A Stockpile of Disposable Goods

I have a friend who works for a rather large aerospace company and his union happens to be on strike at the current time. When I asked how he was doing, he said fine. Being one of the old timers, he knows well that strikes happen with surprising regularity so being prepared, especially for a financial crisis, is just a way of life for him and his family. One thing that he does, in addition to stocking up on food and keeping lots of cash in savings, is to buy enough disposable goods to last for a year at a time. Not surprisingly, his garage looks like a section of Costco! Although I have a good supply of the basics such as toilet paper and laundry soap, I thought this was a great idea so I recently made a "shopping list" of things that I need to buy in order to stock up for an entire year. Here's my list:

• Laundry room: laundry soap (10), dryer sheets (6), Spray and Wash (4), bleach (4).
• Family room: boxes of Kleenex (6).
• Bathrooms: shampoo (18), packages of bar soap (8), razors (10 packages), toothpaste (20), toothbrushes (24), floss (6), frilly bathroom hand soap (16), toilet paper (18-12 packs), lotion (5), hair gel (12), feminine hygiene supplies (14 boxes), rarely used items (Vaseline, peroxide, alcohol, cotton balls, q tips, suntan lotion, handi wipes: about three of each), deodorant (16). basic first aid supplies (band aids, antiseptic, aspirin, Motrin, TheraFlu: about six boxes of each).
• Kitchen: 13 gallon garbage bags (4-100 piece boxes), dish soap (12 bottles), dishwasher soap (4), scouring powder (16), Pinesol (8), sponges (30), mop heads (10), paper towels (18-6packs), Windex (6), furniture polish (4), ziploc bags (25 of each size), aluminum foil (industrial sized roll from Costco), plastic wrap (industrial-sized roll from Costco), picnic supplies (paper plates, paper cups, plastic utensils: enough for 200 settings), 32 gallon garbage bags (4-100 piece boxes), batteries (9v-6, D-25, C-16, AA-100, AAA-100).
• Office: printer ink (6 color, 10 black), stamps (roll of 100), DVDs (100 pack), printer paper (1 case).

I think that's about it. Of course I will have to refine the amount of each product but I think that will give me a good start. On a side note, not having to shop for all of these items for an entire year will be great!

25 Thoughts on Today's Bailout News

In no particular order here are my thoughts on today's bailout news...

1. Wow! Our representatives are actually representing their constituents instead of big business and big government.
2. This is a step in the right direction.
3. I don't know what will happen but bring it on. I feel like we have been bullied by all sides and the intimidation and fear needs to stop. How do you handle a bully? You stand up and fight instead of cowering or hiding.
4. I'm hoping that people will go back to basics and take a breather. Living on credit, living in fear, living to pay bills instead of to play with your kids, living to buy the next gadget...sounds tiring to me. Time to relax and enjoy life.
5. I'm happy I have my preps.
6. Don't panic. This too shall pass. Remember the rice crisis? Remember the stock market drop of '87? What were you worrying about last year on this day? See, we worry about things each day that won't even be a concern to us in a year.
7. I'm a news junkie. I think I need to head off to somewhere where they don't have news and take a news vacation.
8. I have faith in our basic economy, in people's ability to persevere, and in the consciousness that has developed in our populace to where expectations of a better future will create that better, and wiser, future.
9. Look around at what we do have...lots of natural resources, an entrepreneurial spirit, options via the net to sell our products and services to those who want them, etc.
10. What would happen if every talking head, if every news source, if every leader in our country decided that beginning tomorrow they would give a concerted message that our economy was looking up, things were getting better in the financial markets by the moment, and that a turn around in our economy was going on as we speak. The power of positive thinking. Confidence would return, people would start buying (responsibly, I hope), and attitudes would be positive--problem solved at a grand total of $0.
11. Or there is the other idea that has been proposed. Instead of approving $700 billion to bail out businesses and banks, divide it among all of the adults in the US (I believe they said it would be like $100,000 per person). The economy would be stimulated, the people would be happy, and I would have a kick ass new gun collection :)
12. Attitude is everything. I know it sounds like I am on a constant rant but actually I am almost always pretty happy with life. Good attitude = less problems.
13. I can live on less. We all can. When I see how people live in third world countries, I realize how wasteful Americans usually are and how much less we actually NEED to survive.
14. When you see where the crowd is going, head the other way. Did you see the huge lines, arguments, and no fuel in some southern cities today? The reporters noted that less than an hour away there was plenty of gas and no lines.
15. Focus on what you do have instead of what you don't have. You can look at the negative (I don't have this, I don't have that) or you can look at the positive and be thankful for the things you do have (wonderful spouse, blog that I look forward to posting to each day, some trout a friend just brought over).
16. When something scares you, take a deep breath, analyze the situation, and make a plan. Someone may be afraid they will lose their house. Then what? They can live in an apartment that maybe costs half of what the house did and pocket the leftover money. What if they can't get approved for the apartment because of their credit? They can become modern day nomads and live in a travel trailer for a year in order to save money. Radical? Yes. Adventurous? Yes. Permanent? No. The only constant thing is change.
17. Some of the best meals I have had lately have been made at home. Some months ago we made a conscious decision to eat out much less (like once every other week or so) instead of daily like we had for so many years. Home cooked food tastes better, the portions aren't overwhelmingly big, and I know exactly what went into it.
18. Watch the Dave Ramsey Show. He is the voice of reason and calm in these turbulent times.
19. I like a challenge. These are challenging times. I am kind of enjoying all of this. Sounds odd, huh?
20. You wouldn't know the economy was tanking by the number of shoppers at Walmart, Ross, Barnes and Noble, and our local Applebees this weekend.
21. Be happy with frugal things during hard times. I learned this from my grandmother. She and granddad would put together barn dances which both made them a bit of cash and made people forget their problems for a little while during the Depression. She told a story of being happy to buy a pair of new socks at the five and dime; she could have been sad that she couldn't afford a new coat but she was happy to have a simple pair of socks.
22. Take tiny steps each day to make yourself feel more secure. Buy an extra bag of rice. Take on a small project and teach yourself a valuable skill (like sewing a jacket, fixing the broken outlet, etc).
23. Try something new. Have a picnic in the park at lunch instead of spending money at the over priced deli like you always do. It seems odd at first but after a period of adjustment you may find it enjoyable if you give it half a chance.
24. Times of great change usually lead to some very good changes.
25. The year 2012 is quickly approaching...something else to worry about for those who like to worry.

