Unlike most books you’ve read, this one isn’t designed to go cover to cover in page order. While you could certainly go that route, doing so will detract from the learning process.
You’ll notice the first section is titled “The Basics.” No matter where you are in your prepping journey, no matter what time of year it may be as you’re reading this, the lessons in “The Basics” are to be done first. They lay the groundwork for many of the future lessons.
Once you’ve finished the first ten lessons and assignments, move to the section that corresponds to the current season. You’re welcome to skip around the book, if that’s your preference, but some of the lessons are rather seasonal. For example, it makes little sense to plan out your garden in late summer.
Each week will bring you a lesson to be read, absorbed, and incorporated into your disaster readiness plans. This lesson is followed by a short series of assignments.
ASSIGNMENTS
TASKS
Each lesson includes one or more tasks to be completed. These tasks relate directly to the lesson. Some tasks require nothing more than a pen and paper, while others involve some work and/or expense.
SAVINGS
Each week, you’ll be asked to set aside a certain amount of money into what I call the Prepper Savings Account. There will be a few higher-priced items you’ll be asked to purchase. Setting aside a little money each week will help you acquire those things when the time comes. If you can’t afford to set aside the suggested amount in a particular week, just do what you can and try to make up the difference later. It would be best if this money were set aside as cash, rather than sitting in a bank. Cash will give you the ability to make purchases as needed at rummage sales and such without needing to hit an ATM first.
WATER STORAGE
Water is a key element of any survival plan. Each week, you’ll be asked to store a certain quantity of water. While the amounts are small each week, they add up quickly.
GROCERY LIST
Each week, you’ll also be asked to purchase a few food items. Occasionally, they will be nonedible supplies. These purchases are in addition to anything else you’d buy that week for your overall disaster plans. On average, you should expect to pay under $20 for the groceries specified each week.
I suggest that you pick a day of the week, say Sunday, and commit to visiting this book every week on that day. Have a notebook next to you so you can jot down notes for what you need to do that week. Don’t be afraid to dog-ear pages, use a highlighter on the text, or make notes in the margins. If, by the time you’ve finished the book, it looks beat to hell, then you did it right!
BUYING IN BULK
Shopping at a warehouse store will often stretch your buying dollar. But it comes at the cost of sometimes having to lay out a substantial amount of money at one time. Many people just don’t have the funds to spend on case lots of canned goods and other items. If you can afford it, feel free to visit one of these stores every month or so to stock up on the items listed in each week’s lesson. But by purchasing just a little bit each week, you’ll still be able to come out ahead in the long run.
A couple more things before you get started. First, if you reach a lesson where you’ve already earned the merit badge, so to speak, that’s fine, but don’t just take the week off. Either move on to a new lesson or revisit a past one. Idle hands and all that. Second, consider yourself free to work ahead, too. If a particular lesson and assignment take you only a short time to accomplish, go ahead and move to the next one, if you’d like. It’s far better to work ahead than to fall behind.
Finally, should you at any time need encouragement, have a question, or just want some guidance, you’re welcome to e-mail me: Jim@SurvivalWeekly.com. I’m happy to do whatever I can to help you achieve your preparedness goals.