Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink

 You can't live without it, but we take it for granted. We think, "Water will always be here, all I have to do is turn on the tap." But what if what is coming out of the tap is tainted? Or the water supplier's system goes down? Recently, E-Coli has been found in the Baltimore, Maryland Water system, Polio has been found in New York's water system and Jackson, Mississippi's water treatment system was damaged by flood waters.

Baltimore Water System infected with EColi

After a major catastrophe, the cost of water in the area you live will skyrocket. We aren't in a crisis mode where I live, and the price of a 24 pack of bottled water has risen from 3.50 pre-pandemic, to over $5.00. One thing we know about the new pricing of food products is it has no basis in reality. It's not a combination of factors such as transportation costs, labor, or even the rising prices of commodities that are making prices go up. It's simply greed. And the issue with greed driving prices is man's greed has tended to be without limits in our long history.

Storing stacks and stacks of 24 bottle packs isn't feasible for most people. But having something on hand is a necessity now. Part of your improved pantry has to be stored water. I recommend that you start to store both 5 gallon bottles and long term storage water. These larger bottles can be found at hardware stores, Walmart and big box discount stores like Sam's Club, Costco and BJ's. 

You'll need two pump options, one manual and one electric. The manual is a the backup in case power is lost. If you find one that runs on battery power, that is a good choice. Always have two options. You can get a manual pump for about the same as an electric pump. Get your family used to using them now, so it's not such a big transition. You can find them at Amazon, Hardware Stores and Big Box retailer's. Look at the reviews, as some don't come with good directions.

Also, know your family usage of water. If you buy larger bottles and find lots of them sitting half full at the end of the day, then you need to buy the smaller bottles for them to use. Monitor their water usage, they should be drinking adequate amounts of water to stay hydrated. In the event of a pending storm, you could always clean your tub really, really well and store water there. You can also use the manual pump to move water from the tub to bottles in an emergency, it will take a little ingenuity on your part, but assess the situation and act quickly.

How much water should you be drinking?

Adults should be drinking 6 to 8 - 8 ounce glasses of water per day. Children should take in half of that amount. If you need to flavor your kids water so they drink it, try to use a flavoring choice that is low in sugar. Get children used to the taste of Agave Syrup early. It's much better than artificial sweeteners, and can even be used with people who have to watch their sugar intake due to medical issues. 

Also, watch the color of your urine and that of your children during emergency, drought and times of high temperature. Depending on color, you may need to take immediate action to hydrate a loved one.

Don't forget to put your water into a rotation pattern also. Try to buy purified water instead of Spring or Alkalinized water. The vast majority of people's PH is adequate. If you find there is a brand you prefer, then budget out how to have some of it on hand. 

You can't live without water. Make a plan now to have stored water on hand so you won't be a victim of price gouging. Also, if you can drive away from your local area where there is a water issue, you may find water cheaper at another location. Calculate the cost in gas and time before you do this, however. And set a limit on how much you want to pay for scarce items in your mind, then determine the cost of storing it at its current price now. It's time to start keeping track of pricing so you can prepare ahead of rising costs if at all possible.

Guess What Time It Is?

It's time to start your Disaster Prepping!  This is the month that the book starts from, September!  You're past the gearing up for the kids to go back to school, and the end of all your summertime fun, now its time to get down to business! So, let's dig in and get started.

Head on over to Amazon and get the Book Series, "Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators".  You have a choice of getting the Color or the Black and White version.  Then, get your Forms Book which will help you put away paper that you need and get rid of papers that you don't need.

Last but not least, is your Shopping List Book.  It comes in two forms, with and without Scripture references.


I always have some component of Christianity in my works, and this one is no exception.  Anyone thinking, "God is going to take care of me, I don't have to go through all of this." is kidding themselves. 
I wanted to make sure that everyone could be covered when it came to Disaster Preparation.  In the Scripture Shopping List Book, there is supporting Scriptures that show having a vision and a plan is something that honors God.  It's expected, not just for yourself, but for your family, and your neighbors.  Our system lets you take care of not only your family but have a little extra you can put aside for extended family and neighbors.

This is the first month that you will begin to build your long term supplies and start cleaning your house.  So, plans are made to be added to, so first, you need to look through the quiz portions of the book to find out why you procrastinate.  All the planning, purchasing and storing items in the world won't work, if you don't figure out why you keep putting off doing anything to help yourself and your family survive and thrive in an Emergency or Disaster.

I will be giving some shopping tips for things that I find along the way that will make your life easier.  Just know, even if you only get your backpacks ready, you need to do SOME level of preparation.  One thing I have seen from having lost power before is once the electronics run out of juice, things can get REALLY dicey around the house.  Teenagers without their phones can be worse than being caged in a guest bathroom with a hungry lion!

In addition to this month's purchases, I came across these Shelving Units from Sam's Club. They are reasonable, have great reviews, and would be perfect for a basement or closet area.  Always read the reviews before you purchase something that you really need to work.

Make sure you read some of the lower reviews also, but you may come to find that they are many times left by people who can't put anything together or you just can't please them no matter what you do. If the product you buy doesn't meet your expectations, take it back to the store or send it back.  I tend to order from Amazon, because they don't hassle me about returns.


Another choice for those on a budget is this shelving unit from Ikea.  It doesn't hold heavy loads, but will keep your things off the floor.

If you live in a NEW flood plain...you know, the areas that used to get hit with 100 year floods every year, but they come every year now...you need to think of not just shelving to keep your important stuff off the floor, but also plastic tubs that you can seal with duct tape to keep your important papers and things important to your family from being ruined.

So, go get your books, and let's get this show on the road! Get your front closet cleaned out, and your foyer in order.  Get your Backpacks and this month's water supplies.  Nothing grates on you more than paying $15.00 with a 2 pack maximum for water that cost $3.00 last week. You can go without food for some time, but you need water every day.

Links:

Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators Series

Sam's Club Shelving Unit

IKEA Shelving Unit

You can't take ALL of that WITH you!

You know, I was looking through my Disaster prep stuff, which I keep in a loft area right by the front door, and rethinking my trunk space.  I've taken to leaving my trunk as empty as possible because I have a lot to put in there! 

I've redoubled my efforts to make sure we are able to evacuate with everything we need, but not be so bogged down we can't take the important things and light out for a safe zone.

Its easier to think that you'll just buy one of those First Aid Backpacks, a tent and those Survival Food Buckets with pre-done entrees and 2 containers of water and that's okay. 

But you can't take ALL that WITH you if you have to evacuate by car or on foot.  Have you ever read what is actually in those buckets?  I have.  They include a bunch of things that my family isn't going to eat! Some of those items can be re-heated, but others have to be re-hydrated, which will cut into your water supply.

There is a finite amount of space in the trunk of your car.  If you're like most people, you always have a bunch of stuff in your trunk.  You may want to think of cleaning it out, before you end up having to toss stuff out without sorting it in case of an emergency.  Everything you haul increases the weight of your car and will affect your gas mileage.  We have recommendations in the book series that will help you break down your needs and what you should carry regularly in the car, to your job, that your family should take to work and school so that you are all prepared in case of an emergency. 

We tell you how to work with the interior of your car, once you load in your family. You can continue the way you are, but make sure whatever you plan, it will fit a shelter-in-place scenario, evacuate by car scenario AND an evacuate on foot scenario.  My system helps prepare you for all of those occurrences and at the same time, declutter and clean your home so you can become more organized.

Get your copies of Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators on Amazon now.  Make sure you get the Forms Book and your choice of the Shopping List Books, they come with Scriptural references and without.  Click the link below to start ordering!

Disaster Prepping for Procrastinators Series