What is the difference between a Hoarder and a Prepper?

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  • Steve

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    I am a Prepper. No doubt about it. But now I am being called a Hoarder because I have planned ahead. Why does the general public not able to see the difference between the two? Could it be that they are starting to see the wisdom of prepping, but just not able to truly comprehend its' true purpose? Kinda like a fire extinguisher or car insurance. You hope you never need to use it, but if you do, you are glad you have it.
     

    churchmouse

    I still care....Really
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    Badging. It is the new way.
    Another label they can throw around to empower themselves.
    If you are well prepared pay the midget minds no heed.
    Give them no strength in your response.
    Ignore them as they thrash around lost in self imposed madness.
     

    maxwelhse

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    In the literal sense, if you have to climb over most of your stuff to get to other stuff, you're a hoarder.

    I'm just wondering why at this point in the game anyone even knows what you've got or that you're "hoarding"? Security of the hoard is numbero uno. Easier to secure it for nobody knows about it.
     

    Expat

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    Don’t let a bunch of commie bastards bother you. They think everyone should share with them now. When it was a time of plenty they could have been saving stuff away, but no.
     

    Tyler-The-Piker

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    When you have one path to walk throughout your house because of old newspapers and magazines and random crap bought from qvc etc etc then you might be a hoarder.
    If you have a basement full of, say, toilet paper and canned goods and loaded ar mags...then thats just good ol preparedness
     

    Knight Rider

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    In the literal sense, if you have to climb over most of your stuff to get to other stuff, you're a hoarder.

    I'm just wondering why at this point in the game anyone even knows what you've got or that you're "hoarding"? Security of the hoard is numbero uno. Easier to secure it for nobody knows about it.
    Literally words to live by.
     
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    Prepper: Buys and stores while things are in abundance, buying a little at a time. Thinks of it as insurance, doesn't cause shortages. Carefully plans what is needed, and doesn't focus on what isn't. Preparations don't negatively impact others.

    Hoarder: Waits until a crisis, then buys everything in sight, causing shortages and approaching with a selfish attitude. No planning is involved. Buys whatever presents itself as an opportunity. Tends to load up disproportionately on some items. Again, usually no planning is involved.

    I also believe that most preppers would be a bit more likely to share with those in need and suffering than hoarders. I might be wrong, but that's been my gut feeling about people I've met in both categories.

    A prepper also knows that toilet paper is a luxury and not a necessity, although the prepper will certainly have plenty on hand BEFORE the crisis. The prepper also knows that nature and creativity offer many alternatives, in a pinch. (See what i did there? Lol!).;)
     
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    DoggyDaddy

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    Prepper: Buys stuff they need, before they need it.

    Hoarder: Buys stuff they don't need, after they think they need it.

    Almost like the difference between men and women.

    A man will buy something he needs, whether it's on sale or not.

    A woman will buy something that's on sale whether she needs it or not. ;)
     

    maxwelhse

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    Almost like the difference between men and women.

    A man will buy something he needs, whether it's on sale or not.

    A woman will buy something that's on sale whether she needs it or not. ;)

    Ehhhh.... Gonna have to give that one a "false". I've bought plenty of tools and ammo that I absolutely didn't need just because they were on sale. In the gas can thread I've actually suggested we all buy more cans now, because gas is so cheap, that they're basically on super sale when you factor in the discount on the gas. I don't need more gas or cans, but... it's a good sale! :laugh:
     

    KellyinAvon

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    If you hoard stuff that leads to people coming and offering you money? You are a collector.
     

    Nevermore

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    Hoarding is the term the unprepared use to justify stealing another person's preparations to satisfy their current need.

    OPSEC is doubly important at the moment folks.
     

    BehindBlueI's

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    Prepper: Buys and stores while things are in abundance, buying a little at a time. Thinks of it as insurance, doesn't cause shortages. Carefully plans what is needed, and doesn't focus on what isn't. Preparations don't negatively impact others.

    Hoarder: Waits until a crisis, then buys everything in sight, causing shortages and approaching with a selfish attitude. No planning is involved. Buys whatever presents itself as an opportunity. Tends to load up disproportionately on some items. Again, usually no planning is involved.

    I also believe that most preppers would be a bit more likely to share with those in need and suffering than hoarders. I might be wrong, but that's been my gut feeling about people I've met in both categories.

    A prepper also knows that toilet paper is a luxury and not a necessity, although the prepper will certainly have plenty on hand BEFORE the crisis. The prepper also knows that nature and creativity offer many alternatives, in a pinch. (See what i did there? Lol!).;)

    Prepper: Buys stuff they need, before they need it.

    Hoarder: Buys stuff they don't need, after they think they need it.


    Nailed it. If you're buying two shopping carts of toilet paper for no other reason then you saw someone else panicking and buying one cart of toilet paper, you're a hoarder. Unless you have an orphanage that serves a lot of tacos or something, that's foolish.

    Having months of rotated stock, buying a in bulk to save money, etc. is prepping.

    Bonus: If you prep with MREs, you will only need 15% as much toilet paper, both due to frequency and consistency.
     

    2A_Tom

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    BehindBlueI's;8240496. said:
    Bonus: If you prep with MREs, you will only need 15% as much toilet paper, both due to frequency and consistency.

    Being a grunt, you know there is a reason they formulate them that way.

    I remember being in the field for a week and not...
     

    White Squirrel

    Marksman
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    Prepping is if I am doing it.

    Hoarding is when you are doing it.

    Not really, I agree with the definition of preparing versus reacting, but I think the above is probably the way most of the world looks at it.
     
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