As their name suggests, “forever foods” are items that are meant for long-term survival. All preppers understand that having access to clean food and water is a priority during a crisis, but the question of how to store food for the long-term inevitably comes up. While many survival foods are made to be stored for a few months (or years), perhaps all of them do come with expiration dates.

Luckily there are many foods that never expire. We’ve listed 12 of them below. Take note that a lot of the foods we’ll be talking about will not be enough to prepare a complete meal, but they can add flavor and some calories to typical survival fare.

1. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) — As long as you keep it sealed, ACV will last forever when stored in a cool, dry pantry. You can use ACV as a dressing for salad, as a marinade for meat, or even as a non-toxic cleaning product for your home. ACV also boasts a number of health benefits, from being a great natural hair cleanser to an ideal natural weight loss supplement.
2. Salt — Just make sure to buy the pure kind. Seasoned salt does expire. Pure salt, however, can last indefinitely. You can use salt to also extend the shelf life of other foods like meat or even fruit.
3. Soy sauce — Soy sauce is mostly made of salt, which explains its long shelf life. As long as you leave it unopened, soy sauce can last forever. The condiment is a great way to add some flavor to your meal.
4. Pemmican — Created by Native Americans, pemmican is a concentrated blend of fat and protein from lean and dried meat. Traditionally, pemmican was made from bison, moose, deer, or elk.
5. Raw honey — It is true that honey will crystallize over time, but it is still safe to eat after you heat it for a little bit to get it back to the right consistency. You can combine this with soy sauce to make a simple but delicious glaze to your meats.
6. Corn starch — When kept dry, corn starch can stay good indefinitely. You can use it to thicken stews or gravies.
7. Dried lentils — Lentils are some of the best survival foods because they are easy to cook, have a high nutritional value, and are excellent sources of protein. There is also evidence to suggest that legumes can help regulate blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
8. Alcohol — Distilled liquor serves two purposes. The first is to help uplift spirits when SHTF. While dangerous when taken in excess, alcohol can help people in crisis feel less stressed. During a SHTF scenario, alcohol can also be used as a barter item, or a disinfectant.
9. White rice — Stored in the right conditions, white rice can last forever. Just be sure to store yours in an airtight container to keep bugs out.
10. Powdered milk — This can serve as a good alternative source of calcium and vitamin D during emergencies.
11. Hardtack — Hardtack was a favorite during the Great Depression. It is a mixture of water and flour that is formed into a hard cracker. While the taste may be bland for some, hardtack can provide long-lasting sustenance during an emergency.
12. Ghee — Ghee is butter that has been boiled until all the moisture has evaporated. This helps lengthen its shelf life.

These “forever foods” are important additions to any pantry, and any prepper worth his or her salt should have a least a few of them in their bug-out location.

Sources include:

MDCreekmore.com

Blog.SurvivalFrog.com

MedicalDaily.com

OffTheGridNews.com

When SHTF, you need to still wipe your butt. The collapse of modern society aside, it is necessary that you still maintain good sanitary practices so that you stay alive. Without proper sanitation, it becomes incredibly easy for germs to wreak havoc and potentially decimate entire populations.

In order to see the full extent of what improper sanitation can do to your health, let us look at an extreme example. Kibera, which is located in Nairobi, Kenya, is considered Africa’s largest slum and is part of the top 10 worst slums in the world. There are approximately 2.5 million dwellings in this settlement, representing 60 percent of the Nairobi population occupying just six percent of the land. There are no toilet facilities in most of Kibera, and one latrine — which is usually just a hole in the ground — is shared by up to 50 shacks or households. Disease and malnutrition are widespread here, and a fifth of children die before their fifth birthday. Half of Kibera’s population are children under the age of 15, many of whom have become orphaned by AIDS.

We may have it easier here in America, but that doesn’t mean that we can disregard the importance of sanitation when life as we know it turns on its head. Humans need to expel waste regularly to keep our own bodies clean. This means that, no matter what happens, all of us have to keep our backsides clean as well as our hands in the aftermath.

