Prepping in 2023: If I Had to Start Over

This video covers what I would do differently if I were a new prepper in 2023 based on the mistakes I made and the world we live in.
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[@hazel555]

As it is, it's very difficult caring for animals, like chickens, rabbits, goats, and the like, throughout northern winters. I wrecked my knee at work a couple months ago and, especially during the past extreme cold weather and living alone, I had no choice but to have to hobble out, juggling a water container and crutches in the bitter cold, snow, ice, and wind to care for my rabbits. It's certainly something to consider ahead of time before you decide to get animals; who's going to care for them if something happens to you.

[@brandtwebber5761]

Hoping the best for you, I don't have that at my point in life but I know it can happen. Get better soon.

[@hulululu5346]

it is a real pain in the butt!!! i haven't had a life in years cause yes, someone has to feed the animals....I am sick of prepping, animals, stressing over it, injuries and pain... i need a damn vacation.

[@judimantos904]

Sell your rabbit poop, its a great garden fertilizer. Can you hire a high school young person to help you with the animals. A local Boy Scout troop or a church group may be able to help. In the long run, make friends with your neighbors, offer to help them, then if you need help they will probably help you.

[@ceecee9155]

I feel your pain. Two bad knees and can barely make it to water trough and feed cans.

[@gailoreilly1516]

You mentioned the two main reasons I haven't started a small flock (6) of laying hens. I love animals and have the space. However, I have no one to feed and water them for me if I were to go visit my sons who live 12 hours away. The second, I've already had both hips replaced. My other joints aren't getting younger. So, I thank you for helping me to not think that "I should just suck it up and push through".

[@megandonahue9220]

If I was to do it over, I would have learned to can and dehydrate about 2 years earlier. I wouldn't have worried about my family, who are still asleep. It was a waste of time and energy.

[@diypreppertv]

Food preservation is definitely on my to do list.

[@megandonahue9220]

@@diypreppertv my electric canner is so easy. It is a 9.5 qt carey which is identical to the nesco. I water bathed for a year and then bought the electric one for $115 on Amazon. It was still that price yesterday. I started water glassing eggs too.

[@olmcmonnie7445]

I learned this the hard way during the TX freeze. I am not in TX or any of the effected surrounding areas. But, my central heat went before it. I was using my Big Buddy Heater and ran out of propane during this event. I could not find any propane within 100 miles for weeks after. Now propane is insanely expensive when I can find it. I'm too scared to find out that m6 HVAC needs to be replaced so I bought an electric fireplace and space heaters as our main source of heat. I still have my propane heaters and I buy a few bottles a few at a time. Though I live in the desert, it can get pretty dang cold at night. I live in an OLD doublewide (single pane endows and not so great insulation). My mom, siblings and I lived with my great grandma while Dad was in Vietnam (yes I'm showing my age). Her home was a Shanti house. I remembered her covering her windows with clear plastic sheeting and rolling up blankets and putting them across the bottoms and stuffing cracks of the doors. windows. It worked so that's what I do now. In addition, I hang clear shower curtain liners and thermal curtains over my windows. I open the curtains during the sunny days to take advantage of the free heat and close them at night to keep the heat in longer. Due to the frequent power outages I experienced, when my electric range went out I replaced it with a gas one. I'm in a rural community so don't have access to natural gas lines. Had to get to get a propane conversion kit. Can't afford the big 400 gallon propane tanks so I am buying multiple BBQ sized propane tanks, one at a time. Finding myself in a pickle because I scripted and saved and bought a dual fuel (gasoline/propane generator but only have enough fuel to last 2 days at most at when all tanks are full without considering cooking or heating. Wish I'd have invested that monet in a wood burning stove instead.

[@melodyclark4347]

It may not be toi late for a wood burning stove. Tent stoves are under $300 for a small one. Comes with all pipes and adapters to vent thru wall or window.

[@lorashampine3522]

Prices for aged wood has sky rocketed in my state of Michigan

[@melodyclark4347]

Look into a tent stove. It comes with all attachments to vent the chimney thru the roof or window. Prices may have changed. But I found one at a local hardware store for under $300. Burns wood. It heats several hundred sq ft with no problem. So you could section a main area for living, sleeping. There is enough surface area to heat water, soups etc. God bless you and keep you and your family safe. Your post is a wealth of info for these times.

[@midwestern925]

Again, wise beyond your years young man!!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Cindy!

