9 Things You Gotta Have in Your Disaster Kit

Do you freak out a bit when the power goes out for more than 20 minutes at your house? If so, chances are you might not be prepared in the case of disaster. We get so busy with our lives; it’s easy to put off doing a little prepping for disasters and the unexpected. But you can change all that with these simple tips you can take action on today.

A little planning goes a long way especially when it comes to disasters. Take a second to read through this list and get prepared and get some peace of mind. Although there are many ways of preparing for disasters, your family could prepare a disaster plan where everything from escape routes and emergency communication can be discussed. However, the most important thing in this disaster plan should be the family’s disaster kit.

By design, a disaster kit should be able to help you survive until help is at hand or until the disaster has abated. In case of floods (where you could be confined inside your home), a disaster kit should be able to provide for food and source of power while waiting for help; during earthquakes, power lines could be severed so your kit should be able to bridge those few days that you are without electricity. Your disaster kit is there for your survival.

But what’s IN a disaster supplies kit? Take a pen and paper and start jotting down:

1. The most basic necessities during a disaster are: water, food, supplies for first aid and sanitation, extra clothes and beddings.

2. Keep in mind that the best time frame for any disaster kit would be AT LEAST 72 hours. So when you are planning for food that you would include in your kit, you should always multiply that by three.

3. Remember to put the necessary supplies inside an easy to carry bag (a backpack or duffle bag will do). The key here is for you to be able to get it immediately during a disaster and to carry it around with you if you have to.

4. For water: Remember to buy bottled water in advance. They are the safest and the easiest to carry. Keep in mind that different people have varying needs for water. For mothers who are still nursing their children, people who are ill or even children all have varying needs. Remember also that when the weather is hot or humid, the body would need more water so better be prepared for it.

5. For food: Keep in mind that what you should bring with you are non-perishable foods. Store at least a 3-day supply of the following: canned meat or vegetables, canned soup or juices, salt, sugar, pepper (if you must), vitamins, and foods that provide energy (energy bars!). If you have kids in your family, better bring cookies and candies, too.

6. For your first aid supplies: Better bring bandages and gauze in different sizes, tweezers, scissors, wet towelletes, needle, any brand of antiseptic, thermometer, petroleum jelly, latex gloves and soap. It is also advisable to include non-prescription medicines such as aspirin, antacid, anti-diarrhea drugs and laxatives.

7. Sanitation provisions include: toilet papers, soap, garbage bags, disinfectant, chlorine and personal hygiene supplies.

8. Regarding clothing, it is necessary for each person to have at least one set of clothes and shoes (for one change). If you would need heating (and the disaster has severed that, too), then you could include a jacket and some bedding for each family member.

9. One very small but very important tool is a Swiss Army knife. This has everything that you would need during a calamity. With this, it is highly important to also bring spare batteries for your radio or TV.

Together with all the above, be sure to know some items that are not in the list but are necessary for some members of the family such as: nursing formula for infants, feeding bottles, diapers, medications, and important personal documents. For the documents, be sure that they are kept in a durable plastic envelope, plastic bag or plastic container.

These are the most basic and absolutely the most important things that you should include in your disaster kit. When you have put them all in your bag, be sure to store them in a place where you have easy access even during emergencies. Remember, be prepared in advance to lessen the panic!

Here’s a List of 5 Collecting Hobbies You Could Pick Up

Nothing beats the thrill of collecting things you are interested in. Finding that rare, sought after piece that you’ve been looking for never gets old. If you need some ideas of things to collect, check out this list of 5.

People collect objects for different reasons. Either they have an interest in that certain object or it means something to them. Whatever the reason, people consider this hobby to be fun, and it gives them pleasure.

Here are five of the most popular objects that people collect for a hobby.

1. Bottles

– Bottle collecting has been a popular hobby since the 1970s. The bottles that people collect range from beverage bottles to medicine bottles. Many times these bottles are considered to be unusable, but much of the joy is in finding new items to add to the collection.

2. Antique Toys

– Often times collectors collect the toys from their childhood because it brings back memories, or because they really enjoyed that toy when they were younger. Antique collecting is one of the oldest hobbies. When collecting antiques, you need to know that you can’t just leave them on shelves without taking care of them properly. Despite this responsibility, this hobby is a lot of fun.

3. Marbles

– Collecting marbles is a very unique hobby because of the different elements of beauty within each different marble. Everyone has a different preference to the look of the marble that they collect, as there’s such a variety available. This specific collecting hobby is fun and offers you knowledge upon collecting each new marble.

4. Stamps

– Stamp collecting gives you a wide knowledge and effective means of communicating with other people. When collecting things like stamps, you are given the opportunity to travel around the world. When traveling to those new places, you meet new people who will leave an impact on your life and vice versa.

