Started My Phase 2 Of Prepping

[JesterODX]

So now that I got my tax money back, and I had to pay out too much on other expenses to get the two or three long guns I wanted, I ordered my food dehydrated and FoodSaver vaccum sealer. I am getting ready to order me some mylar bags and o2 absorbers and when every thing gets in, were gonna start playing around with the dehydrator.

I guess phase 3 is going to be my water and heating oil supply. I'm wanting to do 100 gallons of keroses in two 50 gallon drums. I figure I can buy 10 gallons a week during the spring or summer. Prices usually are a bit lower when people arent using heating oil. Picked up a crank pump at an auction for cheap back int he fall so thats ready. We heat a decent bit with K1 so we can figure our usage fairly well. 100 gallons aint enough for a full winter. I want to get at least this much so I have something. I mean we have fairly mild winters. This year, so far 100 gallons would do it. But on occasion we have a real winter. Then there's water. Again I am wanting to do two 50 gallon barrels. Its not enough for an extended period for three people but its a start. But I am looking into getting a solar power pack that can be used to power the well pump and other things.

[Kutter_0311]

Looks like you've got a solid schedule for supplies, good job!

Long guns are nice to have, but a good pistol covers more practical defensive needs.

You can't eat guns, nor do they keep you very warm...

[JesterODX]

Well I'm slowly coming around to going with guns that are practical for hunting over the ones I really want as play items... I guess I can go for toys after I get the important things done. But darn its like getting clothes at Christmas when your nine years old.

[Regular Guy]

I'd make water phase 2. You can only go 3-4 days without water before you have serious problems.

[raptor]

Sounds like you have a plan and making progress to ensure that plan is met.

On thing I do suggest you look at and I base this on this comment:

So now that I got my tax money back...

I assume like many people (too many actually) that you over withhold on your income taxes and filed for a refund. You can legally reduce your withholding so that you get your tax "refund" with each paycheck. What you do is compute your tax liability at the end of this year and reduce your withholding by adding dependents on the withholding form until you have reduced your refund amount to a more reasonable number. Your net paycheck will be larger and you can simply route these "excess" funds into a separate savings account so you do not see and cannot spend the "excess/refund" amount. This way you have access to the money when you need it and do not have to wait for the refund of your money for the interest free loan you are giving Uncle Sam.

[JesterODX]

Raptor, I am a bit strange (in a few ways) when it comes to money and taxes. I actually do file no dependants and actually have them over draw an additional $20 a week. I'm not the best at saving money. And I dont mind letting the goverment use it. They need as much help as they can get right now.


Regular Guy, yeah I agree. I might start the next phase real soon. Water has been my down fall on all my prep stuff. I always think I have time, but we really never know when something might happen.

[raptor]

Raptor, I am a bit strange (in a few ways) when it comes to money and taxes. I actually do file no dependants and actually have them over draw an additional $20 a week. I'm not the best at saving money. And I dont mind letting the goverment use it. They need as much help as they can get right now.

At the risk of being a nag...developing skills is a key to prepping.

You need to further develop your skill of managing and saving money. You can start by leaving your withholding alone but simply saving $5 a week and not spending the money. It is a good exercise in fiscal prepping.

Simply put it in a jar and that way you can see it and tempt you to spend it. You can also take pride in watching it accumulate as you avoid the temptation.

We face many risks in our world. Being broke due to poor financial skills is a zombie we all face and must learn to master.

[duodecima]

Raptor, I am a bit strange (in a few ways) when it comes to money and taxes. I actually do file no dependants and actually have them over draw an additional $20 a week. I'm not the best at saving money. And I dont mind letting the goverment use it. They need as much help as they can get right now.

At the risk of being a nag...developing skills is a key to prepping.

You need to further develop your skill of managing and saving money. You can start by leaving your withholding alone but simply saving $5 a week and not spending the money. It is a good exercise in fiscal prepping.

Simply put it in a jar and that way you can see it and tempt you to spend it. You can also take pride in watching it accumulate as you avoid the temptation.

We face many risks in our world. Being broke due to poor financial skills is a zombie we all face and must learn to master.

