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Preppers

Russia and Ukraine, US preppers in high doh, potential impacts here?

183 replies

BiddyPop · 28/01/2022 13:30

A number of US and Canadian based preppers seem to be getting even more anxious about the potential for DOOOOOOMMMMMM than usual - partly transport and logistics issues, but also theories about "government interference" and impending potential conflict situations.

Here, I am seeing

  • Bird flu outbreaks happening (no longer just warnings and odd tiny spots)
-Potential that Russia will invade Ukraine thus shutting off gas supplies to Europe causing even more energy price increases/potentially shortage of supply
  • Continuing logistics issues caused by the combination of Covid and Brexit
  • Relatively high inflation on food and many other items

But, on the less pessimistic side:

  • the weather is not as bad as many years,
  • there is food on the shelves in shops, (gaps yes, but plenty of food)
  • lots of countries are trying to talk Russia down,
  • Covid is less of an issue as Omicron is making people so much less sick in general, even if it is making more people mildly sick
  • and China is being very quiet at the moment.

So I'm trying to decide if I should be optimistic or pessimistic (currently at a point of starting to use up some of my back up supplies and run down stores again, but wondering if I should just be turning them over and replacing what I use rather than depleting them).

And if I should be looking at things like water purification systems or other areas of prepping (am ok for alternative cooking, reasonable alternative heating, some backup power and some water storage etc).

OP posts:
LovePoppy · 29/01/2022 21:46

What’s the point of running down stores?

Admittedly I do not have a large stock of stuff, but could happily live 2-3 weeks without groceries, but that’s only an extra few days from my pre 2019 normal.

Canadian grocery stores are so hot or miss right now. So many reasons as to why that is. It’s wild. I plan on spending a few hours this week re organizing the pantry. I’m just hoping the power outage from the storm today doesn’t last too long. We just did a Costco trip. -21 with no power is no fun.

Ladybookreader · 30/01/2022 03:18

Big worry is the extra cost of things everything getting more expensive from food, fuel to insurance costs. I'm planning on buying an extra gas bottle for cooking so rather than 1 tapped and 1 spare I'll have 2 spare bought more touches/batteries and an keeping stocked up as normal just rotating. Nothing we can do about any conflicts/weather only be as prepared as possible to lock the doors and bunker down. Must get more chocolate

BiddyPop · 30/01/2022 08:46

I'd overstocked for the past 2 years - from early Jan 2020 I had built up extras compared to my usual store cupboard, seeing what was happening in China and worried about Brexit. But I need my wardrobe back for clothes and, while we still need some extra, we don't need the amount I have. And some of it is quite random at this stage. That's why I am trying to reduce the current levels of food, at least.

OP posts:
Sideorderofchips · 30/01/2022 09:06

No one should be running down preps really at rhe moment.

If Russia invades Ukraine no one knows what will really happen. As Ukraine isn't part of nato they can not evoke article 5 so it won't be complete east vs West. But its all very up in the air atm and no one knows what the consequences would be

BiddyPop · 31/01/2022 11:12

I guess I should do a proper rotation instead so - which means a lot of random meals for a few weeks but also getting more rice, tinned corn and coconut milk in particular, and making an effort to put together stews etc for slow cooking instead of 15 minute meals at the last minute (to use up various packets...our habits have really changed).

Strangely, as I was doing an online order this week (got a voucher which gave me €12 off even after delivery charge), the normal pack of 24 toilet rolls is €9 but there's an offer of 3 packs for €20....so someone must think there are people stocking up again. Even if there are no jars of curry sauces except the Uncle Ben's yellow stuff....

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 01/02/2022 01:30

Curry made from component parts: tinned tomatoes, tinned veg(carrots,peas,onions, chickpeas) spices, rice or tinned potatoes.

Fireworks going off until 12.15.am

Need to put cooled tea (dinner/supper) in the fridge.

BlackeyedSusan · 01/02/2022 01:34

Sorry brain melted by noise and tiredness...

Stir fry was using up some tins as well as fresh veg. We still have enough tins to last quite a while. Curry features quite high up the possible recipes.

BiddyPop · 02/02/2022 20:25

Thanks BlackEyed, I'm decent at curry from "fry onion, garlic, ginger and add spices" but a recipe using all tins is great to have.

