Interview: Ask a prepper – PrepperBabe

In another installment (probably our last we have done so many) of ask-a-prepper we talk with the “PrepperBabe” of Facebook and ask her to weigh in on a few prepper related questions.

How long have you been prepping for?
7 years+ never really thought about it.

Any reason why you began prepping?
I was a coupon queen, wanted to find foods that lasted longer and I have a friend that referred me to the LDS site to order #10 cans. I also was tired of the expensive freeze dried toddler fruits and one of the first cans I bought were freeze dried strawberries.

A specific event?
Economic collapse, loss of job, death, illness, tornadoes.

Do you live in an Urban setting or a rural one?
Both.

If the time comes are you bugging out or in?
If we are at our bug out location we will stay there, depending on what the situation is and where it could be either location.

Has prepping changed your lifestyle?
Yes, it provides comfort and peace of mind and it is a way of life.

Do your preps include an underground shelter or bunker?
Yes 8 x 14 tornado shelter and my neighbor has a bunker (bug out location).

If times ever got tough would you work solo or with a support group?
I would work with our bug out location residents only 100 people in the town in no man’s. I would work with about 4-6 of them most are 30 miles out in all directions. Otherwise solo with my family, I definitely won’t depend on them though.

If you could give a new prepper some advice based on your past mistakes, what would they be?
Don’t stockpile stuff you don’t eat! I bought several cases of wheat when I first started prepping and haven’t used it to this day. My local grain mill gave us permission to shovel up any grain on the ground (keeps it from rotting and stinking up the place) and that is free and good for chickens at least and way more of it then I care to shovel up!

Did your significant other have a problem with your prepping?
After my husband lost his job and we had food for our family of 5 for more than a year he was really happy, saw the light and is now a full fledge prepper! He got a job within like 3 months that was over 2 years ago.

Did he/she back you? Kids?
He always lets me buy what I want but now he likes to prep and buy stuff too. My kids love being preppers If you have any are they incorporated? All our kids have certain duties they do in daily life and in emergency situations. Blaze is 13, he is in charge of batteries, checking solar, flashlights and electronic devices. Sahara is 8 she gathers up last minute food/snacks and savanna is 6 she lines up all our boots by the back door if we are under a tornado watch so if it goes to a warning no one is scrambling looking for their shoes and we choose good strong shoes, bright colors, long sleeves and pants she also makes sure the other kids are dressed appropriately. We have different plans for different situations.

Can you share any tips for the elderly or low income families who wish to prep but are unsure of how to start based on said age or income level?
Couponing is a great way to score preps for free, watch your local craigslist for free items or curb alerts, barter or trade online, facebook also has barter groups by area. Elderly could consider taking on someone to help with chores, errands, shopping, wood chopping in exchange for a bedroom etc. Consider getting the elderly and disabled preppers bags on rollers, carts on rollers, instant tents, things that take into consideration their aging or limited physical abilities and how wearing a pack could actually could cause an injury, exhaustion etc Incorporate their hobbies into prepping to make it fun and see what all they already have on hand that they can cross off their to do list. There are many preppers with disabilities that have amazing talents to offer! The non seeing prepper can guide a group in the night!

Doomsday Preppers. Has the show hurt or helped the prepping community?
I have been asked twice and refused twice. I think they make people look crazy. I am not crazy, it is my duty as a mother to provide my children with food, water and shelter no matter what the given situation!

Does your extended family or friends give you slack about prepping?
No they do not.

If nothing happens in your lifetime or children’s lifetime for that matter, would you feel that you wasted your time and money?
No I will not. It is a lifestyle I will lead no matter what happens and its not all about money spent. I don’t buy generally just useless stuff it all has a use.

Want to give some advice to a new prepper?
Start with a 3 month supply of your every day pantry staples, then increase to 6 months. Eat out of it and rotate it adding to it as you can. Buy staples in bulk, store in jars for pantry use and in 5 gallon buckets in mylar bags with 02 absorbers or suck the air out with a food saver. THEN move on to some #10 cans of food basics and staples. Unless you are wealthy avoid the #10 can and super pails of freeze dried meats and fruits, can your own or dry your own.

Here is a fun question. If you had to pick one item to aid you on an deserted island… what would it be?
Solution Solar Still Emergency Water Purification Kit Turn Seawater into Drinking Water.

Last words or thoughts you wish to share?
Make prepping fun, especially if you have kids or a significant other that is not a prepper. Buy them thoughtful gifts that show them you love and care about their well being. Who can say no to that?

We thank PrepperBabe for her time and if you the reader feel inclined, please visit her wonderful blog and Facebook page.