Five Simple Ways to Start Preparing Now

When you start prepping it can be overwhelming. There is a ton of information online, on television, and in books. Most of it can get very specific and technical.  It’s hard to find a place to start, especially if you’re not ready to make any financial commitments yet.  Here is a list of some simple things you can do, that doesn’t cost any money, but could make all the difference in times of hardship.

1.  Get to know your neighbors- If you don’t have a good relationship with these people then try to fix that. During a crisis you may have to rely on them for survival. If you don’t know them now, then they will be less likely to help you in the future. They could even become an enemy during a disaster if they are desperate to provide for their family. Not to mention things like securing your neighborhood, planting food, gathering water etc., are much easier with more people.  The larger the group you have to protect your home, the better. 
2.  Learn everything about your house -You may be surprised what you learn about your house when you go looking.  If you own a home, you may want to start off by looking at the disclosure your real estate gave you when you looked at the house. If you rent then just start exploring. Check all the nooks and crannies. Look for how well your house is constructed, insulated, or even where your water shutoff is.  You may find extra space for storage of food and water.  You may find some problems with your house that need to be fixed. Better to find these now than during a crisis. Planning ahead is all about knowing what you’re working with, especially if what you’re working with is your own home! While you’re exploring, take pictures of everything for insurance reasons. 
3. Get involved with your local fire department- If you have a local volunteer fire department then there are plenty of things that you could do to help  such as volunteering, donating, or just getting familiar with the crew. The stronger your community, the better it can weather the storm, or recover from it. Most departments will also pay for the training you have to take to become a firefighter, or EMT. The benefits of which are self-evident. Your local firefighters have plenty to teach. During an emergency they will be at the center of the crisis and most likely in charge. Also Fire departments are usually where food and water supplies are shipped and given out by emergency management agencies. 
4. Try to find like-minded people in your area - I can guarantee no matter where you live, there are people who share the same feelings about prepping as you. Look around and see if there are any survival groups that meet, and if not, start your own.  You will learn a lot from people who have already been prepping for a while, and maybe gain some good friends and allies. You may also meet people who have critical skills, such as doctors, carpenters, and farmers.
5. Get to know your geography- Where is the closest natural source of water to you? Could you carry water from there to home? How about escape routes. Learning all the streets, bridges, and tunnels can be a huge advantage if you need to get home, or get out of dodge.  It is also useful to know what natural disasters your house could be prone to. Find out if it’s in a flood zone, or even near an emergency snow route.

At this point you may be sitting here thinking, well these are things that I already do, not because I’m preparing, but because they are a part normal life. That’s what prepping is all about: making yourself more self-sufficient now, so you don’t have to worry about it later. Prepping is not all about buying a bunch of supplies and stocking up. It is about taking a good look at every part of your life and assessing its functionality, and improving yourself and your surroundings.So go out and start improving, I can guarantee you will appreciate later!