New in Kent

[Invicta]

Good morning all-
Just wanted to introduce myself; new to this community though not to the concept of prepping. I live in Kent, I have been prepping as I can, alittle here; a little there whereever possible. I am on a considerably low wage- almost minimum wage- and have child care responsibilities so my capacity to stock up on supplies, tools, equipment, etc is not great. Also, since my divorce last year from my ex-wife, I have not been able to afford a home of my own so am - for the time being- back living with my parents. This puts a strain on my capacity to prep effectively as well- where does one store all one might need in a single bed small room? I have maximised what space I have but using different sizes of plastic underbed storage boxes, wardrobe space,etc. Also bearing in mind that this same space also serves for day to day things. Thus far, I have been ensuring I have first aid kit, fire extinguisher, light sticks, smelling salts, some tools, hatchet, duck tape, glue, plastic sheeting, rope. Everyday things that could be useful even if the SHTF never happens.
As I said, stockpiling foodstuffs, rations, etc is just not possible given my living arrangements- and this is one of my biggest problems, if things went belly up tomorrow, that and the ability to be self reliant. I would not give myself an awfully long shelf life at all if the SHTF big time. It is a sobering thought but one I do not have any answers to at the moment other than continue to acquire things bit by bit.
Skills wise....I do not know how to hunt or trap, to field dress, skin, tan and cure. I dont know how to identify wild plants. I do know about water collection and purification techniques. I have attended no bushcraft course- I would like to but it is beyond my means. I have found Youtube to be invaluable though and I have a HUGE amount of stockpiled lint from the tumble dryer and petroleum jelly for firelighters.
Possibly, I am hoping that my forethought as to my vulnerabilities and the first most immediate needs in a situation would give me some sort of edge. I am trained in the health field and am prepared to some degree for the possibility of a pandemic strike......
Any thoughts or friendly suggestions gratefully recieved.

[pseudonym]

Hello and welcome to the Forum.

[whenfires]

Hi and welcome to the forum. You are working with what you have and that is all anyone can do and sometimes an edge is all you need!

[Deeps]

Welcome to the forum, there's loads of good info on here.

Don't get too bent out of shape about what you think of as a lack of preps. We all start somewhere and its maybe worth having a think about what you see as the most likely reason to need preps. Is it for a loss of income ? A loss of infrastructure (lecky, water) or something like a flood ? If its for short term stuff then the trapping skills might not be a matter of urgency. I think a lot of us started with a bit of a random approach, I know I did a bit before realising that I had no intentions to run off to the woods at the first excuse. water, food and a means to cook/warm it are a good start and can be done cheaply, get a weeks worth, even over time is a start and basic essentials like batteries, torches and matches/lighters and warm/dry clothes, that kind of thing. You can start getting the more exotic things down the line as when you see a bargain.

Good luck with it though, I hope you find plenty of helpful stuff on here.

[Alloneword]

where does one store all one might need in a single bed small room?

Something you want to look into is something called "Storemates" i was looking at storage and was looking at £500 a year was able to find somewhere for just a £100, if it's near you it's a great idea

All1

[Decaff]

Single beds have lots of storage space under them for boxes of food/provisions. Even better is a bed with a hollw base and a sliding door to access the space inside. On top of the wardrobe is another good place, door hanging organisers for shoes on the back of the door can hold torches, first aid supplies, packs of batteries, toiletries, one wall filled with shelves is another, shelf above the bedroom door and running round the entire room can be used with storage boxes we all waste that space! Being organised is your best friend when space is tight.

I would take a good step back and appraise the room, just moving things around gives you more space.

Welcome to the forum

[Invicta]

Thank you for the welcomes- I mean to move a few things into storage after Christmas, things that dont see much use; might be that frees up alittle bit of room!