Preparations Are Valuable For "Personal" Catastrophes

Thank you for your wonderful website! I just discovered it today and am thoroughly enjoying it. I was raised with the concept of having a year's supply of food on hand and being prepared for emergencies. This frame of mind has helped us in many situations.

From what I have seen so far, your website focuses mainly on large catastrophes. I was wondering if you would also be so kind as to point out that these preparations are valuable for "personal" catastrophes as well. I think adding this would help reach a greater circle of people.

Many people tend to think "it could never happen to me." Many people thought just that before Hurricane Katrina and we are all well aware of the heartache experienced by so many in the gulf states. It is sometimes difficult to "wrap one's brain around" something as big as a nuclear attack. It may be easier to relate to some of the following scenarios:

Because of a natural disaster, gas prices jump so high that there is little money left over for groceries. OR, because of a sudden rise in gas prices, prices on everything else goes up as well. (I was living in Asheville, NC when Katrina made land-fall, and our gas pipelines were off-line. There was panic-buying, long lines, shortages, and prices over $4 a gallon for gas. I was fine as I had purposely filled my gas tank a day or two before Katrina was expected to hit.) Prices on other goods in the mountains have gone up considerably since then.

The breadwinner in the home is involved in a traffic accident and insurance doesn't cover his/her lost wages. (OR, the breadwinner is no longer able to work.)

A serious illness strikes a family and a choice must be made between seeking medical help and buying groceries.

Sudden expenses (such as major car repairs or some other such thing) cut into the family budget. (That would be US this year. Thank goodness for food storage!)

A job is suddenly lost and unemployment is either not available or (as is always the case) does not replace the lost wages.

An employer has money problems and your paycheck bounces. (Happened to my Father. We are very grateful he had at least 3 month's wages in the bank. Other employees were not so lucky.)

A sudden move is required because of work or family situations and all available cash needs to flow towards that effort. (Can you say "military move"?)

A family member has a financial disaster (or is hit by a natural disaster) and needs help.

A neighboring town is hit by a tornado and needs immediate food donations, but supply routes are cut off by storm damage. Do you have any food you can donate quickly to (literally) feed HIS sheep?

There are so many scenarios where this type of preparation can be of help to a family. All of these situations have happened to us or to someone we know well.

Then there are the other benefits. If self-sufficiency is a lifestyle, then all family members are involved. This brings a family together towards a common purpose. This knowledge is more valuable than any "stray facts" a child could pick up in school. Your child could gain a PhD but if she cannot cook for herself, then what good is that PhD?

We are a homeschooling family and my six-year-old can run a wheat grinder, cook on the stovetop, knead bread dough, and last season successfully planted and harvested carrots and green beans on her own. How many adults can do this? On top of all this, we are good friends with each other. But most important of all, she is developing an appreciation for God's blessings and the tender mercy He shows His children through His creations. Is there anything more valuable I could give her?

Best wishes and many prayers for your success in your endeavors.

Cheryl

[This was written by web site reader Cheryl on December 15, 2005.  The points she made are very well taken.  One could add that a catastrophe in a nearby State, like an earthquake in California, could made delivery of food and other essentials scarce everywhere in the country within a week, as our nation's "warehouses" are the 18 wheelers on the road.  Simply buying two of the essential goods you normally purchase is a good way to begin preparations.   Just putting one item at a time on a back shelf will accumulate a stock of essentials in a hurry, and when needed you have that extra edge in preparations.

My booklets have the beginning stages of preparation, the check lists of vital necessities, etc. I have expanded the booklets on a CD version which also contains a wealth of information on expedient shelters, self help for medical emergencies, what you can do about EMP, and too much else to mention.  Either the printed booklets or the booklets CD with incredible bonus material are available for $14.95 from my Survival Shop.]

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