Troubled Times

Is anyone worried about the economy?  Have you felt a pinch yet?  How prepared are you for what’s to come?  We’ve been told for years what to do to prepare.  We’ve done a little here and there, but now is the time to really look at what we’ve learned.  There are several websites and blogs with helpful tips and ideas that will get us going in the right direction.

Parents should be organizing themselves.  They should be talking to their kids to get them on board.  They should be providing everything in their power to create a safe haven for their families.

We should be asking ourselves certain questions:   What can I live without?  If I lost my job today, what would jump to the top of my priority list?  How much storage do I have?  What am I willing to begin making from scratch, or reuse, or redo?

The following are sites I have found that are helpful and worth looking at:

  • www.daveramsey.com    Dave’s good, but a lot of what he offers costs money.    Borrow his books from the library first.
  • www.cheapskatemonthly.com    &   www.moneyrulesdebtstinks.com       Mary Hunt gives excellent up-to-date advice on what to do NOW, plus she gives tons of hints and tips free.  Sign up for her free newsletter and you are not going to be sorry.
  • www.solutionsforpreparedness.com    Barbara really knows her stuff.   She will help you understand the lifestyle of a prepared life for all levels of preparedness.
  • www.ready.gov    This is the national site from Homeland Security
  • www.myfoodstoragedeals.blogspot.com    Some people just like to share their good information.  You’ll find tips here on practical everyday low-budget living

I love the Internet.  All you have to do is search for budgeting, food storage, preparedness, etc.  and you can find tons of information that will help you organize yourself, and even realize what needs to be organized.

Relief Society provides a level of organization on this all-important topic.  Networking plays a vital role in an economic lifestyle.  By setting goals, knowledge, feedback, and organization, sisters can help each other greatly.

Here are just some thoughts you might consider:

  • Am I prepared to leave my home in a hurry and run to a “safe place”.
  • Am I living within my regular budget on a regular basis?
  • Do I know how to feed my family at the lowest possible expense?
  • Do I know where items are, in my home, that will bring me comfort and security when my life and safety is threatened?
  • What do I have in my home right now?
  • Why should I worry about the future?
  • What skills can I learn that will help my family save money, provide security, and necessities?
  • Who’s responsibility is it to protect me and my family?
  • Who do I know who can add their skills to mine to provide security and safety?
  • How can I live my life daily, wi  th the proper mentality, to provide a safe haven for my family?
  • How can I get out of debt, and stay out of debt?
  • How do I keep myself employable?
  • What food preparations can we practice now, that will shortcut, reserve, maintain health, etc.?
  • How do I keep my family ready consistently over a long period of time?

These are questions that a wise Relief Society President will think about and provide guidance, networking, and support to the sisters she has responsibility over.  And remember, this is a process and a lifestyle.  One class will not be enough.