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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

I know Brexit has been done to death!

50 replies

Pollypenguin01 · 04/08/2019 10:07

I know everyone is sick to the back teeth of Brexit and threads about Brexit but In all seriousness should I be doing anything to plan for a no deal?

I have read the stockpiling threads and although I don’t want to go to quite that extent should I have a bit extra put aside?

I did have a few extra tins, couple bags of rice just before March but obviously used it all up and sort of didn’t bother to re stock or even think about it too much, but as it’s looming close again I’m wondering if it’s ok to not worry about getting in extra stuff?
I sort of feel bad and like a rubbish person if I don’t have a stockpile but quite honestly it does cost quite a bit extra to stock up and it’s a pain in the arse storing it, rotating it and using it up!

What are you doing about a stockpile?

OP posts:

WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 04/08/2019 10:49

Hi OP

Apparently there is a Preppers Board here which may be more helpful to you

Original poster

Pollypenguin01 · 04/08/2019 11:27

I have seen the Preppers board but I’m really asking the general public, although some of the stockpiles are very impressive!!

I don’t wish for this to sound rude but I’m really asking normal, average joe people what they are planning rather than those already disposed to WWII make do and mend, prep for life attitudes.

OP posts:

Idontwanttotalk · 04/08/2019 11:31

Nothing.

It is the stupidity of people stockpiling who will create shortage problems in the country.

Hazardtired · 04/08/2019 11:32

Get a few extra bits in when they are on offer. It's what i do anyway. I'd rather have a bit of buffer of carbs, rice/pasta, then nothing. If shit hits the fan I just need to buy veg/protein and it's there's nothing to buy I bloody love carbs so I'm sorted.

Mamamia456 · 04/08/2019 11:33

Pollypenguin01 - But that does sound rude, honestly go over to the peppers thread or the Brexit threads on stockpiling. Plenty of good advice on there.

Hazardtired · 04/08/2019 11:37

Brexit threads seem to get ignored of content which isnt helpful to OP. OP wants general consensus she's seen the prep threads.

mindproject · 04/08/2019 11:37

Idontwanttowalk - people have been stockpiling for 3 years now and it hasn't caused any shortages. There haven't been shortages yet because we haven't left the EU yet. Why do Brexiters always twist facts around (lie) to support their nonsense?

Mamamia456 · 04/08/2019 11:44

Ok then, if you just want a general opinion just do whatever you feel happy with, just buy a few extra tins or packets of stuff with a long shelf life. Don't buy stuff just for the sake of it that you're not likely to use.

BeerandBiscuits · 04/08/2019 11:44

I sort of feel bad and like a rubbish person if I don’t have a stockpile

Why on earth would you feel like that .
I'm a normal average person and not doing any kind of prepping or stockpiling. I don't know anyone in RL who is.

Mamamia456 · 04/08/2019 11:45

Sorry meant to say a few extra tins and packets a week in the run up to brexit.

mindproject · 04/08/2019 11:46

OP - I didn't spend more money than I usually spend on my weekly shop in order to build a stockpile. I just ate really cheap food for a while so I could spend the extra money on 'forward purchasing'. I have eaten quite a lot of rice, pasta and tinned mushy peas lately to pay for my reserves, all food I like anyway. I made a spreadsheet for things I would need, found the cheapest places to buy everything by doing a bit of research and bought accordingly.

If you're worried about food going out of date then start with all the non-perishable things you use - toiletries, toilet roll, cleaning things, batteries etc. Then move on to long-life food stuffs, some foods last forever (Google it). When you've done that you can buy things like veg to store in your freezer etc. Prices aren't going to come down, with or without Brexit. If you have some space to store, it makes good economic sense. Good luck.

mindproject · 04/08/2019 11:49

Why on earth would you feel like that .
I'm a normal average person and not doing any kind of prepping or stockpiling. I don't know anyone in RL who is.

I would feel a bit bad too, as if I wasn't doing my best to protect my family from a disaster we are pretty sure is going ahead. In real life my friends are stockpiling. I don't know about other people, they might be, they just aren't telling me.

Helmetbymidnight · 04/08/2019 11:54

It is the stupidity of people stockpiling who will create shortage problems in the country

hear that? dropping out of 100s of agreements covering all kinds of trade and inc food and medicines in a move regarded as 'catastrophic' to the NHS and economy will NOT harm the country- you getting in some extra food over the next few weeks will.

