one want to join a MMM militia? :)

That would be the most laid back militia ever.

I like the concept though.  The challenge of sustainably outfitting a fighting force would be interesting to see.  I'm picturing a lot of mustached men wearing leather armor and cycling around the apocalypse with longbows.

If we're going to be cycling around, I must insist on having a joust at the quarterly games, but we'll be in armor.



Only if everyone speaks in medieval times verbiage...lmao! I want to party with those guys...ahhh hahaha

Quote
I'm picturing a lot of mustached men wearing leather armor and cycling around the apocalypse with longbows

Classic!!

MelodysMustache

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Re: Survivalism On A Budget
« Reply #73 on: May 23, 2014, 08:31:12 AM »
I am another one in the "prepper-lite" camp.  My 2014 New Year's resolution was to get prepared for most common emergency scenarios by the end of the calendar year, and I have been slowly working on that.

IMHO the highest risks to me are earthquake, volcano, unemployment, fire, criminal activity (robbery/assault), or days of being snowed in and without power, and I am planning accordingly.  In the back of my mind are the truly horrible black swan events, but I don't go out of my way to prep for them. The things I prepare for are not the zombie apocalypse, but things that can and do happen in my area and I can take precautions without going overboard.

I have a list of items I am working through and a budget category to get it done.  My most recent acquisition was a home fire extinguisher in case of a kitchen fire.  I look for things on sale or second-hand that are reasonable and practical.  My neighbors are good people and I am confident we will treat each other well.  However, I don't want to be left to the mercy and kindness of others to take care of myself and my family if necessary.  My prepping is simply insurance for the unexpected and I give it the same budget priority that I do for other kinds of insurance.