Hi, friends. It’s Sarah (a.k.a. Urban Girl), back to share some more things I’ve learned about preparedness.
Because I’m new to the preparedness scene, I want to be sure I’m planning ahead so my budget and efforts go as far as possible. I also want to be sure I’m focusing on the most important things first. I don’t want to get in a crisis situation and realize I ignored crucial elements of preparedness. So before I go any further with my prepping, I decided to make a list of priorities, so I can give myself specific goals to meet and see the progress I’m making.
In the process of preparing for unforeseen or emergency situations, it’s important to think about your needs and priorities, so you can plan to meet the most important needs first. Your list of priorities might be something like mine (outlined below)—but your inpidual or family needs will vary, so this is just an example to get you started. I’ve thought a little bit about this over the past couple of weeks, and I determined that my current priorities fall in this order:
- Water
- Three-day supply
- Add more regularly (monthly or quarterly)
- Emergency kits
- At home
- In the car
- Food storage 3-month supply
- Start with a two-week supply
- Add to it in two-week supply increments
- Learn how to grow and store my own food
- Shelter
- Light and warmth
- Communication and Power
- Specialized preparedness/survival skills and gear
- Food storage One-year supply
This month with my $30-$45 budget I took care of my short-term water storage needs (enough for a few days) and got a basic emergency kit to keep at home. My next step will be to get an emergency kit for my car—then I’ll move to my third priority and look at my food storage situation. I’m planning to add to my food storage in two-week supply increments—and as I build that supply over time, I’ll get other supplies like shelter and lighting together in the meantime.
Your priorities may change over time, so it’s important to think about how your needs change as your situation changes. Right now my main focus is on getting water, small emergency kits with a variety of supplies, and food. My suggestion to you this week is to make a list of your own priorities, and set up a way for you to slowly meet those needs. Set yourself up for success by creating recognizable milestones and taking small steps each week or month.
How about you? What is your main preparedness priority right now? Do you have a methodical approach to executing your preparedness plan? Let me know in the comments!
--Sarah
14 comments
Monk
Ya'll have to start with something. 3 days is a start on water, you already know you need more. Just do something each week/month. I've been doing this over 30 years and it's a process, not a destination.
Anonymous
I like "bug-in" because my wife and I are too old to be running off somewhere and trying to survive. Will only be done if forced to. I have been storing food, water and other essentials for about 3 yrs now and I have entered everything that I have stored, from water to toilet paper in a database on my PC. It includes expiration dates so I know when to rotate. Sounds like I have too much time on my hands doesn't it? But it works great and it's amazing to see how a small list grows over the years.
Terry
Prepared
BOB is coming along nicely
will add stove fuel today for the Alpine Lite.
millenniumfly
If water is your top priority (and it probably should be in most cases), why are you only starting with a 3 day supply?
While it's nice to have the other items on your list too it's darn hard to live without water unless, of course, you have a ready water supply you can tap.
You might also consider ways to bolster that supply faster such as rinsing and filling empty 2 liter bottles (not milk jugs) as well as plans to add temporary water fast such as filling your bathtub if able.
Vicki in UT
We recently moved to hurricane country, and were unable to bring all our preps with us, so I am busy trying to get our 72 hour kits back up to snuff before hurricane season starts June 1. One thing I would add is the importance of being out of debt. We survived 21 months of unemployment because we had no debt and a really good food storage. You can do a bare bones budget much easier if you don't have lots of bills to pay every month.
germansheplvr
I am all over the place with what to do first. Trying to
build up stored food, adding freeze dried to stock, and just got water barrel out behind shed. Now, I am thinking I need first aid supplies. I guess slow and steady is the way, especially on a budget.
Emergency Essentials®
Thanks for your comments, everyone! It's fascinating for me to hear where everyone is in the process of prepping, and what their priorities are. It gives me so many ideas (maybe too many)!
—Sarah
JP in MT
We have met out Phase 1 goals for Bug In. On to Phase 2.
shanon
I'm still on the researching aspect of preparedness. I've yet to actually prep but you've shown me that a checklist is the best way to start.
Vi with SurvivalSkills
I like that term 'bug in'… I always think though, that we all NEED to learn the basic skills of bugging OUT first. =) That way if we lose our bug in supplies, we can still survive, no matter what comes our way. Great post!
sweettooth7
I think defense is really important as well. Too many people out there just plan on taking from others. The type of defense & security depends on where you are though.
mormonhermitmom
Every once in a while I try to inventory what I have – last month we went through the 72 hr kits and got rid of some foodstuffs that had been there since 2007. We found that some things were still edible and some things were not. Ramen noodles were still pretty good. Jerky and fruit leather – not good. I also found that the information I had tucked into the 72 hr kits was out of date – car insurance info, contact numbers and addresses and the like.
Charlotte
I really like the new Urban Girl. It is daunting when you first start preparing, but doing it a little at a time is definitely workable!
Anonymous
I have pretty much met all of my "bug-in" goals. If something happens, we are set pretty well… as long as we dont' have to leave home. My goal now is to get better bug-out bags packed and a checklist of items to throw into the car if we can leave using it… and have that list in order of priority.