PREPS PART 24: OCCUPATIONS IF TSHTF

LilRose8

LilRose8

Veteran Member
OK. Let's say the doomers turned out to be right and now we have to fend for ourselves.

I am sure that many of the TBKers who are homesteaders will just keep on doing what they have always done. But what about the rest of us?

As a nurse I am sure I can always barter my skills for needed items. But, if you are a computer technician, you might find yourself at a real loss.

What are you planning on doing, or are learning to do to make yourself skilled in a TEOTAWAKI situation?
There are really many things that can be either learned or taught......
blacksmith, animal husbandry, tailor, shoe maker, hunter, fisherman, candlestick maker. :lol:
Splicerswife, Roxanne and I are going to do your canning for you! You bring us your produce, we'll can it up and take 15% of the goods as payment.
What will you do?
 
L

Leela

Veteran Member
I guess I'd do what my grandmother did when grampa left her with 4 little girls to raise...sew: make clothes, do clothing repairs, etc. I used to sew a lot when I was a teenager, made a lot of my own clothes, and also have used worn out outfits that I really liked as patterns to make new ones. I'm still altering thrift shop finds for Halloween costumes for the kids and occasionally make curtains.

I still have her treadmill sewing machine, and will never give it up. It's been converted to be able to use an electric motor, but the treadmill is still there, and I could easily rig up a belt. There are a lot of attachments too...buttonholer, shirrer, hemmer, etc. I have tons of thread and buttons, zippers, hook and eyes, and some material too. Need to stock up on sewing machine needles, though.
 
jazzy

jazzy

Advocate Discernment
i can grow and can food, i can make herbal medicinals , i can bake, i can teach a woman about her body about avoiding pregnancy, i can sew, i can point out weeds as food, i can trade fresh eggs, i can hunt, i can cut and haul wood, and thanks to a neat lady named jesse, i can make scotch broth where 1 cup of it feeds 2 people for 2 days and share it. (no foolin'-i tried it and its good).

its a good thing to think of skills we have, maybe many of us dont realize we have skills and maybe some of us think we have skills which wont be considered skills when TSHTF.


jazzy
 
LilRose8

LilRose8

Veteran Member
jazzy said:
i can grow and can food, i can make herbal medicinals , i can bake, i can teach a woman about her body about avoiding pregnancy, i can sew, i can point out weeds as food, i can trade fresh eggs, i can hunt, i can cut and haul wood, and thanks to a neat lady named jesse, i can make scotch broth where 1 cup of it feeds 2 people for 2 days and share it. (no foolin'-i tried it and its good).

its a good thing to think of skills we have, maybe many of us dont realize we have skills and maybe some of us think we have skills which wont be considered skills when TSHTF.


jazzy
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Jazzy I lOVE scotch broth....what's your recipe? You are right that many of us have a long list of skills which we take for granted. I can bake bread and make yeast as well as sourdough starter. I can garden and sew (if I have to), knit and crochet, cook like a demon and mend boo-boos. I can teach children to read and write, draw and do arithmetic. I am sure there are lots of other skills but those are what I can think of right now.
Oh, and I can deliver a baby.....and I am learning to make cheese.
 
S

Splicer205

Deceased
Hey, LilRose, not so fast. I changed my mind 'bout hanging over a sooty, smokey, fire, chunking blocks of wood while waving off the smoke, waiting for the little jiggler to jiggle. I want 50 percent and a manicure when the job is done. :lol:

There are so many things a person could do, and what is really mind boggling is how much fun it could be.

Wildcrafting plants in general and medicinal herbs in particular would be a good skill to learn now because many people will need to bring you their eyes of newt and bats wings to mix up their medicinal potions, LilRose. ;)

Seriously, many of the herbs and medicinal plants have been proven to work and many modern medicines are based on them. Digitalis for heart problems comes from the foxglove plant. No, dont' even think about it. More to it than that! :rolleyes:
But, if modern medicines aren't available, these plants will be sought, and knowlege needs to be imparted for choosing, using, and assuring their survival along with ours.

Probably every single person on this board has a skill that would be sought out. Common sense seems abundant here, and a lot of common sense will be needed.
Lessons on cooking, using something that doesn't come from the freezer shelf all nicely packaged with a mouth watering picture and directions on the back, will, unfortunately be needed.

