{"id":3992,"date":"2023-01-19T15:54:41","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T22:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/?p=3992"},"modified":"2023-05-07T19:39:40","modified_gmt":"2023-05-08T01:39:40","slug":"21-simple-ways-to-prepare-for-the-unexpected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/21-simple-ways-to-prepare-for-the-unexpected\/","title":{"rendered":"21 Simple Ways to Prepare for the Unexpected"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If there&rsquo;s one thing the year 2020 taught us, it&rsquo;s to <strong>prepare for the unexpected<\/strong>. My personal motto that year was, &ldquo;Life is uncertain, so eat dessert first.&rdquo;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s impossible to predict the surprises and mishaps of daily life. The only thing we know for sure is that, at some point, the unexpected will happen. In fact, the entire insurance industry is built around that single truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it is possible to ease some of life&rsquo;s hills and valleys by taking some simple precautions, and stocking some supplies and rations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-unexpected-flashlight.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-unexpected-flashlight.jpeg\" alt=\"A woman reading a book with a flashlight and candles nearby, in a darkened room.\" class=\"wp-image-5197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-unexpected-flashlight.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-unexpected-flashlight-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-unexpected-flashlight-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-unexpected-flashlight-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-unexpected-flashlight-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-unexpected-flashlight-500x500.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-unexpected-flashlight-96x96.jpeg 96w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-unexpected-flashlight.jpeg\"><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This post may contain affiliate links. Please review our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/privacy-policy\/\">disclosure policy.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being prepared for the unexpected helps us to be ready not only for bad things, but for good things, too. For example, if we keep breath mints handy then we&rsquo;ll always be ready for a kiss! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some items to keep on hand and build safety nets for those times when the unexpected happens:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>An emergency savings account.<\/strong> $1500 USD is a good start, and that amount will cover a lot of smaller things. A stash of six months of living expenses is ideal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3XoCHS2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">fire extinguisher<\/a>.<\/strong> Handy for putting out small fires. Check it periodically to make sure it&rsquo;s in good working condition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Smoke alarms<\/strong> throughout the home. Set an annual date on the calendar to change the batteries; we change ours when we put up the Christmas decorations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A lint brush<\/strong>, comb, breath mints, and wet wipes in your car&rsquo;s glove compartment, in case you get a chance to meet your favorite rock star.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A jar of good marinara sauce<\/strong> and a box of linguini in the pantry for a quick dinner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A well-stocked first aid kit.<\/strong> Replenish it from time to time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A blanket<\/strong> in your car trunk. Handy if you get stuck in the cold, and nice for impromptu picnics, too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A few spare birthday cards<\/strong> and a couple of generic gifts in the closet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Several gallon jugs of water<\/strong> for each person in the house. If you know that your water will be turned off for an extended period, fill your bathtub. Then you can use an empty jug to refill the commode.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A flashlight,<\/strong> extra batteries, candles and matches in an easy-to-access place.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A top-notch backup system<\/strong> for your computer, preferably off-site.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A copy of your car registration<\/strong> and auto insurance card in a zip-lock baggie in your car&rsquo;s glove compartment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/2012\/02\/25\/easy-breakfast-burrito-recipe-for-stress-free-mornings\/\"><strong>Breakfast burritos<\/strong><\/a> in the freezer, so you always have a fast, hearty meal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3WwPEYU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">hand-crank phone charger<\/a>, <\/strong>or an emergency phone charger with extra batteries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A small stash of cash.<\/strong> It <em>always<\/em> comes in handy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A family emergency plan.<\/strong> Where would you meet if disaster struck? What is the most direct route out of your house or neighborhood? Who is a trusted family friend who would help if needed? Talk through some scenarios, so that everyone is on the same page.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Important numbers<\/strong> in your phone contacts: the local sheriff, the closest fire station, your preferred towing service, and your local utility company.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Some extra food rations.<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A shop vac that can handle water.<\/strong> Indispensable for quickly dealing with major leaks and floods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3D0nyy6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">fireproof safe<\/a><\/strong> for important documents and photos.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Face masks<\/strong>, so you&rsquo;re prepared for a worldwide pandemic. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>And just to be on the safe side, eat dessert first!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How About You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>How do you prepare for the unexpected? Do you have any suggestions to add to this list? Drop a comment below! You might also enjoy our strategies for how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/4-happy-simple-ways-to-avoid-debt\/\">plan ahead and avoid debt<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Save for Later<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you use Pinterest to save ideas, here&rsquo;s a handy pin: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-for-Unexpected-Pin.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"2000\" data-pin-title=\"How to Be Prepared\" data-pin-description=\"21 ways to be more prepared for life's uncertainties and emergencies, with tips for what to keep on hand at home.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-for-Unexpected-Pin.jpg\" alt=\"A woman reading by flashlight, and emergency preparedness supplies.\" class=\"wp-image-5198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-for-Unexpected-Pin.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-for-Unexpected-Pin-150x300.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-for-Unexpected-Pin-512x1024.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-for-Unexpected-Pin-768x1536.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Prepare-for-Unexpected-Pin.jpg\"><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> &#8230; <a title=\"21 Simple Ways to Prepare for the Unexpected\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/21-simple-ways-to-prepare-for-the-unexpected\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 21 Simple Ways to Prepare for the Unexpected\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5199,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"limit_modified_date":"","last_modified_date":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[463,465,464],"class_list":["post-3992","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-simple-living","tag-emergency-preparedness","tag-prepper","tag-survival","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.2 - 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