Daily Preparedness

Christmas is over and the New Year begins in just a few days. It is that time of year when our hearts and minds turn to setting ‘resolutions’ which we often forget by Valentine’s Day! Let this year be the exception and set not a single resolution, but rather set some goals for yourself and your family. Set goals that will improve your standard of living, your health and help you be better prepared for what looks like a bumpy financial ride for all of us!

Before setting a single goal, it is important to know where you are right now. Think of setting goals as the same process you would use when utilizing a GPS system. First, you have to know where you are in order to get directions to where you want to go. Today, let’s focus on financial well being and your ability to weather financial storms ahead.

Your starting point must include your current income, which should be easy to figure out. If you don’t know your gross and net take home pay, ask your employer to provide a year-to-date summary for you. Look at that summary and see what you currently have taken out of your paycheck. Are your IRS deductions reasonable? Did you pay a great deal of income tax last year when you filed your return or did you receive a larger than necessary refund? Although lots of folks LOVE getting those refunds, they are actually interest-free loans that you have granted Uncle Sam. Be realistic and consult a tax expert if you have questions.

Next look to see if you are taking advantage of the benefits provided by your employer without being over-insured or paying for benefits that you aren’t using. Do you take advantage of 401K contributions matched by your employer? What about a pre-tax health savings account–which is only worthwhile if you actually use the full amount every year! And don’t forget pre-tax childcare expense accounts.

Now you know how much you make. Do you know how much you spend? Do you know how much you owe others? Take a cold hard look at your spending habits by pulling out (or accessing online) your previous bank statements. Who is getting the bulk of your money? Is there a fair amount of cash unaccounted for?

If you haven’t already done so, write down every single mandatory monthly payment that you must make. Don’t forget mortgage, insurance, student loans, debt in any form, utilities, TV, phone, internet, tuition, cars, etc. This first category should include only those expenses that are set each month.

The second category will be flexible expenses such as savings, clothing, food, gas, donations, travel, entertainment or gifts. If you don’t know how much you spend on these items, it is likely that you are using cash. That isn’t bad, but it can be difficult to track what you spend. For the next few weeks, write down anything you pay cash for and calculate that into this category. Be brutally honest or the exercise will be pointless and you will not know where you are beginning from!

Add up these two categories and see if you are running a deficit. If you aren’t, you should be saving every month and never having to worry about when the next payday is. But, if you have loans that you must repay or are carrying a balance on any credit card, you are still experiencing deficit spending–just keep that in mind as we proceed to decide where we are right now!

You should have a fairly clear idea at this point if you are living within your means, way above your means or (the best of all possibilities) BELOW your means and saving the difference.

For those of you living below your means–good on you! You know what you make, what you spend and are saving your hard-earned money. You now only need to decide if you are taking advantage of all possible tax benefits, investing your money wisely and where you want to be in the future. Are you on track for goals one year, five years, ten years and twenty years in the future? Are you utilizing your common sense and self-discipline to be prepared in other areas of your life? Are you enjoying life–are there things you would like to do or to acquire? Do you have a plan to accomplish those wishes (you probably do, but it never hurts to check)? Do you know what you could cut from your budget immediately if need be? Do you know exactly how much money you have to have on a monthly basis? Set your goals based on the answers to those questions, and keep reading just in case you can learn something new. Or post your suggestions to everyone else!

If you are living just within your means, go through the following exercise with those living above their means. You are failing to get ahead and truly prepare yourselves and your family. Should you hit a ’speed bump,’ your security will be threatened. Now is the time to re-appraise, cut back and save, save, save, save. Acquire no new debt, pay off any that you have as quickly as you can and strengthen your overall level of self-reliance.

Those of you in a serious deficit spending lifestyle need to stop–RIGHT NOW!!! If you are consistently spending more money than you make, it is time to swallow a giant dose of self-discipline and take off those rose-colored glasses. Put your credit cards away, analyze the living daylights out of that budget and start cutting TODAY!! Not tomorrow, not after the holidays are over, not after that big family reunion, not after your teeth are whitened, etc, etc, but NOW! Take a cold, hard, self-reproaching look at those expenses you have written down and face the facts head on:

Do you have cable TV? Cancel it today.

