Recently, the American government has been advocating family preparedness ready. Although I hate to concentrate on the worst-case scenario, it is wise to have some necessary supplies on hand during these unstable times. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, you want to have a number of supplies that you can fall back on to ensure your survival, health, and safety. This requires collecting and maintaining a decent amount of personal items even though you may never need them. Altogether, these supplies – including food and water stockpiles, first aid supplies, and even the most basic survival kits, can become quite costly.
Do Your Research
Starting from scratch? Do some research on emergency preparedness. There are numerous websites set up to assist you such as The American Red Cross and CDC Emergency Preparedness. These two sites have lists and ideas of what items you need to build a survival “kit” and items to stockpile for emergencies. Groupon is another site that offers local deals that can provide you discounts on survival training. During the Golden Race monthly webinars, we will begin doing some basic training on what you need to survive during the collapse of the beastly system as well. These meetings are free for our members. If you are not a member, I highly recommend that you become one.
Once you have an idea of the items you need, research those too. Some items, like food and water, are pretty fool proof. However, other items such as shelter building supplies, weather clothing and gear, and first aid supplies, are not created equal. Knowing what to look for can save you money while also guaranteeing that you have the best products on hand.
Make a List
Before you start shopping, make a detailed list of what items you need for your emergency preparedness or survival kit. Break the list up into sections based on their categories such as sustenance, shelter, first aid, etc…
Shop around to find the lowest prices so that you can save money. Start buying your items in bulk. For several years now, people have been benefiting from couponing, and are able to get many items for free by shopping on certain days and doubling the value of the coupons. For home stockpiles, most experts recommend that you have a minimum of three days’ worth of supplies, but at least two weeks’ worth is preferred.
Start Small
Especially if you are starting from scratch, buying all the items you need at once is not budget friendly. You might have to get one or two items at a time and build up to the full number of items needed. Check dollar stores for items such as matches, rubbing alcohol, and medical supplies. You will be surprised how much you can save and purchase for a small amount of money.
Know what Items to Purchase First
Prioritize the list you make based on items that are the most important and most useful. The top three items that I recommend are:
* Water:
Having enough water stockpiled is one of the most important survival tips. Keep bottled water both in your car and your home. For your home stockpile, the best rule of thumb is to have one gallon of water per person per day.
* First aid:
A good emergency first aid kit and basic first aid knowledge is another must have item. The American Red Cross has a detailed list of items that should be in any first aid kit. You will need to add or make changes to that list based on your family size and specific medical needs. If you do not have first aid training, I highly recommend that you invest in a short course as this knowledge may save your life.
* Food:
The most likely disaster situation involves a severe weather event where you could be stuck in your home for several days without electricity or water. Having a decent stockpile of non-perishable foods to keep you and your family nourished is very wise.
Maintenance
Basic maintenance will help save you money and keep your survival supplies up to date. Keep your food and water supplies rotating as they come near their expiration dates. That way things can be used rather than thrown out and your items are kept fresh in case of an emergency. Proper maintenance of any tools and other equipment will keep them from needing to be replaced, which will also save you money.
Although I believe that a positive mind can prevent many bad situations from manifesting in your reality, emergency preparedness is a responsible and potentially life-saving skill to have. However, purchasing the necessary supplies isn’t always cheap unless you know how and when to shop. You can ensure the safety of your family and your budget with these tips.
One response to “Budgeting for Emergency Preparedness”
Great information
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