National Preparedness Month: A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

September is National Preparedness Month, which means it’s the perfect time to take a look at how ready you are for the unexpected.

And no, we’re not suggesting you turn your home into a bunker stocked with 47 cases of bottled water. (Although, if that’s your thing, we support your commitment.

Preparedness is really about something much simpler: having a plan before you need one.

Whether it’s a power outage, severe weather, an unexpected home repair, or even a financial surprse, a little preparation now can make a stressful situation a whole lot easier later.

Start With the Basics

When something unexpected happens, the last thing you want to be doing is thinking, “Wait… where did I put that?”

Take some time this month to make sure you know where your important information is and that you can access it when you need it.

Consider organizing:

• Important phone numbers and emergency contacts
• Insurance information
• Copies of important documents
• Medical information and prescriptions
• Account information and financial records
• Emergency supplies such as flashlights, batteries and first-aid essentials

You don’t have to organize your entire life in one afternoon. Start with the things you’d be most frustrated trying to find during an emergency.

Give Your Emergency Fund a Little Attention

Preparedness isn’t just about having flashlights and batteries. Financial predaredness matters, too.

An unexpected expense can pp up at the worst possible time: car repairs, a broken appliance, an emergency trip or a home repair you definitely didn’t have on your calendar.

That’s where an emergency savings fund can help. Learn more about how to build your emergency fund here.

Even if you can’t set aside a large amount each month, starting small is still starting. Consider setting up an automatic transfer to savings each payday. You may be surprised how quickly those small amounts can add up.

Financial tidbit: A good first goal is to build enough savings to cover a smaller unexpected expense. Once you reach that milestone, you can work toward building a larger cushion over time.

Don’t Forget Your Digital Life

These days, being prepared also means being prepared online.

Take a few minutes to review your digital security:

• Make sure your passwords are strong and unique.
• Turn on multi-factor authentication where available.
• Review your account alerts and notifications.
• Keep your phone and computer software updated.
• Be cautious with unexpected emails, texts and phone calls asking for personal or financial information.

And remember: if a message makes you feel rushed, pressured or panicked, pause before you act. Scammers love creating a sense of urgency because they don’t want you to have time to think.

Make a Plan for the People (and Pets!) You Care About

Preparedness is a team sport.

Talk with the people in your household about what you would do in an emergency. Where you would meet? Who would you contact? What happens if you can’t reach each other?

And don’t forget the four-legged members of the household.

Make sure you have food, water, medications, and other essentials your pets may need. If you have a pet who would absolutely refuse to cooperate in an emergency situation, you may want to factor that into the plan, too. We’re looking at you, cats.

Know What You’d Do If the Unexpected Happens

One of the easiest ways to feel more prepared is simply to think through a few “what if?” scenarios.

What if the power goes out?
Do you have flashlights, batteries, and a way to stay informed?

What if your car needs an unexpected prepare?
Would your savings cover the expense?

What if your debit card is lost or stolen?
Do you know how to report it and what steps to take?

What if severe weather affects your area?
Do you know where you would go and how you would stay connected?

You don’t need a perfect answer to every scenario. The goal is to have a starting point.

Turn Preparedness Into a Year-Round Habit

National Preparedness Month is a great reminder, but you don’t have to stop preparing when September ends.

Try picking one small preparedness task each month:

• September: Review your emergency plan.
• October: Check your emergency supplies.
• November: Review your budget and savings goals.
• December: Organize important documents.
• January: Update your emergency contacts.

Small steps can make preparedness feel much more mangeable, and a lot less overwhelming.

Ready, Set, Prepare!

Being prepared doesn’t mean expecting the worst. It means giving yourself a little more confidence when life throws you a curveball.

So this September, take a few minutes to make a plan, check your savings, ecure your accounts and gather the essentials you might need.

Because when the unexpected happens, future you will be pretty happy that past you was thinking ahead.

And honestly? Future you deserves the assist.

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