Mini-Challenges: Know where to go

In either every day emergencies (what do you mean your sister shoved a Q-tip up her nose?) or in disaster situations, it is important to know where you can go for help. So, our April 1 mini-challenge is to "know where to go" in case of an emergency.

There are probably several types of places you will need to "stake out". Here is a short (though by no means comprehensive) list of places you might consider locating in your area.

• Hospitals: Someday, everyone needs a hospital. Whether it is for having that baby, or taking in your toddler that decided the top bunk was a great place to jump from, you need to know where your nearest hospital is. Be sure you know where and how to get to emergency rooms or other speciality locations (such as Labor and Delivery) in the hospital. Learn the hours of entrances and exits (sometimes at night certain hospital entrances are closed). In some areas, certain types of patients can only be taken to certain hospitals. Learn where your trauma center is, any children's hospitals, or perhaps even just an urgent care center (which can generally handle "light" emergencies without a visit to an actual hospital).
• Emergency Shelters: Contact your local Red Cross or Emergency Services office to determine where shelters would likely be in an emergency. Often times schools, sporting venues, churches, or other large venues (such as reception halls or gyms) will become shelters during an emergency (I remember spending a few days at our local church during a hurricane).
• Emergency Evacuation Routes: During certain types of emergencies, roads, bridges or tunnels may be closed. Learn what your local emergency evacuation routes are, what roads will be closed, and how to get to them. You can usually contact your local town hall or Emergency Services office to learn what the routes are.
• Police Stations: Your emergency may require the intervention of law enforcement, so know where your local police station is. Know your emergency services number (in the US this is usually 911, but rural areas may not have this central service). Be sure that your children know how to get ahold of law enforcement.
• Fire Stations: Fire fighters are an important part of emergency response. They can provide fire protection and rescue, as well as medical services. Know where the closest fire station is to your house and how to get there. Also know where the closest fire hydrant is, in case this information needs to be relayed to the first responders.

Now that you have some suggestions as to what to look for (and please if you have other ideas about places you should find, post it!), here are some suggestions on what to do.

1. Keep a list of addresses and phone numbers, and hours if applicable, for these locations.
2. Mark locations on a map of the local area.
3. Mark out routes from your home to these locations on a map.
4. Practice driving (or walking if possible) to these locaitons from your home, work, or school. This will help to ensure that during an emergency that you know how to get there.
5. Ensure that everyone in your home knows about these locations. Consider having a family night to go over routes or information.

Knowledge is power, and sometimes it is what will get you through an emergency. Know, be prepared, practice, and be ready.

And now you know, and knowing is half the battle (and yes I am quoting G.I. Joe).

Mini-Challenges: Car Carried Disaster Kit

We have spent the last several challenges covering our Disaster Supplies Kits for our homes. However, we may not always be at home when an emergency or disaster strikes. So, for our March 15 mini challenge, we are going to work on putting together a car carried disaster supplies kit.

This kit will not be as large or as elaborate as your home kit, but should contain similar supplies. Some countries (and states) require that drivers carry certain emergency supplies in their car (such as warning triangles or flares, first aid kits, etc). Consider keeping all or some of these items in your car (depending on legal requirements or restrictions in your area, and your own personal needs).

