PREP Prepper Anxiety Poll #31

[Dennis Olson]

Topusaret usually does these. But because things are getting "kinda sporty out there", I figured it was time for another one. Someone on the big thread said they wondered what the values would be now, and it piqued my interest, since I'm a statistics kinda guy as a computer geek. So here's a copy/paste from the previous poll....

It's time to once again gauge the anxiety members are feeling regarding the current world situation and how they view the relative near-term future.

With a nod to JC Refuge, who developed and created this identical poll the first seventeen times, and to CfI for invaluable assistance, here we go again. The poll will remain up for three days. Your poll responses are private and cannot be viewed, but I encourage you to post your response and why you voted the way you did.

​

Here are links to all previous polls:

The first poll, June 16, 2004--average score, 1.83:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=104207

The second poll, July 1--average score, 1.65:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=106303

The third poll, July 15--average score, 1.91:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=108265

The fourth poll, August 1--average score, 1.85:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=111006

The fifth poll, August 15--average score, 1.65:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=113376

The sixth poll, September 1--average score, 1.89:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=116464

The seventh poll, September 15--average score, 1.94:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=118574

The eighth poll, October 1--average score, 1.76:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=120887

The ninth poll, October 15--average score, 1.94:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=123099

The tenth poll, November 1--average score, 2.14:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=125432

The eleventh poll, November 15--average score, 1.66:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=128175

The twelfth poll, December 1--average score, 1.58:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=130406

The thirteenth poll, December 15, 2004--average score, 1.59:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showt...hlight=prepper

The fourteenth poll, September 1, 2005--average score, 2.42:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showt...repper+anxiety

The fifteenth poll, July 14, 2006--average score, 2.12:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showt...repper+anxiety

The sixteenth poll, October 9, 2006--average score, 1.92:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showt...repper+anxiety

The seventeenth poll, April 2, 2007--average score, 1.98:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showt...anxiety+ poll

The eighteenth poll, October 23, 2007--average score, 1.90:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showt...anxiety+ poll

The nineteenth poll, January 26, 2008--average score, 1.97:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=274740

The twentieth poll, April 24, 2008—average score, 2.03:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=286030

The 21st poll, July 24, 2008—average score, 2.02:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=295575

The 22nd poll, October 18, 2008—average score, 2.17:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=306775

The 23rd poll, February 16, 2009--average score, 2.48:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=322886

The 24th poll, June 26, 2009--average score 2.05:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=336490

The 25th poll, July 5, 2010--average score 2.14:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=365407

The 26th poll, December 5, 2010--average score 2.11:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=374491

The 27th poll, February 12, 2011--average score 1.91:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=378556

The 28th poll, July 2, 2011--average score 1.91:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=386126

The 29th poll, September 5, 2011--average score 2.15:
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=389788

30th poll, October 8th, 2011
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?391747


​

 

[Jeff Allen]

Thanks Dennis, lookin forward to some stats!

J

 

[maric]

I upped it to glued to the screen this time. Between TB2K, my hubbys fellings/visions, MY gut, things I'm hearing & seeing, if we make it past March with nothing big happening in the world I'll be amazed.

 

[RJC]

No worries, all things moving as expected.

 

[joyfulheart]

I upped it to glued to the screen this time. Between TB2K, my hubbys fellings/visions, MY gut, things I'm hearing & seeing, if we make it past March with nothing big happening in the world I'll be amazed.

maric, I'd love to hear what YOUR gut is telling you, if you don't mind.

And I am enjoying your hubby's blog. He sounds just like my dad, especially when he keeps reminding to pray and Lean on God...

I voted glued to the screen. IF I had a bunker (I don't), I'd probably have one foot inside already. LOL

 

[Scotto]

No worries, all things moving as expected.

I bet you're a million laughs at a "doomfest party." j/k

 

[Shea Grey]

glued, .........but thats also coz its blowing 50 knots outside, in single digits AND the dirt road in has a solid inch of ice on it.

 

[Snipe Hunter]

glued, .........but thats also coz its blowing 50 knots outside, in single digits AND the dirt road in has a solid inch of ice on it.

Welcome Shea............

With the above .....weather.......if you are a prepper ......whats the problem... ...???

Just kidding.........

 

[Dennis Olson]

Where are you Shea? I left from Hudson, Wis last April.

