Although there's nothing wrong with that if it's what you prefer.
I'm no expert, but I'm willing to share what I know and hope you'll do the same.
No matter how much "stuff" you've stockpiled, there's never going to be enough in a long-term situation. Things get stolen, spoiled, left behind, or lost. Stuff is good to have but nothing can replace skills.
Can you start a fire to keep warm or to cook with? Can you do it without lighters or matches? Can you do it no matter what's not available? If not, this is a skill you need.
And there are more.
Finding and purifying water is another. As is hunting, gathering, and gardening. Tracking may even become essential.
And repairing tools and equipment. That's a big one if you want to keep things easier than they will otherwise be. Even more empowering is the ability to make new tools.
Blacksmithing is like a superpower in a permanent grid-down situation.
This doesn't mean you shouldn't stock up on stuff. Nothing will show you the value of a lighter faster than having to do without one for a long time. By all means, stock up on them and stash them in a variety of places. But know how to make a fire if you don't have one. And practice this skill.
Practice every skill.
Think of other skills you can learn which will make "stuff" less essential to survival. Feel free to share your ideas. Learning from others is another skill too many people neglect.
Every skill you learn will make "stuff" less critical.
One of the more fun things (to me) that qualifies as prepping is stocking up on ammo.
While prices are better now than they have been in a while, I was still having to travel an hour and a half to find prices that made sense. Locally, ammunition was 2 or 3 times the price that I could pay in the bigger city 90 miles away.
Fortunately, that situation has recently changed, but I found a great way to deal with it before the change, and I'm sticking with it, too.
It's a business called Ammo Squared. You sign up and subscribe for a set dollar amount and they set up an ammunition account for you. Then you can have it shipped to you.
If you use my link-- https://ammo2.me/dullhawk --and spend at least $20 in the first month, both you and I get $25 in free ammo. That's a pretty good deal. Then, after you've set up your account, you can share your own link with your friends and both of you can get free ammo the same way. It's kind of awesome.
If you wait until you have an account value of over ...
Every little bit adds up.
Due to medical situations, I've found myself without money to spend on larger projects such as firewood-- which might be a problem-- but there's always something you can do to prep.
A recent project for me was getting all my oil lamps ready to go. That's not the only alternative lighting I have, but it's my favorite.
I checked and changed the wicks (where needed), cleaned off any dust that had accumulated, and topped off the kerosene. You may prefer liquid paraffin since it stinks less, but I have gallons of kerosene on hand. I only broke one chimney, and I had a spare. (Note to self, keep an eye out for more chimneys at thrift stores and yard sales.)
I also decided to try to address a minor problem with the lamps. If you have oil lamps that you don't use all the time you'll know that the oil evaporates. This time I did something I hope will slow that process.
I covered the wick slot (don't know the technical name, but look at the photo) with aluminum foil I had...
