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Top 10 Ways to Prepare for the Total Breakdown of Society Without Looking Like a (Complete) Lunatic
Mother Nature Network ^ | September, 2010 | Shea Gunther

Posted on 12/21/2010 5:00:48 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin

It's been a crazy past few years. We've seen gas prices hit all-time highs, been hit by major and catastrophic weather disasters, and watched as banks and major financial institutions disappear overnight in the midst of what appears to be an actual, real-life economic depression. Our stable, comfortable lives suddenly don't seem so stable any more.

Here are 10 things you can do to improve your chances of riding out a major disaster without looking like a total lunatic. If you get all 10 of these items checked off, let me know so I can come crash at your place when aliens attack.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Conspiracy; Food; Gardening
KEYWORDS: bigsaleontinfoil; emergencyprep; goldbugs; preparedness; prepper; survivalism
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To: palmer
They seem to have the right idea, but don't quite get it. What is useful is passive solar (not solar electric) and that applies to a house or greenhouse. Mostly that requires lots of insulation and thermal mass, and ways to keep from overheating in the summer. I think the ideas here are great, but the article sounds like it was written by theoreticians

Regarding greenhouses, your observations are consistent with what I've read. Sure, you can heat a greenhouse, but that adds expense and vulnerablity (if power source is unavailable).

When weather is cold, during the daylight hours you open up the translucent surfaces to heat the greenhouse; at night you close the surfaces with blinds or whatever. Thermal batteries (such as jars of dark liquid) will store the heat to be released at night. Insulation keeps the heat it.

When weather is hot, you ventilate to avoid overheating. You can also limit the hours of sunlight with blinds if necessary.

81 posted on 12/21/2010 11:50:24 AM PST by matt1234 (0bama's bunker phase: Nov. 2010 - Jan. 2013)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Lows in the mid 20s.

Christmas Day
Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Highs in the mid 30s.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Lows in the mid 20s.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Highs in the mid 30s.

We shall see...


82 posted on 12/21/2010 11:54:38 AM PST by patton
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To: cgbg

Thats easy to get around. Have commercial hooked up to a 3 position switch. Top position is commercial, middle is completely off, bottom position is from your solar system.

All they said was you had to be hooked in to the system. They never said you had to use it!


83 posted on 12/21/2010 11:59:01 AM PST by ex 98C MI Dude (Alea Iacta Est)
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To: Hotmetal

Those damn Yankees. :)


84 posted on 12/21/2010 12:24:36 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Renegade

“Your Cabana Boy better have North Face underwear!”

LOL! I’ll take good care of him. You always take care of your livestock first! :)


85 posted on 12/21/2010 12:27:39 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: JDoutrider

Pole Beans would be my first guess. You could use shorter ones for cucumbers.


86 posted on 12/21/2010 12:29:50 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: HereInTheHeartland

That’s why you add the electric fence topped with concertina wire! :)


87 posted on 12/21/2010 12:32:21 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

ping


88 posted on 12/21/2010 12:42:47 PM PST by Ratman83
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; MsLady; palmer

“A wood-burning/pellet-burning stove”

We found these brochures at a Mernard’s store

>http://www.menards.com/main/home.html>

the Norseman Page 1

http://screencast.com/t/j9asbOe9X

The Norseman Page 2

http://screencast.com/t/4J8fbjGhLZan

Daka Page 1

http://screencast.com/t/x4D21iaQwQcB

Daka Page 2

http://screencast.com/t/rcdvPtBFxTrO


89 posted on 12/21/2010 1:37:18 PM PST by Whenifhow
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To: Ratman83

I’m already here, Ratman. It’s my post, LOL! :)


90 posted on 12/21/2010 1:42:34 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
9. Collect and filter your rain water for home use

LOL. I did that, but forgot to empty it before it froze, so I now have a massive barrel of ice.

We are planning to roll it down the hill towards the snowmobile racers.

91 posted on 12/21/2010 2:11:01 PM PST by fanfan (Why did they bury Barry's past?)
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To: fanfan

Me, too! My barrels are frozen solid and starting to heave. Hope they don’t crack. My bad! My very, very bad!

It was so WARM going into the fall that it was one chore that got overlooked...well, that’s my excuse anyway! :)


92 posted on 12/21/2010 3:28:28 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
4. Learn to Hunt

It should go without saying that you will need the ‘Implements’ to accomplish this task, not to mention keeping you safe from those that didn’t prepare.

93 posted on 12/21/2010 4:32:57 PM PST by Prepper Doc
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To: GOPJ

'When you have made evil the means of survival, do not expect men to remain good.' Ayn Rand

Ask yourself this question: What’s to stop someone from taking from you all that you have taken from others?

94 posted on 12/21/2010 4:40:16 PM PST by Prepper Doc
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To: ChocChipCookie
That silly article was hardly worth the "preparedness" ping. *shrug*

The Utah evacuation story might be more worthwhile, as it might get folks thinking about other, quite possible scenarios - those in which hunkering down is not an option.
95 posted on 12/21/2010 4:49:49 PM PST by LearsFool ("Thou shouldst not have been old, till thou hadst been wise.")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Me, too!

You want to roll your frozen barrels at snowmobilers too?

...well, that’s my excuse anyway! :)

Wait, that was my excuse. Want to share?

96 posted on 12/21/2010 4:52:56 PM PST by fanfan (Why did they bury Barry's past?)
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To: Prepper Doc

Welcome to FR.

From your name I expected some links on your page?


97 posted on 12/21/2010 4:56:37 PM PST by fanfan (Why did they bury Barry's past?)
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To: Renegade

I never thought of that, but now that you mention it, it makes sense.

Here in the northwest there are outfits that take branches, etc., etc. and run it through the chippers to turn it in to mulch/garden stuff.

And if you drive by one of these piles in the winter, you can see the steam just billows out of them. I have no idea how hot it can get inside, but yeah, spontaneous combustion is a possibility!
Should be more than enough to heat a tank of water!


98 posted on 12/21/2010 4:58:50 PM PST by djf (Touch my junk and I'll break yur mug!!!)
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To: fruser1

Good luck.

How many houses do you think you could raid before you were shot dead or chewed up by somebodies Lab?

My bet would be two, three at the most.

Me and my neighbors got a special “crossfire” plan for turds like you!


99 posted on 12/21/2010 5:03:34 PM PST by djf (Touch my junk and I'll break yur mug!!!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Mrs. Crusher and I are way ahead of their curve.

Remote defensible retreat in a self reliant community?

Check.

Independent energy source (microhydroelectric)?

Check.

Independent water source (artesian well just up the hill)

Check

Clear line of sight?

Check.

Variety of projectile throwers?

Check

Disposables for projectile throwers?

Check

Variety of useful skills (carpentry, wiring, plumbing, machinist, foundry, etc.) ?

Check (and always acquiring more. this year is my time to learn welding and electronics)

Food storage?

check big time (5,000 pounds and increasing)

Debt eliminated?

check


100 posted on 12/21/2010 5:38:27 PM PST by crusher (Political Correctness: Stalinism Without the Charm)
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