High speed internet? Cancel it today.

Eating out (and that includes stopping for a soda or a candy bar out of the vending maching)? Stop today.

Giving generous gifts? Stop today. Make something simple or just send the person a well thought out and meaningful letter.

Buying new clothes? Stop today. Use what you have, shop clearance racks, garage sales, thrift stores and freecycle.org for items you really have to have.

Having manicures, pedicures, massages, spa visits? Stop today.

Insisting on designer labels? Get real!!

Eating prepared, over-priced and nutrionally challenged foods? Learn to cook! It isn’t hard, really it isn’t!

Renting movies or paying for Netflix? Stop it…the library offers a wide variety of DVD’s for free.

Paying for a zillion and one activities for your children? Stop and send them outside to run around. Take them to a free playground or one of the many free museums around you. Give them some paper and crayons or even better scissors and glue! Read a book, play a game or just talk to each other.

Going to the movies? Please, wait for the DVD at the library.

Buying books? Again, the library and that goes for magazines as well.

Driving around burning up gas? Consolidate necessary errands (first you have to learn what is really necessary & needful) and save gas.

Need something or have something you don’t need? Try freecycle.org or craigslist. You might be surprised what you can give away or get for free.

Bartering is a good thing, too.Can you exchange mending, child tending or gardening for Junior’s piano lessons? Save your cash and exchange your skills.

Eating fancy meals, even at home? Learn to cook and enjoy staple, inexpensive foods high in nutrition and low in fat.

What about prepared snack foods? String cheese, chips, cookies, candy–all high in calories and low in nutrition. Pop some popcorn or make a batch of nutritious cookies from your food storage. Cut up a chunk of cheese. Stick snack foods in ziploc bags before you leave the house so that you won’t be tempted.

Is your home over-heated? Turn that thermostat to a reasonable level. Turn it down even further at night and put a sweater on in the daytime! Close the curtains, plug up drafts and wear warmer clothes.

Utilities sky-rocketing? Turn off lights, electric appliances and other energy-sucking items when not being used.

Batteries eaten up by gadgets? Either use re-chargables and/or cut down on the gadgets.

Cell phone bills silly? Ask yourself–do you really need one? Is Junior texting everyone on the planet? Does Junior even need a cell phone? Are you using up or paying for too many minutes?Will your employer subsidize your cell phone?

Shopping for fun? Try going for a walk, reading a book from the library or visiting a friend. Shopping = spending = more debt = more stress = no fun at all.

You get the idea, don’t you? Slash all discretionary spending and pare down even ‘necessary items’ to their barest levels. Pay off that debt NOW! Keep telling yourself that nothing tastes as good, looks as good or feels as good as being out from under the load of debt and uncertainty.  For anyone living below their means or just at their means, this should be your first goal of the year–control spending, cut anything unnecessary, pay off debt and save something! Set weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly goals. Keep close record of how you are doing and pat yourself on the back as you accomplish each goal. You’ll like yourself and each new day much more when you are financially free.

For everyone else, you might want to do the same analysis of your spending to be certain you know where you are spending your money. Analyze exactly what you would have to have to live if your income was slashed. Also, set goals for those things you want to do with your money this year. Write those goals down and divide them as explained above.

We have all heard and should all have internalized that we are collectively facing an economic upheaval. No matter what your income, your profession or your situation, we are all likely to be affected by what promises to be a rocky ride. Fasten your seatbelts and prepare!

Are you paying your rent but not certain if your landlord is paying the mortgage? Do you know that the property you are renting is headed for foreclosure? Do you rent? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, it would be worth a few minutes of your time to read the following article:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28392662/

And if you are considering renting a home, it would be wise to check on the owner’s credit status!

Does your body need a break from the calorie and fat-laden goodies that prevail this time of year? Want to re-acquiant yourself with your food storage? Want to lower your cholesterol? If you answered yes to any of these questions, follow along boys and girls as we travel the road laden with all sorts of goodness thanks to the wonders of legumes!

