Will you continue to prep if Y2k is a downhill slide

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Just out of curiousity, will you continue to build on your preps if Y2k is a downhill slide instead of an instant crash on 1/1/2000 and if so, what more will you do?

Like everyone there are more things I would like to be able to do - like getting a propane refrigerator and stocking some other items that we don't have as much as I would like. There are more things for the farm I would like to have, like more horse drawn equipment.

For the time being, if things "appear" normal after 1/1/2000 then I will continue on prepping. As I have heard a number of you say, there is no going back to the way things were. I could not live my not being prepped any more and if time allows then I will prep to a higher level. Eventually, I would like to get off the grid and use solar and wind power, but that is only if time (and money) permits.

If we don't have the time, then we can manage and we can take in most of my family.

-- Beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), December 26, 1999

Answers

Yes...I'll continue to prep, regardless. And despite having a whole-house back-up generator, I'd also like to get off the grid entirely, with solar, eventually.

-- joe (joe@adeveloper.net), December 26, 1999.

Yes, I'll continue to prep. There's lots I haven't gotten yet that could be unavailable if the economy goes south and imports don't show up. Lots of extra things - light bulbs, batteries, tools, gardening equipment,etc. That is if I still have income to buy things!

-- Sheri (wncy2k@nccn.net), December 26, 1999.

I think the answer to this is "it depends on what happens and how fast." After all, those are the two questions that nobody really has a good handle on, even at this late date.

-- Irving (irvingf@myremarq.com), December 26, 1999.

Rest easy, Becky. With less than a week left to the millennium, it's clear that NOTHING significant is going to happen. My only preparation was taking a little more money out at the ATM and stocking up on a week's worth of food. But this is mainly because I didn't want to be anywhere near a shopping center just before Christmas or where some of the Y2K fanatics might be making their "final preps" come Dec.31.

How sad, in the midst of so much prosperity and opportunity, in the best economy in decades (NO thanks to Clinton...) that some of you people are deciding to give up. If you really believe that things will be so bleak, why bother prolonging the agony? Just drink the grape koolaid now.

Right now, the only people who are panicking are those who've spent the past year spending thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours preparing for a non-event, convincing friends and family to do the same. When Jan. 1 comes and the world doesn't become the "planet of the apes", they will be completely discredited. They will be the village idiots - the kooks who thought the sky was going to fall. They will lose the trust and respect of all those who put faith in them and the ire of those they "converted" against their better judgement. If there are any deaths directly associated with this Y2K debacle, it will be primarily suicides.

-- Y2Kook (Fullypreped@myundergroundbunker.com), December 26, 1999.


Not really. But it's only sensible to keep track of which way the wind is blowing and take appropriate action as early as a pattern starts to emerge. And I *never* plan to go back to my starting point, living beyond my means and unable to keep juggling if I miss a single paycheck. And many of my preparations have indefinite shelf life, and may be needed later if not sooner, so I don't intend to get rid of them.

Nonetheless, I expect a rather monotonous diet for the next year or so.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), December 26, 1999.



I will always maintain preps. I will also get ready to snatch up things should there be a selling spree after the roll-over. Some folks are prepped for immediate disruptions only. Ongoing degradation of systems is just as much a threat, but understood by very few.

Although I consider y2k a threat in itself, I also have watched the changing global picture. America is losing her supremacy, globally. We are increasingly vulnerable to the out-maneuverings of Russia and China I see war(s) ahead. I also see the U.S. first being shoved and pushed out of regions of the world like around Taiwan.

Just ask yourself: If the U.S. is told we cannot gas-up in a two-day period for our automobiles, then WHERE will we be IF we find ourselves being involved in a REAL WAR?? I cannot believe national security was compromised for JIT delivery. Anyone else wonder about this?

-- (He Who) Rolls with Punches (JoeZi@aol.com), December 26, 1999.


Fortunately, I'm as prepared as I can be for Y2K. So even if nothing happens on Jan 1, I'm still done and have no more preps to make.