My main need for jars is convenience for everyday life (work is too nuts) rather than a prepper emergency stocks thing.

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 03/02/2022 18:06

Yeah jars are nice: open, tip, nuke, stir.

I like the sachets of microwave rice as well when I am too tired. Tin of curry, tin of carrots, tin of peas and sachet of rice for me and ds. (One of my favourite treats as delicious and easy)

No shame in prepping for working late with easy meals. (Or COVID/colds etc when you feel a bit too shit to cook)

My other favourite is cous cous packet with added dried fruit, chickpeas and seeds. DD cooks it herself which is even better.

(Sorry first post was a bit granny suck eggs, was very very sleep deprived)

FindingMeno · 03/02/2022 18:11

I'm erring on the more optimistic atm.
Possibly because I just can't face being on high alert permanently.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 13/02/2022 07:25

This situation seems to be gathering pace. So a place make from me. I think it might be harder to get fuel supplies, would this be the case?

Phrenologistsfinger · 13/02/2022 08:24

Also place holding.
Looks like you are right - oil/petrol/gas, cars, metal, generators and pharma
lordslibrary.parliament.uk/uk-trade-with-russia

We have an EV so should be good on that front, unless energy bills get even crazier. Keep pondering solar panels/home battery wall but that’s a big outlay.

saltedBubbly · 13/02/2022 08:44

I started a thread in Chat to discuss the potential impacts but it got derailed by xenophobic fear mongering about refugees.

I will keep my fuel topped up. Someone on my thread said that Ukraine is a big producer of wheat - so the price of wheat is likely to increase. I may replenish my staples stock - pasta, noodles, rice.

I've also been advised to make sure I have cash - a cyber attack could disrupt banking services

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 13/02/2022 09:06

Thank you for the précis of the salient points on the thread salted, I was looking at your thread but it seemed to have very few posters giving any advice so I looked for another thread on it!

Canaloha · 13/02/2022 09:07

On the other hand Russias economy is not doing well at all, its unlikely they are going to shut the gas off, they will probably try and raise the prices if anything- ever wonder why countries are so arsed about Russia?

Uptheclarets · 13/02/2022 09:30

saltedBubbly - definitely look out for prices going up on wheat products. Flour is also one to look out for. Best (if you can) to stick a few extra bits in your basket this week

saltedBubbly · 13/02/2022 10:04

@ThroughThickAndThin01

Thank you for the précis of the salient points on the thread salted, I was looking at your thread but it seemed to have very few posters giving any advice so I looked for another thread on it!
There are lots of sensible posters on there and some useful discussion. If you ignore the xenophobia
saltedBubbly · 13/02/2022 10:05

How on earth do we prepare for cyber attack?

Uptheclarets · 13/02/2022 10:11

Cyber attack - make sure you have cash in your house, then if the card machines go down you still have a way to pay for food etc

WhiteJellycat · 13/02/2022 19:47

I withdraw a few hundred and put it in a sealed envelope in my purse and selotape it shut. Then I wont spend it. Cash is less secure but its handy in two ways. Its bonus money I didnt budget for when I spend it and its handy for when places IT goes down. I actually had to spend it last Saturday as we all went out for dinner and the card system was down so it was cash only.

I appreciate I'm lucky that I can draw out cash just to sit in my purse but you could draw out cash for shopping and build up cash with the change.

I'm worried again about getting things like uniform for the kids. That situation never seems to improve.

JacketOnTheHook · 13/02/2022 19:56

Place marking.

Malariahilaria · 14/02/2022 07:24

May I join. Went through my stocks this weekend and was embarrassed to see how many things are out of date, its mostly flour and pasta so wouldn't kill us in an emergency but I'll be off to aldi shortly to top up. I'm also ordering more batteries for the torches and pondering if it's worth getting another camping gas cannister.

BlackeyedSusan · 14/02/2022 21:53

Wheat you say?

Well pasta is fairly well sorted. Flour not so much so. Will sort through cupboards tomorrow.

BlackeyedSusan · 15/02/2022 20:20

Didn't manage flour as had an autistic teen with me but filled up with petrol.

Northstar1234 · 20/02/2022 18:29

Looking at the news the Russia issue is seeming more likely. I’ve filled the car with fuel, ordered extra oil for the house. Any other suggestions? Food stocks are relatively good but need more protein for freezer.

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