I think that to think about what you actually use is important.
Planning for 'what if's', and 'Maybe', is a sound exercise, but the reality is that you're living right now. There's no point stocking up on 50 bags of rice if you don't eat rice, iimmc ?
Be practical, being frugal about it is no shame either. Little by little it can still build up quickly.
Learn to be adaptable, don't rely on being able to
have to have specific items (maybe medications apart on that). There's always another way, another idea of how to go about things.
The basics of survival don't change much; shelter, water, food, heat, clothing, hygiene, stuff to make and stuff to keep the brain, mind and emotions contented.
A decent tool kit, a decent first aid kit, a decent hussif, alternative ways to cook and to light your home.
Makes all the difference from just surviving to living in relative comfort.
There is a tremendous satisfaction in making for yourself, in knowing how to make from first principles.
Money wise; do what Chris advised and have enough on hand that if the net crashes and the banks are compromised for a bit that you'll manage until they get things organised and accessible again.
That doesn't mean that you need massive amounts stashed under the mattress :roll: besides it doesn't earn interest there.
Enough is a great wealth, so is contentment
I think it's more of a worry for those who are responsible for the care of others, or who are themselves physically and mentally compromised in some way(s). They have a whole other level of concern to deal with.
Self reliance is a good thing, but if you only have yourself to rely on, then that's stressful too.
Urban or rural, most of us live in some kind of society, I believe that most of 'society' is benign and well meaning. Doesn't mean we get on with everybody, but on the whole we get on well enough with most. A little human contact with like minded people goes a long way to reassure everyone.
I pass along surplus or just because I've made too much using up what's grown. To be honest I'm glad to see it getting used. My friends and neighbours do so too. (I grow apples, my friend grows pears; that kind of thing. We buy in bulk at times and split it up amongst ourselves. Again, only worth it if it's something you actually use.
Sharing though, that not only gives everybody some, but it's a neat way of trying out stuff. My neighbours and I buy teas, and we all get some from the box. It adds variety for no more extra outlay, it also keeps folks quietly and gently in touch. Jams, etc., and extra veggies shared around, or bartered, is a good thing
Just now we're sharing seeds and seedlings, and making wee quilts for the Linus Project, and we're feeling shocked and incredibly sad for those poor folks in Ukraine whose lives are in turmoil. Much of their careful planning is to little avail in the face of such a situation.
The old idea of the bug-out bag is again in favour, with added back up documentation, etc.,
We haven't had a bug-out bag thread in a while.
While I mind; washing lines are very good things, especially since the rain is so much cleaner these days. Winterdykes really do add too much condensation to the house as the washing dries. 67% humidity is the magic number for mould to grow in your home.
Dehumidifiers are a good way to extract moisture and warm up a room at the same time.
Why don't we have covered walkways/carports here where we could hang up the lines beneath ? Anything that gets most of the water out of the washing out of the house, is a good thing
I confess I use my tumble drier, but would happily dry everything outdoors if I could......but then, I live in the temperate climate that is the UK....and that huge Atlantic ocean along side us generates wonderful clouds, and they hit our islands first before they do mainland Europe.....so dry days are at something of a premium for a lot of the year.
Sod's law, at least we're not short of decent drinking water.