PREP Crazy preps...whatcha got?

[TerriHaute]

TerriHaute

Make sure you iron on those transfers to a few of the items that you have already. If the power goes out for extended periods, you might not have an iron to do it and have all those supplies and have to "wing it". If you do it ahead of time, you can nestle on in on a cold night and stitch away to your hearts content.

Good suggestion, I need to do that. I have one of those irons that you heat up on the wood stove but no good way to heat it. We had a regular wood stove at our last house, but where we live now, all we have is a fireplace insert. It sticks out into the room about a foot, but no flat place on it to cook or set an iron.

 

[TerriHaute]

cloth diapers and diaper pins. I bought them a few years back when two of my grandchildren were babies. Their mothers think I'm nuts and were not interested.

Same here, but I am hanging onto all of mine. All my children are still young enough to have more babies and if birth control becomes scarce....

I did discover recently by accident that JoAnn Fabric sells diaper material by the yard. It was with toweling, cheesecloth, unbleached muslin and that kind of stuff. I wish Gerber still made the pull-on rubber pants I used with diapers when my kids were babies. Those were great.

 

[MalMom]

I too have a collection of kids toys & lots of craft/sewing stuff stored up, also bins of miscellaneous stuff I sell on my online store but can also be used for barter. I also have a large collection of dog meds, dog toys, extra collars, and old quilts and rugs. My dogs will live in comfort if the SHTF LOL.

 

[nomifyle]

Same here, but I am hanging onto all of mine. All my children are still young enough to have more babies and if birth control becomes scarce....

I did discover recently by accident that JoAnn Fabric sells diaper material by the yard. It was with toweling, cheesecloth, unbleached muslin and that kind of stuff. I wish Gerber still made the pull-on rubber pants I used with diapers when my kids were babies. Those were great.

I'll have to check out the joann diaper fabric. For rubber pants I figure a plastic grocery bag and duck tape in a pinch.

Judy

 

[Bad Hand]

1 pound of vanilla beans.

 

[Publius]

I'll have to check out the joann diaper fabric. For rubber pants I figure a plastic grocery bag and duck tape in a pinch.

Judy

Bread bag.

 

[Chair Warmer]

I've heard of people using wool covers to go over diapers, they say wool is a good moisture barrier.

I've used the wal-mart bag and a receiving blanket as a make shift diaper and it was leaky, but better than going without one.

I keep trying to talk my dds into experimenting using a good quality paper towel as a diaper liner so they can reuse diapers and cut down on costs. So far there's been no reports back of doing this, but if I hear of any success stories I'll let you all know.

Mrs.Cw

 

[rummer]

Information.

This is the reason I don't post about what I may or may not have prepped. I was just thinking earlier today about these kind of people. I came here to read this evening and here is a classic example.

 

[Chair Warmer]

This is the reason I don't post about what I may or may not have prepped. I was just thinking earlier today about these kind of people. I came here to read this evening and here is a classic example.

I usually tend to agree, but the way I see it is this. If it costs more in gas for someone to get here than the items are worth, then who's going to be the stupid one? LOL

Mrs.Cw

 

[myrtlemaye]

Hot Sauce/Tabasco etc. I don't particularly like really hot food but if I an finally get down to rice and beans I figure the hot sauce just may keep me a little bit sane. Also warm socks and footwear. I hate, hate, hate it when my feet get cold and they get cold frequently so anything to help keep my feet warm is an absolute necessity.

 

[rhughe13]

I have a shed I'll keep some older electronics in. There are still some electronic circuits that can be repaired and the spare components might come in handy. This would most likely be for some type of transistor radio.

 

[R65]

My neighbors are mostly elderly folks. So I purchased every size hearing aide battery made. I hope I can help my neighbors out. I want all the ears on our block working great

 

[skwentnaflyer]

This is the reason I don't post about what I may or may not have prepped. I was just thinking earlier today about these kind of people. I came here to read this evening and here is a classic example.

yeah, it's a balance between sharing info and being careful, for sure!

 

[SIRR1]

Smoked Kingfish from KWF in vacuum sealed snack and meal size packages.

I also have smoked Strawberry Grouper, Yellowtail Snapper and Hard Boiled Eggs in vacuum packaging for the BOB.

Once in a while I will open a package of YT and break it down to chunk size pieces them mix with Pickle Relish and Mayo or Miricle Whip and make a Smoked Fish Salad Sandwich.

It turns out like tuna fish salad sandwich with a smoky flavor, yum!

SIRR1

 

[PghPanther]

Here's one for ya.........

Lots and lots of guitar strings....................yeah (see photo) that Fender strat is an electric but I play it unplugged alot while I surf the net.

Strings should be replaced often but I try to keep mine on until one breaks then I change the whole set (usually 6 months or so) They sound like crap by then even though I clean them off all the time but changing them every week or so (I practice a lot) can get expensive over time.

Anyway I have enough sets to last me a long time and even if we lose power I still will play it....