Yes, the lowly bean and/or pea is a great source of cholesterol-busting goodness that will provide not only a healthy break from the cookies, candies and calorie loaded buffets of the Holiday Season (or that time of year when the average person gains 5 pounds), but a low-cost, easy to prepare and quick to reheat meal for hurried evenings. And you can pretty much ignore the little beauties as they cook! What could be better?

Beans are an integral part of any food storage plan. They are inexpensive (though rapidly rising in cost so get them now) and if stored carefully, can last nearly forever. As they age, they will require a longer soaking or cooking time, but retain much of their nutritional value. Though many people avoid these lowly members of the food pyramid due to ignorance or intestinal issues, your body will quickly adapt to these high fiber honeys and thank you later with better health.

What sorts of beans should you store? Any and all that you like! If you say you don’t like beans, you probably haven’t eaten many varieties or eaten them when carefully and creatively prepared. Some of the least expensive and easiest to work with include pintos, black beans, red kidney beans, navy beans, great northern beans, split peas, and small red beans. Canned beans are good additions to salads while dry beans are a ’staple’ of any healthy food storage program. Remember, too, that you can ‘hide’ beans in many other foods. A cooked, mashed bean can be added to breads, cakes, cookies or used as a thickening for other soups or stews. Dry beans can be ground into a flour and added to all of the items listed above.There are even recipes for pinto bean fudge.

For a fast holiday season dinner and/or lunch, try your hand at making a hearty bean soup. You can find thousands of recipes online, including some which are pureed. Pureed soups are a good introduction for a bean-phobic family; they needn’t know what the soup is made of!!!

As I am a bit of an ‘improvisational’ cook, this recipe is open to a great deal of interpretation by you. The important steps are outlined carefully and you can take it from there!

Basic Bean Soup–or Get Creative Bean Bonanza

Ingredients:

1 lb dry beans (try any variety or for best results, mix your beans up!)

about 5 to 8 cups of stock (chicken, beef or veggie depending on your preference and end product desire. The higher your proportion of stock to water as the beans cook, the richer your soup will taste. Use low-fat or fat-free stock for healthiest results)

about 10 cups of water

1 onion chopped

1 can chopped tomato (or chop up one in your frig..substitute a can of tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, salsa, V-8 juice–anything you have that you want the soup to taste like)

Seasonings: (here is where the fun comes in) I like to utilize some or all of the following:

salt, pepper, ground red chili powder, dark chili powder, curry powder, garlic powder, onion powder, bay  leaves, Italian seasonings, chopped celery, chopped carrots and cumin

Chopped meat such as browned hamburger, sausage, ham, chicken, pork, etc. This is a great way to use up leftovers or meat that was a bit tougher than you had hoped for.

1. For dry beans, soak overnight in a large pan completely. Water should be 3 times as high as the beans in the pan.

2. Drain water in which beans soaked. Add water to twice the height of the now swollen beans and bring to a boil.

3. Add 1 tablspn of baking soda when the water boils. This will FROTH up so be prepared!

4. Add stock, chopped onion, spices and tomato products. If you wish, add any meat that you are using. Some ‘tender’ meats should be reserved until an hour or two before serving or they will completely fall apart. Falling apart is okay, too.

5. If you need to go away for the day, put everything into a crockpot at this point and leave on high. If you don’t want your house to smell like beans, put the crockpot in the garage and let the neighbors enjoy the aroma!

6. An hour or two before you want to serve your soup, taste it. Add any vegetables you desire. Adjust seasonings, add meat, more stock or anything else you think it needs. For a heartier flavor to a ‘tomato-y’ soup, blend one can of whole tomato and one large onion until pureed in the blender. Add to the soup and continue to simmer for one hour.

7. 30 minutes before serving, taste again. Adjust seasoning as needed.

