Should we buy a stack of shoes, boots, socks etc?

SoothSayer

Do all our "custom size" clothes etc such as shoes come from China?

If so, shouldn't we "pre buy":
- an extra pair of boots (could be VERY difficult to find later)
- extra shoes
- extra suit (to keep tidy for job interviews etc)

If we kept a "buffer stock" of key sized clothing items we could stay ahead of the game (for a while).

Just imagine being hungry, cold AND with your shoes falling apart ... it would be too much!

What other clothing items do you think could disappear from the shelves in difficult times?
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Jack · Dark Lord Joined: Aug 11, 2004 Posts: 5088

Good points -

probably add in underwear, a couple extra pairs of trousers, a couple extra shirts...an assortment of buttons and spare zippers...maybe a pair of gloves.
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SoothSayer

I have also thought that buying a few HUNDRED pairs of socks, underwear, shirts at wholesale prices might be worthwhile.

I'm around 50 and having a couple of sealed crates of this stuff could keep me going almost for ever .. specifically well into my retirement, when money might be short.

As long as no style/fashion issues are involved - and my weight stays roughly the same - this stuff should keep indefinitely.

More generally, I wonder what the "life cycle" savings would be if you bought say 10 years worth of such things in advance, at wholesale prices?

Forget PO - it could be a worthwhile investment!
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Ludi

I think it's a good idea to have extras of these important items.
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RonMN

A stock-up on sox, shoes, blankets, undies, etc. can go hand in hand with a stock of food, tools, heirloom seeds, etc.

But this can get quite expensive...so i am also NOT throwing away the old shoes when i buy a new pair (same with sox)...i imagine there may come a day where i scoff at myself & say "this old shoe only had 1 hole...how could i have thrown away something so valuable?".

Sox & other old cloth, i wash in hot with alot of bleach & dry & toss in a plastic garbage bag & leave in a closet...very simple, cost effective, and if i never end up needing it & can always toss the entire bag in the trash.

(edit): Don't forget spare fishing line & hooks!
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Ludi

My husband and I already wear our shoes and clothes until they literally fall apart, although he's stopping this with shoes because it's hurting his bad feet. I don't know what we'll do for shoes for him in the future, his feet are so bad, it's very hard to find shoes for him even now. But we do wear all our clothes until they become rags, then we use them for cleaning.
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seven

Depending on what kind of PO scenario you are planning for, stocking up on basic clothing items is a good idea. One relatively cheap way to do this is to hit the thrift and charity stores, buying multiple shoes, socks, tee shirts, etc., which could give you a decent supply of these items with a fairly low cash output.
It would be a good idea also to have a basic sewing kit with plenty of needles and all-purpose thread - plus extras like elastic, buttons, velcro, good scissors, blah.

I am saving all of my old prescription eyeglasses, as well - crucial items like that may become quite expensive.

auscanman

JPL

BrownDog

Whenever I think of stockpiling anything, I start to think about learning to make it instead. It's not that I oppose stocking up on time-critical items, but that seems like a short term approach at best. Learning to make those things seems more sustainable.

I also practice making things last longer, by mending or repairing things as they begin to wear out. The "throw-away" mentality is definitely a product of cheap energy.

Declan

What I've started doing is replacing my current clothes and shoes a little sooner than I would have otherwise. All the "old" stuff goes into storage.

I've already got a hockey bag full of shoes, snickers and boots that are barely worn.

This way, I get to enjoy new stuff and stock pile. If or when I need to tap into my reserves, I won't be attracting too much attention with my brand spanking new wear.

In a time a shortage, new and expensive stuff could attract unwanted attention.
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TT

I would suggest that besides stocking up on essential small clothes you could also stock up on a few bolts of material. Have plenty of sewing materials and you can make your clothes as you need them.

Also have plenty of elastic, buttons and zips to take clothes in as required.

Other items I have been checking out are heavy based saucepans and frypans suitable for cooking on open fires and wood burning stoves. Also plastic ware for storing flour and rice against mice and other pests.

I've also put aside a good supply of knives for various purposes, scissors (for sewing and general purposes), plastic freezer bags, firestarters, candles, rat bait, household insecticide, personal insect repellant (needed in Aussie), toothpaste etc.

I've also bought extra wet weather gear and thermal underwear, as I anticipate having to spend more time walking and working outdoors.

Things like sheets and towels will be at a premium in the future. They were largely unavailable throughout WW2 and were still prohibitively expensive through the 50's and 60's.

Get in a good store of hession sacks. They are ideal for storing spuds, onions, carrots etc. They are freely available from most green grocers and very cheap. I always keep 100 or so for the spuds we grow. They make great mats, can be made into mattresses filled with straw and have many other uses.

I try to look at everything I do from a post-peak perspective. ie. - how would I do this if I had no electricity/petrol.? How would I cook the spuds I've grown? Do I have bricks/rocks to make a fireplace and a BBQ plate/hanging iron to put over it? Do I have a pot that can be used on an open fire? Do I have enough buckets to carry fetch water? Would metal buckets be better than plactic ones?

Although it is always possible to "make do" with many things, I believe now is the time to consider what would make life a little easier in the future. Most pots and utensils are so cheaps at the moment.

I enjoy going around garage sales/flea markets to scrounge things like old metal wash tubs and milk cans. I also buy non-powered hand mixers, big wooden spoons (cooking, washing, soap making etc.) a manual clothes wringer, wash boards, and anything manual that will make home tasks easier.

Vexed · Heavy Crude Joined: Aug 13, 2004 Posts: 460

I have two levels of preparation:

The long emergency, which includes the stockpiling of supplies which any good Costco shopping American can tell you is easy enough. (Have you ever seen 5 gallons of mustard?)

And the short emergency, which involves the bug out trunk of my car supplied - somewhat randomly - with items needed for a very fast escape. For example, there is nuclear missile headed our way, or my in-laws are about to come over.

Either way, I hope I have somewhat of a jump on the situation. And I think that's all you can really hope.

Am I prepared? Hell if I know.

IslandCrow

Apart from Ludi and her husband, I would guess that most people will have enough clothes to last them years in the case of emergency. For socks, maybe knitting (and darning) will come back in - it would help to pass the long evenings without TV (when you are to tired to chop more firewood).

For me shoes and boots would be a problem...I mean my winter boots are cracked and leak and I need to buy some more before next winter (its not comfortable wearing plastic bags over my socks to keep my feet dry). As for the cheap Chinese shoes in most supermarkets...they are cheap, but I find they don't last me one year. Maybe instead of stock piling I should look at buying more expensive, but more durable shoes.
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We should teach our children the 4-Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rejoice.

Barbara

With all the clothes we western consumers already have in our closets, we could go on for a century.
One century ago, they bought 1 pair of shoes every three years. I have about 15 pairs: 45 years of shoes.
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Objects in the rear view mirror
are closer than they appear.