Hazardtired · 04/08/2019 11:58

If people panic buy a few days before exit date we won't notice if it causes problems because the problems will be coming anyway

Socksontheradiator · 04/08/2019 12:13

OP, buying groceries as and when you need them has only become the norm in the last couple of generations. It will not do you any harm at all to have what my granny called 'a well stocked pantry' To be honest, if money and time are tight, it could be one thing that saves you a few quid.
Shopping is easy in current times (household finances permitting) because of a system called the Just in Time chain. Worth a Google if you are interested t, but briefly, it means that every time you make a supermarket purchase, the computerised systems reorder the stock. Supermarkets have very little warehouse space. Many supermarket products currently come from or via Europe, and lorry loads are delivered straight to those supermarkets, daily or a couple of times a day.
This is why, unless deliveries are disrupted by poor weather, for instance, there are fully stocked supermarket shelves pretty much most of the time. This is also why, despite people going out and buying extra as a little buffer for emergencies (aka frenzied brexit stockpiling) no-one has noticed empty shelves.
However, if as experts predict, there are hold ups leading to slower/fewer deliveries to supermarkets, its easy to see how they might have less stock available to shoppers. Hence, my own belief is that it is sensible to fill my larder with shelf stable food, and have a few extra toiletries and what-not in.

mindproject · 04/08/2019 12:18

It will be the Brexiters who do all the panic buying a few days before exit day because they haven't prepped already. If there are any shortages, this and Brexit itself will be the reason. I bought extra loo roll 3 years ago, don't blame me.

WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 04/08/2019 12:23

I don’t wish for this to sound rude but I’m really asking normal, average joe people what they are planning rather than those already disposed to WWII make do

No problem . Not rude at all, no offence taken .

I personally have some tinned food and pasta and rice in . Not overly a lot as it adds up to add to it what with the weekly shop etc . Oh and little night light type candles under the sink with a torch but I have always had those for emergencies .

twofingerstoEverything · 04/08/2019 12:27

It is the stupidity of people stockpiling who will create shortage problems in the country.

What utter drivel. Buying a few cans of beans and bags of rice NOW will not lead to shortages.
The only 'shortage problem' here is a shortage in critical thinking.

MiddleForDiddle · 04/08/2019 12:30

Our pantry / cupboards are always well stocked, but it may be prudent to buy one or two extra items each week. Only buy what you would eat / use anyway.

FWIW I don't think much will change. I voted remain but I think some of the outpourings of doom are verging on the ridiculous.

Helmetbymidnight · 04/08/2019 12:32

FWIW I don't think much will change

if theres a brexit without a deal, you don't think much will change? can you explain how youve worked that out pls?

twofingerstoEverything · 04/08/2019 12:40

If you don't think much will change, you'd definitely better not read this!

Socksontheradiator · 04/08/2019 12:47

Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, has said this week that a no deal brexit will have an instant impact on supply chains and the economy. I think it is more prudent to believe him than the posters on here who think nothing much will change.

GoosetheCat · 04/08/2019 12:50

I get what you're saying OP. I'm the same as you, I haven't done any prepping. It is worrying, as no matter what people say (regardless of what they voted) no one knows what will happen. And that's the most worrying thing. I'm going to start getting a few extra tins here and there, bags of pasta etc because what's the harm? It will get used anyway, and it will make me feel better in myself knowing I have made a bit of an effort.

I think you should so what you feel is best. It doesn't matter what people around you are doing, do what you feel will be best for you and yours. If you can't afford to get lots more, just get a few extra cheap store brand tins on top of your normal shop. Hope that helps

whyamidoingthis · 04/08/2019 12:50

@Idontwanttotalk - It is the stupidity of people stockpiling who will create shortage problems in the country.

If you believe this, you obviously don't understand how supply chains work. Shops order replacement stock based on demand. If there is more demand, they order more. As there are no problems with supply at the moment, they can replace stock easily.

Stockpiling in advance is very different to panic buying in a crisis situation. Stockpiling is a sensible thing to do regardless of the circumstances, as there are often events (weather, strikes, illness etc) that interfere with supplies. Having enough in to last a few days or a few weeks simply gives you a buffer if needed.

I think every sensible person should try to have a buffer if at all possible. You can simply buy an extra one or two of things you normally use every week. Keep an eye out for offers and deals. It doesn't have to be a big armageddon thing.

I live in Ireland and have been looking at products I buy that come from the UK. I'm looking at alternative products now and also keeping a reasonable buffer of those I particularly like. I need to consider the fact that much of our supplies use the land bridge through the UK so it's not as simple as not buying British products.

MiddleForDiddle · 04/08/2019 12:54

I meant I'm not worrying about it. There's nothing I can do to change things, so what's the point in getting in a tizz about it.

(I probably should have worded it better)

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