AIBU to think my friend is overdoing emergency stockpiling?

@ASpoonfullOfPuppies and @RedToothBrush I'm always a bit on the doom and gloom side of things but I'm not sure I've ever been so convinced that the shit's about to hit the fan.
It's the combination of climate change having so obviously ramped up, all the wars and conflicts, so many people over the planet displaced and on the move or with their living situations just demolished (wonder how the people in Nepal are faring?) and the fact that we have a greed obsessed prize idiot in charge of the so-called free world. And a few other bits and bobs. Add in an El Niño and voila!

I haven't read the Telegraph article yet but I think I can guess what it says...
I'm very grateful for these kind of threads, I feel less alone and mad.
#TinfoilhatsRus 😂

Anyone else had an email from UK Power network telling you what their services are and what to do in a power cut?

I am so so glad you have said this out loud. Along with the Telegraph article this morning, I at least feel like I'm not going completely mental in addition to all this shit incoming.

Some of the MN threads this morning just read like a begone age of innocence and out of touch with reality. It's starting to really get to me. I want to shake people and go 'wake up' whilst knowing most of them currently think I've completely lost the plot and have gone full tin foil.

Have to admit I was trying to deny the idea of a bad winter. Just this last week I have realised that things do seem to be unravelling. Bond markets doing horrible things and interest rates on the up. So inflation looking to be worse. That's of course if there is food to buy. With the oil crisis deepening in the last few days disruption to food supplies is looking more likely. Not to mention shortages from failed crops due to the heatwave and the shortage of fertiliser begining to kick in.

I feel there has been too many 'casual' warnings recently from the govt. Buy water, food, radio, power bank etc. I know we were behind the other european countries on this and so I would like to think it was just a catch up. However I am not convinced.
Power cuts are looking inevitable rather than a maybe with Saudi cancelling oil orders.

It's funny how my memories of the seventies are starting to creep back in. Power cuts, food prices going up weekly, freezing weather and most houses didn't have central heating. Well we do now but will it be on. No miner strikes this time, just much bigger problems. Funny how the miner strikes almost seem 'quaint' now in this era of cyberattacks.

I would have said stocking up for 6 months was over the top but with all the bad news on several fronts this last week to 10 days I am starting to think it wouldn't be the worst plan. The water I ordered in my Tesco shop was out of stock so are shortages starting already? They gave me a substitution but still. Made me uneasy.

Best case scenario - food prices go up but no shortages. Worst case - shortages and more 'covid fighting' for resources and prices going up dramatically.
Best case scenario - irregular power cuts or scheduled cuts we can prepare for. Worst case - days (weeks) with power down and a flippin nightmare.

I've spent £700 in Tesco this week. In fairness some of the things I buy were on special so stocking up for that reason as well. Toilet rolls, tinned food, water, pet food, first aid kit cos can you imagine A&E if this all kicks off.

I remember fuel shortages about 20 years ago. I think there were strikes and blockades. Milk and bread was hoovered up within hours and that was a very short term thing. Shelves were literally bare. And that of course was before our population ballooned. Even beast from the east a few years ago - I lived in the centre of Edinburgh at that time and everwhere was out of milk as deliveries couldn't get through. Shops everywhere but no milk.

I can honestly see us with another PM within the year and it's a timebomb for whoever is juggling it.

I mean we are struggling to pay our interest bills just now (on govt debt) so what happens when they have to repay that debt and refinance it at higher rates.

Scary times ahead.

This is fine.

This article is incredibly good. I appreciate it is the Telegraph but it's a really good summary of what it calls the 4 horseman of the apocalypse arriving at once for the global economy.

https://x.com/Telegraph/status/2100087344082624808

This isn't right wing bullshit of an article. It's factual in stating where things are rather than what we need to do or what it thinks we should do.

Well what I've learnt from covid is to prepare as best I can and have faith in my own critical thinking abilities.

I can remember being at work at a lunch table where people insisted that schools would not shut and exams would not be cancelled. Unthinkable.

I think sometimes people don't want to believe that bad times are coming, so deny it. Also people who disagree with how covid was handled aren't receptive to more government advice. Fingers in ears.

that reminds me to buy matches, and sardines

@RedToothBrush@LilyBunch25I hear you.
I was caught out in covid and we got short on food. I remember saying to my dc's that they couldn't eat just because they felt like it (because I was really worried about being able putting food on the table).
I have no wish to revisit that just because I haven't been paying attention.
If its being dramatic I don't care. Other people can do what the hell they want.
It gives me a sense of calm to have some basics covered. I am head of my household and I take that responsibility seriously and if anyone wants to mock me they can, frankly, piss off.

