As preppers, some of us have an uneasy feeling from time to time about how prepared we are, compared to how prepared we need to be. To me this seems completely natural, especially when you consider how things change daily, and how some of these disaster scenarios increase or decrease on our threat radar.

This leads to the age-old question “Is there really a right way to be prepared?” If you don’t have a years’ worth of food stored, if you don’t have a bug out location, or if you don’t have 10,000 rounds of ammunition and 20 guns, should you just give up?

We all hear stories about hardcore preppers online and on TV. Those people that seem to have everything figured out and are working on their next big prepping venture. There are even those that seem to have more money than sense and own fully stocked “luxury” doomsday bunkers just because they can.

While we should all strive to be as “hard core” as we can, it just isn’t possible for most people. That is to say, it isn’t possible short term. Most of us would love to buy a house in the middle of nowhere, with a complete “off the grid” setup, but that usually takes years’ worth of planning and saving.

Another problem with living in a rural area is driving to work. Companies tend to be in urban or suburban areas. Driving 2 hours to work each day would not only be a major hassle, it would be expensive. It also means that for 4 hours a day you on the roads and putting yourself at risk.

For some of us, becoming better prepared is a long process, and a series of small steps in the right direction. Just because we aren’t that “hardcore” prepper right now doesn’t mean we should just give up and stop prepping. Prepping should be a lifestyle choice, and an ongoing process.

SPP258 Is There a “Right” Way to Be a Prepper?

This week Lisa and I talked about why it’s impossible for everyone to get to the “internet approved” preparedness level. Each of us is different, therefore we can only work within our boundaries and become as prepared as we possibly can.

Common Prepping Challenges

Geographic Restrictions: Most of us have jobs we go to everyday, and where we work usually dictate where we live. My guess is that around 70% of preppers live in a suburban environment, and this is because it’s out of the city, but close enough to work.

Legal Restrictions: Depending on where you live there could be zoning laws that restrict your prepping ability. States and counties have laws telling us what we can and cant do, and your subdivision can even tell you how to landscape, and what kind of car you can have parked on the street.

Another legal restriction is felonies. Anyone with a felony cannot legally own a firearm meaning they need to figure out alternatives for home and self defense.

Family Restrictions: There are many factors that come into play when it comes to family and prepping. Some people have very young children, some have many children. Some people take care of their elderly parents, and even family members with disabilities.

Being the only family member interested in preparedness is also a huge problem for many preppers. Being the “lone Prepper” makes makes everything much more difficult. Not only do they have to take everything into their own hands, they need to go even further, and plan for the unprepared family members.

Financial Restrictions: Money plays a role in preparedness no matter how much you have.