The dirty truth about dookie

Unsanitary conditions can lead to severe illnesses. Human waste is a huge source of contamination in this regard, both as a primary and secondary vector.

Direct contact with feces means possible infection from germs until you thoroughly cleanse and sanitize your hands. Animals are also attracted to waste, and everything from rodents to dogs to insects will gather around your daily deposits, and in turn become possible vectors of disease.

An average adult will produce three-quarters to one pound of solid waste a day. This waste can be deposited in one or more movements, which means that you will have contact with your backside one to three times a day on average. As a result, you will need to wash and sanitize your hands this many times lest they contaminate everything else they touch. (Related: Staying healthy after SHTF: Best hygiene practices.)

How to stay clean

After you do number 2, you will need to wipe somehow. The best way to do this is with toilet paper. This is why we generally recommend that you begin stockpiling this item now way before SHTF.

If you run out of toilet paper, you will need to use something else. Let’s take a look at some alternatives:

• Paper from books, magazines, or newspapers — This can work well, but heavily inked paper can become slippery and hard to manage, especially when wet. The ink may also stain your backside and introduce more germs. Newspapers are also quite stiff and may tear your skin if used incorrectly. We recommend that you crumple up the paper several times before wiping so that they become soft enough to use.
• Cloth — This is a reliable go-to. Just make sure that your cloth is clean before you wipe! Do not use rags or anything else that has been chemically contaminated.
• Leaves — Generally a good idea, but take the time to choose one that is not from a poisonous plant. Leaves are fairly comfortable to use, and are generally plentiful.
• Snow — This has the added benefit of cleaning your butt while wiping.

Whichever method you decide on, remember to always wash your hands after.

Read more articles on how to stay clean even after SHTF at Preparedness.news.

Sources include:

TheSurvivalistBlog.net

BorgenProject.org

Kibera.org.uk

Nyumbani.org.uk

Healthline.com

Food storage, like learning and mastering various prepping skills, takes time and effort. To ensure that your survival stockpile has enough food to last your family for a long time when SHTF, follow the food storage tips enumerated below. (h/t to TheSurvivalMom.com)

1. Stay within your budget. Stockpile different kinds of canned food that are shelf-stable, but don’t spend money you can’t spare on supplies.
2. Learn how to preserve food. If you don’t have the money for a freeze dryer, try home canning to preserve fruits like apples, berries, figs, grapes, or peaches. You can also home-can vegetables like beans, carrots, garlic, and greens so your family has access to nutritious food even after SHTF.
3. Always repackage food. In general, food that comes in a cardboard box or flimsy plastic bag like flour or cornmeal must be repackaged. (Related: How to easily repackage your survival food for long term storage.)
4. Choose a food storage area that is free from pests. If you’re looking for a non-toxic method of controlling pests, sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the floorboards of your pantry. Alternatively, you can set out small containers of cornmeal mixed with borax for a non-toxic way to kill any bugs. Rodents can chew through plastic five-gallon buckets, so keep an eye out for rodent droppings in your pantry.
5. Protect stored food from the “enemies of food storage.” Things like heat, humidity, light, oxygen, pests, and time can make food deteriorate more quickly. Heat is the worst, so store your food in cool areas.
6. Don’t buy food that no one in the family will eat. This only wastes your money and space in your pantry that should be used for items that everyone can enjoy, like pasta or home-canned fruits.
7. Make sure the bulk of the food in your pantry can be used in multiple recipes. Instant meals are convenient, especially for short-term emergencies, but fresh and healthy ingredients are more of a long-term solution.
8. Collect at least a dozen recipes that use only shelf-stable ingredients that your whole family can eat. This way, no one will suffer from food fatigue even if you have to keep eating the same thing for a long time.
9. Rotate the food in your survival stockpile. Rotating food means using the oldest food on the shelf and replacing it with new food to prevent spoilage. Be careful about food storage conditions, especially heat, so the items in your pantry will stay fresher for longer. However, if you have food that is more than five years old, start using and replacing it.
10. Stock up on comfort foods. Even if SHTF, the whole family’s mood can be improved if you cook comforting food like macaroni and cheese or baked desserts. Stock up on the ingredients for their favorite meals so you can cheer them up during a particularly long power outage.
11. Always buy something for your survival stockpile when you’re doing the groceries. You don’t have to spend a fortune on extra cans of canned vegetables – a single can after each trip will add up after a week.

