I currently live full time in a class b van. Promaster 3500. It’s off grid (solar and propane) been in it a year now. Just had alot of bad luck last year between family members passing, bankruptcy, my parents house burning down, and then multiple job losses. So I found this camper for 27k. Put some money down on it, and I have a little over a year left til it’s paid off.

My question is kind of strange.

I’m hitting a point where I’m burning out of vanlife. Mostly cus I’m a glorified homeless person. All my mail goes to my parents back home in another state 600 miles away, while I work away.

I make roughly 40k a year, maybe 50 with overtime.

Socially I’m tired of being in a big camper van that exposes me. And screams someone lives in that. It’s a cool van but I feel like an outsider at work. Coworkers joke with me about it a lot.. I hop from parking lot to parking lot and shower at gyms but also it forces me to work out. My life if basically work and home.. or well.. the van.

I’ve got maybe a months worth of dry food saved up in here. Maybe 2 weeksish of water. 3 if I used my sinks and showers water as a storage. I can’t stock much else though, and honestly I’m wanting to move to an apartment.

But I just can’t mentally bring myself to break away from the van. I’m terrified of a financial collapse and losing my job and needing to get home, or becoming homeless again and then being in a car. My parents are in their 60s and 70s. I’m 40 and care less about my well being and more that I can help them if I need.

But I don’t have much saved up. I’ve tried and could last maybe a month or so with savings that I have, but an apartment would suck up all that from a application and then a first and last months rent.

I know it’s a weird prepper question but I guess I’m asking, what would you do?

Should I suck it up and tolerate another year or so and save whatever I can like crazy. Just eating as cheap as a I can, storing what I can? Am I better off selling this van and getting out of the payments and into an apartment? Should I go crazy paying it off?

Or try and commit to a apartment where I work and just commute to my home state when I can?

How are y’all mentally handling the state of the economy and financial worries?

Ok, so I accept that firearms are a very pragmatic portion of prepping, and I've been putting them off, but recently moved to a more gun-ftiendly state. I got a ruger 10/22 and a glock 17, pretty happy with my basic setup.

I went to a gun event this weekend, amd there was a raffle. I joke that, if I need it I'll win it. Well now I'm the owner of a (as far as i can tell) decent 35mm thermal imaging rifle scope, and need a rifle to use it with.

Is there a general opinion on these scopes, when to use them? My options seem to be 5.56 AR, small cal hunting rifle, and maybe large cal hunting rifle,but thats technically a no-no. Oh and selling it and getting a regular scope/rifle

EDIT: two follow up question: 1) are there phrases and words i should use in the store when shopping for SHTF guns?

2) in the SHTF world, im very sensitive about not drawing attention to myself, and guns are loud how valid a concern is that? To what extent do people make suppressed/subsonic builds on what they have?

Edit: I do understand that canning can’t eliminate metals/chemicals. I guess I was operating on the assumption that the water was clean.

I recently received a $75 Amazon gift card, and I’m trying to decide if I should use it to buy a pressure canner or RO system. Would pressure canning lake water make it safe for drinking? I do plan to spend more than $75 on either system.

I live in the Midwest and there are a lot of lakes so I’m not worried about salinity. I have been really trying to bulk up my water supplies lately. I have a pretty good supply of bottled/container water. Like about 8 months for our family. I also have enough water purifying tabs for at least 100 gallons and a hand pump RO system. The pump takes A LOT of manpower to get the water through the membrane though, so I’m considering it a backup to something more ideal. And I have a limited amount of replacement filters for the RO hand pump.

I know distillation takes a large amount of energy for a small amount of water. I’m hoping to use it as a supplement to my already available supplies.

This why I’m asking, is it possible to sanitize lake water with a pressure canner? Or even a regular water bath canner? I do have, and use often, a water bath canner. I’ve been hesitant to try pressure canning because of the health risks. Freeze dried seems safer. 😬

Over the last year or so, been noticing a creeping drop in how long the batteries will keep things running. Finally pulled out a multimeter to check each 12V battery in the strings, and woof... Some big discrepancies. I balanced them when initially installing by charging each individual 12V battery, but things being the way they are, drifts happen when using them.

