What items are needed

[JoJo]

 It’s my opinion that when a major SHTF event happens there will always be something we would like to have or have more of. Having checked all of the gas stations and food stores in my area none have a back up generator so speed will be  the most important. Speed to get to the store that has the things you want more of. You have to have cash on hand and if it’s an EMP/CME you will need a calculator.
 Non-preppers will be buying bread, milk and fresh meat.  Seeing that I don’t have much storage space I would need more toilet paper and paper towels but what I don’t have any of is potato’s, onion’s and carrots.  Canned I have but I don’t have a root cellar to store fresh. I would also buy butter to make Ghee.
 If the electricity is still working I would buy more gas cans and fill them. You will never know when the power will go out.
 
Have you given this any thought?


JoJo

[Deathstyle]

I'm in an arid metropolis. Having lots of water storage will only delay the inevitable. I need to get a shelf for my ALICE frame to carry a 5gal water can from water sources in our local mountains if needed.

[JohnyMac]

Good thoughts gentlemen. Think ahead!

In our small group we made up a "grocery list" of things to buy.

Each person has their list and accompanying hard cash in case the grid is down too. My list is all about oil and lumber. Here it is in part:

> 50, 2x4x8 studs
> 50 sheets of 5/8x4x8 sheets of plywood
> 3, 10lb buckets of star screws,
> 5, rolls of tar paper,
> et cetera...

Then,

> 5, 55 gallons of 91 octane non ethanol gas
> 5, 55 gallons of kerosene
> assorted cases of engine oil for all of engines, e.g. trucks, cars, tractors, chain saws, et cetera
> Assorted start and deep cycle batteries
> Et cetera...

Obviously, the list goes on and on, is prioritized, and in many cases will take more than one trip to several stores/retailers.

We have a buried 53' long trailer buried where we will link up to inventory the purchased goods. Once this is done it will be dispensed to each group and cached to different locations so all of our eggs will not be in one basket.   

[JoJo]

 

> 5, 55 gallons of 91 octane non ethanol gas

Why 91 octane? Most engines don't need it.
I wish there was a gas station closer than 50 miles that sells Pure Gas the closest is in Ocean City MD. There isn't a gas station in Delaware that sells non-ethanol fuel not even at the boat docks.

[Nemo]

Probably not a large need from the age range of this crowd but as they say, plugs or pads.  Trade item worth its weight in silver if not gold.

Nemo

[grizz]

Isn't the point of prepping to already have everything on hand?

To venture out after the SHTF and you will be fighting everyone else for the same stuff. Look at the fights we watch every year from black friday riots, SHTF riots will be more dangerous because the panic buying is based around protecting ones family, life and death and people willing to physically fight for 2x4's more than they were fighting for a tv on black friday. And if none are in the store they will look for them in the parking lot, maybe follow you home, let your imagination take it from here...

[Kbop]

Grizz, i would say its situationally dependant.

if a sudden TEOTWAKI hit, hunker down and minimize contact. - like an EMP

in an event that has some warning and normalcy bias effects the masses - go for it. - Like a solar storm inbound - many people don't even know NOAA has a space weather forecast.

In a slow roll - like a economic meltdown - be flexible and able to seize opportunities.

it requires being relativistic about an event; but both you and JM are right.

[JoJo]

 GRIZZ preppers would recognize the problem before others even knew it is a serious problem giving you three maybe four hours to get more stuff. In my case I don't have any more storage so I would have to do some last minute shopping. The closest city to me is thirty miles but there are small towns nearby so I don't think there would be much danger during that time.

[JohnyMac]

Yes Grizz you are correct however as Kbop wrote, "Grizz, i would say its situationally dependant.

if a sudden TEOTWAKI hit, hunker down and minimize contact. - like an EMP

in an event that has some warning and normalcy bias effects the masses - go for it. - Like a solar storm inbound - many people don't even know NOAA has a space weather forecast.

In a slow roll - like a economic meltdown - be flexible and able to seize opportunities."

@ JoJo - We have a gas station that sells non-ethanol gas BUT it is 91 octane. This gas is all I use for my auxiliary gas driven tools like: Chain saws, weed wackers, Ford 9N tractor, etc.

Here is a pic of non-ethanol gas available in DE. as an example: Click here

[JoJo]

Here is a pic of non-ethanol gas available in DE. as an example: Click here

No wonder I couldn't find any I googled "Pure Gas" still the closest is about 60 miles away.

[JohnyMac]

Yeah JoJo while my closest station is 30 minutes away, I still use it exclusively for my power tools. While my neighbors tools break down and spend time in the shop I am working away. I have offered this up as a possible solution to their troubles but alas they do not think the extra effort (s) are worth it.

On the other hand, the folks who have tried my suggestion are not advocates for ONLY using non-ethanol gas in their power tools now.

Other places you can buy non-ethanol gas are race tracks, some small airports, and after market motorcycle shops who sell drums of it for motorcycle racers. The cheapest though is a gas station.

In Rhode Island, several gas stations sold non-ethanol gas labeled "Racing Fuel". A total marketing gimmick however, at the end of the boating season I filled up my Lobster Boats tank with it before I winterized the engine. The cost was on par filling the boats tank up at the marina fuel dock ethanol gas.  No brainer!