[@TheWtfnonamez]

I was about to say precisely the same thing Cindy

[@megandonahue9220]

@@TheWtfnonamez I agree.

[@samearry4291]

Fantastic insight. I too narrowly avoided doing costly mistakes and going into spiral of non-balanced preps on the beggining of my journey, only because I dug a bit deeper into the subject. So this type of advice, debunking myths is always essential when teaching emergency preparedness. Greetings from Poland

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Sam!

[@craigsimmonds6201]

As always Jr, some excellent advice! this is what i enjoy about your videos, keeping the preparedness up to date. Also your contents always adapt for the "normal" folk, the average person who hasn't got thousands to spend, which helps us all that we can maximize our survival chances on a budget. So thank you and keep those videos coming!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Craig!

[@craigsimmonds6201]

@@diypreppertv ​ You're very welcome Jr, glad to see some one genuinely there for the community, take care Jr, from my home to yours, All the best from England👊

[@bestlifeever4548]

I just do like I do in military 1 is none and 2 is 1 . But seriously it's important to have backups for backups and know how to use . The organization is hard when you have to store things all over house and property. I have 2800 to 3k ft house but hard to keep everything organization and have had to replace many things stored in storage buildings either forgetting where they are or got messed up over time.

[@erik0073]

Great comment.

[@ificanyoucanprep2923]

I am part of a pantry challenge and overall am happy with my inventory. Something I bought too much of is salad dressing 😂 I can even make my own, but I guess my biggest fear is running out of salad dressing 🙄😂

[@ceecee9155]

We ALL have that "something" that we don't want to run out of. For me, it's coffee. LOL

[@stephanie_beth]

@CeeCee I'm like you, running out of coffee is my fear! 😆

[@stephanie_beth]

@If I can, You can Prep I am always buying salad dressing, too. I've tried making my own, but it always turns out tasting funky. Salad is my mainstay so salad dressing is key. Just wish my oil and vinegar dressing attempts panned out 😆

[@largemarge1603]

@@gingersnap5245 ... and Stephanie, Are you adding a squeeze of organic mustard to your oil and vinegar? It acts as an emulsifier, keeping the two opposites from separating. . Another suggestion (from a salad hater): * as a final step, add greens to stew and soup. I lived and worked all over this particular planet, and often, the diet of tropical cultures center around broth with greens.

[@largemarge1603]

@@ceecee9155 Our pantry includes organic fair-trade chocolates: * bars * chips * powder * biscotti * our home-made version of Reese's in the freezer. Sadly, tragically, around here, chocolate has an incredibly-short shelf-life...

[@MikeMalleyGuitar]

To my benefit, I went 2 weeks living off of my current preps and I learned that rice n beans gets old *quick*! Do yourself a favor and get some junk food too!

[@Jennifer_Cee]

Thank You, DYI, this is great info. You always have great content!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Jennifer!

[@largemarge1603]

Two points: a) We operate a small organic teaching farm near the outskirts of Eugene, Oregon. We share the acreage with a couple-three dozen other 'workkampers' in various versions of home-built RecreateVehicles. . One of my duties is maintaining the gensets for the chillers. Each chiller has a dedicated genset, with a dedicated propane tank, plus portable BBQ five-gallon bottles. Redundancy. . b) Our interior is tiny. We engineered our ExpeditionVehicle with obsessively excessive insulation and tiny dual-pane windows. Our heat is one Wave 3 catalytic heater... set on 'LOW'. As you might imagine with an ExpeditionVehicle, we are off-grid... a land-based version of a sailboat, engineered to be self-sufficient with an extended range and a significant pantry. . House-sitting, we are always amazed at closed-off rooms stuffed with boxes of stuff. We prefer our TinyHomeOnWheels (THOW) because of * our ability to move * our independence from any grid * our ability to travel with the seasons. . I turn 71 in a few weeks. We have everything we need, we just need less of it.

[@Norwolf259]

A very timely video JR. I was literally thinking this weekend that I really suck at the basics in my preps, being far too focused on gear over water and food varieties. I will get sorted this year with a re-prioritisation of purchases.....or I will be the guy dressed like Doom starving to death or dying of thirst....lol. Thanks for the review and stay safe. Cheers from Alberta!

[@Norwolf259]

@@Jean.A.squirrel haha....very true 😀 . Cheers!

