6 Ways Long Term Preps Give You Options Sheeple Never Have

When I first got “into” prepping several years ago now (if not longer) I saw it merely as a way to keep from being totally screwed in the short term until things got back to normal. You know, I’d have flashlights and lanterns if the lights go out, food in then pantry in case we couldn’t get to the store, a way to briefly stay warm until power comes back… that sort of thing.

In the past few years I’ve added to many of those preps and really tried to take things a bit further as is seemingly inevitable the further down the prepping “rabbit hole” you go. 😉

You see, I feel that for anyone who takes their prepping seriously you just HAVE to keep trying to extend your ability to stay alive. Doing so means longer term preps beyond a few extra batteries and cans of food in the pantry. Here’s some of what I mean and why they matter:

1. Solar Power Setup – Once you get beyond stockpiling AA batteries you’ll realize that they only last so long. You’re going to want the ability to keep things going for much longer and a solar panel setup does just that. With even a small one (of only a few hundreds dollars) you can keep rechargeable batteries charged indefinitely, run assorted DC equipment like a laptop or iPad, and even start a small business charging other people’s batteries! Think about how useful this long term prep alone can be for your preparedness? Soon you’ll be the go-to battery recharging gestapo. 😉
2. Bulk foods and the equipment to process them – Sure, I’m all about keeping the pantry full with canned goods and boxed foods we eat regularly but I’ve also expanded into a variety of bulk foods, from wheat to rice, oats, dried beans, and more. Add the equipment to process them (e.g., a quality grain grinder, bread mixer, etc) and you can now start making your own foods. No doubt, there’s a lot to learn and it’s even more work but even the ability to make a few basic foods such as flour from wheat (and therefore bread) can mean a huge difference in your preparedness level. Think about how many foods come directly from flour? A lot! Add in stuff you can do with beans (e.g., making re-fried beans from pinto beans, milk from rice if you’re desperate) and now you’re onto something sustainable.
3. Rainwater Catchment System – I still remember an article I read years back (I think it was in Nat Geo) of this African woman’s life who seemed to spend a large portion of each and every day trekking back and forth to the nearby stream to fetch water… not very clean water at that. She did this at least a handful of times each day. Think about having to do the same thing where you now live? Heck, is there even a nearby stream where that’s a possibility? For many of us, likely not. Instead, the best we can do is to collect rooftop rainwater. Once you have a relatively renewable water resource you have now a huge problem taken care of. If, however, you simply choose to store a bit of water (such as in a WaterBOB), what happens when that runs out? You’re no better off than the sheeple.
4. DC Lighting System – Like I said above, batteries only go so far. That said, I once did a post that suggested you could run a Rayovac Sportsman LED Lantern for two years straight on about $100 worth of batteries if I remember right. That’s not too shabby for the price. (Here’s a comparison of various lanterns I did if interested.) Beyond that, if you have the aforementioned solar setup you could run a decent DC lighting system indefinitely if you use LED lighting. Heck, even Christmas lights would work great. If, however, you choose a liquid-fueled option you can store a lot of kerosene and be set for years. There are many possibilities… you just have to pick one or two and do it.
5. Sanitation System – Think about building an outhouse or having a septic system installed, even a makeshift one for long term emergencies. You can make use of most septic systems for years without trouble. An outhouse just needs a new hole dug and moved. Proper sanitation control is a HUGE problem that you can have taken care of with a little forethought.
6. Cooking Setup – Sure, the trusty BBQ stove may sound like a great emergency option but that propane will only last so long. Same for the charcoal briquettes. You probably need to go with firewood for a truly renewable option. While there’s more to procuring firewood than I want to go into here but, suffice it to say, once you have that ability you can continue cooking food indefinitely. Make a brick rocket stove or really learn to love dutch oven cooking and you’ll be set for a long time. And, obviously, the ability to heat things goes well beyond cooking food, including sanitizing water, heating water for cleaning dishes, laundry, baths, etc.

I know that doesn’t cover everything but it sure is a proper start to ensuring you and your family are much, much more prepared than the sheeple populous. And, in fact, you’ll be ready for much longer term scenarios as well as short-term emergencies too.

Hope that helps get your mind right if you’re not already on the same page with me.