Howdy again folks,

Amongst those who lurk here, how serious are your preparations ? How much have you disrupted your 'normal' lives to get ready for Y2K ?

As for us: Redirrecting all spare capitol into aquiring supplies, preparing alternate electric/heat/light, and enough food/warm clothes to provide us and neighbors.

Also, we are cashing out long term investments.

In ADDITION......We are trying to attract fellow Y2K'ers into homes in our immediate area and even considering taking some into our own home should it hit hard.

Side note, we live in the farmlands outside Lancaster, PA. and think this will be a good place to ride out whatever storm blows up.

-- Art Welling (artw@lancnews.infi.net), March 26, 1998

Answers

Over the last few months I have been spending close to 10 hours per week planning, researching and working and cooridnating with all that are involved with me to make sure we are prepared for whatever may happen, whether a natural diaster, y2k, etc.

I have disrupted my normal life quite a bit. I am pouring 90% of my disposable income into preparation supplies.

We hope to be fully prepared by the end of October this year.

We are trying to limit the amount of people involved with us so that we can manage food, water, housing, etc. resources efficiently and fairly. We can only afford to plan for so many people and if others do not take the time to understand and research the depth of the problem in order to take it seriously enough to contribute toward resources, we can not really help them too much. If circumstances turn out as bad as they appear that they will turn out, you will need to at some point turn people away or else everyone would starve due to limited food resources.

I feel that we will do well considering we are in the countryside of Eastern Kentucky.

MP

-- Mark Preston (finance0@aol.com), March 26, 1998.

Been serious for a few years now- worried about financial problems before y2k. Here are my plans for cooking in case there is no power: 1) A folding wood stove that burns firewood- these are used by folks who take pack trips by horse. The stove is a bit heavy but collapsable. 2) a coleman dual fuel camp stove with spare generator and filler filter. I'm storing 55 gal. barrels with premium fuel (methanol based not ethanol, chevron gas is good). I've treated the gas with an additive purchased from nitropak 800-866-4876. After 3 1/2 years in storage I started to use it and it was fine- even in 2 cycle equipt. 3) I purchased an adaptor that allows me to fill the small propane bottles from a 5 gal. or larger tank- the big white ones travel trailers carry. I've got a propane stove and lamp. 4) I purchased a sierra zip stove from safe-trek 800-424-7870. It's not in catalog but they still carry it. This small stove has a small fan powered by one AA battery, and will burn anything combustible. (Make waterprooffire starter by tightly rolling about 2' of toilet paper and then dip it in melted wax. Cut off plugs as needed. For more free tips send an e-mail request to skipper@cncnet.com

-- skipper clark (skipper@cncnet.com), March 26, 1998.

I had been reading about y2k for about one year (mostly from Dr. Gary North's ICE Newsletter) when in Dec. of 97 I went to his forums section and became very convinced that I needed to stop reading about y2k and start doing something about it. About that time I ordered Timebomb 2000 and started reading it to get another view and started visiting other web sites. I am now convinced to start preparing and the sooner the better. I have acquired home defense/ hunting type arms of various types and am traning my two sons in marksmanship, etc. I was former Green Beret so hopefully I can teach them some things that I learned. I have started the process to take out my Tax Deferred Anuities (TDA's) and plan to put them into gold and silver coins. I also plan to take out all of my bank reserves and put them into food and supplies to prepare the for the possibe y2k crunch. I am going to start looking for a place to go to get out of dodge when the time comes. "Getting Out Of Dodge" or as some folks are referring to it as the "GOOD" plan. Now the big job comes in trying to convince the rest of the family to move or at least find a place we can go to, whether a cabin or home to rent for a few months up along the US/Canadian border or wherever.

I hope this is does not come to pass but if one is not prepared for the worst case one is not prepared. They weren't on the Titanic. Remember they never thought it could happen! Most paid with their lives for that miscalculation. I don't plan to. The rest we must leave up to God and pray he will have mercy on us. May God Bless you all as you struggle to come to grips with what lies ahead.