When SHTF, you’ll need more than food in your survival stockpile. Use coupons to save money on other essential items like cleaning supplies (e.g. baking soda and bleach) and toiletries.

Stocking up on survival food means you’re buying them at cheaper prices and planning ahead for a time when those prices will increase. Food price inflation is tricky since it isn’t always about the price of the item but the size of the package and the number of ounces the package contains.

Follow these tips to gradually build up your survival food stockpile before SHTF.

Sources include:

TheSurvivalMom.com

MomWithAPrep.com

Blame it on the media: Preppers don’t actually wear tactical clothes in public. We don’t wear tin foil hats over our heads, either. When you look at our lifestyle, you’ll see that everything we do is done for preparing for the unknown. We understand that while no one can truly know what the future brings, we can try to plan for whatever eventuality. Whether SHTF or not, it brings peace to our minds to know that that we’ve done all that we could to prepare for a potential disaster.

This seemingly “pessimistic” outlook on life has labeled us as the kooks of society. Many people believe that you can spot a “prepper” by the clothes we wear. To wit, that we all wear military clothing.

But seasoned preppers understand the dangers of standing out. You can be tactical without looking the part, and it is especially important for beginner preppers to consider this.

An article on The Organic Prepper gives a perfect example. Here, one person was busted for being a “prepper” after being caught wearing tactical gray pants, a 5.11 shirt, and dark glasses. This “survivalist” was wearing these clothes in the middle of an airport, where everyone else was in vacation clothes (i.e. funny shirts, shorts, jeans, etc.). Not only was he dressed extremely out-of-norm, but the person was also walking around with a “tough” expression on his face, leering at other people and generally giving off the impression that he was — by all means — “tactical.”

However, this behavior does more harm than good. In a real grid down situation, it is in your best interest to blend in with the crowd. People are often operating on their basic instincts when SHTF and will target people who they consider to be vulnerable or weak — including, yes, people who stick out like a sore thumb.

You may be scratching your hand at the irony of it. If a person looks “scary,” surely people wouldn’t attack them, right? To a certain extent, this is true, but mobs also target people who look like they’re play-acting as well. People who generally overdress in military or tactical clothes look like they’re trying too hard to be scary. And even if they did have some training in self-defense, they still become a target because of their potential value. A scary-looking person will probably have essential survival items like a knife or something. A mob can easily overpower a single person. It’s a crowd against one, after all.

No, the best course of action before, during, or after-SHTF is to maintain anonymity. Other prepper articles will be more extensive on how to achieve this, but in general:

• Look like everyone else — During a crisis, most people will lose weight due to a lack of food. They will also have not enough water to bathe often or wash their clothes. Even if you have properly stocked up on crucial survival items, it will do you good to lose weight (or look like you have) when SHTF. We also recommend that you avoid washing your clothes too often. Because it is still important to maintain cleanliness when SHTF, we still recommend that you shower regularly — just don’t look like you have. (Related: Tips on how to not stand out once SHTF.)
• Make an effort not to stand out — Do not put your attractiveness on display during SHTF. As we’ve discussed earlier, you still need to be prepared for potential disaster, but you should be very careful with how you appear to the public. This extends to the clothes you wear. Our earlier example described a person who wore tactical clothing, but this also applies to bright clothing or exceedingly flashy items.

The most important thing to remember is that you should never display what you have during an emergency. You should always be prepared, yes, but you do not need to broadcast this to the world.

Sources include:

TheOrganicPrepper.com

BackdoorSurvival.com

Disasters can happen at any moment. You might not be able to avoid them, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t prepare for them. Having a proper survival plan in place can definitely help you get through even the most difficult situations. Improve your chances of survival by following these essential disaster preparedness tips when SHTF. (h/t to Survivopedia.com)

Learn what potential disasters your area could face

Different geographical locations face different kinds of natural disasters. Read up on your local area’s history to find out what kind of disasters your area is prone to. Does your area frequently experience hurricanes, earthquakes, or other natural calamities? Once you know the past, you can be better prepared for the future. Finding out what you are likely to face can go a long way in helping you formulate your survival plan. (Related: You need to know these 8 essential survival tips to prepare you for the next catastrophe.)

