TOP 10: List for Preparedness on a Budget

About a week or two ago Jason cleaned out his truck.  It is always interesting when either one of us cleans out our cars because it doesn’t happen very often.  When it does, all sorts of neat things get found.  Melted crayons, the lost permission slip (or book, or shoe, or DS or jacket or bracelet or doll, or….well, you get the point), and in the case of Jason’s truck, all manner of informational paperwork.   Most of the time I have no idea where it comes from.  But I like it.  The following list is the perfect example.  Since there was no website or phone number or other identifying marks on the paper I can’t give you a link to look up the information or give credit for copyright.  Hopefully, listing the sponsoring companies will suffice.  And since you can’t just click a link to look it up, I will type it all.  It is worth it.  🙂  A list sponsored by FEMA, Division of Homeland Security, Utah Citizen Corps, and Be ready Utah.  It is titled

TOP 10: List for Preparedness on a Budget.  

1.  PLAN for the types of disasters that can happen in the area where ou live.  You may need to plan for a snowstorm instead of a hurricane.

2.  CREATE your own personalized list.  You may not need everything included in “ready made” kits and there may be additional items you need based on your personal situation.  For Example, if you have pets, you may need special items.  Don’t forget to have supplies in your car and at work.


4.  SAVE by shopping sales.  Make use of coupons and shop at stores with used goods.  Don’t replace your ready kit items annually, just replace and cycle through those items that have  shelf life (eg. batteries, food).  You may want to test the radio and flashlight every September to make sure they are in good working order.



7.  THINK ahead.  You are more likely to save money if you can take your time with focused and strategic shopping.  It’s when everyone is at the store right before a storm hits that prices are going to be higher.  Use a list to avoid duplicating items when you are stressed o panicked.

8.  REVIEW your insurance policy annually and make necessary changes.  When a disaster strikes, you want to know that your coverage will help you get back on your feet.  Renters need policies too, inorder to cover personal property.

9.  UPDATE contact records.  Have an accurate phone list of emergency contact numbers.  If you are prepared, you may be able to help friends and neighbors who need assistance.  By sharing preparedness supplies,  you can help each other.

10.  TRADE one night out to fund our 72-hour kit.  Taking a family if 4 to the movies can cost upwards of $80-$100.  Just one night of sacrifice could fund a 72-hour ready kit.



The majority of Americans are not prepared.

Pre-planning will help you and your family better survive a disaster.

Well, there it is.  A golden find buried in the corners of the truck.  We use almost every one of these ideas in our own family.  Some we are better at then others, but on a whole, we are doing pretty good.  If you haven’t started any kind of food storage or disaster preparedness, then this list is an excellent way to get started.  If you have started and even if you are an old pro, this list gives a good review and may even inspire a new way to approach your already tried and true techniques for preparing.