-- David Decker (yom24hrday@juno.com), March 26, 1998.

I think it is very interesting that this thread only has 3 postings. are others unwilling to share what they have done/are doing, or are even the people posting to this forum not preparing. My wife and I began making lists and doing reading from the library about six months ago. I started going to auctions and she began studying all the information necessary to consider a non-electric house. Auctions are incredible. I bought a wood burning stove that sells new for $1900 (and can heat up to 3000 sq ft) for $145! I've also gone to antique farm equipment auctions and purchased lots of human and horse-powered implements for large scale gardening (sythes, sharpening grinder, corn sheller, drill presses, horse collars, horse-drawn plow, grain grinders, meat grinders, garden cultivators). Not only have I purchased it for about 1/3 to 1/2 of retail price, this stuff built back in the early 1920-1940 era is constructed to last forever! Just this last week we bought a ranch near Snowflake Arizona (very temperate). 40 acres, 3/2 home plus a 900 sq. ft "cabin", well (into the largest aquafer in the state and one of the largest in N. America), 1500 gal water storage, gravity irrigation, outbuildings, and complete solar power set-up! It is 4 miles off of an unmarked (but county maintained) highway on an unmarked dirt road (a bad road I might add--definately 4x4 only). It's sounthern border is a steep and rocky ravine, and then state trust land for several miles. The front view allows one to see vehicles approaching on the road about 1.5 miles away (and they can't come speeding in either). Justcompleted soil testing and studying of the books "Management of SW desert soils" and "Small scale irrigation". My wife is reading everything on gardening shecan get her hands on, as well as about herbs, growth and usage. We will move to the new place within the next several months, as soon as we both secure jobs in the region. This will mean a serious sacrifice (cut in pay plus having to drive about 50 mi. one way to work), but we figure that will only last for another 18 months, then we'll have to re-evaluate based on y2k results anyway. We are trying to "recruit" several other families to join us for a small community, but that is difficult. After the move, and the completion of a couple other buildings, we will lay in the storage supply. We have been marking usage on the calendar since 1-1-1998 so we know how much toilet paper, tampons, dental floss, toothpaste, etc.. are needed. We have stopped using deodorant. We have carefully analyzed that which is vital to comfort and hygeine, and that which is not. That which is not--is being eliminated. we have turned this whole thing into an enjoyable hobby. it consumes lots of our spare time. My wife is currently enrolled in firearms classes (I am quite proficient). We are planning our defenses carefully as well, although we hope and pray that their use will never become necessary, and our location should mostly insure that. I have found something amazing, once you start, you start to feel better. I was pretty frazzled about this whole y2k thing for several months. Now that I am into action, I don't really worry about it. I spend lots more time educating myself about important lifestyle and farm management information than I do about y2k, although I do try to check in and keep a feel for the pulse of things. A personal side note. Thank God for Ed and Jennifer's book. Without seeing it on the internet last spring, and subsequently reading the purblished version and seeing Ed's comments on this site, I'm not at all sure I'd be doing what I am now. Thank you!

-- P. Larson (ptrades@earthlink.net), March 28, 1998.

We had always planned to move to a farm and make it self-sufficient and did a couple of years ago. Last year when I realized the far reaching consequences of Y2K, we moved all of our plans up for the farm (instead of a 5-yr plan it became 2! !). I am pleased to say that by the end of this year the farm will be able to survive without electricity and most of our Y2k preparations will be done. Next year we will add to the preparations, possibly add a windmill and further modify what we are doing and with a great deal of luck, pay off the farm. Since I am a computer consultant I have few doubts that I will be able to continue to work as long as there is electricity and gasoline, but whether I will want to is another story. We live 50 miles from a sizeable city and I am not sure that I would want to be that far away from my family.

The farm is situated on the edge of a very small community (800 people) and we think that is a plus. We have a couple of milk cows and are getting milk goats and could be in a position to barter with the town folks with fresh dairy and produce. We are also trying to find other families to move to this area. The house is large enough to handle the family that we think will come this way if things get bad. We also have several riding horses and I plan on getting draft horses this year.

