“We’re well prepared,” Dr. Gurtej S. Cheema of Sacramento’s Capital Sikh Center

Talk about comforting words!  When you have to evacuate your home and literally be on the run against nature these are words you want to hear.  The Sikh Community have a reputation of having a caring helping hand for centuries. 

This is what we all need to be able to say each day - We're well prepared!

See in the article there are the addresses and phone numbers for the Temples.

“We’re well prepared,” Dr. Gurtej S. Cheema of Sacramento’s Capital Sikh Center

A Back Up Plan is Always Helpful or "On the Beach" 1959 in Australia

"On The Beach" film from 1959 ends in Australia

Here is a link to more information on that chilling movie!  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Beach_(1959_film) 

I couldn't help but think of the movie "On the Beach" and the last scene being in Australia after a nuclear fall out.  It was an era based movie with the concern of WWIII and the destruction of the planet from Nuclear War. 

Today there are among the super rich a move to set up a retreat in New Zealand and Australia.  That won't happen for me.  But.....a backup plan is something to think about.

Here is a link to the article - New Zealand Backup Plan

Thinking thinking how to put a small backup plan in place!  Judy

When Geeks Think Prepping is Wise - Take Note!

My quiet time in life is over and I am back to posting.  I came across this important article from the New Yorker. 

Not the average Geek but the movers and shakers of Geeks think Prepping is wise. 

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/01/30/doomsday-prep-for-the-super-rich?mbid=social_facebook

The question I ask is - Are you ready for a small emergency much less the big one?

Judy

Just When You Thought You Had Heard It All - Koppel's Lights Out Book Comes Along

Ted Koppel has a history of familiarity to many Americans.  He has not been a "the sky is falling" type of reporter.  His current book, Lights Out, is researched and practical.

If you have not heard his Youtube video then here it is - Lights Out - Ted Koppel
Do watch it if you have not.  It is only over 7 minutes of time but a years worth of thoughtfulness.

Cyber crime has been demonstrated and is like he said almost normal in our world.  The emphasis he puts is on the ability of not an EMP to knock out the electrical grid but a cyber attack.

We hear a lot about EMPs in the alternate community.  Knocking out our electrical grid is just another approach to putting the Lights Out in America.

Be sure to order the book.  It takes an extra week even with Prime to get it.

Now the big question is - 

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THIS INFORMATION???

Easy to talk about the problem.  Are you ready to act on the information and be as prepared as you and your family can?

Here is part of how I am preparing.  Food that can last up to 30 years!  - http://www.thrivelife.com/justicepantry

Hurricane Coming! The Last Thing You want to worry about is Supplies!

When a hurricane is coming the last thing you want to do is be worrying about supplies, racing from one end of town to the other hoping there will be something on the shelf left for you.  You want to be able to either flee quickly or hunker down and prepared.  Either way being ready Before is the key!

According to   http://hurricane-facts.com/Hurricane-Pictures.php    

    Hurricane Hugo in 1989.

This category 5 hurricane took over 100 lives and left 100,000 people homeless.

  It's highest sustained winds was at 160 MPH.

You can't stop being fearful but you can hopefully control Panic! 

 

Questions to Ask Yourself Honestly!!!

Have you thought of your Food or Home Storage supplies? 

Do you have enough to pack quickly for evacuation? 

Do you have enough for hunkering down for a week or two or three?

Do you have emergency supplies for evacuation?

Do you have emergency supplies for hunkering down?

Well I hope that this year we don't have to face

what some people have with a Hurricane coming at them! 

I still though want to be able to answer yes, yes, yes, yes, yes to each of the questions above!

 

You aren't ready or want to upgrade your supplies? 

 

 

Check our Justice Pantry here at Thrive Life Justice Pantry

Happy Prepping!  Judy

 

El Nino Keeps Sending Us All Scrabbling

The "good news" just keeps coming. I say this with a "tongue in cheek". Do you have several months of food in your pantry? Do you want some help to build a pantry? Do you want to sleep like a baby as a storm is coming? Then take a peak at our pantry. http://www.thrivelife.com/justicepantry

A Huge El Nino Is Spreading All Kinds of Mayhem Around the World

It has choked Singapore with smoke, triggered Pacific typhoons and left Vietnamese coffee growers staring nervously at dwindling reservoirs. In Africa, cocoa farmers are…

msn.com

 

Building a Pantry and Emergency Supplies is security!  Judy

99% Chance of Earthquake in LA - When NASA Speaks It Might Be Good To Listen!

Are you ready if an earthquake of 6.0 and above happens?