However, even if nothing happens on Jan 1, (and stuff will happen), remember that Y2K is a long term problem, not a short term one. Just because we have power and lights and water then, does'nt mean that we will have them later on in the week or month. As computers that appear to be working OK, fail or give out bad data, things could go from OK to BAD real quick. Continue with your preps.

And Y2K Kook, I am glad to see that you are so certain that Y2K is going to turn out to be a big bust. I hope you are right, but suppose, just suppose that you are wrong. I am prepared for Y2K and can afford to be wrong, and will take all the ridicule you want to hand me after the first of the year. You can only afford to be right. If Y2K turns nasty, meaning more then " a bump in the road", like the government is saying, you will be one of the first people who jump up and say, " HELP ME, I DID'NT PREPARED. I NEED FOOD, WATER AND HEAT FOR MY KIDS!"

Lots of luck.......

Bass

-- Bass (Bass000666@aol.com), December 26, 1999.


For us its a lifestyle that we have lived with before. Therefore we are always using our preps and buying more. Its a continual rotation with the exception of a few things like 400# of dog food (one old dog). So, yes, with regards to things we eat/use everyday, I will continue to prep just in order to keep things at the level that they are now. Perhaps after a year and things haven't come apart at the seams, I will reduce *inventory* somewhat. Today we made our last buy of the year. We went to Wal*Mart and got the dog food, bought two cases of beef broth that was on sale, a dozen cans of clam chowder, two packages of radish seed (have about 30# of seed, but had no radish). Then we went to Radio shack where chubby hubby bought some of their better rechargeable batteries. Then we went to Napa Auto parts where CH bought 10 oil filters for our 40KW genny. Then to Sam's Club where I bought a case of Dawn dish soap, two large boxes of bounce, two more large jugs of Tide, a case of potato chips and a case of cheezits (both for CH's lunches), another box of paper plates, two more pkgs of 15 rolls of paper towels and a couple of boxes of sandwich bags. Thats it!!! We are done!! But all of these things are things that I always buy at Sam's so its no big deal. Its just that we have more of everything in the storeroom now.(thats spelled guest room). Anyway, what I REALLY meant to say was that the only stocking up I saw was people with cart loads of Christmas presents and decorations that were 50% off. I couldn't believe they were buying such stuff that far in advance, but wouldn't buy two cans of beans. Took a quick tour around both WalMart and Sams. Plenty of everything except toys and housewares that had sold out for Christmas. Saw no shortages of any foodstuffs at either place. In fact I wish I were just now buying my canned goods and other non perishables as stuff was all on sale. Starkist and WalMart brands of tuna both 2/$1. Oh well...I plan on watching TV and eating myself silly in front of the fire starting at 5am on Friday morning. When CH gets home at 5pm we will unplug everything and start the big generator for the duration. Wouldn't it be something if the WHOLE WORLD WENT DARK?????? What a wonderful sight that would be...but hopefully not long enuff to harm others. Oh yes..you could have shot a cannon throught WalMart and not hit a customer. We were there at high noon. Taz

-- Taz (Tassi123@aol.com), December 26, 1999.

"Rest easy, Becky. With less than a week left to the millennium, it's clear that NOTHING significant is going to happen."

"When Jan. 1 comes and the world doesn't become the "planet of the apes", they will be completely discredited. They will be the village idiots - the kooks who thought the sky was going to fall."

Becky, I think you can safely disregard the crazy rantings of the fellow who posted the statements above. If he's stupid enough to think we'll even have a small clue as to the total effect of Y2K on January 1st about all we can do is pity them.

Prepping after January 1st? You bet. I've been prepped to one degree or another for almost 20 years; I just stepped them up about a year and a half ago. For over a year now I've told folks I'm much more concerned about June 2000 than January. I'll be expanding my preps, working on our radio systems here (Ham/CB/FRS/GMRS), refining my food storage, improving my solar power system, doing target shooting, expanding the garden, etc.

I think terrorism will finally come to the U.S. in a big way in the coming years. Not sure what this will bring. Also quite concerned about the weather. I think the next few years will be quite interesting indeed.