How is Your Life? A Checklist

Some time ago there was a very good author named Thomas Leonard. He basically founded the field of personal coaching and his website was a continuing evolution of ideas and projects. Unfortunately he passed away at a fairly young age in 2003. One thing he left behind, however, is one of the cornerstones of his coaching program. The Clean Sweep checklist provides 100 areas of your life to evaluate and improve. When you get all of the boxes checked off, it means you will probably be living very well in all senses of the word. If you would like to make a "Clean Sweep" of your life, check out the list here.

Pet Preps

A reader recently asked why I haven't written anything about preparedness for pets. Since I currently don't have any pets, it didn't dawn on me to write about them. Unfortunately, this often happens in disaster planning--just because the people who are doing the planning aren't in a specific situation, doesn't mean they shouldn't be aware that the situation could affect friends, family members, or the community at large. Nowhere was this more apparent than during Hurricane Katrina when rescuers told stranded victims to come with them and leave their pets behind. To many people with pets, it was like telling them to leave their children behind!

The simple way to prepare to help your pet during a disaster is just like if you were preparing your child, elderly relative, or special needs client for a disaster. Considering their specific needs and situation, here's what you can do:

• Make them a BOB that meets their needs. Include in their bag food, water, a blanket, any needed medication, a toy, etc. You can skip the clothes...nothing makes me more incredulous than to see a poodle dressed up like a Barbie doll when many children in our world have one set of threadbare clothing to wear.


• Have a way to transport them. A carrier is a good idea. I wish I would have got a photo of a guy who got on the city bus a few days ago carrying a small cage with a very large snake in it. Nobody said anything but I'm sure that would have cleared the entire bus in a couple of countries I've been to. It's important to have the items needed to contain and transport your animal on hand (ie: a small fish tank if your fish usually reside in a 100 gallon aquarium; a leash and muzzle for your dog, a halter for your horse, etc).


• Have an evacuation plan. How will you be able to evacuate with your pet? Of course you can take a dog in your car but what will you do with your pot bellied pig, horse, or llama? Once you evacuate, where will you be able to stay? Do you have friends who can board your horse temporarily? Does the hotel you are going to allow pets? Have you checked with your county disaster planners to see if they have a plan for evacuees with pets?

Those are just the basics. I came across an animal preparedness web page from the AVMA which elaborates on these and many other things to consider when prepping with pets or large animals. Check it out here.

