What prepping mistakes have you made?

[Brent S]

I believe that any given weapon placed in ten different peoples hands will result in equally different results.

The AR 15 is versatile rifle with mods and lots of PRACTICE. Just about any weapon is basically useless in the hands of an unaware person who is attempting to USE it without any knowledge of the weapon itself. IMO.

An individual with some experience can use a low end AR 15 and do just fine with it.

I honestly think that a weapon in the hands of someone with no training or respect is probably just a dangerous as one in the hands of a navy seal. At least the seal is going to kill a specific target where an undisciplined ### is likely to kill anyone.

 

[Brent S]

One thing I recently noticed and thought of as a mistake is buying a lot of stuff for the pantry. Most think this is a good thing, and normally I agree. I just realized though as I pulled out a bottle of onion powder that it was two years old from the date I put it in the pantry. I am really good at rotating stuff, but by having a good stocked pantry it is making sure everything I eat is already old. I looked at the dates on a lot of items that are one to two years old already. I buy fresh stuff and put it behind the old stuff, ensuring it’s old by the time it makes it to the front of the line. Seems kind of self defeating....

 

[WGregMiller]

I see all over the internet were the rave is in tactical gear, a lot of tactical porn! My take on it, you dress for a fight you're more likely to get one, the younger folks need to learn that they are not military, they military works as a cohesion unit that cannot be replicated by a self train youngster that received the training from youtube, you take a good o'l boy from the back country who hast never served in the military can make a Vet and civilian shit himself. Buy all the tactical gear you want, it's not going to make one better except bragging rights. Avoidance and recognizing danger is the most valuable equipment to ascertain.

The prepper shows we have been to had tons of geniuses wearing either tactical stuff or camo stuff. The last one wasn’t during any hunting season, so......

I was walking around in my jeans and t shirt wondering if it wasn’t the same reason a lot of people have expensive cars... small wee wees..... it sure as hell didn’t help them blend in to the general public....

And I agree that a redneck with a gun would scare the crap out of a lot of people. Them folks can shoot!

 

[Brent S]

To me dressing like that is just shouting to all the unstable psychos out there to take you on for the challenge.

 

[WGregMiller]

One thing I recently noticed and thought of as a mistake is buying a lot of stuff for the pantry. Most think this is a good thing, and normally I agree. I just realized though as I pulled out a bottle of onion powder that it was two years old from the date I put it in the pantry. I am really good at rotating stuff, but by having a good stocked pantry it is making sure everything I eat is already old. I looked at the dates on a lot of items that are one to two years old already. I buy fresh stuff and put it behind the old stuff, ensuring it’s old by the time it makes it to the front of the line. Seems kind of self defeating....

Maybe you aren’t eating enough, lol.

That was part of the thinking behind the freeze dryer.

 

[WGregMiller]

To me dressing like that is just shouting to all the unstable psychos out there to take you on for the challenge.

Reminds me of an article a long time ago about why you shouldn’t pull a gun on a redneck. Basically, it ended with the statement that if you do, it’d be a good idea to take the front sight off before you do so it’ll be a little easier on your butt when it gets shoved up it...

 

[Brent S]

Reminds me of an article a long time ago about why you shouldn’t pull a gun on a redneck. Basically, it ended with the statement that if you do, it’d be a good idea to take the front sight off before you do so it’ll be a little easier on your butt when it gets shoved up it...

Lol!

 

[Brent S]

Maybe you aren’t eating enough, lol.

That was part of the thinking behind the freeze dryer.

Yeah, with just my wife and I here we don’t go thru it like we did when the kids were around. My wife has a whole list of physical issues and really eats so little I’m suprised she can sustain herself. Oh well, I eat enough for the both of us anyways....

 

[Otterbatcat]

Rellgar, as I mentioned, this is a great thread for folks to think about and understand why it's a topic to discuss whether you've already begun, or just getting started with it. A Plan, Shelter, Food and Water, Defense/Attack, Fuels/Solar, Etc, etc......

I'll also say that #4 and #5 contradict one another a bit, AND, both are equally valid in the same breath.......... #6 is critical. All are important though.

The biggest mistake I think I made was mentioning to other people I was getting ready for my future. That's something you cannot undo....nor is the trail of your prepping purchases through vendors and financial means. If I buy extra strings for my crossbows on Amazon Prime, along with a lot of other stuff, there are multiple trails. Even neighbors that are actually paying any attention to stuff around them will most likely notice that you're doing something different in your back yard.

I might miss out on some opportunities by not networking with new neighbors, or through connectivity in cyber land, but when I get to my "forever" home, I will be very tight lipped about my preps and plans for sure. I'll try my best to hide whatever I do "prep" from now on.

 

[jontte]

connecting with neighbors is difficult,here more so,as the mentality is ;nothing bad can never happen here and if anything happens
the government will provide a safetynet for you.
at one point they wanted me to be safety person here,had to turn it down,as "I don't have enough time 'cause of work" to do it properly .

it prolly goes here along the lines that those who are worried or slighly worried are those who already are in some form of army reserve training
or have a contract for the active reserve like I do and take part in regular trainings.
on the prepping front here it's quiet,it's "all quiet on the western front"


have to add,that I don't wanna have the responsibility of people who most likely don't have anything in preps;no food,no meds,no training,no security,no plans for a bad day..