Like every plan, it can be improved on and I hope we have a little time to do that and not have to go with the first draft.

-- Rebecca Kutcher (kutcher@pionet.net), March 29, 1998.

Awareness about the implications of y2k takes time, to its effects to "sink in." Worry sets in when you realize that your job, savings, and family are at stake. Recently, I have reluctantly decided that my home is in "harm's way" because it is too close to an urban area, and this region (Northern Illinois) is heavily dependent on nuclear power. Logically, the only safe option is to relocate to a warmer, rural region. Todate my y2k preparations have been one of studying, and complying lists of items to buy. I have started to purchase some of the big ticket items: a wood stove, etc. My thinking is that irregardless of where I later relocate to, these items will be needed. One thing to grasp is that, RIGHT NOW, the economy is intact and working. Goods are available, especially the non-electric items like a wood stove, that will quickly have long waiting list after the general public starts to grasp y2k. As Gary North said, right now anyone aware of y2k has an information advantage and should make use of it. I think the greatest need now is for a way for potential y2k "retreaters" to meet and join up. Rural land is often available in large tracts, way too big for an individual or family to use. As someone who has gardened all his life, you cannot make use of 60 acres! The other advantage is to have likeminded neighbors for support and trade. This is not going to be a picnic!

-- Dennis Sherwood (emdesher@iconnect.net), March 29, 1998.

Well, I've been aware of the Y2K problem for about 20 Years. I remember talking to fellow programmers about it back in the late 70's and hoping it would never happen, but here we are. I've been following this forum and others since about 1996 now, and started trying to raise awareness levels for the last two years in my community and with my family and friends. This is finally having some effect. Always remember that your true wealth is your family, your friends and your skills. I myself have been undergoing some changes psychologically in preparation. I have started hunting and fishing again, which I haven't done since about 1985. I have setup a reloading press and am revitalizing those skills. I personally favor the 308/243 round because of it case interchagability with reforming and commonality. This of couse adds to yor barter value and gives you a service you can provide to others so it is very value added. My Father and Brother in laws both recently bought large power generation equipment. Choice of fuels is critical because some have longer shelf lives but others have a dual role in home defense such a gasoline vrs. diesel. Not that, god forbid we should ever have to use self defense, however I would like to be prepared. The bottom line is I think you must have a value added approach to all your selections here. For example, Alcohol. It can act as an antiseptic, a fuel, muscle relaxant, and has barter value. We have wood stoves, and are stocking up on wood as we all have chain saws and, because of the recent winter heavy snows god has provided us with much natural fuel. My wife has budgeted an extra portion of our weekly grocery budget to durable and medical goods, and is now committed to this. Hedge your bets with the finances, go conservative but don't withdraw the big bite but move some off the table (Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, but don't start a panic or rush that will trigger the bad times ahead of schedule). We live in a fairly remote area with many people who are workers and will know how to survive. I am trying to use common sense here. I have moved into a very conservative position with my inverstments and plan having cash and coin (not knowing about the survivability of our own government in this case). My plan is to shoot for the middle ground so that if the better case happens (a depression) I can simply use up what I've accumulated. But if the worse case happens I am positioned to move quickly into a mode for that case. I think I will end up having to micro manage this on a day to day basis as we get closer to the event horizon. (Incidently this event in time is already reaching backwards and effecting us like a black hole, sucking in money, and people, and equipment and its going to get worse as we move closer so hang on. Its up to you to convince everyone to work together on this). So best of luck to you all in your endevors. Bill

-- Bill Lamoreux (lamorewb@usps.gov), March 31, 1998.

