what are your prepping goals for the next year (or two)?

[Brent S]

Yes, I'm looking for good ideas! My main goal over the next two years is to get power independant. It's an expensive deal so will have to be a long term goal. I want to get as set as possible to deal with a loss of the grid having minimal impact on my life.

 

[tntboy13]

Well for me it's acquire some rain barrels and continue with food preps. Maybe try to build a simple sand water filter, and continue adding things to a BOB though I have recently decided that it may be better to prepare to bug in, that's why I'm increasing the basics to accommodate for more people and longer times

 

[psalm 7]

To have a emergency solor panel that will run lighting and communacations . A inner parimiter defence that I can take up and put down as I want . A dedacated SHTF vehicle set up to respond to most types of emergencys . I have a unused well on my property that I want to make manual powered like the old hand pumps it's already in a well house (I actualy have city water out here in the boondocks) . expanded more organized food and other supply storage . Other than that I already use my homesteading plans as a hobbie and security is 2nd nature to me .

 

[carhugger_prep]

My goal is a supplies stockpile built up over the next two years.

 

[realisticdude]

An aquaponic Tilapia greenhouse......................................... do you really think we have two years .

 

[Trapper]

Put in a hand pump well. Replace many of my preps. Due to a job change I had to relocate. I used down alot of my preps to avoid moving them. The process to restock will take a bit financially. I also plan on building a hidden room for storage just for preps.

 

[Brent S]

Well for me it's acquire some rain barrels and continue with food preps. Maybe try to build a simple sand water filter, and continue adding things to a BOB though I have recently decided that it may be better to prepare to bug in, that's why I'm increasing the basics to accommodate for more people and longer times

Glad you're taking steps towards what your goals are. My goals change every so often, but i keep working towards something.

 

[Brent S]

To have a emergency solor panel that will run lighting and communacations . A inner parimiter defence that I can take up and put down as I want . A dedacated SHTF vehicle set up to respond to most types of emergencys . I have a unused well on my property that I want to make manual powered like the old hand pumps it's already in a well house (I actualy have city water out here in the boondocks) . expanded more organized food and other supply storage . Other than that I already use my homesteading plans as a hobbie and security is 2nd nature to me .

that well idea would probably go higher on my kind of list. (I wish I had one)!

 

[Brent S]

My goal is a supplies stockpile built up over the next two years.

My problem at first is I stored alot of food that I didn't even really like. The old saying of "buy what you eat, and eat what you buy" is so true. I am pretty good now, and I rotate reasonably well, but I donated alot of canned goods to a soup kitchen when I started.

 

[carhugger_prep]

My problem at first is I stored alot of food that I didn't even really like. The old saying of "buy what you eat, and eat what you buy" is so true. I am pretty good now, and I rotate reasonably well, but I donated alot of canned goods to a soup kitchen when I started.

Thanks for the input. Luckily the “buy what you eat” part for me is simple so I can buy a bunch of that. I just have to learn how to can. So I can can things like meat.

 

[Gazrok]

I'm kind of working with a 5 year plan (includes this year).

Rest of this year:
Fully prep garden areas (fencing, soil prep, etc.), soaker hoses, row framing, etc.
Build out bunny stall (converting one of the horse stalls for the bunnies)
Rig some lights on chicken coup and in hay storage shed
Get a good diesel generator (at end of storm season, may find a deal)
Dakota driveway alarm (existing one kind of sucks)
Redo garage/workbench station (and with a Faraday cabinet for power tool storage, along with other electronics)
Keep replacing all light bulbs with LED (use less power)
Build good-sized doghouse in dog yard
Freezer chest for more frozen food storage
Walling up the glass doors from back porch (ManCave) to living room (mostly for wall space, but also removes this weak security issue).

