Emergency Prep That Won't Break the Bank

The unexpected happens – whether you are prepared or not. Those who are frugal don’t get excused from emergency preparedness. In fact, those of us who choose carefully how and where we spend our funds should be always thinking ahead, weighing our options, and choosing solutions (ahead of time) that work within our budget and our needs. In this video, we talk about emergency prep that won't break the bank.

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We're Hope and Larry and we love practical frugality. We raised our four sons, debt-free, including paying cash for our home when our income was well under the national average. For tips on saving money, budgeting, paying off debt, and setting goals (while living with a spirit of joy and abundance), subscribe to us here on YouTube and visit us at our website and on social media.

Information on Under the Median represents our opinions only. We are not medical doctors, medical professionals, nutritionists, or investment professionals. All content found on Under the Median is intended for informational purposes only. Please be sure to exercise due diligence and always contact a professional with any questions you may have regarding any information you have seen or heard on our YouTube channel. Use caution when following instructions in this video. The creator and publisher of this video will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of any method on this channel.

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I saw someone advising to fill up with water any empty glass containers. It takes as much space to store them empty that full of drinking water. And if you find yourself without wster for any reason, you can use the water in those jars.
I found that to be a great idea.

[denisebolin-clark]

A head lantern, for me, is invaluable. You don't have to hold, drop and lose them in the dark. You have both hands free. Much better than a flashlight. I use a cane sometimes. I can use this easily.

[joyswenson]

Over a year ago, there were fires near enough to our desert city to make me nervous. The smoke covered a good portion of the sky. As my husband was trucking on the road at the time, my mama brain kicked into gear- we got gas immediately, I double checked our 72 hour backpacks, prepped on the road food, and had an evacuation plan. Fortunately the firefighters got the wildfire under control and our city was safe.

At church, we’ve always been encouraged to have food storage & emergency preparedness, but during the pandemic we realized we were lacking. Not anymore!

Thank you for this video!

[lauraguggenberger]

Whenever we donate to the food shelf, I always toss in a few manual can openers. They really appreciate them.

[faithrada]

My hubby runs the gas generator but I try and go with him to stay familiar with the process. I keep a print out in a plastic protector of all the steps and type of oil needed. In emergencies it's hard to remember everything.

[yvonnebourque]

A free emergency prep is to have on our cellphone, the city app that sends out notifications (if the city has such an app). In an emergency, we would get the city’s notice on what to do. Another is adding our name to the city’s vulnerable citizen list…..if that applies to us….. such as old age or disability.

[miabernard]

Great advice on Emergency planning. One thing in using cell phones in an emergency, you are more likely to get through by texting instead of calling especially when lines are congested. Texting takes less energy too. I have used that technique during hurricanes effectively.

[faithfletcher]

We lived through the April 2011 tornadoes in Alabama. Two of the things that saved us were filling the bathtubs with water, and having a simple power inverter. We were already more prepared than most with a fully stocked pantry and alternate cooking methods available. Our neighborhood also created a system for notifying each other when gas, ice, and other items were available at local stores. We have public utilities and live on a mountain. Severe flooding prevents the pumping station from pumping water from the TVA station to our local municipality, so we can be without water for days.

[FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thankfully, tinned food has ring pulls here. We checked our winter preparations a week ago. Storm Kieran left us without power or communication for 8 days last year. We couldn't get out of our street for three days. We were thankfully very well prepared

[janejdough]

-check pantry up today fill gamps
-make sure you can use without electricity
-manual can opener
-know location of supplies
- fill cars
- gas generator to run fridge etc check oil and fresh plug
-cans of gasoline
- lighting ( solar for example)
- keep everything charged up
- one contact person make a phone tree.
-radio
-blankets
-portable power unit with panels]
-car adaptor to charge cell phone
- water supply
-

[EmilyEmilyEmily]

Great items you shared! The storm Helene turned away from my town but hit where family is. We finally were able to drive down this weekend and the amount of massive trees uprooted, piles around the roads was crazy. And they were busy working still moving debris. Our family was out of power over a week, they used their gas grill to cook - helps having a husband that is a chef 😂

This miss definitely got me thinking of how to better prepare

[jorazor]

I just ordered the lantern. I have the flashlight and love it. I leave it in a window all the time and have used it numerous times.

[maryd]

Yay for under the median time! 😂 I always 🌟 prioritize 🌟 my evenings to watch this!!