8. Serve with a big salad and your choice of wholewheat bread, cornbread or rice.

Note: Remember that this is YOUR soup! Add whatever flavorings and meats you enjoy. If you want an Italian Wedding Soup, simply use white beans, chicken stock, more Italian seasoning and cooked Italian sausage. For chili, use kidney beans, hamburger, more tomato and lots of chili powder. If you start cooking the beans and can’t finish the soup that day, simply turn to low on the crockpot. Add water as needed and continue to cook.

You can also begin by adding beans to your own vegetable or chicken soup. If your family is bean novices, add beans slowly to the diet and allow their systems to acclimate.

Store leftovers and reheat one serving at a time!

Though this is the season of giving, one gift we would all like to avoid is all too common this time of year–upper respiratory infections due to ‘colds’, flus and other ailments quickly passed from one to another. This year, it seems that the varieties of germs floating around has the propensity for quickly accelerating into bronchitis and/or pneumonia. These unwelcome holiday guests can put a serious damper on your ability to deck the halls with another other than kleenex, vaporizers and prescription medication. However, like most unwanted guests, there is much you can do to prevent acquiring or passing on these little critters of misery!

First and foremost, if you are playing host to a germfest, STAY HOME as much as possible. Miss church meetings, call in sick to work and isolate yourself. If everyone would do this, the chances of an epidemic are reduced to nil. At the least, follow common sense and keep your germs to yourself.

What can you do to reduce your risk of infection or of spreading infection? Read on!

1. WASH YOUR HANDS. Soap, water and a little bit of friction are the best ways to combat the spread of germs. Use warm water, soap and scrub for at least 15 seconds. Wash often and thoroughly, but always before preparing or eating food, after using the restroom and any time you have contact with an infected person.
2. USE A TISSUE INSTEAD OF A HANDKERCHIEF. Handkerchiefs are pocket petri dishes for bacteria and virus’. Keep them for ceremonial uses and use disposable tissues for the serious work. Throw away your soiled tissues immediately.
3. KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF YOUR FACE. When you touch your eyes, nose or mouth you are passing all of those germs you collected as you went about your daily life right into the areas where they like to grow.
4. COUGH AND SNEEZE AWAY FROM OTHERS. Cough into your sleeve, a tissue or turn around for pity’s sake! Did you know that the average speed of your sneeze is 100mph! Just think of a sneeze as a rocket propelled germ rocket–a biological weapon if there ever was one, so keep it to yourself.
5. MOUTHS ARE NOT FOR MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS. If you have the bad, bad habit of sticking pens, pencils and similar objects into your mouth–STOP IT RIGHT NOW! Also avoid licking your fingers in order to turn pages. Let’s not even discuss the germ count on money!
6. IN THE OFFICE. Clean your work area, keyboard and phone often. Keyboards and phones are great homes for all sorts of nasty stuff. Individually wrapped alcohol wipes are great cleaning devices and are safe on nearly all keyboards, remotes and phones. Don’t forget to wash your hands after using the bathroom, copy/fax machine, touching items in the lunchroom or anything frequently touched by others.
7. GERMS CAN SET UP HOUSE NEARLY ANYWHERE. Clean doorknobs, light switches, refrigerator doors, bathrooms, kitchen counters, telephones and remotes at home. A spray disinfectant is a good item to add to the cleaning basket.
8. CARRY HAND SANITIZER. This quick, easy to use solution to hand washing is affordable and easy to use. Just remember that it relies on friction to work so don’t skimp in the hand rubbing portion of the routine. Be certain to get between your fingers.
9. TEACH THE CHILDREN WELL. Children are germ machines on two legs. Those in school are exposed daily to a wide variety of germies and they bring them home with them! Insist that your school follow a strict ‘You are sick, you are going home’ policy. Teach them to wash their hands frequently, saying the ABC’s as they scrub. Stick a small bottle of hand sanitizer in their backpack. Insist that your child stay home when they are sick! Keep their backpacks off of kitchen counters and eating surfaces.
10. DON’T SHARE CUPS, CHAPSTICK, MAKE-UP. Use paper cups in the bathroom and teach your children to NOT share their chapstick or other personal care items. No drinking after others. For older children and teens, warn them about drinking out of cups prepared by others at a party. Insist that they drink only from a container that they open and that they keep in their possession–this one isn’t so much about germs as it is about what others might put in their drink. The consequences can be much worse than pneumonia.
11. DON’T SHARE FOOD OR UNTENSILS. This includes at home as it limits the passing of nasties from one child to another. A good dishwasher and powerful soap will also help stop the spread of germs.
12. USE DISPOSABLE PRODUCTS. This is particularly important when a bug hits your house. Use paper towels, paper plates and cups. If you use hand towels in the bathroom or kitchen, replace them frequently. Have a separate towel for the sick person to use. Replace kitchen sponges daily. Sanitize them by boiling or running through the dishwasher on hot water (the dishwasher is still not likely to sanitize it).
13. PLAN AHEAD. Have soup, cough drops, tissue, paper products and lots of fluids stored in case someone does get sick.
14. VENTILATE. Weather permitting, open windows even briefly to allow fresh air to circulate through your house.
15. MOISTURIZE. Add humidifiers to the bedrooms if dry air is a problem. Consider using a netti pot or nasal saline spray daily if you must be in contact with those who are likely to be sick.
16. PRACTICE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING. Keep kitchens and bathrooms clean at all times. Don’t just straighten these rooms, sanitize them! Replace towels and bedding frequently. Clean toys regularly in hot soapy water.
17. EAT HEALTHY. It is often difficult during the holidays, but remember that your body needs good nutrition to fight off germs. Avoid too many sweets, drink plenty of healthy fluids such as water and take your vitamins.
18. GET ENOUGH REST. Another tricky one during busy seasons, but try to get adequate sleep every night. If you do come down with a cold, allow yourself extra sleeping time to fend off the invasion before it escalates to something worse.
19. EXERCISE. Getting 30 minutes of exercise three or more times a week builds your immune system. Park further away from your office door, take the stairs, ride the exercise bike while watching a holiday special or just walk around your house briskly as you dust and sanitize.
20. RELAX! Take time to unwind. A body under stress is more likely to get sick than someone who is well rested and relaxed. Don’t attempt to be Martha Stewart this holiday season–remember she has a full time staff and orders carry out.

