{"id":1609,"date":"2022-04-02T19:08:29","date_gmt":"2022-04-02T23:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intentionallywell.org\/?p=1609"},"modified":"2022-10-27T19:18:40","modified_gmt":"2022-10-27T23:18:40","slug":"not-a-prepper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intentionallywell.org\/not-a-prepper\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should be Prepping When You’re Not a Prepper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I am not a prepper. Do you know the term? The dictionary defines prepper as a person who believes a disaster or emergency will occur in the future and makes active preparations for it. Preppers typically stockpile food and other supplies. I am the opposite of this. I clean my refrigerator and pantry out often, I usually don’t cook enough to have leftovers, and I don’t buy clothes on sale the season before. Furthermore, if I’m not doing those basic things, I for sure don’t have some underground bunker in my backyard full of supplies (nor do I want to be this person) Me, not a prepper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Changed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While I don’t fear<\/em> a world disaster, I am an 80’s baby and have seen my fair share of them. Also, I am a planner and a realist. Planning for possibilities gives me a sense of control when the world feels out of control. With war raging across the globe, supply chain disruptions, a seemingly unending pandemic, and inflation closing in around us, I realize there is a time and a place to prepare a safety net for your family. This will look different for every family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember the Great Toilet Papergate of 2020? Back then, I had the mindset of, “This is crazy. I am not participating in this.” That thinking was all well and good until my family actually ran out of toilet paper. I wasn’t able to buy more anywhere! Thank goodness a friend gave us a few rolls to tide us over. So, you know, lesson learned. It’s better to be prepared, even if the probability of needing said supplies is small. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
This made me laugh more than it should have.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Starting Small<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I am focusing my prepping and stockpiling with food. The weekly grocery budget is where we already see price increases. Also, I know there have been multiple times where my grocery store has been completely out of an item I need. My personal opinion is that things will get worse before better (but take heart, they WILL get better). So, I am starting small and simple. When I do my grocery shopping each week, I am going to get a few extra items for the purposes of storing them for a rainy day. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Here is my first haul of extra groceries.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

All of the food in the picture above costed less than $15. Kroger had a sale that week of BOGO roasts, so the two in the photo were free! These items are going in to my pantry and freezer, and I will save them in case our finances become stretched or store shelves become more sparse. Furthermore, these things will come in super handy if I am having a day where we just need a quick and easy dinner<\/a>. I don’t plan to purchase this many extra groceries every time I go to the store. However, little by little, it will all add up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Start?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, how should you start preparing a safety net if you’re also not a prepper? This will be different for every person and family. The question you need to ask yourself is what resource are you most concerned about? For me, it is groceries and finances, which are linked in my mind. Inflation and rising gas prices mean our dollars won’t stretch as far as they used to. There will be an adjustment period for this, and I have peace of mind knowing I have a stocked pantry and freezer if my dollars need to be allocated to somewhere else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n