Sign up for emergency alerts

It is important to stay informed and up-to-date on your local news and weather reports. Nowadays, you can easily sign up to receive emergency alerts on your cell phone. That way, you can always know ahead of time when severe weather is on its way.  There are also plenty of emergency apps you can download on your phone that can serve as useful tools when SHTF.

Prepare your family’s emergency kits and bug-out bags

You and your family members should each have a 72-hour emergency kit containing all the essential items that you need to survive for at least that amount of time. If you need to make a sudden evacuation, you should also have bug-out bags ready in easily accessible areas in your home. Some preppers may combine both their emergency kit and bug-out bag in one convenient pack. Depending on your needs and priorities, you can choose to do the same. Some of the important items you should pack include water, food, first aid supplies, flashlights, blankets, a cell phone charger, a multipurpose tool, spare cash, and personal hygiene items. Make sure that you and your family members know how to properly use the items in your emergency kits and bug-out bags.

Learn your local area’s evacuation routes and shelter locations

In dire emergency situations, you might need to bug out somewhere else until it is safe for you and your loved ones to return home. In this case, knowing your local area’s evacuation routes and shelter locations can certainly come in handy, especially if you and your family are separated when the disaster hits. Planning a designated meeting point can let you and your family know where to go, even if the cell phone towers are down and no one has any access to other forms of communication.

Do an indoor and outdoor home assessment

On the other hand, there might also be times when it is simply safer to stay put and bug in. In this case, you will need to do a thorough assessment of the interior and exterior of you home to make sure that it can provide ample protection when SHTF. Get rid of any dead trees or overhanging branches that may pose as hazards during a hurricane. You may also need to upgrade your home’s security and defense systems. Additionally, you should make an inventory of the supplies you will need to wait out a potential disaster and stock up on these items.

Learn more disaster preparedness tips by going to Preparedness.news.

Sources include:

Survivopedia.com

WorkingMother.com

You need to know how to call for help when SHTF. If worse comes to worst and you find yourself lost, without your bug out bag or any sort of useful item, and need to signal for help, don’t panic. Remember the guidelines written in this article and use these techniques to get yourself heard. (h/t to ModernSurvivalOnline.com)

Fire and smoke signals

These are, perhaps, the oldest form of long-range communication. Used by the ancient Chinese, Greeks, and Native Americans, smoke can be used to signal your position and call for help.

In general, smoke signals can only be used during the day, since the smoke will only show up against a lit background.

Smoke signals are not as clear cut as other forms of communication. Even to this day, there is no general code or standard meaning for the different shapes, numbers, and types of smoke puffs. This is because smoke can be seen by anyone, enemies included. These signals will definitely get you spotted, but you’re not sure who will see it. As such, smoke “codes” were normally predetermined by the sender and the receiver.

You don’t need to worry about this when you’re lost in the woods, though. Your main goal is visibility, so just make sure that you have enough dry wood to keep the fire (and smoke) going. (Related: 5 skills you need to hone now for when SHTF.)

Ground-to-air signals

The ground-to-air emergency code is a crude yet informative way of notifying an overhead rescue team about your situation. Take note that the signals and symbols involved only cover the bare minimum of important information.

The first set is static symbols. These need to be constructed as large and obvious as possible. Try to use materials that are as bright as can be. Ideally the “top” of your symbol should point north — unless it is more intuitive to have it go another way (like if you were on a hillside, for example).

You can see a more comprehensive list of these emergency codes here.

The other half of these signals involve your body. Standing with your arms outstretched from your sides, for example, means “requires medical assistance.”

Flares

This is a collective term for pyrotechnic devices that produce sudden bursts of light (and/or smoke) for signaling. Most flares are designed for marine applications, but many flares have now been adapted for rural and mountain use.