Why not have an acoustic you ask?

I had one but sold it and bought more food preps with the money....lol!

I just like the electric for playing more..............

Okay I digress but strings are in my inventory of preps......lol!

 

[L.A.B.]

Do fake blood capsules count? I thought maybe there might be situations where if people see me coughing up blood they won't be inclined to stick around and/or steal my gear.

I don't think I have to read any further! Ladies and gentle-prepper's... We have a winner!

 

[Kathy in FL]

Two most unusual things I have were actually a gift that I haven't gotten around to using ... canned conch from down in the keys and some canned escargot (snail) that I have no idea where she picked up. She remembered that I admitted to eating escargot ever so often and got a kick out of surprising me with them. This is a Thai friend and if you think canned conch and canned snails are strange, you should see some of the stuff she keeps in her pantry from the local Asian markets. Wowzer.

 

[BoatGuy]

A friend had read an article about radioactive granite used in countertops. So, I pulled out a geiger counter and checked it for him. All clear!

The next question was priceless: "Why do you have a geiger counter??"

The answer made another prepper...lol

 

[Publius]

I have many basic hand powered carpentry tools and stocked over 150 pounds of nails in different sizes.

 

[timbo]

I got 10 .22 bullets off of E-bay yesterday. Might need them.

I have an old 5 drawer chest chocked full of 'strange' stuff.

My strangest? Probably the many magnifying lenses of all sizes I've saved over the years. These are out of old movie projectors, etc. I'm talking over 50 of them.

They come in handy for finding slivers, working on small parts. Plus you can start a fire with them on a sunny day.

For those not wanting to divulge prep info here, I understand. But I can't imagine someone lurking for my magnifying lens.

 

[prudentwatcher]

I have sufficient clothing and supplies (including cloth diapers and diaper covers) to clothe a child from birth to 2T, and I don't have kids or grandkids! Included with that are things like a hand grinder for making baby food, plenty of bottles and the like, but no shoes for kids. This also includes 1 package of disposable diapers in each size (which has already come in handy).

A case of Tyvek suits---I guess for going out for short periods after fallout or chemical attacks.

Tons of board games and puzzles and books of games, like word searches and dot-to-dot books and sudoku games. Lots of card games as well. Must have a dozen sets of UNO cards---bought a bunch last year when they had their anniversary edition out for 99 cents a pack.

More gloves and knit caps than I can ever use. I live in Florida and most people don't have these items on hand. I cleaned up at after Christmas sales in the last few years and have plenty to share/barter.

 

[Kaydee]

Here's one for ya.........

Lots and lots of guitar strings....................yeah (see photo) that Fender strat is an electric but I play it unplugged alot while I surf the net.

Strings should be replaced often but I try to keep mine on until one breaks then I change the whole set (usually 6 months or so) They sound like crap by then even though I clean them off all the time but changing them every week or so (I practice a lot) can get expensive over time.

Anyway I have enough sets to last me a long time and even if we lose power I still will play it....

Why not have an acoustic you ask?

I had one but sold it and bought more food preps with the money....lol!

I just like the electric for playing more..............

Okay I digress but strings are in my inventory of preps......lol!

Guitar strings can be re-conditioned to some extent, not as good as new but certainly better than they were! DH plays bass in one band and bass/electric guitar in a side project and some years can go through a pile of strings. So practice guitars get re-conditioned strings a lot of times to save some bucks. Take them off and coil loosely, tying each string with thread to hold it in a coiled up circle. Put in a pan of hot water with a spoon full of baking soda and a couple drops of dish soap. (neutralizes body acids and dissolves body oils, especially in the windings of heavier strings). Boil for 30 minutes to an hour depending on number of strings (more = more time). Let them cool in the water, then lay out on a towel and let dry thoroughly.

 

[biere]

Other boards now and then wonder why someone would have ways to charge smart phones, net books, laptops, and other stuff that is a small computer with a battery attached.

I support my own stuff of course but bought adapters to charge a lot of other stuff as well.

Got an external dvd drive with burner even though my laptop has a built in dvd drive with burner.

Being able to let folks near me read articles and see diagrams to help them with basics like filtering water, dealing with trash, dealing with human waste, and similar stuff that just falls into sanitation will make my area safer to live in compared to a disease infested area.

Depending on what happens this may or may not be needed. But trying to store a lot of printer ink and paper or some other method of dispersing info was not something I could handle with cost and space needs, I rent so space is a consideration.

But for the most part the stuff I get makes me more capable of charging or using my stuff. Adapters and what not to help others does not really cost that much in the scheme of things.

 

[Beth]

We started prepping about fifteen years ago, or somewhere around there, but we had to give away almost all our edible food when both DH and I were diagnosed with diabetes type 2 last year. So, we don't have much in the way of food, but we have good quality hunting and fishing equipment, which we hope will see us through. (We already have enough clothes, soap, and other stuff to do us until we're planted!)