I with held too much for years, I'm just getting that into balance.

If sitting in a jar is too much temptation, having an automatic deposit to savings every pay period is another option, it's what I do for retirement. It's just like another bill to pay only I'm paying myself.

And good going for having a plan in any case!

[raptor]

Raptor, I am a bit strange (in a few ways) when it comes to money and taxes. I actually do file no dependants and actually have them over draw an additional $20 a week. I'm not the best at saving money. And I dont mind letting the goverment use it. They need as much help as they can get right now.

At the risk of being a nag...developing skills is a key to prepping.

You need to further develop your skill of managing and saving money. You can start by leaving your withholding alone but simply saving $5 a week and not spending the money. It is a good exercise in fiscal prepping.

Simply put it in a jar and that way you can see it and tempt you to spend it. You can also take pride in watching it accumulate as you avoid the temptation.

We face many risks in our world. Being broke due to poor financial skills is a zombie we all face and must learn to master.

I with held too much for years, I'm just getting that into balance.

If sitting in a jar is too much temptation, having an automatic deposit to savings every pay period is another option, it's what I do for retirement. It's just like another bill to pay only I'm paying myself.

And good going for having a plan in any case!

That is a good plan too. However the jar is both a daily temptation and reward. It is a training tool, kinda like dieting and walking into a donut store buying a donut but not eating it. A tough love exercise in self control.

[nes999]

With the $5 in the jar idea. Reward yourself with one of the guns you really want but arent very practical.

[Aim2Maim]

I think the hardest part most of us face with the financial savings is prioritizing. Sometimes (esp here with all the pic porn threads!) you see something and go HOLY SHIT ITS PERFECT! But then you see the price tag. Having the cool shit, the ultralight, the top line gear is great but for a lot of us, myself included, for that same price we could shore up a lot more holes in our preps. Point is that most of us go by the buy once, cry once phrase but that can't always be the way. For instance right now I am facing a dilema with my shelter for my family of 4. Definitely needs upgraded. I want a kifaru/tigoat tipi and stove, however for the price tag I could put back A TON of extra water, food, ammo, etc that I could use a little more of. Now different situations call for different approaches and I can get by with our current shelter because bugging out is quite literally the absolute last resort like a nuke is heading straight for us last resort.

More on topic I second the thought of upgrading water as priority. Water is first and foremost the thing we need most after you have found a way to square away more water then focus on the other things.

Lastly, if you can find yourself disciplined enough to keep putting your money away and prioritizing your preps I say definitely splurge on a pure want, weather it's that gun you aren't really going to hunt with, that awesome BoB you've been eying, or anything else.

[AKFTW]

One way I manage money is to make a "gear list" of all the things I need to fill the holes in my inventory- I make sure all the items are well reviewed and of reputable quality, find the very best prices (shipping included), organize them according to category, and then list them in order of priority. Then once I get some disposable income, I move right down the list as I can afford to. This prevents me from making impulse buys on something that later turns out to be crap, and I can make sure this way that I only spend money when I have some to spare.

I also try to sell off old gear and guns that I don't use and put that money towards the list. When I have bills to pay I put away the money for the rent/bills as soon as I get enough to pay them, and then mark that money as "spent" in my accounting list so I know I will always have enough. This has worked for me very well and virtually eliminates "buyers remorse"- I have been very satisfied with almost all of my purchases since I started using this list system.

[Aim2Maim]

One way I manage money is to make a "gear list" of all the things I need to fill the holes in my inventory- I make sure all the items are well reviewed and of reputable quality, find the very best prices (shipping included), organize them according to category, and then list them in order of priority. Then once I get some disposable income, I move right down the list as I can afford to. This prevents me from making impulse buys on something that later turns out to be crap, and I can make sure this way that I only spend money when I have some to spare.

Could not agree more. Time and time again I see people buying something because it was there and the "I could use this" phrase pops into their head. Having my lists definitely cuts that out for me.

[JesterODX]

I totally need to start saving more. I know it. I just dont do it. But I am lucky that I only have 4200 in debt and few bills. Gotta a good job (local government) with bennefits and retirement. I've never done the 401K which I should. I dont have a checking account and only use pre paid credit cards. ATM card, no debit. Cash only transactions unless its over the web purchases.