 

[erichtmobile]

i voted glued to the screen, because i am a news junkie and am always glued to multiple screens

My alert level is slightly above normal,

 

[RJC]

I bet you're a million laughs at a "doomfest party." j/k

Yes, doomers do not like sand in their vaseline?

 

[Tundra Gypsy]

I feel everything is under control.....govt control....seems after any warning things seem to begin to move in slow motion and I think that is were we're at...no, we are in free fall....yep...we're in free fall.

 

[Be Well]

I expect the worst if not any day, at least any week.

 

[Caplock50]

I voted 'watchful and ready'...but then, that *is* my usual state.

 

[Ben Sunday]

In almost every earlier poll, it was watchful and ready, since I try very hard to keep the adrenaline levels under control.

Now? Tonight? GLUED.

 

[prepgirl44]

I voted watchful, ready, checking preps, just in case.


But I must admit, it was time to inventory the preps anyway (my twice a year chore, July 1 and January 1).

And as for the watchful and ready, well...that's part of being a prepper too, isn't it?

Heck, everyone I know is waiting for the other shoe to drop and the air is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that the world is in utter chaos and the perfect storm is brewing. Any number of things could go sidewise in the blink of an eye....and something IS bound to, sooner or later.

Given that, I'd be a fool NOT to be watchful and ready!

But while I stay informed and aware and alert, I will not let what is coming consume me before it even gets here nor let it alter my perspective on the importance of living life now.

From my perspective, every day of life is a precious gift. You never know when that gift might be taken away. For me, to be glued to the screen and waiting for the worst to come would be squandering the precious gift of life given me. I know from experience that, for me, the kind of vigilance involved in watching and waiting and being glued to the screen is nothing but a time stealer and a stress producer and, ultimately, it can rob me of my physical health, undermine my spiritual health, and steal my joy.

The fact is, when TSHTF for real, the stress it produces and the effects on my health and happiness will occur soon enough.

When TSHTF for real, I know that I will be pressed enough for time just to do the tasks needed to survive, so much so that I am sure I will desperately wish to gain back all those wasted moments of the past sitting in front of the screen watching and waiting, and I'll be desperate for an extra moment just to to enjoy my family, or hug my grandchildren, or do a simple kindness for someone. I don't want to waste any time now. I want no regrets during a difficult time.

And when TSHTF for real, certainly the hardships of those very dark times of survival will try to challenge my spiritual footing and I have no doubt that the spiritual battle will be fierce. Why compromise my spiritual condition now, when I know that to consume doom in excess will do that? And I must remember, it's only going to get darker as we go along....we've been warned. I need to make sure to take especially good care of my spiritual health as it is the key to all the rest.

Why go there with any of it if I don't have to? Sufficient unto the day is the evil therof.

I've done the work, I've prepped, I am as ready physically, mentally and spiritually as I can be and I work at staying that way. There is oil in my lamp and my wick is trimmed.

I prefer to use the rest of what little time I have left before TSHTF to enjoy to the fullest this incredibly blessed life I have been given, to focus on giving and receiving just a little more laughter, a little more love, and a little more enjoyment while I still can.

Tough times will come soon enough and when they do, I suspect that these blessed times in my life will become nothing but distant memories.....memories I will need to cling to in order to survive.

Yeah, I am watchful, ready and checking preps. But I do not imagine I will ever go above that level on any of these polls.

When TS does HTF for real, I imagine I will quickly get the details online, turn off the computer, maybe do a few last minute things specific to whatever situation we are facing, and then just sit down and open my Bible and spend some time in the Word and in prayer. After all, my hope rests not in information I get from the internet, not in man and his abilities, not even in my own preps or my own skills and abilities...rather, my hope rests in Jesus Christ.

 

[Border guard]

+1 IMHO, whatever it is, is coming soon. I'm feeling unsettled for no conscious reason - just gut feelings.

I upped it to glued to the screen this time. Between TB2K, my hubbys fellings/visions, MY gut, things I'm hearing & seeing, if we make it past March with nothing big happening in the world I'll be amazed.

 

[Quark]

+1 Freeeek Outtttttt.......
Hey who took my meds?

 

[TerryK]

Watchful and ready.
Anything less is foolish.
Anything more is wasteful.

 

[Deanne]

I didn't know which one to pick . I'm concerned, I'm watching waiting and going over preps, and I'm also glued to TB for any other info that may be happening or in the works of happening.

 

[Safecastle]

I think most folks today are numbed to the big-picture scenarios.

