Page 19 | Getting prepared just in case

Olympeagal · 2026-02-28T15:24:03+00:00

Is anyone else preparing or making plans, in case the situation in the Middle East escalates? Ive filled my car up with fuel. Should i be doing more?

tommyhoundmum · 01/03/2026 21:21

TheChirpyReader · 01/03/2026 17:01

I couldn't get TP for a week or so at the beginning of 1st covid lockdown. Used kitchen roll instead and put it in the bin.

It was a minor inconvenience.

After that it wasn't a problem because the panic-buyers and stockpilers realised toilet paper was now again available in the shops and their stock pile wasn't making them rich in pandemic currency.

Edited

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My single neighbour carried home 4 huge bags of 18 rolls just as the pandemic started

tommyhoundmum · 01/03/2026 21:24

Topbobble · 01/03/2026 13:24

A guy selling petrol trying to get people to buy more, no way!

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Petrol prices always go up when there is a Middle East crisis. Shortages often follow.

zoolikefeatures · 01/03/2026 21:50

I am not stock piling or preparing anything beyond topping up my oil tank. I will do that tomorrow but it’s due within the next month or so anyway.

RedRiverShore6 · 01/03/2026 21:52

My car was about a quarter full I'm not waiting a week to fill it so I can pay more

CatsAreBetterThanMen · 02/03/2026 00:07

UpAndDownAllTheTime · 28/02/2026 15:25

Stockpile baklava.

I'd have said chocolate myself. Imagine how awful it would be for the four minute warning to go off, to know these were possibly your last moments alive and to have no chocolate in the house to stuff in your mouth. Doesn't bear thinking of.

Giraffehaver · 02/03/2026 00:21

Stop being silly

MrsVBS · 02/03/2026 06:17

Get a grip, people like you filling their car up and panic buying cause the issues. Stop watching the news and get on with your day.

Franjipanl8r · 02/03/2026 08:12

RedRiverShore6 · 28/02/2026 15:42

I thought that was made here, not the ME

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It is 😂 definitely the most bonkers of the Covid era supermarket panic buying! Let’s not repeat that.

Franjipanl8r · 02/03/2026 08:13

I’m preparing by reading MN posts whilst drinking my morning coffee, is that enough panicking I wonder?!

Clearinguptheclutter · 02/03/2026 08:24

Unless you live in the region, no

Waitfortheguinness · 02/03/2026 08:26

omg, must go and stock up on 124 toilet rolls……you know, just in case 🤔

VIOLETPUGH · 02/03/2026 08:28

Here we go! Toilet roll gate all over again.

Historian0111101000 · 02/03/2026 08:38

I honestly don’t understand why this topic is getting such negative and mocking replies.

I have a family, and being prepared has always been part of my lifestyle. I’m not panicking or reacting to current events. If the shops closed tomorrow, we would be fine for quite some time.

What I learned from COVID is that relying entirely on shops and supply chains isn’t wise. Disruptions can happen, and people don’t always act rationally under stress. Because of that, I keep a well-stocked pantry, extra fridge and freezer space, and plenty of stored goods. I also grow food in my garden. I have a log burner and plenty of wood if I ever needed to cook or heat the house, and I also have a water collection and filter, even though I’ve never had to use it.

I’m not saying everyone needs to live this way, but for me, it’s simply about being responsible and self-reliant, especially when you have a family. This used to be normal way of living before people started to rely on shops.

If others choose not to do this, that’s completely their choice. But being prepared as part of your normal lifestyle or planning on starting it shouldn’t be something people are mocked for.

ForeverTheOptomist · 02/03/2026 09:31

BackinRed101 · 01/03/2026 16:14

if toilet paper is limited then they could always have a separate bin like the hospitals have for the wipes etc

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Hey,. Better still. Recycle it.

(I can't believe that I've just said that. Sorry.)

UpAndDownAllTheTime · 02/03/2026 09:42

Historian0111101000 · 02/03/2026 08:38

I honestly don’t understand why this topic is getting such negative and mocking replies.

I have a family, and being prepared has always been part of my lifestyle. I’m not panicking or reacting to current events. If the shops closed tomorrow, we would be fine for quite some time.

What I learned from COVID is that relying entirely on shops and supply chains isn’t wise. Disruptions can happen, and people don’t always act rationally under stress. Because of that, I keep a well-stocked pantry, extra fridge and freezer space, and plenty of stored goods. I also grow food in my garden. I have a log burner and plenty of wood if I ever needed to cook or heat the house, and I also have a water collection and filter, even though I’ve never had to use it.

