Bolting to a Hobbit Hole: Preparing Your Home for the Saurons of Today

Recently, we talked about millionaires prepping lavish bunkers for Armageddon. Now, we bring you more news about super rich people: Tech billionaires are building Hobbit holes – er, bolt holes, rather – in New Zealand. Why? That’s what we’d all like to know. [caption id="attachment_21475" align="alignright" width="300"] Riding distance to Rohan and a short Eagle flight to Mordor, this bolt hole can be yours for just $10 million![/caption] Apparently, New Zealand is the place to be during social collapse or nuclear war. The far-off country has the potential to be self-sufficient. It doesn’t have the social tensions that are predominant in Europe and the United States. And it’s far away from North Korea’s less-than-sane approach to nuclear weapons. Also, the view is incredible. But you don’t need a multi-million dollar underground castle (moat optional) in the far reaches of Middle Earth in order to be safe and protected from the chaos that comes with Sauron any end-world scenario. In fact, you can Replace safety and comfort in your very own home. All you need is a little preparation. And really, you don’t need a whole lot all at once, either. Take food, for instance. Food is important (as I’m sure you’re well aware). To get started, all you really need to do is make sure you have three days’ worth of food on hand. Canned goods, bread…that kind of stuff. After that, extend it until you have two weeks’ worth of food. Then a month. Then three months. Baby steps to preparedness. Of course, once you get into the more long-term storage, foodstuffs like bread won’t be a very good option, as it will go bad well before you need it. That’s why freeze-dried and dehydrated food is an effective option. Not only can you add variety to your menus (trust me, eating the same thing over and over day after day will get really old, really fast), but it will also last you years and years. So instead of replenishing your emergency food every few weeks, you can do one purchase and let it sit for 25 years. No matter where your home is, you can still Replace safety and protection in it. First, gather the gear you need should you be left without power or any other modern conveniences. Blankets, indoor-safe stoves, water barrels or filters, and a backup generator (just to name a few). Without power, the daily things you do won’t be doable. Make sure you can cook without power, stay warm without your central heater, and have water without a working faucet. Once you have the gear you need, you can build up your home safety from there, including personal defense items, safes, barricades, or anything else you think you might need. But remember, the essentials are your first priority. Sure, New Zealand is nice and all, but it’s not exactly necessary to survive an emergency. Your home can be your very own refuge from the storm if you make it so. Disasters come and go, but home will always be home when you’re prepared. After all, there’s no place like it. Written by Steven M.