Stay healthy!

It is definitely the time of year when even certified ‘Hate To Shop-phobics’ find themselves heading to the mall, super store or to an online merchant to find the perfect gift for everyone on their list. Also heading to all of those locations are those who find their Christmas cheer by stealing yours (along with your wallet, money, ID, purchases & possibly your physical well being)! Thieves, pickpockets, scam artists and other unsavory sorts prey on all of those harried, distracted and thoughtful shoppers. Before you head out to shop, remember these tips gathered from multiple safety sites:

‘Brick and Mortar Stores’

1. Leave the purse at home or locked in the car. No matter how cute it is, a purse increases your chances of meeting one of those stealing, purse-snatching grinches. Should you meet one, relinquish your purse. There is NOTHING in there worth dying for. Report incident to the police and immediately cancel all credit cards that were stolen. Replace your driver’s license and be extra cautious at home.

2. Keep your valuables in your pockets—preferably the front pockets of your pants. Spread your cash (a moderate amount), one credit card and your ID into multiple pockets.

3. Have a cell phone handy at all times.

4. Shop during daylight hours. If you must shop at night, always shop with a companion (and small children don’t count as companions). At night, park only in lots that have adequate lighting.

5. Never hesitate to ask for a Public Safety escort to your car. All shopping centers, reputable stores and malls have them available.

6. Do not allow yourself to become over burdened with packages which limit your ability to see, move or be aware of your surroundings.

7. Always lock your car – when you are in it and out of it.

8. Have your keys ready before you leave the store.

9. Make certain no one is hiding in your car before you enter. The best way to do this is to approach it from the back as though you are going to walk past your car to another one. Look in each window as you pass. Only place your key in the door when you are certain the car is empty.