I’m not saying everyone needs to live this way, but for me, it’s simply about being responsible and self-reliant, especially when you have a family. This used to be normal way of living before people started to rely on shops.

If others choose not to do this, that’s completely their choice. But being prepared as part of your normal lifestyle or planning on starting it shouldn’t be something people are mocked for.

Because of that, I keep a well-stocked pantry, extra fridge and freezer space, and plenty of stored goods. I also grow food in my garden. I have a log burner and plenty of wood if I ever needed to cook or heat the house, and I also have a water collection and filter, even though I’ve never had to use it.

I think we just reached peak Mumsnet. Should we also just "dip into our savings"?!

Unpaidviewer · 02/03/2026 10:04

Historian0111101000 · 02/03/2026 08:38

I honestly don’t understand why this topic is getting such negative and mocking replies.

I have a family, and being prepared has always been part of my lifestyle. I’m not panicking or reacting to current events. If the shops closed tomorrow, we would be fine for quite some time.

What I learned from COVID is that relying entirely on shops and supply chains isn’t wise. Disruptions can happen, and people don’t always act rationally under stress. Because of that, I keep a well-stocked pantry, extra fridge and freezer space, and plenty of stored goods. I also grow food in my garden. I have a log burner and plenty of wood if I ever needed to cook or heat the house, and I also have a water collection and filter, even though I’ve never had to use it.

I’m not saying everyone needs to live this way, but for me, it’s simply about being responsible and self-reliant, especially when you have a family. This used to be normal way of living before people started to rely on shops.

If others choose not to do this, that’s completely their choice. But being prepared as part of your normal lifestyle or planning on starting it shouldn’t be something people are mocked for.

It seems that most posters can't differentiate between getting reasonably prepared and panic buying. I did post the government guidance on preparing further up the thread. Having a little buffer stops the panic buying. We have a small amount of bottled water, so when the water got turned off here a few moths ago we didn't have to worry. People cleared out the shops and then those with no transport were screwed.

Whatafustercluck · 02/03/2026 10:11

I filled my car up yesterday, but that was because I always do at the start of the month after I get paid. The situation in the middle east didn't really occur to me, although I suppose fuel prices are always affected by war there.

My friend's brother and sil live in Dubai though, and said it's very scary. Not really a place that has ever appealed to me either as a holiday destination or place to live, but lots of uk families will be directly affected by this as many know people who live or work or holiday over there.

But I'm not planning on doing any prep just yet. I do need to do the weekly food shop though.

Dwappy · 02/03/2026 10:32

Historian0111101000 · 02/03/2026 08:38

I honestly don’t understand why this topic is getting such negative and mocking replies.

I have a family, and being prepared has always been part of my lifestyle. I’m not panicking or reacting to current events. If the shops closed tomorrow, we would be fine for quite some time.

What I learned from COVID is that relying entirely on shops and supply chains isn’t wise. Disruptions can happen, and people don’t always act rationally under stress. Because of that, I keep a well-stocked pantry, extra fridge and freezer space, and plenty of stored goods. I also grow food in my garden. I have a log burner and plenty of wood if I ever needed to cook or heat the house, and I also have a water collection and filter, even though I’ve never had to use it.

I’m not saying everyone needs to live this way, but for me, it’s simply about being responsible and self-reliant, especially when you have a family. This used to be normal way of living before people started to rely on shops.

If others choose not to do this, that’s completely their choice. But being prepared as part of your normal lifestyle or planning on starting it shouldn’t be something people are mocked for.

I also do/have a lot of these things because I had an inheritance and was able to buy a bigger house than I had previously. So I have a garden, a garage where I can have a pantry area and an extra fridge and freezer.

But before my inheritance I lived in a one bedroom flat with no garden and no garage. Where exactly would I be growing my own veg, have water collection, and have a log burner with loads of extra wood and an extra fridge freezer and storing tons of bottled water etc? I wouldn’t have been able to get in my flat anymore if I’d have had all that.

So while I love the fact I’m able to have stuff prepared now, I get why others can’t and it’s not really a choice for them not to in plenty of situations!

Starlight1979 · 02/03/2026 10:34

SeaShellsSanctuary1 · 28/02/2026 16:52

Why, are you planning to drive there?

