A couple of things I'm doing

[Rosesandtea]

One aspect of my preparing is doing what I can to help other people wake up and get ready, however small that may be. One thing I have been doing, which I know many of you would not want to (so I'm politely asking this not become a thread on the pros and cons of what I've done and the medium I've used), is share news items and personal experiences on Facebook. So I post articles about inflation (lots of those) with mild hints of how it would be better to buy item X while it's cheaper instead of waiting for it to become more expensive.

I've shared about first aid items. Recently I mentioned the triangular bandage that was used when my son broke his collarbone last summer. The ambulancemen used my bandage to stabilize his shoulder and arm, as they did not keep such bandages in their kit!

After the horrific crash last autumn I shared how I had given "ResQMe" tools to some of my family one Christmas. I also shared about getting new fire extinguishers for home and car.

I finally shared that article that was recently in the Daily Mail about preppers. I said that the article was sensational and that I didn't have a bunker or loads of stuff but I thought that having extra food around was a good idea. I shared that things were tight this month and would be next month too and having some extra flour and sugar and other things meant that our grocery bill for this week and the next few would not be as high. I've got a friend who is on another forum with me and she is often my "straight (wo)man" when I post things like that, and adds some common sense thoughts.

This hasn't had a lot of effect on my target audience (yet), which are really my friends from church - BUT yesterday I had someone who is already into self-sufficiency, tell me that all the articles and posts I made have made him realise prepping is a good idea. He wants his family to have enough food for all the various things that might happen, like winter storms and economic difficulties. So, he says he will be building his stocks up.

Drip drip drip, little bit by little bit. I'm careful not to sound like I've got loads of food in some bunker (and I don't), but I try to present things as a concerned mother and housewife with a tight budget and a desire to keep my family safe and healthy. I've had some discussions on my wall with a few people, and I intend to just keep keeping on with sharing basic info and values.

Another thing - that is happening tonight! is that I am giving a demonstration and talk on canning to a small group from the Transition town initiative in my town. I've been making handouts and posters and a cheat sheet and now I have to start gathering the gear I've got to take. I hope to talk a little while the jars are processing ( I need to decide what I'll can! ) and I've got some litmus paper for people to test the ph value of some food items I'll bring and we'll put the values on a poster.

I consider this prepping - and beneficial to me and mine - because everyone who puts up food, will be less at risk of hunger during any potential bad times, and therefore less of a risk to me.

Also, it is just nice, and the right thing to do, to help when you can IMO.

Thanks for reading.

[pseudonym]

R&T,

Great post.

It looks like you are on the way to enlightening all around you. As you stated, it provides less of a risk to you and yours if TSHTF.

[itsybitsy]

I think that's all superb. Particularly the canning demo. We really should get a 'ladies' meet up sorted out - we were discussing it a while ago, I think before you joined R&T. Few of us were going to get together one weekend, drink wine and can stuff.

[pseudonym]

I think that's all superb. Particularly the canning demo. We really should get a 'ladies' meet up sorted out - we were discussing it a while ago, I think before you joined R&T. Few of us were going to get together one weekend, drink wine and can stuff.

Sexism - alive and well in 2012

[itsybitsy]

I think that's all superb. Particularly the canning demo. We really should get a 'ladies' meet up sorted out - we were discussing it a while ago, I think before you joined R&T. Few of us were going to get together one weekend, drink wine and can stuff.

Sexism - alive and well in 2012

Not sexism, just a few women getting together for a few drinks and to learn a new skill!

[Alleycat]

Great post R&T I dont do nearly as much as that but a few articles in the paper or on the news have sparked a few conversations amongst friends and aquaintances - for instance I had a conversation about the solar storms ( the other person brought it up ) and I kinda said I wasnt too concerned about this one because it was actually quite a tame one no bigger than any others we have had, and then added as an aside that if they were concerned about things like that one of the best things they could do was store some water because most people dont realise that if there is a total power outage then there is no power to the water pumping stations...etc. It was quite a nice feeling passing on a bit of knowledge. I dont think I'll ever become massively vocal about things but a little bit of info here and there can only be a good thing, and wont compromise my future safety.

[diamond lil]

I like your priorities there itsy.

[itsybitsy]

I like your priorities there itsy.

[TomW]

That's a brilliant way to get the message out! Might start doing the same though my FB use is sporadic at best lol! Some might put 2 and 2 together but its much better opsec wide than just telling people.

I don't think a ladies only meet is sexist, sensible really as real men don't drink wine Hope you get it sorted and have a good time

[maxilaura]

Good thread, I'm also "talking" to some people around me hoping they will get my drift and catch on. This afternoon I spoke to one of the Moms' on the walk up to school only to find out that they already have their own chicks and are installing solar panels - so they are much futher ahead of me actually where preps are concerned.