10. Stay alert to your surroundings. If you feel uncomfortable, seek out assistance immediately! Be aware that con artists use a multitude of tactics to distract you so that you can be more easily robbed. Some thieves work in pairs, with one distracting you and the other robbing you.

11. Wherever possible, shop at stores that allow you to run your credit card through the reader yourself. If you must hand over your credit card, watch as it is processed. There are few merchants that still use carbon copies, but if a small business does, take the carbons with you.

12. Do not keep packages in plain view in your car. Lock in the trunk.

13. Use ATMs in secure locations. Do not count cash in open view. If anyone is lurking near the ATM, either on foot or in a car, move onto to another one. Better yet, prepare now – get the cash you will need and store it at home in a safe location.

14. Make sure that you have a record of all credit cards, their numbers and the phone number to call if one is lost. Keep this at home in your ‘What If’ notebook.

15. Dress casually and comfortably. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.

16. If at all possible, shop without small children during the busiest shopping times. If you must bring a small child with you, be aware that they are a built-in distraction as well as a safety hazard. Keep your child with you AT ALL times. Remember to strap them into the stroller or shopping cart. Put identifying information into one of their pockets (refer to the CHAD posting) just in case they become separated from you. Be certain to teach your child to look for a store employee or a ‘Grandma’ if they get lost. Many young children simply hide if lost and don’t know who to go to for help.

Online Merchants:

1. Only purchase from sites that display https in the web address, have the closed lock or unbroken key to signify a secure website. If the lock is displayed as open or the key broken, the site is compromised.

2. Do not respond to emails from PayPal, your bank, your credit card company, mortgage company, eBay, Amazon or any other merchant that asks you to click on a portion of the email (a hyperlink) to reinstate your account, up date your information or asks for your log in information. If you think the email may be legitimate, close the email, log out of the email program and then go to the web address that you have used previously for that merchant. DO NOT USE THE WEB ADDRESS given in the email. Look for the link to the company’s fraud department and report the email you have received. Many companies can also accept forwarded emails to, for instance, ‘spoof@paypal.com’ or ‘spoof@ebay.com’. The company will then research the email.

3. Only provide credit card or bank information through a secured website. Do not include the information in an email.

4. Be very aware that the incidence of fraud, abuse, etc. increases greatly during the holidays. Ebay has its highest rate of seller fraud during the holidays. Only purchase items from sellers with a good track rating and preferably ones that will accept credit cards through PayPal. You are much safer using an established merchant such as Amazon (though not necessarily a private seller that advertises through Amazon) or the online version of brick and mortar stores (such as target.com or toysrus.com) than purchasing items through an auction.

5. Be certain that you are aware of return policies before purchasing. Brick and mortar stores will often accept returns from their internet counterparts.

6. Immediately report any suspected case of fraud to the company and to your local police department.

No matter where you shop, shop smartly. Keep track of your purchases and be certain to carefully check your credit card and bank statements.

Happy shopping!!

For many people, decorating the Christmas tree is a favorite part of the holiday. The National Safety Council (with a few I added for good measure) offers some safety tips to make sure a mishap doesn’t spoil your holiday season.

Christmas Trees

• A real tree can add to the spirit of Christmas by filling your home with beauty and the scent of pine. But a real tree can also pose a fire hazard. Each year, more than 400 residential fires involve Christmas trees and tragically nearly 40 deaths and 100 injuries result from those fires.
• Try to select a fresh tree by looking for one that is green. The needles of pines and spruces should bend and not break and should be hard to pull off the branches. On fir species, a needle pulled from a fresh tree will snap when bent, much like a fresh carrot. Also, look for a trunk sticky with sap.
• Cut off about two inches of the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand. Keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out quickly.
• Stand your tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Make sure the tree does not block foot traffic or doorways.
• If you use an artificial tree, choose one that tested and labeled as fire resistant. Artificial trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.