It is said that when collecting stamps you should ensure that they are in good condition. However, if you want your stamps to show some age, don’t feel obliged to follow what people say. A stamp that is in good condition is said to have perfect centering, perfect gum, and brilliant color.

5. Jewelry

– Many people collect pieces of jewelry that are unique and one of a kind. People are drawn to collecting jewelry because of the creativity, imagination, and relaxation it brings to a person. Once getting a rare piece of jewelry, collectors will often want to gain some knowledge of the piece of jewelry they possess, including finding out about the history of the specific piece of art.

Collecting hobbies do amazing things for you as a human. For most people, collecting is a lot like an adventure that is never quite complete. Searching for antique things or objects that mean something to the collector brings a feeling of joy and happiness to a person.

Remember that when collecting, you don’t have to collect a certain type of something just because a majority of people do. Collect the things that make you most happy.

Save Money On Winter Heat By Focusing on These 2 Areas

Winter isn’t coming, it’s already here.

Ugh. Winter.

Not only is it cold outside, you get to top it off with a big fat heating bill from the utility company.

The good news? It won’t stay winter forever.

More good news? You can save money on your heat bill by focusing on these two weak spots in your home.

These two spots are where most of you energy gets sucked out: Windows and Doors.

But you can stop some of this fairly easily. Even if you’re not very handy. Let’s take a look.

Windows

The first thing that you will want to target is your windows.

If you have a bunch of money, the easy thing to do would be to replace your old windows with new energy efficient ones. But if you could do that, you probably wouldn’t be reading this article.

Fortunately, you can do a lot to your old windows to get the drafts to stop and start saving money.

You can start by reglazing your windows and working on the hardware to make sure that they are sealing tight. You also want to repair any cracks in the glass.

If that sounds a little too technical, go to the store and get some clear window covers. The kind that looks like a giant piece of saran wrap. These are easy to install and they are effective.

Doors

Again, if you had a million dollars, you could buy new doors that sealed tightly. If you don’t, you can still stop a lot of the draft. Check all around the door seal to feel where the air is coming in.

Many times, you can feel quite a draft from the bottom of the door if its not sealed correctly. You can buy seals and weatherstrips for the bottom of the door. If that’s not an option, the cheapest way to deal with it is to stick a rolled up towel in front of the door.

Conclusion

Windows and doors are the main culprit when it comes to letting out the nice warm air that you paid so much to heat. You can save money on your bill by keeping that air from escaping using a few simple tricks.

Not only will you save money, but your home will be more comfortable without cold drafts blowing across your living room.

Need a Hobby? Here are 40+ Awesome Hobbies to Pick Up

Have you ever thought “I need a hobby. . .” Well, you were right! So we are here to help you find one with this great list of hobbies to pick up along with resources to help you get started.

Hobbies have proven to be very beneficial to people. They give you time to relax and to do things that you enjoy doing. Having a specific hobby has also helped many people to make new friends, keep the brain sharp, and even make money in some cases.

Hobbies to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Some hobbies are better than others to make you problem solve and to think. These are especially important as you age. Some hobbies that are best for keeping your brain sharp include:

* Puzzles, crossword puzzles, and brain teasers
* Card games like bridge and solitaire
* Learning how to draw and paint
* Learning how to play a musical instrument
* Playing chess
* Learning a new language
* Participating in trivia games

Hobbies for the Family and Kids

Certain hobbies are perfect for you to do with your family. They allow you to bond better with your loved ones and get to know them better. Hobbies that are best in ensuring you have a strong relationship with your loved ones include:

* Making model planes and trains
* Building with Lego
* Magic tricks
* Kite flying
* Going to zoos
* Playing with remote control cars
* Swimming and playing in pools

Hobbies for Adventurous People

It’s important to get out and get some exercise. Certain hobbies can help you to do that. Getting yourself outdoors can be very relaxing as you will see the beautiful scenery that surrounds you every day that you just don’t seem to have time to notice. For the adventurous, some of the key hobbies to help you get the needed exercise and relaxation include:

* Fishing
* Running, biking, or walking through parks, neighborhoods, or mountains
* Playing baseball, softball, or volleyball
* Swimming
* Traveling around the world
* Bird watching

Hobbies That Help You to Earn Money

Hobbies don’t just have to be something you do for enjoyment. Besides providing you with needed relaxation, there are a large variety of hobbies that provide you with money if you know how to advertise it right. Some of the most popular hobbies that provide people with the opportunity to earn money include:

* Photography
* Blogging and writing
* Craft making like cards, candles, and soaps
* Baking
* Graphic design
* Carpentry

