The Prepper Next Door...

"Prepping" - No longer just for "Wack-Jobs..."

I like articles like this that talk about "post X letdown's" - whether holiday's, marriage, vacation, birth, etc. the point is always the same: some people are "bummed out" by the end of whatever the activity is while others see it as a new beginning.

But as I wrote in "Failing our Future" there are good reasons for letdowns - some of them downright depressing - that should be paid attention too.  And depression is a "good thing" when true self examination is required - leading to better post-problem decision making.

Which brings us around to "prepping."

Prepping is the new slang term for "preparation."

Preparation for what, you might ask...?

The future "letdown", the next Fukushima-like meltdown, the next hurricane, borrowing yourself into oblivion, you name it.

While some might think of this as "far out kook" type stuff its becoming decidedly main stream - especially in today's geopolitical and financial climate.

Mrs. Wolf and I have been hearing about "prepping", "plans for prepping", and so on from many over the last several weeks - at parties, holiday get-togethers, bars, on the street.

And not just from wacko right-wing tea party types.

From bar tenders to corporate gunslingers, from left and right, from employed, unemployed, you name it - but mostly women all - they all feel "something bad is coming".  Nothing in particular, but bad.  They feel the need to "nest," to "prepare," whatever you want to call it - so their family will be able to ride out the coming storm.

And since we are skilled in many things related to this topic and, among other things publish this blog, we are often approached on this topic with questions.  Often at parties, get-togethers, music events someone will approach with these questions.

How can I feed my family if things "go bad".


How do I grow a garden like yours?


How much food will my family need.

And what's so interesting is that this seems to be a very "woman's intuition" based topic.  "I feel just it" they will say.

Now frankly there are many reasons for concern: article's like these about the current administration, the recent US debt and borrowing problems, the sovereign debt crisis in Europe.

I think personally that women have an innate grasp on when "things are starting to go bad."

Call it intuition, a sixth sense, what ever you like - but many are feeling it and bringing up the topic out of the blue at parties and get-togethers.

I myself was quite surprised by this because I did not see the raw truth of what's going on - particularly on, say, the debt front - penetrating the mindset of Mrs. America and Modern Mom.

But it has...

But perhaps the implied message of "unsustainability," - particularly on the sovereign financial front - hits today's women hardest.  They are covering the "family costs" more than ever compared to men - from gas to school to clothes to the mortgage - and they are paying a huge cost to do so in terms of time with the family, hours at work, and so on.

Personally I think women focus on the notion of on-going sustainability as a "tipping point" - particularly those with children.  Women in general do not like wild swings in finances, the availability of basic needs, basic safety and so on so, like canaries in the coal mine, the hints in the news of serious trouble bring out these thoughts.

Before the US financial crisis in 2008 talk like this would be considered "wack-job nonsense."

But today things are different.

They see the cost of gas (automotive and for heating) could easily rise 50% from where it is.


They see unsustainable government borrowing could ruining home values, credit scores, and finances.


They see the cost of good food, quality clothing, homes, appliances and cars growing out of sight.


They see the "old man" with no job or underemployed - whether it's their own or their inlaws or their neighbors.

They see real, physical danger from those who depend on largess to survive should that largess decrease or disappear.

All good and valid reasons for concern.

And while folks like "Glen Beck" or "Sean Hanity" hawk expensive "emergency food in a can" of various sorts most see these as unaffordable junk.  Especially when you can revive grandma's gardening and canning skills for a couple of hundred bucks and sock away food for a year on your own.

Over all these women are right - things look bad - and with good reason.  And no one, particularly government, is doing anything responsible to fix them: there are no good prospects for jobs, no new high-growth industries lurking on the horizon, health is waning across the board (from obesity to childhood anti-depressants), costs are rising,  and so on.

I think as time goes by articles like those I linked above will expand to consider what I see as the truth as well - things are in fact not good and no one responsible is doing anything about it.

(As for the male perspective on this when it does come up - well, let's just say that most I talk regarding this would eschew solutions which are best not written about.  Men in general see that the "bad" has already arrived and know exactly from where the problems stem.  But sadly today's real man is mostly just a hulk emasculated by society left to drink beer on the porch while the women chatter nervously.)

Today I think there is more than just "post vacation depression."

But who knows, we'll see where this takes us all...