I recently talked to a relative living in Florida. Right now, there's a massive hurricane headed towards the state. This is nothing new. Hurricanes hit the state frequently. Yet, many residents never plan ahead. As such, grocery stores are all sold out of water and other supplies and unprepared panic buyers try their best to get ahead of the storm.
Don't be like them.
Today's article shares five simple survival tips that will keep you well protected. And with minimal effort to boot.
Save yourself from being another frenzied buyer at the store, fighting to get the last gallon of water. And follow this advice instead.
1. Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
There certain types of disasters and emergencies that are commonplace, depending on where you live. In states like Florida, hurricanes are an annual occurrence.
In other parts of the country, you may have to worry about tornados or flooding.
And, mundane disasters (like a power outage) can happen anywhere.
It's good to plan ahead and gather the most likely supplies that you may need. Especially if you live in a high-risk area. If you are a Floridian and know that hurricanes hit your state, prepare in advance.
Which leads to the second point...
2. Plan Ahead And Stock Up Now
Every year, there's a national news story about some East Coast snowstorm and all the people running out into the blizzard to buy bread and milk (two of the worst purchases, but more on that later).
Going back to the first point, if you live someplace with bad weather - you shouldn't be so unprepared that you have to go out into the storm to buy supplies.
Buy some canned fruit and put it to the side for emergency use only. Get a case of bottled water and store it in a closet. And pick up some extra batteries, candles, matches, and flashlights to have on hand - just in case the power goes out.
Likewise, if you live somewhere cold, buy a warm blanket to keep in your car.
Little actions like these can have lifesaving results.
3. Protect Your Downside
Prepping doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, planning ahead can actually save you money.
Every January, I go to the dollar store and buy all my soap and shampoo for the year. I also bulk buy toilet paper and laundry detergent.
These are all things I need anyway. And buying them early and all at once allows me to save money in the long-run.
How?
By beating inflation.
In 2021, my soap and shampoo cost $1 at Dollar Tree. By 2022, Dollar Tree had raised their prices to $1.25. Planning ahead and buying all at once saved me 25%.
When you bulk buy goods for later, you're also saving your future self money.
Because you won't have to buy these items when they're more expensive at a later date.
If you have canned food or bottled water and nothing bad happens, you can eat or drink these.
There's no lose.
And, at worst, you saved yourself an extra trip to the grocery store.
But if there is an emergency, you have the food and resources to keep you and your family alive and safe.
4. Water And Nonperishables Are Worth More Than Gold
Food and water are the two most essential items on planet Earth.
Want proof?
Most of those Floridians scrambling around the grocery store have expensive golf clubs, fancy jewelry, boats, carts, cars, and all kinds of other high-priced luxury goods. Yet at the end of the day, all these status symbols are worthless. And it's food and water they're fighting over.
As mentioned before, nonperishable food and bottled water are the bare-bones basics of disaster preparedness.
In good times, you can go to any supermarket in America and pick up a one-gallon jug of water of about a buck. And grocery stores are always running specials on canned fruits or vegetables. Additionally, peanut butter and crackers remain cheap food sources.
None of these items need any real preparation either.
With nothing but a spoon (an maybe a can opener) you can remain well-fed.
5. Knowledge Is Power
Merely knowing that disaster can strike puts you ahead of the masses.
Think about it.
Most people are so uncritical that they don't plan for storms and emergencies that are common in their area, until these disasters happen.
And when problems do arise, a lot of these folks make stupid decisions.
Like buying perishable foods such as bread and milk in the event of a power outage.
Paying attention and planning ahead gives you the tools to avoid these common mistakes. It also allows you to thrive in a disaster, by being well-prepared for anything that might happen.
Buying extra food and emergency supplies helps.
But so does educating yourself with new skills.
Reading books like When the Grid Goes Down will prepare you for a wide-range of common (and not-so-common) emergency scenarios.
While titles like Back to Basics and Mini Farming cover more specific, long-term self-sufficiency topics. Things like growing your own food, and making your home energy-independent with solar power or a wood-burning stove.
Books like these are fun and interesting reads. But they also teach you valuable skills, and open your eyes to beneficial new hobbies such as gardening.
You can never have too much knowledge.
And you never know when a weird, random fact could save your life.
Conclusion
Seasonal emergencies are always eye-opening remainders at how unprepared the average person really is.
Don't be average.
And don't let a predictable, common occurrence put you or your family in danger.
Plan ahead, stockpile before the storm. And maintain your informational edge. These simple, common sense actions are what ultimately separate the survivors from the victims.
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