There are people who don't know how to cook from scratch, don't know how to strech food to make it last longer, don't know what the body needs in what amounts, don't know how to bake bread, or even cook a simple meal on the stove at home. Put that person in a less clean, less convenient, place, with no running water, no electric or gas stove, bugs swarming around and a pile of damp wood, and hungry, whining children clinging on his or her leg begging for fruit loops, and that person is going to be open to ideas.

Gee, here I go again. Anyway, here's some ideas:

Offering classes:
First aid and care of sick people.
Foraging for food and medicine.
Old time remedies using wildcrafted plants.
Raising medicinal plants.
Making tonics, tinctures, salves, and linaments, and the purposes of each.
Different grains and their nutritional value.
Breadmaking from grinding to baking.
Processing dead meat. Ugh.
Tanning hides.
Making shoes, gloves, mocassins, clothes and blankets from the hides.
Sewing.
Small engine repair
Knife making
Teaching children to read and write.
Using items from nature for sanitary needs, diapers, and scents.
Making soap
Bicycle repair
Making wine and beer
Making soda pop
Building an outhouse
Making a fire pit, barbeque, or smokehouse
Cooking 101
Making wooden barrels, buckets, and bowls.

These are just a few things that come to mind and any can be offered as classes or done yourself and sold or bartered. Sadly, there are probably going to be people who won't be able to learn the skills needed in time to put them to use and would gladly pay or barter to have them done for them.

Sorry again for the length. Geez, LilRose, I hope you never run out of ideas. These threads are SO great. :eleph:
 
S

Splicer205

Deceased
Leela said:
I guess I'd do what my grandmother did when grampa left her with 4 little girls to raise...sew: make clothes, do clothing repairs, etc. I used to sew a lot when I was a teenager, made a lot of my own clothes, and also have used worn out outfits that I really liked as patterns to make new ones. I'm still altering thrift shop finds for Halloween costumes for the kids and occasionally make curtains.
Click to expand...

What a business you'd have, making patterns. People think of sewing but betcha many don't think of having a pattern. That would be a great commodity. :spns:
 
jazzy

jazzy

Advocate Discernment
lilrose---

see, you show us that we have skills we havent thought of as skills! i can crochet a blanket, scarf, shawl or hat, i can weave, make a rug, weave baskets, quilt, make cheese and yoghurt and forgot all that til your post! i bet i can do other things, too that i forgot!. i wouldnt be ANY good at math, but i can teach someone to read i reckon. i cant be a blacksmith like max, but i can do something. we can all do something!

here is the recipe for scoth broth i got from jesse on her site, im sure she would not mind me sharing it:


to fill a coffe can:
1/3 C kidney beans
1/2 C lentils
1/8 C split peas
1/8 C chick peas ( i used either black beans or pinto)
1/3C barley
1 1/4 C rice

mix REALLY well. take 1 C dry add 3 quarts water, season, add veggies or meat or whatever, boil, then simmer 2 hrs or so til beans tender. 1 cup dry makes a BUNCH of it. for those who have the stuff, its smart to make it up now to have it on hand, i think.

its cheap, its easy, its damn tasty and will feed a bunch of people.

whats your recipe, id love to see it.

jazzy
 
S

Splicer205

Deceased
jazzy said:
lilrose---

see, you show us that we have skills we havent thought of as skills! i can crochet a blanket, scarf, shawl or hat, i can weave, make a rug, weave baskets, quilt, make cheese and yoghurt and forgot all that til your post! i bet i can do other things, too that i forgot!. i wouldnt be ANY good at math, but i can teach someone to read i reckon. i cant be a blacksmith like max, but i can do something. we can all do something!

Wow jazzy, we might all be able to do something, but I doubt if we'd all be able to do as much as you. You sound incredible! And your recipe looks SO good and nutritious and filling. It's a real keeper!

:eleph:
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LoupGarou

LoupGarou

Ancient Fuzzball
LilRose wrote:
"...But, if you are a computer technician, you might find yourself at a real loss..."