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), December 26, 1999.


Beckie,

When I first started thinking about the possible consequences of y2k, no electricity, having to grow my own food, using a well for my water, etc., I thought of those things as sacrifices. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I have been making more sacrifices for the "lifestyle" that I was supporting. Bills and more bills, three mortgages, credit card debt, maintenance and repairs on home and vehicles. Stress was contributing factor to hubby having heart attack last summer--at 55. I started thinking that it may not be so bad to have such a change.

Now, I have sold my big waterfront home (no more mortgages!) and am preparing to move into a little less than 1500 sq. ft. on 8 acres in S. Alabama. The "dwelling" was built as a storage barn, but will have a bathroom (smile). I have seeds to plant and will be able to pump water from my own well using a generator and a limited amount of diesel fuel. I am not off grid, but am prepared to survive. Have 2 wood stoves for heat, one could double as cook stove. What are all those things that are so necessary that we work ourselves and our husbands to death for?

I'm wondering how we will cope with this less stressful (no, not stress free) environment!

As people say, don't think of it as a "diet", think of it as a change of habits; I say, don't think of it as a temporary disaster, but a life choice.

And, yes. I am sorry for those who are not prepared. But my warnings were ignored.

-- dotti (WineTopper@aol.com), December 26, 1999.



You're all starting to hedge your bets now I see. So when will all the effects of Y2K be evident? A year? Ten years? If we go into a minor recession in the next few years, will you blame this on the Y2K bug?

Relax, guys. There is still time to come back from the brink of lunacy and save face. Go to your neighbors - the ones who haven't prepared as thoroughly as you have - and offer them half of your food should things get bad. You will appear to be generous and compassionate neighbors instead of dangerous survivalist kooks, and it will be no skin off your teeth since NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN. Donate your non-perishable food items to your church, the nearest homeless shelter, orphanage, or halfway house for battered women. This will make you appear more charitable. Donate any unneeded equipment to the Red Cross, such as generators, blankets, flashlights, solar-powered radios, etc. so they can use it for assistance to, say, those unfortunate flood victims in Venezuela. This will be a great tax write-off to help defray your preparation costs.

So, I say to all those who have "prepared" to the point where you are WORSE off if NOTHING happens: There's still time to save yourselves!

-- Y2kook (Fullypreped@myundergroundbunker.com), December 26, 1999.


I am pretty much prepped-out. Only possibly minor food additions, but not much. If next weekend's rollover is minor (very possible,) I'll make purchases to maintain our level of stores (dry goods like paper towels, TP, etc) but nothing major.

I believe the polly rant was addressed well, but the response can be summed up as "I'm fully prepared to be wrong..are you?" As with most preppers, I'd be ecstatic if 2000 is just a BITR. But, I am more concerned than I was a year ago. There are way too many people who aren't even prepared for BITR, and therefore even what might've been a BITR will be far worse for the DGI's (who'll likely try to mooch off of GI's.)

-- Ford Prefect (bring@your.towel), December 26, 1999.


I'M GONNA CHUCK IT ALL!

If nothing happens immediately, and Y2K appears to be either a BITR or a long-term economic down cycle, I'm still going to do the same thing. I'll attempt to make my life simpler.

I have extensively prep'ed for shortages, and have retrofitted my home for loss of power and water utilities. But still, today, I find myself uncomfortable; thinking, "if I had it to do over..."

The one thing I have learned from contemplating the various Y2K scenarios for the last two years, is that the time remaining of my life is too short to spend it anywhere I do not enjoy life on a daily basis. Therefore, I have determined to make an all-out effort to remove myself from the "main-stream" of busy American life. I'll seek out quieter landscapes; less populated paths. I find places to walk where I can hear no traffic, see no industrial haze. I'll never again waste a week-end on the lawn. I will find new challenges that have nothing to do with making more money than I need.

I will live with a smaller budget, and greatly simplify my priorities. I will consume less, and perhaps savor it more. Maybe I can finally convince my wife to move with me to that small Caribbean island where I have visited in person so seldom and in my mind so often. We can grow avocados and limes, and snorkle in crystal waters every evening. Maybe I can finally turn my company over to my sons, and travel for pleasure alone.

