Overprepping!

[Steve C]

Quick question from the noob - when does over stocking prepping items turn into 'hoarding' (if that is possible)?

I myself have what I would call a fairly large quantity of certain types of lets call them 'consumables', I could just about reasonably explain their existance in such a quantity as bulk buy discount to like minded individuals with a knowledge of the subject, however I would probably fail the sheeple Daily Mail / Red Top front page shock headline test

Any serious (or funny) answers gratefully received.

[Janash37]

Why does the Daily Mail know where you live??

[MrPickles]

if the food spoil before you can eat it then you have too much or you just don't rotating your stock
and don't let the reporters in

[arnieh]

Hi Steve C, I too am new to the prepping game the way I see it its all down to how many you are prepping for, what you feel comfortable with, what you can afford and what you have room for.

Regards arnieh

[Janash37]

Yea, like arnieh said... If you're on your own and have 20 years worth off food/water stored then maybe you're going a bit overboard (but who knows haha?).

It all changes though if you have a family of say four people - split that 20 years worth, and you now have 5 years worth for each individual which seems much more reasonable/explainable!

[Triple_sod]

To be honest I think the line between food storage and hording lies where your preparedness in this area far exceeds that in the rest of your lifestyle, if that makes sense?

[jansman]

Hi Steve C, I too am new to the prepping game the way I see it its all down to how many you are prepping for, what you feel comfortable with, what you can afford and what you have room for.

Regards arnieh

What you are comfy with, most certainly. I cannotstore any more food for instance, without spoilage. However, I am ramping up my efforts into my garden and livestock, on order to secure sustainability. Tha same foes for fuel, I have wood heat, and I am developing low-level solar appliances(radios lights etc). Being prepared( for me) is not about "stuff" as such.

[TomW]

To me you can't have too much, there's no telling how long any given situation could continue for. However that does come with two restrictions, that of space and time. Foodstuffs will deteriorate over time so to minimise wastage only stor what you can use before its inedible. With well preserved foods and good rotation this limit could potentially exceed your lifespan. Space however is finite, so when that runs out you can only maintain stocks.
There is also a question of balance, is it worth it if you fill the space with just toilet paper and no food? It is if you're worried about a global tp shortage or see it as investment, could be a valuable barter item for example. However id rather have no tp than no food

Just curious with what you mean by hoatder too. The crazed people who never throw anything away ( a la tv shows such as extreme hoarders) or those labelled as hoarders in times of crisis for having stocks of stuff that's in short supply?

[preppermark]

Over the top or not is for you to decide as your opinion is the only one that really counts.

[junmist]

If you can eat it after two years you are a prepper. If it starts to smell you are a hoarder