• First Aid Kit: You can usually purchase one (some made "especially" for cars) at a local auto parts store or discount chain.
• Water: keep a few water bottles (make sure that they are sealed), just in case. Make sure that you check them often (for evaporation and expiration), and rotate them occassionally.
• Food: Consider items that last a long time and are high energy (and compact), such as emergency rations, granola bars, dehydrated fruit. Just make sure that you check dates and rotate often.
• Tools: Having a wrench, tie iron, jumper cables, etc can be handy should there be an emergency or you run into car trouble.
• Emergency Hammer: These speciality tools are meant to help you free yourself in the event that your car is in an accident, or especially if you become trapped in your vehicle in water. They usually contain a cutting edge (to help free stuck seat belts), a special hammer (which can break safety glass), and a light.
• Protective Gear: Some countries (like Germany) require that drivers carry at least one reflective vest in their car. Consider other items like a rain poncho or suit (nothing more miserable than changing a flat in the rain), knee pads, etc.
• Flashlight: When your car dies in the middle of the night, or you are forced to take shelter in it at night, light is almost a necessity. Consider keeping a flashlight (or two) in your car (and don't forget some extra batteries).
• Emergency Blankets: These are the really cool space age blankets that look like compacted foil rolls. They are meant to reflect heat back to your body, and are very small and easy to store. Can be especially handy if you are forced to take refuge in your car in inclement weather.
• Extra Fuel: Please be careful when considering this. Fuel must be stored in a proper, ventilated and sealed container. Storing fuel in your car can be hazardous (the fuel evaporates and leaves dangerous fumes), and in some places is illegal to carry fuel outside of your vehicles' fuel tank. If you plan to store this, please be aware of any local laws or policies, and take every precaution to ensure that the fuel is safe and secure.
• Money: You may be away from home and need food, fuel or other supplies, and with access to credit or debit cards. This can also be used to help pay traffic fines, etc. Just be sure that you don't store too much money, and that you consider placing it in different areas around your car. Anywhere you keep money should be hidden from view and preferrably secured.
• Cell Phone or two way radio: Many people carry cell phones with them, which can be handy when you need assistance or are in an emergency situation. You may also be able to store and use small two-way radios (usually under $50 and avaiable at sporting and discount stores). The radios may be a little more iffy (you never know who will be on the available channels), but can offer a second mode of contact.
  

When you have decided what you would like to carry in your car kit, consider how you will store it. Depending on the space available in your car, consider a hard sided plastic tote (I have mine in a rubber maid container under one of the bench seats in my van), or a bag with a flat and firm bottom (you may want a bag that closes with a zipper depending on your car).

No matter what you decide to store, and what you store it in, be sure that all members of your familiy know where it is, and how to use the items in it.

Mini Challenges: Gather Important Documents

We can't help it. We are a culture of paperwork. We have forms for everything...documenting our entire lives. In an emergency, you will need some (if not all) of those documents to receive services, move, recreate identification, etc.

Our February 1 mini-challenge is to gather copies of important documents. You will need to have the originals for some items, but for others, photocopies will suffice in an emergency (at least to get the original replaced). If you are storing photocopies, and not the original, be sure to have contact information for the agency that supplied the original so you can replace it when necessary.

Okay, here is a short list of documents you should consider storing. It is by no means complete, and if you find something that I have left off, please leave a comment with your suggestions.

Birth Certificates - Everyone should have an official copy of their birth certificate on hand. Often times these are necessary to register for services (such as medical, school, passports), or to replace other documents or identification. For those individuals born overseas, be sure to have a copy of the original host nation birth certificate, as well as the Consular Report of Foreign Birth (the consular birth reports are difficult to replace, so keep it in a safe place, and make sure you have a photocopy of it somewhere).

Marriage Certificates/Licenses- While the beautiful certificate you undoubtedly received from the institution where you were married is important to you, it won't generally help you in the paperwork game. You will need a certified copy of your marriage license from the jurisdiction where you were married. These are not generally hand over as a matter of course after you are married - you usually have to request them (and they generally cost between $10-$20).

Social Security Cards - Since the SSN became the national ID number (by default) in the United States, it is important to have this card. Your children should also have one (for children born overseas, it is usually an extra step to request the card). You should sign your card (for children, leave unsigned. They will have to sign it when they are of age), this will help to prevent identity theft in the case the card is lost or stolen.

Driver's License or State Sponsored Identification Card- While this is generally carried in your wallet (or at least on your person), it can't hurt to have a copy in your files, in case it gets lost. You generally need to know the Identification Number to expidite having it replaced.

Passport - for those of you who travel or live overseas, this is especially important, as the United States now requires every living citizen (and yes that means babies too) to have a passport (or a REAL ID....see your state authorities on whether they are in compliance with this program) in order to board a plane, even a domestic flight. You should always have your actual passport secured (these are a very valuable commodity), and for emergency purposes, you should have a photocopy of it in your files. Having a photocopy of it will allow the embassy/consulate to expidite a replacement.

