Did you know September is National Preparedness Month? Well, many did not know that! Yes, there is an entire month devoted to providing information and tools for you to prepare for disasters! I hope that you already knew this and have prepared and stay prepare. Now if you did not know, I will help you out! As September ends, this does not mean you stop preparing. In fact, I think you still have some time to prepare. Things are going to occur in this world, whether it’s weather-related, man-made, or biblical plagues, something is actually always happening. Just look at how 2020 is going, we have a virus; we have hurricanes back to back, fires, a recession, and it’s everywhere around the world. Now eventually you won’t be able to prepare for everything that happens in life, but you can do something to make life a little less miserable. I always say if you are going through something, why make the situation worse, and be miserable. For example, let’s say the power goes out and you don’t have any candles, oil lamps, lanterns, nothing, now you’ll probably be more miserable than someone who thought ahead and obtained these items. So always put that in the back of your head, how can I make my life less stressful and less miserable by preparing ahead?
So what exactly do you need to prepare? There are actually so many areas in preparedness for instance you have preppers who focus on long-term food storage, then you have one who would add Nuclear attacks or EMP situations, some prepare for civil war, so there are different level of preparedness, it’s up to you to figure out what will work for you and your family. Now if the world is going to end, the best preparedness is for your spiritual life! For now, I will stick to the basics. I highly recommend you prepare for short-term situations and long-term situations. For instance, you may have three-six month’s of food storage but I would recommend up to a year and then add food storage that you do not use that can last 10, 15, 20, 30 years. Yes, there are foods if properly package that can last this long. You can make your own using Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers, a dehydrator, and a food saver, or you can purchase them from companies that use a freeze-dried method and package them for you. When it comes to Food Storage Preparedness aim for one-year, then plan for 10-30 years as part of your prepping. I also want to suggest finding ways to store your preps from damage, let say you live in a flood area and your house get flooded, storing your preps in a waterproof container may help.
I still think investing in stocks is a good idea (for now); however, I would focus on stocks with long-term growth, dividend payouts, and in certain sectors, such as energy, solar power, etc. Nevertheless, I am not a financial advisor so I cannot give you advice on what to actually buy, you will have to do your research on that one. I also like gold/silver investment. Now if you don’t want to actually own physical gold and silver you can always invest in gold and silver mining stocks. I know many are waiting on an economic collapse and a stock market crash but I like this quote by John Adams, “Every Problem is an Opportunity in Disguise,” so yes there will be “problems” raising but there will also be opportunities, so pay attention!
In any form, you choose to prepare, be sure to at least have the basics! I suggest buying a few amounts of each item and store for an emergency and what you are using daily keeps them separate. I recommend bulk purchases such as those found in Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s
- Food/Water (*I recommend a water filter, like the Berkey and/or Sawyer). You should aim for different food types, why eat the same thing over and over! Learn different recipes and have various methods for having a food supply, and storage (preservation), from canning foods, to starting a garden. If you do start a garden know you can save your seeds in the freezer, so don’t throw them away! Put them in a vacuum seal bag and place in the freezer. I always recommend investing in food that does not need refrigeration, canning will help you achieve this as well.
- Various Methods to have light/power: Generator, solar generator, lamps, oil lamps/lantern, and battery-operated lights, flashlights, candles, cell phone chargers. Including ways to stay warm even in a warm-weather state. I recommend a Mr. Buddy Heater, it can be used indoors.
- Various Methods to cook/heat up food: Grill, butane stove, food warmers, sun oven, solar oven, wood stoves, etc.
- First aid kit, the medicine you use, over-the-counter medicine, vitamins, face mask/shields, gloves, essential oils, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, etc.
- Any toiletry for members of your families, diapers, feminine products, toothpaste, mouthwashes, floss, the famous toilet paper! Soap, deodorant, razors, shampoo, etc.
- Tool Kit: Hammers, wood, nails, light bulbs, tape, glue, sewing machine, etc.
- Protection and privacy: I like the element of surprise, so I’ll say this, think of what methods work for you and your family. Be sure to also check with your state laws on what you can actually have in your possession. Also if you are traveling to other states, understand the laws can change as well. Research Martial law, as well, as this may affect your rights at some point. Try to maintain as much privacy as you can, avoid posting personal information online, home, cars, what you own, your preps, etc.
- Extras/Misc: Batteries (all sizes), matches, charcoal, lighters, cotton balls, paper plates, cups, spoon, cast iron pots, detergent, dish soap, sewing kit, blankets, books, games, glass/canning jars, socks, throw sheets, trash bags, cleaning supplies, fire extinguisher, fire alarm, carbon monoxide detector, battery radio, tarps, camping things, solar anything you can get that is solar operated, bibles, aluminum foil, can openers, snacks, chocolate, insect repellent, pet/farm animals food, and any misc supplies you often use, etc.
- Learn how to make things if you don’t have electricity! I just love appliances, but they’re not that fun without electricity! Also, invest in manual appliances, like a pasta maker, chopper, food processor, etc.
There is a ton of great information out there from preppers, I suggest you research some and get some more information, these are just some of the basic, but there are more things you can add. I won’t go into purchasing land, real estate, but those are investment options as well. In any case, I hope you have been encouraged to start preparing! You may feel a little overwhelm when you are prepping and the number of things you feel you may need to buy, but I promise you’ll be happy at the end of the day when you will be one of the people that don’t have to run out for emergencies or panic buying! Just get what you can little by little and before you know, you will be prepared! Also I hope this helps you get an idea of the kind of things you want to get, whatever you choose to purchase just make sure you get some extras to put away. Preparing should not be reserve only for emergencies such as disasters, and shutdowns but also due to job/income loss, economic collapse, etc. Wouldn’t it be less stressful for you if you didn’t have to think about how you are going to feed your children for months because you prepared ahead? Want more? See blog post: Keeping Your House In Order- Quick Extra Prepping Tips
I also want to add- to learn to be content in life, because the reality is we are spoiled beings, especially anyone living in America, and sometimes we don’t realize how spoiled we are until we are without something. Life is not about “things,” you will be surprise you can live without many things, even certain foods. Although I warn you about being prepared, but don’t make a big thing out of it because none of us are coming out alive, regardless of what you can outlive, so prepare what you can, learn to make things as well, and most importantly keep things in perspective! Be safe, Be wise, and Stay prepared!
~ Blessings from Milly J
© Milly J and TheMillyJ.com 2020 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Milly J and TheMillyJ.com with appropriate and a specific direction to the original content. Please contact Victorious Publishing to obtain permission for republishing and/or promotional use at victoriouspublishing@gmail.com
Leave a Reply