My dream has been the same since I was five. Perhaps I'll make it come true at last. I'll see new places and meet new people. I'll set my sights on a new horizon, and just maybe, find the pathway there within my own spirit.

Either that, or I won't.

-- Lon Frank (lgal@exp.net), December 26, 1999.


Beckie, I think previous replies hit it on the head.Haven't bought anything that won't be used up. If it is only a BITR, like Flint, we might find the diet rather boring.I went overboard for spagetti & tinned tomatoes ! Prepping is about making lifestyle choices & hopefully more manageable stress levels.

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), December 26, 1999.

If Y2K is a slide to oblivion then the ultimate result will be the same as a crash into oblivion. Only a six month slide offers six months of additional time to carry out additional preps. We can have that pond excavated, enlarge the barn and build a permanent greenhouse. And we could do those things while stores might still stock tools and hardware.

So keep prepping? Certainly! We can only improve our situation.

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), December 26, 1999.



I'm going to *always* keep at least 6-8 weeks rolling stocks from now on. I'd too would like to get a solar setup one day since with the inverter and deep-cycle batteries I already have, I'm 2/3 the way there now. As to when I'll 'ease up' on my preps, I figure by early April would should have a pretty good idea of how bad things will be at their worst. Either we will already have gone through it, or know enough about what has failed to adjust our expectations accordingly.

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), December 26, 1999.


We have decided as a family the lifestyle changes we've made in the last year have done more healthy good for our spiritual and physical lives than anything else we have done ever. So yes, we want to continue to move in this direction, which is to live self- sustainingly and humbly on our property in the country.

-- Brett (savvydad@netins.net), December 26, 1999.

If things don't go badly south all at once, I will be very happy. I want to build my own personal independant infrastructure. I want to make additional modifications to the property ie; permanent root celler, really good hand pump well, propane house cooking with woodstove alternate, solar panels (definitely want off the grid!). All these take time and money, in short supply right now, but if things are so-so, then I can proceed one by one with my independence.

Oh, and will always keep 2-3 months supply of food/water for emergencies.

-- Sammie (sammiex0@hotmail.com), December 26, 1999.


Even though I've lived in earthquake country all my life, I never really had much in the way of disaster preps until this year. This sorry state of affairs persisted, even though we have children! I see now how irresponsible that was. Part of my problem was, that if the house was going to fall down, where could I possibly put things? (We live in a very small house, tiny lot, no garage, etc.) Y2K helped to motivate me. I got over my mental block about where to put things (okay, so I'll dig stuff out if the house falls down), made space for storage, and I feel much better for having done so. I think we will always maintain food and water storage and an inventory of basic supplies. Mr. Hagen and his food storage document has been a godsend, so have the many, many other documents and postings by people who have generously shared their expertise and discoveries. Now, I don't for a minute think we won't be needing our preps for Y2K--but if there is a little time to do more, I will. This was not wasted money, or effort, at all. I just wish we could find a little place in the country...

-- Amy (canaryclub@aol.com), December 26, 1999.

We too are fully prepped when it comes to food and the household items, I would like to get a generator although since we live in an old farmhouse that wasn't modernized much, we can live without electricity (will miss my computer though). We live on a farm and we do have enough grain and hay for at least a year, harvesting the hay next summer could be a challenge and there are always things that need fixed and we don't have a good stock of fencing and fencing materials. There was just so much we could do in the last 2 years.

Personally, if the grid and telecommunications hold up over the roll-over and the next few days, I think it will be a down hill slide though the next several months. I don't think this will be a small BITR, but other than that I can't guess what will happen.

-- Beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), December 26, 1999.


