It snowed a couple of weeks ago in Colorado, a shockingly steady snow that cleared up within 8 hours. Let’s be clear summer snow happens in Colorado but when it happens it still is a shock to the system as if you sat inside an icebox on the hottest day of the year. You can’t believe that it’s happening and you say to yourself “IT’S FREAKING SNOWING IN SEPTEMBER!?!” then “CRAP!”
I believe that it’s nature’s way of giving you a wake up call. I listen and I get started on preparing for winter.
I begin scurrying around picking up good food items, canned tuna (solid not chunky), frozen fish, grass fed beef, dried beans, polenta, and passatta. Stacks of soap, toilet paper, boxes of perfume, toothpaste and dental floss are carefully set aside for those days when it so cold that my hands clench into fists because I always forget my gloves.
I begin prepping now because I don’t want to be the person on t.v. shivering and saying “I didn’t have anything to eat in the house or toilet paper and now that there is 3 feet of snow on the ground and I ran out of everything I have to get some stuff so that I can eat and wipe my rear. I can’t believe it snowed so much!”
Umm, it’s winter in Colorado fool-it’s going to snow. Sometimes the snow is freaking epic. One year the ENTIRE Denver/Boulder metropolitan area was snowed in for 3 days in March.
I was just fine.
Recently I had to tweak my prepping strategy as it was beginning to spiral out of control into a doomsday prepping scenario. I’m not one of those people who believes the world’s going to end. I just know that it’s common sense to prepare for the inevitable: home insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, car insurance, and the list goes on.
We also prep by saving money, investing for the future, and keeping expenses low. I put my focused winter preparations in the same category and if I’m honest I typically have at least 9 months worth of provisions in my home. I prep because the sh$t has it the fan for me too many times to count. It’s part of living. Things happen. I just don’t want to be on the defensive anymore. I am trying to always be on the offense, keeping my eyes on the horizon so that if something happens I see it coming.
At the end of the day prepping gives me a sense of control and security. Just like paying debt down, saving money, and having insurance.
And even though it’s now in the 80s again the cold is coming-it’s not a surprise. So don’t act surprised when it gets cold you know that it’s on it’s way.
Winter is coming
Don’t get caught unprepared. Write a list of the things that you can’t do without and start purchasing the best quality items for the least amount of money. Be systematic and deliberate in your preparations. Take in account each person in your home and make sure that you adjust your purchases to address their needs as well.
So, I’m ok with being the crazy prepping lady. At least I’ll smell good, have some food, and will be clean when things get real.
Do you prep for winter? What’s your process? If you live in a small home what do you do for storage? If you live in a big home what do you do for storage.
Do you have a deep freezer? I want one so badly!!
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I never usually prep for Winter but I’m seriously thinking about it. There’s nothing more annoying than realizing a big snow is on its way and you are not prepared…
I love it! Also, I think in the long run it saves me a lot of money because if I’m in a store I will spend. By cutting my time in stores I keep myself out of temptation’s way. I also prep for: job loss, job change, and to help someone else out.
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We live where it snows six months of the year. We try to stay stocked on the really important stuff that will carry us for a day or two. Even with three feet falling – stuff stays open pretty well here and we have AWD. At first I tried to stay super stocked up, but I’ve learned I’ll probably be OK.
I have a lot on hand so if we had a crazy snow or crazy weather situation I would be good for at least a month (am serious). We were shut down for 3 days in March of 2007 and December/January 2006/2007 we had torrential snows (3 ft. etc) so it was helpful for me to not have to struggle with food and crazy snow. I also prep for: job loss, job change, to help someone else out.
My husband is a prepper! We even have freeze dried food! I try to always stay stocked up on essentials. We’re in VT so we see a lot of snow, too, but none yet! September seems early!
I love to be ready for emergencies! I also prep for: job loss, job change, to help someone else out. I really wish I had a deep freezer but my place is too small for one 🙁
I like to think ahead and plan and prep as well, but luckily we moved south this year, so the chances of us seeing snow are minimal (for once). I would definitely be pulling out all the stops if I lived in CO! I always keep a steady supply of food in our pantry, and I have plenty of candles in case the lights go out. I’d love to get a deep freezer, but we don’t have room for one right now.
My next place will be big enough for a deep freezer! I also look at my prep strategy as part of my savings strategy. It just makes me feel a lot more secure about things in general.
Growing up in Canada, getting ready in advance for winter is a no-brainer. From the extra food, flashlights with extra batteries, to making sure the car has the winter tires, shovel and brush, being well prepared is the way to go.
I’ve always lived in a cold weather location and grew up believing that you should have plenty of stuff in the home for emergencies/family/etc. It’s just a part of my DNA at this point.
I grew up in Canada but I never prep for winter. We just make sure to have winter tires, a snow shovel, brush.. and that’s about it. Food tends to be fresh so we’d starve or have to eat cold, unfrozen (or defrosting) food if we had to LOL
I had forgotten about preparing your car for winter! When I was little we also had blankets, food, fuel extender, and water in the car. I eat a lot of fresh food but Keep high quality shelf stable goods. Hopefully I don’t get trapped at home for several months LOL!
I’m actually really looking forward to the winter season! So many people dread it, but I love looking outside at the white snow. I just moved to Chicago so I’m sure the winters are going to get pretty bad here.
The winters aren’t as bad here as they are in Chicago! But, I really love winter. I enjoy going snowboarding and hanging out in the mountains. Also, I love each season of the year. Good luck with the Chicago winter!
It definitely makes sense to have some level of preparation if you live in an area of weather that can sock you in for a long period of time, but I have to admit the perfume thing threw me off. 🙂 I think I’ve already said this but I have about a three day supply of stuff in the event of an earthquake, which would probably be the only natural disaster where I live in particular. After that I’ll just join the masses and start looting, which is what I’d imagine would probably happen in LA if anything lasted longer than three days. I’m probably better off buying a gun than canned goods and toilet paper. 🙂
I busted out laughing when I read this! In the event of bad weather I could hunker down for a long time and avoid the masses if needed. I should also add that my prepping isn’t just for winter it’s to prepare for any eventuality: job loss (mine/family/ or friend) illness, Zombie apocalypse, or crazy weather. So, when I add perfume, etc I am mindful that if the sh$t hits the fan I can maintain my personal grooming. I have to smell good LOL!