prep compromise

PREP COMPROMISE


God, even the title pains me. Alas, it is obviously a fact of life and I must, for a short time only, no guarantees of longevity, bow to the inevitable. I need to be a little less proud of my current achievements and a bit more mindful of my sordid past, which mirrored the bulk of my minions, living a far less than ideal survivalist life. It was a mere five years ago that I continued to live in the city, mainly to continue seeing my children every weekend. And three years ago in the same location so I could stay near my father who was having one life threatening health issue after another. It wasn’t even the economic indicators that prompted my move up to browner pastures but the announcement that he was moving up to Idaho to get to a lower elevation and get some pressure off his heart. At that, there was no point staying so close to large urban areas. So, yes, I understand the compulsion to risk everything to live a normal life. Of course, I was quivering in constant fright the entire time, knowing that bugging out was, at best, a even roll of the dice. I hating being stuck in the city, but I hated giving up on the family more. It is like working a job. Working sucks large hairy testicles, but NOT working sucks more. And marriage, while sucking worse than working, is still better, for myself and others, than not being in a relationship. So compromise is inevitable.

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I’m sure I’ve covered this before, but we always revisit horses beat til dead around here. And loyal minion Suburban Survivalist deserves a shout out for the article idea and for being patient and arguing logically rather than storming away in a huff. Paid for land, full larders ( even if less than ideal food ), affordable arsenals, all are best and I really don’t believe we have all that much time to have all that. But, there is the spouse and family to appease. So, nothing ideal ever is accomplished. And of course, I’d bet precious metal, land, paychecks or the life of wife #2 that dollars to friggin donuts the very friggin spouse that stood in your way, not allowing any meaningful preps to take away from the shoe/beer budget, will shrilly accuse you of not doing enough to provide for the family after crash time. God, how I hate illogical, irrational, moronic mouth breathing anal spelunkers. But, this is the path you chose so you do what you can. So, how to prepare on a “civilian” level rather than a survivalist one? Disguise everything. I’m not saying lie to the dumb bitch. She already knows who the crazy little forker who thinks the world will end is. She is on to your game. So, rather than say, can I have some freeze dried food JUST for camping, I promise, or beg for just ten percent of what you originally wanted, just substitute. Don’t hide your intentions, just be a better salesman.

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You still want end of world food. But the spouse won’t abide wheat ( probably viewed as livestock food ), and you can forget about $6 MRE’s or $20 freeze dried cans. Rather, just stockpile regular foods. I don’t advise getting the grocery store food as it is far more expensive than grains. But if that is all you will be allowed to stockpile, fine. Sell it as an inflation hedge. You are buying in bulk and cheaper and shaving X percent off the regular food bill. Since you are eating out of the stockpile it stays fresh and the only spousal objection would be the up front investment. I’m not talking every single food item you eat daily, but the long shelf life and bulk items. The spouse allows a six month supply of meat in the chest freezer, mainly to buy on sale. That keeps your meat bill 50% ( or whatever ) lower. Sell the other food just like that. I still say wheat, wheat, wheat. It is the only thing cheap enough to quickly stock a deep pantry. But if you aren’t allowed to, bags and bags of white flour are  ) are better than nothing ( counter the less nutritious effects with other foods, and make sure to have something for sprouting.
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Junk land isn’t the greatest place to live, but its virtue is having a debt free place. If you can’t sell that as a camping spot/hunting staging area, then the bug out to propositioned supplies at a relative or friend will have to do. BUT. You must be prepared to bug out earlier than everyone else to have much of a chance. Have vacation days always built up, and be good enough at your job where they will almost be forced to grant you them on short notice. Make up your mind to quit, if forced, once you are convinced the inevitable has started. All bug out plans are not the same, either. A short distance is usually better than a long one. And the route traveled is important. All I’m saying, if forced to bug out, is be extra paranoid and assume nothing good. Another idea might be to make gradual plans to move out of the city. Agree that you think its important but she thinks it must be perfect and try to meet half way. Maybe, say a three to five year plan will get her used to the idea ( yes, I’m still convinced that we only have four years to Import Zero, but I’ve been known to, on occasion, look at the dark side of things ). Going the Backwoods Home Magazine route might win you spouse approval ( long and slow transition ).

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Guns ( and knives ) are best just begged as a Boy Toy. The spouse can relate to that. Zombie Biker Attacks won’t cut any mustard, but she can easily buy that you must have your loud toys and go to the shooting range and compare penis and gun size with the fellows. You’ll just have to bride her with her own hobby items. Water filter? Healthier water for the kids will get you a stainless steel Berky. It isn’t, alas, about logic and rational preps. It is about salesmanship and compromise. Will I ever compromise if I find a damn fool for wife #5? Of course. But never on preps. At least that is a benefit of another relationship. They can agree up front to your peculiarities or simply piss off at the start. You silly bitches hanging on to your paychecks, in mortal fear of divorce and financial castration, your job of prepping is much harder. But not impossible. Stop trying to turn her into a prepper and figure out what she wants that will also work for you. I haven’t stopped loving MY WAY. But I understand you must do it your way. Hope this helped somewhat. Tomorrow I’ll go back to being an unrepentant asshat.

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My e-mail is jimd303@netzero.com
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