Do you have enough food, water and emergency supplies to last 2 weeks?

When NASA speaks it might be good to listen!

 Click here:  NASA Speaks Article Warning!

"According to a Dr. Andrea Donnellan, who shared the News to CBS - Los Angeles, it should happen between now and 2018."

 

I know it sounds like the "Boy, Who called Wolf "story but...... are you ready anyway???!!!

 

Here is what I call BARE BONE prepping and this what FEMA suggests for 3 days!

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit click here:  [FEMA Basic Disaster Supplies List]
 

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Here is a great video from FEMA click here: How to Build A Kit

I love Thrive Life because it gives some fantastic products

such as food and emergency supplies that

will help you BE PREPARED!

 

See What Thrive has to help you! - click here:  Thrive Life and Be Prepared!

 

What Every Car SUV Truck Should Have - Minus 1!

I saw this slide show today and said - Yes! 

It covers all of the items needed to help with a vehicle emergency. 

 It is GREAT but.....missing 1 IMPORTANT item. 

See, if after you have watched the slide show, you can see what they missed!

17 Must Carry Items for Your Car

 

 

What are they missing?

 

 

A 72 Hour Kit - this one is available at one of my favorite stores, Costco.com

Have fun whipping your car SUV or truck into real SAFTEY!

Judy

National Geographic Extreme Weather Survival Guide

Wow!  It was great to see this appear in the media today. 

 

 

The question and answers by the author in a promotion of the book was worth reading!

Q&A: How to Survive Any Extreme Weather Disaster

 

What have I done to be ready?

 

New propane/gas generator test, stored and ready.

Propane bottles filled.

Restocked up on canned products.

Restocked up on water.

Purchased extra sacks of dog food.

 

What do I need to do?

 

Check all flashlights.

Put blankets and shoes in the vehicles.

Double check 72 hour kits in all vehicles.

 

What do you have to do? Judy

 

 

Help! A Call for the Emergency Fund

Do you need help on how to establish an Emergency Fund? 

 

 

Here are some ideas!

I love statistics!  Now what do I mean by that?  The National Endowment for Financial Education has research that reveals there are four (4) major areas that we can face the need for that emergency fund. At the bottom of this post is the link to the report.  In this case those statistics can help us to know how to prioritize our emergency fund. 

According to their report 60% of us will have one of these four emergencies hit us in a year.  Yet, the research reveals that only 40% of us have emergency access to even $1,000 to cover such emergencies.

Here are the four areas that we need to be prepared to happen.

1.      Vehicle problems - 20% will have this happen in a year. 

Solution – Access your vehicles for the following factors.

a.       Warranty – Does your vehicle have a warranty or an extended warranty?

b.      Age- How old is your vehicle?  The older the vehicle the more likely for repairs.

c.       Mileage – What is the mileage of the vehicle?  The higher the mileage the more likely repairs are needed. 

d.      Does your vehicle have standard maintenance that is needed to keep the vehicle in working order?  Have you done them?  An example is the timing belt it has to be replaced at a certain mileage or the engine will be destroyed. 

e.       Estimate [always best to estimate high] the cost of a major repair and/or deductible that you might face.  Keep that much in the emergency fund for the vehicle.

 

 

2.      Home Repairs – 19% will have a problem needing a home repair.

Solution – Access your home warranties

a.       Minor Repairs

                                                              i.      Review your appliances

1.      Did you purchase it on a credit card?  There might be a warranty involved.

2.      Do you have a home owner’s warranty?  Does it cover appliances?

3.      What are the ages of the appliances?

4.      Make a list of the ones that will need to be repaired.  This way you can set funds aside and start watching for a buy to replace it before it completely quits.  Replacement on your time schedule is the key.

b.      Major Repairs

                                                              i.      Review your home owner’s insurance? 

                                                            ii.      Learn what it covers.

1.      Review it with the age and value of your home in mind.

a.       Does your home owner’s insure need increased?  This is one way of preparing and cut the costs or those unexpected costly repairs.

b.      Does the deductible need increase?  Another way of planning for the future.

c.       Does the policy cover current replacement costs?  Consider this.

c.       Establish an estimated amount that you need to cover a major and a minor repair and/or a deductible you would need to pay. Keep these costs in the emergency fund marked for home repairs.

 

3.     Medical Care – 16% will have a medical emergency.

Solution – Access your healthcare.

a.        Review your healthcare policies.

                                                              i.      Know what they cover.         

                                                            ii.      Review your family history in regards to health.  Questions such as:

1.      What were our ancestor’s health issues? 

2.      Do the policies cover those conditions? 

3.      What can I do for prevention of those conditions?

                                                          iii.      Access your healthcare needs.

