One bit of good news over the last few months is that the Great Ammunition Shortage of 2013 is mostly behind us.  Some calibers remain difficult to find (.22 LR) but for the most part, ammo is much more available this year.

But remember when shelves looked like this?

Credit: Legal Insurrection

What caused this?  In a nutshell, supply was constrained while demand skyrocketed.  Part of this was due to the Obama Administration’s drive to enact additional firearms legislation after the Newtown Shooting.  As Gary Marbut wrote a few months ago:

The demand side, though, is very elastic — and driven by Americans’ psychological responses to economic and political uncertainties. One supplier says he doesn’t have a shortage of ammunition, but a serious surplus of customers. As long as people have discretionary funds available and are stressed by political and economic uncertainty, or even by perceived political and economic uncertainty, demand for ammo will outstrip supply.

What can we learn from this experience?  There is a good article on shortages over at Surviving Doomsday that sums up the issue really well and is worth a read.  The last lesson is perhaps the most important one, prepare now.  Being prepared means you won’t be caught up in a panic when there is an interruption, regardless of whether its ammunition or food.  Planning ahead allows prepared people to ride out storms with their wits about them.

So think about what you will need during an emergency or interruption in supply and begin acquiring what you need.  This includes food, water, medicine, batteries, toiletries, paper products, ammunition, and other consumables.  Get what you need and don’t hoard items, this is both a waste of space and resources that you could employ for other needs.  Start with a 14-day supply and begin expanding to a 30-day supply as your budget allows.  This will get you well on your way to being better prepared without breaking the bank.