10 New Year’s Resolutions for Every Prepper in 2024

1. Check and Rotate Your Food Preps

A smart prepping goal to kick off 2024 is to go through your emergency food supply, check all the dates, and pull out and replace any items that have expired. Also use this opportunity to reorganize and take stock of your inventory. Think through what well-balanced meals you can make from your survival food pantry. Is anything missing? Make a list to fill in the gaps and to bulk up even more, so you and your family have a reliable source of food in case of an emergency in 2024.

2. Become More Food Independent and Self-Sufficient

In addition to stocking an emergency supply of food, aim to become more food independent in any and all ways you can this year. Grow a vegetable garden, plant some fruit trees, raise chickens for eggs, or other livestock for meat.

Now, perhaps you don’t have the space for a chicken coop, let alone larger livestock, or even a garden. That's okay! Consider starting small with a few tomato plants on your patio or potted herbs on your windowsill. And think local – network within your community and get to know your farmers. Maybe your friend from church raises chickens, or a farm nearby offers a community supported agriculture (CSA) program.

Every little bit of food independence and knowing directly where your food comes from counts. By becoming more self-sufficient and bringing your food sources closer to home, you’ll be better equipped to handle any disruptions to the food supply chain that may occur in 2024.

3. Expand Your Water Storage Capacity

Water is essential for survival, and having enough stored water is crucial in emergency situations. Take stock of your current water storage capacity and consider ways to expand it for 2024. This could mean grabbing an extra gallon every time you visit the store, upgrading to larger water containers, installing a water storage tank in your yard, or even digging a well if possible.

Remember the Rime of the Ancient Mariner: "Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink." Have a plan in place for purifying additional water beyond what you have stored – water filters, purification tablets, bleach, a means of boiling. Make sure you have multiple methods of obtaining and purifying water in case one fails.

4. Perform a Full Assessment of Your Gear

Take some time to thoroughly go through all of your prepping gear and assess its condition. Are there any items that need to be repaired or replaced? Is there anything you’ve been meaning to add to your collection? Create a list of necessary gear and prioritize which items you want to acquire first. This will ensure you are well-equipped for any emergency situation that may arise in 2024.

While performing a full assessment of your gear, don't forget to specifically review and upgrade your bug-out bag, car kit, or any other emergency kits you may have. These kits are designed to help you survive in case of an evacuation or being stranded away from home during an emergency. Make sure they are up-to-date and well-stocked with essential items.

5. Master a New Survival Skill

Learn a new survival skill or two in 2024. Take a first aid course or get CPR certified, learn how to forage edible plants, take some basic self-defense classes, learn how to can or dehydrate food, try out ice fishing if you've never done it before. The more skills you have under your belt, the better equipped you'll be to handle any emergency that comes your way. Plus, learning new skills helps keep your brain sharp, and your brain is your #1 survival tool.

So, pick the skills you'd like to learn and set a schedule. You can get pretty darn good at something (or a few somethings) over the course of the year. Focus on skills that round out your current knowledge, and don't forget to practice and continue to hone the skills you already have.

6. Learn to Make Essential Items

Piggybacking off the previous learning and skill-based New Year's resolution – from candles to soap to toothpaste, there are plenty of essential items you can learn to make yourself. Not only will this save you money in the long term, but it'll ensure you have some important items on hand in case you can't access a store during an emergency. It'll also give you an edge if you ever need to barter.

Start small and learn how to make one item at a time. Once you feel comfortable with one, move on to the next. In 2024, challenge yourself to master making at least three essential items for survival.

7. Beef Up Home Security

Make home security – against both bad actors and bad weather – a top priority in 2024. In times of crisis, your home may be a target for looters or other dangerous individuals. It's important to evaluate your home security measures and make any necessary upgrades to ensure the safety of yourself and your family. This could mean installing a home alarm system, adding motion-sensor lights, reinforcing doors and windows, introducing tactical landscaping, or even getting a guard dog if you have the means and desire.

As far as bad weather is concerned, research regional risks like hurricanes, wildfires, floods, blizzards, or tornadoes and take steps to mitigate your home against these threats.

8. Invest in a Back Up Form of Communication

In case of a widespread emergency in 2024, traditional forms of communication may be down or unreliable. It's important to have a back-up plan for staying connected with loved ones and getting any critical information. Consider investing in a two-way radio or satellite phone, as these can provide reliable communication even during disasters. Make sure to familiarize yourself with how to operate the selected device and keep it charged and ready to go at all times.

Additionally, consider establishing a communication plan with your family and friends in case of an emergency. This could include designated meeting places or a phone tree system to check in on each other's safety. By having a back-up form of communication and a solid plan in place, you'll be better prepared for any disruptions.

9. Expand Your Network of Preparedness-Minded People

As the saying goes, "no man is an island." The same goes for prepping – having a strong network of like-minded individuals can be invaluable in times of crisis. While you don't want to share your prepping plans with every Tom, Dick, and Harry, building a community can bring you peace of mind and give you access to more skills and knowledge than you have alone. Plus, connecting with other preppers can help you start a barter system with people you trust if SHTF.

10. Conduct Drills

What’s your worst fear? The kids are at school when a wildfire's bearing down on your town. A tornado touches down while your family is scattered running errands. A nation-state attack cripples the power grid for weeks on end. In 2024, set time aside to conduct drills that simulate your worst-case scenarios and test your family's ability to respond quickly and effectively.

Practice makes perfect, and conducting drills can help identify weak points in your emergency response plan so you can make necessary improvements. Don't wait for a real disaster to happen – be proactive and prepared.

Plus, conducting drills and having a practiced plan in place will give you and your family a sense of confidence and control in the face of an emergency and help you be more mentally prepared.

Start 2024 off on the Right (and Ready) Foot

As we embark on a new year, it's important to prioritize our preparedness and take steps that will enhance our ability to handle emergencies in 2024 and beyond. We hope this list of 10 prepping goals for 2024 helps inspire some ideas and action.