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