Preparing for disaster, or even an economic downturn, is really no different from any other form of planning for the future. If you have insurance for your car, your home, or your health, you could already consider yourself a prepper, so why not take the next logical leap in personal responsibility by planning for the necessary care for yourself and your family in the event of a disaster situation? Here are a few major reasons to start prepping immediately.
- The economy. Plenty of people have seen the ill effects of an economic downturn over the last several years. And if you or someone you know experienced job loss and the inability to find gainful employment, then the ramifications of failing to prepare for economic problems are all too clear. By prepping for economic issues, you will have the potential to continue living comfortably until the economy recovers or you find another job.
- Interest rates. The housing market is starting to recover, but housing prices and interest rates are still relatively low. This means that now is a great time to invest in property. Although you may be interested in avoiding debt if at all possible, preparedness could mean having a safe home to retreat to in the event of a natural disaster or an economic collapse. You might be seeking property with amenities like water rights, a private well, a septic tank, land for farming, livestock zoning, or other staples of self-reliance. And with land and real estate prices on the rise, purchasing property now is a fiscally responsible move, provided you can afford it.
- Terrorism. It wasn't that long ago that a terrorist attack on American soil would have been considered ludicrous. Now, all you have to do is say the word "terrorist" and people immediately think of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. It happened once, and it can happen again. In fact, terrorist attacks are prevalent around the world, and to think that we are immune is pure folly. Although our government works hard to avert such attacks, it can't hurt to be prepared for the occurrence of a successful terrorist plot.
- Natural disasters. People may scoff at global warming, but no one can deny the uptick in natural disasters over the last few decades or the increasing intensity of weather patterns in general. Humans have done a doozy on the environment through the burning of fossil fuels and the release of hydrocarbons, and climate change is a natural byproduct of this oversight. But even beyond that, Mother Nature has her own schedule, and it doesn't take your wants or needs into consideration. When natural disasters strike, taking essential services like power, water, gas, food supply, communications, and access to medical care along with them, you want to be ready to care for yourself and your family.
- Overpopulation. The human population is growing at such an astronomical rate that we may soon overtax the resources available to us, including fresh water and food production capabilities. It may or may not happen within our lifetimes, but there are already parts of the world where starvation is a daily threat. And with the world shrinking from a metaphorical perspective, the growth of conflict between nations is a very real concern, especially when you consider how it could disrupt the chain of supply that ensures that basic life necessities are met.
- Disease. You might think that epidemics are a third world problem, but just look at the recent case of the American volunteers who contracted Ebola while tending to patients in Africa. They are now back in the U.S. for treatment despite controversy over the ability of medical practitioners and facilities to stop the virus from spreading. All it takes is one infected person getting on a plane to start a worldwide pandemic. Whether or not it is a likely scenario is irrelevant. The important thing to remember is that it is possible. And the more we break down borders between nations, the more probable such an event becomes. (Yes I know Ebola is not airborne, but there are plenty of diseases that are)
- Personal tragedy. Anyone can be affected by personal tragedy without warning. Whether you suffer a medical crisis, you lose a loved one (especially one that provided financial support), you are the victim of a personal attack, or you experience financial issues due to identity theft or job loss, you may find yourself unable to work and/or facing crippling debt. Prepping may not leave you worry-free in such situations, but you'll definitely have a lot more peace of mind knowing that you at least have food to eat and a roof over your head while you cope with personal tragedy.
- Self-reliance. There is a certain amount of confidence and peace of mind that comes along with knowing that you are prepared in the event of an emergency situation. And all you have to do is look at natural disasters across the globe to know that you don't want to put your fate in the hands of governmental agencies.
- Protect your loved ones. There's no better reason to start prepping than out of concern for the well-being of your family and your friends. What will you tell your kids when they're hungry, thirsty, and cold because an earthquake struck and you have failed to stock the house with non-perishable food items, drinking water, and a means of creating heat in preparation for a time when these services are not readily available? Wouldn't you rather have these items on hand when disaster strikes?
- Disaster doesn't wait for you. There are so many potential disasters that could happen at any time, without warning. They range from possible (natural disasters, pandemics, world war) to plausible (job loss, illness, car accident, financial collapse) to probable (death of a loved one). And you don't know when these situations might occur or how you will be affected. So it's never too soon to start preparing for the worst, even if you hope for the best.
So why not get started now?