 

[Proud Prepper]

Rellgar, as I mentioned, this is a great thread for folks to think about and understand why it's a topic to discuss whether you've already begun, or just getting started with it. A Plan, Shelter, Food and Water, Defense/Attack, Fuels/Solar, Etc, etc......

I'll also say that #4 and #5 contradict one another a bit, AND, both are equally valid in the same breath.......... #6 is critical. All are important though.

The biggest mistake I think I made was mentioning to other people I was getting ready for my future. That's something you cannot undo....nor is the trail of your prepping purchases through vendors and financial means. If I buy extra strings for my crossbows on Amazon Prime, along with a lot of other stuff, there are multiple trails. Even neighbors that are actually paying any attention to stuff around them will most likely notice that you're doing something different in your back yard.

I might miss out on some opportunities by not networking with new neighbors, or through connectivity in cyber land, but when I get to my "forever" home, I will be very tight lipped about my preps and plans for sure. I'll try my best to hide whatever I do "prep" from now on.

I think you have to find that sweet spot between #4 and #5 thats most benificial for you. You need to take your time and vett your family, friends and neighbors to avoid #4 in order to achieve #5.

 

[user 5723]

Number 5 all damn day long. I mentioned my water barrels with pride to my neighbors and friends. Their response every time? "Oh, great! We'll just come over to your place if anything happens."

 

[brandx]

Number 5 all damn day long. I mentioned my water barrels with pride to my neighbors and friends. Their response every time? "Oh, great! We'll just come over to your place if anything happens."

They have the same opportunity to prep as you do. I guess that would be a good reply.

 

[brandx]

One thing I recently noticed and thought of as a mistake is buying a lot of stuff for the pantry. Most think this is a good thing, and normally I agree. I just realized though as I pulled out a bottle of onion powder that it was two years old from the date I put it in the pantry. I am really good at rotating stuff, but by having a good stocked pantry it is making sure everything I eat is already old. I looked at the dates on a lot of items that are one to two years old already. I buy fresh stuff and put it behind the old stuff, ensuring it’s old by the time it makes it to the front of the line. Seems kind of self defeating....

I noticed I had some Onion salt that has been in the cubby for who knows how long, I know that store went out of business 10-20 years ago. Still smells like onions, I just used a little more. I wouldn't worry over it. stuff gets old, doesn't mean it isn't edible, just lost some of it's value that's all. I just rotate the best I can. If being prepared means it gets outdated then so be it. If a beggar comes along, well I guess since "I have so little to spare", that would be what I'd give them.

 

[BJ Grantham]

one of my besties has been in my house and seen my preps( she thinks I'm nuts)....I'm still kind of new and put too much faith in Jeff Bozos, the company I first bought paracord from sent me " China mart"....I've got some mil spec now...and my first bob turned out to be crud- the zippers ripped off

 

[Brent S]

one of my besties has been in my house and seen my preps( she thinks I'm nuts)....I'm still kind of new and put too much faith in Jeff Bozos, the company I first bought paracord from sent me " China mart"....I've got some mil spec now...and my first bob turned out to be crud- the zippers ripped off

We have all bought things that weren’t what we expected. As long as I don’t make the same kind of mistake twice I just chalk it up to the cost of education.

 

[Brent S]

I noticed I had some Onion salt that has been in the cubby for who knows how long, I know that store went out of business 10-20 years ago. Still smells like onions, I just used a little more. I wouldn't worry over it. stuff gets old, doesn't mean it isn't edible, just lost some of it's value that's all. I just rotate the best I can. If being prepared means it gets outdated then so be it. If a beggar comes along, well I guess since "I have so little to spare", that would be what I'd give them.

I try to buy mostly freeze dried stuff now because I noticed most of my stuff was expired but the time I used it. The freeze dried stuff is more expensive but lasts so much longer. I’m hoping that I never need to actually eat any of the stuff in my lifetime but it’s good to know it’s there if needed. I. Have little doubt my kids will probably see a time where having them will be important so that’s good enough for me.

 

[tmttactical]

We have all bought things that weren’t what we expected. As long as I don’t make the same kind of mistake twice I just chalk it up to the cost of education.

Like repeatedly voting the Democratic ticket? Some people really never learn.

 

[Brent S]

Like repeatedly voting the Democratic ticket? Some people really never learn.

Lol, I still can’t believe anyone would vote trump over Biden, or anyone else. Give me a sane republican and I’ll come over to the dark side.

 

[Arcticdude]

Lol, I still can’t believe anyone would vote trump over Biden, or anyone else. Give me a sane republican and I’ll come over to the dark side.

Now I know you have a sense of humor Brent. Because there's no way a free thinking independent minded person could ever support one of these anti American gun grabbing socialist idiots that are currently running on the Democrat side.
Thanks for the laugh.