Actually the way I figure it, there still will be a need for accountants and such and if you get your hands on a few used Windows CE machines, especially the earlier models such as the Jornada 680-690 series, the NEC mobilepro 880 series, and other palmtop type of CE based machines with a keyboard, you will have it made. These machines rarely break down, can run on a 12V car battery or solar directly, and don't need a hard disk. The operating system and the office package (WORD/EXCEL...) run in non corruptable ROM and you can keep all of your data on Compact Flash (CF) card. If it does get flaky (as all M$ products do) just full reset the device, it will load fresh from ROM and you keep your data safe on the CF card. You could keep the accounts of all of the local traders and tradesmen on one card easily. And if you throw in the idea of a few portable printers (Cannon, Kodak Diconix, Epson, HP) you could print ledgers and receipts as well. You could also document and notarize land and property deals and store deeds and accounts. If you had a good supply (ebay) of the smaller CF cards, you could give them out to your accounts and they would have copies of their accounts, trades, stock, production, and/or inventory. I have bought a few of these units on ebay (some for under $100) and have many other uses outside of what I mentioned. While they will not run normal windows (98/ME/NT/2000/XP) software, they do have a large amount of CE based software themselves.

I don't believe that if TSHTF everything electronic will go down, your normal home PC will work just fine. The problem I see happening is that we won't have global, regional, or even local communication, power, or other support. You would be able to run your equipment as long as you could make your own power. A normal home computer takes between 180 and 600 watts to run. One of the above units, while not as versatile as a full PC, takes under 15 watts. Easily powered off of a small battery and/or solar panel. I would rather not have to run my noisy generator.

Loup Garou
 
LilRose8

LilRose8

Veteran Member
jazzy said:
lilrose---

see, you show us that we have skills we havent thought of as skills! i can crochet a blanket, scarf, shawl or hat, i can weave, make a rug, weave baskets, quilt, make cheese and yoghurt and forgot all that til your post! i bet i can do other things, too that i forgot!. i wouldnt be ANY good at math, but i can teach someone to read i reckon. i cant be a blacksmith like max, but i can do something. we can all do something!

here is the recipe for scoth broth i got from jesse on her site, im sure she would not mind me sharing it:


to fill a coffe can:
1/3 C kidney beans
1/2 C lentils
1/8 C split peas
1/8 C chick peas ( i used either black beans or pinto)
1/3C barley
1 1/4 C rice

mix REALLY well. take 1 C dry add 3 quarts water, season, add veggies or meat or whatever, boil, then simmer 2 hrs or so til beans tender. 1 cup dry makes a BUNCH of it. for those who have the stuff, its smart to make it up now to have it on hand, i think.

its cheap, its easy, its damn tasty and will feed a bunch of people.

whats your recipe, id love to see it.

jazzy
Click to expand...
That sounds like a GREAT prep item to put together. It would last indefinitely and be so easy to add to broth or meat and water. THANKS!
My scotch broth is one my mom taught me.
Saute onions, carrots, celery and turnips. Add lamb and barley, beef broth and salt. Simmer till meat is soft and barley is cooked. MMMM my favorite comfort food.

I think that not enough people know the benefits of barley. It tastes great and it plumps up to far more per cup than rice or wheat when cooked in water. It is incredibly nutritious and really does 'stick to your ribs'. I encourage everyone to get a bucket of barley for your storage.
 
LilRose8

LilRose8

Veteran Member
Leela said:
I guess I'd do what my grandmother did when grampa left her with 4 little girls to raise...sew: make clothes, do clothing repairs, etc. I used to sew a lot when I was a teenager, made a lot of my own clothes, and also have used worn out outfits that I really liked as patterns to make new ones. I'm still altering thrift shop finds for Halloween costumes for the kids and occasionally make curtains.

I still have her treadmill sewing machine, and will never give it up. It's been converted to be able to use an electric motor, but the treadmill is still there, and I could easily rig up a belt. There are a lot of attachments too...buttonholer, shirrer, hemmer, etc. I have tons of thread and buttons, zippers, hook and eyes, and some material too. Need to stock up on sewing machine needles, though.
Click to expand...
Leela, where do you live? I have some pants I would love copied. :D
 
Charlie

Charlie

Membership Revoked
Eat bluegills till I puke. This is what my dad did back in the last depression along with poaching deer and having a garden. I currently do all three but have not had to poach deer as I can shoot all I want legally, at least for now.

Daddy taught me well.

