Prepping is all about being ready for the unexpected, but even the most well-intentioned preppers can make mistakes along the way. Whether you’re just starting out or have been prepping for years, it’s important to recognize and avoid these common pitfalls. Here are 10 mistakes to watch out for—and how to steer clear of them.
1. Rushing to Get Everything at Once
When you first start prepping, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of gear, supplies, and skills you think you need. Trying to buy everything at once can lead to burnout, overspending, and a cluttered stockpile of items you don’t actually need.
How to Avoid It: Start small and focus on the basics. Build a 72-hour emergency kit first, then gradually expand to a 3-month supply. Prioritize items based on your specific risks and needs.
2. Focusing Only on Supplies, Not Skills
Stockpiling food, water, and gear is important, but without the skills to use them, your preps won’t do much good in an emergency.
How to Avoid It: Dedicate time to learning essential survival skills like first aid, self-defense and navigation. Practice using your gear regularly to ensure you’re comfortable with it.
🔗 Check out our article Basic Survival Skills Every Prepper Should Learn for a guide on must-know skills.
3. Not Using and Practicing with Your Gear
Buying gear is one thing—knowing how to use it is another. Many preppers make the mistake of storing gear without ever testing it or practicing their plans.
How to Avoid It: Regularly test your equipment, rotate supplies, and run through emergency scenarios with your family. Familiarity with your gear and plans can make all the difference in a crisis.
4. Ignoring Physical and Mental Preparedness
Prepping isn’t just about having the right gear; it’s also about being physically and mentally ready to handle emergencies.
How to Avoid It: Prioritize your health and fitness. Can you carry a family member to safety or spend a day stacking sandbags? Build mental resilience by practicing mindfulness and stress management techniques.
🔗 Learn more in our article The Importance of Personal Health and Fitness in Emergency Situations.
5. Preparing for the Wrong Risks
It’s easy to get caught up in prepping for doomsday scenarios, but everyday emergencies are far more likely to happen.
How to Avoid It: Start with realistic risks like power outages, job loss, or natural disasters common to your area. Ensure you have jumper cables, fire extinguishers, and basic first aid training before worrying about nuclear bunkers.
6. Not Including Variety in Your Preps
A stockpile of rice and beans might keep you alive, but it won’t keep you happy. Lack of variety in food, hygiene, and other supplies can lead to morale issues during prolonged emergencies.
How to Avoid It: Stock a diverse range of foods, spices, and personal care items. Customize your preps to your family’s preferences and needs.
7. Not Getting the Family Involved
Prepping is a team effort. If your family isn’t on board, your plans could fall apart when it matters most.
How to Avoid It: Involve your family in prepping discussions and activities. Assign roles and responsibilities so everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
🔗 For tips on getting your loved ones involved, read Getting the Family Involved: How to Get Your Loved Ones on Board with Prepping.
8. Trying to Be a “Lone Wolf” Prepper
While OPSEC (operational security) is important, isolating yourself completely can be a mistake. Having a network of like-minded individuals can provide support, knowledge, and resources.
How to Avoid It: Build relationships with trusted neighbors or local prepping groups. Collaborate on skills, share resources, and create a community safety plan.
9. Ignoring the “Boring” Preparedness Stuff
Important documents, insurance information, and backups of family photos are often overlooked in favor of flashier preps.
How to Avoid It: Create a prepper binder with copies of IDs, insurance policies, deeds, and other critical documents. Store digital backups on a USB drive or cloud storage.
10. Not Preparing for Long-Term Independence
Prepping isn’t just about surviving a short-term crisis—it’s about building long-term self-reliance.
How to Avoid It: Gradually work toward reducing your dependence on external systems. Grow your own food, collect rainwater, and learn skills like canning and renewable energy production.
Bonus Tip: Learn from the Experience of Others
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not learning from those who’ve been there before. Books, guides, and firsthand accounts are invaluable resources for improving your preps.
How to Avoid It: Build an offline library with physical books and PDFs on essential topics like gardening, first aid, and home defense.
📌 Explore our Survival Library for over 100 books to help you on your prepping journey.
Final Thoughts
Prepping is a journey, not a destination. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be better equipped to handle emergencies and build a more resilient lifestyle. Remember, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being prepared.
Join the Conversation
💬 What’s the biggest prepping mistake you’ve made—or seen others make? Share your stories and tips in the comments below! 👇
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