My "crazy" preps are too much camera equipment. I know it's irrational but I still can't imagine not being able to take pictures.

 

[imaginative]

I got 10 .22 bullets off of E-bay yesterday. Might need them.

Thats not a bad idea at all. If you want to sell 1 or 2 zip me a PM

 

[LeafyForest]

Dollar Store reading glasses from 1 to the highest I can find. eventually I will need them or someone else will. I wear prescp ones now but if SHTF what would you do? I keep them in one of those plastic boxes for shoes..

Like this idea. Also like the fake blood capsules idea - will have to look for some
Was going to have a yard sale - decided to keep everything and use it all for bartering.
Also have a good supply of sewing items, am making sure DH has lots of ammo, even have a supply of baby diapers that can
be used for trading or for whenever needed and also have lots of cards and games on hand.

 

[BadMedicine]

This is the reason I don't post about what I may or may not have prepped. I was just thinking earlier today about these kind of people. I came here to read this evening and here is a classic example.

I really don't get the jist of your comment, can you enlighten?

I think everyone agrees, the fake blood is just outside the box man!!

 

[Hansa44]

I really don't get the jist of your comment, can you enlighten?

I think everyone agrees, the fake blood is just outside the box man!!

I'm confused. Nothing new with me but I guess I'll have to go back and see what this is about.

 

[Border Guns]

For the ladies saving lotions and creams, just remember after about a year or for sure 2 years they go bad. A friend of mine used a bottle of face cream she found in the back of cupboard , couple of years old est. , and it burned her bad. She went around for a week or more with a sunburn that eventually peeled. It was bad to say the least.

And you guys saving condoms, they have a limited life time for use, too!!!!

 

[PghPanther]

Guitar strings can be re-conditioned to some extent, not as good as new but certainly better than they were! DH plays bass in one band and bass/electric guitar in a side project and some years can go through a pile of strings. So practice guitars get re-conditioned strings a lot of times to save some bucks. Take them off and coil loosely, tying each string with thread to hold it in a coiled up circle. Put in a pan of hot water with a spoon full of baking soda and a couple drops of dish soap. (neutralizes body acids and dissolves body oils, especially in the windings of heavier strings). Boil for 30 minutes to an hour depending on number of strings (more = more time). Let them cool in the water, then lay out on a towel and let dry thoroughly.

Been there done that...........works good one time with bass strings because of the larger gauges and spacing in the windings.............but doesn't work very well with guitar strings as much.......BTW.......I use 10/49's tuned down a half step..........

 

[missd]

plastic horse feed bags, pack saddles for horses,
metal international foods coffee cans and lids great for nails etc

 

[TECH32]

Quarantine signs. On the same idea as many here said. Posted in conspicuous places in a SHTF situation, people might hesitate if they think the property is shut down due to Scarlet fever or Hoof and mouth disease.

If you put those up during a really serious outbreak your neighbors just might think it's safer to burn you/your house to the ground than risk having you come in contact with anyone else.

Just sayin'...

 

[Grammytomany]

I recently gave most of our preps away to food banks. It shows you where I think we are headed and pretty fast, I might add. I hope I am wrong. Truly, I do. But, I do not feel that our congressional leaders care about our country anymore. Those in power positions can do all kinds of things that would be considered illegal for the rest of us and just go on their merry way. So, why stress?? If you have extra food, pass it along to someone who doesn't have any. JMHO.

 

[Cascade Failure]

When the Columbians run out of bean, I've got the caffeine covered.

 

[pugdog]

My craziest prep, an airplane and several hundred gallons of 100ll.

 

[Codeno]

And you guys saving condoms, they have a limited life time for use, too!!!!

Well there's a new line...

"Babe, this says best if used by 1-12-12."

 

[Taz]

I have lots of stuff like boxes of nails, screws, etc. But the craziest thing I have is a large double bitted ax. While prepping for y2k, I went on line to the health dept of my county and was able to copy a quarentine form. Haven't used it yet. Need to print it out on hot orange paper.
I also have a life time's worth of weaving supplies and a floor loom. I do rugs. Have many lbs of mohair, merino, and cashmere all ready to spin.

 

[Bad Hand]

I am not worried about someone stealing green buffalo hides, they are huge, heavy and real hard to work with, same goes for the other hides. I only tan them when I want to make something.

If you are on a forum like this the chances that you have preps are 99.9999% so the only way to be safe and not let anyone know you have preps is to not join this type of forum.

 

[skwentnaflyer]

My craziest prep, an airplane and several hundred gallons of 100ll.

not crazy at all, that's very practical. wish we still had an airplane, but we sold it when we moved outside.

 

[SuElPo]

Sanitary pads are good to have on hand, because they make the best bandages for a bad cut etc. (first they are sanitary lol....and they are soft and thick) Another thing is a slinky. Not only can it walk down the stairs.lol....but is good for many other things also. We also have a lot of bubble wrap type stuff for wrapping around us over other clothing if no heat.