Today is Day 14 of our 30 days of homesteading Q&A on the podcast where I have reached out to some of the best bloggers and podcasters in the homesteading space to answer your questions about homesteading.
Today’s question is “I’m not sure how I feel about the whole prepping thing. What are some realistic situations where I could possibly need 3 months’ worth of food stored up?” Answering today’s question is Jo Rellime from HomesteadChronicles.com
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Why Prepping is More Important Than You Think
When you hear the word “prepping,” it might bring up images of people getting ready for the zombie apocalypse or other extreme events. But prepping isn’t just for doomsday scenarios! It’s a practical and smart way to make sure you and your family are prepared for real-life challenges. Let’s dive into why realistic prepping is something everyone should consider.
Realistic Prepping for Real-Life Challenges
You don’t need to believe in wild events like zombies or massive disasters to understand the value of prepping. Many people have faced sudden hardships, like health issues or losing a job, which can leave you struggling. Imagine being unable to work for months due to illness or injury. It happens to people every day, and being prepared with extra food and supplies can make all the difference during tough times.
Jo, from Homestead Chronicles, shared a personal story in a podcast about how illness turned her life upside down. Once living comfortably with a steady income, everything changed when she got sick. She lost her job, house, car, and savings. This kind of unexpected event can happen to anyone, and it’s a perfect example of why prepping is essential.
Why Prepping is Like Saving Money
Think of prepping like having a savings account, but instead of just money, you’re saving food, supplies, and other essentials. Just like you might save a little money from each paycheck for emergencies, storing food and household items is the same idea. When tough times come—whether it’s a job loss, illness, or even a big storm—you’ll be ready.
Having a stash of food and supplies means you don’t have to rely on others or scramble to find help. Joe mentioned how, without her stored-up food, she and her family would have been in a food pantry line. But thanks to her preparedness, they were able to make it through a difficult time without depending on anyone else.
What Happens If You’re Not Prepared?
Think about how many people live paycheck to paycheck. If you or someone in your family couldn’t work for even a few weeks, what would you do? For many, even a short period without income can cause big problems. That’s why having just three months of food stored up can be a lifesaver.
Jo’s story highlights that it doesn’t take a big, world-changing event to make prepping useful. It could be as simple as not being able to leave the house due to sickness or financial trouble. Being prepared helps keep some normalcy in your life, even during the worst times.
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How Prepping Can Improve Your Life Now
One of the unexpected benefits of prepping is that it can actually save you money over time. If you’re smart about rotating your stored food—using the oldest first and replacing it with newer items—you’ll make fewer trips to the store. Jo talked about how convenient it is to grab food from her stash instead of having to run to the grocery store all the time.
Plus, when you prep, you can buy items in bulk or on sale, which means you’re spending less in the long run. You’ll also likely be cooking from scratch more, which can lead to healthier meals and fewer processed foods in your diet.
Prepping: Not Just for Extreme Scenarios
Prepping is about being prepared for whatever life throws your way—big or small. It’s not just for conspiracy theorists or people who think the world is ending. It’s for anyone who wants to feel more secure in their ability to provide for themselves and their family when times get tough.
It’s not about being afraid of what could happen. It’s about being smart and ready for when things do happen. You don’t need to store years of food, but having enough to get through a few months is a wise move.
Start Small, But Start Now
If you’re new to prepping, don’t feel overwhelmed. You don’t need to fill up a whole room with food and supplies right away. Start small. Set a goal to have enough food and essentials for your family for a week. Then, build it up from there. Over time, you can work your way to having enough supplies for three months or more.
Prepping is about protecting your future. It’s about making sure that, no matter what happens, you and your loved ones have what you need to get through it.
