Preppy Prepper

So, right off, you should know that none of what I'm about to talk about has anything to do with my adorable preppy outfit except that it's preppy and I like prepping.  And also being preppy.  Yesterday we briefly touched on the ways that I have to prepare each year for hard winters where I live and today I'd like to keep the conversation going.

What do you think of when you think of a "prepper?"  For most of us it's visions of wild eyed and shaggy bearded individuals carefully stocking walls of canned goods in underground bunkers that come to mind.  But you don't have to bury your gold in the backyard or build a bomb shelter under your greenhouse to lead a prepared lifestyle.  

Ok, so, yes, some preppers are scary and reeeeallly crazy.  But, that doesn't mean you have to be scary or crazy to be prepared.  And you can't deny that having a little set aside in case of emergency is a good idea.  All the unforeseenness of 2020 should cement that idea in your head if it wasn't before now.  So where do you start?

Believe it or not, there's plenty of good advice out there for how to prepare for what may come and I can't really add anything new.  All I can do is highlight a few things to give you some direction.  The main things that you should prepare for are: severe weather (think hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes), unemployment, and illness.

The way you prepare for these things is basically all the same:  set aside what you can and have a plan.  Illness and Unemployment essentially have the same plan.  Start an account where you set aside 10% of your income and don't touch that money.  Continue to accumulate what you can so that should you find yourself unemployed you'll be able to pay your rent, bills, etc. for several months.  Yes, that means you'll need to save up several months worth of salary--the more, the better.

Whatever severe weather you might face will have its own ways to prepare.  For snow and ice storms, I always keep matches, candles, easy to open (you can't open a can with an electric can opener if you have no electricity.  Use pop tops or get a manual can opener) & easy to prep food (at least two days worth that can be cooked outdoors on a camp stove), water, blankets, and anything else you might need but won't be able to go out and get for a few days.

Preparing for the worst while hoping for the best, isn't really all that difficult.  It just takes a little time and thought, and it is absolutely worth it to have a plan to take care of yourself and those you love.  It's part of living deliberately, and there's nothing scary or crazy about that.  In fact, I think it's the calmest and sanest way to live, and if you want to look cute while doing it, all the better.  You know I'm on board for that.

Shopping Info:  ModCloth Citrus Sweater from ThredUp, Coral Necklace from ModCloth, Skirt from Japan Wattman's Thrift, Heels from Charlotte Russe.