11 Items You Need To Get NOW

Today we are facing food shortages due to a lack of fertilizer. Seed shortages due to no crops going into the ground. And if crops did make it, adverse weather and drought destroyed them. Just look at the grocery store shelves and more and more stores are looking bare.

Oh… and just look at COVID and the disruption that it has caused. How many people’s lives were put into chaos because of that?

Top all of this off with inflation and our buying power being eroded daily. What $20 dollars bought 6 months ago is not half of that today.

There are a lot of life lessons there and with all of this staring us in the face, what did we learn and what are we doing about it?

The best time to prepare you and your family is NOW when you have the time; patients and clear thinking are in your favor.

So many people are behind the 8-ball and they are feeling it. Many “Soccer moms and dads” are realizing that they need to do something and they are so over whelmed that they do not know where to REALISTICALLY start.

Sure you can watch a ton of You Tube videos and read a ba-zillion websites. But what is realistic?

For me, my motto is…

I have been raised in the homesteading / prepper lifestyle. My mother was a depression era child and lived through that. She remembers all the things that happened then as well as what her and her family did to get through it all. Skills like canning, preserving, living a frugal life, gardening, dehydrating and the list goes on. These are the lessons and skills that I was raised with.

I am not about all the “Cool Guy” gear and I don’t like a lot of the fluff that has permeated the preparedness arena. I live and teach a down to earth solid basics that many have forgotten in the prepping arena.

Think about it, why would you exhaust yourself making a fire with a bow drill when it is freezing cold, expending calories and just trying to light a fire?  Why not just have a number of Bic Lighters on hand and Keep It Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S)

I am all about being practical and realistic.

If you are one of those who feel like they have gotten behind the 8-ball, don’t freak out and don’t throw your hands up in the air and just give up.

Water, water, water!!! You can not have enough water! Also have on hand water bottles, bottled water, water jugs, 5 gallon stackable water jugs, canteens, ect. All these items and the water will be the first items to go. In all the disasters I have been in, water was either cut off, or in very short supply. If you hear of a disaster coming your way, clean out the bathroom tub with regular bleach as fast as possible, make sure you rinse the tub and then start filling it up with COLD WATER. If there is residue bleach, that is ok, it will help preserve the water. Duck tape the over flow hole so that you can get maximum water in the tub. Start filling jugs, canteens, bottles as fast as you can, you do not know how long the water will last. You must move as fast as possible during this time! Make this your primary focus if you are to remain in the home. Do not use hot water!!! Your hot water heater is a secondary reserve. This is why you fill everything you can with a cold water source. If you have multiple bath tubs, fill all of them. Speed is of the essence.

Now, if you are really thinking ahead, 50 gallon water barrels are good to have. You can purchase these at feed stores, farming supplies, ect. Fill them and rotate the water about every other month to every 12 months.

Try to keep on hand 30 + days worth of food with the goal of having at least 90 days. Large amounts of canned, dried and frozen goods are a very good idea. One of the best investments we have ever made is the vacuum food sealer, these small appliances suck the air out of bags and seals them.

Another great investment is a dehydrator. You can dehydrate just about anything and store it long term. I am a huge fan as well as own an Excalibur dehydrator. This will save you money in the long run. No more throwing away left overs, just dehydrate them, put them in a mason jar and create “Mason Jar Soup.” Just add water, season a bit and you have a great meal from those left overs.

This is a great way to create dried food meals, pre made meals, ect.  This also gives dried grains, beans, rice and such extra shelf life. Canned goods and dry goods are the best to keep for long term. Remember to have several hand operated can openers around. I personally keep a P-38 US Army can opener on my key chain. Believe it or not, there is a lot you can do with a P-38.

Such as flashlights, lamps, radios and the extra batteries needed to keep them going. If you are able to find “crank” operated items, then get them. Keeping extra battery operated items on hand is also good when one breaks and can also be used in trade.

The Eton All American Red Cross  radio is one that I highly recommend. It is made by Eton, which is a good company and mot only does it have a lot of purposes and you can hand crank it, but it will also act as a charger and has a built in cell phone charger.

A camp stove that runs on camp fuel is a great investment. These can run on just about anything. Camping lanterns as well as the old fashion oil lamp and other items are also good to have. They even make camp ovens. Coleman Fuel, it is impossible not to stockpile too much of this stuff. What comfort these items bring is what makes or breaks surviving critical times. The thought of simple warmth is a great motivator in times of distress. Remember to get “tune up” kits for all your items to keep them running at peak performance. Example: Wicks, mantles for lamps, gaskets for stoves.

For oil lamps, make sure you have on hand lamp oil, wicks and maybe an extra chimney. If any of these items are scarce, stockpile so that you have these on hand! If you run out of lamp oil, you can move to Coleman fuel as well. Sooty, but it works.

A quick note on Coleman lanterns that utilize a mantle; although they give off great light, these mantles are very fragile. Make sure you have an excellent supply of these. You will break the mantle almost every time you move the lantern. Once you do not have any more mantles, your lamp is not very functional if at all.

