OK, EdmondMember -- I was trying to figure out how to post this because the notebook I have now is not the notebook I started out with a couple of years ago. Like most things I fool around with, it has kinda evolved. BUT what might be important (or not) to me may be important (or not) to you. So ... I've decided to try and recreate HOW my notebook started out and what it has evolved to now. Even now, I'm making changes to it this year so what we start out with in this thread now will not be what we end up with when I get done. But you will get the idea of how it goes and in no time you will have a notebook geared to what will work for you and your family.
OK ... here goes ...
Once I decided that I did, indeed, need a central place to keep all this information (this is as much for GC, because I am "Auntie Entity"
and as such have information in my head that he might need someday when I'm not around to ask) I looked around the interwebz and then kinda started my own thing ... First I got a big (3 in) binder and some of those little plastic dividers that you can write on with a sharpie.
My first set of tabs were these:
Food Inventory - where I kept a list of everything I had put back and everything I added to "the stash" each time I shopped. This has evolved somewhat. I know have a "Master List" in the front of this section that has the totals of everything I want to have put back. If you would like to see that list I'll be glad to post it for you. Just say ... Everybody I know that I've shared this list with has made changes to it to fit their own circumstances and that is GREAT. I want you to know that what I do may NOT be what you need. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO CHANGE SOMETHING TO BETTER SUIT YOUR SITUATION.
I have added a subsection to this tab which covers when the stores in my area change sales flyers each week. Although I'm not an "extreme couponer" I do use coupons. If I find one, this is where it goes, paperclipped to this section so I can find it easily before I leave to go shopping. Some folks put a big envelope, again, just do what suits you. I guarantee you it will change over time.
Water - This started out as a list of things I wanted to buy, as well as a running total of all the bottled water I have. Most folks, including myself, bought bottled water to "stock up". It doesn't take long to realize that stocking up on Dansani isn't gonna work too well if you have more than one or two people to take care of. Because I have small livestock, I probably overprep in this department.
This section now includes the instructions for various methods of preparing water to make it safe for use and consumption. I'll include links in another post (when I have more time. GC is finally up and around and waiting on me now!
) to where I found that information so you can print it off if you think it will be useful to you.
Shelter - Again, this started off as a list of what I had and what else I needed to fill in the holes. Pretty self-explanatory for the most part. And also very personal -- the more people you have to prepare for, the more stuff you will need.
Personal - Contacts. For me that means a list of GC's supervisors, close friends with whom we've made arrangements to watch out for each other, family, any other contacts you have stored in your phone that you might need in an emergency. (How many folks' phone numbers do you have memorized now? Right. Better write them down -- just in case ...)
A subsection of "Personal" is for passports, voter ID cards, copies of our Driver's Licenses, Conceal Carry permit (for me), CLEET card (for GC), originals of birth certificates, social security cards, etc. Anything that is the typical "approved" proof of your identity.
Financial - Every single account (bank, credit card, investment accounts, etc.) you have, numbers, passwords, security questions, contact numbers, etc. I know the experts tell you not to keep all this stuff together but if you are in a hurry you WILL need all this information in one place. The time to hunt for all this information is NOT while the fire department is trying to save your burning home.
Education - Skills you have?? List them. Skills you want to have? List them. I have an ongoing list of things I want to learn/try/perfect. I add something to the bottom of the list when I decide I need to pursue it further, cross it off when I accomplish it. It's kinda a neat thing because you can actually see how far you've come and where you want to go quickly. Helps keep me focused because I tend to "chase rabbits" ... LOL So many interesting things to do in this world, so little time!
OK ... I gotta get but I'll be back to give you the links you'll need to help you flesh out these tab ... and add some more.
BTW, my "notebook" is now actually a carrying case you can pick up at any office supply store that's made for storing files in. Works great!
ETA: You will notice as my posts go along that I have moved from just storing items, specifically food, to producing food -- At least as much as I can given the size of my back yard.
Some folks are into the "sustainability" aspect of prepping because they believe that there will come a point in time when we are all living in a third world country again. Regardless of whether that comes to pass or not, I do it because it is healthier for me NOW ... If America becomes the next third world country ... well ... then I'll be just a little bit farther ahead of the game than some others but you won't see me growing and thrashing my own wheat any time soon.
