The Common Sense Practical Prepper

Keith Vincent
  • 4.5 (17)
  • HOBBIES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Common Sense Practical Prepper: No doom, no zombies—just straightforward, budget-friendly tips for real-life preparedness. From food storage myths to bartering basics, I share what works for everyday folks. I’ll also dive into situational awareness to stay sharp in any crisis, personal safety tips to protect yourself. Each episode ties real-world examples to current events, like recent storms or supply shortages, to keep you prepared. Have feedback or ideas?  Email practicalpreppodcast@gmail.com.  Support the podcast with Augason Farms, your go-to for reliable food storage. Use code PODCASTPREP for 10% off your order! Please check out Augason Farms. Affiliate link below. Use PODCASTPREP at checkout for an additional 10% off your order. https://augasonfarms.com?sca_ref=9315862.VpHzogdDNu

  1. 1D AGO

    Richmond Braces For 2 Feet Of Snow

    Send us a text The forecast finally points at Richmond—and not with a gentle nudge. We’re staring down a potential foot of snow followed by single-digit cold that turns slush into black ice and routine errands into risk. So we slow things down and map what actually keeps a household safe: fuel, heat, water, food, and the discipline to stay off the roads while the city catches up. We start with the hard realities of central Virginia winter: limited snow removal, contractor-heavy plowing, and a driving culture that speeds up when traction goes down. From there, we dig into what changing models really tell us, why local meteorologists hedge, and how to read the National Weather Service guidance without getting spun by hype. Then we get practical. Fill every tank and stage at least 10 gallons per vehicle at home, top off propane, and grab those small cylinders before shelves empty. Build water reserves that support at least 72 hours, and stock pantry staples—beans, rice, soups, pasta, freeze-dried meals—so you’re not competing for the last loaf and carton. Heat is the centerpiece. We walk through zoning rooms with doors and heavy quilts, using south-facing windows for daytime warmth, and making backup heat safe with proper ventilation and detectors. Cooking stays simple with butane stoves, grills, and a Blackstone, all fueled up and used safely. We cover battery banks, flashlights, weather radios, and the balance between solar generators and gasoline units, including testing and exercising your generator before the storm. Outside, we flag the small details that matter: clearing around HVAC units, staging shovels, knowing when salt won’t melt, and laying down kitty litter for traction. If you keep backyard chickens, we talk windbreaks and when to bring them into the garage as temps plunge. The theme is calm readiness, not panic. Forecasts will tighten; preparation doesn’t need to wait. If this helped you think clearly about winterizing your routine, subscribe, share it with a neighbor who tends to panic-buy, and leave a quick review so others can find us. Then tell us: what’s your smartest cold-weather habit that more people should know? https://augasonfarms.com?sca_ref=9315862.VpHzogdDNu Augason FarmsSupport the podcast. Click on my affiliate link and use coupon code PODCASTPREP for 10% discount!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Have a question, suggestion or comment? Please email me at practicalpreppodcast@gmail.com. I will not sell your email address and I will personally respond to you.

    20 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Building A Post‑Apocalyptic Tool Bag From Your Junk Drawer

    Send us a text A well‑stocked bunker is nice, but a smart, portable toolkit you actually know how to use is better. We take a simple idea—the power of your junk drawer—and turn it into a lean, reliable post‑apocalyptic tool bag you can build this week without emptying your wallet. From raid‑the‑house finds to smart bargain buys, we map the exact steps to move from clutter to capability. We start by auditing what you already own: laces that secure loads, chopsticks that double as splints, whetstones that keep blades sharp, and tapes and glues that fix more than they claim. Then we lay out a compact essentials list—metric and imperial sockets, a 16‑ounce hammer, crosscut and hacksaw, utility knife with spare blades, needle‑nose pliers, adjustable wrench, pry bar, headlamp, tape measure, pocket level, and a multimeter for basic electrical and DIY solar work. You’ll hear why rechargeable lights still benefit from a stash of tested AA and AAA batteries, and how a mix of zip ties, paracord, and fastener assortments solves 80 percent of field repairs. Sourcing matters, so we share budget wins from discount tool stores, plus what to grab at yard sales, flea markets, boot sales, and estate sales where old‑school tools outlast modern throwaways. Organization transforms usability: a canvas tool roll keeps everything tight and visible, ammo cans protect bungees and zip ties, and magnetic trays stop screws from disappearing under your car. We also talk practice—learning your multimeter’s symbols, testing solar inputs, sharpening blades, and doing small fixes now so you’re calm when it counts. If you’ve been doomscrolling, this is your nudge to do something tangible. Build a capable kit for under $150, stash it next to your get‑home bag, and refine it with each season. Enjoy the show, then subscribe, leave a quick review, and share your must‑have tool or best budget find so we can feature it next time. https://augasonfarms.com?sca_ref=9315862.VpHzogdDNu Augason FarmsSupport the podcast. Click on my affiliate link and use coupon code PODCASTPREP for 10% discount!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Have a question, suggestion or comment? Please email me at practicalpreppodcast@gmail.com. I will not sell your email address and I will personally respond to you.

