It has to start somewhere. For us, many years ago, it started by buying two cans of vegetables and putting one aside. As a young family with one income we didn’t have much. Then as the kids came along, it was harder to find the budget to stretch and cover all the expenses. The blessing of being able to stay home, raise and homeschool five wonderful people (now adults- but always kids to me) was a first class lesson on frugality and provident living.

Now, many years later. Provident living and emergency preparedness are a firmly ingrained way of life at our house. Finances seem to be a little better, but the attitudes of being frugal have only increased with time as we look out into the world around us and take a peek at what’s going on. Childhood beds built on top of grains. Side “tables” hiding emergency kits under the cloth and lamp. All things we have done over the years to find places to store a little extra. Actually, mom and dad still have grains under the bed, which is great because nothing to clean! I believe in building skills is as important as anything. Learning to garden, baking bread, canning, budgeting, cooking from scratch, sewing, building, fixing cars, shooting a gun, etc., all help build the skill set for independence.

We have a unique opportunity of being on the fire department in our home town. This has given me an insight on how people react to emergency situations, illnesses, disasters and more. There are so many people who rely on others to take care of their every need! I just can’t wrap my head around it sometimes. Homes with little to no food. Over reliance on medications or calling 911 for every little thing. Inability to make rational decisions under stressful situations. Drug and alcohol abuse to “ease” the pains of normal life. The lack of basic life skills is apparent at times. It’s scary at times to see the conditions and lifestyle of the general population and wonder what will happen if something “big” goes down. Where are they going to go? What are they going to do?

I don’t prep because I am planning for the next big disaster or the collapse of the world around me. Do I believe those things may happen, yes. Do I live my life worrying each day, is this it? No. I prep because it is a lifestyle developed over years and years of daily living. It is a blessing to only go to the store once (or less) a month. But, holy cow, can you see the rise in prices when you aren’t going very often! Buying in bulk is cheaper for us in the long run. Using herbs instead of running to the doctor helps us stay healthier. Knowing what is in the food I prepare is comforting. Gardening (while I am not that great at it- skill in progress) provides fresh food in season for next to nothing in cost! Repairing things instead of buying keeps more money available for other priorities.

To the beginner, where we are at in our efforts would be overwhelming, but we didn’t get here overnight. I still buy two cans instead of one, label with the date and put it in the rotation. Provident living, independence, preparedness for job loss, illness or other event…. It all has to start somewhere.

A.R. WA

How to VOTE for the best Preppers Outreach Contest Entries:

If you think this entry merits one of your 5 allotted votes, then post a comment below. Do NOT post a comment if you do not want it to count towards one of your 5 allotted votes. If you want to award an entry more than one vote, you’ll need to leave a comment for each vote you want to cast.