Beginning at the Beginning

Originally posted on July 23, 2011- After reading over this post again, I've decided that this really like my Genesis- where all things begin.

After having sat back for a bit and taken a deep breath, I’ve decided to attack my prepping in a very systematic way. I was finding myself getting quite overwhelmed with everything I wanted to learn and acquire, especially since I’ve been feeling such a sense of urgency to get as prepared as I can. So, I decided to start at the beginning and work my way forward from there. So, where is the obvious place to begin? I suppose where life itself began: water.

If anyone has done any reading about surviving or preparedness, then he or she knows that the most important necessity is water. People can live 3 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water. So, it is imperative that I have at least 3 days worth of water on hand at all times, although my plan is to try for at least a month’s worth of water. I’ve been picking up bottled water whenever it is on sale- which for me is less than $2.99 for a 24 pack. But, I know that I don’t have nearly enough water, especially because we grab bottles on a daily basis whenever we are running out of the house and need some.

So I did some researching online and, while I would definitely like to invest in a 55 gallon drum for water storage, that is just not feasible right now on our budget (because I’m still out on maternity leave and not getting a paycheck), and it is not feasible for the amount of storage space we have at the moment. So I decided to go with 4- 7 gallon water storage jugs from REI, where I also got free shipping. REI had them the cheapest (at $16 for 1 storage container).

These 4 containers will fit in the space that I currently have, and it will provide enough water for my family for 3 days. So I hit my first goal! Or at least I will when the containers arrive in a few days. Enough water for 3 days for my family of 4 plus 4 of my extended family members.

I will continue to buy bottled water when it is on sale, but at least I know that what is in those bottles is there all of the time.

I’m feeling refreshed already! It’s nice to see some real progress towards my goals, and it is nice to feel that I am organized and have a plan of attack for this giant task of prepping.