    30 min

  3. JAN 14

    Practical Off-Grid Cooking For Blackouts And Storms

    Send us a text Apple Podcast Link https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-sense-practical-prepper/id1644780654 Please leave a review, thanks! A hot meal can flip the mood of a hard day, especially when the lights are out and the weather is ugly. We’re diving into seven reliable ways to cook without electricity—what to use, when to use it, and how to stay safe while keeping a low profile. From the classic Coleman two-burner and simple butane stoves to propane grills, charcoal, and ultra-efficient rocket stoves, we break down the tradeoffs, fuel needs, and best use cases so you can make dinner happen under pressure. We also explore a quiet, low-signature option many folks overlook: thermal cooking with a heated stone “rock pot.” It’s slow, discreet, and fuel-stingy—perfect when you want to avoid broadcasting your supplies. You’ll hear practical guidance on ventilation, carbon monoxide risks, and OPSEC tactics like cracking the garage door, using a fan, and choosing recipes that won’t send aromas down the street. We share why quick-boil systems like Jetboil shine for morale drinks and water treatment, how to stock extra butane and propane tanks without breaking the bank, and which cookware stands up best to off-grid heat sources. By the end, you’ll have a simple plan to build a layered off-grid cooking kit: fast-boil for coffee and sterilization, a compact burner for daily meals, a grill or griddle for volume, and a thermal cooker to stretch fuel in long events. Pair those tools with smart ventilation and a little discretion, and you’ll keep your family fed, calm, and safer when storms or outages hit. If this helped you think through your next power outage, tap follow, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—your note helps more people find practical prepping they can actually use. https://augasonfarms.com?sca_ref=9315862.VpHzogdDNu Augason FarmsSupport the podcast. Click on my affiliate link and use coupon code PODCASTPREP for 10% discount!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Have a question, suggestion or comment? Please email me at practicalpreppodcast@gmail.com. I will not sell your email address and I will personally respond to you.

    16 min

  4. JAN 11

    Practical Prep To Navigate Protests And Shutdowns

    Send us a text Cities can change in a heartbeat. One moment you’re cruising home, the next you’re staring at barricades, fake traffic controllers in vests, and a wave of flashing lights. We unpack how to navigate that pivot with calm, practical steps—no panic, no posturing—so you can get home safely and protect your family when protests and police standdowns collide. We start by demystifying the big three everyone throws around: martial law, Posse Comitatus, and habeas corpus. Understanding who can do what—and who can’t—helps you predict the kind of response you’ll actually see on the street. From rare historical uses of martial law to the legal limits on the National Guard, we translate legal jargon into street-level implications you can act on. Then we move from concept to concrete: building three alternate routes, using offline maps, and adopting a half-tank fuel rule that buys you time and choices when the main roads lock up. Driving tactics can make or break your exit. We cover scanning several cars ahead, favoring the right lane for shoulder and exits, and leaving a full car-length gap as your emergency out. If traffic freezes, we explain how to secure the vehicle, crack windows to mitigate exhaust buildup, manage fuel, and keep kids calm with simple routines. When it’s smarter to abandon the car, a lean get-home bag—with water, calories, first aid, light, and real walking shoes—turns a risky gamble into a planned micro-evac. Back at home, we focus on low profile and high awareness: garage closed, lights on, cameras live, social feeds filtered, and zero “looky loo” behavior. Threaded through all of this is mindset. Preparedness isn’t a bunker fantasy; it’s calm communication, small daily habits, and knowing when to wait and when to move. If you want a realistic, street-smart framework for handling civil unrest—whether you’re stuck on the interstate or sheltering two blocks from the noise—this guide gives you the why and the how. If this helped, subscribe and share it with a friend who drives the same routes you do. Drop a rating and review to help others find the show, and tell us your best alternate-route tip—we might feature it next time. https://augasonfarms.com?sca_ref=9315862.VpHzogdDNu Augason FarmsSupport the podcast. Click on my affiliate link and use coupon code PODCASTPREP for 10% discount!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Have a question, suggestion or comment? Please email me at practicalpreppodcast@gmail.com. I will not sell your email address and I will personally respond to you.

