3 Things I Discovered During My Prep Inventories

It’s easy to buy stuff and shove it in the basement and quite honestly that’s what most of us probably do.  What happens when a few years pass and it becomes difficult to remember what exactly you have on hand though?  Is there a need to buy more or are you good to go, this is a question best answered by conducting a targeted inventory.  I used the term targeted because I do have reference sheets on hand for most of my static supplies (freeze dried food, medical stock).  Yet for the stuff I rotate through it’s anyone’s best guess as to where I stand, shame on me for not being more diligent in keeping track.  Here are 3 things I discovered while conducting my inventories.

I have enough ammo.

I try to shoot as much as I can while keeping to what my budget will allow.  This year I have a range plan drawn up which has me expending 700ish rifle and pistol rounds combined per visit, multiply that by 2 range visits per month and you see what the round count looks like.  Sure I’d like to shoot more but I don’t have a wealthy financier of range ops…yet.

With the M855 ban looming and the possibility of that trickling over into other ammunition purchases (panic / shortages) I had to conduct a count of all of the ammunition I had on hand in the various locations I had it stored.  Once complete I was able to let out a sigh of relief.  While I won’t disclose my round count I’ll just state that for now I’m good to go.  Previous stockpiling in addition to an effort to start reloading a few years ago have left me in a nice position.

I need more tampons (no really).

If you know me and have followed this blog for more than a day you’ll know I’m pretty honest.  I have a wife and daughter which means feminine hygiene products are near the top of the list when it comes to preps.  Recently my wife and I were traveling and there was a need for such products and a trip to the store was not possible.  Thankfully in my BOB I had some pads stashed but no tampons.  Better than nothing I suppose but not optimal.  Combine that with the fact that they often go down to the basement to “re-stock” without telling me and we are left in a position of shortage and potential feminine crankiness.  I’d better get on the ball and stock up ASAP!

MRE’s.  I need another case or two.

I’ve recently been thinking about my food storage plan.  I have quite a bit of canned food, some MREs and loads of dehydrated/freeze dried food in buckets or #10 cans.  The problem with these cans or buckets is this: they require WATER.  I thought about my canned food stash and it seemed to be sufficient but my MRE stash needs some work.  After all, while expensive and although they have a relatively short shelf life (5-7 years) MRE’s are king when it comes to portability and meals which are edible with no prep required.  How many MRE’s did I have on hand???  I had no idea so I needed to conduct a count of what I had in my basement and what was staged at other cold storage locations.  The result was around 40 MREs, not particularly impressive but definitely enough to sustain us in the short term.  I still feel the need to snatch up a few more boxes (12 per box) just in case.

The bottom line.

There are times when a targeted inventory might be necessary.  Dedicate a few hours to conduct one of your own in order to see where you need to bulk up, you’ll feel better after the fact!

 

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    • NRP on February 22, 2015 at 11:09 PM
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    God I LOVE articles like this.
    1. The basement, I don’t have a basement, SHIT, I wish I did. And yes I’m old and can’t remember shit, all along what I have in the non-existent basement, (read garage, pantry. Shed). AND my inventory spreadsheet is 3 months behind. Well you get the idea
    2. Ammo, have enough to take over France, not a good example, but you again get the idea. LOL, 223 sucks at the moment, but all things will pass, just like yesterday’s burrito.
    3. HAHAH tampons will need to get back to you on that one… 
    4. MRE’s well I have a weeks’ worth, after that I better have figured out the food plan or I’ll just have to starve to death. Sorry guys but at 61 I’m not finishing life eating MRE’s. Have enough stored food in the “stash” to last two years. After that, well as Paul Harvey would say, “Is the rest of the story” FYI, at $50+ bucks for 12 MRE’s per person, ya need to be looking elsewhere.
    I agree with you on inventories, but research what it is you REALLY need/want in your “stash”
    Again, only “stash” what you really use, if you use one, buy two. That way you will have on hand what you REALLY use, even if 45 boxes of Tampons. Right???????
    NRP

      • PJ on February 23, 2015 at 10:43 PM
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      I think MRE’s do serve a purpose although I’m not the biggest fan either. They require no water or cooking, are very transportable and make great bartering items as most people know what they are. The downside is that they are pretty expensive, have a short shelf life and are bulky compared to other products when you are considering 6-12 months of food on hand.

      Not a lot of focus on the hygiene items out there but I can almost guarantee in a SHTF situation not having tampons would become much more of a problem than not having enough ammo. 🙂 Many folks fail to realize that.

    • J on February 23, 2015 at 1:16 PM
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    I have been doing much the same as you, lately. I tend to use winter months to inventory and make up my wish list for the following year. I tend to lean more towards canned goods for bug in supplies for the simple reason that they can be eaten straight fromt he can, if necessary. Sure, warm chili, for example, tastes better than cold, but it can still be eaten without reconstitution.

    I usually cycle through my MRE stash throughout the summer, using them when we go camping or on day treks. We have enough of them on hand to get us where we need to go if we have to roll out with short notice.

    i understand your situation on tampons, I have a wife and daughter, too. 🙂

      • PJ on February 23, 2015 at 10:44 PM
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      Good point about cycling through the MREs via camping trips. I don’t plan on using them at the dinner table so really that’s the only other choice.

    • Amber Moon on April 28, 2016 at 3:31 AM
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    I’m so glad you addressed the issue about tampons! I just discovered your blog today, and I’ve been reading through your posts going “When will he mention tampons?” Totally necessary! And for some reason we always “start” at the worst times, so we’d all probably start the day after an EMP. Watch out world! I’m sure I don’t have to go into details about why tampons are better than pads in a SHTF situation, and you also need to consider birth control methods as well. A woman needs a few months supply (if possible) of birth control pills or rings, whatever she uses, that is rotated around. Most of these items expire after a year or so, and condoms if kept properly should maintain their integrity for about 2 years according to the manufacturer. Until things “settle down” you shouldn’t have to worry about a new pregnancy. As another person mentioned in a previous post, non-lubricated condoms can also be used multiple ways: for the obvious, to waterproof items, to hold water, to dispose of small items, etc. Check out this link, although some ideas might be far-fetched: http://willowhavenoutdoor.com/featured-wilderness-survival-blog-entries/1-ways-a-condom-can-save-your-life-multi-functional-survival-uses-for-a-condom/ Also, don’t forget supplies for Fido and Fluffy! We have many rescued cats, and I am trying to wrap my head around prepping for their food, flea preventative, and litter needs. Enjoying your blog! 🙂

    • Amber Moon on April 28, 2016 at 3:45 AM
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    I forgot to mention, for all you gentlemen out there who need some specific directions, take it from another lady! Tampons with cardboard applicators (and paper wrappers) are probably going to be the best in a SHTF situation. #1 they are biodegradable and you won’t have to find a way to dispose of the plastic wrappers and applicators. #2 they need to be stored in waterproof bags like Ziploc, nothing serious. I had a stash I caught on sale and stored it under the bathroom sink and the humidity ruined them! As for getting rid of the tampons themselves… well, I’ll let the individual pick their method of choice. The standard brands are not easily biodegradable since they are a rayon mix, but if biodegradability is an issue for you (septic tanks, outhouses, etc.) they are out there and you could keep them in stock for events: http://www.natracare.com/products/tampons/ Don’t forget to stock them in the BOB’s and the car bags! 🙂

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