In today's episode, we learn practical steps to getting started with food storage, budget-friendly tips, small spaces & faith-based preparedness.

In this episode of the Mama Bear Survival podcast, Emily talks to Jessica Cardwell, founder of The Faithful Preppers. Jessica shares her journey from being a newlywed with an empty pantry to becoming a thoughtful, faith-based prepper.

We discuss everything from building a sustainable food storage plan to maintaining a preparedness mindset without fear.

Key Takeaways: Getting Started: Begin with a three-day plan for both food and water. This simple step can help you feel more confident and less overwhelmed. Budget-Friendly Preparedness: Jessica shares her tips for building a pantry without breaking the bank, including how to save money by rethinking everyday purchases. Faith-Based Approach: Learn how Jessica integrates her faith into her prepping journey, promoting a mindset of peace and service rather than fear. Family Focus: How to involve your family in preparedness activities and make it a fun, educational experience for your kids. Episode Highlights: [00:05:04] Emily and Jessica start the conversation, discussing the initial overwhelm of starting a preparedness journey and how Jessica got into it during the early days of COVID-19. [00:18:48] Jessica shares her backstory of returning to an empty home after her husband’s internship and how that became a turning point in her life as a prepper. [00:30:15] The significance of faith in Jessica's preparedness journey and how her church community encourages a mindset of preparedness without fear. [00:38:22] Emily and Jessica discuss practical first steps for food storage, starting with simple, shelf-stable foods and the importance of rotating your stock. [00:47:50] Tips on budgeting for preparedness, including how to use current spending habits to fund your preparedness efforts. [00:55:15] The importance of mindset: approaching preparedness as a long-term, incremental process rather than a sprint. Action Items: Start Your Three-Day Plan: Make a checklist of food and water for three days for each member of your family. Start with what you already eat and build from there. Set a Preparedness Budget: Allocate a small portion of your grocery budget to extra items each week—whether it’s an extra can of soup or a gallon of water. Check Out Jessica's eBook:  Everyday Food Storage is a comprehensive guide to creating a food storage plan that fits your family's needs and lifestyle.  Connect with Jessica: Follow her on Instagram @thefaithfulpreppers for more tips and resources and checkout her site at The Faithful Preppers.  Partner: 

This episode is sponsored by Refuge Medical: Learn more about the USA-Made First Aid & Emergency kits at refugemedical.com - save with the code: MamaBear