Take any of us from 10 years ago and drop us suddenly into today's world and we'd be incredulous and buzzing from the array of risks out there.

But we have all watched our world sliding down the gradual slope all this time and have had to learn to accept it all and cope as best we can. We control our own little corners of the world and simply listen to the clock ticking, wondering when the alarm bells will actually go off. Question is, will be so numb at that point that we will be unable to react in any meaningful way?

 

[Caplock50]

JC Refuge, to answer your question...I don't think many of us will under react when the time comes. We're 'keyed and ready'...and it is this readiness that some mistakenly call 'wishing for it to happen'.

Just my opinion though.

 

[Nancy in OK]

It seems I've been glued to the screen for days now! I keep thinking I'll get up and go do something constructive but I can't seem to move. I really need to turn this computer off for at least a day and go enjoy life! Like prepgirl said it will come soon enough. I've been going over preps carefully, looking for any holes that need filling, cleaning out stuff that I don't use, trying to find more storage areas.

 

[HuntingWolf]

Watchful, ready, and checking the preps, just in case.

Doing what I can with what I got. Plus, I don't have a TV.

But, never have I had such a increasingly hard time finding work of any kind. I see the same jobs in my rural area going on for months and they are not hiring for whatever reason.

I am selling off anything that I don't need and buying supplies as best as I can.

I may even start building a small cabin on my land, because the old farm house is a bit of a problem to heat.

Unless I find a $8hr job, which I have been turned down by several such, I'm not going to be able to do much more than I have.

 

[BREWER]

JC Refuge, to answer your question...I don't think many of us will under react when the time comes. We're 'keyed and ready'...and it is this readiness that some mistakenly call 'wishing for it to happen'.

Just my opinion though.

Greetings, Cappy and Happy New Year. I have to agree with your response to JCR. I've been reading the thread from Dennis and our long-time forum member with great interest and the multiple replies from all quarters. There seems to be a division between the 'talkers' and the 'walkers'. I'm as prepped as US$'s allow. I trust in the Living God of the Bible. Prepping is a lifestyle, folks. That's the way it is. I stopped going out years ago so I could afford to buy, implement, and repair the 'things' my family would need as time wore on and the economy tanked. I'm in the...'watchful, ready, and checking the preps, just in case' category because I live like that everyday. Yes, I still have time to do fun 'things';however, I believe the 'fun times' are over, folks. Get your game face on and put away unproductive activities. Take care.

It seems I've been glued to the screen for days now! I keep thinking I'll get up and go do something constructive but I can't seem to move. I really need to turn this computer off for at least a day and go enjoy life! Like prepgirl said it will come soon enough. I've been going over preps carefully, looking for any holes that need filling, cleaning out stuff that I don't use, trying to find more storage areas.

Nancy in OK; Many of my friends, including myself, fell into a similar 'funk' or malaise a few months ago. It really bothered me, and my friends, due to the fact they/we are 'preppers' and highly motivated.

This just sorta happened out of nowhere, and it wasn't until I voiced something was wrong with me did the others said they were experiencing 'it', too. Some to a more pronounced degree than others.

My thought is it must be stress related. My 'remedy' was to go brew beer, and I spent many days doing it which kept me away from the computer, and allowed me to focus on something I really enjoy and be productive. So push back from the computer/TV and go do something that you enjoy that is 'productive' and focus your efforts into it. The world turns and the doomfest will no doubt continue unabated. We are definitely headed for 'hard times' prep accordingly. I hope this helps. Happy New Year and God Bless. BREWER

 

[Kathy in FL]

I'm always stressed right at the new year due to change over to the new fiscal year ... new files, new budget, preparing for taxes, yada, yada.

However, I've also got new year prepping activities like canning citrus fruit and inventorying stock that is being updated as well. I'll admit I've got the twitches but can't really say that it is anything specific.

 

[Nancy in OK]

Thanks Brewer, I needed that. I think I'll look up my seed catalogs and get an order out. I've got plenty of seeds to last for a couple of years but feel like I might need some more, just in case. It is stress, and stress can kill you. I'm single and looking around I see so much that should be done before it all goes up. I'm on rural water here and that worries me probably more than no electricity. I would love to have an elevated metal water tank plumbed in so that I would always have water available but I haven't figured out how to do that. We have an excellent water well on the place but it's almost 2 miles from here. What I need is about 2 miles of 2-3" poly pipe!!! Lol.