Remember guys, as Burnham says, welfare comes before defence.

In the heel of the hunt we live in a society and will survive as a society, not as selfish individuals. A small supply to assist with a few days/week disruption makes sense. Being this it's madness.

I agree with you. We've been talking about this a lot at home; DH is ex military (hence the long term health conditions which is why I am determined to prepare the little I can) and we feel the same. Yet others either look at you as if you're a bit off the scale or laugh it off.

I have just remembered something I learnt in Guides when attending a leaders weekend. Someone had a tin filled with salt and soaked it in methylated spirits and then lit it with a match and used it to cook something. At least that is how I remember it but not sure I would want to try it at home.

I'm trying.

It's really unnerving tbh.

I keep reading this stuff going, I am actually going insane here? Why is no one taking this more seriously? My sources are not wild. I'm getting stuff off Reuters and various credible commentators. I feel a bit like I'm in a parallel dimension here, where I can see tomorrow and understand how everyone's lives is going to change massively again, whilst everyone else is oblivious.

I've been here before (this doesn't make me feel better about the actual situation). I know it's the beginning of a live story rather than something that's going to blow over and be forgotten next week or a conspiracy theory. Unfortunately.

I'm talking to people and they say their plans and I'm going in my head 'nope you won't be doing that at all' or simply 'this will not be a concern soon enough. There will not be a choice here'.

This afternoon a friend popped by saying he was in the process of getting a car. We casually mentioned electric v petrol cos of the oil crisis. "What oil crisis?" he says. "The one that's already started". If you knew his wife's job, you'd actually actually cry. It's beyond parody. I just don't think we are remotely prepared for what's coming either as individuals or as a country.

The government seem to be totally out to lunch with no one taking calls. That's scaring the bejezus out of me.

I am trying to stick firmly to the actual stuff happening and it's implications rather than the speculation stuff and completely spiral into what sounds like a couple nutter. Theres stuff I'm reading that gets really alarming really quickly and personally I'm not really ready to fully acknowledge them as likely outcomes. I am not fully down that particular rabbit hole just yet.

I am scared. I do not say this lightly. I think this could go over a cliff quickly and get bad fast.

@RedToothBrushshit is really starting to get real.
Your updates are extremely helpful, thank you.

Brett Erikson AT BrettErikson28
MAJOR BREAKING: A Yemeni military official told German news agency DPA that Ansarallah (Houthis) have MINED the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

While this HAS NOT been confirmed beyond this statement, Ansarallah has previously indicated in recent days and weeks that they may resort to such a measure.

However… just this statement ALONE, especially if it is repeated through other media sources, will force many companies that are non-Saudi (Ansarallah previously only blockaded Saudi) to de-risk and seek to re-route through the Suez Canal to the north. This would extend transit times to Asian countries by about three weeks EACH WAY. At a time when freight costs over sea have gone parabolic, this may simply become a profitability non-starter for many companies.

While there is yet not “ironclad” evidence to yet support the claim that Ansarallah has mined the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, even just RUMORS may be enough to stymie traffic through the critical chokepoint to the Red Sea.

Temu just got more expensive. Insurance just went up.

Random one but Argos has got hot water bottles half price atm- £5 for a few types with covers.

Can't remember exactly, we've had it about 8 years, but I know it was expensive 🙈😅

You must have a Vispring or something

I think I mentioned it ages ago on this thread but I friend of mine is storing spare water behind her bath panel!

I fixed in June until next June but dread to think what will be happening with fuel prices by then...meanwhile I'll save where I can, I guess

😂

Mine are really sturdy, but maybe a layer of thick cardboard or similar will help if drawers aren't that strong?

I'll put them on the roof of my car 🤣🤣🤣

https://x.com/MartinSLewis/status/2099921901858517189

Martin Lewis is talking today about whether to fix your energy prices now rather than later.

Keep in mind his article linked here says tariffs from Jan 2027 are a crystal ball figure of 18%.

Martin has said in other tweets today it could be 20% +.

In terms of safeguarding yourself, looking at this may be of much more value to some people than stockpiling if energy prices are going to go much higher in the new year.

It's still something of a gamble but it is practical planning which isn't stupid or tiny foil hatty. It's worthwhile looking at regardless of any issues.