[@diypreppertv]

The Doom thing cracked me up. Lol

[@Norwolf259]

@@diypreppertv haha, I'll get more balanced in 2023 I promise...lol. Cheers buddy!

[@bettycarrington6082]

A great way to learn real, tried and true skills that still are being used today, is to befriend someone that has been using some of the skills most if not all of their lives. Older people that have gone through hard times more than once, can enlighten you on the reality of hardships and how to deal with them in the best ways.

[@Magnificat42]

Yes, a personal crisis is the most likely for any of us. Thanks for mentioning this. I prep reasonably for anything!

[@largemarge1603]

@Spirit, Agreed. Prep for a tsunami or wildfire carries over into prep for the reminder of this collapse.

[@pauldodd2086]

Being prepared isn't easy. You need to consider so many things. Food, water, medical, and defense. It takes a long time to learn and practice new skills. You just do the best you can.

[@largemarge1603]

@Paul, For us, prepping is the easiest! We prep first, then hit the gym. Priorities.

[@jonathanfloming1045]

What has helped me to gain ground in prepping....is to buy with the mindset....Two is one....and one is none.

[@ericarnaud7983]

If I had to start over, I would not prep, make a few billion dollars and proclaim myself an elite. 😂😂😂😂 Truth be told, I do have some cool gear that was a want and not a need, but I do use them for camping. I prep across the board for as many situations that I can think of, but I have been slacking in is both economic and grid down. Yes I have economic contingencies and fuel and equipment for cooking, lighting, etc., but I don't have enough fuel for generators and been procrastinating on solar. 👍

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks for watching Eric!

[@largemarge1603]

I appreciate your editing. Thank you for narration over your 'B' roll... this keeps the energy moving.

[@fro-yo-momma7082]

I'm still focused on food and water and I do get some gear now and then. Definitely not ready but I'm trying

[@idigitalclic857]

Excellent video based on realistic situations. Thank you for sharing.

[@kyledean6973]

Great refresher video thanks for sharing.

[@lorisimmons5370]

Thank you for the good sensible advice. You are encouraging!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Lori!

[@Livestrong00782]

I think as with everything it’s about balance, balance between where you are investing your resources to improve your station. If I’m spending money on something expensive, then I’m going to spend time studying and practicing my skills until the money I spent is saved back up. The US is in a great position with regards to strategy, so my primary focus was weather emergencies, giving my location I don’t have many weather related emergencies, *knock on wood* after that I then shifted to the more recent civil unrest issues. Improving my home as well as my families. Followed by the red dawn scenario, hope for the best, prepare for the worst, but don’t live in fear, but be aware of your surroundings. Keep up the great work.

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Jeremy!

[@largemarge1603]

@Jeremy, Based on the evidence, we are in a 'RED DAWN' situation. q -- How does that look? a -- The fUSA is invaded by foreign nationals, intent on transforming the place into a version of the place they just abandoned.

[@Livestrong00782]

@@largemarge1603 riiiiiight, what army has invaded? Where are you encamped? How do you have access to information and ability to contact the outside? Do you have food, shelter, guns and ammo? You need to take your medication before going online again bc it makes you sound like a fool when you don’t. Buuuuuh bye

[@mpocock2632]

Love watching your videos keep up the good work! Your comment about being chubby and my knees hurt made me chuckle 😃

[@typolive8663]

Thank you JR🙏🏼🇺🇸

[@davemartin9632]

Enjoyed the video!! Keep them coming.

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Dave!

[@neddmoulton1]

This is one of the best videos I've ever seen and Ive been at this for 10 years now. I'm a new sub as of right now!! Thank you.

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you!

[@Operator_68]

Great vid as always DIY! Books will always be there when the power isn't, the SAS survival guide is one of the best. I don't have any regrets with my preps, when the initial ones run out of juice I have backups. I guess the only thing I would change is moving into solar or crank power sooner. Batteries and propane won't be a viable option in a long term scenario.

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks for commenting Michael! I read the SAS Survival Guide several summers ago, and it is a chunk! Very good though. I think my main gap now is adding to my fuel reserves, although I do have solar as well.

[@bestlifeever4548]

Yes! I have a library in my house and filled with books of everything from medical and survival and homesteading etc including herbal books and my books from military. I think too many are relying on internet being available.

