I must agree with you on this. While I personally dont view prepping or survivalism as a distraction or game, I am still guilty of not being as hasty and prepared as I want and should be. I try to learn as much as I can for whatever may be coming but I still am guilty of pushing many preps off till another convienent time and I recognize myself doing this. This concerns me because I do agree with you that now more than any other time in a long time, I think something big is right around the corner.

My personal belief as I believe many others is that economically we are close to a big collapse. I am no economist but after looking at facts and statistics I agree with you that things are unfolding like they were before the Great Depression. I am trying to prep for myself as well as family who might not agree with me as deeply as I do about probable disaster cases in the future and yeah, it does scare me. I dont let it control my thoughts and entire life but I do think about it a few times a day and try to do some small thing that improves either my supplies themselves or my knowledge and skills each day. I hope things hold off for a little while longer.

Anyway, thats my two cents on the situation and yes I agree that people are starting to take things a little more seriously as people begin to see that we are in major uncertain times. Take care my friends.

 

I can see where you're coming from, but I think this message is GOOD. What harm can a kick in the askies do? He or she doesn't have to be "anyone" to post an opinion. You can do as you've done, and post your opinion too. I, frankly, agree with him or her on some level. Generalizing? Yes. But, I'm not sure he's not right.

The awakening seems to happen in phases. I've noticed more of a somberness myself (internally) lately. Time is very short.

 

CB:

It's just a passing fad for most...it was on the news a bit and then the forum grew...check the member list...it is huge, but many have less than 100 posts... guess they got bored and gave up.

 

I get on here every once in a while as a diversion or a break. I don't have a lot of posts because...guess why? I'm actually out working on my preps I'll compare my preps to yours in a heart beat...having a couple thousand posts doesn't make me more prepared...getting off my arse and doing it does...

 

well for me its more of a way of life and we all do our own thing in our own way some are talkers some are doers i try to prep as much as my money will allow and if nothing ever goes wrong i win if teotwawki happens the im better off than the sheeple that are are in all of our day to day lives but i think its good that most folks on here seem to have a legg up on the rest and i hate to say it but i truly feel as of latly the more i learn the less i know and there arnt to many shopping days left till xmas

 

Sticking to this life style is not easy for the typical Joe six pack, actually becoming a prepper is a life style, NOT a trend. It's either you dedicate yourself to it fully and pull your head out of your #2 or your just go back to watching reruns of American Idol smashing your face with chettos. Having 100k rounds of ammo for your Ak, three cases of MRE's and weighing over 400lbs is not prepping.

 

Having 100k rounds of ammo for your Ak, three cases of MRE's and weighing over 400lbs is not prepping.

I beg to differ. Anyone weighing 400lbs has quite the built in energy source, and would starve much more slowly than a skinny ninny :

 

Funny thing we were talking today about it seems we were heading for another great depression and my I found out my brother is prepping..My sister in law just out of the blue says ... with your survival skills and military background and our farming and canning skills we would make a great team if hte US went belly up tomorrow!! WOW it just never crossed my mind that I could talk to them about this, they always seemed so much like the kind of people that would have thought we were nuts.. They have been planting bigger and bigger gardens, canning, freezing, and saving seeds for backup in case there are no places to buy seeds...So now that I see my "pratical" brother is prepping and considers me and my family an asset if shtf I really do see it coming down!!!! Plus it goes to show that you never really know who is prepping and who is thinking like you unless you open your mouth and speak!!

 

What about us poor guys who dont care for ak and ar's? If it dont have a 308 on it im not interested.

 

Well that makes me even more poor I am a .22 man myself..with a shotgun for tougher game...

 

Guns are more fun to talk about.

I'd much rather post about my newest boom stick I acquired than the 20 cans of spam I bought yesterday.

I think that assuming people don't prep if they don't post about every prep they ever buy/make is a bit silly.

 

Donno about you guys, but I'm just in this for the chicks....

 

I do think more people are thinking about survivalism. However, I think most won't take the leap. It's like chaosofcreation and Stevil said. They start stocking a little food and water and then they realize they need to learn fire starting, growing food, preserving food, hunting on and on. At that point, sadly I think a lot of people get discouraged and see things as impossible. That's when we need to encourage them. No matter how far behind you feel you are, every day you do something even if it's read an article, you've increased your chances. DON'T GIVE UP. And remember, there are lots of scenarios. Those who have lots can lose them in many ways. I'm not wishing that on anyone just telling you that accidents happen and none of us are ever fully prepared for everything. Do your best and keep on improving.

 

That's my life story.

Ive been prepping for most of my adult life, ever since a blizzard hit NC in 1999 in earnest.

Life happens and sometimes you cant do what you'd like to do.

A divorce in 2001, and a major injury in 2002 threw me for a loop. It took me long time to be able to think straight again, much less begin to work on prepping again.

You are so right, it is a journey that you never complete.

For the past two years I have been trying to pick up as much training as possible.

I went back to college to get a Nursing degree. I have a year to go until graduation.

I found a couple of guys who work off and on for Xe Services. So far Ive taken 3 courses through them, on handguns and carbine defensive use. Ill take more as they are available and fit my schedule.

