[GUEST POST] Apartment Prepping For 9-5 Desk Jockeys

| Last Updated: January 27, 2021

Here at Survive The Wild we're dedicated to helping the 9-5 worker make the most of their time when it comes to prepping for disaster and survivalism. Which is why there's none better than apartmentprepper.com to offer advice on this topic!

apartmentprepper.com  will offer advice on how to get started as a 9-5 worker who also wants to provide safety and security for their families. Get ready for some great info for beginners!

PART ONE: Quick Guide To Apartment Prepping

If you live in an apartment and want to prepare for a disaster, you may initially feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done, and the feeling worsens when you hear about what other people are doing and you haven’t even started yet.

Don’t let all this worry get you down; the most important thing to do is to get started. Whether you live in a small apartment, or a small home, there is always a way to prepare regardless of your lack of space. Just focus on a few things at a time.

Getting Started As An Apartment Prepper

  1. Focus on the basics. You need water and food to survive, so focus on those first. Each time you go to the grocery, pick up extra gallons of water, and extra cans of food that your family likes. You need one gallon of water per person per day. Pick up foods that do not need heat to be edible: canned pasta, tuna, canned fruit and vegetables, cereal or granola bars etc. If you have babies, make sure you pick up extra formula. Keep going until you have at least two weeks worth of water and food.
  2. Buy enough toilet paper and other sanitation items (diapers, trash bags, sanitary napkins etc) to last for two weeks. Toilet paper is a necessity, so don’t put this off. Pick up disposable plates, cups and utensils, so you don’t have to use dishes in an emergency.
  3. Assemble a First Aid kit or buy a prepackaged First Aid kit. There are several available-I picked up a fairly large one at Sam’s for under $20. Add medications or prescriptions your family normally uses.
  4. Stash emergency cash in case ATMs or debit cards don’t work. The amount is whatever you think the family would need for a few days. Start with just $20, and keep adding to it.
  5. Pick up battery-powered flashlights, radios and extra batteries, and store them within easy reach in case power goes out.
  6. If you have a space issue, get creative with your storage. You don’t have to store all food and water in the pantry. Store your stash in a closet, under the bed, or behind the couch. Just keep track of where you store things, so nothing gets forgotten.
  7. Make copies of your important documents: licenses, ownership statements, 401k statements etc and keep them in a binder.

This is not a complete list by any means, just a few steps to take as a fast track way to get started. Once you have a few supplies set aside, you will feel encouraged by the feeling of security you get, knowing that you are taking steps to prepare yourself and your family.

Check out all of our content on Disaster Preparedness Here

PART TWO: Quick Guide To Apartment Prepping

Once you have assessed your current situation, figured out budget and space, you should focus your prepping efforts on water and food. The following tips will help you get started as quickly as possible.

Water Storage For Preppers

  • I am listing water as your first priority as a person can only last 3 days without water. Don’t hold off on storing water.
  • You can start inexpensively by using 2 liter soda bottles for water storage. Wash well and fill with tap water. Soda bottles store very well.
  • Each time you shop, buy a gallon or two of bottled water from the supermarket, until you have at least a week’s worth of water for your family. Count on storing a gallon of water per person per day.
  • Store a couple of gallons of water in your car. If space is an issue, buy ½ or 1 liter bottles.
  • Don’t forget to store water for washing and cleaning needs.

Prepper Food Storage List

  • The quickest way to start your food storage is by picking up a few cans of food each time you go grocery shopping.
  • Buy only foods that your family will eat.
  • Make sure you have a couple of can openers available. This way, if one breaks down, you still have a backup.
  • Ramen noodles are very inexpensive and filling, and therefore good for food storage. Buy a few packs of ramen noodles each time you go shopping.
  • Watch for coupons and grocery sales and stock up.
  • Aim for a variety of food to cover meats, vegetables and fruit.
  • Always check expiration dates and rotate your stored food. This way you will avoid wasting food.

I could go on about getting started but I found a great resource: Check out M.D Creekmore’s “10 Things to Do Now” http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/survival-food/survival-food-storage-walmart/ and then read “10 More Things to Do Now”http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/survival-food/survival-gear-list/. If you follow just the advice in these two articles you will greatly fast track your emergency preparation efforts. There is a wealth of information in the website, http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net, for anyone in the beginning, intermediate or even advanced stage of prepping. Many of the articles can be applied to apartment prepping as well, so go check it out.