Wills - If you have a will...and you should, especially if you have kids....you should have at least a copy of it in your files. It is generally a good a idea to keep the original in a safe place (removed from your domicile) like a safety deposit box. It may also be advisable to leave a copy (and/or a key to the original's location) with a trusted friend or relative (they should at least know where to find the original in case of your death).ff

Insurance Documents - You should have copies of all your policies (Auto, Home, Life), as well as contact information for your insurance provider (in case you need to file a claim).

Deeds/Certificates of Ownership- If you own a home, a car, or stocks, you likely have a title, deed, or some form of a certificate of ownership. You should have these on hand. If you own any of these items, but there is a lien (a mortgage or loan) against the item, you should have some type of document from the lien-holder.

Household Inventory - While not everyone may have one, in case of an insurance claim, it would be important to have an inventory of your belongings to ensure that you are appropriately reimbursed for your loss.

Medical Information - If you, or a family member, has a special medical condition (such as diabetes, cancer, etc) or an allergy that emergency personnel should be aware of, it is important to have some type of documentation on that condition. It is also important to have documentation related to health insurance available.

Tax Returns - These are generally kept for about 3 years (up to 6 years depending on how you file taxes, etc). While you probably won't need these in an emergency, they are important documents to keep on hand.

Wage and Earning Statements - Again, you probably won't need these in an emergency, but they are important to keep until you can verify your income against your W-2 forms and Social Security Statement (usually received every year around your birthday).

Savings/Investment Account Information - You may need this information in an emergency (or in the event of your death, your relative may need it). Having a document which contains account access information (numbers, holder of account, passowords, etc), can be useful, but be careful how it is stored. If such a document were lost or stolen, you could have serious financial repercussions.


Since you are storing these documents for emergency situations, they will need to be kept in a central, and "disaster" proof location. I would generally recommend that you procure a fire and water proof (that is right WATER proof too, because most damage in a fire actually occurs from the rescue efforts) safe or box. These can be found a local discount stores, such as Walmart or Target, or at office supply stores.

Mini Challenges: Determine Your Food Storage Needs

Food storage (or Home Storage) is often a tricky subject. The LDS Church guidelines recommend a year's supply of food for you and your family. Some resources suggest less. Space is often an issue, and depending on where you live, laws may prohibit you from storing very much. If you live or work in the military community, you know hauling all that food to different duty stations can be difficult. So what is one to do? The answer is: Do what you can.

Well, since you generally can't rush out and get a year's supply tomorrow, we're going to start small...baby steps. Our December 15th Mini-Challenge is to calculate your family's food storage needs and make a food storage plan.

This exercise will involve a few steps.

1. Determine your family size...don't forget pets!
2. Pick a time frame. I would suggest starting with 72 hours. Then you can also calculate needs for 1 month, then 3 months, then 6 months, and then a year. This will help give you an idea of the different goals you can set, and the amount of food each period would require. If space is a concern, this could help you gauge for what time period you could store food.
3. Using some guidelines or calculators (Long Term Food Storage Calculator or General Food Storage Calculator), determine what the recommended amount (and types) of food are for your family. Don't be afraid to find a subsitution that works for your family. Food storage won't help if you won't eat it. ...just make sure you are covering all the essential categories.
4. Determine what types of special needs your family would have. You'll need to keep in mind items such as pet food, diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, medicines, vitamins, and personal sanitary items. Try to figure out how much you use during your selected time period and make sure you include those things in your list.
5. Make a list of all the items you would need, including quantities.
6. Make a trip to your local grocery or discount store and "shop" your list. This doesn't mean you have to buy anything...in fact DON'T buy anything yet. Just look for the items you've identified, and get an idea of what they cost. Add up the total cost (cost of each item x quantity needed) of each item and then the complete total for your entire list.
7. Make a goal of when you would like to have your food storage in place. Keep in mind the longer the time period you have chosen, the longer it will take you to aquire.
8. Take your total cost and divide it into increments based on your pay schedule or shopping schedule, to determine how much money you will need to spend each week/pay period to reach your goal. Say you have decided you want to have your food storage goal complete in three months. You shop every week. Your total is $300. That means that you would be spending roughly $25 a week on food storage in order to meet your goal.
9. Determine how you will finance this goal. Do you have a budgetary category for food storage? Will it come out of your normal grocery budget? Do you have a chunk of funds set aside in savings you want to use? It doesn't have to be complicated, but you should know how you will finance it, since food storage shouldn't put you into debt.
10. Share your plan with your family and ask for ideas on completing the goal together. You never know, you may find a co-worker or friend that is giving away an item on your list. Your children might want to "donate" to the goal from their allowance. You may be able to can some items yourself (if you have the resources and know how). Get creative.
11. And finally, don't despair or become discouraged. It will take time and effort, but it WILL be worth it.

