AIBU to think my friend is overdoing emergency stockpiling?

Thanks Hoppity, looking into these of which I was hitherto in complete ignorance.
Great rabbit hole to go down...😂

In Ireland and we were a week last year without electricity so definitely get on the torch and gas cooker bandwagon op, cups of tea were the only things that kept me going!!!!!

I've had a kelly kettle for years but never ended up using it at the time I bought it. Hope it's still OK. How much do you need to put in as fuel to boil water for a cup of tea and what would you put in? Could you use bits of old cardboard or would that burn too quickly?

Yes, I've thought about that. I may actually take the drawers out and just use the space for storing things.

Or transfer light things like towels and jumpers into there and put tins on the shelves the lighter things were on? Or shoes and put the tins in the bottom of the cupboard where the shoes were?

That's a good idea. But would you need to find somewhere to store the drawers?

What a minefield!

Great idea.

Good idea. The main thing is that I have some storage space, which a couple of hours ago I didn't realize I had 😅

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.

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

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

😂

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

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

You must have a Vispring or something

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

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

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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

@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.