18: How to Begin Prepping – Things You Should Know

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Are you wondering how to begin prepping?

 People often fail when they want to get prepared because they plain don’t know where to start, and usually, that's due to information overload.  Some folks are intimidated because other preppers seem so much more advanced it feels like they can never reach that level.

Waiting until tomorrow to figure out how to begin prepping is an easy path. After all, what are the odds of something happening? That right there is what people suffering from normalcy bias say! Please, please, please avoid normalcy bias and start getting prepared today.

1. Figure out a game plan to achieve your goals. This will help you to establish a stable preparedness foundation.
2. Focus on the basics, such as food, water, and first aid. This is a great start for all types of disasters and challenging events.
3. Make a bug-out bag. Making a bug-out bag will give you a microscopic view of prepping. You’ll begin to learn your strengths and weaknesses, plus what works and doesn’t work. Don’t spend a lot of money on it and build it over time if needed.
4. Take action! Start prepping today. When you start, take it in baby steps until you learn what you need. You’ll make significant amounts of progress over time.

I’m New. I Don't Know How to Begin Prepping.

When figuring out how to begin prepping, start with understanding your capabilities. The first step to doing that is seeing what you have on hand that may be useful. You may have far more supplies than you realized if you look at them differently.

Next, determine your prepping budget. Once you know what you have on hand and determine your budget, you’ll be able to come up with a game plan. That plan will allow you to address your prepping needs while working within your budget.

Food is a tremendous first prepping step. It’s a significant step because it’s necessary for all preparedness scenarios. Those scenarios run the gambit from job loss to a long-term disaster.

If money is tight, set aside a few extra dollars each week or month. Purchasing one extra can of food or a bag of rice slowly adds up. Over a short while, you’ll have a well-stocked supply of food. That food will see you through tough financial times and large-scale disasters.

Remember, you don’t need name brands to survive. Dented cans from the discount store are just fine. Never forget, food storage is the gateway to preparedness. Here's a simple 3-layer plan for building your food storage.

There’s Too Much Information Out There!

It is easy for all preppers, new and experienced alike, to suffer from information overload. The first trick to squashing information overload is determining what websites and resources work for you.

When beginning to prepare, you can make this determination by asking others. Some great places to find others are the SurvivalistPrepper and preparedness community Facebook groups. Feel free to reach out to Dale Goodwin or me (Brian Duff) if you have any questions. You can find us in both of the Facebook groups.

Here are some websites and YouTube channels with great information. Be sure to bookmark them and subscribe to their email lists.

• Mind4Survival
• Survivalist Prepper
• SurvivalistPrepper YouTube Channel
• The Duff and Dale Show
• The Organic Prepper 
• Ready Nutrition 
• Graywolf Survival
• Survival Weekly
• A Year Without The Grocery Store

The next best way to overcome information overload is to have and follow a plan. By developing a plan, you will stay on course and not be distracted by non-relevant information.

I Want to Teach Others How to Begin Prepping, But They Think I’m Crazy!

There are many tactics for you to use when convincing others to prepare. The number one tactic NOT to use is to try to scare and overwhelm people into prepping. As preppers, we can be very passionate about trying to teach others how to begin prepping. Don’t let your enthusiasm intimidate non-preppers and stop them from considering preparedness.

One method for getting people into prepping is to give them a preparedness-related gift. A first aid kit or an automobile emergency kit is great for the uninitiated. When they end up needing it, they’ll start to realize you’re not so crazy after all.

If the person who is giving you grief about prepping is a loved one, prepare for them. Make sure you respect their views. Not respecting their opinions could completely alienate them from any potential preparedness efforts.

Remember, ease them into prepping by taking baby steps.

I Work, Raise the Kids, and Walk the Dog. I Don’t Have Time to Prep!

Sure, you do! You have to make time. Spending anytime preparing is better than not spending any time preparing.

First, set realistic goals and expectations for yourself. 

Next, limit your distractions. Limiting distractions means shutting off the T.V, not logging into Facebook, etc. Take an honest look at how you use your time. Once you have made a realistic assessment of your time, look for ways to become more efficient.

One way is to replace wasting time surfing the Internet with learning something. As Glen Tate of 299 Days says, get your master’s degree from YouTube University.

How to Begin Prepping on a Limited Budget

First, sit down and figure out your budget. With your budget figured out, you’ll know how much your bills are and how much you have for prepping.

Be diligent about sticking to your budget. Try not to spend money on unnecessary things.

You can also figure out ways to earn extra money for prepping. Take a look at the extra stuff that you have lying around. Sell it on eBay or other sites. Find ways to make money.

What About All of These Conspiracy Theories?

Conspiracy theories are a good distraction. They offer entertainment value. Unfortunately, the mainstream media is about as accurate and unbiased as the conspiracy theories are.

In the end, if something happens to you, does the why of it matter at the time? Prepare to get past the event, then deal with the why once the facts are known.

When Can I Stop Prepping?

The simple answer is never! You should always continue to prepare. That doesn’t mean you need to buy new stuff. But, it does mean you should keep fine-tuning your preparedness.

Train with your gear. Review your plans. Rotate your perishables. It all goes into your ability to overcome challenging events. Prepping is your insurance for the future. Unlike regular insurance, you can eat and use your prepping insurance.

The Bottom Line on How to Begin Prepping

The most important factor in how to begin prepping is simply to start. You don't have to have a bunker, a one-year food supply, and enough guns and ammo to arm a battalion. 

Just start with a little extra food. Start learning more. Find good resources that make you feel encouraged rather than overwhelmed.

And just start.

Do you have any advice for folks who are wondering how to begin prepping? If you are trying to get started, do you have some questions we can help with? Please leave a comment below.

Additional Resources:

• Top Prepping Tips! (Step-By-Step Survival Guide)

Stay safe,