Sometimes ideas for stories pop up because I discover my own deficiencies on subjects. That’s what prompted this article when I realized I had not made a paper copy of my address book. In a world where we can look up the names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays, and email addresses of pretty much everyone in our lives on our phones, many of us couldn’t tell you every family member’s phone number from memory.
I couldn’t.
But it’s not just a best practice for losing your phone. Prolonged “digital apocalypses” of various sorts could be on our horizon. A massive cyberattack that takes out internet access for the masses is something that has concerned me for years ever since learning just how easy it would be for those with the resources. We’re not talking about a multinational conspiracy or globalist cabal of billionaires who are the only ones capable of taking down the internet. A motivated group of a dozen people with a few hundreds thousand dollars of equipment and the right expertise could prevent internet access for weeks, months, or even indefinitely.
Then, there are even worse threats. One atmospheric EMP attack could cripple half of the nation. Attacks on our energy grid could create a domino effect of devastation. There are many ways to take us back to the days of analog and far too few Americans are ready for such an event.
Here is an extremely incomplete list of seven basic paper items we all should have prepared immediately if we haven’t already. The bad news, as I’ve laid out, is that we’re vulnerable to possible “digital apocalypses.” The good news is it’s not too difficult to get the basic preparations done quickly.
With that said, here’s a list of seven paper items to make sure you have prepared today:
- Full Address Book: As noted, this is what prompted me to write this article. I had everything else on the list but not paper record with ways to reach everyone I know. The more detailed the information the better. If phones are disabled we may only be able to contact friends and family buy going to their homes. Printing out a few copies of a spreadsheet should keep it down to a few pages, depending on how many friends and relatives you have.
- Maps: Our map pack is pretty impressive. We have everything from very detailed local maps all the way up to a nationwide highway map. Considering how little space they take and the low costs, it’s best to have a couple of duplicate map packs in separate bug out bags as well as one pack in the safe.
- Cash and Metals on Hand: We aren’t rich but we try to keep some money in the safe for just-in-case. I’m not a fan of fiat currency but the bad part about cryptocurrencies is that in a digital apocalypse even the wealthy can find themselves suddenly broke. That applies for those with all of their money in the bank. Those with the means should keep silver and gold coins, the smaller the better, in the safe as well. My gold guy, Ira, can help if you need.
- Books: For a prolonged or even permanent digital apocalypse, having physical books makes a lot of sense. They can take up a lot of space and aren’t exactly easy to carry around in a bug-out situation, but for bugging in they can be a mind saver. As a Christian, having Bibles available is paramount for us. How-to manuals and survival guides can be very beneficial as well. As difficult as it may be for some of us to understand today, there could come a time in a post-apocalyptic society when books are as valuable as gold.
- Pens, Paper, Pencils, Tape: Call me old school but I still write things down. If there’s nothing but a blank screen on our computers and smartphones, having pen and paper in abundance will be more than just a luxury. As for tape, one never knows when they’ll need to write something down to leave notes for people in visible places.
- Photos: A prepper friend told me about this little tip a couple of months ago. Everyone she knows, she takes pictures of and prints them out on paper. When I asked her why not have them developed into pictures, she said she wants them to be weather- and at least partially time-proof so printed and laminated images are her preference. She makes multiple prints of people she knows so if she needs to hand one or two out she’ll still have copies. Many of us have the bulk of our images in digital format. In a digital apocalypse, all of our photographic records could be lost forever.
- Deeds and Other Important Documents: If things go very far south in a hurry, having paper records of ownership can protect our property. But it’s more than just deeds and receipts. We should keep all of our paper records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, passports, and the like in very safe places that are easily accessible and can be made travel-ready in a bug-out situation.
None of these things take a ton of effort. Only #3 can cost a lot of money. Having food, water, shelter, medicine, and ammunition are staples of good preparedness, but don’t let missing out on basic paper-based needs slip through the cracks.
Add to the conversation by making recommendations of your own on my Late Prepper Substack.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
