Preparedness for a Financial Crisis: How to Safeguard Your Finances and Family
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As we have seen throughout history, financial crises can happen at any time, and their impact can be devastating. If you are a middle-aged person who is new to prepping or thinking about starting, it’s essential to consider preparedness practices that can help you ride out a potential financial crisis.
Preparing for a financial crisis is like taking out another form of insurance policy. Just as you would take out insurance for your health or car, taking steps to safeguard your finances and your family’s well-being can provide peace of mind during times of economic uncertainty.
In 2012, my husband Aaron and I were excited to move into our first home, but our joy was short-lived. Just a week after moving in, Aaron lost his job, and we were faced with the sudden reality of financial instability. Thankfully, we had been working on building a small food storage as part of our baby prepping efforts. That decision turned out to be a lifesaver. Though Aaron found a new job the next day, there was a week’s delay in his paycheck. However, our food storage helped us bridge the gap and gave us the peace of mind to comfortably navigate the transition.
This experience taught me just how critical preparedness is in times of crisis. Whether you’re dealing with the loss of a job or a nationwide financial crisis, being prepared can make all the difference. Over the years, I’ve learned some invaluable tips that I’d like to share with you. By following these tips, you can build your own preparedness plan and feel confident in your ability to ride out even the most severe financial challenges.
Food and Water Storage
One of the most critical aspects of emergency preparedness is ensuring that you have enough food and water to sustain you and your family during a financial crisis. Here are some tips for storing food and water:
- Calculate how much food and water you need: The general rule of thumb is to have at least three days’ worth of food and water on hand for each member of your household.
- Store food and water in a cool, dry place: Make sure your food and water are stored in a location that is not exposed to direct sunlight and is away from any potential sources of contamination.
- Rotate your supplies regularly: Ensure that you are regularly rotating your food and water supplies so that they don’t expire before you need them.
- Consider investing in a water filtration system: In addition to storing water, consider investing in a water filtration system that can help you purify any water sources you come across during a crisis.
Building a Sustainable Garden
Another great way to ensure that you have enough food during a financial crisis is to build a sustainable garden. Here are some tips for getting started:
- Choose a location with plenty of sunlight: Your garden should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Start with easy-to-grow plants: Consider starting with easy-to-grow plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce.
- Use organic methods: Using organic methods to control pests and fertilize your garden will ensure that your crops are healthy and safe to eat.
- Learn how to preserve your harvest: Learn how to preserve your harvest through canning, freezing, and dehydration, so you can enjoy fresh produce throughout the year.
Financial Preparedness
In addition to food and water storage, financial preparedness is also crucial when it comes to riding out a financial crisis. Here are some tips for getting financially prepared:
- Build an emergency fund: Start building an emergency fund that can cover three to six months’ worth of expenses.
- Reduce your debt: Work on reducing your debt, as it can make it harder to survive a financial crisis.
- Investments: Look for opportunities to invest your money in precious metals & coins, real estate, or other assets that have the potential to generate income.
- Rental income: If you own property, consider renting out a room or space to generate additional income.
Starting a Side Hustle
Starting a side hustle is a great way to diversify your income and build your emergency fund. Here are some tips for starting a side hustle:
- Identify your skills: Determine what skills you have that could be used to generate income.
- Consider your interests: Think about your hobbies or interests and how they could be turned into a side hustle.
- Research your market: Do your research and figure out what products or services are in demand in your area.
- Start small: Start with a small, manageable side hustle and gradually work your way up as you gain experience.
Building a Community
In times of crisis having a community of like-minded individuals can be incredibly beneficial. Building a community can provide support and resources during difficult times. Here are some tips for building a community:
- Join local groups: Look for local groups or organizations that focus on emergency preparedness, gardening, or other related topics.
- Attend events: Attend events and workshops to meet other individuals who share your interests.
- Offer your skills: Offer your skills or resources to others in the community who may need help.
- Organize potlucks or swap meets: Organize potlucks or swap meets where members of the community can share their resources and get to know each other.
- Join a church that is founded on Biblical principles and participate in the various groups: ie: Women’s Bible Study, Men’s Bible Study, Family Groups, etc…
Learning Essential Skills
Learning essential skills can also be critical during a financial crisis. Here are some skills to consider:
- First Aid: Knowing first aid can be life-saving during a crisis.
- Self-Defense/Gun Proficiency: Knowing self-defense and how to safely and efficiently use a firearm can ensure you can protect yourself and your family during uncertain times.
- Basic Home Repairs: Knowing basic home repairs can help you save money and maintain your home.
- Cooking: Knowing how to cook can help you stretch your food supplies further and ensure that you are eating healthy meals.
Being Prepared Is Just Common Sense
A financial crisis can happen at any time, and it’s important to be prepared for it. Building up a food and water storage, learning to garden, and developing other self-sufficiency skills are all important steps to take to prepare for any eventuality. Remember, preparing for an emergency is like having insurance – it may not be something you need every day, but it can make all the difference when you do need it.
Going back to my personal story, the food storage we had built up as baby preppers ended up being a lifesaver when my husband lost his job just a week after we moved into our first home. It was a scary time, but our preparedness paid off, and we were able to comfortably make it through the transition. That experience has stayed with me and has motivated me to continue building up our preparedness resources and sharing what I’ve learned with others.
If you’re new to prepping or just starting out, don’t be intimidated. It’s never too late to begin preparing for a financial crisis or any other emergency. Take it one step at a time, and soon you’ll find that you have a sense of security and peace of mind that you never had before. Remember, the key is to start now and build up gradually, so that you’re ready for whatever the future may hold.
