(Late Prepper)—So, you’ve got your bugout bags, food supplies, water, ammo, alternative power supplies, barter items, and Bibles. You downloaded and printed out important documents and how-to guides in case the internet goes down. You have your plan mapped out and you’ve done a test run with your family. You’re as ready as you can be for whatever happens in the near future, right?
Well, maybe. With over 70% of Americans either unfit or suffering from some sort of major medical ailment, chances are you haven’t made yourself and your family as ready as you can be in case crap hits the fan. Chances are you can start improving your health situation, whether that means getting more fit or securing long-term medical requirements such as meds and equipment.
Get Fit
The first challenge isn’t easy for most. For some, it’s a matter of motivation. For others, you’re just not able to make yourself more physically fit based on age, wounds, or conditions. I have a friend in her 70s who simply cannot get around very easily. She neither has nor needs bugout bags but she lives in a nice town, had plenty of food and water, and she carries her .22 wherever she goes.
Another friend is a prepping maniac. I’m actually jealous about how well-stocked he is in his suburban home. The challenge is he’s nearly 300 pounds and three of the four other members of his family aren’t skinny. I had a long conversation with him over the weekend about what he’ll do if things get really bad, even in his nice neighborhood. He said he’ll grab his shotgun and defend his property. That’s good, but it doesn’t replace the need to become fit enough to walk long distances, gather supplies, or hunt.
My status as a “late prepper” who didn’t get going until 2021 sent me down a similar path. I started stocking up on supplies incrementally. My wife started a robust garden. I started learning everything I could about survival and I haven’t stopped. Then, the wakeup call came last year. I was helping a friend move a couch and realized I’m not the stout running back that I was in school.
I’ve wasted far too much time before making it important to get fit. I am calling on all of my readers to not make the same mistake I did. When should you start improving your health? Right now. Today. Get started. Don’t stop. As I noted, motivation is often the missing ingredient when it comes to eating better, exercising, and changing one’s lifestyle. Well, look around. Things are already going crazy and we haven’t even gotten to Election Riot Season.
Are you able to walk 10 miles with a bugout bag on your back? Could you carry a loved one to safety? Chop down a tree? Build a shelter? Fight? If any of these things are physically impossible for you, then there’s nothing you can do other than build relationship with local people who can help. But if you can’t do any of these things and you have nothing holding you back other than your physical fitness, then it’s time to get motivated.
I’ve been on the keto diet for a while, but mostly for the sake of brain function. I like being as smart as possible and ketones help me to achieve that goal. But recently I’ve realized that I need to take advantage of the fat burning aspects of ketosis. That means exercising. It’s been slower than I’d like but I’ve lost 15 pounds since Thanksgiving with 40 more to go.
I’m not a fan of trying to “guilt” people into doing something, but this is an exception. Don’t be that person whose only excuse for not being physically ready to face apocalyptic challenges is that you’re to fat, too weak, or generally too unhealthy. If you have the means today to improve your health, do it.
And it’s not just fat people like me. Even those who are pretty fit can always use improvements. We’ve all heard many times about eating healthier but what does that really mean? The whole foods craze (not to be confused with the Amazon-owned grocer) is a righteous one on many levels. Sourcing your food, buying local, eliminated processed foods, reducing or eliminating sugars, and staying clear of seed oils are all good starts. Exercise is obviously important as well. I’m neither a nutritionist nor a personal trainer but as a conspiracy theorist I can say that whatever it takes to build back up your God-given body is worth doing now more than ever.
Secure Meds
Many medications, both minor and life-saving, can be stored for long periods of time. Others can go bad quickly. Now is the time to determine what you’ll need if pharmacies are either shut down or taken over by government, in which case you’ll need to “qualify” for your meds. That’s a discussion for another day.
Securing meds that you can store away such as antibiotics, pain medications, and chronic illness drugs requires a bit of “gaming the system.” Generally, doctors and pharmacists want you to have a limited supply. Sometimes this is due to positive reasons such as the need to adjust doses. Other times it’s simply an opportunity to add more doctor’s visits to their billing. So securing long-term stores of prescription medications can be challenging.
If you trust your doctor, tell them the truth. You’re concerned about things going crazy with the election or whatever and you’d feel more comfortable with a long-term supply of the meds you need. If they object, don’t push it. Just thank them and move along.
If your doctor won’t help you, there are a couple of options. You can research over-the-counter or nature alternatives to the medications you need. Or, you can go through a more “open minded” medical operation such as Jase. For transparency, they’re a sponsor, but it’s important to note that I made them a sponsor AFTER I started using them. I was a customer first before learning I could get referral bonuses for recommending them. They even gave me a promo code, “RUCKER10”, so my referrals could get $10 off.
Their system is simple. Sign up for a telehealth call. Talk to your doctor about the meds you need. They prescribe them and have them shipped to your door. The “Jase Case” of antibiotics is incredible (I have two) and the chronic medications they offer for challenges like diabetes and heart conditions are robust.
For those who require medicines that expire quickly, it’s time to research alternatives. Again, ask your doctor. Tell them your concerns and find out what they recommend if you no longer have access to the medications they prescribe. If that doesn’t work, check online. I know there are life-preserving meds that many people need to take that may not have natural or OTC alternatives, but research as best you can.
No Fear
I’m always cognizant of the fact that my prepper discussions can often concern people, even make them fearful. Don’t let it get to you. For Bible-believing Christians, we know that times will get challenging but there’s a literal light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a good thing to be physically ready for whatever is coming our way but that’s exponentially less important than being spiritually ready. If all you can do is believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then it’s more than enough.
Stay frosty and secure yourself and your family as best you can. If you fail because you did your best but it wasn’t enough, then so be it. But if you fail because you didn’t do your best to get ready, the end will be loaded with regrets.
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Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