I'm picking up more training as I find it.

I built up a good barter network, mostly by accident, and I try to keep that going. It helps me to network and it provides sometimes a very good source of income.

Ive stockpiled a lot of stuff, to the point that I cant really do much more because of logistical restraints.

 

I am certainly no expert on survivalism or prepping for that matter. My posts are few and far between, but I have a reason for this. After joining this board last year I realized that there is something that I can do that would greatly increase my family's chances for survival, and even if there never is a SHTF scenario my career future will be greatly increased.
I'm rarely here because I am going back to school to become a RN. I have a master's in healthcare economics, worked in a hospital as an administrator for 15 years before leaving in 2007 to be a SAHM. While home I am taking the necessary classes to get my bachelor's in nursing. This means that my contributions to these sites usually is between semester breaks. So, part of keeping my family safe is to learn how to care for their medical needs and be a valuable asset to a potential SHTF community in the aftermath - you know someone needs to know how to take all of those bullets out when people start shooting . Good thread op.

 

Honestly I think most people just don't talk about what they are really doing. Much of it is boring.

Weapons are a huge topic because they are fun. People like to talk about fun things.

I get what your saying though country, there are many here that aren't doing much. But what they are doing is better than nothing at all I suppose. Not everyone is hardcore. Not everyone has the "survive anything" mentality. Doesn't mean much to me one way or the other really how folks live their lives.

You are either a survivor, or you aren't. I really don't think anything else matters that much. You can prepare for the end your entire life, learn every skill, have every tool, and have an underground bunker filled with food and water. Won't mean much if your not a survivor.

I prepare as best I can, and have spent practically my entire life learning those basic skills necessary for survival. I am hoping to make it through......whatever. I hope my plans see us through. But I would find a way even if I had nothing.

I'm not so quick to say if folks don't prepare they won't make it. I think many will get by, simply because they refuse to give up. Thats the most important prep of all.

For those of you that take countryboys post as being arrogant, or condescending, I honestly don't think that is his intention. I think he is trying to get people to wake up, even if that means ****ing them off by whacking them right between the eyes with a 2x4.

Everyone that prepares will stand a better chance of surviving whatever gets thrown at them. Doesn't mean those that don't won't make it, but their situation would be be that much easier to deal with with a little planning, and preparation.

 

For those of you that take countryboys post as being arrogant, or condescending, I honestly don't think that is his intention. I think he is trying to get people to wake up, even if that means ****ing them off by whacking them right between the eyes with a 2x4.

Thanks iyaayas.

Or..........Hang on. Nevermind. Will talk more later American Idol is coming on.

I know you were joking most likely but you made very good point there. Most people prep until they hit the first little bump in the road and quit. They get distracted and realize life is so much easier just to pretend everything is OK and it wont happen to me.

 

Countryboy your point is well taken. I have to admit I have stopped my most essential prep in mid stream to take care of family health matters. As I live in a large city none of my preps will not mean much in the event of full scale looting and fires. However, without a mountain cabin or trailer to serve as a BOL I am limitted in what I can do right now. Yes it is more interesting to talk about guns, or vehicles but not all of us can take the important steps of setting up a BOL surrounded by like minded people who are already prepping the soil for their first crops after the SHTF. I wish life were easier and I could go buy a nice isolated mountain cabin with plenty of water and land for crops and livestock, it just can't be done right now. So does that mean I am not a "True Survivalist"? I honestly don't know. So for now I will continue to make small preps and hope I am able to adapt to what comes. Good Luck To Us All!

 

i suspect that for folks like you and i a very large part of what will help us survive will be our knowledge and will to survive (yea my ability to shoot will help but lets hope that is a skill that is never needed for anything other than hunting)

 

Despise not small beginnings.....

I remember a time.....a long, long time ago....when I knew very little about survival. I just knew something was not right. The gathering started.....first came a little knowledge, some gear....some experience.....then a little knowledge.....and back to sleep.

Then a bump in the road.....then a little more knowledge, gear....some more experience.....and a little more knowledge.....and a little drowsy.....

The cycle repeated until I became an insomniac. Now it's more of a quest for more knowledge and experience......and a little gear every now and then when I find exactly what I've been looking for......:

It's funny, though.....I started out being more sure of life than I am now.... (The voices kept telling me "everything will be fine".....until I learned how to shut off the T.V. and take a look around.....)

On the other hand......

I think it's perfectly fine to thump a sleeping Patriot on his melon head once in a while.....it's how you find out whether they're ripe or no good.

 

I am replenishing my stock as we burned through some of it while I was un/underemployed. But it is always a work in progress, it never stops.

There are some people on this board with a thousand or more posts that have not contributed anything survivalwise.

And who doesn't like to talk about guns? They are tools. I like to talk about tools too. Like my craftsman 3/8" ratchet that I bought in when I was in high school and still have 20 years later. Or my Black and Decker drill that has outlasted 2 craftsman drills.

Or..........Hang on. Nevermind. Will talk more later American Idol is coming on.