    23 min

  5. JAN 7

    Your Grandma Was Sweet, Not Sterile

    Send us a text A Costco pallet stacked with 5,400 emergency servings sounds impressive, but does the math—and your storage plan—actually work for you? We open with the numbers, then shift to the skills that turn stored food into real resilience: first aid choices that keep small problems small when the lights go out and help is far away. We break down stubborn myths with clear, usable guidance. Butter on burns seals in heat and germs; skip it and use cool water, gentle cleansing, and loose sterile dressings. Snakebite suction and knife cuts don’t remove venom; immobilize, keep the limb below the heart, and seek medical care. Hydrogen peroxide and isopropyl alcohol can damage healing tissue when overused, so reach for clean water first and disinfect sparingly. From eyebrow lacerations that bleed like crazy to hard-to-bandage palms, we share calm, step-by-step approaches that reduce panic and conserve scarce supplies. Allergy readiness gets real: check EpiPen expirations, know when to use them, and add antihistamines when appropriate. We make the case for a pulse oximeter in every kit to spot dangerous drops in oxygen saturation during asthma or severe reactions. Shock care is practical and human: lay flat, legs up, warm blanket, steady talk, and grounding questions that pull focus back from the edge. We cover over-the-counter meds—ibuprofen for inflammation, acetaminophen for fever—and how to think about expiration dates, especially for liquids and creams. Most of all, we double down on hygiene: wash hands, use friction if soap is scarce, dry with something clean, and treat wounds early to stay ahead of infection. Ready to prep smarter, not louder? Hit follow, share this with someone who needs a clear first aid plan, and leave a review to help more practical preppers find us. https://augasonfarms.com?sca_ref=9315862.VpHzogdDNu Augason FarmsSupport the podcast. Click on my affiliate link and use coupon code PODCASTPREP for 10% discount!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Have a question, suggestion or comment? Please email me at practicalpreppodcast@gmail.com. I will not sell your email address and I will personally respond to you.

    25 min

  6. JAN 4

    New Year, Real-World Readiness

    Send us a text Systems don’t warn us before they snap—they just do. We kick off the year with a clear-eyed look at what 2025 taught us and how to turn those lessons into practical, affordable readiness for 2026. From a brief digital detox to a high-velocity news cycle—Venezuela’s shake-up, grid-challenging winter storms, and shifting global coalitions—we focus on what you can control: your mindset, your pantry, your plan, and your community. We revisit standout moments: how the SNAP disruption actually played out on the ground, why churches and food banks became resilience engines, and which sub-$20 tools beat expensive gear when the power goes out. We unpack the difference between normalcy bias and a true prepper mindset—the kind that keeps momentum and morale when help is hours away. Then we zoom out: mixed economic signals, rate cuts that could loosen credit, tariff ripple effects, and the geopolitical wildcards of China–Taiwan, the Middle East, and the long proxy grind in Ukraine. Arms control timelines add background tension, but panic won’t help; planning will. Technology and space push the story forward. AI has moved from buzzword to daily utility, quietly speeding up research and decisions. Robots are crossing from lab demos to real work. A revived space race—lunar flybys, whispers of rare lunar resources, and national competition—underscores how much we now depend on satellites for navigation, timing, and communications. Add a solar cycle peak and a fragile grid, and the case for simple redundancy is strong: stored water, safe heat, reliable lighting, battery banks, and printed contacts. We also map the cultural calendar—Winter Olympics, World Cup, America’s 250th—flagging travel strain and local shortages so you can plan around the rush. If you’re ready to trade doomscrolling for decisive action, this is your guide. Pick one step to finish by January 15—inventory the pantry, rotate stock, add a case of water, or kit out a get-home bag—and tell us what you chose. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone you want in your resilience circle. https://augasonfarms.com?sca_ref=9315862.VpHzogdDNu Augason FarmsSupport the podcast. Click on my affiliate link and use coupon code PODCASTPREP for 10% discount!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Have a question, suggestion or comment? Please email me at practicalpreppodcast@gmail.com. I will not sell your email address and I will personally respond to you.

