Not new to the game, but even hearing one thing I didn't think about is worth the time.

Your best survival tool is a clear mind.

My advice to anyone starting out prepping is to take inventory of what you already have on hand. Your scented candles would be extremely useful in a power outage. Extra cozy blankets and clothes will help if the heat goes out. When getting groceries, pick up one or two cans of tuna or an extra jar of peanut butter. Starting small is still starting

It's never too late. Better doing something than nothing.

In a word, you have to be your own grocery store, pharmacy, medic, police force, pet store, electronics expert, plumber, and be in great shape. But hey, no pressure.

11:38 PRO TIP... Most homeowners already have ~40 gallons of clean water already stored in their house... the hot water heater. In an emergency, it can be accessed using the drain at the bottom of the tank. Great video brother!

Good advice for beginners... and seasoned preppers because life happens and things change. Reevaluate from time to time.

I'm 57....ive lived in a minivan for 3 years.....im on an income of $1,100 per month.....the first thing I suggest is to be calm always.....next is to keep it simple.....we really don't need a lot of items to be comfortable......dont let fear come upon you.....it will not help......food.....clothing...shelter.......self defense......youtube is full of good information.....find what works for you.....this is a good video.....good luck to you.

best thing to have you can not buy thats Knowledge!!!

Great content, but is going to be unpopular to those who really need this advice. Mentally and physically preparing along with expanding skills aren't as sexy as stockpiling the latest gear but is so much more important. Thanks for the vid!👍

i have some chives and green onions i will plant, they're easy to grow and great for beginning to garden, also if they die i lose nothing since they would have otherwise gone to the garbage.

This was a really great video. Years ago when I started, I bought the book The Survival Mom and she said the same thing: prep for the likeliest scenario in your area. That helped me focus my attention and kept me from getting overwhelmed. We lived in South Dakota at the time, so Prepping for a winter storm became my focus. Little did I know that storm Atlas would hit October 2013 while I had company. 38 inches of snow fell in a 24 hour period. Instead of panicking when we lost power, I took inventory and knew we had everything we needed even with the additional 3 people. It was so comforting

My biggest advice is that you don’t need the fanciest equipment to survive. Even a simple and inexpensive coffee filter can serve to filter water.

Look around the house, in all probability, many of the things needed are already owned. FEMA has a download, 250ish pages, for free. The library has free prepper books for borrowing. The local and regional governments have free info. specific to your area.

I live on disability pay and have a tight budget. I get what I can each month.

I have been telling friends who have nothing put back to focus on getting salt,sugar,yeast,flour, rice and beans. After that focus on canned meat and honey/maple syrup then focus on baking soda and baking powder, canned veggies,jams,jelly and hard candy. When you are putting back the basics you will also grab containers of water or containers to fill with water.

This video was informative and comforting. It may sound funny to many but I get overwhelmed with all of the various aspects to being prepared. Slow and steady works for me. Please continue this series.

I decided to start prepping and create my own 3 day survival kit as suggested by the government, just to realise that I already have everything I need! So I'm just upgrading stuff I already have to make life a bit easier if something happens. Great video!

I started small. Pilot Bread is a descendant of hardtack and stays fresh forever and a day. Spread on some Velveeta cheese and top w/slice of canned corned beef, and you've got a great lunch!

Yo CP, Great video, even those of us who have been preping for a while need a reset and a reminder of what and why we prep , Thank you

This information is so helpful! Prepping at times feels financially unattainable. Thanks for posting this 🥰😊

Great stuff, to beginners I would say start easy just go camping and see what you really need to survive, a few days away from everything will bring to light what you need to practice. How much water you drink, how much you eat and how dirty you can get. If you have trouble cooking on a fire or starting a fire ext great place to start as fare as skills.

best way to prep with limited budget is just adding a extra tin can or two in the shopping cart

This is a sentiment you often feel when speaking to those who are wanting to prepare but feel they cannot afford it. I started with very little and slowly built everything up over time. It's a marathon as they say!

Great job Chris, new, old, we all need to hear great ideas and information that you always alert our Prepper Community to!🌴🌸🙏

Love the content always straight to the point always so informative no BS👍👍👍

Growing up in Africa we learned how to improvise. There's usually always more than one function for every item in your home. Also, skills are absolutely essential - gathering, cooking, sewing, mending, preserving, etc. And the ability to remain calm in a crisis - not as easy as it sounds but a level head and rational thinking can mean the difference between life and death.

