So I just finished reading One Second After, Lights Out and and almost done with Patriots...and crap, now I can't sleep at night because it's clear I am not even close to being prepared.

Luckily my wife is on board for getting stocked up on supplies. I have 1700 feet of unfinished basement that has nothing but a reloading room so I think I'll start filling it up. I think I'll start by buying one extra bulk TP, an extra flat or two of canned food and a bag of flour or rice every time I go to Costco. I usually only buy these things when I am almost out but what's an extra $30-40 added to each Costco trip? At least it's a start.

Time to replenish my reloading supplies and actually load far more than I shoot rather than just what I need. I agree with the lesson learned in Lights Out...the ammo and guns are for me and not to be used as currency. I don't want some a-hole turning around and killing me with the gun and ammo I just traded him.

As another cheap first step I'm also going to setup a kit of seeds. My Dad has a bit of expertise in that area and knows how to store them for long term, and how to select and grow them correctly in different climates and seasons. I grew up with a large garden so I already know how to grow and store/can/dry the crops.

I just sold my '65 Bug which was the only old car I had so I'm screwed in case of the dreaded EMP. Dang. Although I think the economic/social collapse like in Patriots is far more likely. Store some gas.

I am also throwing around the idea of buying some land. I have wanted to for hunting purposes but now after scaring myself with all those books I want it even more. The one thing I took away from those books was that all the preparations in the world can mean shit in a heartbeat. It's best to have second, third and forth options. A remote hunting cabin that is well stocked for long term living in case of a bug-out situation is one of my top priorities now...even if my current location is prepared for the long haul. You never know when you might have to leave all those preps behind.

Who else is starting to dive in to getting prepared and what our your first steps? It's hard to prioritize and budget for this, huh?