There are essentially three kinds of flares: rockets, handheld, and smoke.

• Rockets –These are used to indicate your position when in distress. The rule of thumb is to set off one, wait two to three minutes, then set off another one. In a maritime setting, red flares are used only for distress whereas white flares are used to warn of one’s location to avoid a collision. On land, red flares are still for distress, but white flares have no formalized meaning.
• Handheld — These are meant for pinpointing your location more accurately. Once a rescue party is near you, you can set off a handheld flare to show them exactly where to look for you. There is no distinction between red and white flares here.
• Smoke — These only come in orange and are used during the day to help locate a target. Smoke flares are highly beneficial in that it contrasts with almost everything, will not disrupt a helicopter, and drifts with the wind. This helps the rescue team see (and follow) a trail, which improves their chances of finding you.

There are other methods of communication you can use if you’re lost, but we just wanted to focus on these three. Remember that signaling is one of the most complex and overlooked survival skills. It’s worth all the time and effort you put into it, however.

Take note that the suggestions listed above may not work so well in an urban environment.

Sources include:

ModernSurvivalOnline.com

Indians.org

OutdoorRevival.com

When SHTF, you do what you must to survive, especially when it is a matter of life and death. Sometimes, that might include doing things that are ethically or morally questionable. After all, isn’t scavenging practically the same as looting? Well, not exactly. Some people might consider both to be stealing, but survival scavenging is slightly more justified in that it isn’t just about taking what you want. It’s about finding things that you need to survive. It is also more justified if you only take from items that have been discarded or are no longer being used. In a sense, you are giving new life to something that has outlived its original purpose. Here are a few useful tips you should follow when scavenging for supplies post-SHTF. (h/t to ModernSurvivalOnline.com)

Survival scavenging should only be done as a last resort

Before even considering survival scavenging, you must first exhaust all other possible options. There are plenty of legal ways to get food, clothing, shelter, and medical supplies. Perhaps there might be emergency shelters in your area that are still accepting people. Churches and community centers are also places that are often welcoming to those in need. Only when you have tried every viable option and still come back empty-handed should you attempt survival scavenging. (Related: Survival scavenging: 10 Items you can re-purpose when SHTF.)

Make a scavenging plan

Carefully think about what you specifically need, and then make your plan based around those items. Think about where you might be able to find these items. As much as possible, you should never scavenge alone. Not only will it be easier for you to work as a team, but you will be able to get help in case anything happens to you or anyone else in your group. To scavenge more efficiently, you should start looking in areas that are the furthest away, and then work your way back toward your camp. If you have a map, you should mark the areas that you have already checked, so that you can avoid scavenging in the same area twice.

Send a scout before doing any actual scavenging

You don’t want to be caught red-handed in case the owner of the items you are rummaging through is actually still there. Before doing anything else, you should first send a scout to make sure no one else is in the vicinity or has any rightful claim to the items. If possible, your scout should be equipped with binoculars, a radio, and a gun for self-defense. The scout should use the binoculars to survey the area for several hours to ensure that it is safe to scavenge there and that there are no bandits lying around. They can then communicate with the rest of your group using the radio and inform them if the area is worth the trouble or not.

Know how to react if you are confronted

On the off chance that you do get caught red-handed while scavenging, you should know the proper protocol to avoid escalating the conflict to a potentially deadly situation. It is important to make no sudden moves, as the person who caught you might be armed with a gun. Try to give off a non-threatening vibe by remaining cool, calm, collected, and friendly. Apologize profusely and clearly explain to the other person what you are doing and why. They might be reasonable and let you have the items. If they aren’t, then don’t push your luck. Leave and don’t come back.

Learn more tips on survival scavenging by going to Survival.news.

Sources include:

ModernSurvivalOnline.com

UrbanSurvivalSite.com

A clean gun is a good gun. Practicing good gun habits is what separates seasoned preppers from run-of-the-mill gun hobbyists. These habits cover knowing how to clean, lubricate, and maintain your gun. Now, every gun owner will have his or her own opinion about how to do it, when to do it, and what to use. This article attempts to simplify these suggestions into one guide and will only cover the basics. Take note that these suggestions are NOT meant for a competitive shooter using match-grade weapons.