I always watch your videos and take all advice I possibly can. I KNOW that I am better prepared than most people. I learned many skills from my parents and their experience with the Great Depression. I'm glad I am able to use those skills. Gentle reminders from your channel are perfect! Thank you. To everyone else commenting, stay safe and prepared.

When I first started it was so overwhelming. But I just added a few things to my grocery list every week, and before you knew it I had three months worth of food for my family stuffed away. I thought myself how to pressure Can and looked for sales on meat and started pressure canning my own meat just start small. You will get there

I like that you do not fear monger, but are more practical than some other gear channels! But do love the gear reviews too that you do

Great insight, Thank you. I am older, single, and live on my own with that limited income. I really just started prepping when I saw what 2020 handed us. After seeing this video and your advice let me know that I have done pretty good prepping on a budget, and feel I'm on track. There is much more I need to do, but wiserdecisions and baby steps has been an asset. Thank you.

I began sensing an approaching crisis a year ago. My son shared 3-4 prepping sites (CityPrepping one of them), and I started creating a list of what things we needed to have on hand. It was daunting at first, but gradually I got together the things I felt we needed. We're in hurricane country, and had a couple close scares this fall, but we found peace of mind in having what we felt we needed when our area faced a mandatory evacuation. And my wife now fully supports the effort, plus my son & his wife are joining us in more formal plans to become more self-sufficient. And I have a plan to build my skills in case of many key eventualities. We now have FAR greater peace of mind, and a clear plan to become self-reliant. Thanks for your videos that have taught me so much.

Yes, I too have limited funds. But little by little I buy what I'm able too for a little over a year. From food, too things I may need when things go down. Thank Gosh I know how to can and a little dehydrating. Thank You for your ideas that are always welcoming! I to am widowed for years and by myself but strong willed! God Bless You!

Thank you! You have given me a lot to think about. I really appreciate the way you break things down into categories, helps to not feel so overwhelmed with it all. Bless your heart.

I know this is an old video but I love that you mentioned knitting, and Baking as a strength! I was raised in a family that loved to both cook and bake, and I found that I love that too and often bake my own bread, but also, where I don't knit, I do Crochet...constantly and have for 30+ years. I never thought of it as a survival skill but thinking about it, I can see where it can be and even if not for that, its still a good skill to have! You can at the very least, make gifts for others, things for yourself and you don't even need to be in a bad situation your prepping for to do it. and man don't let anyone down you if you're a guy that crochets. they're just jealous you have a skill that they don't and you're good at it!

I just want to thank you for putting the videos out and being a resource for all of us. If there were no preppers like you out there willing to teach others, the rest of us would be in a world of hurt. Not knowing what to do and focus on, leads to panic and confusion. Sure some will figure things out, just as you did, but not all of us. There is a certain kind of peace that comes with this, so thank you very much! 💖

With regards to knowledge and skills......use the library it's free and you have access to thousands of books on every subject you can think of with regards to anything prepping related...also KZfaq is a great source for learning new skills as there are instructional how to do videos for anything and everything

Well done CP! 💜 Each one of us is in a different situation so how you prep will probably be unique to you. You don't need to spend a lot of money to get there. I will add: if you're looking to set back a pantry, start with your grocery list first. That is, whatever you buy at the grocery store, buy 1 or 2 more. Also, make or learn to make whatever is in that can or package. I've been growing food and making bread for years. Personally, I really dislike paying someone else for something I can do myself.☺️ Especially now with so many being furloughed or laid off, it's a great time to fill your time with learning and doing.

I like your delivery. No theatrics or constantly drilling into our heads doomspeak like, "YOU WILL DIE". You're not an over the top, I was in the military, or think you're the undisputed apocalyptic go to guy. You bring it to us in a calm, levelheaded manner.

Thank you Chris. I need the rubber meets the road type videos. This let's me know I can do this!

I'm on a limited budget and I'm still able to prep. I focused on the more practical things like food, water, skills getting into shape despite having a disability, and you can get some prepping supplies at a dollar store or a thrift store.

Budget bytes is awesome site for great cost effective recipes.

Also best not to tell the normies around you, only close family you can trust with your life

Food,water and ammo

One - you cannot do every thing all at once, so pick one thing to do each day. Two - use ingenuity (creativity) to get or make the things you need. Three - stay positive - you really can do this! Love and hugs.