Hi folks,

Well, for starters, I have been researching Y2K on and off for the last three and a half years. I must say that I have read some impressive info concerning the crisis. Well, as far as my preparations: I have purchased a generator, 25-45 flashlights, solar power equipment (including battery chargers, PV panals, etc.), batteries of all kinds, heavy communications gear (CB, Ham, personal 2-way, etc. all powered with both 12VDC and standard 1.5v NiMH battery packs), Lots of Gold and Silver supplies (as many ounces of the stuff that I can afford!) and quite a bit of foodstuffs. I have also been designing and making GOOD packs (Get Out Of Dodge backpacks) for family and friends when the stuff hits the fan. I have a flashlight, MRE and medkit for each member of my family in the event that we need to leave a location in a hurry). Also, I have a laptop with packet-capable radio hookup. I am also researching a portable weather station (in the event of future bad storms, tornadoes, etc--I'm just hoping that the calculation equip. will be compliant!) that can be easily implimented on a laptop serial port. In addition to all of those items, I plan to purchase several more duplicate backups of my supplies and another genset. My two main 'plans of action' are: 1) Portability (Its worthless if it takes five guys and a truck to move something) and 2) Redundancy (What good is ONE generator if thats all you have and it breaks down? Think about it! You should have atleast two main backup plans!) Ultimately, as far as seriousness of Y2K, I am preparing for a total system wide failure of the national power grid for atleast 6 months to a year, depending on how bad things really get. Who knows, it may never come back online in our lifetimes. I plan to move up to a private retreat far away from my current location in Florida at the first sign of trouble. For those in Florida reading this: Remember, there is only one way out of the state by car, and that is North, North, NORTH! If you have a boat, things may be slightly different. In any case, Florida may become a potential hotspot. I am avoiding it like the plague! My logic is simple: As far as preperations and equipment are concerned: Make it small, make it light, make it easy to carry and easy to hide. And most of all, make it reliable even in the toughest and most trying conditions. If anyone is doing any kind of Y2K preperation in Florida please e-mail me. y2k@colinlink.com (yes thats a real e-mail address!). Also, one question of interest: Has anyone out there figured out weather the 800 and 900 MHz trunked repeaters and radio equip. for police and rescue will be compliant? If not, it will be real interesting what will happen with a major power outage in the major cities, traffic jams on interstates, etc. the first NIGHT after Y2K hits full blown, and then the first full week after. Prepare NOW! Time is short! BTW: My wife thinks I've gone a bit overboard in preperations. She calls me a doomsayer. She often is upset when I divert shopping money or entertainment money or even some grocery money into supplies. But remember, when the lights go out, or the banks fold, whats your wife/spouse going to say to YOU?? "Do something! Do something!" The answer of, "But honey, you said..." will be foolish and meaningless when actual crisis hits home. One more thing: HOPE FOR THE BEST, PREPARE FOR THE WORST! Don't be too doom and gloom. It will just bring you down into depression. Believe me, I know! Keep the positive mindset. Anyway, enough said... Sorry for the long post, but think its worth it to discuss these things. Any questions or comments, please e-mail me. Thanks!

Best regards,

Colin

-- Colin Woods (y2k@colinlink.com), March 31, 1998.

Colin, I liked your response. It serves as a reminder that while we may be worrying about the future, let's not forget to enjoy today. Today is fleeting and precious, your children grow up so quickly, the spring flowers last only a few days, enjoy the new growth around you during this great time of the year. We have all kinds of new animals on our farm and it is joyious to watch them try their legs for the first time or to inspect another species.

Yes, the future is serious, but it needs to be handled with joy in the moment and humour.

-- Rebecca Kutcher (kutcher@pionet.net), April 02, 1998.