The other part is that I will hold a title to my land. "A man without land is nothing".....Oh Brother Where Art Thou. Great Movie.
 
jazzy

jazzy

Advocate Discernment
lilrose,

your recipe sounds great, too! it is amazing what some simple ingredients can do! and it certainly does stick to yer ribs! one thing jesse said that i think is important, and she learned this from experience (she was raised eating scotch broth), is dont add onions. if you dont have refridgeration, dont add onions as they promote bacterial growth. if TSHTF, we may not have refrigeration, so we have to think now for beyond that time. she said that you can keep the stuff (cooked) out all night and add water the next day to reheat and add new to make more. thats why i liked this recipe and tried it out. its good! i think it will be a life saver. since i still have electricity, i add onion and garlic and whatever i feel like, but its worth noting her caution. she also suggested bullion to add to it, which makes sense, to help give it a good strong flavor--so that will be important.

i reckon most of us have some buckets of beans and rice and stuff under the bed, why not make this up now and have it ready? 1 cup dry with 3 quarts water and some leftovers from the fridge makes a big pot to feed a family of 4 easily.

and i agree on the barley! man, that is some good stuff, cheap by the bag, is a nice change from rice and can be ground for flour--we love the stuff.

splicerswife, thanks for the compliment, but really, we all have done things or taken classes for fun or learned things that we have forgotten about that give us Skills! we just dont know we know what we used to know. LOL. your list reminded me of some more things i can do that i have completely forgotten about!

the recipe comes from a lady named jesse who used to come to TB. it seems like a gift from God--its cheap, easy and will feed you and yours and more. she has the measurements to make 165 # worth doing it in one weekend. think how many people you can help with this stuff beyonf your own family.

you list is really worthwhile to examine. when times get tough (tougher than now)--what can we DO to share and trade?

and leela--sewing (real clothes sewing, not like what i do) is a hugh skill! i envy you. someday ill probably be outside your door standing in line.


jazzy
 
Caplock50

Caplock50

I am the Winter Warrior
As depalidated as I am these days, about the only thing I can really do good is guard duty. You're going to want your 'strong backs' well rested, and that won't be happening if you're also up all night pulling guard duty. I can draw fairly well, too, and maps are gonna be needed. Maps of mine fields and such. Yeah, I know how to make a very effective anti-personel land mine. And I can make all kinds of things, useful things.
 
W

wasabell

Inactive
Jazzy

Could you add dried onions to the mix? It sounds good, but maybe a little bland. I was thinking of adding some dried peppers and onions to it.

Jan
 
W

wasabell

Inactive
Occupation
Tavern/inn owner. Post office. Trading post.

Brew your own or trade for it. When times are either good or bad, some folks have to drink. And will pay a premium for it. A few available rooms, or beds. A simple meal. Ability to leave a letter for someone going that way.

Mainly for those passin' thru.
 
sandra

sandra

Inactive
Well, I have been making my own patterns and sewing clothing since I was about 12 years old. I got a book that taught me how... the book was much less expensive than buying a host of patterns.

I do have a ton of patterns (tore bught) for wedding gowns and such when a store was closing down and selling all patterns for 25 cents each! Have them in several different styles and sizes... that may be a good commodity.

I have tons almost literally of material. I have lots and lots of buttons and prolly about 200 zippers of all sizes and weights. I have boxes full of lace and trims to make pretty things.

I have a treadle base for my antique machine which has been converted to electric but can go back the other way.

I have also made wedding gowns from a drawing someone has given to me and pictures they have presented.

I can also design and make bellydance costumes.... LOL... Tessa would love that one.

I can forage for wild foods and grow some things that I have heirloom seeds for including tobacco!

I know how to make wine, very good wine... but I see a pitfal here if TSHTF for real... sugar. Cannot grow sugar cane in my northeast area.

I know how to gut and butcher game and can it up for future use. I know how to make jerky.

I can knit and crochet and know how to make quilts.

I also know how to fashion clothing and bags and such from leather. I have made regalia for pow wows for people. I made some leather short pants for my sons when they were little, much like the ones worn in Europe... saves a TON of work on laundry for little boys who love to play in dirt and mud.

I know a lot about herbal medicines and grow many medicinal herbs here. One of them is celedine. When you break open a stem and rub on an open wound or on something like poison ivy, it actually turns the orangey/brown color of iodine and will dry up poison ivy within a few hours.