Hobbies for Collectors

Collecting objects that you find fascinating or that mean a lot to you brings you a sense of peace and relaxation. Having a set of something that is solely your own and something you worked hard to get brings a sense of joy to a person. Some hobbies that give that to you include, but are not limited to, collecting:

* Books
* Spoons
* Coins
* Vintage or unique toys
* Sports memorabilia

Hobbies for the Crafter

Craft hobbies are very popular and provide a variety of benefits. Crafts bring a sense of relaxation and calmness to a person. With some crafts, it has been shown to increase their confidence. Some crafts that help people to do that include:

* Baking
* Painting
* Sewing
* Crocheting
* Knitting
* Scrapbooking
* Needle point
* Quilting

Hobbies for Stress Relief

Everyday life can be very stressful. Having a hobby to fall back on when things get hard and stressful is key to enjoying life. Some hobbies that provide stress relief include:

* Yoga
* Weight lifting
* Meditation

Hobbies provide people with so many benefits, and change us for the better. Here’s also a list of 5 collecting hobbies you could pick up. CLICK HERE. It’s important for humans to have something special we can do separately from our everyday, busy lives. So what’s your favorite hobby?

Preppers: Here’s How to Treat 3 Common Heat Related Illnesses

During a survival situation such as a hurricane, earthquake, etc. heat related illnesses can affect many people. Usually, most people think of fractures, concussions and wounds when expecting casualties. However, depending on your climate, suffering from heatstroke, etc. is a very real possibility.

If there’s a natural disaster and your power goes out, you may find yourself sitting in a home that has no electricity for fans, air-conditioning or even a fridge that may have cold drinks. If the weather is oppressive and humid, your home may become like a sweltering sauna.

You’ll be perspiring non-stop and may end up with a heat related illness. If you need to evacuate your home with your bug out bag and hike a few miles to the safe zone, the journey may exhaust you and make you faint. All these are very possible scenarios.

In this article we’ll look at 3 common heat related illnesses and explore how you can avoid them and/or treat them.

Heatstroke/heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when your body temperature is elevated to at least 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The symptoms you’ll see are dizziness, nausea, confusion, a weak but rapid pulse and a headache.

The moment you see someone suffering from heat exhaustion or you start feeling yourself having these symptoms, you need to immediately treat the problem before it escalates into a heatstroke which is much more serious.

Heatstroke can cause you to go into shock and even cause brain damage and organ failure. The casualty may be short of breath, start vomiting and developing a skin rash on the back, abdomen or chest.

The first thing you need to do is to IMMEDIATELY cool the body. Remove all the victim’s clothes, and place the victim in an area where they’re not exposed to heat, and away from direct sunlight. You’ll need to drench the affected person with lots of water and crushed ice. The cold water will help to dissipate the heat in the body.

If possible, place ice packs on the victim’s groin, under their armpits and on their neck. If you have towels, you can soak these in iced water and drape them on the victim. Bedsheets will do fine too.

In the event that you do not have electricity or access to ice, just pour water over the victim constantly and fan them. The wind blowing against their wet body will help to cool the skin to some degree.

Avoid giving the victim any kind of medication if they’re suffering from heat exhaustion. Instead you should ask them to take small sips of water so that they’re slowly rehydrated. This will be a slow process. It can take the victim more than a day to be fully rehydrated.

Fainting

Usually, seniors are prone to fainting when it gets too hot. Should someone faint, immediately check if they have any head injuries. Lie the victim flat. Fainting caused by heat can be remedied once blood returns to the brain. By lying them down in a flat position, the blood will go to their brain and they’ll awaken in a short while.

Ensure that they lie down for about 30 minutes to recover. You may give the victim a sports beverage or a sweet drink so that they are rehydrated and they have a small blood sugar spike to make them feel better.

Muscle cramps

This usually happens when the body is lacking salt and water due to continuous perspiration from physical activity. Unlike heat exhaustion, it’s not the heat that causes the muscle cramps but the loss of fluid and salt from the body.

In the East, one remedy that’s used to treat this problem is to mix a teaspoon of salt and sugar in a glass of water and drink it. If you stopped to think about it, most sports beverages/isotonic drinks are basically just that. A way to replace the lost salt and electrolytes in your body.

Treat muscle cramps by drinking sports beverages or if you don’t have those, water with some salt will help too. Massage the affected area to improve blood circulation and relieve the pain.

The best way to prevent these illnesses from occurring is to stay hydrated and notice how you’re feeling. If the weather is hot, wear lightweight clothes. By recognizing the early symptoms, you’ll be able to take immediate action to mitigate the problem.

Keep an eye on children and seniors to see how they’re feeling. Make sure your family members inform you if they’re experiencing symptoms like light headedness dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, etc. With adequate warning, most heat illnesses can be prevented.