Becky,
You said "If it is a down hill slide", and that's what I see coming. Such a unnoticable slide that for weeks and weeks, we only notice shortages but no entire disappearance of certain, much needed commodities. The store shelf will be restocked, eventually. Likewise the power will go out but only for a few hours, or a day at a time. The same with gasoline, some stations will hang out a sign saying "temporary out of gas' And so on and so on. We the people will become so accustomed to it that we will by March except it as being the norm. Prices will rise, gas will go to first to $3 then to $5 a gallon, bread the same per loaf, Water will be rationed in the cities ( blocks will be shut off for a day) and so on and so on. And after three months no one that hasn't as of now stocked up, prepared, etc, etc..will, and those that have will have saved alot of money.
After that I draw a blank. If we avoid nuclear accidents and war, if no serious bio-terrorism have taken place, if the rest of the world has not succumbed to y2k and taken America with it , will the U.S.A. recover? I can't see it happening. I see a boy with his fingers, toes and than a nose in the leaking dike, a man bailing water out of a sinking rotting boat, a nation full of liars, braggarts and good old fashion American businessmen patting each others back while a nation and a world starves.
And that's my best case senario.
Oh yeah, the original question: If I can afford to, I will.

-- SilentRunning (CanYouHearMe@Calling.You), December 26, 1999.

I'm in life for the long haul. y2k has given me insight into my vulnerability. I am dependent on the system. "Digital Demon" is in my cross hairs, and I see this personally as my focus, and y2k as my wake-up call.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 26, 1999.

SCENARIO 1

If nothing happens overseas Friday, by Friday night, I'll be planning when to buy 1) a new washer/dryer, 2) a new fridge, 3) a new car, and 4) a new bedroom suit, sometime in 2000.

SCENARIO 2

If this Friday we get news reports of overseas power outages, nuclear meltdowns, chemical plant explosions, oil/gas facility explosions...well...I'll be out and about, taking readings of the local situation.

SCENARIO 3

If this Friday we get a few reports of "problems" overseas, then I'll be in a "holding pattern". I'll also venture out to gage public response. If by January 3-4, nothing noticeable has happened in the U.S., then I'll relax a bit.

Whichever scenario plays out, one thing is for certain...I can never go back to being ignorant of the "possibilities". This, I find, is akin to a "loss of childish innocence". I am aware now and being such has enriched my life forever. It's what we are unaware of that has the potential to harm us the most.

And finally, no matter what happens, I'm going to write a short book about this experience for my children, complete with all the information I have collected that they may one day need in order to have a fighting chance to survive a meltdown of society and/or the environment. After all, genetic survival is the only true measure of human success.

-- GoldReal (GoldReal@aol.com), December 26, 1999.


Hey,Y2Kook! AEP, one of the largest utility companies in the US, stated that they are expecting problems until the year 2070. These are electrical engineering types, you know. By the way, what do you do for a living?

-- Groucho (yahoo2@yahoo.com), December 26, 1999.

Becky, we are always have at least 2 yr. worth of food and non- perishables on hand. DH and I were raised by depression-era/WWII survivors, so had lots of prepping pounded into our heads. Our children (all but one grown and on their own) also keep 2 yr. minimum preps on hand. It's the only life we know.

-- justme (justme@myhouse.com), December 27, 1999.

Hmmm, we have several scenarios facing us.

Part of early preps was to avoid long lines (like we used to see in Russia) trying to get the last goods off cleaned-out shelves. I hate lines, but maybe it's the best way to meet our neighbors?

If there are no last minute preppers jamming stores this week, I'll be happy 'cause there's still more to get. Things that will get used up in the next six months anyway.

If there is a New Year's day meltdown in many cities, then our preps may have been lifesavers.

A utilities breakdown in only a few cities could be partly remedied by FEMA-type actions trucking in water, food and trucking out sewage, and evacuating. How many cities can be handled, though? But that's not the TEOTWAWKI scenario by any means.

We rarely address the gap between utility-type computer functioning (embeddeds) and business-system functioning. The first makes the lights (and survival utilities) go out; the second causes a recession over a longer time period. We shmear them all in together, and get a confused, emotionally-charged picture (that we then debate into silliness.)

