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Page added on January 23, 2013
20 ways to become more self-sufficient before ‘the crunch’ arrives
One thing you don’t want to be during the coming “crunch” — a polite word for “collapse” — is dependent on the system. The more you can take care of yourself, the better off you’ll be physically, financially, emotionally and even spiritually. Here are 20 ways to become more self-sufficient while you still can:
1) Get a small solar system that can be used to run a laptop or recharge batteries
2) Drill a water well and install a hand pump or solar-powered DC pump
3) Set up a rainwater collection system or barrel
4) Stash some cash: stock away some green dollar bills and lots of U.S. nickels
5) Own and learn how to use a handgun, rifle and shotgun
6) Store some ammunition
7) Own and know how to use a water filter
8) Start a garden this spring and acquire more food production skills
9) Save garden seeds so you can plant the next generation of food
10) Acquire a wood-burning stove for heat and cooking
11) Possess a large quantity of stored food; enough for at least 90 days
12) Get to know your local farmers and ranchers
13) Store up valuable barter items that are relatively cheap today: Alcohol, coffee, ammo, matches, etc.
14) Safely store extra vehicle fuel (gasoline, diesel) at your home or ranch
Be sure to use fuel stabilizers to extend their life.
15) Learn emergency first aid skills and own first aid supplies
This could save a life or possibly save a trip to the emergency room.
16) Start growing your own medicine
Plant and grow aloe vera, oregano, garlic, cayenne pepper and other medicinal herbs that can replace a surprisingly large number of prescription drugs. Oregano, for example, is a potent antibiotic. Aloe vera treats cuts, scrapes and burns.
17) Own emergency hand-cranked radios so you can tune in to news and announcements
My #1 recommended brand is Freeplay.
18) Boost your immune system with vitamin D and superfoods
19) Increase your level of physical fitness
20) Learn how to raise animals such as rabbits, chickens, goats or cows.
12 Comments on "20 ways to become more self-sufficient before ‘the crunch’ arrives"
GregT on Wed, 23rd Jan 2013 1:53 am
16 completed, 4 more to go.
ozman on Wed, 23rd Jan 2013 4:33 am
I could possibly see the use of a shotgun and rifle for hunting. But a handgun? Maybe the redneck who wrote this should’ve included assault rifles and mini-guns.
Come-on people! These religious preppers who espouse these ideals will only compound any misery as our global civilisation changes course…
Shaved Monkey on Wed, 23rd Jan 2013 5:23 am
Cash,guns and fuel all seem a little pointless here.
Pretty sure barter will take care of the need for cash.
Community and isolation will take care of the need to have a gun.
Lack of things in shops will take care of the need to have fuel.
SilentRunning on Wed, 23rd Jan 2013 6:59 am
I would put increasing fitness and re-evaluating your diet at the top of the list. I’d also add getting to know your neighbors. I’d only add the wood stove if you had a ready supply of firewood available.
Evaluating where you are living and start making a change to a more sustainable area would be a necessary – but huge – step.
Cloud9 on Wed, 23rd Jan 2013 11:38 am
It is rather difficult to be out and about with a rifle or a shotgun unless you are on the local SWAT Team.
BillT on Wed, 23rd Jan 2013 2:58 pm
My only addition would be to make sure you are planting heirloom seed. These hybrids do NOT breed true and you may not get a crop next year. Or it may look like something out of a horror movie.
poaecdotcom on Wed, 23rd Jan 2013 3:33 pm
Also, Check out this list and get your crunch preparedness score:
http://poaec.com/grader
CharityP on Wed, 23rd Jan 2013 10:50 pm
I agree with BillT. All seed is not created equal. Also add to that the ability to preserve your harvest. That will partially take care of stocking up on food.
Overall, a very good place to get started.
To the detractors I would say, everyone is preparing in their own way for the 5 Stages of Collapse. You are obviously preparing for stages 4 and 5 to happen immediately. This list and those of us who agree with it are probably preparing for a slower descent through those stages (and perhaps even optimistic enough to hope we will never reach stages 4 and 5). But I’m sure cash and hand guns will be plenty useful along they way down.
GregT on Thu, 24th Jan 2013 2:07 am
If you are prepared, and the tens, or hundreds of thousands of people around you are not. You better be well armed and surrounded by allies that are also well prepared and well armed or there will be absolutely no point in be prepared at all.
People become animals when they are hungry, and if their children are starving, they become even worse than animals. Do not underestimate what human beings are capable of doing.
Ozman,
If you want a huge eye opener, I would suggest reading Ferfal’s blog about what happened when Argentina collapsed in 2000. The most important tool for survival was (is) a gun, preferably a handgun.
Feemer on Thu, 24th Jan 2013 2:13 am
Plant yarrow as well, it stops bleeding, reduces pain for tooth aches, burns, wounds etc and is an antiseptic ( look all this up if you don’t believe me)
Kathy on Thu, 24th Jan 2013 1:44 pm
NO GUNS!!!!!! I AM WITH SHAVED MONKEY!
GregT on Thu, 24th Jan 2013 3:40 pm
Kathy,
Unfortunately, the real world is not all teddy bears and lollipops. If a collapse scenario were to occur, closing your eyes and shouting out loud for guns to not exist, will not provide you with any security at all.