Prepping your home
No one knows when doomsday will happen, but it is important to be prepared. There are many things you can do to prep your home for doomsday. You can start by stocking up on non-perishable food and water. You should also have a plan for communication and shelter. Keep reading for more tips on prepping your home for doomsday.
Board up windows and doors
One important step in preparing your home for a disaster is to board up windows and doors. This will help protect your home from flying debris and help keep out looters.
You will need:
-4×8 sheets of plywood
-Screws or nails
-Hammer or drill
-Measuring tape
-Paint or another sealant (optional)
To board up a window, measure the opening and cut a piece of plywood to fit. Pre-drill holes around the perimeter of the plywood and screw or nails it into place. For added protection, you can paint or seal the wood.
Doors are a little trickier, but the same general principle applies. Measure the door and cut a piece of plywood to fit. If the door has glass, you will need to either remove the glass before attaching the plywood or put something over it to protect it from breaking. Attach the plywood to the door frame with screws or nails and secure it as best you can. Again, for added protection, you can paint or seal the wood.
Stockpile food and water
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a disaster is to stockpile food and water. Your stockpiles should be enough to last you and your family for at least three days, and preferably for two weeks.
To stockpile food, start by making a list of all the non-perishable items you and your family will need. These could include canned goods, dry goods, packaged foods, and other items that don’t need to be refrigerated. Once you have your list, start slowly adding items to your pantry or storage space so that you’re not overwhelmed all at once.
In terms of water, you should have at least one gallon per person per day for drinking and two gallons per person per day for cooking and hygiene. Again, it’s best to gradually build up your water supply so that you’re not trying to store all of it at once. You can also purify water with bleach or water purification tablets if necessary.
Finally, make sure you have a plan for how you will access your stockpile in the event of an emergency. If you need to evacuate your home, know where your food and water will be stored so that you can grab it quickly. If you’re able to stay at home during a disaster, make sure your food and water are stored in an easily accessible place.
Gather supplies
You can never have too many supplies when it comes to preparing for an emergency. Doomsday preppers recommend stockpiling enough supplies to get you and your family through at least three months, and preferably up to six months, of self-sufficiency. That may seem like a tall order, but if you start small and build up your stockpile over time, it’s surprisingly achievable—and affordable.
Here are some essential supplies to get you started:
-Water: Store at least 1 gallon per person, per day. You should have a minimum of 3 days’ worth of water on hand at all times.
-Food: Stock up on non-perishable food items that will last at least 3 months. Be sure to include a variety of food items in your stockpile, including canned goods, dry goods, and comfort foods.
–Medical supplies: First-aid kit, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, etc.
-Tools and equipment: Flashlight, batteries, generator, hand tools, etc.
-Personal hygiene items: Soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, etc.
-Clothing and bedding: Seasonal clothing and extra blankets or sleeping bags.
-Entertainment: Books, games, puzzles, etc.
Prepping your family
No one knows when doomsday will happen, but it’s important to be prepared just in case. There are a lot of ways to prep for doomsday, but one of the most important things you can do is prep your family. Here are some tips on how to do that.
Create a communication plan
With a crisis comes the potential for communication infrastructure breakdown. This is especially true with large-scale natural disasters. To stay connected with your family in the event of an emergency, it is important to create a communication plan ahead of time.
There are a few things you should consider when creating your communication plan:
-Identify an out-of-state or out-of-country contact who can be your family’s point person. This will be someone everyone can call or text to check in and relay information.
-Make sure everyone in your family has each other’s contact information stored in their cell phones, as well as the contact information for your designated point person.
-Come up with a plan for how you will stay in touch if cell phone service is down or not available. This may include text messaging, social media, two-way radios, or even good old-fashioned snail mail.
-Practice your plan! Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do and how to get in touch with each other in the event of an emergency.
Choose a safe location
One of the most important things you can do to prepare your family for a disaster is to choose a safe location. This should be a place where you can go if you need to evacuate your home, and it should be far enough away from the disaster area that you will be safe.
When choosing a safe location, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, the location should be accessible. This means that it should be easy for you to get to, even if roads are blocked or conditions are poor. Second, the location should be safe from the disaster itself. If you are evacuating from a hurricane, for example, you will want to choose a place that is inland and not in the path of the storm. Finally, the location should have basic amenities like food, water, and shelter.
Once you have chosen a safe location, make sure that everyone in your family knows where it is and how to get there. It is also a good idea to have more than one potential safe location in case one is not accessible when you need it.
Prepare for evacuation
If you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters, it is important to be prepared for evacuation. This means having a plan and a designated meeting place, as well as packing a go-bag with essential items.
Essential items for your go-bag include:
-A change of clothes
-Toiletries
-Medications
-A first aid kit
-Non-perishable food and water
-Important documents (e.g. birth certificates, IDs, etc.)