Your preps in the first case may save your life. In the second, goods will be available but maybe sporadically, and they will be more expensive relative to your income. Inflationary depression. Third World. Preps now will save you money in the future and maintain some of your standard of living. Those kind should go on as long as you have $ to spend on things you can stockpile for use 6 months out or so.

That, to me, is more likely than the "lights-out-everywhere" scenario. But prepping in 1999 got you coverage on both, so that was the priority. Now, looking ahead, prepping in 2000 still gets you plenty. (What's the downside? And do we really want to wait for the crowd to catch on if it's a slow slide that turns into consumer panic, say, in February or March?)

Opposite of JIT. Think ROI on your inventory in inflationary times.

-- jor-el (jor-el@krypton.uni), December 27, 1999.


I prepped during the Persian Gulf War; water.

I prepped when I lived in So Cal; water.

I prep before winter where I now live in Maine; food, alternative heat and light sources, water, etc.

I have prepped for the last two years for Y2k; food, water, fuel, protection, alternative heat and light sources, etc.

Prepping before was a just in case type thing. I never knew what was going to happen, I just wanted to be prepared in case. This time my preps will be used because I believe there will be serious problems and disruptions world-wide and I believe we are headed into a economic depression. I've believed 'it' was coming for years and I believe 'it' will happen.

These recent polls done by the Associated press that show 92% of the population think that either nothing will happen or expect problems up to 3 days in length are taken by people who are afraid to be wrong and follow polls to decide what their opinions will be. These polls don't mean s**t to me and never will.

Question: Did you ever notice that everyone that's prepping is someone you can honestly say is a 'good' person. It seems that all doomers are friendly, nice, helpful people at heart. People who are 'unsure' or 'unaware' fall into both 'good' and 'evil' camps, and people who are downright 'unbelievers' and choose to get hateful towards others who choose to prep are people who I would classify as 'not nice' or 'evil' people. I'm not saying that if you don't believe in y2k you are bad, however all those people who seem to be concerned about y2k are generally good people at heart. I keep playing with this in my head and am trying to find anyone I know who is seriously prepping, yet is a 'bad' person...and I can't make the connection. Think about this one before reacting. Take it for what it's worth. Strange, huh?

On another note, the credit card processor (bank) that handles my company's visa/mastercard transactions expects me to have a lot of returns in a couple of weeks from people who no longer are worried about y2k or NBC terrorism. They (bank security) think it's the biggest joke that anyone would even consider preps or protection. I disagree. I speak with customers daily and most people know that January 1st is not a 'do or die' date. Y2k is a long term problem as is NBC terrorism, etc.

-- Mark (markmic@kynd.net), December 27, 1999.


From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

Right now, the only people who are panicking are those who've spent the past year spending thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours preparing for a non-event, convincing friends and family to do the same. When Jan. 1 comes and the world doesn't become the "planet of the apes", they will be completely discredited. They will be the village idiots - the kooks who thought the sky was going to fall. They will lose the trust and respect of all those who put faith in them and the ire of those they "converted" against their better judgement. If there are any deaths directly associated with this Y2K debacle, it will be primarily suicides.

Such an original comment... ::: eyeroll ::: ... not Won't You Feel Foolish?

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), December 27, 1999.


Investment firms always recommend "diversifying your assets". I am interpreting that in a new way now. Please realize that if we can't conduct trade, there will be no more Kmart. Shampoo will cost as much as it does in the beauty salon, and similarly with other products.

-- Amy Leone (leoneamy@aol.com), December 27, 1999.

We intend to restock when necessary and maintain present inventory levels. We put the new stuff "in the back", while keeping the older stuff "up front"...a basic FIFO strategy.

We can't be prepared for every possible outcome, but having some type buffer in place will hopefully help us weather the blows regardless. There are some areas where I'd like to become even more self-sufficient, such as having hydro-electric...lots of bureaucracy/paperwork, looks expensive, but still something to strive for :-)

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), December 27, 1999.


1) Obtain a sailboat (fishing, travel without petroleum expenditure).

2) Plant additional fruit trees (Banana, citrus, etc.)

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), December 27, 1999.


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