What’s One Prep You Wish You’d Done Sooner?

[BlueMarigold]

Should’ve built a proper rainwater catchment setup way earlier—can’t believe how much water I used to waste. What’s the prep you regret waiting on, and did it really make a difference after you finally got it sorted?

 

[OrbitJazz21]

Should’ve built a proper rainwater catchment setup way earlier—can’t believe how much water I used to waste. What’s the prep you regret waiting on, and did it really make a difference after you finally got it sorted?

Rainwater catchment’s a big one—totally get why that made such a difference for you. For me, the thing I wish I’d tackled sooner was getting solar panels up and running. I kept putting it off, figuring the grid would always be reliable enough, but a single power outage during a jam session changed my mind quick. Once I finally got my setup dialed in, I realized how much more freedom and peace of mind it

 

[TeaTimeTalisman]

Wish I’d invested in a good pressure canner years ago—being able to store veggies from my own garden made a bigger difference than I expected. Curious, anyone else put off learning food preservation?

 

[TeaTimeTalisman]

Putting off solar was a big one for me too. I spent years relying on the grid because it was just “always there,” but looking back, I can’t believe how long I left that vulnerability hanging over my head. Once I finally got a small solar setup running—just enough for lights, charging, and a little fridge—the difference in peace of mind was honestly bigger than I expected. The first ice storm after that, when everyone else was stumbling around with flashlights, I was making tea and reading a book like nothing happened.

It’s not just about emergencies, either. Knowing I can keep some basics running even if the power’s out for days just makes everyday life less stressful. Plus, it pushes you to use less energy and get creative