 

Lots of folks just don't want to bother with the arguments, my brother is on here reading regular, does not even have an account. As he puts it lot of folks set in there ways. Now me I'll throw out something from time to time and enjoy a debate, but I don’t think much of degrading folks for there views. But have run into hard heads from site to site. And I don't mind calling a duck a duck.

I like helping folks find a cheaper way, even if you got lots of money if you can save money prepping then great buy more. I really believe a place is needed that will sustain your family with out outside assistance. We have to many cities and to many concentrated populations that are not going to be able to maintain themselves at some point. History has proven that time and again.

 

All this preparing and outdoor survival just comes natural to us good ole southern boyz who have hunted, fished, and primitive camped all our lives...It just amazes me at the folks who are clueless when it comes to roughing it!

 

I am from the south but I never ever considered myself as someone with a lot of survival skills.

It never dawned on me that shooting a rifle was a survival skill or fishing, or learning how to tie the best knot for fishing, or gathering firewood, etc. At least not until I got a lot older.

I grew up guerrilla gardening. Of course back then it was a "non food" crop and my uncle was hiding it from the cops...lol

I remember blowing stumps when I was 6 years old. They would have me light the fuse because I could run the fastest and they didn't have enough money for the long fuses. Let me tell you, after that first "boom" you didn't have to tell me to run like hell....lol

 

Talking about preps is a little boring... Stock up on food, learn to grow food, don't rely on Government, Keep family and friends near, Have faith, and hope we don't need to shoot anybody. Even if some of us don't prep as much as we should , we are still better off than most people. We are all at a different level.

To keep us all occupied, the board has many forums to talk about almost anything, even dating! Most people probably think I am a little crazy though and may stay away from me when TSHTF.

 

You got that wrong friend.

They think you are crazy now....

But when SHTF, they will come to you and beg you to forgive them...

 

I wish I could get my grown kids into prepping but they think I'm crazy. But when our pantry gets low on something I go shopping in our storeroom.
I think most people on SB are preppers. I have got into some heated debates over methods sometimes and now when I see those sensitive topics come up I have quit responding to them as of yesterday. People are going to do what they are going to do. So I offer what I can but no more arguments.
Even though I don't have the money for a BOL I'm still proud of the preps I have so far. Improved water replenishment is my next hill to climb.

 

Accidental double post. Oops.

 

I remember Bush W saying the economy was doing alright. When people wanted him to tell the truth republicans would say "It's the job of the president to instill confidence in the economy."

So now that Obama is doing exactly the same thing Bush W did, he's in the wrong?

Let me ask you a question, what could obama do that would be right?

 

You wont find me on the "Bush is a hero" bandwagon. IMO Bush was one of the worst presidents this country has ever had, but Obama is close behind.

If Obama gets two terms he might challenge Bush for the position of worst president ever, but I don't think he will get that chance.

Now with that said, yes Obama is doing the same things Bush did, only more so.

Bush started two worthless wars of conquest. Obama continued them.

Bush spent money faster than anyone dreamed possible, until Obama came along and spent it even faster.

Please don't be one of those cheerleaders for one political party. You have a brain, and the ability to use it. It doesn't take much to figure out what he should have done.

My point being is that yes in some ways you are correct. But please be careful how you, and others, assess people. A while back I read a thread about 'post count' being a measure of sincerity or authority. But what does that really mean? It means that it's a low post count and nothing more.

This post wasn't about assessing anyone based on post count.

Its about the content of those posts.

If the extent of your posts is about flirting with the women, or talking always about which gun is best, then for purposes of survival, I don't consider your posts to mean a whole lot.



Personally, I try to always post information that I would want to hear. I try (sometimes not to successfully) to avoid fluff.

 

Well, there's five minutes I'll never get back! LOL...

 

Yes but it was a fun five minutes that you at least learned something right?

BTW How's the water looking out your way? Any oil or dead fish?

 

I didn't realize that insult or ridicule were essential elements of prepping.

 

On a side note, it is good to see that the budget for the Obamanites has been approved and you guys are back to posting.

Truthfully I am rooting for you guys.

I really am.

I hope you can put out enough of a smoke screen to keep enough people dazzled long enough for me to go ahead and get some more preps done.

Hello Buffy.

Good to see you.

 

"It's not an adventure without a gun"
probably those astute people who have been earnestly at it
live it as a lifestyle. but lots in the herd have looked up -
the herd is spooked. no doubt.
so what to do? remain calm .
communicate to the rest of the herd to look up.
turn off the television programming you and take steps-
dont spread panic amongst the herd .
spread intelligence.

 

Thanks for asking Von Helman, everything down Miami / keys way is just fine so far. And yes, It was a pretty fun five minutes...
I'm just a newbie, and pretty new to prepping...Living on a boat makes it sorta hard, and my mountain place wont be ready till next spring, so I guess I hoping for the best for the rest of the year. It is awful easy to just blow all the prepping off, but the bug is in my head. I think everybody learns a little something from this forum. I sure have and when I can contribute, I will do my best... Thanks to you all....

 

make haste-lotsa luck-dig in