Preparedness Supplies Vs Debt?

The panic and hype is on. Many people are feeling the crunch that is taking place with the checkbook, the price of gas, the economy in general and in all sorts of miscellaneous places of their lives. Suddenly many people are jumping on the preparedness bandwagon that have never ventured near it before.

In fact, one of the most disconcerting questions that I have recently been asked is, “Is having preparedness supplies important enough that I go into debt to acquire them now?

My answer? Absolutely not! Going into debt to be prepared is only exchanging one worrisome problem for another. One of the best gifts you can give yourself is debt-free living. Debt is so very easy to acquire. Not a week goes by that you won’t find half a dozen or more pre-approved credit card applications in the mailbox. Today’s materialistic society encourages the notion that you are entitled to all the worldly goods that you want, and that you deserve them whether you can afford them or not. Being frugal, showing self restraint and doing without until you are in a position to buy something free and clear are considered to be old fashioned ideas to be disdained or laughed at. Well society’s ideas on debt and spending are wrong. Debt is a crushing burden, and it can steal your peace of mind, your self-respect and your relationships.

Being prepared is a worthy goal, but don’t go about it by getting in over your head in debt. That rule stands no matter how good the program or products sound! Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare. Slow and steady win the race. You can get prepared a bit at a time, without the frustration and worry that comes from drowning in red ink. Do not sign contracts that allow you to obtain your entire six months or years supply at any great price. It’s still DEBT!

Instead build consistency into your buying of preparedness supplies. It doesn’t matter if it seems to be only a pittance. Begin building a supply that contains a variety of products, enough for a one or two weeks. Make it supplies that will meet your needs. Then increase the amount of those items to stretch to three or four weeks. Just make sure that the chocolate shelf is getting filled at the same time.

When Larry and I went back to school with two “tweens,” in order for him to get his degree, I budgeted specific amount every payday and made a list of just a few items to put in the pantry. When I had a sufficient amount of those items I moved on to a few more that were different. It was not very much, but that little amount added up and I could stretch the oats, corn meal, biscuit mix or whatever to create a greater variety of recipes. At the same time I could buy a few candles or a bottle of lamp oil or a can of Sterno to round out the preparedness perspective. It didn’t amount to what many might consider a perfect pantry of preparedness, but several times it was sufficient to get us through a bind.

That’s the moral of the story. Provide for yourself without going into debt and somehow when the need arises you will make it through with the items that you have been able to put in your pantry!

Just remember the chocolate! Or carob.


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