Very practical ideas and tips. I love to make to do lists for medium to longer term goals. There is a real satisfaction as you see your progress of chipping away at your lists. Remember your local library for written resources on prepping and other personal skills. Skills and knowledge are the most empowering preps out there. 👍 Your knowledge and skills can never be taken away by anyone!

Very well done, excellent vid,that's why I like this chann,and look forward to seeing the vids,,,I know you care about helping people,it shows in these vids and in your words,,,,we appreciate your time and knowledge,thank you and for what it's worth,I'm proud of you sir...

I said it before and will say it again my fellow preppers the best thing you can do is eliminate any and all debt you owe. Pull your credit report and one by one eliminate the debt you see on there. Being debt free gives you some damn good freedom. In the meantime slowly organize your preps while you are taking care of your debt(s). Do not go all out but sustain your food, water and shelter first then get into buying your gear and managing your money. No matter how many prep videos you watch, YOU are the one who decides which direction your life goes.

Thank you. Finally, some useful content for common folk......not directed at City Prepping, but meant toward the KZfaq prepper community in general.

We started with the necessities. Something that will grind wheat. Even a good blender is sufficient for making pancakes with whole wheat. Beans, Rice, Oats, Sweetener, Wheat, Canned meats, Pasta. Air tight storage containers. 5 gal buckets with a twist on lid are an option.

I do drool over the Berkey filter, but have confidence that from the prepper community, I have a Sawyer Mini, a Life Straw, An d Israeli water purification tabs, AND a Jet Boil and stainless single wall water bottle!

#1 tool for prepping! Watch cityprepping!

Great video, gear will come as one has the mental inventory. Thank you for the video. Merry Christmas. God Bless. Stay Safe.

I consider myself a newbie eventhough I started learning about this topic while living 1 year in my RV. What helped me the most was keeping a notebook. I took notes every time I read, heard, or saw something useful. I also jotted down a list of dream items that wanted to purchase for prepping. I purchase my dream items as I go. Slow and steady wins the race. Now, prepping is a lifestyle, Thanks to channels like this and others.

I am knitting socks as I watch this.

Been in this community since before it was a community. But, I like to aim for self sufficient or self reliant. My grandpa said he experienced the great depression, but only because sugar and salt cost more. That's where I would try to be. Yes not everybody can move to the country. Good news, it's not limited to the country. Enjoy your perspective. Keep up the good work friend. GOD bless us all.

When I started prepping I was deep in debt started listening to Dave Ramsey “total money makeover” and thomas Stanley “the millionaire next door” on repeat was working three jobs and sleeping in my car cause it didn’t make sense to drive home to sleep 2hrs. I’m now debt free working for myself and prepping my ass off. Find what motivates you and keep your eyes on the prize until you have it.

This is very helpful and informative not only for newbies and those who have minimum budget. Prepping is definitely a way of life. It's the principle of gaining the capacity for effective application of the powers of the mind, heart, and physical phenomenas to learn more things and relearned what we have already know.

I think learning skills is so important. And being well rounded with what you know. Know enough of everything between cooking, forging, medical info and basic gun usuage

cut out the 20$ i was spending on beer a week and it’s now going into preps.

Thanks Chris. It can get overwhelming sometimes. Years ago I decided to run a marathon. I knew I'd have to come up with a plan for how to achieve that goal so I set out to plan a strategy. It took almost a year of hard work but in the end I did run it. I joined a group, stuck to the plan and was even able to raise a lot of money for a local non profit at the same time. Prepping is a bit like that marathon. Set a goal. Make a plan. Keep working at it a little bit every day. Find a supportive community to keep you focused and make sure to take stock of your progress every now and then. Celebrate small victories and make sure to smell the flowers along the way. As always, a wonderful video today. Thanks!

Bonus video, hurray

Thank you. This kind of video is much needed. Although I’ve been prepping for a while I’m still learning. Can’t wait for more. Slow and steady wins the race. Don’t worry u don’t have everything, one day or paycheck at a time

If I was a new prepper I would start with learning skills, cooking, sewing, gardening, basic bush crafting, and basic repair. It's great to have all the cool gear or a 100 tons of food stocks but knowing how to make a great tasting meal can improve moral a hundred fold. I don't know how many preppers I've talked to that have 200 lbs. of beans but only know a single way prepare them. Having some understanding of how to grow a potatoes, repair a shirt, process firewood, and so on have huge returns when it comes to how well you react to a crisis. Look at the things you do normally in life and see how you can incorporate them in your prepping. For example while walking the dog one day I started wondering if anyone of the plants I was seeing were eatable. Turns out there are libraries of books that talk about the plants we see in everyday life which could be eaten if it came to it.