Each string can take a couple days between balancing then fully charging each string, and depending on how many strings you have, could take your battery backup offline a week or longer. I just picked up a balancer myself, but haven't had time to test it (so I can't give a product recommendation yet).

Here's a vid giving more info: 48V Battery Equalizer Explained: What It Is & Why You Need One!

Not my vid, and the product link in the description is a dead link, but there seems to be a good assortment of similar ones available on Amazon.

I needed an excuse to rebuild the battery shelf anyways. Figure no better time since they'll be taken offline!

As an edit, some other info I'm just finding: Looks like the best practice would be to get an active balancer and keep it permanently installed on each string after everything is balanced and brought online. With each one ranging from $50-$75, might be expensive if you have a lot of strings. Also, it looks like many of the active balancers on Amazon don't include in-line fuses for each lead, so it would be a good idea to put an in-line fuse on each line, just in case.

I've recently been trying to expand into some alternative communication types in case of emergencies and for day-to- day use. These are all pretty cheap and easy options as I'm not quite ready to explore the HAM/VHF scene yet. I also just finished the book One Second After and it was a good reminder of how important communication and knowing what's happening is. Our brains go into some weird places when we don't know what's going on around us!

My friend gave me a pair of those tiny Baofeng mini walkie talkie BF-T1s that fit in a your back pocket. They aren't super powerful but are fine for short distances, and they also have regular FM radio we can tune into. We use them for communicating in the mountains when climbing too, so it's good that they're small and light.

I also recently got into MeshCore for some longer distance communications that don't rely on any centralised network operating. I've been using a SenseCAP T-1000 which is the size of a credit card so also good for in the mountains! I hope to contribute with a repeater at some point soon as well.

Finally, I have a Midland ER300 which I can tune into radio stations for emergency broadcast. It's a brick but only for emergencies. It uses Li-ion battery that I can charge with its built-in mini solar panel, a crank, or via USB. It also takes AA batteries, which I have stored as well.

One other thing that's important is to have a copy of your local emergency broadcast channels! I printed the frequencies for all the areas in the country (I live in a small country) and glued them to the back of the Midland, and I've also got them written down in the notes on my phone.

Is there anything else I could add to this?

My husband started reorganizing our food stores and there they were. The dreaded pantry bugs. I'm guilty of not rotating stock, plus our diets have changed over the last two years.

I just threw out about 150 pounds of food.

eta: I threw out 2 more pounds of beans. I looked up and the moths were laughing at me and licking their moth lips. I dispatched them with a fly swatter.

Reading about the Super El NIno and the effects on the upcoming winter has me worried about losing power and needing to heat my home in the event of a power outage during freezing weather/winter storm. I was looking into a propane heater for indoor use, like a Mr. Heater Big Buddy Pro or a Vevor propane heater. Are these really safe for use indoors?

For context, would likely confine heating to one bedroom.

Also considered electric heating sources but it seems too energy intensive for the limited power I would have available in a Jackery unit.

I've watched almost the entirety of the UK's BBC Farm series (series starts with Tales from the Green Valley, then Victorian Farm, Edwardian Farm, Wartime Farm, etc.) and I think it's worth mentioning here.

Essentially, besides being really good television with down to earth hosts (not glamorous at all), the historians and archaeologists on it try to replicate what life was life in those eras. There is so much interesting info on it, and a lot of it could be used for preppers who want to know how to do something from another era, like how they dressed a wound, salted meat, made soap, made a fish hatchery, etc.

Lots of fun for history nerds and also great info! I found a lot of it on Youtube and on streaming services here in the US. I decided that the US reality show 'Back to the Frontier' was too scripted and dramatic for my taste--and I found a subreddit that hands down recommended the Farm series.

I've had many types of LED candles over the years. I have them in the windows of my semi-isolated house, as it makes the place look occupied on a night time, which is useful for security.

I've had many types over the years, and I've found that the remote control type tend to discharge the batteries even when not used.

However, there are some, my favourites, that stay on 6 hrs, off for 18, then automatically back on for 6 hrs. No remote, just a switch.

They run on AA s which is great, they give a nice background light, and the batteries last ages, many many months from two AA batteries. They're waterproof too so work outdoors. A very gentle flicker, so look like real candles to some extent.

I really recommend them as a very useful prepping item.