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😆

ForeverTheOptomist · 02/03/2026 11:18

Historian0111101000 · 02/03/2026 08:38

I honestly don’t understand why this topic is getting such negative and mocking replies.

I have a family, and being prepared has always been part of my lifestyle. I’m not panicking or reacting to current events. If the shops closed tomorrow, we would be fine for quite some time.

What I learned from COVID is that relying entirely on shops and supply chains isn’t wise. Disruptions can happen, and people don’t always act rationally under stress. Because of that, I keep a well-stocked pantry, extra fridge and freezer space, and plenty of stored goods. I also grow food in my garden. I have a log burner and plenty of wood if I ever needed to cook or heat the house, and I also have a water collection and filter, even though I’ve never had to use it.

I’m not saying everyone needs to live this way, but for me, it’s simply about being responsible and self-reliant, especially when you have a family. This used to be normal way of living before people started to rely on shops.

If others choose not to do this, that’s completely their choice. But being prepared as part of your normal lifestyle or planning on starting it shouldn’t be something people are mocked for.

Do you mind if I move in? Sounds bliss!

TheignT · 02/03/2026 12:15

BackinRed101 · 01/03/2026 16:14

if toilet paper is limited then they could always have a separate bin like the hospitals have for the wipes etc

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Let me guess who will get the job of dealing with that delightful bin.

Historian0111101000 · 02/03/2026 12:18

UpAndDownAllTheTime · 02/03/2026 09:42

Because of that, I keep a well-stocked pantry, extra fridge and freezer space, and plenty of stored goods. I also grow food in my garden. I have a log burner and plenty of wood if I ever needed to cook or heat the house, and I also have a water collection and filter, even though I’ve never had to use it.

I think we just reached peak Mumsnet. Should we also just "dip into our savings"?!

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What does this have to do with savings? This is my lifestyle. I live in a semi-rural area, and I cook everything from scratch, which requires a full pantry. I order everything in bulk because it’s cheaper and doesn’t involve plastic packaging.

I don’t think that’s weird—if anything, I’m saving a lot of money this way. If you don’t want to do this, that’s fine, but I don’t see why it’s a problem if other people do.

In the modern world, people have just become used to relying on the system for everything instead of being self-sufficient, so anything different seems strange to them.

TheignT · 02/03/2026 12:21

TheignT · 01/03/2026 18:03

Oh dear. I've failed on an epic scale. Not sure I've got enough for three days for most things. I have got plenty of tea bags and breakfast cereal. Shame I've only got enough milk for a couple of mugs of tea. I'll have to see what my click and collect order produces tomorrow.

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Got my click and collect order so I have milk, which means I can use my tea and cereal. I've also got some fruit, veg, bread, butter, eggs and some meat. No panic buying as I did my order last Wednesday.

Historian0111101000 · 02/03/2026 12:22

Dwappy · 02/03/2026 10:32

I also do/have a lot of these things because I had an inheritance and was able to buy a bigger house than I had previously. So I have a garden, a garage where I can have a pantry area and an extra fridge and freezer.

But before my inheritance I lived in a one bedroom flat with no garden and no garage. Where exactly would I be growing my own veg, have water collection, and have a log burner with loads of extra wood and an extra fridge freezer and storing tons of bottled water etc? I wouldn’t have been able to get in my flat anymore if I’d have had all that.

So while I love the fact I’m able to have stuff prepared now, I get why others can’t and it’s not really a choice for them not to in plenty of situations!

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I agree. But why do people make fun of those who live like that or are planning to live like that just because they can’t do it themselves?

I completely changed my lifestyle around seven years ago, and it was a learning process for me. People need to start somewhere.

TheignT · 02/03/2026 15:32

I think my problem is I'm married to a hoarder. If you need tools, torches, screws of any and every size, some books from when he was at school(next birthday he's 80) he's your man but I did persuade him to get rid of his cap and blazer. You probably get the picture. My reaction is I have the minimum of everything, if I've got a scrape of moisturiser in the jar I don't buy another one till it's empty. I know how many days it takes my surgery to issue a prescription and how long the pharmacy takes to prepare my med. I usually get my med the day mine runs out.

So I guess I have a psychological problem with prepping. A good example of the difference is his car never goes below three quarters full, I never get petrol till I get the low fuel warning.

I have no desire to laugh at anyone, they might laugh at me but I can't help it.