I don’t need all of that!

If you listen to all of the so-called experts out there, then you will wind up buying way more than you can realistically carry in your bug out bag. This can be a problem especially for new Preppers who are still trying to figure out just what they should have in their bug out bag. Besides that, many of the recommended items are the top of the line items that really aren’t needed to survive for a short time. In today’s post, we are going to take a common sense approach at choosing what you need to have in your bag when the time comes and you have to bug out.

As an editor of a prepping blog, I visit a ton of web sites each day looking for ideas and hopefully learn something along the way. While doing this, I have seen more than my share of sites that try to promote what they think you should have and then sell it to you as well. To me, these are predatory sites and serve no use other than to swindle unsuspecting Preppers of their hard-earned money. This is the ugly underbelly of the Prepper online community and I suggest that you avoid it when possible.

So, how do you spot these sites? Here are the red flags that I look for. If they start promoting their so-called “credentials” right up front, then that should be your first warning sign. A reputable Prepper site will have any experience they may have listed in their “About Us” section of their website. If it is on the front page, it is because they are trying to get you to “Trust them” and we all know that when someone starts trying really hard to get you to “trust them” then there is a reason for it. You know, kind of like a commercial on TV where they are trying to sell you their product, not because it is better, but because you trust their brand.   It is all part of their sales pitch and their hope is that you will buy it without question. Avoid these sites at all cost, you will gain nothing good visiting them.

The next thing I look for is if they are recommending a product to you and telling you where you can get it, but you need to hurry because there are limited quantities, or they are on sale for a limited time. Again, this is part of a sales pitch and should let you know that they are more interested in selling you something than they are in helping you prepare for SHTF. There are plenty of reputable sites out there, you just need to look for them. I know I get emails all the time from people who claim to have these great deals for my readers and they will even give me a percentage of any sells that I refer to them from my site. I ignore these and trash them as soon as I get them. I am here to help, not sell you something.

Yes, I do have ads on my site and even a store page…. So what’s the difference? The only ads on my site are through Amazon.com, because they are a reputable dealer and I know for a fact that I can trust them. Many of,the items you find on my site are items that I have or have no doubt about their quality. In short, it is my name on the line when I recommend a product to you and I don’t push anyone to buy anything. These are just recommendations that I put out there for those that are interested. Yes, I do get a small percentage (very small) if you buy something while visiting my site and I use this to pay for the cost of doing this blog. It’s what pays for the hosting company I use and other related cost.

The point here is that there are a lot of Prepper sites on the internet and you need to watch out for so-called “Experts” when visiting these sites. Now don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of people out there that are very knowledgeable when it comes survival and you can learn some really useful information from some of these sites. Do your homework however and be sure that they are really who they say they are. As for myself, I have never claimed to be an expert at anything and I can only offer what I have learned through experience and training.

Well, there you have it. These are my thought on the subject. As for what you chose to put in your bug out bag, just remember that you will have to carry what you choose to put in it. Remember the basics: Food, Water, shelter, fire, knife, a map and a compass, and first aid supplies. These are the basics and you should look for items that have more than one use. What items you chose to fill this list is a matter of personal choice. Just remember that the items do not need to be the best on the market and your choice needs to be something that you can live with. Well that does for today, and I hope you have enjoyed todays post and maybe even learned something. Until next time just remember that prepping is a direction of travel and not a destination.

-The Sargent-l