Next year:
Grow gardens (starting in Feb) (both food gardens and medicinal/herb gardens)
Add another riding horse
Antique sewing machine (probably get this sooner, if we see a good deal)
Put in Koi pond (after cold weather is over, and after gutter system in that area)
Plant fruit trees (apple, orange, pear, avocado) and bushes (more blackberries and some blueberries)
Get more rain barrels and gutters to feed them
Put in an above ground pool (for fun, but also more water storage) and deck around it, including grill station
Install manual well pump
Camera system with 8 cameras
Build concrete planters (that can be dug out to be sentry positions)
Secret door bookcase to bedroom (mostly really for book storage than security, but just a neat idea and the location is perfect for it).
Inset vehicle stopping posts along street-facing fence (every 4 feet, 6 inch diameter posts, 2' out of ground, 2' in ground)
Add goats to the menagerie

Following year:
Solar powered well pump
Solar powered entry gate (more for convenience than security)
Start augmenting some items with solar powered options (especially in stables and garage).
Fuel storage tanks and pumps
Convert utility hall for food storage (will have home-canned fruit/veggies), revamp pantry and some interior closets as well.
Start on improved fencing (higher and newer fencing in back and sides of property)
Put in small bathroom for stables (this may be more of an outhouse style, have water running there, but not sewage yet)
Get more oil lamps, lamp oil storage
Expand chicken coup, add roosters and incubation area/equipment
Get more bunnies (use breeding area of stall conversion)

After:
Increased use of solar power, with goal of eventually being able to go off grid completely (although with reduced power use if doing so) and still have AC, appliances, etc.
Get enough inflatable mattresses to convert stalls to bedrooms if needed (along with more bed linens)
Amass more building supplies for repairs, converting stalls to living areas.
Amass more medical supplies, equipment
Increase food stores (dry goods, canned meats, powdered dairy, etc.)
Amass spare key auto parts for existing vehicles
Increased water storage tanks
Old school crank radio stations around ranch
Continue to redo fencing (add barbed wire to sides and rear once all is at 8' height, you really don't see these fences from the road, so no eyesore. Plan is to have the materials to then add to front fence post SHTF).

I'm sure there are some minor things I'm forgetting though.

 

[Brent S]

Thanks for the input. Luckily the “buy what you eat” part for me is simple so I can buy a bunch of that. I just have to learn how to can. So I can can things like meat.

danilgrl is pretty good with the canning thing, so is quietheart. I just got into it within the last two years, and it's really pretty easy. The first time i used the pressure canner I was a little worried about blowing up the kitchen, but it went well. Seriously, It's pretty safe, just make sure you follow tried and true reciepies from a book, or someone who's been doing it for a long time. I started with making pickels. You almost cant go wrong with them. It will take a little investment, but a couple hundred dollars can get you everything you need, and the jars can be used over and over for years.

 

[Brent S]

I'm kind of working with a 5 year plan (includes this year).

Rest of this year:
Fully prep garden areas (fencing, soil prep, etc.), soaker hoses, row framing, etc.
Build out bunny stall (converting one of the horse stalls for the bunnies)
Rig some lights on chicken coup and in hay storage shed
Get a good diesel generator (at end of storm season, may find a deal)
Dakota driveway alarm (existing one kind of sucks)
Redo garage/workbench station (and with a Faraday cabinet for power tool storage, along with other electronics)
Keep replacing all light bulbs with LED (use less power)
Build good-sized doghouse in dog yard
Freezer chest for more frozen food storage
Walling up the glass doors from back porch (ManCave) to living room (mostly for wall space, but also removes this weak security issue).

Next year:
Grow gardens (starting in Feb) (both food gardens and medicinal/herb gardens)
Add another riding horse
Antique sewing machine (probably get this sooner, if we see a good deal)
Put in Koi pond (after cold weather is over, and after gutter system in that area)
Plant fruit trees (apple, orange, pear, avocado) and bushes (more blackberries and some blueberries)
Get more rain barrels and gutters to feed them
Put in an above ground pool (for fun, but also more water storage) and deck around it, including grill station
Install manual well pump
Camera system with 8 cameras
Build concrete planters (that can be dug out to be sentry positions)
Secret door bookcase to bedroom (mostly really for book storage than security, but just a neat idea and the location is perfect for it).
Inset vehicle stopping posts along street-facing fence (every 4 feet, 6 inch diameter posts, 2' out of ground, 2' in ground)
Add goats to the menagerie