[@bdbeats7209]

Great points

[@CabinGRL]

Grow potatoes 🥔 it’s so easy and I’ve got them growing inside the house as well as outside. If the cold snaps hit them then the ones growing in the house will at least produce for me. Use 5 Gal buckets Food Grade is best or some ppl use large trash cans or even some plastic tubs.. or grow bags. Use whatever you have but Food Grade is best. Use a basic Potting Mix, add in some Black Kow Composted Manure and Perlite to make it more nutritious and drain better. My potatoes in buckets have 10 inches of growth already and in 100 days I will dump them out to see what I got! Sweet Potatoes too, it can’t be easier. I’ve got some of those going right now also. They like sand added to the soil 😊 Growing Garlic is easy also and Green Onions. Use Pearl Onions from Walmart plant 1 per pot grow indoors or out and you will have green onions forever. They just keep growing. Same for Shallots.

[@jkholley1118]

The number one prep for me, and you never hear preppers talk about is financial. That is our greatest threat , get out of debt. Save money, silver and gold. Then prep for supply chain issues. Good for you for bring that up.

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you!

[@erik0073]

Yes, don't get evicted and lose your stuff!

[@ceecee9155]

I wish we could pay off the house. Keeping a roof over your head should be the first priority !

[@58MrMike]

Many good ideas

[@prepperdan]

$ 1,000 - 350 dollars on solar generator and 100 watt panel, 200 dollars on a used mossberg 88, 200 dollars on rice beans and flour, 50 dollars on seeds, 69 dollars on a baofeng radio, the rest on fuel and fuel storage. You can survive for moths

[@megandonahue9220]

There is a youtube video of building your own freeze dryer for way less than buying one. That is my next project.

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodSnyderMan]

I'm a ride share driver and a prepper. Because my trunk has to be available to my passengers, I built a false wall for the back of my trunk using plywood and automotive carpet, secured with simple velcro. This created a hidden compartment about 10" deep for my get home kit (which includes a backpack, gallon jug of water, and my carbine). My job has forced me to be creative and maximize my "gray man"-liness. I recommend using 2023 to get creative in how you store/handle disguising your preps.

[@carolinaprepper6603]

I love to walk in Wally world and see ketsup $4.59. so glad we stocked up on condiments when it was .89cents.

[@SharonAnnMenefee]

Another great video!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Sharon!

[@milliemrrobinson1074]

Hey JR, great video! Valuable insight and helps me to rethink some of my preps. I know some areas I need to fill in, and I need to practice a few skills, as well. BTW, it's called a "Dad Bod"...I think it comes with age! 😂

[@largemarge1603]

@Millie, I turn 71 in a few weeks. We operate a small organic teaching farm near the outskirts of Eugene, Oregon... ...plus... ...we are in the gym every day, swimming and lifting weights. . Some decisions are not inevitable.

[@funzeevanzee]

Great video again. 👍

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you!

[@megandonahue9220]

Buying aquarium antibiotics. They will stop selling them without a prescription in June. I wish I had started accumulating them earlier for bulk. They range 100 pills between $25 and $65 on the sites I get them from. There doesn't seem to be a shortage and most are made here in the states by a Kraft subsidiary and are pharmaceutical grade. I would have skipped the predatory stores like Jace and Contingency medical.

[@barbaragoodman1789]

Can you share the sites !

[@glennkoenig6078]

Very good points you bring up. I find that the best way to focus on your preps is to do risk management. By that, one must look at their particular situation, environment, finances, skills, etc. to find the weaknesses and then work on that. There is a great shift in society to wander away from being the jack-of-all-trades, or being a renaissance man, where individuals have knowledge and skills on numerous topics. People must become more self reliant in general. In my situation, the absolute most likely scenario would be to bug in, period. For those that live in hurricane, flood zones, tornado areas, I would say the number 1 prep item should be an emergency binder with all of your important information in it. No MRE, paracord bracelet, camp stove, ferro rod is going to help you rebuild your life after a natural disaster, or even in a SHTF situation for that matter. It has been estimated that in a real SHTF event, only 10% of the population will survive, and only 1% will actually thrive.

[@largemarge1603]

@Glenn, I think each female is automatically looking at each male as potential 'war-lord' material. If he can protect and provide for his family and community, he could be a 'keeper'. If he cannot...

[@jpscott3378]

one of your best videos buddy! Amen

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you!

[@greendeane1]

I would build food shelves and maintain an inventory.