1.      Are we doing regular checkups and tests?

2.      What exiting conditions does the family have that require extra healthcare costs?

b.      Estimate the costs needed to cover insurance deductibles and surprise healthcare issues.

c.       Keep that much in the emergency fund specifically targeted for those needs.

Source:  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic

4.  Job Loss – 11% will face this difficult situation. 

Retirement could be a planned “job loss”.

Solution – Develop a Strategy!

Understand Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT), Have Multiple Revenue Streams of Income, Reduce Living Costs.

 

 

a.       Do a SWOT for your industry/employer/business.

                                                              i.      Review each area of the SWOT for your industry/business.  Are there signals that reveal your industry is changing?  Where is your employer/business at in relationship to the SWOT?

b.      Do a SWOT of yourself.

                                                              i.      What are your strengths?

                                                            ii.      What are your weaknesses?

                                                          iii.      What are your opportunities?

                                                          iv.      What are your threats?

                                                            v.      The goal is to turn Weaknesses into Strengths and Threats into Opportunities.

c.       With the information what can you do to improve your marketability?

d.      Use the business principles of increasing income.

                                                              i.      How can you increase your revenue through multiple streams of income?

                                                            ii.      Review side opportunities to increase cash flow.

1.      Hobbies that can generate cash.

2.      Collections that can generate cash.

3.      Part time side employment.

4.      Run a small business from the home.

                                                          iii.      Be careful of the pitfall of having all family members working for the same organization.  If it is a large organization, be sure to work in different areas of the organization.  The key is to keep the whole family from losing their jobs at one time.

 

 

e.       Reduce Living Costs – Business does this second after increasing income.

                                                              i.      Review unemployment. 

1.      How much would you collect?

2.      How long does unemployment last?

3.      How much would be needed after unemployment to meet expenses?

4.      Place in the emergency fund enough funds to make up the differences for 1 month at first, then 3 months, 6 months and ideally 1 year.

                                                            ii.      Evaluate your expenses in what is called “line by line” budgeting in business.

1.      Review each expense and ask how can I lower or eliminate this expense.

2.      Include a “slush fund”.  Life is never as exact as we would like.

                                                          iii.      Establish a realistic budget. 

1.      Bring the whole family into the process.

2.      Have a plan.

3.      Evaluate it weekly.

4.      Establish milestones.

5.      Reward the successes.

f.       Inventory your home.

                                                              i.      What items are not used or will not be used in the future.  Consider selling them to raise cash or at least know their value.  Look at each item as cash in a saving account.

                                                            ii.      Don’t fall into the trap of “Oh look what I have found we have not used it for years.  Let’s sell it.”  Evaluate if this is really an unexpected “opportunity”.  You might need it in the next month guaranteed. J

 

5.   Surprise Opportunities – This was not covered in the report.  Yet, I believe this is just as important.  An emergency fund needs to include opportunity as well as disaster. J Every year there are purchase opportunities that will surprise us at substantial savings or a way to increase cash.  The key is to have the funds available to be able to make the purchase.

Solution – Review your needs that you would like to have that would improve you and your home’s needs.

a.       Make a list of items that you would really like.

b.      Make a list of experiences you would really like to enjoy.

c.       Watch for opportunities to buy an item to sell at a substantial increase now or as a “savings account” for the future.

d.      Set an estimate amount of money in the emergency fund marked specifically for opportunities.

 

 

6      Review your wealth in three (3) categories - Cash reserves, Items, Real Estate.  Place values on each.  Then try to keep an even balance between these three categories.  You will see your wealth from a different perspective.  Anciently this was part of budgeting.

 

 

7.  Action!

The real key is to realize planning takes some time.  Set goals.  Establish rewards.  This way the future need not be so “emergency” driven.

Now to put my “money where my mouth is” I will tweak my own budget. 

Best of Luck on Budgeting for the Emergencies and Opportunities!  Judy

Here is the report:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101938263?slide=1&__source=xfinity|mod&par=xfinity

Pictures came from the above report and google images.

Kicking Off Severe Weather Preparedness Week Video

FEMA is asking us to Pledge to become Prepared for Severe Weather.  This dove tails with the Great Washington ShakeOut Earthquake Preparedness.  I just Pledged. 

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate speaks on the importance of getting prepared for severe weather before it occurs.  This week is severe weather preparedness week and we're asking everyone to pledge to prepare.