 

[Blacklab]

These threads have made me go back through our preps and assess what [else] we will need if something happens.

Others have also expressed concern about electricity. That too is my biggest worry since most all of our household appliances run on it and we would be left to use a propane grill or cooking over a wood fire. So in preparation for that scenario, I have started searching online for a (manual) grain mill to use with my ample supply of hard/soft wheat berries. (Any manual grain mill suggestions would be helpful as the good ones are pricey and I have already invested in a electric Nutrimill.) I feel with my preps I can make some good bread outdoors and that may be something that could be a barter item for us.

We are also stocking up on more freeze dried food from Costco online. Next item is their THRIVE freeze dried assorted cheeses. We have also been stocking up on dog food for our fur kids. When it comes down to it, I do feel that no matter what we are doing with our preps, we are still not prepared enough for any scenario.

 

[prepgirl44]

These threads have made me go back through our preps and assess what [else] we will need if something happens.

Others have also expressed concern about electricity. That too is my biggest worry since most all of our household appliances run on it and we would be left to use a propane grill or cooking over a wood fire. So in preparation for that scenario, I have started searching online for a (manual) grain mill to use with my ample supply of hard/soft wheat berries. (Any manual grain mill suggestions would be helpful as the good ones are pricey and I have already invested in a electric Nutrimill.) I feel with my preps I can make some good bread outdoors and that may be something that could be a barter item for us.

We are also stocking up on more freeze dried food from Costco online. Next item is their THRIVE freeze dried assorted cheeses. We have also been stocking up on dog food for our fur kids. When it comes down to it, I do feel that no matter what we are doing with our preps, we are still not prepared enough for any scenario.

Google "Country Living Grain Mill". Check it out. You won't be dissapointed.

I love mine. I also have an electric mill (Whisper II) that I tend to use more, mainly due to laziness and convenience, but the Country Living is awesome if you are manually grinding. Very pricey though.

I also own a Carona (it is my back up manual grinder) which I absolutely hate and would only use if I was starving and had absolutely no other choice and had to have ground wheat. It hurts my arms and my back and my neck and takes forever and then it turns out such a coarse grind (even with multiple passes) that I really do not like it at all. To me, it's only about one steop up from a mortar and pestle. But it certainly is more reasonable financially if you are on a tight budget, or think you may never really use a manual grinder or only use it for a very short time in an emergency. But it certainly wouldn;t be my first choice! And I gurantee you, is's not something your wife will thank you for if she ends up having to be the person grinding wheat (unless she is a sumo wrestler or something).

Frankly, I'd spend the bucks on the Country Living if it was me. But I'm all into quality and convenience, especially in hard times, and I'm willing to pay for it.

(And no, I don't own stock or have any affiliation with Country Living whatsoever...I've just been grinding my own wheat and making my own bread for many years and I appreciate the beauty of having the right tool for the job.)

Okay, sorry folks for the thread drift....back to your regular scheduled doom now....

 

[Blacklab]

Google "Country Living Grain Mill". Check it out. You won't be dissapointed.

I love mine. I also have an electric mill (Whisper II) that I tend to use more, mainly due to laziness and convenience, but the Country Living is awesome if you are manually grinding. Very pricey though.

I also own a Carona (it is my back up manual grinder) which I absolutely hate and would only use if I was starving and had absolutely no other choice and had to have ground wheat. It hurts my arms and my back and my neck and takes forever and then it turns out such a coarse grind (even with multiple passes) that I really do not like it at all. To me, it's only about one steop up from a mortar and pestle. But it certainly is more reasonable financially if you are on a tight budget, or think you may never really use a manual grinder or only use it for a very short time in an emergency. But it certainly wouldn;t be my first choice! And I gurantee you, is's not something your wife will thank you for if she ends up having to be the person grinding wheat (unless she is a sumo wrestler or something).

Frankly, I'd spend the bucks on the Country Living if it was me. But I'm all into quality and convenience, especially in hard times, and I'm willing to pay for it.

(And no, I don't own stock or have any affiliation with Country Living whatsoever...I've just been grinding my own wheat and making my own bread for many years and I appreciate the beauty of having the right tool for the job.)

Okay, sorry folks for the thread drift....back to your regular scheduled doom now....

Thanks for your response. The Country Living one is the one I am looking at and will most likely get. I love my electric Nutrimill but my concern is that if we have no electricity or are unable to use a gas generator that we have a backup for barter of flour or bread for something we may need.

