Selective Prepping: A Common Mistake In Family Disaster Readiness

This is a phenomenon common in people new to emergency preparedness but afflicts the more experienced prepper as well. There are many areas of focus with disaster readiness, each of them clamoring for our attention.

Food
Water
Shelter
Medical/first aid
Defense
Education
Alternative energy
Hygiene
Special needs for children, elderly, and pets

The list goes on and on. Naturally, there is no way we can give equal attention to each category or skill set, at least not all at the same time. Therefore there must be some degree of prioritization that comes into play. However, the problem lies in concentrating all or most of our attention on just one aspect and forgetting about the rest.

For example, it sounds like a stereotype but there are indeed "survivalists" out there who have spent several thousands of dollars on firearms and ammunition, yet are relying on perhaps one small box of canned food to see them through a crisis. Make no mistake, guns are indeed cool and "sexy" but I'm sure you see the problem with this plan. Bullets just don't taste that good, no matter how much salt you put on them. It is just as bad to focus on acquiring several pallets of dehydrated food but neglect to stock up on basic medicines and first aid items.

The best survival plans are well-rounded. Obviously unless you are independently wealthy, you need to diversify a bit and this can make it take longer to build up a decent stockpile of supplies. Buy a little at a time and you'll be surprised at how quickly it will all add up in your pantry.

Do something every day to add to your preparedness. One day fill up a few empty and clean 2L soda bottles with water and a couple drops of bleach. The next day, when you go grocery shopping, pick up a few extra cans of vegetables on sale. The day after that, if you have firearms, pick up a box of ammunition.

The idea is to remove the blinders and see the whole picture, rather than just a narrow field of vision. As a family progresses through disaster planning, it is perfectly acceptable to tend toward specialization in some areas. For instance, extensive garden plans will naturally entail acquiring and stockpiling vast amounts of heirloom seeds, garden implements, possibly even bags of soil. However, at the same time, this family should also set aside canned food, bottled water, and medical supplies.

At one time or another, every prepper and survivalist falls into this trap. The trick is to recognize when it happens and work toward getting out of the rut.

Jim Cobb is a recognized disaster readiness expert. He has studied survivalism and emergency preparedness for almost thirty years. In addition to this study, Jim has acquired extensive practical knowledge by living what he teaches. He is the owner of http://www.survivalweekly.com. In addition to writing on these topics, Jim is also available for speaking engagements. He was recently a featured speaker at the 2011 Survival & Preparedness Conference in Dallas, Texas. His common sense and down to earth approach to "prepping" have garnered him a substantial following. Jim is a columnist for Survivalist Magazine, writing "The Frugal Prepper." He is also a regular guest on the Prepper Broadcast Radio Network.

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Watch Out For Hidden Inflation Costs As Packaging "Shrinks"

So you think that inflation is being held in check and the price of food isn't going up? Think again...

In the February Issue of Consumer Reports, it is being reported that more and more producers are decreasing the size and content of their products, but not the prices you are charged for them. This isn't a new technique for increasing cost without "upping" the price tag.. I can remember when I first noticed that a 5-lb bag of sugar had become 4-lbs, and when fresh pecans, almonds and walnuts began to show up in 12 ounce packages instead of 16 ounces. But now this pricing slight of hand is becoming more prevalent across the board- from the juice that you drink, to the soap that you use to wash your dishes.

What Does This Mean For the Prepper?

While many people generally gauge their purchasing decision by price, most experienced preppers have already learned to focus more closely on package volume or price per ounce. So while the common shoppers may continue to purchase their usual products, it will take some time for them to realize their losses.. which will probably occur when they find themselves making additional trips to the grocery store to replenish their stock of items that used to last a bit longer. It's important to realize that you will see many more of these shell games with commodity prices over time as the producers, manufacturers, distributors, merchandisers and ultimately the stores play their own numbers games to hide the results of inflation. Eventually something will have to give, and prices will go up.

So How Much "Shrinkage" Are We Talking About?

Consumer Reports recent study found packing reductions of up to 20 percent. For example, Ivory dish detergent shrank from its 30 oz. bottle to a new 24 oz. bottle due to increased costs for raw materials, according to a customer service representative. And Häagen Dazs ice cream's 16 oz. container shrank to a 14 oz. container due to the cost of ingredients and facility costs. It was either change the size of the container or raise the price, according to customer service.

Here are some of Consumer Reports findings:

Tropicana orange juice: 64 oz. container is now 59 oz. - a 7.8 percent reduction.

Ivory dish detergent: 30 oz. bottle is now 24 oz. - 20 percent reduction

Kraft American cheese: 24 slice package now holds 22 slices - 8.3 percent reduction

Scott toilet tissue: 115.2 sq. ft. now 104.8 sq. ft. - 9 percent reduction

Chicken of the Sea salmon: 3 oz. can now 2.6 oz. - 13.3 percent reduction

What can consumers do?

Compare multiple products for pricing and size. Not all manufacturers downsize. Minute Maid still sells its orange juice in half-gallons, and Ben & Jerry's packs its ice cream in pints.

Compare unit price. Always look at the pricing sticker on the shelf and review cost per ounce, per quart, per pound, per sheet, etc...

Watch for sales, loss-leader items and coupons. Promotions change, making one size or another cheaper from week to week. Stock up when you find a good sale.

Try store brands when sizes are comparable. House brands are usually 25 to 30 percent cheaper than name brands and are often at least as good.

Buy in bulk. Warehouse clubs may offer low prices on large sizes or multi-packs. But again, check the price per unit and be sure you are getting the best bargain because this is not always a given.

Contact the company and let them know that you do not like these types of deceptive practices. Call the consumer hot line number listed on the packaging when available - and complain. When Consumer Reports asked customer-service representatives why a product had been downsized, they often offered coupons as an apology.

Information for this article cited at Consumer Reports Website.

Country Consultant is a website dedicated to promoting the "good life" in the country with emphasis on self-reliant rural living. Dene Brock shares her own experiences and advice about country living, gardening, energy-efficiency, and a variety of of other related topics. If you would like to learn more, visit our website at http://www.countryconsultant.com/blogspot and be sure to subscribe to our email updates.

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