Prudent Prepping: February Buffet Post

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Now we concentrate  on what to do in, and how to plan for, the long term via Prudent Prepping.

Items of Interest 

REI is closing out their Bushnell Solar charger line in favor of Goal Zero. I really like the Bushnell model reviewed here, even thought the Goal Zero reviewed here offered more but at a higher cost. I like the Bushnell so much that I bought one from REI on close-out for $32.

Here is information on the closest Bushnell match to Goal Zero, the SolarWrap:

Bushnell PowerSync SolarWrap 250 Portable Li-Ion USB Charger

http://amzn.to/2E6TLHH

• Packs plenty of power in a compact lightweight continuous roll; flexible solar panels roll up into the integrated and easy to pack protective case 
• Solar charging and power storage for charging your devices when you're off the grid 
• On board high-capacity Li Ion battery; power gauge provides easy to read battery level indicator 
• Battery charges from a USB power source in 4-hours or 6-hours from the sun; high solar collectivity even in less than full sun conditions 
• Single USB output compatible with nearly any USB powered rechargeable device, Micro-USB input for pre-charging with included USB/Micro-USB cord

Even on REI's website, this larger charger is a personal budget buster at $112, but compares favorably in features to the Goal Zero which really kills my budget. Check your closest REI for actual inventory.

Book Find 

Plants used by the Indians of Mendocino County California, V. K. Chestnut. Reprinted by Mendocino County Historical Society ,1974. First published in Contributions from The U.S. National Herbarium Vol. VII, 1902 (!!!).

I don't expect to 'live off the land' in any fashon now or in the future, but knowing what is useable in my environment is important. While I do not live in Mendocino County and their current crop of natural herbs (ahem!) may get you in some legal difficulty, the climate and native plants are close enough to what is near me to be useful. The author and an assistant interviewed the local Indians, collected native names, and also listed (at the time) scientific classifications of the plants, their growing areas and uses. I recommend everyone look for this type book written for your current location, whether it is for actual use or just historical interest.

This was found in my local Half Price Books for $5. I'd have paid more. A new version may be bought on Amazon for $17.49 .

Other Items
The solar charger wrecked my budget for a few weeks, so additions have been limited to:

• One 7 gallon water jug, from Walmart, $18.99. A gift to my beginning prepping friends 
• Two 10 count Instant Coffee, Trader Joe's, $1.99 each. These are the single serve tubes with creamer and sugar included. 
• One 10 count box of Hot Cocoa mix, Trader Joe's, $3.49

If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased be me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.