You should also have a plan for your pets. If you need to evacuate, make sure you have a designated caregiver who can take care of them in your absence.
Prepping your finances
If you are one of the people who believe that doomsday is coming, then you need to start prepping your finances. The first thing you need to do is create a budget. This budget should include all of your living expenses and it should be realistic. You also need to start saving up money. Begin with $1,000 and try to save up as much as you can. You may need to make some sacrifices in order to save up the money, but it will be worth it in the end.
Create a budget
The first step in getting your finances in order is creating a budget. A budget is a plan that tells you how to spend your money. It’s important to create a budget before the end of the year so you know how much money you have to spend, and where you can save money.
There are many ways to create a budget, but one of the simplest methods is to use the 50/30/20 rule. This rule says that 50% of your income should go towards necessities like rent, food, and transportation, 30% should go towards wants like entertainment and shopping, and 20% should be saved.
Once you have your budget created, it’s important to stick to it. One way to do this is by tracking your spending. You can do this by writing down everything you spend for a month, or using a budgeting app like Mint or You Need A Budget (YNAB). Tracking your spending will help you see where you can cut back, and it will also help you stay on track with your budget.
If you’re struggling to stick to your budget, there are many resources available to help you. Check out our blog post 5 Tips for Sticking to Your Budget for more advice.
Stockpile cash
experts always recommend having a $1,000 emergency fund as a default for people who are just starting to save. But you should aim to have at least three to six months of living expenses in your account, according to a 2018 poll from CNBC and Acorns. This account should be easily accessible in case of an emergency, like a job loss or unexpected medical bills.
Get rid of debt
Prepping your finances for doomsday starts with getting rid of debt. This includes things like car payments, credit card balances, and mortgages. If you own your home outright, that’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about when the SHTF.
Some people choose to pay off their debts early by making extra payments or refinancing to a lower interest rate. Others may just focus on the minimum payments until their doomsday fund is large enough to pay off the debt in full.
Regardless of how you attack your debt, the goal is to have as little as possible when the SHTF. This will free up more money for prepping and increase your chances of surviving a financial crisis unscathed.
Prepping your mind
No one wants to think about the end of the world, but it’s important to be prepared for anything. If you’re not mentally prepared for doomsday, you won’t be able to survive. Here are some things you can do to prep your mind for doomsday.
Learn survival skills
In a true survival situation, your number one priority is staying alive. Your mind is your most powerful asset in a survival situation, and it is important to learn how to prep your mind for survival.
It is important to remember that in a survival situation, there is no room for panic. Panic will only serve to increase your heart rate and breathing, which will lead to fatigue and decreased mental clarity. Instead, focus on remaining calm and thinking clearly.
One of the best ways to prepare your mind for survival is to educate yourself on survival skills. There are many excellent books and websites that offer comprehensive information on survival skills. Once you have the basic knowledge, it is important to practice these skills regularly so that they become second nature.
In a survival situation, it is also important to have a positive attitude. Believe in yourself and your ability to survive, and remain hopeful that help will arrive soon.
Mentally prepare for disaster
Natural disasters can be unpredictable and devastating. It is important to be prepared mentally as well as physically when it comes to surviving a catastrophe. Here are some tips to help you mentally prepare for a disaster:
-Identify your personal stressors and find ways to cope with them ahead of time. This could involve talking to a therapist, journaling, or meditating.
-Come up with a plan for what you would do in different emergency scenarios. This could include evacuating your home, finding shelter, or reconnecting with loved ones.
-Build up your resilience by practicing self-care and maintaining positive relationships. This includes getting enough sleep, exercise, and nutrition, as well as spending time with loved ones.
-Make sure you have updated your emergency contacts and know how to get in touch with them in case of an emergency.
-Stay informed about the latest news and alerts related to the disaster so that you can be prepared if it does occur.
Stay positive
The end of the world may be coming, but there’s no need to despair. While it’s important to be prepared for the worst, it’s also crucial to maintain a positive outlook. Here are some tips for keeping your spirits up during doomsday:
-Stay connected with loved ones. Whether you’re communicating via phone, email, or social media, staying in touch with those who are important to you will help you feel less alone and more supported.
-Focus on the present moment. Doomsday can be a daunting prospect, but try to stay focused on the here and now. Take time each day to appreciate the simple things in life, like a beautiful sunset or a delicious meal.
-Find things to laugh about. Don’t take yourself too seriously! Try to find humor in your situation, even if it’s dark humor. Laughter is a great way to relieve stress and boost your mood.
-Help others. Whether you’re volunteering your time or simply offering a kind word of encouragement, helping others will make you feel good about yourself and may even take your mind off of your own troubles.