Following year:
Solar powered well pump
Solar powered entry gate (more for convenience than security)
Start augmenting some items with solar powered options (especially in stables and garage).
Fuel storage tanks and pumps
Convert utility hall for food storage (will have home-canned fruit/veggies), revamp pantry and some interior closets as well.
Start on improved fencing (higher and newer fencing in back and sides of property)
Put in small bathroom for stables (this may be more of an outhouse style, have water running there, but not sewage yet)
Get more oil lamps, lamp oil storage
Expand chicken coup, add roosters and incubation area/equipment
Get more bunnies (use breeding area of stall conversion)

After:
Increased use of solar power, with goal of eventually being able to go off grid completely (although with reduced power use if doing so) and still have AC, appliances, etc.
Get enough inflatable mattresses to convert stalls to bedrooms if needed (along with more bed linens)
Amass more building supplies for repairs, converting stalls to living areas.
Amass more medical supplies, equipment
Increase food stores (dry goods, canned meats, powdered dairy, etc.)
Amass spare key auto parts for existing vehicles
Increased water storage tanks
Old school crank radio stations around ranch
Continue to redo fencing (add barbed wire to sides and rear once all is at 8' height, you really don't see these fences from the road, so no eyesore. Plan is to have the materials to then add to front fence post SHTF).

I'm sure there are some minor things I'm forgetting though.

you're as bad as me! that's one heck of a list. I also keep changing the priority of things on my list. Sometimes just because it sounds fun to do something different.

 

[Gazrok]

My priorities change often too. This is just the PLAN...but mostly, because I can't afford to do all at once (either time or finances). Originally, the garden was going to be this year, but I just have too many other expenses to meet the Sept planting season, so next one is Feb. I should be able to meet that. I really want to get the fruit trees in, as it will be at least 5 years before they bear fruit. I may try a banana tree also.

The pool may or may not happen next year, but I really want to do it if I can. The concrete planters may be pushed to the following year due to materials cost.

The goats may just depend on making a deal, trade, etc. So often, I adjust my plans based on trading with others. Kind of a country thing, I've learned.

My big dual project for the rest of this year is converting a horse stall to be a bunny house, so they have more room than the hutches they are in now. With the left over material, will also be building a good-sized doghouse for the dog yard, so they have a nice dry place in case it rains while they are outside.

 

[tr2212]

As a newbie prepper, mine is kind of simple:
1 Get out of condo. Got it on the market.
2 Get a house or some land outside of the city. Hoping #1 happens to make this easier to do.

After that, I am going to go down the checklist: security, water, food, bunker, fortification. Rinse and repeat.

 

[QuietH3art]

I had hoped my plan for the next year was to be selling my home, getting an RV and travelling. That's been nixed, though, because my son just received a job offer that has the potential to be an excellent lifelong career. And it comes with an initial one-year contract, which means he needs this house to live in for that year.
So, time for a new plan. I imagine I'll continue to do what I've been doing the last couple of months: experimenting with growing different plants and studying medicinal use of herbs and oils.
I sold my goats because I had started throwing milk away and then realized that I still can't drink store bought milk. So, I made arrangements to purchase a very pregnant female goat from the woman I got the first 3 from - I pick her up tomorrow. I'll find someone in the neighborhood who needs milk and give them my extra. I should have done that before but with the anticipated travel, it made more sense to just sell my goats.
Ah, the joys of parenthood and always being at the mercy of offspring.

 

[Brent S]

I had hoped my plan for the next year was to be selling my home, getting an RV and travelling. That's been nixed, though, because my son just received a job offer that has the potential to be an excellent lifelong career. And it comes with an initial one-year contract, which means he needs this house to live in for that year.
So, time for a new plan. I imagine I'll continue to do what I've been doing the last couple of months: experimenting with growing different plants and studying medicinal use of herbs and oils.
I sold my goats because I had started throwing milk away and then realized that I still can't drink store bought milk. So, I made arrangements to purchase a very pregnant female goat from the woman I got the first 3 from - I pick her up tomorrow. I'll find someone in the neighborhood who needs milk and give them my extra. I should have done that before but with the anticipated travel, it made more sense to just sell my goats.
Ah, the joys of parenthood and always being at the mercy of offspring.

