This post is by Bernie Carr, apartmentprepper.com
Lately there has been a lot of bad news from all over the world: large scale natural disasters, economic turmoil, terrorism fears, rioting in the cities, you name it, lots of worrisome things are going on. If you have started preparing, but fear you have not done enough, you are not alone.
Here are my suggestions to help you along:
1. If you haven’t started already, start your family’s emergency preparedness plan. Read Getting Started for a quick run through of things you can do NOW. Get your partner involved in preparedness; if they are unsupported, here are some ideas.
2. Refrain from discussing these fears in front of the children-they do not need to be burdened with these worries. Kids are like sponges and they pick up on negative emotions. They also hear everything even though we don’t think they are listening. They can be involved in preparedness activities, if structured in a learning and fun atmosphere.
3. Face your fears: Make a list of all your fears and evaluate which ones are most likely to happen, and which ones have a pretty low chance of occurring. Do what you can to prepare for the most likely events. Most Americans fear an economic collapse and how it could affect them, and so far this seems to be the biggest threat. So deal with it by taking steps to improve your finances, such as tip #4 and #5.
5. Start your emergency fund. We really don’t know how the economy will do this year, it could get better, worse or stay in the same doldrums. It doesn’t hurt to have some savings set aside. If you feel you are too broke to save, see #5.
5. Cut down on expenses now. Everyone can find some “fat” that can be cut out of the budget, whether it’s a rich cell phone plan, premium cable channels, magazine subscriptions you never read, etc.
6. Get healthier. Being sick is a disaster in itself and nothing is worse than being in a disaster if you are feeling poorly as well. If you are not feeling your best, take some steps to improve your health. Get into shape, start a healthy eating plan, get your annual checkup.
7. Become a bit more self sufficient by being less reliant on outside sources. I know families that eat every meal outside. In a disaster, McDonald’s won’t be open and families that rely of fast food for every meal can starve. I am not asking you to become a gourmet cook overnight. Little steps can mean a lot. If you eat out a lot, start learning how to make meals from home. Take baby steps-brew your own coffee, make muffins for breakfast, make a pot of soup for dinner.
8. Learning a new survival skill does not cost any money but will help you feel a lot more confident about your chances of surviving or even thriving during hard times. Start with simple things around your house: learn how to turn off the main electrical switch, how to shut off the plumbing or how to empty out your water heater. Learn how to change a tire or replace the oil in your car. There are not “hard core” survival skills, they are practical skills you can use all the time. You may even enjoy learning something new.
9. Stop watching all the doom and gloom TV specials. Filling your mind with a constant barrage of scary predictions will only scare you, and depress you into inaction. I am not telling you to bury your head in the sand either. Accept that these worries exist but quit feeding them. I know because I have been a worry-wort myself. Ever since I started my preparedness journey, I’ve actually started worrying a lot less. Taking positive steps will do a lot more for you than being mired in worry.
10. Realize that being prepared is a mindset. For all we know, things will stay pretty much the same this year, and we will face the same issues in 2016 and beyond.
Bonus step: Ease your mind through prayer and helping others. You are still much more fortunate than a lot of people. Helping out soothes your soul, and that is never a bad idea. Be at peace with yourself, and with God, and you will have the strength to cope with whatever happens.
© Apartment Prepper 2015
Each prepper’s motto should be, “We can never do enough, but we can always do more.” Problems are automatically inherent with any prepping plan. Example given in my own plan is what to do with several different guns. The weight of ammo and guns prevent me from carrying them all on my back, so some have to be buried along with ammo in different locations. Problem: Where to bury and how much ammo in each stash. If I knew where an ambush would come then the guns could be buried 100 yds. from that location and everything would be just fine. Obviously that knowledge is hidden from me so I just figure it out as best possible and do what has to be done. No plan is prefect and in fact cannot be made perfect. We just have to plan, refine, adjust, practice and pray for the best outcome. All preppers have to be totally prepared to lose some of his/her supplies without that lose endangering their overall safety and survival. Maybe the location you stored or buried is no longer accessible due to armed insurgents or radiation. Let’s don’t cry over spilled milk, just write it off and keep on tracking to the next stash. The only way to overcome adversity is with ‘layered’ preps, as I call it. Multiple stashes, as in dozens is the best option, and water stored at each and every location, although it may only be one or two gallons is omni-critical. Personally, we use the orange buckets from Home Depot. We put in six quarts of water in mason jars, three quarts of home dehydrated veggies, one quart of shelled walnuts, and still have room for a roll of toilet paper, candy bars, medical supplies and other goodies. We put on the lid which comes with a rubber seal, wrap and tape twice over in good grade plastic and bury at leas two feet deep. So far none have been lost to animals or other people finding our stuff, and there has been no damage from water leaking in. God bless, and prep as if your life depended on it…because it does…and that will never change. thanks
Hi messenger, I agree, no one can be completely prepared, all you can do is plan for contingencies as best you can. Preps can indeed be lost, and thus backup plans needed. Great idea to have layered preps and placing them in various locations. Glad to know those Home Depot buckets have held up well-I have a few of them myself. Blessing to you, I appreciate your comment!
Excellent article. Well written. Kudos.
David, Glad you like the post. Thank you!
6. Get healthier.
Completely agree. How can we help our family, our friends…ourselves…if we aren’t healthy enough to do so. If you want to join a gym, workout at home, or take up jogging — great! But I think taking long family walks, hiking trips, swimming together — any physical recreation will both make you stronger, and more unified.
I understand that there are things like medical conditions, disease, and other problems that prevent some from getting healthier. But my friends, if you have it within your power, cancel cable, and get active. It’s worth it.
Joseph P, Your comment just reminded me that we too cancelled cable a while ago and have never looked back. When I visit people that have cable they all say “hundreds of channels and nothing to watch” Lots more time to workout and do more worthwhile things like test out things for the blog and DIY projects. Thanks for stopping by.
Joseph P., your comment on cancel cable cannot be overvalued. We cancelled cable, kept the rabbit ears, and kept on watching tv, endless hour after endless hour. So, seeing a problem here we sent the rabbit ears back to the hare, and set the flat screen at the end of the driveway with a FREE sign on it and walla, walla it is truly amazing how much quality time the Bride and I have together now. Actually after two months cold turkey no tv, it repulses me to even be in a restaurant and watch the garbage they pipe into our brains. We also bought a cheapo home workout center and got out there and started walking and eating right. The doc has already taken me off of blood pressure medicine and heart medication and I can’t thank the Good Lord enough for the wisdom to get rid of the one eyed devil in the living room. I’m 62 and feeling better each day now. thanks
Hi messenger, Those are some great results, getting off the blood pressure and heart meds! Great job! Thanks for sharing-this is inspiring.
Great points! I started a job as a school nurse just days after 9/11 and couldn’t believe all the children I had in the health room dealing with anxiety. The staff told me this was unusual, they normally didn’t have this. I worked several years as in that role, and never did I see the children in the health room unable to deal with anxiety like I did that year. Limit the T.V. children just can’t handle it. (Nor us really!)