Isn’t this why we prep?

[Wrenna]

I was reading some articles about panic buying and how some shelves are clear of loo roll, pain relieves, tissues, etc. and how people can’t find them and blame the ‘preppers’.

But it’s not the preppers, is it, that’s causing these issues, it’s the panic buyers, the people that Haven’t prepped, surely? Sure, last week I topped up my supplies, but I already had a Lot of items on hand, that I get at sales, through the year, exactly for this type of situation. I just don’t understand the distain for ‘preppers’ by some people that think we are the problem! Surely this is why we prep, isn’t it?!

I am actually filling in my shopping list whilst ready this post, very helpful. 🙂

I'm not a prepper but have always made sure I have spare toothpaste, toiletries and staples in the cupboard. DP does the weekly shop, he's always had a thing about buying the big packs of loo roll because it was good value for money and would also buy 2 lots of hand wash. I would say these are normal items you buy when shopping so I don't understand the panic buying.

I also grew up in a household where 1 of my parents had to stop working for medical reasons so our finances and shopping habits changed. Food and toiletries would be bought in bulk at payday to last the month so if anything went wrong, we would always have food to eat. We were by no means well off either, it was always the basic and no thrills range.

Very sensible @SureTry

We’re a consciously prepped house here - mostly born out of having no local family, rural life when younger and experience of full on flu as a young person.

I understand though that many people don’t have spare money that they can tie up in a few weeks spare “stuff” lying unused at any one time so really feel for parents searching for medicine or formula. Please seek help from your friends for medicine - we may have a spare bottle of Calpol in the cupboard.

This is unacceptable and if I could see if coming, while watching Hong Kong’s supermarket shelves clear several weeks ago on TV, then so should the UK authorities.

HV need to have a stock of formula and nappy vouchers so that only those with children can purchase sensible quantities like wartime rationing to avoid profiteering/panic buying/stock control issues.

I wonder why some people couldn't see it coming? More so those in responsible positions.

Exactly, I haven’t needed to go shopping this week and we had been gradually buying things over a few months, we having prepped aren’t joining with those panic buying. I’ve been around on the threads since day 1 and I still can’t see why people wouldn’t have a weeks worth of toilet rolls etc if they had the space and money and then those on the breadline who can’t can still buy things this week.

I was waiting a week for someone else to start a thread. ( Thanks mojo) I had upped the buying then.

Some sickening backslapping and smugness going on in this thread 🤦🏻‍♂️

@EarthwormJim9 , we're Preppers. Actual Preppers. Not panic buyers.
Happy to give anyone advice on prepping.

Good, simple, free app for keeping track of everything, bellinisurge?

Someone has mentioned Nest Egg Lite. I have it but haven't played with it yet

Yes it is frustrating that people confuse panic buying with prepping, when really they are opposites. I wonder if it's because covid isn't affecting people yet so they think they're "prepping" by buying it now instead of at the last minute.
We aren't real preppers but I like to have 2 of everything (at least). E.g. I used the last of the peanut butter, opened the spare jar and put "peanut butter" on shopping list. The one I just opened will last weeks but I like to have another in the cupboard so we never run out. And I do this with pretty much everything as to me it's just good sense. We also have an extra stock of some thing like cereal and tins that I bought for Brexit.

We are rural and far from shops so I've been a prepper for some time. Nipped into one of the two 'local' shops yesterday as fancied some Pringles and it was mayhem in there.

I am grateful that I ignored people who said that prepping for no deal brexit was bonkers. As a result I have been nowhere near a supermarket this week.
I hope people will start keeping more stocks in as a matter of course as a result of all this.
I'd like to think that if this was the norm, as it was only a generation or two ago, that if anyone was really stuck, it would be possible and reasonable to ask a friend /neighbour for help.
I've read a lot of references to 'every man for himself' on MN this weeks, but having plenty in as routine would enable people to be more generous (obviously not people taking the piss but like the old notion of asking the neighbour for a cup of sugar)
Re the title of this thread, yes, prepping ahead of a panic buying situation was exactly why I did it.

Honestly my eyes have been opened recently to the true extent of people's stupidit. They cannot see the difference between COVID-19 and a cold. They don't see how preppers are different from panic buyers. They can't see that it's not a case of what they would do IF schools close, bit WHEN, because of the simple fact that they won't be staffed.

The same argument are going on on endless circles on the CV board (the former AIBU thread). I feel like punching myself in the face until I knock myself out of unread it now.

If I read it

And stupidity of course!

I still have a lot of my brexit stash. I've done the online shop as normal this weekend because it's a monthly thing but hopefully I have enough to last an extra month if needs be witb no need for panic buying

@MyHipsDontLieUnfortunately (mine don't either) it's all attack attack attack, isn't it.
This silly virus doesn't give a shit whether you are prepped or not. So isn't it better to have some preps in place. Much more practical than flailing about attacking randoms on the internet to make yourself feel in control.

I have had people tease me for a while about my 'brexit stash'. It's not huge but I've been adding things ad hoc here and there. Suddenly the same people are saying, 'you haven't got any spare... have you?'

Also, do the people who have been clearing the shelves of handwash and soap by the trolleyload think that not letting other people have anything to wash their hands with is a good way to stop it spreading?

The attitudes of preppers and panic-buyers are totally opposite.

Gosh yes. Thread 12 accidentally travelled to the Covid-19 board. Really different start to the same thread to usual.

I am narked because I need to top up pasta normal shop, mainly because I can't remember where I have hidden the bloody stuff and ds has been eating lot recently.

Apart from that, it is good not to have to battle the crowd to shop.

I will see what it is like tomorrow.

@EarthwormJim9 after months of being told we're "fucking crazy" "weirdos" "conspiracy theorists" for wanting to make sure we have a few weeks, not years, weeks worth of supplies in our homes. I think it's reasonable to be able to say that we're happy we stuck with it and didn't listen to everyone.

I am a low level prepper as is my dad. I have a 10kg bag or flour and the same for rice. I buy lentils in kg bags as my dh and kids enjoy them and always have spices and herbs. I always buy hand wash and soap when in b&m and savers as it will get used and have enough to get us through the next few months. I have enough cereal to last us a month and have porridge too. What I do need to do is stock up on meat, frozen veg and fruit so will buy this at the weekend. I also need to get some more olbas oil and ibuprofen for the kids as have only one bottle in the cupboard. I also need to stock up on sanpro as I have not much left. My dh is vastly against prepping and is one of the many getting anxiety now.