Final addendum to camp fuel is also have on hand plenty of Candles, Wood, Seasoned Firewood, Charcoal & Lighter Fluid, these items too will be in short supply.

Gold and Silver Coins, gold & silver bullion, these are items that maintain value and barter-ability. (www.apmex.com) Have a lot on hand so that you can use these. We do not know what shape the US economy will be in. In fact with the Russian / Ukrainian war going on that in and of itself is creating a lot of economic problems. And if that is not bad enough, we are now looking at full blown recession.

Hand tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, hand drills, saws, tape measures, bow saws, axes and hatchets & Wedges (also, honing oil) Anything that one can use to build with or cut down with. Don’t forget the nails, screws and most of all DUCKTAPE. It is amazing all the things you can do and repair with DUCKTAPE. I would buy a whole case of duck tape because when you start using it, you will run out pretty fast. I personally like Gorilla Tape, this stuff is incredible and will hold big time where the common grey stuff will give out over a spell of time.

Guns, Ammo, Knives, Bows, Arrows and Slingshots. In fact it is a good idea to get everyone in the family a good fold up wrist rocket AKA sling shot and a solid knife. Many a squirrel have fed a family due to the sling shot and quick cleaning with the knife.

Include a good supply of fishing gear as well as snare wire and trapping items.

Pepper Spray, Clubs, Bats and other self protection items are also good to have on hand as well as multiples of each. Have enough to “arm” the entire family with at least one of each. In doing this, you can have many of these items “stored” all over and within an arms reach if needed.

The key to all of these hunting, fishing and home protection items is that if you do not  know how to use them, they are pretty much useless. So if you purchase a gun or rifle, take it to the range as well as take some lessons if you have not used a weapon before.

For Fishing, get to know the local fishing areas around your home. You would be very surprised at all the fish you would find in simple city drainage water ways. When I lived in CA, a drainage ditch was one of my secret bass fishing areas. Get to know these areas and get to know your fishing gear.

Pretty much anything that you may need so that you and your family can live out doors.  You may not be able to stay in your home after a disaster, so camp out in the back yard and have a “guard post” in the front. Get yourself a roll of 550 Para Cord. There are SO MANY things that you can do with this and it will literally hold 550lbs.

Put together a major family first aid kit. A very large fishing tackle box or better yet a plastic bin that you are able to close and secure is even better. Remember when putting your supplies together, check any expiration dates.

If you take prescriptions, it is good to have an extra 30 day supply on hand if you are able.

If I had to grab and go and could take only one item, it would be my bible.  There is more knowledge, comfort and answers in this single book than all the supplies one could take. This is the most priceless item on this list.

NOTE: People are going to ask, why did you put this at #10 when you consider it #1?  Well it is people’s expectation. If I would put the bible at #1, no one would take it seriously and jump into the “survival” items. Here at #10, the importance of it being #1 is well understood. I was a FEMA inspector during the Loma Prieta earth quake and you would not believe how many people talked about forgetting their family bible and lost it in the earthquake.

Again, when I went through the 1989 SF earthquake, this was another one of those “I wish I thought of that” items.

So many people lost their homes and personal possessions. On top of that, they lost friends and loved ones. The idea of family photos all of a sudden become a big deal.

For those few who thought of taking family pictures, these were also a great comfort and is the second most priceless item on this list.

Ok now that you have the basics and you understand why they are just basics. Now you can start filling in the holes. The following is a good list of items that if hard times hit, these items will become rather scarce rather quickly disappearing from the mega store shelves.

The following list is in no real order, but these are items I know that will be scarce.

I know and understand that you can become very overwhelmed with all of this. In many cases people become like “deer in the headlights” and never take the first step.

The key to eating an elephant is taking one bite at a time. That is the same thing you can do here. By taking “baby steps” you can assemble the items you need. For example, while you are shopping at mega mart, pick up one, two or even three of your items on the list. When you get home place these items in your storage area where you keep your emergency items. After a while you will have a fully stocked emergency cabinet with the supplies you need for you and your family.

Water filters and non electric purifiers

Hand-Can openers & hand egg beaters, whisks (Life savers!) If you are able to get a stash of P-38 US Army can openers, they in themselves will be good trade.

Honey/Syrups/ white, brown sugars

Vegetable oil (for cooking) (Without it food burns/must be boiled, etc.)

Grain Grinder (Non-electric)

Aluminum foil Reg. & Heavy. Duty (Great Cooking & Barter item)

Milk – Powdered & Condensed (Shake liquid every 3 to 4 months.)

Garden seeds (Non-hybrid – Heirloom) (A MUST)

Tuna Fish (in oil), jerky, dried or preserved meats (protein)

Flour, yeast & salt

Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Winter time)

Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies

Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)

Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.

Canning supplies (Jars/lids/wax)

Paper plates/cups/ utensils (stock up, folks…) Great fire starters too.