 

[Border Guns]

Watchful and ready for the most part. But, getting ready to Bug out to AZ location. Was going any way but think I will bump it up a month so as to have time to do repairs. It all takes money so that is the deciding factor,too. Have been glued to screen as well but that is just because of the "thread". It has certainly been an interesting read. Some good ideas to use have come up on it and will be implemented.

 

[Periwinkle]

I voted glued to the screen, expecting the worst any day now. Tried to have a "normal" Christmas with my brothers, sisters and their families but kept checking TB2K for updates, especially after the thread from Dennis. I have been off work 11 days so it has been nice being home and my thinking was if something DID happen at least I would be home. I have extended family members who think I am crazy anyway but I try to prep when I can and be prepared but I am no where near the level of some of the members here. My biggest fear is that if something horrible happens is not being able to get home and now I am stressing about having to go back to work tomorrow and act like things are normal. I know ultimately GOD is in control but I still have that lingering fear.

 

[Publius]

I'm with the Majority here.

Why Wait Prep Now and Panic Early.

 

[Willow]

Watchful and checking TB LOTS during the day. But I'm not freaked out. What will be will be. We are prepped and hopefully right with God. I guess I am asking God more often to give me the courage to do what is right when our world is turned upside down...but I am not much more stressed. Warnings come and go and one of these days one will be correct. But life will go on if this isn't the big one. No sense stressing too much over something I can't control. Focusing on what I can control and living day by day.

Don't misunderstand. I am thankful for those who have provided the heads up over the years but I can't let those warnings make me stop living my life in a somewhat normal way. Watchful, waiting and knowing that one of these days the S will HTF and hoping that we will get a heads up from someone here before the event. Who knows, maybe Dennis gets to be the one who got the timing right...with a little help from a friend. One thing I know for sure...every day that goes by with nothing unusual is a blessing and every day that goes by gets us one step closer to that day when we stop prepping and start surviving in a world turned upside down.

Willow

 

[Zahra]

Watchful & cautious. Checking TB frequently (since my husband's glued to the bowl games and the pool's only 68 degrees - too cold to swim). Checking my stock message boards, other news sites, and assessing my preps. Added water storage today and got some more 5 gallon bockets & gamma seals which I plan to fill before the week's out. Topped off the gas tank while out and plan to buy that extra propane tank tomorrow. Sent a check that paid off 2/3 of the new car loan I just took last week on a new Volvo, and waiting for my oil MLP dividends later this month to pay the rest of it off so I don't have any debt (again).

 

[momof23goats]

are you in michigan or wis? It is like that here in michigan tpo. nice and cold. will be going out to do the milking soon. nights like this, it is sure cold milking. but it has been colder...... and could be allot colder, so no complaints.

I am very watchful, this couldgo any time now. I am really surprised that the whole middle east hasn't blown up yet.

I am keeping an eye out. and got everything pretty well stocked up as best I can. got grain for the chickens and goats, and hay. so just watching. eachday we get up withno hits on this country, is a gift from GOD.

 

[Running Dog]

Thanks for your response. The Country Living one is the one I am looking at and will most likely get. I love my electric Nutrimill but my concern is that if we have no electricity or are unable to use a gas generator that we have a backup for barter of flour or bread for something we may need.

Ask for the blemished mill. I did, and had to look real long time to find the blem. Saved lots of money, on a blemished mill.

 

[PghPanther]

Very concerned with world banking and military issues at this time.....

.....but folks relax.......everything is okay while I'm unemployed......

See I'm close to getting a job after 3 years.........and its a good one that will set me up really well......

I garuantee you if I get it...........then everything in my life will be all set..........and just when I think I've got to where I need to be??

Bam.....that's when the collapse happens................lol!

You watch............if I get this job consider something major happening within a few months................

That's life..........

 

[fi103r]

Between the MF Global theft and zero (0 TM) signing the NDAA the risk scale has gone off the charts. The option of 'sort it out in court' has apparently vanished.

MF Global's bankruptcy handled properly as a brokerage default would have costs MF Global customers $0. Filing as a corporate chap 7 has managed to mislay over a billion dollars and if anyone has the audacity to demand justice vs Corzine the crook they would probably wind up in club Gitmo if they were lucky as zero can declare anyone a terrorist now.

no judicial review available if no one knows where you are or why you were arrested.

r

 

[Kritter]

Expecting nothing that would require me to have long term preps or be in a bunker at this time.