Tree lights

• Only use indoor lights indoors (and outdoor lights only outdoors). Look for the UL label. Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Replace or repair any damaged light sets.
• Also, use no more than three light sets on any one extension cord. Extension cords should be placed against the wall to avoid tripping hazards, but do not run cords under rugs.
• Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Consider placing a fire extinguisher near the tree ‘just in case’.
• Tree ornaments

• Always use the proper step stool or ladder to reach high places.
• Read labels before you use materials that come in jars, cans and spray cans.
• Never place lighted candles on a tree or near any flammable materials.
• Avoid placing breakable tree ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower branches where small children or pets can reach them.
• Do not hang popcorn chains and candy canes on the tree when small children are present. They may think that other tree ornaments are also edible.
• Be cautious and considerate of your animals, too!
• Gifts
• Do not place tree in front of un-covered window. Keep curtains closed at night so that ‘outside eyes’ cannot spy the loot under your tree
• Be certain that wrapping paper and ribbons are not entangled with extension cords
• On Christmas morning, have several trash receptacles ready for the wrapping paper and ribbons.
• Be cautious about burning wrapping paper in the fire place. Much of it contains components that can spark, ‘explode’ or produce noxious fumes. The better bet is to place it all in the recycling bin.
• Be careful to protect pets from ribbons and paper. The papers can contain toxic substances for the little critters and they can become entangled (even choked) by loose ribbons.
• For re-usable wrapping, consider making or purchasing simple fabric bags that can be re-used year after year.
• Keep all of your receipts not only for returns but to protect yourself against credit card fraud. Carefully scrutinize your January credit card statement.
• Also remember that chocolate and other common Christmas treats are, in general, not good for your pets.

Enjoy a safe, happy, and well-prepared holiday season!

Christmas stockings are an ideal opportunity to stick in some items for your 72 hour kit or for general household preparedness. If you celebrate Hanukkah, incorporate some of these items into the nightly gifts! Most of these gifts can be found in the camping section of your local discount store. You may still be able to find some on clearance from the autumn camping and hunting season.  Here are some ideas (of course consider the appropriateness of the item in relation to the gift recipient’s age):

• Small flashlights for each bedroom. The best ones have a lanyard or other string attached so that they can hang from a bedpost, out of sight.

• Batteries for those electronic gadgets

• Waterproof matches and container

• Swiss army knife –there is one available that is the size of a credit card and holds all sorts of cool stuff

• Screwdriver set–a mini set is a great thing to have in each car as well as your 72-hour kit

• Compass or a combination whistle and compass device

• Reflective mirror

• Small toiletries, including a disposable razer, travel sized toothbrush and tooth paste, small soap, shampoo and lotion. Check out the travel section at your local discount store for other items.

• ‘Space’ emergency blanket

• Folding cup

• Camp utensil set and/or ‘mess kit’

• Pocket size survival guide

• Rain poncho

• Hand and/or foot warmers

• Key chain whistle and/or flashlight

• Thermal socks and/or wool mittens/gloves

• A wool ‘watch’ cap–the type used by the military is warm, water repellent and folds compactly.

• Small first aid kit

• Small, purse sized holder for band-aids

• Mini battery operated alarm clock

• Headlamp style flashlight

• ‘Power’ bars

• 100 hour candle

• Water purifying tablets or ’sani straw’ device

• Long shelf life boxed water

• Pocket-sized package of toilet paper and tissues

• A Bowie knife with sheath

• Flint and steel

• Small knife sharpener

• Mini first aid primer–check with your local Red Cross or County Extension office for free ones

• CPR mouth shield

• Small card games or other sources of entertainment such as Sudoku books

• Mini sewing kit–you can easily assemble one in an old prescription bottle or empty 35mm film canister. Include several sharp needles, thread, thread clipper, buttons, a snap and several safety pins

• Travel sized hand sanitizer, hand wipes and disinfectant spray

• Jumper cables

• Small size roll of duct tape

• Small roll of heavy twine or rope

Check out the camping aisles and see what little goodies might be interesting and helpful. You never know what you might find!

And be sure to save all of that excess hard candy you and your family receive during the holidays. Seal it up tight in a ziploc bag, food saver bag or other air tight container to add to your long-term storage and 72-hour kits.

<!– /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;}