Raptor, I may indeed do a second savings account. I do automatic deposit, but I can just have them auto dump a hundred or two into it out of my primary savings account every pay day.

[raptor]

Raptor, I may indeed do a second savings account. I do automatic deposit, but I can just have them auto dump a hundred or two into it out of my primary savings account every pay day.

That is exactly the way to do it. Set up the account and do not tie to your checking so it is a PITA to get at the money. That way you will not be tempted to use it and if you do not see it you cannot spend it.

[Aim2Maim]

I would highly suggest the 401k, if you can manage to set up the max on what your company will match do it! Most companies you are vested after 5 years and their match contribution is free money. Some companies only match 2% right now if at all while others are still in the 8-10%. The Rate of Return is not what it used to be but once market conditions stabilize it will be a great investment tool and if it doesn't stabilize your already preparing for that! On the direct deposit into a savings account, if saving is difficult for you you can always try setting up a new savings account at a different bank that your direct deposits will go into.

[Mister Dark]

So now that I got my tax money back, and I had to pay out too much on other expenses to get the two or three long guns I wanted, I ordered my food dehydrated and FoodSaver vaccum sealer. I am getting ready to order me some mylar bags and o2 absorbers and when every thing gets in, were gonna start playing around with the dehydrator.

I guess phase 3 is going to be my water and heating oil supply. I'm wanting to do 100 gallons of keroses in two 50 gallon drums. I figure I can buy 10 gallons a week during the spring or summer. Prices usually are a bit lower when people arent using heating oil. Picked up a crank pump at an auction for cheap back int he fall so thats ready. We heat a decent bit with K1 so we can figure our usage fairly well. 100 gallons aint enough for a full winter. I want to get at least this much so I have something. I mean we have fairly mild winters. This year, so far 100 gallons would do it. But on occasion we have a real winter. Then there's water. Again I am wanting to do two 50 gallon barrels. Its not enough for an extended period for three people but its a start. But I am looking into getting a solar power pack that can be used to power the well pump and other things.

Congratulations! I am of the opinion that the first solid steps are the hardest, after a while, it just becomes second nature to "put a little extra back", whether it be food, money, or gear. Small steps...

Depending on which part of NC you are in, I may could help on the water/fuel storage bit. I have access to a lot of 55gal plastic barrels, at a good price. PM me if you think they would be of use to you and we can work something out. Water is absolutely CRITICAL, by the way. It would do you no good to have heat, food, and weapons, if you are having to abandon the house 3 days after the tap water dries up. Just sayin'. I would aim for at least 1 months worth per person in the household, just as a start. My goal (havent quite reached it yet) is 3 months potable water stored onsite. And I would supplement that with rainwater and purified sources from a nearby lake. If you have a water source nearby, consider just making your own filter system for water purification.

Sounds like you have a plan and making progress to ensure that plan is met.

On thing I do suggest you look at and I base this on this comment:

So now that I got my tax money back...

I assume like many people (too many actually) that you over withhold on your income taxes and filed for a refund. You can legally reduce your withholding so that you get your tax "refund" with each paycheck. What you do is compute your tax liability at the end of this year and reduce your withholding by adding dependents on the withholding form until you have reduced your refund amount to a more reasonable number. Your net paycheck will be larger and you can simply route these "excess" funds into a separate savings account so you do not see and cannot spend the "excess/refund" amount. This way you have access to the money when you need it and do not have to wait for the refund of your money for the interest free loan you are giving Uncle Sam.

Amen, brother. Amazing how many people just dont get this.

[JesterODX]

Mister Dark, I'm gonna check to see whatI can find local. If I cant find anyting suitable for less then the store has them, then I'll give you a hollar and maybe take some barrels off your hands.

[ZombieGranny]

I would far rather give Uncle Sam an interest-free loan, than some bank.
At least uncle Sam might fix the potholes in the road... the bank will just put it towards a McMansion.
-
Congrats on the food dehydrator!
I love mine.