I think more and more people are starting to wake up to what is going on and starting to try and get prepared. After seeing all the empty shelves this year and how hard it was to get some things. Even if things are tight for you there are things you can do to work on a deep pantry. I will have more on that a little latter.
Millions have lost jobs or are underemployed because of Covid.
Remember 08? Millions lost their jobs, millions lost their homes.
Both things happened so suddenly to the ones not paying attention. Don’t be one of the ones caught unawares this time. And even if you prepare and nothing happens what have you lost? Nothing, but now you have a full pantry and a means to last a weekend or longer if the power goes out, Your family is eating healthier, you have the means to help someone else that might be in need. You have insurance for your home, your cars, life, medical, why not food insurance?
I have been asked by several people what they need to do to get prepared. It doesn’t have to be hard or cost an arm and a leg but it will take some determination and you will have to sacrifice a few things like eating out all the time, taking high dollar vacations, buying the latest greatest toys, it will be so worth it in the end though when you know you can take care of your family in a crisis.
I am going to do a 12 part series on preparedness to try and answer some of these questions. Today’s is How to start to prepare. Then food storage which will be in two parts, water, off-grid (this will also be two parts), self-defense, 1st aid, forgotten/ unused skills, and then a wrap up of all the areas of preparedness.
“How to start to prepare.”
First of all get out of debt, while I know it is almost impossible to pay off your mortgage right away, get rid of other debt, credit cards being the main one. Credit cards rack up so much interest and if you are even a day late they tack on a large late fee. If you need something do it the old fashion way save up for it. If something happens and you lose your job or your hours are cut, how are you going to make all those credit card payments? It will be a lot easier to try and come up with the mortgage or rent when you don’t have to pay on several different debts.
Have a savings, over 77% live paycheck to paycheck. There was a point in my life where I was one of them living paycheck to paycheck and I remember how hard it was if one tiny thing went wrong. Start putting back a little each payday. Do what you can afford, every little bit will help.
Try to get as independent from the system as you can, this means growing as much of your own food as you can, having a deep pantry/food storage, cook from scratch, have another form of income if possible, learn to repair and sew your own clothes, fix small engines eg lawn mower, tiller ect, learn to grow and use herbs, Learn to do without and do as much your self as you possibly can.
The stock market is at all-time highs, and there are a lot of similarities between now and 08. Like they say what goes up must eventually come down. And the way it is looking when it comes down it is going to be very ugly, and a lot of people are going to lose a lot of money. The jobless claims are climbing up everyday now. Small buisness are being desamated because of Covid.
It also seems that every time we turn around there is a new natural disaster, fires, floods, hurricanes, winter storms, earthquakes, tornadoes to name a few. You never know when something is going to happen.
How will you and your family survive if you lose your job, or you have an extended power outage, snowed in, or there are riots in your community and you can’t leave your house?
Difficult times are coming. For some they are already here, for some they getting closer everyday.
We have Covid so lets add N.Korea, Iran, Russian, the Economy, more and more terrorist attacks, and let’s not forget Antifa, All it is going to take is one little spark to bring the whole house of cards tumbling down. When this happens do you want to be able to take care of yourself and your family or do you want to have to depend on the government (Look at how long it took them to decide if we should have 600 dollars, or look at Florida and New Orleans to see how well that worked out them). The sooner you start to prepare the better off you will be.
Get out of debt.
Have savings.
Get as independent from the system as you can.
Tomorrow we will start on part one of the food storage. Why have it, how to have it, and what to have.
Very well written Connie, Thank You.
My 2¢ worth…. I LOVE Credit Cards, in fact I use them quite often…
BUT!!!!!! Every time I charge or spend on a CC, I actually take the time to get cash out of the Safe and put it in an envelope with the CC Name on it, the very DAY I get the bill, I pay it. PERIOD.
I can honestly say I have not paid a “late fee” or interest on a single CC for well over 20 years, and I damn well am going to keep it that way.
Speaking of that wonderful “Gift” the gov sent, $600 per person in the US, that’s what? $201 Billion out of over $2 trillion package???? Thank you very much for watching out for the US first. But I digress.
Ok, with that out of my system……
I’m very much looking forward to this series Connie.
I know it takes time, but if only one person listens is it worth the time? You bet a can of Beans it is.
Just think on that 77% for a few minutes, week to week not really knowing what is heading down the Pike that can literally bankrupt someone in a flash.
Also if I remember correct something like 90% of the people don’t have more that 3-4 days of food in the household, AND JIT (Just In Time) inventory in stores is reported at 2-3 days MAX.
Basically if ya ain’t got it If/When than ya ain’t going to get it, especially with 90% of the rest of the country trying to get that same can of Beans……
PS:
For anyone reading this.
Gas has gone up 10% in price in the last 4 days around here ….
Something to think about.
We’re paying closer attention to our spending this year for sure. Trying to use up what we have, cook from our pantry and freezer, meal planning, and buying less stuff in general.