Very good. People need guidance -not to despair and panic

Hi Chris , I am so greatfull for a video like this I am going to play this at our next group meeting this summes up what I was trying to convey We started small but have now out grown present location Cant wait to share Big thanks from Ontario, Canada

Great info and so true. More u prep the more u can save. Groceries are flexible if u cook. My best help with rice.... bought rice cooker at thrift store guy told me add half cup extra water and if it's small don't overfill (ask how I know haha). My rice was always hard or burned before. The $5 rice cooker made huge difference!!!! (Could probably get new for about 10$) God bless everyone

100$ will get u started at the dollar store Even 30$ will get u some starter Stuff at the dollar store

Love your content! Keep it up

I've never prepped before but I really wish I had since I was part of the Covid layoffs. Luckily my pharmacist background gives me the skill of natural remedies in the event of a crisis. I also started a spreadsheet in my spare time to gradually stock my pantry, then gathered a book of recipes that have variety but still use the staple foods in my prep list. Haven't gotten very far but at least it's a game plan. Thanks for the share!

I found 100ft of really nice paracord for 2.99 at marshalls this morning. You just have to be on the lookout wherever you go 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thank you. You make this doable.

Excellent video. Exactly what I needed. Thanks fo another good one!

I always say to someone who are new to prepping just follow the rule of 3’s that covers the basics for items/gear. Skills, knowledge, determination and the will to survive are the next tools/characteristics you will need to develop these beats someone with an overated items for prepping. Back in 2006 I did not realize I was a prepper already I just try to carry several items with me whenever I go out such as medicine, water, mobile phone, extra cash, pocket knife etc. back then the term EDC was not a huge thing yet. Prepping is more of a mindset rather than gear hoarding always remember that one.

Brilliant introduction to prepping. Have shared this video with friends. Thanks ☺️

This was very helpful. Thank you so much for posting it.

I've started to make a small vacuum sealed bin of things for my smaller family of 3. Also relearning crochet. Also how to filter water learning canning as well via youtube.

Thank you city!

Love from Canada 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

A very well written, level headed and useful video. Well done and thank you.

Thank you for this!

Asian store near me 50lb bag of Jasmine rice for $50.00 Separate into Mylar bags that hold 1 or 2 cups of rice with air absorbers packs. Seal with flat iron.

Thanks you. Sensible advice.

Good video thanks for the info

I have been able to afford my tangible preps a couple of ways. First, although it may “seem” that I can run out and just stock up, I’m aware that there often seems to be something new to purchase, than can eat away at the monies I have. So, I don’t just feel that, because I may have enough in the bank or because I have credit cards, that I can just buy whatever I want, whenever I want. Another is that I have received occasional bonuses from my job. While, yes, you have to, first, have a job, and second, be fortunate enough that they offer bonuses, I treat it as hard earned money, that may never come again. As much as I used to be a shopper, I don’t see a bonus as an opportunity to get a new pair of cute boots, like I know some of my coworkers do. I can also say, so far that, despite the insane workload I’ve had since the start of the year, I haven’t received any bonuses. But, they are granted gifts and I’m not entitled to them and I know that I might never see one again or, worse, lose my job entirely. So, I save bonuses, which sometimes come in the form of an expiring gift card, which I keep track of, and I keep a list, sometimes, an Amazon Wish List, to ensure that my bonuses are entirely spent, prior to expiration, on preps. Some types of preps, I buy used. I buy them used on one of the many online websites, that offer used items and I buy some items used on Amazon. I recently bought a Royal Berkey Water Filtration System, for $60, stand, no filters. But, even when I do buy filters for it, I’ll still have saved about $100 that, yes, can go towards another prep, even if it’s just food. As compared to saying, “Weee! I’ve got a bonus!” and paying retail, I’ve increased the amount and usability of that bonus, actually giving myself a bigger bonus, than was intended. Every time you spend wisely and are able to save money, you are giving yourself a raise. You should understand that, what you are paid for your work, is the picture your job has for your life. But, you can do better than that. And, even though I have to get better at it, you can better afford even your long term food items, if you’d just STOP EATING OUT. On average, when you eat out, it’s a 300% markup. So, unless you’re expecting a 300% raise, you need to start making your own food, eating at home and carrying a lunch bag with you or at least a snack, for when you go out. Also, if you’ve always done the norm of food shopping on a Saturday morning, you should consider doing it at home, for in-store or curbside pickup. While there have been and will continue to be food shortages, likely, and while everything isn’t always available for online ordering and pickup, you will save a boatload of time, but building your shopping list, looking in your refrigerator and putting together recipes or even while you’re working your job, instead of grazing the store for more than an hour each week. Better yet, if you’re WFH and can pickup your order during lunch. This will leave your Saturday morning to dive into prepping and other personal projects. Even sleep in, without the hassle. In-store pickup and curbside pickup are, typically free and sometimes you can apply coupons online. While I’m not including food delivery, as that is usually a hefty fee, often, if you place an order large enough, sometimes just above $35, although you “may” not get same day delivery, it doesn’t cost you a dime extra. Not even gas. It may not seem like a lot but, you’re saving at least 4 hours/month, without spending anything extra. Time is money in your pocket. I also have to get better at spending more time investing in learning about things to help me to survive. You save money, when you don’t have to ask others to do for you, what you have the knowhow to do for yourself. You don’t have to be the femme fatale in an emergency. You can be your own hero instead and, in doing so, you will insidiously build a Can Do spirit within yourself and become more open to educating yourself further and trying new things, you never considered yourself tackling. You build a new picture of yourself, for yourself. Like prepping, saving money can take practice. It’s like building a good habit, that will incrementally benefit you.