More Prep Conference Notes

Here are some of my notes from a recent preparedness conference. Although some items may pertain only to larger organizations and institutions, many will be able to be modified for use in your own home or small office:

• Know what your generators power. In one large facility during a disaster, their generators seemed to power some unneeded things while some important things weren't connected to the generator. It's good to know this and make needed changes before the winter storm season starts.
• You need a lock down procedure even if your facility is usually open 24/7 and the doors have never been locked before.
• It is important to have a designated area for cell phone charging with the ability to charge many cell phones at once. Having an assortment of cell phone chargers available is also important because employees usually leave their cell chargers at home.
• In a storm, especially big windstorms where the trees are toppling, stay inside. If you aren't responding to a life or death emergency, don't risk having a tree fall on your head by going out while the storm is still in progress.
• Have current maps of your area which include DNR and logging roads. If bridges go down or roads are closed, having maps to plan your escape via little used roads can be useful.
• When evacuating, take a chainsaw, bolt cutters, gloves, goggles, a tow rope or chain, and other items that can help you clear a path if the roads are blocked.
• Have a disaster recovery directory. When the dust has settled, you don't want to have to hunt down a phone book and try to figure out who to call. Make up a directory that includes contact information to get your utilities restored, supplies delivered, employees back to work, non-urgent medical assistance, construction people to help (plumbers, electricians), etc.
• If you work where your uniform is supplied or you are an employer that supplies uniforms and employees will be required to work during a disaster (utility people, medical people, police people, etc), make sure there are plenty of uniforms in reserve. People will want to change every so often and laundry services may not be available.
• The most urgently needed items during a disaster: fuel, medications, water, food, tarps and ropes.
• People need BOBs with them at any location they will be during a disaster (at home, at work, in a shelter, etc). this way they will be self sufficient and have all of the items (including food and water) that they will need to take care of themselves until the disaster has passed. This also takes the pressure off of family members, employers, and shelter staffers to provide the basics (hygiene items, clothing, etc) which may or may not be available.

Mate Picking 101

A girl in our office came in with her usual relationship drama yesterday. Sad to say, unless she significantly raises her standards for the people she dates, this looks to be the course that her life will continue to take. Whether you are male or female, gay or straight, White, Black, Asian, or Hispanic, there are standards that need to be met by a future mate in order to have the basis for a good, solid relationship. Here they are:

1. No current or recent drug or alcohol problem. I know some guys who are wonderful husbands and fathers and who have been sober for decades. They will tell you themselves that when they were alcoholics and drug addicts they were the worst people on the planet to be around. This is a problem that can't be fixed by another person, only the person with the problem can fix it.
2. If they are chronically jobless and always borrowing money from you and not paying it back. Guess how your financial life will look after you marry this winner?
3. If they lie all the time. No one is 100% honest but there is a difference between the occasional lie to save someone's feelings and the person who lies so often you can't trust them to tell you how the weather is when they look out the window.
4. If there are any signs at all of domestic violence. These include manipulative and controlling behavior, physical aggression, and stalking/spying on you/calling to check where you are twenty times a day. Run for the hills and don't look back.
5. Ongoing mental health issues. Some people have minor mental health issues that are under control and don't affect their relationships, however others seem to be in a permanent state of out of control; this doesn't bode well for a good relationship.
6. If they blame everyone else for their lot in life. How your life turns out is totally up to you; how you handle setbacks, and how you respond to others no matter how they have wronged you is also up to you. If a person refuses to take responsibility for themselves and their life, move on, because you will be the next cause of all of their problems.
7. If they alienate everyone around them. Sometimes issues will arise with friends or family members that will cause people to become estranged, however if the object of your desire has alienated themselves from their entire family and all of the friends they have ever had, this should be a sign.
8. If something JDLR (just don't look right). Sometimes you get a feeling about someone that you dismiss because you can't pinpoint what the issue is; you want to be the nice person and give them the benefit of the doubt. This is your intuition saying "get out now!"
9. If you don't click and feel like you are forcing yourself to make the relationship work. One friend considered relationship counseling with a guy she had only known for two months! If you can't get along during the developing stages of a relationship, it's time to cut bait and move on.
10. If you are a better person by yourself. The mate you are with is supposed to add to your life, not detract from it.

The bottom line is that, theoretically, when you are dating someone and they are trying to woo you into being more than a casual date, they should be on their best behavior. If they show any of the above traits and this is their best behaviour, think of how they will be when they know they "have" you and can relax and be themselves. Scary.

Random Notes

• Thanks for taking the poll. It is interesting to see what preps others are doing. If you have ideas for future polls, let me know.
• While at Barnes and Noble yesterday I was browsing the magazine racks and came across a special edition of Guns and Ammo 'Book of Personal Defense' magazine. It was a good read with lots of interesting personal defense info including tips on concealed carry, the best firearm to have for self defense, choosing ammo, etc.
• In the aforementioned magazine, I ran across a term I had never heard before..."shoot me first clothing". While I say that one should wear the clothing that will allow them to blend into the crowd (ie: leave the cammo at home if you are heading into the city), this term kind of makes that recommendation crystal clear. If a shooter/bank robber/other criminal type comes into your location, who do you think they will perceive as a threat and shoot first? The grandma hobbling by with a cane, the soccer mom trying to corral three kids, or the guy that looks like he is dressed for battle?