I can provide a link if the mods are happy. I have no association with the different sellers, just thought they might be a useful item.

so when does this typically happen during a black out? I’ve been in a few that didn’t last long so obviously nothing happened.

As stated above,I am in a town home. Is there a value I’m supposed to shut off?

I also don’t think every townhouse here has a bottom bathroom. so I feel i might be particularly screwed but if that’s the case would I need to cover/block both bottom and middle level pipes of the house,top bathroom will be ok?

Hi! New here. I am looking for solar energy options that are still small enough to be mobile. I’ve been searching and see the smaller panels that are enough to charge tablets and phones.

But I am looking for something that would power a box fan? Is that the power jack (box) product? New to prepping so I am learning lots.

But looking for an alternative to our stand alone generator, but holds enough energy to power items such as fans. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'm a 70 year old woman living in a single level townhouse (1342 sq feet). I have a little patio and a small fenced back yard in a tightly packed suburban area. I have some mobility issues, but I can walk (not run). The idea of having to "bug out" is terrifying, but I'd like to be prepared to shelter in place in case of lack of power or gas. I'm not in a flood plane. Fire is a possibility, but not likely. I have a garage with heavy shelving (currently loaded with bins of Christmas and other stuff I can't seem to part with). How can I best prepare for the most likely emergency?

I’m looking into solar systems for (almost) full home backup. Kits are expensive on that scale to say the least. Even as an electrician so 0$ labor and can source misc parts here and there, got me thinking. Would it just be easier/cheaper to get a camper? From what I’ve seen they run off propane and the on board 12v battery, and possibly a 30amp plug (still would do solar setup to power this but on a way smaller scale) anyone doing this? To me it’s a win win. Can keep it I. Driveway for short term situations while the rest of the supplies are in the house, can double up as a GTFO situation. This is I have a 25’ Tacoma on paper hauls 6k lbs with a max hitch weight of like 600lbs. Kinda limits my options for a family of 4. Obviously not looking to stay in a Hilton style camper in that situation, but space seems limited. Any thoughts input advice?

Do any companies with long term food storage in #10 cans have glyphosate free/organic products?

I purchased quite a few items from the LDS last year. But I do not know if their products are glyphosate free/organic.

Just looking for a "review" of my Get Home Bag. Anything I've missed, should update, or change?

GET-HOME BAG — Packing List

Clothing

Socks x3

Underwear x2

Trousers x1

Blouse x1

Gloves x1

Watch Cap x1

Shelter & Sleep

Woobie x1

Snugpak SF Bivvi x1

USGI poncho x1

Compression dry sack x1

Dry bag x1

Paracord, 30m

Contractor bags x2

Water

Katadyn Hiker Pro x1

Potable Aqua x1 bottle

Metal water bottle, single-wall, 1L

Nalgene 1.5L

Gu hydration tablets x24

Food

Millennium bars x9

Trail mix, 10.5 oz x2

Ready Hour 2,400 cal ration x1

Fire

Bic lighter x1

Storm matches x15

Ferrocerium rod x1

Quick-start tinder x10

Light & Power

Headlamp x1

Spare batteries x1 set

Flashlight, rechargeable x1

Battery pack, 20,000 mAh x1

Solar panel, x1

Charging cords x3 (phone, watch, flashlight)

Navigation

Map compass x1

Regional map, laminated x1

Medical

Leukotape x1

Adhesive bandages x6

Gauze pad x1

Alcohol wipes x2

Hand sanitizer x1

Ibuprofen

Acetaminophen

Non-drowsy allergy

Cold and flu

Anti-diarrheal

Nicotine, 1 week

Caffeine pills

Hygiene

Toothbrush x1

Toothpaste, travel size x1

Toilet paper, camping roll x1

Menstrual pads x3

Manicure set x1 (To clairfy some comments: "manicure set" sounds a lot more comprehensive than this actually is. It's a pair of clippers, tweezers, and a file.)

Tools & Misc

Multi-tool x1

Pocket knife x1

Whistle x1

Bootlaces, spare set x1

Write in the Rain notepad x1

Write in the Rain pen x1

Cash, $150

In addition to this kit, a proper medical medical kit in a seperate bag for rapid access and a 5-gallon water can are stored in the cab.