Great video with great ideas. I benefit greatly from your suggestions.

Thank you!

Great video! Stay safe in Cali!

1. Never worry over more than you can carry at a run. 2. Time is your biggest foe. 3. Something is better than nothing. 4. Cheap, off-brand canned food is delicious when you are hungry. 5. BOGO is your friend! Even buying just a few extra cans and such at a time is going to put you ahead of those who do not. 6. Beans, bullets and bandages! 7. The most "expensive" items in your gear should be your knife, gun and boots.

I would look at grocery ad's and look for coupons, some are in Sunday papers, and keep a running list of items your looking for. Dollar tree, is okay for some item's but I would look at your grocery store, or big boxs stores just because you can find some food item's cheaper then DT, and use a old phone number, to type in at the Store's register, I get a coupons each month from Fred Meyer's, some are free food item's, and look at apps, for different stores, you will find some great coupons for food, clothing, and household products too.

$5-$10 at a Dollar Tree Store will buy 5-10 cans of food.

At this point, I recommend playing catch up quickly! This includes finding the money to have your preps in place immediately! Whether you borrow it from a home equity loan, from your 401k, or from Grandma, get it and stock up now. Until Dec 31, you can take up to $100k from your 401K without penalty and defer the taxes over 3 years. 2 months from now, if the economy is shut down, good luck getting what is readily available now! IMO

Thank you for putting this up

Thanks. Good , realistic with some common sense and encouragement thrown in. 👍

Thanks for what you do sir

As far as buying supplies, it can be intimidating thinking about all the possible crises to prepare for. Keep it simple: start by preparing for a week without electricity or running water. Do you have enough food? Water? Can you keep warm? Do you have a little cash on hand. Start there and once you can handle that emergency, start to expand your horizons to bigger potential crises.

Yup I have spent year buying broken electronics and fixing and building things like windmills and homemade battery units that well power my tv and some lights and I now have 5 and I saved up my money and bought solar panels one at first now I have two 250 solar panels and one 1500 solar panels and car alternators hooked up to power themselves and to charge car batteries to use for additional power and bought those converters amplifiers that turn DC into AC just hurt them up to a tall battery and you have enough for rights and maybe go on some small house hold utilities and if you get enough tall batteries you can make a battery Bank all this is on KZfaq good luck out there and live strong. live free. die proud.

Not just great prepping advice -- great life advice. This is a really awesome video that will do a lot for people's overall sense of accountability and self-confidence. Reminds me of how my jiu jitsu sensei had us read Living the Martial Way, which went into the more specific concepts around discipline and health and the things that go with physical and martial training to make a true complete warrior. I love it when you do philosophy-heavy content. :D Keep up the great work man, thanks for your stellar videos!

Thank you so much for making this!!

This was a great video 👍 new to prepping Thankyou👍