[Larissa-iwwy]

Your warning about the shocking power of water, so relatable. We had a terrible flood in our area in Nov 2021 and our city was isolated for several weeks. The main highways were flooded. One small old roadway was the only way in or out for weeks, was originally restricted to emergency and supply vehicles. When open to anyone it took people hours each way. People were being flown out for medical services and some people chartered small plane service to stay in hotels to get to workplaces during the week. It was a wild and unexpected situation. Thankfully we were fine and our home was safe but it was surreal!

[heatherblankenship]

During Hurricane season I keep half my freezer full of gallon jugs of ice. If you have to evacuate you have ice for your coolers that is longer lasting than bag ice. It can also be used as drinking water when it thaws. I keep very little food in my freezer during the season. I precook, so it is ready to eat once it thaws. I keep no more than my cooler will hold.

For safe indoor cooking sterno works great. I got a metal stand that i set on my cooktop. I use a either a girl scout mess kit or an egg poacher for one to boil water or cook simple things. If you plan to cook on a gas grill, get extra propane early. As it is hard to get after the storm.

Harbor Freight has solar motion activated lights for stair tread illumination. They work great. I hope to add a solar generator and more solar charged options to my preps.

Love your channel, Larry & Hope!

[katv]

Put together a list of cold food recipes you can make from canned, packet items and stray fresh food you regularly keep, so you have one less thing to think about and you're not just making scrappy meals. For example, a herby potato salad meal from canned potatoes, shelf stable pesto and canned/fresh veggies (and a small can of chicken if you eat meat).

[Midwestmomvolunteer]

Great video. we all need to be ready for what we can. In July our neighborhood, middle of suburbia was hit with a down draft, scariest weather we have ever experienced. Our neighborhood looked like well it was bad. I have to tell you my husband always used to tease me about letting the car get below half a tank, no more. We purchased multiple of the lanterns, on your recommendation and used them a few times, they are super sturdy. These kinds of informational videos are super helpful as more and more people start to understand a certain level of preparedness is essential. Thank you for the time you obviously put into to making it.

[donnaallgaier-lamberti]

Good tips!! I order the camping light thank you - after realizing that when we downsized in 2018 I realized I sold all my candle lanterns and camping gear. We always keep flashlights but the issue becomes batteries. In liu of the recent hurricanes and flooding - even if you have a generator, freeze dried food, a grill and charcoal for cooking - they would all have been washed away in the flooding. NOTE; Drinking water is another issue. We have a Berkey water filter that filters ANY water and that is critical. A great tip on keeping your gas tank filled....I do this as well. We are good on long underwear and heavy socks from our years of camping. We live in a condo and have no room or ability for a gas generator or charcoal grill and no way to get it to the electrical outlet. ANOTHER EMERGENCY LIGHT OPTION: A head lamp placed over an empty milk jug. We have two headlamps on hand for walking our dog at night.

[melissamoore]

Hi Hope and Larry! Thank you for this information. I live in Florida . I get prepared early in the year for Hurricane Season. It's June through November. I put one of those emergency radio in my Amazon cart. Definitely want that.
My children and grandchildren live on the West Coast of Florida. Been trying to get them to move away from there. Their power went out. The gas was all gone. My children had their cars filled up with gas and gas for gas generator. They went yesterday to try and get gas and people were getting violent at gas stations. My daughter in law said someone punched a guy in the face at gas station and the police were called.
I talked to my daughter in law this evening and power is back on. Gas trucks finally came in with police escort.
I live in apt. We had roofing shingles came off and flooding and huge limbs came off trees and heard transformer when it blew. I was up all night praying for my children and grandchildren that God would take good care of them during Hurricane Milton.
I don't own a car right now.
I wrote out my why for my budget and making goals for it.
I get bottled water from Kroger. I get 4 extra cases of water for Hurricane Milton. I don't use it for my drinking water during week - month
I stock up on toilet paper also . People raid the shelves of toilet paper at grocery store and not much is left if any. I am going to get 3 or more flashlights from Amazon that are waterproof. And another manual can opener. Thank you both again for this video.💜

[SherryEllesson]

Great visit, Hope & Larry. Reminded me I'm due to clean the filters in my Berkey and check on how much a rain barrel would cost that I can sink a little way into the ground to stabilize it and bring water in to be filtered. I loved Hope's joke about knowing who friends are by their preps. lol Thanks once again for bringing together such a great bunch of people. Prayers for those still contending with the aftermath of the hurricane(s).