Lifestyle prepping - Not just food

[HermionesOtter]

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking on these threads a while now and have loved it. I have personally benefited so much from this corner of the internet, and I'm so grateful to everyone for sharing and contributing. I think the foodie bits of prepping I'm okay with (although of course, still a total novice compared to most!).

There are some aspects of prepping I initially ignored, but know I need to sort out and get to grips with. I was wondering if anyone can recommend some sources to help with learning more about the non-food aspects of prepping, specifically things like:

• Financial security (emergency funds, clearing consumer debts, general good practices, side incomes)
• DIY for beginners (recognising issues, what's safe to do solo, HOW to do things) General skills (sewing, first aid, LIFE SKILLS* in general)

I think nailing a good combination of all of these will definitely step my preps up a notch or 10. I've done some research, but would love to hear what sources others recommend too - particularly if there are things I'm missing!

Thank you!

Financial wise Money Saving Expert has lots of information on various financial topics on the website. DIY, if it involves electric other than re-wiring a plug or changing a fuse or lightbulb call an electrician the same goes for gas, people have to be qualified to work on these for a reason. Do buy yourself a basic tool kit, a small saw, a few screwdrivers of different kinds and sizes, couple of pairs of pliers, a pair of adjustable spanners, a set of allen keys, a hammer, a tape measure, duct tape, a sink plunger and an assortment of screws and nails and maybe a spirit level. Have a look on amazon or similar for a basic DIY book or just google a few things and save them. Make a good, basic first aid kit in a container and mark it as such and keep it stocked. Look for a local basic first aid course, much better than just reading about it. Sewing wise build up a basic sewing kit, buttons, pins, safety pins, elastic, needles etc Im rubbish at sewing so someone else might be able to recommend a book. Think of various scenarios in the home and how you would cope with them and perhaps make yourself some kind of grab bag with important details in, money, food, water and seasonally appropriate clothing in case you needed to be away from home overnight in an emergency. Always keep your car fuel tank no less than half full and make sure it is well serviced, tyre pressures, oil levels and windscreen wash checked and topped up as necessary. Keep a torch, an emergency phone charger and a few other emergency items in your car too and stock up on de-icer ready for winter :)

There are lots of videos for DIY for beginners and First aid for beginners on Youtube Hermiones Youtube is definitely your friend in these instances.

Do you have a credit union locally?, if so join up put a little away each week so you can borrow in case of emergency, try to buy winter items in summer and summer bits in winter, do find a good first aid course gives you the confidence that you know what to do if needed. Photocopy all documents and keep in different place from originals, have an address book tech can be unrealible at times, keep some emergency cash handy, check charity shops for camping bits good sleeping bags and emergency blankets, keep torches in each room with spare batterys next to them, light bulbs matches an candles know how to turn water on/off change a fuse/plug have gas board/electric nums in obvious place I always live by plan for the worse hope for the best

I love all these suggestions so far - thank you @Ladybookreader, @MarshmallowManiac, @Diversion!

Debt wise - I'm clear (besides mortgage and student loans), and I've been managing to squirrel away some extra savings this year, but my partner has a a small amount of credit card debt. It's not huge, but in the spirit of prepping and being ready, it's something that probably needs paying off.

I'd not thought of document management or car emergencies at all! I need to learn to change the oil and put a spare tyre on (I shamefully have no idea). Light bulbs are another thing - totally missing from my stash! I think a good declutter is on the cards too.

It's so hard to think of non-food related ways to prep .

How are you all for the above? (and all prepping generally!!)

I have a small emergency fund to use if needed, but I feel I should build it up if I can. Don't forget cleaning, bin bags, foil, w/up liquid, washing powder, dishwasher tabs, sponges cloths, etc as these as the things you don't use everyday and could forget. A full first aid kit is essential, also think of flus/covid in Winter (lemsips, paracetamol, cough med, cough sweets). Also don't forget as if we could that Brexit is heading our way so try and have enough at home so you would need to brave the maybe panic stricken masses at the end of the year. Try and service your car before winter comes as well. Also keep emergencies supplies in car if you couldn't get home due to bad weather or any emergency (spare tyre, water, torch, blankets, food supplies that won't spoil, compass, spare charger for phone, jumper cables, reflective vest, warm clothing.
I am slowly getting on with my food preps, and trying to get ahead to Christmas/winter birthdays, but not too flush with funds at the moment lots of bills coming my way

Wish I had a credit union Ladybookreader as they were so useful when I lived in Ireland.

@MarshmallowManiac - Ooh, even more great ideas there, thank you! I just ordered some garage racking to go in a (currently unused) space in the house, so hopefully I can fill this with useful things.

I should also get some more cleaning stuff... I don't use it as much as I ought to though

No me neither Hermiones
Great ideas about the garage, used to have one in my old house, even though it was mostly filled with junk I still miss having a little space to put my stash. Have you any inventive ways to store yours?

The barefoot investor is great for getting finances sorted and ensuring you have a buffer/fire extinguisher fund. It has helped us turn our finances around significantly and we often refer back to it for a refresher when things are getting a bit chaotic.