Off checking my supplies!  Judy

2012 Great Washington ShakeOut Me and Mine Getting Ready!

I follow a blog that was promoting the 2012 Great Utah ShakeOut.  Their event is in April.  I started searching and discovered Washington State had one coming in October.  I have been waiting for the web site to become active.  Today I register for the  2012 Great Washington ShakeOut . 

This is a perfect occasion to update my home, supplies, vehicles, skills and training of the family for an earthquake.  Looking at disasters through the lenses of Risk Management an earthquake is the highest for my family in the disaster lists.  I do not like to feel unprepared.  I hate the panic feelings it brings to me.  The solution is “BE” prepared.

I was just talking with friends yesterday about the 72 hour kits I keep in my vehicles.  It seems at any one point one of the 3 vehicles has its 72 hour kit in the garage.  You know how it happens.  We need the room in the vehicle for a load of items.  More space is needed so the kit gets removed.  It seems it takes months to get it back in the vehicle.  I was telling the friends it is my luck that would be the vehicle I was in when the earthquake happened.  I have a note on the front door to check all vehicles for the kits today.

It is fun when information comes in several ways to us on a subject.  My son this week was sharing his concern about Seattle and an earthquake.  He lives on Puget Sound in Seattle.  Then my husband read an article this morning on Seattle’s statistics on an earthquake [Seattle-warned-it-needs-to-do-more-to-prepare-for-quake].  I checked the Washington ShakeOut web page and it was up and running.  Put the 3 together and it is time to make the extra push for my family and earthquake preparedness. J

I will be sharing how me and mine progress on preparations.  I encourage you to check out the 2012 Great Washington ShakeOut web site!  Judy

Are you Ready for the Solar Storm? Preparation Ideas!

We will all be spending today watching the eletricity.  Will this solar storm deliver a hit to the electrical grid?  The nightlly news pointed out last night that this storm could impact communications and possibly the elctrical grid.  Hopefully it will not!  But....what if....?

"Today refreshing your supplies will help even if the storm does not turn into a G3.  Here is one of the recent stories.  In the article though the scientists state:

"So far, the orientation of the magnetic field has been opposite of what is needed to cause the strongest storming," the center said in its updated forecast. "As the event progresses, that field will continue to change."
As of midmorning ET, the level of geomagnetic disruption was relatively minor, in the G1 category. But space weather forecasters said they expected the storming to intensify. "Based on overall strength, the predictions for periods reaching the G3 level look justified," they said in the forecast. "

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46668792/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/solar-storm-hits-our-planet-so-far-no-problem/

Another good article discusses the event.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57393241/solar-storms-five-facts-you-should-know/

NASA's rating systems of the storms are covered here:

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/NOAAscales/

Having a good plan if the Solar Flares Disrupt the Grid is critical!

First on the Sustainability of the garden -

1. Do you have a rain barrel?

2. Is it filled? I am filling mine today!

3. If this was summer you would need to ask the question - Could your plants, trees, shrubs and flowers make it a couple of days without water? I am only thinking of the lights out for a couple of days - Not the weeks and months that they say can happen.

4. If it was summer, it would be good to keep close watch on watering of the garden for the summer.

Remember - They expect more flares because this is Solar Flare Season!

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=93779141


Second on your home and vehicles -

1. Do you have enough water for several days? It is good to have a couple of 5 gal camping containers freshly filled. You can find them at Cabalas and Wal-Mart. Buy them now because they will go out of stock when everyone else thinks about it!

2. Water bottles are helpful. As much as I hate to flood the landfills with water bottles, they are the easiest to carry in the car. They last a long time. You need at least 14 gallons per person to last 2 weeks. It would be good to have 4 cases of water per person on hand. Rotate them through the vehicles to keep them fresh.

3. Do you have enough food to last several days to 2 weeks to 3 months....?

4. Do you have the 72 hours kit in your vehicles?

5. Do you keep your gas gage over the ½ empty mark?

6. Do you have a way of cooking?

7. Do you have enough over the counter medications to carry you?

8. Do you have a good supply of your prescription medications?

Communications -

1. Do you have a communication plan for the family and extended family? This one I know I have to work on this week!

2. Do you know how to text? Texting is considered the best method for contact if there is a disaster. All the more reason for me to evaluate the smart phone idea.

3. Do you have a radio for emergencies?

Cash –

1. Do you have enough cash on hand for a short-term emergency? We all know the ATMs will be emptied.

2. Do you have enough cash on hand in small denominations for a long-term emergency?

Past News articles on the Solar Flare Season – This is a serious issue!

