In the past, we have faced bans that limited the type of guns you were allowed to own, simply because it had a pistol grip, or looked too aggressive. Our firearms freedoms are highly scrutinized, no matter what the facts are about the violence rate. This is just the way life is in our country where we elect career politicians who think that freedoms are privileges and only valid if they do not threaten the agenda they are trying to inflict on the masses.
In response to this ongoing threat on our most basic freedoms, people feel the need to prepare by stocking up on guns and ammo, because who knows what will happen and if it will be permanent or not. The last eight years have been some of the best years in the gun industry due to the constant threats, which in turn have caused anything and everything gun related to fly off the shelf at break neck speed. This has been great for shops and manufacturers alike, but the consumers have paid a heavy price in money and stress. I have no doubt that household debt has soured in this past eight years for this very reason.
When people normally talk about prepping, we can't help but to think about the stereotypical method of prepping that becomes a lifestyle where the individual(s) live in fear of their selected doomsday scenario coming at any moment. Usually this means that the entire paycheck that is not used for bills will go to buying supplies to add to the stockpile. This is not the kind of prepping that is sustainable, nor is it even remotely reasonable.
The kind of prepping that you should be doing is basically buying in bulk once a month, but setting a budget that is not going to destroy your ability to save money in the future. For instance, I recommend you spend $200-$250/month on ammo if you can afford it. This is about 1000 rounds of 9mm or 1000 rounds of .223. You can also do a combination purchase where you buy $100 of rifle ammo, and $100 of pistol ammo. Either way you choose, I recommend you not break the bank just to get a little bit more ammo. Get ammo when you can afford it, and while it is still affordable.
You see it all the time when there is a gun control scare. Prices soar, and availability goes out the window. For this reason, you need to get ammo when you can. Do not be that person who has to get in line to get ammo during another gun panic. This is what i learned right away. Get ammo when things are calm so that you can stay home and relax while everyone else struggles to find an overpriced box of 9mm or useless .22LR.