Like it or not, practicallity is an issue in prepping. Don't think for one minute that what I do is the end-all-be-all. Take my posts as what they are intended for -- a STARTING place for you to jump off from. And don't be afraid to post suggestions. Please. That is how I learn, too ...
OK ... here goes ...
Once I decided that I did, indeed, need a central place to keep all this information (this is as much for GC, because I am "Auntie Entity"
and as such have information in my head that he might need someday when I'm not around to ask) I looked around the interwebz and then kinda started my own thing ... First I got a big (3 in) binder and some of those little plastic dividers that you can write on with a sharpie.My first set of tabs were these:
Food Inventory - where I kept a list of everything I had put back and everything I added to "the stash" each time I shopped. This has evolved somewhat. I know have a "Master List" in the front of this section that has the totals of everything I want to have put back. If you would like to see that list I'll be glad to post it for you. Just say ... Everybody I know that I've shared this list with has made changes to it to fit their own circumstances and that is GREAT. I want you to know that what I do may NOT be what you need. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO CHANGE SOMETHING TO BETTER SUIT YOUR SITUATION.
I have added a subsection to this tab which covers when the stores in my area change sales flyers each week. Although I'm not an "extreme couponer" I do use coupons. If I find one, this is where it goes, paperclipped to this section so I can find it easily before I leave to go shopping. Some folks put a big envelope, again, just do what suits you. I guarantee you it will change over time.
Water - This started out as a list of things I wanted to buy, as well as a running total of all the bottled water I have. Most folks, including myself, bought bottled water to "stock up". It doesn't take long to realize that stocking up on Dansani isn't gonna work too well if you have more than one or two people to take care of. Because I have small livestock, I probably overprep in this department.
This section now includes the instructions for various methods of preparing water to make it safe for use and consumption. I'll include links in another post (when I have more time. GC is finally up and around and waiting on me now!
) to where I found that information so you can print it off if you think it will be useful to you.Shelter - Again, this started off as a list of what I had and what else I needed to fill in the holes. Pretty self-explanatory for the most part. And also very personal -- the more people you have to prepare for, the more stuff you will need.
Personal - Contacts. For me that means a list of GC's supervisors, close friends with whom we've made arrangements to watch out for each other, family, any other contacts you have stored in your phone that you might need in an emergency. (How many folks' phone numbers do you have memorized now? Right. Better write them down -- just in case ...)
A subsection of "Personal" is for passports, voter ID cards, copies of our Driver's Licenses, Conceal Carry permit (for me), CLEET card (for GC), originals of birth certificates, social security cards, etc. Anything that is the typical "approved" proof of your identity.
Financial - Every single account (bank, credit card, investment accounts, etc.) you have, numbers, passwords, security questions, contact numbers, etc. I know the experts tell you not to keep all this stuff together but if you are in a hurry you WILL need all this information in one place. The time to hunt for all this information is NOT while the fire department is trying to save your burning home.
Education - Skills you have?? List them. Skills you want to have? List them. I have an ongoing list of things I want to learn/try/perfect. I add something to the bottom of the list when I decide I need to pursue it further, cross it off when I accomplish it. It's kinda a neat thing because you can actually see how far you've come and where you want to go quickly. Helps keep me focused because I tend to "chase rabbits" ... LOL So many interesting things to do in this world, so little time!
OK ... I gotta get but I'll be back to give you the links you'll need to help you flesh out these tab ... and add some more.
BTW, my "notebook" is now actually a carrying case you can pick up at any office supply store that's made for storing files in. Works great!
ETA: You will notice as my posts go along that I have moved from just storing items, specifically food, to producing food -- At least as much as I can given the size of my back yard.
Some folks are into the "sustainability" aspect of prepping because they believe that there will come a point in time when we are all living in a third world country again. Regardless of whether that comes to pass or not, I do it because it is healthier for me NOW ... If America becomes the next third world country ... well ... then I'll be just a little bit farther ahead of the game than some others but you won't see me growing and thrashing my own wheat any time soon.
Like it or not, practicallity is an issue in prepping. Don't think for one minute that what I do is the end-all-be-all. Take my posts as what they are intended for -- a STARTING place for you to jump off from. And don't be afraid to post suggestions. Please. That is how I learn, too ...
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) ...
) Now start shopping to fill in THIS list. When you are done you will have acquired another 3 weeks worth of food. Viola!! 30-days worth of food put back for your family -- THAT THEY WILL EAT!!