Guess that is it for now, prolly lots more over all these 64 years that I have learned, however, physically, I am limited like Caplock is. If I can basically sit and do it, I am fine. I even garden while sitting... just skoot myself along the ground on a piece of plastic sheeting.
 
D

Deena in GA

Administrator
_______________
I'm sure Jesse doesn't mind you posting her Scotch broth recipe as she has posted it here before years ago. It's a great recipe for those who are new since that time and a good reminder for us "old-timers" who maybe didn't pay attention the first time or didn't try it yet.

I love these threads! They always make me think of something new. In this particular case, it has made me realize I need to quit putting off planting more herbs and things to use for homemade remedies. Echinacea and feverfew are the only medicinal plants I have so far. I've been meaning for the past couple of years to order elderberry to plant, but haven't done it. I will now. Thanks!

My son says we can go into business making tortillas, lol. It has been in the back of my head that I'll make breads. Tortillas are so easy and good - and an easy way to use up all those wheat berries, lol. My family loves them.

edited to add: It just struck me that those of us who have hand grinders could sell flour if the grocery stores weren't in business. Of course, it would cost considerably more than in the grocery stores because hand grinding is a good bit of work. On the other hand, we'd probably rig up the bicycle to turn the handle and that would make it easier.
 
2

22magnum

Live Free or Die...
Somebody has to bury the dead, and I am still in that profession, :D as long as the insurance companies don't fault.
 
S

spinner

Veteran Member
Another great thread, LilRose.

Well, the most obvious skill I have is spinning. I also knit and crochet very well, sew, weave a little, and felt a little. I grow vegetables, herbs and I am planting fruit and berries. Canning, freezing, drying, cooking and baking, grind my own wheat, corn, etc. Foraging for food and medicinals and using them, I can make a tincture that will calm you down, a tea to help you sleep, a poultice for boils, a liniment for sore muscles, a remedy for diarrhea, another for constipation, an elixir to prevent flu and colds, something to reduce fever, something to warm a chill, and much more.

I have cooked some legendary meals and though I don't do it much anymore, I still could.

We have some land that could be "leased" for gardening for a share of the harvest.

I could handle a horse if it was trained - could have trained once, but not now.

Maple syrup, I can make it and I could teach someone how.

I can grow sprouts for barter or teach someone sprouting.

Though I don't have children I have cared for many. I can diaper a baby, deal with burps, colic, teething and etc. This could give a mother a break to sleep, work, forage, etc. or be a valuable service to a sick mother or father.

I am resourceful, creative and have pretty good common sense.

There is probably more, but that is all I can think of right now.

LilRose, keep these threads coming, they are great and a terrific resource! I hope they will all be available in one place at some point. Brainstorming is the best!!

spinner
 
Dio

Dio

Inactive
SHTF profession

I am a gun tinkerer and reloader, so maybe armorer/ammo maker.
Hunter, body guard, or just a community guard.
What about teaching basic firearms skills? I am a certified NRA instructor, and have taken a few course on self defense at Quantico Marine Corps Base.
I live on the river, maybe ferry service, or moving people and goods by boat?
 
LilRose8

LilRose8

Veteran Member
WOW! So many good ideas! Keep them coming! Spinner I am very interested in your medicinal plants and how to use them......save those ideas. I feel another thread coming on !

Wasabel, I LOVE the idea of a tavern/inn.....but we would have to hire a bodyguard for the drunkards! Caplock, want a job? :D
 
B

blueberry

Inactive
The home canning business idea is a good one - I am certainly all set up to do that! Don't worry, Splicerswife, Roxanne and LilRose - we live in different states, so our businesses won't compete :D Lets just hope that if TSHTF, there is enough food around for us to can.

I can also dry foods and make jerky. I know how to grow food. I can bake bread, or cook just about anything. I also have hand cranked grain grinders, so I can make flour or cornmeal.

I can sew, quilt and alter clothing. I have boxes and boxes of fabric and patterns in storage. I used to knit and crochet, and figure I could do it again, with a little practice.
 
