Is It Too Late to Start Prepping?Daisy Luther, Contributor If youre new at this, you might be dipping your toe in the water, reading some survivalist and prepping websites, trying to figure out how to keep your family safe and well-fed in the difficult days ahead . . . and you may also read a host of discouraging comments saying that its too late to get started. If you arent already prepared, theres no time left, many experienced preppers are saying dismally. Youre screwed. If youve already come upon some difficult times, you may think to yourself, Id like to prepare but I barely have enough money to keep a roof over our heads . . . Were screwed. You might be reading these terrible prophecies, rolling pennies to buy milk at the grocery store, and watching the parade of terrible daily events and be ready to give up before you even get started. You may agree, Yep, its too late. Im screwed. The thing is, Im the eternal optimist, and I dont believe that it really IS too late. I dont believe that you are screwed, even if tomorrow is the date of your first stockpile shopping trip! If the stores are open, theres still time. While I agree that the situation is dire and that economic doom is getting closer every day, if youre reading this site and others like it, youve taken the first step to preparedness already just like a 12-Step program for addiction, you have recognized and admitted the problem. This, in and of itself, puts you in the company of an estimated 3 million preppers who are aware that life as we know it today could change in the blink of an eye. Even if you just have a little inkling in the back of your mind that things are not as they ought to be, you have crossed a threshold and you can choose whether you want to step in to awareness or slam the door on that uneasy feeling and go about your life, doing things the way you have always done them. If youre still reading, then you may have decided to come on in and join the ranks of the prepared! While its late in the game we arent in the last inning just yet so lets get started! The wake-up call for many of us is a downturn in finances. While its ideal to begin stocking up while your income is still good, dont be discouraged if youve taken a financial hit. You wont be able to buy a years supply in one marathon shopping trip but you can empower yourself by getting started. Getting Started The first step is to take inventory of what you have you may be surprised to realize that you already have a week or a month of supplies in your pantry. Read If You Dont Know What You Have, You Dont Know What You Need! for more detailed information on inventorying the items that you already have. (Note: the 52 Weeks to Preparedness section of the website Ready Nutrition contains a wealth of information for the beginning prepper. Its a budget-friendly approach to getting prepared!) Once youve figured out where you are as far as supplies are concerned, you must figure out a way to finance your prepping endeavors. Your budget may be so tight that you can barely keep the lights on but there is still hope. When you change the way you shop, youll soon find that some of the budgetary stress is relieved. But first things first, you have to free up enough money to get started. You might think that the week after Christmas is a terrible time to get started on something that costs money, but in actuality, you will probably never be in a better position to do so. If your house is anything like mine, you probably have a whole refrigerator full of holiday leftovers resist the urge to do your normal weekly shopping trip and feed your family leftovers combined with the goods you have in your pantry. Use that money that you would normally spend for groceries and lets get started! No matter how small your budget is, you can begin building security for your family. I am basing these prices on my teeny tiny small-town grocery store, this week. You may be able to get more, based on whats on sale in your area. If youve read my other articles, you may think these lists are in conflict with the organic theme. While Id certainly love to see everyone give Monsanto the cold shoulder by buying local and organic, its just not always feasible, especially when you are just getting started. Id rather see people begin to take control by having a supply like the one listed here something that when combined with the foods in the cupboards might see you through a month of hard times. Whats more, when you have this little bit of security this one-month food investment, you can begin to build on this with healthier and more nutritious options. You can start learning how to be more self-sufficient by growing what you can, by learning to preserve food and by buying in bulk. Its Not Over Theres Time That little voice whispering warnings is telling you something very important its saying that things just arent right. Call it instinct, the voice of God, or a premonition but listen and get prepared. Start right now. Even if you only have 2 weeks worth of food and water, that is two weeks that your family will not be hungry or thirsty. After Superstorm Sandy people were complaining that they hadnt eaten after only two days. Take the time we have left and make the most of it. Ignore the naysayers with their discouraging pronouncements that there isnt enough time. Every single meal you put aside, every book of matches, every candle and every alternative cooking method you invest in, increases the security of your family. Focus on what you can do and block out the static of those who say the word cant. 