All the packages I ordered as part of my pre-tariff planning have arrived. I also did a bit of prepper shopping at Walmart. Here’s a report of what we picked up and how it looks.
The Temu Order
- I ended up with two more headlamps than I expected because one was a two-pack. They look fine and the two I tested work. The 18650 batteries in the high-end headlamps are better than in previous orders. They are heavier, meaning they contain more cells, and when tested, held between 1,800 and 2,000 milliamp hours. A standard 18650 rechargeable lithium battery is 2,600 mAh and the high density models are 3,000 to 3,200. I am not going to complain about the lower power since these were free with the lights.
- I wore the reading glasses I ordered on Temu this weekend. They are better than I expected, especially for less than $2.50 each. The ones I normally buy are $15 each or two for $25, so this is a big savings.
- On the other hand, the two slings I purchased, clearly knock offs of the Magpul MS4 Gen 2 sling, were disappointing. Comparing the real deal to the fake one showed why Magpul can charge about eight or ten times as much. The webbing and hardware were both much higher quality in the authentic product, so they were not made in the same factory. These went into my box of random slings and holsters. If people who bug out to our place have guns without slings, these will be better than no sling. The experience made me glad I didn’t buy any knock-off bipods.
- I ordered 120 foam earplugs for a few bucks and they are fine.
- The bore snakes were also as expected.
- The Sherpa-lined sweatshirt I ordered was also sub-par. How bad was it? Well, my wife told me not to wear it when I am out with here. That means it will be relegated to carrying in firewood or cleaning the chicken coop role. It was less than $15, so I guess I got what I paid for.
Walmart
Much of what we buy at Walmart is already stored in our prepper pantry or is for immediate use or consumption, so there isn’t much we buy from there that we need to stockpile. Here’s what I picked up.
- 300 vitamin D3 tablets, which is the only supplement I take regularly.
- An extra bottle of Stabil because my current one is running low.
- A bottle of SeaFoam, which is what I use to remove water from stored gasoline. I add the Stabil when I fill a can with gas, and add the Seafoam to the equipment tank when I fill it, especially if they run rough or the gas was stored outdoors. Between the two, the gas can last a couple years.
Speaking of storing the gas outdoors, I have started building the fuel storage bunker. After laying down the first course of concrete blocks, I decided to make it larger. I’ll cover this in a future post after I complete the bunker.
Pet Supplies
- We bought more cat food at Walmart and now have 264 days of stored food, more than our average six-month supply. We experienced shortages during COVID that led us to scour the stores and search online trying to find the few flavors she will eat. I’m trying to avoid that this time around. Not sure how much Purina Friskies is made or sourced overseas, but it wouldn’t surprise me if some of the fish ingredients or the cans are.
- I also bought dog chew bones our large flock protection dog likes. We have a good six or eight months’ worth. We always have a spare box of Milk Bones, so she is good there, as well.
The Clock is Ticking
When stocking up to beat the tariffs, there are a few things to remember:
First, most of the tariffs are on hold for everywhere but China, Mexico and Canada. If you need something made in Taiwan, Vietnam, or Europe, you have a couple months to beat the tariffs.
Second, certain electronics made in China have been exempted from the tariffs. This includes solar panels and cells, computers, routers, etc. This may not last forever, but you don’t have to panic yet.
Third, stocking up on regular medications and OTC drugs you rely on is probably a good idea. Just to be safe.
Fourth, many of the proposed or enacted tariffs will probably drop over time. The administration will make deals with countries like India and Vietnam, raising the pressure on China. Trump has already agreed to give car manufacturers a break if they bring production back to the U.S.
In other words, don’t let the tales of doom and gloom in the mainstream media get you down. The media are just exhibiting their anti-Trump bias. The end results will not be as bad as predicted, and the benefits of the president’s tariff policy will probably be greater than most talking heads expect. Eventually.
In terms of pre-buying and stockpiling, it wouldn’t hurt to focus on goods made in China, Mexico and Canada.
Pouch Foods
After writing a post last month on meal planning for bugging out, I purchased some pouch foods and other items to refresh our caches, car emergency kits, and bugout bags. This included:
- Hereford meatballs and sauce
- Hereford beef ribs
- Smoked salmon
- Small boxes of “instant jasmine rice
- Portable Aqua water purification tablets
These should make a pleasant change from our standard spam and tuna. I am looking forward to trying the Hereford products and the rice. I don’t expect them to be as good as a home-cooked meal, but I won’t be eating them at home, so some compromise is to be expected. They all cook quickly and all but the rice can be eaten cold, straight from the pouch.
The meatballs are a 10-ounce serving, and cost only $3.14 per pouch. That’s cheaper than a 12-ounce can of Spam, although the Spam has about 3 times as many calories. Because the Hereford and other pouch foods use retort pouches similar to MRE components, I expect they will freeze and thaw well, which might happen in a cache or in my vehicle emergency kit. Cans with a pull-off lid—like Spam—can leak when frozen and are not recommended for these conditions.
Pantry Foods
With the possibility of more disruptions, supply chain problems, tariff-inspired disruption, and a possible recession, this is a good time to stock up on canned and dried shelf-stable foods for your prepper pantry. They should have a shelf life of at least six months and two to three years is better.
I also recommend you look at your prepping plans and refresh them. The best time to prep is before disaster strikes.