I am serious about it. I have been trying to convince my wife for more than a year now, and the result has been that we have separated and the lovely house we had in Sydney for 18 years has been sold. I am now searching for land to buy with what is left of the house money, since she got 60% and the two kids. It is, of course, the kids who I feel most responsible for... I want to save them because they're only twelve and too young to understand all of this stuff. Hell, my wife and her folks don't understand it, and now they just get hostile when I try to plead with them to take precautions... When I tell them I expect Y2K to be far worse than the 1924 Depression, my wife's father -- who lived through it -- just says, Don't worry. If it ever happened we'd be fine all over again. I have just turned 50 and they assume I am going through a mid-life-crisis. I think it is something far more serious than that. I just hope to God they come round to a realisation while there is still time to help them. I cannot do it all on my own. I hope to purchase a small farm or property of about 5 to 150 acres, preferably with a simple house or cabin already build because I doubt I will have time to build one. (Given time I would choose adobe (rammed earth) or mud brick.) And I plan to do a Permaculture Design Course in about one month's time: I hope this will give me the basic to design effectively for sustainable living. Of course, if the situation gets _really_ bad, then I will need to be really, really remote. But that's one of the tings my wife rebelled at: "Yo're not getting me to leave the city and go off into the boondock with you for something that probably will never happen!" --- Sigh. I hope those aren't famous last words. At present I am trying to gently explain the seriousness of Y2k to my two 12-year-old children, boy and girl twins, without scaring them both to death. If they complain to Mum, I will probably lose what little access I have... About one day a fortnight.

-- David Harvey (David_Harvey@mercantilemutual.com.au), May 22, 1998.

David:

My research in this matter has lead me to believe, as do many others, that its not going to happen over night. There will be many instances well before 1/1/2000 that will be indicators to the population at large. Of course I don't know your wife or her family, but since you have spoken to them about y2k enough that she divorced you, some of it must have sunken in. Don't you think she will recognize a problem when the banks start to crash? or when government functions begin to cease when their computers roll over to their fiscal years in the second quarter of 1999? If I were you, I would quit telling the kids about it. Why scare them when they can't do anything about it? Just quietly make preparations for the four of you. You will need her to care for the children. If we are right, you will be too busy doing other things. If we are wrong, just tell her you got over your,"Middle Age Crazies" Just don't go out and buy a red sports car or a motorcycle.

-- Bill Solorzano (notaclue@webtv.net), May 22, 1998.

We have a head start: we live on 15 acres in the mountains of WV. Some of the stuff we need are second nature.

I started by making a schedule, with the following main areas:

1. Power - already have a 3.5kw honda generator a) Planned 4 stages of solar/wind power: b) Stage 1 -- have ordered batteries and inverters. c) Am planning to add 4 PV modules and wind generator (Stage 2) d) Stages 3 and 4 are more modules batteries, inverters, etc. as I can afford them, e) Fuel for generator in 55 gal drums (hidden.) Will use generator only for pump and as needed for battery charging

2. Food - Already have a small garden a) Initial long term food order placed b) 2nd and 3rd orders planned c) Local buys planned

3. Cooking - Have propane stove a) Plan for 6 20# tanks b) Kerosene stove ordered c) Begun solar cooker construction e) Begun search for wood cook stoves at auctions

4. Heat - current system is wood boiler with oil backup, a) Moving boiler to make room for storage b) Have ordered spares for boiler c) Have contacted local wood supplier, am doubling up d) Local oil company has been contracted to install a big underground tank

5. Garden - Have small garden now, enough veggies for 2, plus give-a-ways a) Non-hybrid seeds ordered b) Arranged for neighbor to plow 1/2 acre for substantial garden this coming fall, will plant clover, then turn it over c) Have some (but not enough) hand tools

6. Medical a) Have established basic supplies, are adding on b) Ordered extra eyeglasses c) Have schedule elective surgery for this fall rather than wait until it's needed

7. Hunting a) Added 22LR and ammunition b) Looking now for 12 gauge

8. Animals a) Have arranged with neighbors for sheep, cows b) Sourcing chickens and goats locally

9. Miscellaneous a) Water. Will use generator for well, adding cistern b) Food storage. Have begun root cellar. Hole dug, am using concrete blocks, have yet to pour slab.

10. Most important. I have begun quiet discussions with neighbors, hoping each will provide for themselves. I've also looked at what each of them is likely to need if they don't take action. I'm trying to make sure I have extra on hand to share with them. I also am using my activity in church to promote awareness there, and am trying to promote community ACTION (not awareness)

It's a job!!!

-- Rocky Knolls (rknolls@hotmail.com), May 27, 1998.