The Lessons of Covid: Prepping

[bdcochran]

Tom Mac - very perceptive.
Years ago, I read an article written by a real estate broker and retirement. He recommended not looking for a retirement home until a person was 18 months out from retirement. If the wife had a favorite doctor or relatives, you would not be moving.

A couple of people stand out in my mind. There was an old couple that retired wayyyyyy out in the country. At least an hour's drive from a hospital. I was hunting with the grandson. I asked what they could possibly do if one fell sick, as would happen one day. He responded that they never considered that when they retired.
Another guy worked for the state as an auto inspector. He was far from retirement. Yet, he would drive down to Mexico and work on a retirement home. All of his relatives and friends were 400 miles from his target retirement home.

Never assume that a spouse has the values as yourself. You would die for your wife. If you asked her, she would not die for you. You may have an image of yourself as head of the household and boss of the decisions. She thinks otherwise.
Keep a sense of humor. I had a girlfriend whose husband died in a plane crash. 4 kids lived at home. He decided he would run the family. The mother owned 13 acres of property in the City of Los Angeles. One day, the son announced that he was moving his girlfriend into the house. The mother responded that she and the three daughters would move their boyfriends into the house. So much for the male son's attitude that he ruled the roost.

[tom mac]

Life is just not a simple answer... things happen and things can change dramatically

With passing of our 36 yr old daughter recently, the wife is holding on to what is left harder than ever.
To move would require the entire family circle at this point.

[David]

Very sorry Tom. Completely understandable on her part.

[bdcochran]

Sorry Tom.

[tom mac]

Thanks All...

BTW, local stores are now hiding items behind cashiers here... if you need alcohol and things like lysol spray, you ask and get ONE per customer.
It's a good thing most of us restocked during the cool down, added things missed during the last test.

[bdcochran]

Ralph's groceries posted signs in its grocery stores that coca-cola was being rationed. As a result, no one was buying and the shelves are now overstocked. The dining outside has been retracted as well.

[Robert70]

Over many years and being raised in a family structure that 'Being' prepared IS one of GOD's commandments. It sends a chill and yes some anger at those who use the word Hording towards us folks that do 'Prepare' for when times are lean & difficult! Some of those folks express their own anger at us that are better prepared. Frankly they sound like they're putting 'Targets' on those of us that are prepared. That concerns me.

[Bmyers]

When things go south, you will have a long line of people coming to your door for handouts. As you can see, if they don't get what they want, they will feel entitled to take what they want.

Our government is doing a great job on encouraging this behavior.

[bdcochran]

In November 2020, TomMac related some of his experiences during that year.

4 years later, I reflect that I was short on cleaning materials.
1. I researched and learned that the popular, brand name cleaners were labelled "surface cleaner". So, it was off to the institutional food store and purchasing one gallon containers or larger capacity no name brands of surface cleaner.
2. I learned that hand sanitizers were basically 70% isopropyl alcohol with some liquid soap thrown in. So, I bought one gallon containers of 70% generic isopropol for 50% of the cost of hand cleaner and substantially cheaper than buying little bottles at the supermarket or drug store.

Life can be simplified. 70% isopropyl in a $2 reusable spray bottle. Walk through the house. Spray the keyboard, door knobs, grab bars, computer mouse, cell phone, knobs, light switches, and water handles.

[tom mac]

Life can be simplified. 70% isopropyl in a $2 reusable spray bottle. Walk through the house. Spray the keyboard, door knobs, grab bars, computer mouse, cell phone, knobs, light switches, and water handles.

yes... that's why many of the small liqueur distillers ( local ) went and made hand sanitizer... an easy and profitable change.