I wish I had my own Home Depot

I Wish I Had My Own Home Depot For Preparedness Sake

How many of you have been slowly building up your own mini Home Depot of sorts? It’s just what happens, over time. We buy and accumulate various tools. All sorts of hardware, supplies, lumber, you name it…

Yesterday I went to my Home Depot and bought lumber to build three more raised garden beds. It got me to thinking…

Assuming that you’ve already reached a reasonable level of general preparedness which accounts for water, food, shelter, and security (and whatever else fits into your definition of ‘reasonably prepared’), you might also consider expanding into additional areas which may help you down-the-road for if and when you might need it. Such as, your own ‘mini’ Home Depot :-)

For example, whenever I’m in a Home Depot picking up supplies, a tool, or whatever, I sometimes say to Mrs.J while walking through the place… “I wish I had my own Home Depot !”.

Here’s why…

For one thing, my is about 30 minutes away. So whenever I have a reason to go there, I often pick up more than I need, so as to minimize return trips. I plan ahead. Envision future projects on my plate, and what I’ll need for it. ‘Nice to have’ things, for just in case. All within budget of course! (It’s easy to blow it, so be careful – haha).

It’s a challenge walking the aisles. What I mean is this… I wish I could buy one of everything! Although my shop will only fit so much ;)

Since I have multiple hands-on skills for DIY projects ranging from electrical to plumbing to construction to lots of things… I therefore like to keep on hand a variety of supplies and tools to accommodate such projects.

While I don’t have nearly as much as I would have if I actually had a career in any of those specific areas, I do enjoy being able to get a project done simply by utilizing what I have here at home. But inevitably I always seem to need a few things (or more) from Home Depot (or some other supplier).

With that said, now imagine if the SHTF for a time, and there were no more foreseeable trips to Home Depot (or wherever) to get the ‘stuff’ that you might need to build something or fix something, etc… Then what?? You will be relying on what you have at home. Or making arrangements with neighbors who may have some of what you may need. Everything will be ‘local’ in this scenario.

Take a look around your home. Your tool bench, garage, your shop. Take a mental inventory of what you have in this regard. Ask yourself if it would help if you had more raw materials of this or that. Or some specific hardware, tools etc.. And what specifically would those items be? I know, I know… everything, all of it, right?

Ideally, I would love to have the whole store’s inventory! But since I have not won the lottery – I make the best decisions I can about what I keep on hand. And what those things are will depend on the skill set or skill sets that you have or are gearing up for.

The simple point is, think about it… and think about it in the context of preparedness for long-term disruption.

What are your thoughts? Are there supplies (other than the ‘typical’ preparedness supplies) that might be beneficial to have on hand for SHTF – presuming you have the skills to utilize them? What are they?

One thing for sure… if you happen to live on a homestead-type property as I do, there sure are a lot of things I can think of! Unfortunately, gotta be careful with the spending!

Another consideration is as follows. Potential supply chain disruptions and shortages (now, and in the future)! I recall last year at one time when I went to Home Depot for some particular deck screws. I was shocked that nearly the entire portion of the aisle with deck screws was nearly bare! Sure gets you thinking about building your inventory doesn’t it?

[ Read: Manual Kitchen Tools For Off Grid Living ]