Sunday, September 28, 2008

What are You Doing to Prepare for the Crash?

Economic crash. Recession. Depression. Financial crisis. Those words are being thrown around like baseballs during a Cubs game. But unlike a ball game, those words aren’t fun. They are scary. Is all this talk of economic catastrophe causing you to change your behavior or make decisions differently or are you going on about your life waiting to see what will really happen?

There is good wisdom in preparing for crisis and lean times. The Center for Disease Control suggests having at least three days’ worth of food on the shelf and two weeks’ water supply. Each adult should drink at least a half gallon a day and you need to take into account cooking, hygiene and pets. It really isn’t that hard to buy just a few extra non perishable groceries each week to slowly build up your supply in the kitchen cabinet, then rotate the newer purchases to the back after each trip. Don’t forget to have some vitamins and simple first aide items too.

As far as saving, who knows if/how long the banks will be standing and be able to give back the money we’ve put inside. It’s probably not a bad idea to have a little cash on hand just in case. I’m not suggesting that everyone withdraw all funds and keep their cash in a coffee can, but enough to buy a little food and some gas couldn’t hurt.

Practicing conservative spending for a while might be a good idea as well. Watch a movie at home and microwave some popcorn instead of going to your local theater on a Friday night. That alone might just save you hundreds…(have you seen the price of movie popcorn lately?!). Draw names, exchange services or set a low dollar limit on Christmas presents this year. Everyone will save.

I try to keep my gas tank at least half full all the time (I’m not as faithful as I should be, but it’s a goal). I also try to find places that offer better prices when I fill up. If there was any kind of emergency I wouldn’t have to stop for fuel as I beat a path to safety. Have an emergency plan so your family knows where to meet and what to do if phone service is out.

Value your job and do it well. Good, faithful employees are less likely to get fired. This should be an attitude for all times, but especially when jobs are scarce, being a person the boss can’t live without is just smart.

There are many things we can do to prepare for economic and natural disasters. It is responsible, reduces anxiety and allows us to be ready to help others.

That said, we can plan, buy insurance, wear sun screen and eat organic vegetables but life on earth is only temporary. It’s a good idea to prepare for bad circumstances, but it’s even more important to know the One who holds the keys to a more permanent location.

Any thoughts on economic crisis and disaster preparedness? Are you worried?
Diane Markins

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good subject Diane and one we really need to get serious about. After 9/11 it dawned on me that we here in Phx. are within miles of a nuclear plant, Luke Air Force base, the fault line, the border, and we're in an arid zone to boot! So I began to stash...food, cash, and everything I could think of that we might need in case of an emergency of any kind. Both of my homes are equipped to keep my husband and I for about a month at this point. My goal is a year. Think it through. What can you eat that doesnt require heat...fiber and protien are essentials. Fuel, light, cleaning aids, tools, water. Pay attention to what you do/use daily. We started taking 1/3 of our weekly spending money and stashing it in, YES! in a coffee can! One of the best things to do is find someone of Mormon faith and ask for their list. Amazing!
My Grandparents came to America (this is true!) 10 years before the depression hit. Through hard work and much sacfrifice they established 3 meat markets in Euclid Ohio. Bought properties and buildings as they could pay for them with cash. As soon as they saw trouble coming, Grandpa stashed cash and Grandma stashed food and clothing for her family of 6. Once the Depression hit, they were able to keep about 50% of the parishioners in their church in food. A great advantage of preparedness!

pat

Jeff Williams said...

Diane,

I'm actually a bit excited. Morbid, sick? No. I don't think so.

Crisis and tragedy clarifies what's really important. Is is just me, or is a visit to a funeral home or a funeral one of the most refreshing experiences one can have. It all comes clear to me at such times; what's really important . . . and what's not.

For days after a funeral, I reflect on what I'm doing so much more carefully. The deceased doesn't have the privilege of living human life any longer, and I do. It makes me want to spend time doing the most important things; cultivating my relationship with God, Jill, kids, friends, and doing things in work and ministry that will make an ongoing difference in the life of others.

While difficult to the point of catastrophe in many ways, calamity in America will probably at least be spiritually good; perhaps even salvific for our nation.

Consider II Chronicles 7:14 - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

God knows our land needs healing in many, many ways. What other than enduring distress will move the faithful to their knees in repentance and to seek God?

We've had many years of religious freedom and economic prosperity, and what have we done with it? We've squandered and abused our great privileges, and now there appears to be natural consequences; what some would call judgment. Whatever it is, it's going to call for action from each of us.

Preparedness for physical survival is one thing, but there is also going to be opportunity to gain right standing (through right action) before God.

What is He calling you to do?

I hope that God will continue to bless America, but I suspect that He is going to require us to bless Him by confession and humility first.

Jeff Williams said...

Continuation of comment #2
(guess I was too wordy!)

God knows our land needs healing in many, many ways. What other than enduring distress will move the faithful to their knees in repentance and to seek God?

We've had many years of religious freedom and economic prosperity, and what have we done with it? We've squandered and abused our great privileges, and now there appears to be natural consequences; what some would call judgment. Whatever it is, it's going to call for action from each of us.

Preparedness for physical survival is one thing, but there is also going to be opportunity to gain right standing (through right action) before God.

What is He calling you to do?

I hope that God will continue to bless America, but I suspect that He is going to require us to bless Him by confession and humility first.

Diane Markins said...

Jeff,
You're so right. We saw it on 9/11 when our country came together in prayer and unity in a way it hadn't in my lifetime. Too bad we can't get there without tragedy, fear, loss and pain dragging us! Thanks for sharing and I hope people will check out your site for more encouraging words at wwww.graceandtruthrelationship.com

Anonymous said...

Hey Diane, You mentioned all material things. How about making sure that you are "good" with friends and family? If there is a "crisis and emergency" you want you have an open line of communication with F & Fs. Worried...no God has taken me thru to this minute..He will not stop now. Perhaps the most important relationship check should be with me and my God..don't you think? Studying Genesis the one theme consantly is God is a God of order not confusion or chaos. What a comfort! Sue P.