Thank you Preppers

[LittlePrepper]

I only started reading the prepping board last year when I was worried about a no deal Brexit. Using the advice here, I created a little pantry and began making sure my freezer is fully stocked at all times and that I always have a few packs of painkillers.

I am so glad now that I did this, as I haven’t had to deal with the stress of going to the supermarket and finding everything I need gone. I have probably enough food for a couple of weeks if things got really tricky.

I will always be a (very small scale) prepper now, its a damn wise thing to be!

Thanks to all of you for sharing your tips on here, stay well everyone.

[Finfintytint]

I’m a natural prepper. Won’t waste anything and habitually batch cook and freeze spare meals. My stock cupboard and freezer have always had at least a month of supplies.
I don’t think it is aVirus/ Brexit thing. I think it’s growing up with a parent who was subjected to rationing and being prepared for any unknown eventuality around the corner.
If you have the space, it’s really cost effective too.

[bellinisurge]

You're welcome.

[HoneysuckIejasmine]

Yes I'd agree and thank Bellini in particular. Our stash was for Brexit but it'll do perfectly well for now too.

I'm continuing to shop normally but I am so much calmer about feeding my kids knowing I can. (And can share with people in need if necessary)

[sindylouwho]

I'd like to say thank you too. I started prepping in January for this. I haven't gone overboard but I am prepared. I think we would be ok for a month!

[Finfintytint]

Bellinisurge. Glad you are here. Not wishing to hijack thread but have had my eye on a dehydrator for several months. It’s a bottom of the range fourty quidder. Am I wasting my money and should I go for something a bit more expensive as a novice dehydrator.
?

[bellinisurge]

Mine's just a cheapo one from Amazon- second cheapest with good reviews (my scientific strategy ). Just get used to the idea. For example, frozen veg is chopped to the right size. Just sling it on. Might take a bit to do its thing but most of the tedious stuff is done for you.

[Biancadelrioisback]

I started around this time last year too and I'm so pleased that I did! I always chuck in an extra packet of pasta or paracetamol when shopping, always have plenty of stuff in the freezer and pantry, all thanks to this board

[Butterwhy]

I always make sure we have extra in, not sure if it's because we often went without as children as my parents literally couldn't afford to keep the cupboards full, or just as I'm alone with DS alot as my DH works away a lot and never know what might happen. It has been good to be able to give neighbours some loo roll and not have to rush around the shops; keep an eye on expiry dates though. Some things don't last as long as you think and be a shame to waste it.

[Stockpilingpatience]

Me too! I started reading the board for Brexit. I built up my stash over a few months and when it wasn't needed I simply checked the use by dates and kept it when the news broke about China. I actually made sure all use-by dates were until Jan 2021. My husband used to laugh at me but he doesn't now! I will always be a small scale prepper now.

[WhoKnowsWhatsAroundTheCorner]

I’d like to say thanks too, it’s a great relief not to be panic buying. Feels less guilty too.

[HuggedTheRedwoods]

I'm so grateful for this board too. I was sort of prepping low level for a while after a car accident made me realise I needed to keep more supplies in but upped my game with the Brexit talks chaos.

I've read many useful posts and tips over the last 18 months or so but special shout out to @bellinisurge for ongoing sensible advice to just be prepared for the unexpected be it bad weather, illness, whatever (even when we often had idiots pop up the board just trolling us for prepping in general - wonder how they're doing now?). Thank you bellini, you've probably helped a fair few of us be better prepared for the coming storm.

[calllaaalllaaammma]

I'd like to add my thanks.
Coronavirus just seemed so different when it started appearing on the news from China, and these threads gave sensible advice.

[Tigerty]

I too would like to say thanks to the Mumsnet Preppers. I lurked on the Brexit threads a long time and followed the advice to stock up over time (up to dehydration/freeze drying wasn’t sure that was for me).

I remember the posters who would pop on the threads to cast their derision at preppers for overreacting. Some of you got a lot of grief. I followed your prepper advice and also never mentioned what I was doing in real life. Those posters who sneered will be the ones panic buying now.

As predicted it’s been a much calmer experience knowing that I did not have to join the fray of panic buying. The only thing I didn’t have was a thermometer and I had to go to a lot of shops before I found the last one for £50! I hadn’t even thought of a thermometer so in future years I’ll make sure it’s on the prepper list.

So thank you ladies who prep you saved me a lot of fear and panic knowing I can self-isolate in a heart beat and look after myself and my kids. As a lone parent who fits the ‘vulnerable’ criteria I’m very grateful.

[bellinisurge]

Thank you for your kind words directed to me @HuggedTheRedwoods . Lots of good advice from others on here that I have certainly learned from. Including "newbies" who often hit the nail on the head on something I'd been mulling over.
Yes, we've all had to put up with some nasty posts. I even got a revolting PM recently - needless to say :blocked and reported.
Prepping your mental health is massively important and shouldn't be underestimated.

[FusionChefGeoff]

Hear hear!!!

I was able to leave the last few packets of toilet roll on the shelves for other people last week as I knew I had my stash at home which is the whole point of prepping!

I am still scared shitless in general but a lot less than I would be if I also had to start scrabbling about for basics and spending hours scouring different shops.

Thank you one and all.

[Destinysdaughter]

I'm another one who is very grateful for all the good advice, especially as pp I knew in real life were very much downplaying the seriousness of what we were facing. I'm also now taking extra vitamins daily to try and stay healthy. Also, I never knew you could freeze mushrooms!

[LittleLittleLittle]

I thought you all mad for prepping specificially for Brexit but I didn't realise so many people didn't keep at least a months supply of store cupboard/frozen food, toiletries, cleaning and laundry products at home who had the space and weren't on the breadline.

I guess it is because I grew up with older parents who dealt with shortages and liked saving money, spent time with older people who live rurally so were routinely snowed in, and I have also made to self-isolation before.

Anyway least threads like these have probably helped stopped civil unrest.

[LangClegsInSpace]

I'm very grateful for all the good advice from the regular preppers over the last year. There are so many things I'm worried about at the moment and it helps so much knowing we have enough in for a few weeks.

Thank you

[PhantomErik]

The prepping boards have been brilliant! They've taken the stress out of so many tricky situations.

I've accidentally run low on soya milk & Aldi are now limiting to 4 at a time. Trouble is I'm now buying for my parents so they don't have to go out so we've got got 2 each this time. Looks like I'll be going daily for a while.

At least the rest of my cupboards & freezer are well stocked so I haven't needed beans, pasta or loo roll for ages!

[EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall]

I started prepping for brexit due to these threads. I did end up using some of it due to being skint! But managed to stock up again last month

[Counterpane]

Another Brexit prepper here. My sister has been keeping a couple of months worth of tins and packets for ages so gave me lots of advice.

Thanks to her and this board I can manage for about six weeks before we need to worry.

[DinaCaliente]

Thank you from me too Preppers.

I did a shop to fill my freezer etc about 4 weeks ago due to these threads and have just been topping it up since with normal shops.

It's meant I don't have to join in with the crazy panic buying now.

[thenightsky]

I do wish certain posters on the main board would stop blaming 'preppers' for the empty shelves this week. My toilet paper is a year old FGS. I bought it in ready for a no deal brexit in March 2019.

[ValleyoftheHorses]

Thank you to all on the Prep threads, especially bellinisurge
I prepped for a no deal Brexit too and feel very happy to have a cupboard full of tins, a full freezer and over 100 loo rolls. Mine are 2018-2019 too

[bellinisurge]

You're welcome.
Let's hope that the worst we all have to deal with is boredom.