New to prepping

[mackydog10]

Hi
I’m new to prepping but reading the old threads I’ve already started but didn’t realise it. 👍
I have 2 water butts, extra tins of food, candles, fire-lighter, lanterns, batteries, oil lamps and oil supplies, a calor gas heater, sleeping bags, a pop up tent, those toilet sheets (reduced to coin size) and a whistling kettle (as a spare).
I’ve these items as I’m disabled so can’t get about if there’s a power, shopping distribution or utility provider problem. I think as long as I’m warm, dry and have light I can cope with most other things.
I’m planning on buying a gas stove and building up my food storage but it’s where to put it all is the problem. I’ve thought of putting it into the back of a built in cupboard in the bedroom and putting things in front of them to hide it from prying eyes.
Does anyone have any other suggestions of how or where to store?
I’m in a bungalow and the only other built in cupboards are the in the kitchen 🙄
Also does anyone have any tips on where to buy tinned food cheaply but with decent used by dates.
Thanks all

Aldi is pretty good for cheaper tinned food. Happy to be corrected but tins generally have a best before date on them. My personal view is that best before dates are incredibly short for tins. As long as the tin is in good nick and not dented it can be used for much longer.
Take a look at Tin Can Cook by Jack Monroe. Big fan of the corned beef chilli recipe.

Also, regarding a gas stove, please make sure that you have a good ventilation spot to use it, as well as double checking fire safety precautions.

Thanks so much for your suggestions, I’m going to look up Jack Monroe now. X

Found Lidl better than Aldi for dates. Got some 2022 stashed away.

ASDA smart price, Morrisons value, chopped tomatoes carrots peas and sweetcorn are all good.

Sainsbury's value chicken curry is tasty has more portions of veg than chicken, or I you prefer more meat, the Aldi one is meatier.

I find cous cous bloody brilliant. Add sultanas, turmeric, cumin, sunflower ( and other) seeds, dried apricots plus canned chickpeas and you have a very quick and tasty meal.

Blackeyed Susan thank you so much for your suggestions x

Great start! I honestly think that “Can’t get to the shops” and “Power/Utility going off” should be the first things anyone preps for. If you’re prepared for that then that will see you through a lot of other things.

I see you have water butts but you may want to consider getting in some of those 15p 2L bottles of water so you have some drinkable water to hand if the water goes off. I’d also recommend a way of purifying water (either boiling, purifying tablets, or a filter like a Lifestraw).

There are some great threads on here for where to start. You might want to think about first aid/medicines/prescription stuff as well.

If you have a bath then pull put the front cover, you should normally find a bit of space around the bathtub.

I'd concentrate on heat/warmth next yet - if you can heat water, hot water bottles, or other means.

Keeping heat in the house/flat:

Curtains, lined either with old curtains or proper linings.

Draft excluders for doors. Planning on making mine from dd's old tights.

I want to install a door curtain. The door has warped and is draughty.

Further insulation in the loft. It is currently a bit lumpy. several plastic wrapped cylinders unfinished job lumpy

Blinds in the bathroom to be lined.

Buying and installing air brick vents that can be closed in windy weather, frosty nights.

I need to get new windows too, but that is part of renovations.

Keeping warm inside:

Blankets and duvets on the sofa.

Many layers of clothing. Wear a hat, to bed, add a scarf in the day time and wrist warmers.
Thermal base layers, merino wool is expensive, but good. I buy blokes ones as it covers the gap between trousers and top.

Woolly socks. Three pairs. Slippers

Having three people in the room warms it up more than just one.

Surviving broken heating tips!.

Fab ideas, thank you so much.
I’ve just ordered life straws for hubby and me and Water purification sachets.
Already have draught excluders, attic and walls already insulated and having air bricks fitted soon when builder comes to repair roof. Going to source door curtains in the remaining sales.
More food for thought and an ever growing list. 😊