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/06/09/09climatewire-this-weeks-solar-flare-illuminates-the-grids-63979.html

PC World and your techie things
http://www.pcworld.com/article/229876/solar_flares_could_cripple_earths_tech_infrastructure_in_2013.html

PC Magazine Are You Ready?
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2386623,00.asp

National Geographic is concerned
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/06/110608-solar-flare-sun-science-space/

Good Resources – Disclaimer I am not Mormon but they are experts on this subject.

1. A great resource for the simple 4-step preparation for the short-term and long-term emergency that Mormons use. I found this web site simple and practical. Disclaimer I am not Mormon but they are experts on this subject. http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/
2. FEMA – Suggests Preparation for 72 hours and 2 weeks. http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm

Are you Preparing? How?

Off Preparing - Judy

Tornados Are Brewing and It is Time to Act Now

Tornados can strike without warning.  Fortunately the National Weather Service is able to create computer models and share warnings.  It is though up to individuals to be prepared.  Tornados can destroy so much that yes you could lose your supplies for the emergency but yet you still might be able to use some of them.  Better to have and not use than need and not have is my policy.

Here is my to do check list:

1. Double Check - Camping equipment including a tent. I keep mine in our "Carriage House" [10x20 storage building). This way I could easily get to it in an emergency.
2. Review food storage for easy to eat meals. I am on the search of a good software or app that would help me inventory my items.
3. Refill Water - I need to check mine and refill some of my containers. I have a 5 gal in particular that is due to be changed.
4. Earthquake/Disaster Insurance - Fortunately I pay that annually. I do live in earthquake country.
5. Review my Emergency Plan Excel Spreadsheet. I created one.  Now to get it completed. Why do things like this get shelfed? I must bring it forward again.
6. Review the vehicles emergency supplies. 
7. So....get this printed and put on the white board. Yes, we have a white board where we have the weekly schedule and a "to do list".

A great resource for the simple 4-step preparation for the short-term and long-term emergency that a Mormon woman has put together.  I like this web site because it is simple and practical. Disclaimer I am not Mormon but they are experts on this subject. http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/
FEMA – Suggests Preparation for 72 hours and 2 weeks. http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm
I personally keep months worth of food and supplies.
Now to act on this! Judy

Just a Reminder to Refresh Your Earthquake Preparedness

I noticed that the San Francisco Bay area had an earthquake on the same day the state was having an Earthquake Awareness Day.  This only is a good reminder to review my earthquake preparedness.  Here is my to do check list:

1. Double Check - Camping equipment including a tent. I keep my in our "Carriage House" [10x20 storage building).  This way I could easily get to it in an emergency.
2. Review food storage for easy to eat meals.  I am on the search of a good software or app that would help me inventory my items.
3. Refill Water - I need to check mine and refill some of my containers.  I have a 5 gal in particular that is due to be changed.
4. Earthquake Insurance - Fortunately I pay that annually.  I do live in earthquake country.
5. Review my Emergency Plan Excel Spreadsheet. I created one in June.  Now to get it completed.  Why do things like this get shelfed?  I must bring it forward again.
6. Review the vehicles emergency supplies.  It is time to winterize the vehicles anyway. 
7. So....get this printed and put on the white board.  Yes, we have a white board where we have the weekly schedule and a "to do list".

A great resource for the simple 4-step preparation for the short-term and long-term emergency that Mormons use. I found this web site simple and practical. Disclaimer I am not Mormon but they are experts on this subject. http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/

FEMA – Suggests Preparation for 72 hours and 2 weeks. http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm

Now to act on this!  Judy

Could Not Pass this Article Up - Techie Items and Emergencies

Here is an excellent current article on how to use Techie items during an emergency.  It covers good sources and great ideas.  This way you can keep in contact with family and friends during an emergency. 

FCC, FEMA offer new tech tips for emergencies http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/22/tech/mobile/mobile-emergency-tip-sheet/index.html?hpt=hp_bn6

Why I have a Smart Phone!  Judy

Thankful Yet Being Vigilent - Knowing My Area Could Be On the News Tomorrow

It is so easy to sit back in my comfortable life.  I am so fortunate right now we have the following:

• Good Weather
• Good Job
• Connected Family
• Pantry Full
• Emergency items in place
• Container Garden and Orchard
• Resources in the area
• Sharing with others in need
• Good Neighborhood

I believe it is important to soak up these good things and be thankful, while I have them.  Enjoy them but not get complacent.  I can enjoy yet, keep vigilant in keeping these items in place.  As I listen to the news I see many are suffering.   If you have not put in place the above list, you might start working on them.  You never know if your area will be on the nightly news tomorrow.

Truly that is Abundant Living as a Sustainable Life!  Judy