[@kiltedsasquatch3693]

I use my solar oven several times per week. ZERO fuel used...

[@ronicarbine8723]

Great video

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Roni!

[@davidjones1393]

THKS

[@diypreppertv]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching David!

[@cousin_JACK]

I definitely agree on not being excited about confronting an intruder but preparing the best we can is so important. and it’s okay JR sometimes a long body rest while we make our brain more awesome can make all the difference. I was about to blow money on a RC car but now I’m not thanks .

[@duckman12569]

Yeah I've been delaying my physical training a lot lately, I don't think I can put that off any longer.

[@marshaclifton1535]

Im a 68 yr old "capable Woman" currently driving a 32' class A RV tow a wrangler. I installed 400watts of additional solar panels on this year,and recenly repaced the sink in the kitchen. By myself. My background was NOT in mechanics. My background is in Music.. We should all challenge ourselves to to more

[@cs4723]

People are prepping for a zombie apocalypse, you need to prep for a deep depression. Tools, ways to repair clothes, grow food, medicines etc etc. You need the food water fuel supplies but dont forgot the long term items.

[@tomahawkmatt]

Hi JR your my #1 favorite prepper channel I like others but I relate to you a little better I got a question. What is the absolute best wicks to buy for your DIETZ oil lanterns? I have a problem with wicks burning up way to fast to where I have to keep raising the wick adjustment. Thanks in advance Matt Moreland in Louisville KY.

[@diypreppertv]

Hello Matt! I recently ordered some made by Light of Mine. I haven’t tested them yet, but they get good reviews.

[@erik0073]

Fats should be the first item prepped, in my view, because it can quickly go into shortage. Sunflower oil 🌻 is nowhere to be found after Ukraine was invaded. Sometimes even Crisco sells out. Grains are generally in much greater supply.

[@erik0073]

Also, fats are very high calorie, which is ideal in emergency situations.

[@bk9873]

You may have done this and I missed it: the first thing you must do is accurately define the worst case scenario you’re prepping for. If you’re prepped for a month and the grid fails or the economy fails you’re pretty much done.

[@barbaragoodman1789]

What is the best container for fuel/ gas ?

[@choctaw2sticks193]

jack of all, master of none, thats pretty much me in my 60+ yrs. I think I`ve done a little of everything when it comes to hands on work, tools to go with it. "although" its about time to just give-um all to my son and daughter . . .

[@prentiswiley6088]

Hi J.R. I like your show, as you can see from my profile I am and old guy. I grew up in the 1950's on a small farm. Prepping was a life style back then that is just how we survived. If you would Private message me I would love to share with you something that is not being talked about on many prep shows that will be essential. If you think that it is worthy you can pass it along to your followers.

[@FarBeyondDriven2]

I have some preps. More focused on investing so I can retire early

[@puddin94]

👍😊

[@electroclassics]

Finally!!!! We need to have supplies to stay home and stay safe . Nobody is going outside and play Rambo 😂

[@nagaviper1169]

In a nutshell, we will have to be a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none.

[@kathysoltys3104]

I wish you left up your pop up videos longer, so one could choose what one to watch next.

[@Priestcaswell7242]

How can we prepare for what we don't know is coming ???? The bible say this time was like never before so what are we preparing for ???

[@megandonahue9220]

I would have learned about weapons a couple of years earlier.

[@diypreppertv]

That is where I spent nearly all of my energy early on.

[@greendeane1]

It takes a decade to become a successful gardener.

[@ronaldsimmonds1002]

✝️🇺🇸👍🏻

[@MattTransit]

At about 01:55 in the vid, you referred to something to the effect, about "more worried about wiping my rear, and me and my family, than fending off Mad Max and his buddies" You obviously are not familiar with the movie "Mad Max". It wasn't "Mad Max and his buddies" one needed to defend themselves from. Max was a Cop in the future, and his "buddies" were Cops as well. They were the last line of defense against marauding gangs pillaging, and ravaging, and raping, the remnants of civil society. Nevertheless, thanks for the honesty and your help, JR!

[@jimherrmann1165]

If you don't know how to tie a knot tie a lot.

[@hollyfischer3501]

when the world ends I will be with the LROD JESUS CHIRIST when the LROD pours his wrath out on those who refuse to REPENT !!!

[@everydayherotruthchannel2757]

Get Besr Traps and a Powerful Meat Processing system to process invaders into pet food 😁