Cleaning and lubing

Make sure that you choose an appropriate work space. Your work table should be sturdy. Try to avoid tables with wheels or casters. Remove all ammunition. Accidental discharges of a gun during cleaning can maim or even kill a person. ALWAYS treat every gun as if it were loaded. Do not attempt to clean a gun unless you are 100 percent sure the gun is not loaded.

There are two levels of gun cleaning: field stripping and complete disassembly. For most of us, field stripping is all we need. Your gun should have come with a manual from the manufacturer. It should explain how to take your gun apart and clean it. If you’ve lost yours, there are many resources you can use. The NRA, for example, has a complete guide to firearms assembly.

In terms of cleaning tools, these can vary depending on your gun and your preferences. In general though, you would need something to scrub with, something to wipe with, and something to push and pull your scrubbers through the bore of the barrel. In a survival situation, you can make your own bore-cleaning device using a fishing weight tied to a bit of parachute cord, which is then tied to a rag large enough that it must be pulled with some force. (Related: REAL.video launches self-defense how-to gun training series featuring former Navy SEAL and U.S. Marine combat instructor.)

Use an old cookie tin or coffee can to hold loose parts. This keeps all the small parts in one place so you won’t lose them. You might want two: one for parts waiting to be cleaned; and one for those that have been already cleaned.

Once you have your gun disassembled, start with the bore. A good tip is to use a bore guide (a sleeve that protects the muzzle) so that you don’t accidentally hit the muzzle opening. Remember that the rifling at the muzzle is critical to accuracy; hitting the muzzle one too many times can widen the muzzle opening or leave it misshapen. This is why it is usually recommended to clean from breech to muzzle whenever possible.

Once you are satisfied that you’ve cleaned the bore, you can leave it to dry if you are planning on shooting on the same day. If you are going to store the gun overnight or for a longer period of time, you would need to protect the bore from rust. In general, you can run a patch of cloth soaked with oil down the bore. Be careful with this, though. Oil in the bore can create excessive pressure; so make sure to swab out the oil before you shoot again.

In a SHTF situation, your gun can survive with no more than soap, water, and grease. Use a bar of soap, hot water, and toothbrush to remove crud from your gun. You can then use a few drops of grease or a few drops of oil off the dipstick of your car engine to lubricate and protect your gun.

Once you are happy with your work, reassemble your gun right away. There is a higher risk of parts being lost or broken the longer a gun is disassembled.

After you have reassembled your gun, make sure that all the parts work correctly.

Most gun experts agree that you should oil down the exterior metal surface of the gun, because sweat and body oil can activate rust. However, the coating should be very light as to not damage the gun.

Read more how-to gun guides at Guns.news.

Sources include:

ConcealedCarryToday.com

NRAFamily.org

NRAStore.com

In case SHTF, you will need a well-stocked pantry if you plan to wait out whatever disaster will be occurring in the world outside. However, for your long-term survival, you will need to think of your food supply not just as a means of avoiding starvation, but also as a way to get the right amount of nutrients in your body. You will need a variety of high-quality, nutrient-dense foods, since not all survival foods are created equal. Here are some of the best survival foods you should stock up on for your survival pantry. (h/t to Survivopedia.com.)

Meats

Your body needs plenty of protein, especially if you are in a survival situation. Fortunately, animal meat contains all of the eight essential amino acids that are the building blocks of protein. Beef jerky is delicious, nutritious, and easy to make. You can get 12 grams of high-quality protein from an ounce of cured or smoked beef jerky. Another way to stockpile meat is to make pemmican, which is a classic “native” survival food that is made of a combination of fruit and dehydrated meat. If processed and stored properly, it can have a shelf life of at least 50 years. You can also stock up on canned meats. If you have the resources, you might even want to consider raising your own livestock as a viable protein source. (Related: The top sources of protein in a survival homestead.)