I'm towards the end of an apocalypse book series that involves an EMP. The book has lots of good ideas that I've been recording, and it has me thinking about hard copies of books as well as honing my skills.

I'm GenX, so I still have a paper atlas, and own physical books, although I do a fair bit of digital book reading these days as well. But for essential things, it seems wise to have a hard copy to remind me how much chlorine it takes to shock water, and how to make rehydration fluids.

And then there's skills. It would be better if I knew how to make soap because I've done it a bunch of times as opposed to trying to figure it out when I'm stressed because my supply is low. I really need to learn how to garden in my zone for example. That's something that should just be automatic, so it's not a big deal if situations change.

Anyway, I've seen lots of posts about PDF's and I'm sure many have impressive binders. How many work on having/owning those skills? What skills do you have, which ones do you want? Which skills are you putting on the back burner?

Had a thought and wasn't sure if I'm missing something lol. I know people always talk about putting rice into separate sealed containers.

Could I buy something like box Kraft mac&cheese or those noodle packets that are tinfoily on the inside (+ any seasonings/flavor add ins are dry) and just store them in large, sealed, airtight boxes? Assuming you're prepping for a "disaster" and not just for when you can't run to the grocery store to grab more noodles to make supper, once you open the airtight box, you'll use up most of the food fairly quickly, so it is unlikely to go bad.

Or with these kinds of foods, is it the food itself and not necessarily lack of humidity preventative packaging that is the problem?

Not really big into prepping, but given the way the world seems to be heading I started with actions one might consider prepping.

I watch a lot of videos about bug out bags and get home bugs.

I’m surprised by the numbers of times there wasn’t a single map included.

I don’t get it! We rely heavily on gps these days. But what if it stops working? Say you want to bug out, don’t you want to plan where you are going?

Even in case of a get home bag. Surely you know the route to your house by heart. But what if roads are blocked, and you need to map out a different route to your home?

I think maps are vital when not bugging in.

What kinds of maps do you guys have? Do you also draw certain points of interest on the map? If so, what kind of?

I live in a city that fell to the ground decades ago because of a devastating earthquake. Because of this, buildings are earthquake resistant. In the case of another important earthquake, we might have to evacuate for some days. We might lose water, gas, and power. And I want to be ready to survive for 3 days, which is what my government is recommending at the moment.

We are 2 adults and a very young toddler. We live in an apartment building, on the ground floor.

I'm getting our bag ready, but I have way too much stuff, and I don't really know what to take out, or if I should get a bigger bag, as right now I have 2 bags.

I understand that normally 2 adults would mean that there can be 2 bags, but there's also a baby, and one of us needs to focus 100% on her, so the other one is in charge of picking up the bag(s), and the shoes, I guess.

How big are these bags normally? Considering that it's meant for 3 people.

Hi all, longtime lurker here, starting to prepare for my family. In the event of a state of emergency or uprising with some time to prepare (30 mins to an hour maybe) my family of 6 will relocate to my mom’s house .4 miles away in the same neighborhood. Her house is easier to secure, has 2 large bathtubs to fill, and generally well stocked as my mom is an avid Costco shopper. Besides packing our food, go bags, small generator (she also has one), clothes, medications, and electronics what else would you pack quickly that I’ve overlooked given you have a window of time to pack? I was thinking extra blankets and pillows but other than that I’m stumped.

My other thought is we have a minivan (only car that would fit all 7 of us) and a truck, my mom has a smaller SUV. Should we park all 3 cars at her home? Should the minivan be in the garage to keep it protected but there would be cars behind it in the driveway which we would have to move to get the van out? Or should we leave the minivan in the driveway so we wouldn’t have to move cars to use it quickly? Is having more cars parked at a house an indication of possibly more supplies that people would want or is it a sign that more people are at the house hence it would be harder to overpower? Maybe I’m overthinking but these are the things I think about at night.

Is there any interest in me doing a series of posts about the various encryption methods that can be implemented without any technology? Things like Playfair cipher, transposition, one-time pads, strip ciphers, and other methods? I'd do a full explanation with examples for each.

If all the available and normal means of communication are comprised, what is your plan for communicating without having it screened?

I'm very new to this so it may be a stupid question. I apologize in advance if so. Would a swimming pool or spa be an acceptable water source if water was shut off? The water would be chlorinated of course, but it wears off over time.