new to all this and haven't a clue where to start--not rich--can't order rations by mail=concern: if i buy bottled water now will it be ok a year from now? canned food- will it be ok in a year? what to do about fuel? if anyone can help please do.

kelly smith

-- kelly smith (kelly311@webtv.net), December 17, 1998

Answers

Dear Kelly, Both canned food and bottled water will be ok a year from now. Go ahead and start stocking as you can afford to. For more tips you might check the archived messages which are at the bottom of the new questions list.

Re fuel: Just what fuel are you thinking of? There are many precautions to take in storing fuel. What will you use it for?

Good luck!

-- Libby Alexander (libbyalex@aol.com), December 17, 1998.

Kelly, I suggest you start reading the archived posts on preparations. All your questions are answered there. Scroll at the bottom to the archive section, and look into the food/preparations categories.

If you have more questions from those posts, you can easily bring them back, reactivate them by clicking on the "contribute an answer" and as k your question.

Welcome to the world of preparations. It's an emotional roller-coaster ride, but this forum is great for support. Just ignore the flames and the idiots.

-- Chris (catsy@pond.com), December 17, 1998.

Water storage?

What I'm doing is getting the containers ready now, then expect to actually fill them much later in 1999. Unlike food (canned and/or bagged) there is no threat of a water "shortage" if people begin to set aside reserves.

Food storage? I expect there to a massive increase in people trying to get canned food and "bagged" food (rice, wheat, flour, beans, canned vegetables, etc.) during the last quarter of 1999. I remember too that much of the "gas lines" occurring in 73-74 happened because people changed their buying habits, but the distribution system couldn't keep up with demand. This started lines, which caused more to people to buy "before" their tanks were half empty, which increased delivery pressure, etc. Canned food will last for many months, so begin now to start getting 4-8 cans a week of something that will make all or part of a meal. (If you can, increase that to 6-10 cans a week. Figure 5.00 to 8.00 dollars a week.) Make the selection of things that you would use anyway (soup, vegetables, stew, spaghettio's, whatever). If things recover in 2-3 weeks, you're okay. If they don't fall completely apart, use them in 2000 as regular meals, beginning with the cans you got earliest in 1999.

12 months of buying 6 cans a week will give you a reserve that will mitigate many troubles, and it is a simple start that will boost your self-confidence and help your family.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), December 17, 1998.

Kelly, report I read said Tuna last 5 years (in oil), don't know about in water. Dinty Moore stew last a long time. Distilled water last the longest. Keep it in dark place. If you can find a place that sells bulk, like Health food stores (find in phone book - call), you can get 25# bags oatmeal (about $15), rice, beans, fairly inexpensive. Pick up some Diamond Strike anyware matches as read report there is a shortage, backlog filling demand. Good luck....

-- Jolann Leifer (Jolann.Leifer@PSS.boeing.com), December 17, 1998.

Kelly, here is a chart to help you with the shelf life of many different items:

http://www.glitchproof.com/glitchproof/storlifofgro.html

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), December 17, 1998.

At my local health food store they have a distilled water machine, so of course they have the 5 gallon plastic bottles to fill. The bottles may be purchased empty. That's what I'm doing. Tossing them up in the attic. I'll fill them last quarter 99.

-- margie mason (mar3mike@aol.com), December 17, 1998.

I question the statement, "no water shortage" if you store. Recently large areas of the US are experiencing drought conditions, water rationing. Where I live in S. California, Water is the prime consideration,...then food. We can live a month or better without food....4 days without water, and the local cities have only 3 days auxillary power for water distribution should there be grid-wide power outtages. Water, Fuel for Heat, (if you're in cold climate in winter Heat comes first) and Food are the priorities in order of critical importance. If you are on, or have family on, life-sustaining medication that comes before or in equal position to water and fuel for heat.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), December 17, 1998.