    27 min

  7. 12/27/2025

    Define The Disaster Before You Stock The Shelf

    Send us a text A flamethrower under the tree might grab attention, but the real spark comes from learning where fun gear ends and practical preparedness begins. We kick off with two gifts that teach bigger lessons: a grill-safe flamethrower that reinforces responsible use, and a GRAYL water filter that proves simple, field-ready purification beats complex systems you won’t maintain. From there, we pivot hard into what most people get wrong about prepping: buying more is not the same as being ready. Silver surging toward $80 and copper punching higher can mess with anyone’s head. We unpack what price spikes, tariffs, and speculation actually mean for everyday resilience, and why stacking metals rarely fixes household weak points. Instead, we drill into a method: define the disasters you’re likely to face, right-size your pantry to those timelines, and turn storage into savings with first-in, first-out rotation. We clear up expiration date myths, explain when a can is truly unsafe, and share how freeze-drying and oxygen absorbers can extend useful life for the foods you’ll actually eat. The turning point is mindset. Preppers often chase safety like it’s cardio—one more battery, one more radio—until the shelf looks like a warehouse. We offer a reset with a simple audit you can run this week, including shelf-life realities for rice, honey, freeze-dried goods, and frozen meats. To make it stick, we test two barcode-friendly inventory apps—Sortly and Out of Milk—that speed up tracking, prevent duplicate buys, and align the pantry with your grocery list. We close with a sober look at threat intel, why multiple sources matter, and how to prepare without spiraling into panic. If you’re ready to swap fear-driven buying for a calm, measurable plan, this conversation is your roadmap. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s getting started, and leave a review so more people can build resilience without breaking the bank. What’s the first item you’ll audit today? https://augasonfarms.com?sca_ref=9315862.VpHzogdDNu Augason FarmsSupport the podcast. Click on my affiliate link and use coupon code PODCASTPREP for 10% discount!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Have a question, suggestion or comment? Please email me at practicalpreppodcast@gmail.com. I will not sell your email address and I will personally respond to you.

    22 min

  8. 12/24/2025

    Why Your Prius Might Outrun The Apocalypse And Other Practical Prepper Lessons

    Send us a text Your bug-out vehicle might already be parked in your driveway—and that’s the point. We open the mailbag to explore how “gray man” thinking applies to cars, why a lifted truck isn’t always the smartest exit strategy, and how a humble sedan can be the quiet hero when roads jam and nerves spike. Then we roll up our sleeves and test budget prep gear from Timu, from baseplate compasses and knot cards to tin-can “SOS” kits and mini first aid packs. What works, what fails, and where should you never gamble on quality? We also dig into a listener’s question on Faraday bags with a clear, no-jargon test you can do at home to gauge signal blocking for phones, radios, and satellite messengers. Another listener asks how to bring skeptical parents on board without sounding like doomsday prophets. Our answer: start with shared memories of outages, add one extra gallon and two extra cans at a time, and build a pantry of food your family actually eats. Budget staples like ramen and honey take a starring role here—small costs, long shelf life, big morale. A spike in silver prices sparks a grounded look at supply, demand, and hype, and why preppers should diversify value without chasing headlines. The heart of the episode stays practical: use low-cost marketplaces for backups and training, but pay for vetted medical gear when lives are on the line. A tourniquet is not the place to save a few dollars. If you’re ready for clear, real-world prepping—smarter routes, better kits, and calm plans that fit your life—this one’s for you. If the show helps you think more clearly about preparedness, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so others can find it. What’s the one budget item you trust in your kit? Temu - SOS Kit https://tinyurl.com/2s67dhkj               Compass https://tinyurl.com/36zpva8f Augason FarmsSupport the podcast. Click on my affiliate link and use coupon code PODCASTPREP for 10% discount!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Have a question, suggestion or comment? Please email me at practicalpreppodcast@gmail.com. I will not sell your email address and I will personally respond to you.

    22 min
See All (184)

4.5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Common Sense Practical Prepper: No doom, no zombies—just straightforward, budget-friendly tips for real-life preparedness. From food storage myths to bartering basics, I share what works for everyday folks. I’ll also dive into situational awareness to stay sharp in any crisis, personal safety tips to protect yourself. Each episode ties real-world examples to current events, like recent storms or supply shortages, to keep you prepared. Have feedback or ideas?  Email practicalpreppodcast@gmail.com.  Support the podcast with Augason Farms, your go-to for reliable food storage. Use code PODCASTPREP for 10% off your order! Please check out Augason Farms. Affiliate link below. Use PODCASTPREP at checkout for an additional 10% off your order. https://augasonfarms.com?sca_ref=9315862.VpHzogdDNu

Information

You Might Also Like