Best Beginner Mistakes to Avoid in Prepping?

[EchoTangoFox]

Putting all your resources into gear before building skills seems like a trap for new folks. Anyone else notice beginners over-relying on tech without field-testing it? Curious what the most common costly blunders you all see are—let’s compare notes so we can help more folks avoid them.

 

[ChrysanthiDream]

Jumping straight into buying fancy gadgets is probably the biggest pitfall I see with beginners. There’s a real temptation to think the latest filter or stove will save the day, when in reality, knowing how to build a fire with wet wood or identify edible plants is far more valuable. I’ve noticed folks storing up buckets of food they’ve never tasted—when stress hits, a bad meal makes everything worse. Rotate your food and actually cook with it beforehand!

Another mistake is ignoring simple maintenance. Batteries corrode, water gets stale, medicines expire. Setting reminders to check and rotate supplies can save a lot of grief