V

Vere My Sone

Inactive
growing food, some open pollinated seed--but not enough grain
canning, drying, cooking, etc.
shearing, spinning, knitting--we could make a loom, have a spinning wheel and sheep(for however long they last)
have a treadle sewing machine, have sewn in the past, but not for MANY years
making baskets
I'm trying to learn the basics of cheese and soap making (vinegar cheese is easy and quick-but needs a frig or to be eaten quick-- I haven't tried the rennet cheeses yet--they sound like more than I want to tackle at the moment but would keep longer)
making butter
have a quarter horse and old horse drawn farming equipment that my FIL used to farm with (my mother used to have her garden plowed by a man who came through her small town with a mule-not too long ago)
honey
pollen
bees wax candles, dipped and I have an old mold

Is it possible for these threads to be kept together somewhere, or is that already being done?
 
B

blueberry

Inactive
Vere My Sone,

Please share your recipe for vinegar cheese. I have never tried making cheese, and that sounds like a great way to preserve milk.
 
Tessa Blue

Tessa Blue

Veteran Member
I also am learning how to use medicinal plants. I used to be an EMT-1, so have a bit of experience in emergency medicine.

But I think I'll just come up to where the tavern is. Can someone give me a job as a bellydancer? I'll make medicine on the side. :D
 
Christian for Israel

Christian for Israel

Knight of Jerusalem
how many people here know how to make their own black powder and smokeless gun powder? i do, and i think it would be a vital skill post-TEOTWAWKI. i can also make several explosives, one based on urine, along with detonators, fuse, and percussion primers. i'm a gunsmith and can make muzzle loading firearms to sell for hunting. i can fly a plane, bake bread, cook on a wood stove, can and dry meat and other foods.

along with that i am a mechanic, welder, carpenter and 'jack of all trades'. :lol:
 
W

Windy Ridge

Veteran Member
I can do gardening, carpentry and weaving. I made my own loom and can make others. Did you know that it takes 4-10 EXPERIENCED hand spinners to supply one weaver? I have a good copy of an early 19th century book on managing a spinning mill. Judging from the beautiful engraved illustrations and details in the text the manager was expected to be the maintenance man and mill engineer also. How does Windy Ridge Spinning Mill sound? I built my loom with less information. I can get merino wool locally and have seed for fibre type flax. I also know the local medicinal plants quite well.

Windy Ridge
 
West

West

Senior
CFI,

I have read about bat sh!t and have spunkerd some caves that have loads of the stuff. :D



As said above, Tradeing post! YAR!

That and tin smithing.

I like gold mineing too!
 
sssarawolf

sssarawolf

We're just plugging along.
Good Thread

Well to start my dh is a water and wastewater man, a chemist on top of that, knows engineering, how and what for old fashion out houses, builds our outbuildings here on the farm, jack of all trades he says but master of none,lol HUnts, butchers our meat etc. We both can Tan hides. and many other things, I spin wool, knit, crochet, quilt, can, make cheese, sew, have all kinds of How to Books, Herbs, teas, lotions, building ur own log cabin, fire places & fire place ovens, drying herbs and foods, root cellering. One of our sons is going to learn blacksmithing he has already started, the other kids dont really get it :(. We should be of some use I hope if things hit the fan, and be able to trade some of these things we do.
 
fruit loop

fruit loop

Inactive
I would explore the wonders of barter

I'm training as a midwife.

I can sew.

I know how to can, dry, and freeze food

I will trade my services as the pioneers did. Deliver your baby? Sure. You 've got chickens....I want five of them.
 
Mark D

Mark D

Now running for Emperor.
Love these threads.

Edited to add:

I'm thinking along the lines of armed security. If the S indeed hits the F stateside, I think we will see an explosion in the domestic Private Security Detail arena. I think seeing folks riding shotgun (or machinegun) on a food/fuel convoy will become a common sight.
 
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Deena in GA

Administrator
_______________
Another really cool by-product of this thread is I'm discovering a lot more women that love the things I do - crochet, knit, sew, quilt, can, cook, bake bread, garden, etc. A lot of the "old-timey" skills. I have always wanted to learn to spin and weave. Wish I lived closer to you, Windy Ridge and Vere My Sone! I actually prefer to sew by hand and have made several dresses by hand. It does take longer though. :lol:
 
Green

Green

Paranoid in Los Angeles
Grow weed, brew moonshine, and open a saloon and brothel. :siren:

I'm sure it would be very popular place to hang out.

The Apocalypse Lounge and Riding Club!

:dvl1:
 
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