It is hard to reach a goal, when you don't know what that goal will entail. That is why it is so important to do the planning. Take some time out to assess your food storage needs and set some goals. This is a very important part of Provident Living, and in these uncertain economic times, Food and Home Storage can be a great comfort.

Mini Challenges: Make a Financial "Rainy Day" Plan

It's that time again, a new month has begun and it is time for a new mini-challenge. Keeping in line with our monthly (or in this case bi-monthly) focus of finances, our December 1 challenge will be to create a financial rainy day plan.

While this will take time, experts recommend having at least 6 months, but preferably a year, of your expenses set aside in case of an emergency (such as a job loss, disability, accident, etc). You can start out small (say one pay period) and work up slowly (say the next step being 3 months) toward whatever level you have decided on. A little savings is better than none.

While this doesn't mean that you have to rush out tomorrow and have all your rainy day money set aside and every contingency taken care of, you do have to start somewhere.

Here is what it does entail:

1. Review your income. Determine how much you have coming in.
2. Review your expenses. This ties into our mini-challenge for the last period of making a budget.
3. Determine what your expenses would be for a 6 month period. Assume that for this 6 month period you have no income coming in.
4. Now you know how much you need to save.
5. Determine a goal length for saving your total. Consider saving it over a year, two years, 6 months, whatever you think your income will allow and what fits your needs and wants.
6. Decide on a way to break down the total into manageable chunks, whether that is by week, by pay period, by month, etc. In whatever way fits with your timetable and income.
7. When you have determined how you want to break down the total, make a plan for saving it. There are plenty of ways to find the money.

• Add it as a budgetary item, which is easy if you are breaking the total down by weeks or pay periods.
• Consider assigning "excess" funds, such as tax refunds, pay bonuses, or gifts to meet your total.
• Save your spare change from cash purchases, and after a set time period, deposit the total towards your goal.
• Have 26 pay periods a year instead of 24? Consider budgeting using the 24 and deposit the "extra" 2 pay periods into your rainy day fund.
  

After you've made your plan (and don't forget to include your partner), think of ways to keep yourself on track.

1. Consider making a chart that will allow you to mark off as you contribute to your rainy day fund. Think of those giant thermometers that help us see how much we've contributed to various charities. This can help motivate you as will have a visual reminder of your progress.
2. Think of a reward for when you reach your goal. Maybe a dinner out, a new movie, something to look forward too....just make sure that you have set aside funds for that too :)
3. Keep a "checkbook" ledger to help you track your savings.
4. Consider adding all the dividends and interest from investment and bank accounts.
5. Consider giving up a vice or luxury (such as the morning latte, cigarettes, candy bars, etc) and putting that money toward your goal...it could not only make you richer, but healthier too!

Now, you are on your way to having a rainy day fund! Remember this is meant to relieve some of your financial stress, and give you some security.

As time goes on, your expenses and savings may change. Remember to review your "rainy day" plan and adjust it as is necessary for you.

If you have any easy or cool ideas on how to set aside those pennies, or success stories on how you have saved, please post them! Even if it is just a little at a time, you can do it!

Mini Challenges

Starting on Nov. 1, we are going to start issuing "mini-challenges". On the 1st (first) and 15th (fifteenth) of every month, we will issue a new challenge. This means you'll have 2 weeks to complete each challenge. Don't worry, they won't be too hard.

The idea is take baby steps, and do one little thing at a time.