Fish

Canned fish are cost-efficient survival foods that you can easily stock up on, even if you have a limited budget. They even conveniently come in pre-cooked and ready-to-eat forms. Tuna, sardines, salmon, herring, and other fatty fish are rich sources of nutrients and healthy fats. You can easily buy sardines in bulk, since they have such incredibly long shelf lives. As much as possible, try to stock up on fish that was caught in the wild. Try to avoid “farmed fish” as the way they are grown often strips away any health benefits your body could gain from eating them.

Dairy products

Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and butter, can help supplement your protein and calcium intake. If you are already raising livestock, you can raise goats to provide milk and even make cheese, butter, and other dairy products from this milk. Alternatively, you can stock up on dried, powdered milk. It might not be as appetizing as fresh milk, but with enough practice, you can even learn to make your own yogurt, cheese, pudding, or bread out of it. Cheese can store for a very long time, especially when frozen.

Fruits and vegetables

You’ll be missing out on plenty of essential vitamins and minerals if you don’t include a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables in your survival pantry. You can even save the seeds to grow your own survival garden. Even if they won’t be fresh, dehydrated fruits are nutrient-dense, lightweight, and easy to store. They are excellent sources of carbohydrates and simple sugars. You can add them to other recipes or eat them on their own. Mix them with some nuts and grains to create a healthy trail mix. Some ideal fruits that you should stock up on include dried prunes, apricots, figs, cranberries, and raisins.

Sources include:

Survivopedia.com

SkilledSurvival.com

Self-reliance means being able to take care of yourself without needing help from anyone else. This might be one of the most important skills you can learn to prepare yourself for when SHTF, but it can also help you to get through any difficult situation in your everyday life. It can give you the chance to become a more independent and well-rounded individual. That way, you can live life on your own terms and better plan for your future. Here are some useful tips you can follow to become a more self-reliant person. (h/t to FoodStorageMoms.com.)

Learn how to cook from scratch

No matter how much money you have, there may come a time when you will be unable to simply buy pre-cooked meals at a store or restaurant. You might find yourself all alone during a survival situation. In this scenario, you will have to make do with whatever you have stocked in your pantry or refrigerator. This is also an excellent reason to always keep your pantry well-stocked. Either way, you will need to make a meal from scratch or end up going to bed hungry. Fortunately, learning how to cook basic meals shouldn’t be too hard if you have access to the internet. There are plenty of tutorial videos you can watch to pick up a few easy recipes that make use of common ingredients. If you want a more hands-on approach, you can enroll in a cooking class and learn directly from experts. You can even exchange tips with like-minded people.

Grow an edible garden

Another step you can take towards total self-reliance is to grow your own food supply. What could possibly be more satisfying by cooking a meal from scratch using the vegetables you grew yourself? Even if you don’t reach the level of complete, self-reliant food production, growing an edible garden can certainly supplement your existing food supply. An edible garden can even help you save on expenses. Why make a trip to your local grocery store when you can easily get your fresh pick of produce right in your backyard? The best part is that you aren’t limited by the availability of your favorite fruits and vegetables on the market. As long as you can grow it, you get to eat it. (Related: Self-reliance in the city: One family proves it’s possible.)

Learn more practical skills

You can gain a sense of accomplishment by learning a variety of new and useful skills. With a wider and more diverse skill set, you will become less likely to feel helpless when faced with a challenging situation. Self-reliance can push you out of your comfort zone and force you to adapt to any scenario. It can move you along the right path to self-improvement and progress. Why stop at cooking and gardening? There are so many practical skills out there just waiting for you to learn them. You can apply these skills during a survival situation or even in your everyday life. What is important is that you never stop learning. With an arsenal of practical skills at your disposal, you can overcome anything.

Make a reasonable budget and commit to it

If you really want to save money, it will require discipline. You will have to let go of the occasional luxuries to focus on what you actually need to get by. Live on less money than you make, so that you can set aside money for the future. Try to save a minimum of at least a dollar a week. This can be a feasible goal and you can use the money as an emergency fund if ever SHTF. Another practical skill you can learn is how to make basic repairs. This can also help you to save money, since you will be able to avoid buying items to replace broken ones.

Sources include:

FoodStorageMoms.com

TheLawOfAttraction.com