Soy sauce, vinegar, bouillon/gravy/ soup base

Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky

Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts

Chocolate/Cocoa/ Tang/Punch (water enhancers)

Teas

Coffee

Wine/Liquors (for bribes, barter and medicinal, etc.)

Paraffin wax

Chewing gum/candies

Chickens / Goats – if you have the room and if regulations permit with in the city

Portable Toilets

Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won’t heat a room.)

Propane Cylinders

Baby Supplies: Diapers, formula, ointments etc

Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)

Vitamins (Critical, due to daily canned food diets.)

Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item.)

Feminine Hygiene/Hair care/Skin products

Thermal underwear (Tops and bottoms)

Garbage bags – Impossible not to have too many, there are a thousand and one uses.

Toilet Paper, Kleenex, paper towel

Fire extinguishers (or.. large box of Baking soda in every room…)

Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc

Mosquito coils/repellent sprays/creams

Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting – if with wheels)

Laundry detergent (Liquid)

d-Con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer

Mousetraps, Ant traps, Cockroach traps, if you got creepy crawlies, get traps for them.

Shaving supplies – razors & creams, talc, after shave. A good shave can make a bad situation look good.

Reading glasses

Gasoline containers (Plastic or Metal)

Clothes pins/line/hangers – clean clothes are a moral booster

Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky, noisy target for thieves; maintenance, etc.) Nice to have around though.

Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit: 1(800) 835-3278

Batteries (all sizes…buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)

BIG DOGS and plenty of dog food

Matches ( “Strike Anywhere” preferred. Boxed, wooden matches will go first.) waterproof with melted paraffin

Writing paper/pads/pencils/ solar calculators

Work boots, belts, Levis & durable shirts

Flashlights/ LIGHT STICKS & torches, “No.76 Dietz” Lanterns

Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (Jot down ideas, feelings, experiences: Historic times!)

Tarps/stakes/ twine/nails/ rope/spikes

Backpacks & Duffle bags

Garden tools & supplies

Cigars and Pipe Tobacco – GREAT FOR BARTER!!! That is if you do not smoke.

Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies

Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)

Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel

Bicycles…Tires/ tubes/pumps/ chains, etc.

Sleeping bags & blankets/pillows/ mats

Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)

Board Games Cards, Dice

Baby Wipes, oils, waterless & Anti-bacterial soap (saves a lot of water)

Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.

Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)

Woolen clothing, scarves/ear- muffs/mittens

BSA – New 1998 – Boy Scout Handbook / US ARMY SURVIVAL GUIDE

Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)

Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, Hats & cotton neckerchiefs etc. (extras)

Lumber (all types)

Wagons & carts (for transport to & from open Flea markets)

Cots & Inflatable mattresses (for extra guests)

Gloves: Work/warming/ gardening, etc.

Bailing wire, 550 cord, strong rope plus the tools to cut these items.

Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts & bolts

Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.

Now this is not the end all to be all lists. There are probably a thousand things I am missing here, but this gives you a start. I encourage you to adapt to your needs, again this list is just a starting point.

Another thing, the best time to plan for an emergency is now. You don’t have to go out and buy everything on this list, but start now.

First thing to do is determine a place to keep all your emergency supplies. Then start working on the list. Odds are that you have a lot of these items already. Problem is that they are all over the house. In an emergency sometimes time is working against you. If you have all your items in one single place; that means you can be more effective for you and your family when the time for action is called upon.

You can also refine this list and create what is called a “Bug Out Bag” AKA  BOB. By getting a small back pack, place in it items from this list, at least the top 11 and put this in your storage area. If you have to leave in a hurry, you have these items ready. It is good that each member of the family have a BOB. If an emergency takes place, your family can quickly evacuate the area and head to safer ground.

Now you can refine even more and create a work BOB and auto BOB. Same ideas, just smaller and adapt to the needs.

Example, for your Car BOB you would put a blanket that you can place on the ground if you need to change a tire or do some auto work. In your Work BOB maybe a fire hood to protect you from an office fire and chem light sticks so you can see to escape a building.

Again, you have a better idea of your surroundings than I do. Plan ahead and try to put in place the items needed to better ensure your survivability.

For more information on what you can do or if proper Christian stewardship is important to you, visit our website https://raymondmhor.com

You can also contact us at  [email protected]

I leave you with the follow words from Proverbs…Proverbs 3:5 – 7 (KJV)  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Items I believe in that I shared in this article…

My Augason Farms Tracking Page – https://raymondmhor.com/shop/

The Excalibur – https://amzn.to/3T6Pkj1

Foodsaver – – https://amzn.to/3T15M4a

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Five Liter Crock – https://amzn.to/3AzNn7e

Presto 23 qt – https://amzn.to/3HyxLTN

Gamma Lids are a must – https://amzn.to/3pvr64g

Rayovac Lantern – https://amzn.to/3WZyIuc

Everyready 4 pack lanterns – https://amzn.to/3YkAnve

Kaito Solar /Crank Radio – https://amzn.to/3RAOnyN

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