I would like to repost a response of mine from another thread. I do think there is too much, but that is only harmfull if you cannot remain mobile. In my opinion.
I have been prepping for years now. Not so much for the end of the world or the zombie apocalypse. Living in Florida; my preparations have been more for hurricanes, tornadoes, flashfloods, and fuel/power shortages. As vehicles go, I my self own, and suggest old school mechanical diesel's as a must have. By " old school mechanical" I mean no EFI or electrical fuel pumps etc. My Dodge d250 has a mechanical lift pump (on the block, not in tank, makes it easily changed 2 bolts 2 screws 5 minutes) and a internaly gear driven fuel pump. Since a diesel is not dependent on electricity to create spark for ignition, it gives 2 distinct advantages. Better water fording capabilities, since nothing electrical is making contact with the water, and since no electricity is need to run a diesel there is nothing to fry in such a situation as an emp. Also.... no battery required. I can simply use a 1/2" socket 3' breaker bar to crank the engine from the fly wheel. since the lift pump is ran from the cam, and the fuel pump from internal gearing, it usually only takes 3 or 4 turns of the engine before it comes roaring to life. Then just flip the manual run away lever to kill the engine when done. The other great feature is that diesels run on any combustible fuel source. I have ran my truck on strait vegetable oil (every kind from soy to used).... even tiki lamp oil, and paraffin lamp oil. One fun thing Ive learned in a natural disaster is vegetable oil and paint thinner don't exactly fly off the selves when a hurricane is about to, or has hit. Also nobody even blinks twice when I go to a Sam's club and purchase two hundred gallons of vegetable oil. I need a permit to store gas and/or diesel. Another cool aftermarket trinket is my transfer case with a PTO, and the ability to not only have a worm gear driven winch on my front bumper, but to also be able to run my PTO driven 13 kw generator. It easily has enough power to run my entire home, is completely portable, and since it only requires 24 HP @ 540 RPM my engine has the power to run it at idle. (and on vegetable oil) I only have about 8 grand invested in my truck. Which is far cheaper than most full house generators (mine was only $1400) and I have awesome, very capable truck to boot.
Another one of my investments was a 250 gal Chlorine contact tank (kill tank) for my well. These tanks are originally intended to give a choline system time to allow the chlorine to mix with raw water, making it treated, before it is filtered. However I placed the tank on my clean side after softening, and filtration. I placed a spigot on the top of the tank, and one at the bottom. By doing so, I can open the top spigot to allow air flow so the bottom spigot will pour. An by placing the tank on the clean side of my well, as water is used in my home by passing thru the tank, I am assuring that I will always have an emergency supply of 250 gallons of freshly treated, potable water. I only spent like $320 on the tank and hardware. Would easily fit in a garage.
In case I run out of water. I personally own a Big Berkey, and have drank water directly out of a drainage retention ditch with it. Tasted great.
My go to site is this for emergency supplies:
Survival Gear - Survival Central
As far as currency.... I have horded tobacco, alcohol (distilled spirits), and medicinal supplies. All of which can be stored for decades. All of which will have a bartering value in an emergency. Also, not having simple things like alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, burn cream, ibuprofen, and what have you is just not being prepared. Those who are in need of such things will barter for them.
I have 6 months of MRE's for the 5 people in my family. We also know how to hunt with bows as a family. Even my wife knows how to dress wild game. An sadly.... she is a much better shot. I will not admit that one again.
One of the biggest things I've seen people neglect is hygiene. I have toiletries, feminine products, soap, shampoo/conditioner, hand cleaner, tooth brushes, waterless washing clothes, and even deodorant in medium sized tackle box behind the front seat of my truck. A couple of packs of most wipes take less room than toilet paper, and are more hygienic at getting you clean in an area you can not bathe. Hygiene is important.
We also each have a bug out bag that has 4 sets of clothes, sleeping gear, and things necessary to live outdoors to say for example our home is destroyed in a hurricane. All in water proof, air tight bags. I own a eight man 4 season expedition rated base camp tent for us to live in if necessary. All the gear to go with it. Like stoves, and such.
My one flaw is that I am almost entirely dependent on my truck for most of my
niceties. Most of my gear is in the left hand side utility boxes of my truck. Including the 48 lbs tent. If I was to lose my truck, I would be forced to leave a lot behind. We could survive,
but not as comfortably.