I bought a couple of solar phone chargers for camping. Been leaving them on the windowsill lately as I’m thinking having them charged up at all times is a sensible move.

I’m new to all this but the panic buying at the start of lockdown was a pain, so I’m gradually building up a stock of stuff so it doesn’t hit us hard next time.

I have tucked away a wind up torch/radio/phone charger, a spare kindle and phone charger, batteries of all sizes, torches (incl 2 head torches), candles and matches, water purification tablets and a water purifying straw. I also keep a larger container full of water from our outside tap and a pack of bottled water that came in handy a while back when our water supply was cut off unexpectedly.
This is general prepping, not specifically pandemic, though the events of this year have proved that the unexpected can happen quite....unexpectedly.

I also keep a bit of cash tucked away, and one trick is a £20 note tightly folded in a money container keyring I have on my car/house keys. Also keep car topped up with fuel and refill before it is on half a tank.
First aid kits and blankets in both cars and house.
Flea stuff for dogs plus their medication.

For finances, take a look at Dave Ramsey. His babysteps translate well to the UK (apart from the college fund), and there are lots of posters on Instagram - search for #daveramseybabysteps

No inventive ways of hiding things @MarshmallowManiac It's currently in a shed/utility area attached to the front of the house. I might get some curtains to cover the shelves though... I don't want weird comments from the gas/electric company when they come check the meters!

And thanks @spottygymbag - I've not heard of barefoot investor before, I'll have a look! When I have time, I'd love to try and build some kind of passive income and investing seems a good place to start. Thanks also @kitschplease! I was following Dave Ramsey (albeit loosely). I think the basic steps are good, but really struggle with his intensity! Maybe I just need a kick up the bum

Great ideas about chargers/emergency lighting - I've done nothing like this at all. Perhaps come pay day I ought to invest in some extra items!! @MarkRuffaloCrumble @Whenwillow

Just a note that barefoot investor isn't strictly about investing. It's based on getting your finances in order so you can live an enjoyable lifestyle (whatever that means to you), futureproof your finances, and pay down any debt etc. it's quite holistic and not just about investing!

I would also advise having a bag in your car with some warm clothing/blanket, waterproofs, and a torch and maybe some snacks for the car.
Also I have a 'hospital bag' each so that if one of us needed to go to hospital I could just grab a bag with some pj's, snacks, entertainment (book/colouring) and cash in. My mum had to go to hospital with my nan (not too serious) just before dinner time she was bored waiting for tests and hungry and had to scrabble for change for parking! I didn't want to be in that position.

@MarshmallowManiac

No me neither Hermiones Great ideas about the garage, used to have one in my old house, even though it was mostly filled with junk I still miss having a little space to put my stash. Have you any inventive ways to store yours?

I replaced the kickboard clips with magnetic attachments and was able to simply slide trays of cans, under there. It’s amazing how much wasted space you will find in your home.

That's a great idea Lillian, I have sorted out my wardrobe, and at the moment are storing stocking fillers in there. [santa]

I've bought a DAB radio and a corded landline phone to add to my stocks. I realised we were very dependent on the internet for all our news/ communications and it only cost about £30 altogether, worth doing.

Once the DC are back at school properly I'll go through my prepping/ emergency stash and add in some of the ideas above!

We bought hair clippers and hair scissors during lockdown so we can give each other haircuts. My hair is thick and wavy so DH trimming it is ok and DH now prefers me doing his hair so the equipment has paid for itself.

We are currently stocking up on wine, wood for the log burner and I ordered lots of cat food, litter, flea and worm treatment to make sure whatever happens we have enough of the essentials.

We are also debating whether to get an x box for entertainment in case of another lockdown.

Stock up on home hair dye if you use it.

Fire extinguisher.

Snow shovel.

Both things my friends laughed at me for buying. Both things I have used at home.

YouTube and blogs are good resources for basic sewing skills and sewing projects. Not the 5 minute makeover type channels. Those are unrealistic. But there are many keen crafters who film themselves and step you clearly through projects. Just google ' shortening trousers' or ' inserting a zip' or whatever it is you wish to do.

If you cannot have all your stashes clearly viewable on shelves, keep a record of what you have, where it is, and any use-by dates.

Bookshelves are often too deep for paperbacks (I'm looking at you, Ikea Billy). A row of stash items can go at the back of the shelf, with paperbacks in front.

@Dilbertian are your friends seriously laughing at you for buying a fire extinguisher? Surely that, smoke alarms and a fire blanket are the first things you buy when you move into a new place.

Before we had kids - yes, they did. But then how many people have ever had a fire at home? I don't know anybody who has had a house fire, and I don't know anybody who has used a fire extinguisher on an accidental fire (thus preventing it turning into a house fire!). It's like insurance. You never believe you'll use it, but it's not a waste of money if you ever need it.

@Dilbertian where I live you pay less house insurance if you have all these things, the insurance company even give it to you for free. I haven’t had a house fire, but on two occasions recently had (new and supposedly safe ones) candles that out of nowhere set on fire, like 50 cm open flames. One bigger candke and a tea light. My teenager calmly got the fire blanket, but had we not sat right in front I honestly don’t know how it would have ended. I got one for my car as well.