Sometimes it seems the more grownup they get the more parenting they need! I have lots of goals that seem to get pushed back again and again. I guess the best you can do is just keep working towards what you want, sooner or later you'll get there. I think it's great to share what you're able to produce. I'm still feeling a little guilty that i take most of my ugly or extra veggies and feed it to my animals mostly instead of the neighbors. I have shared some with co workers, but it helps to cut cost on feed.

 

[QuietH3art]

You have to be careful about sharing with neighbors. They begin to get a sense of entitlement, that you "owe" them. I honestly do not know how the human race has survived this long. That's why I've been wary of sharing to this point. If the neighborhood knew what I had in the backyard - well, it would only make me that much more of a target than I already am. I've been racking my brain trying to think if there is a neighbor who might be in need that I could give my extra milk to, but no one is coming to mind. If I had known then what I know now, I would have kept Dixie's doeling because then I would not have had to milk her all the time and could have just milked enough for my needs. With the new pregnant one I am getting today, I will leave her kid(s) with her for as long as they will nurse. I have no desire to make any more cheese - my freezer is full of mozzarella, I don't use ricotta and I don't like the texture of the simple goat cheese - so all I want is a quart or two of milk a week. It's still more feasible for me to keep a goat than to find someone else to get the milk from as I've unfortunately learned too late this week.
And, while typing this, I get a call from the family that bought my goats. They are all sick with fevers, diarrhea, vomiting and back aches - and are convinced it's because of the goats. I may be getting them back - even though they have not yet drunk any of the milk.
It's always something here.

 

[Gazrok]

Ah, the joys of parenthood and always being at the mercy of offspring.

Yep, a couple years ago, my stepkids moved in and that added expense derailed some plans for a bit. My stepson wants to move out now (his girlfriend dumped him because he's lazy and has no drive, so now he's convinced he has to finally become an adult), and is convinced he can do so. He works part time at Starbucks, good luck with that! Well, my guess is he'll do so (move out), figure out he can't do it in a couple of months, then come back and appreciate things more.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see him fly on his own, but so far, his track record isn't giving me a lot of confidence, especially since he seems oblivious to the extra expenses he is going to face. We charge him $400 a month for rent (and he's never caught up), which includes his room, food (and he's a 19yr old boy, so he pretty much eats 400 in food alone each month), electric, cable, internet, and typically we pay for fun family activities (like movies, etc.). I did the math, and bare minimum, if he finds a cheap place to rent and with two other roommates, he's still looking at $815 for expenses each month. Yeah, good luck with that.

I'm just hoping the whole experience wakes him up a bit, and finally gives him some drive to do something with his life. We have tried to help him in any of his interests, etc, and encourage him., but he just can't seem to focus on anything. For example, he keeps saying he wants to make it in special effects. We even set situations up where he can actually meet and talk with people who have been on Face Off, and even Tom Savini, but does he take advantage of it? No. Sad. Sorry for the rant.

 

[QuietH3art]

Oh Gaz, I sympathize with you. My ex's kids were all like your stepson and I had no tolerance for them - although I faked it pretty well when the occasion called for it. Thank goodness I've never had to deal with that with my own. I have managed to instill a strong work ethic in my children. I feel I am at the mercy of mine for different reasons. My oldest is 33. She suffered a traumatic brain injury when she was 16. She does have a wonderful husband. The worst thing I have to worry about with her is constantly reminding her to do simple things - she has no short term memory. My oldest son has always been an overachiever and has been off on his own all of his adult life - having left to go away to college at the age of 16. My youngest daughter works hard. My concern with her is that she's a single parent. If she had to pay for babysitting for her children, she'd never get ahead. So, Grandma is here for that and that's the way it's supposed to be, isn't it? The youngest finally started school this year so now I only have them one night a week. I could have left without feeling guilty because she does have a "going out night" sitter who doesn't charge much. My youngest son went through college, then his first job was pizza delivery at Dominos. For this area, he made really good money working at Domino's for 18 months but kept looking for opportunities to get into the field of his degree. He had a bad car accident at work last March and has been unemployed since. He has just been, finally, offered a job in his field - IT Specialist - with one of the largest military contractors here at Camp Lejeune. They are sponsoring his security+ certification and requiring a one year contract. Being able to live at home during that year will give him a big leg up financially. Who else will help you other than family, you know?