Here Are the Critical Survival Supplies You Need to Store(other than Food and water)

Just about anybody with some degree of common sense will realize that one should store food and water if preparing for a survival situation. While that is well and good, there are several other items that are very important too.

We’re so used to these items that it’s easy to overlook them and you’ll only realize their importance when you need them but don’t have them. This article will give you a list of items that you absolutely MUST hoard so that you have comfort during tough times.

During a crisis, your mental game needs to be on point. You’ll be amazed at how the little things start to matter so much. One example would be toilet paper. Could you imagine how stressful and inconvenient it would be if you ran out of toilet paper? What about dish-washing liquid? It’s these things that make a world of difference… And they’re so easy to overlook when prepping for an emergency.

Let’s look at the items. While this is not an exhaustive list, it contains items that are almost as important as food and water. You are always free to hoard more items. If you’re a smoker, even cigarettes might be an essential item that you need. You really don’t want to be suffering from withdrawal symptoms during an already stressful time.

*Fire

This should be another no brainer, but think this one through. Matches and lighters each have their own pros and cons, so go with both.

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* Toiletries

Mouthwash, toothpaste, sanitary pads, deodorant, diapers, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc. Keep an eye on the toiletries that you use daily or very often. You’ll still need these during a crisis. Store enough of them for your family and you.

* First Aid Items

Aspirins, band aids, iodine, baking soda, creams for insect bites, bandages, tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, medications that you depend on, etc. During a crisis, infections can spread more easily. You may also be more susceptible to problems like indigestion, headaches, etc. The stress will wreak havoc on your immune system and open you up to more viruses. So, have a first aid kit that is well-stocked and ready to go.

* Utensils, Detergent, Fuel and Steel Wool

While some preppers may hoard paper plates and plastic cups, generally it’s best to put aside some solid melamine plates and cups that can be reused. Anything that is disposable can and will run out with time. You may put aside some disposable utensils, but do have reusable ones that you can rely on since nobody can predict just how long a crisis may last.

Dishwashing liquid and detergent for your clothes are great to have too. In difficult situations, having clean clothes and clean dishes to eat from will give you some degree of comfort. These basic creature comforts will lift your spirits and give you the mental strength to keep going.

Steel wool is great to have. You can use it to wash dishes or start a fire. Speaking of fire, make sure you have fuel for your lamps because the electricity may be out. You may even wish to have a supply of candles and batteries for your battery operated lights and other equipment.

* Other Items

Besides the items mentioned above, there are several other items such as Vaseline, lip balm, insect repellant, sewing materials, tools, cable ties, paper towels, facial wipes, writing instruments, duct tape, super glue and many other items that will be very handy during a crisis.

It all depends on how much storage space you have, how important these items are to you and also your budget. You may need to slowly buy all these items over time. Do keep a record and see when to use these items by so that you can rotate your supplies.

It’s also worth noting that in a time of crisis, your supplies can also be used to barter with other people for items that you may need. So, it’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. Start storing your supplies from today and you’ll not be caught off-guard when an emergency strikes.

Use Woodworking Plans To Build Projects Faster

Woodworking will require you to be very creative and innovative. Nonetheless, you will also need to have plans that will help you build your woodworking plans in a fast and better manner. There are many plans that you can get on the internet. Some of these plans are free and others will need you to pay some money to get access. Some plans will also offer you with tips that you can use to customize your products.

The truth is that with a good plan then you will be able to build your woodwork not just fast, but also in a better and easy way than you would have done without one. Many people especially beginner woodworkers will have a problem with the materials to buy and even the right tools to own. A good plan will have all these in focus. In fact, if you are interested in making something like a cabinet, a good plan will tell you of the right kind of materials and even the best tools to use. With these in mind, it is important that you choose your plan very carefully.

Some people just make a mistake of picking any kind of plan that they find online. As much as there are good plans online, you cannot rule out the fact that you will come across bad ones. You need to make sure that the plan you take is from a well-established and professional woodworker.

A good plan will also tell you the kind of space that you will need for your project. Some projects will need larger space than others. Read the suggestions and make up your mind. It is important for you to have a budget so that you can compare the prices to be able to know if the project is oaky for you or not.

A woodworking plan will make everything to be easy for you. For instance, a good plan will be able to show you everything from the start up process all the way to the end. As said earlier, good plan will also give you some space for customization and thus you can include your own original ideas to make the woodwork to be authentic. With good woodworking plans you will be able to complete your projects within time and thus it will increase your speed of production. If you are a beginning woodworker then you can make use of the free plans and as time goes on, you can order for more professional plans.

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Understand The Costs (Startup, tools, materials)

In any form of business, understanding the costs of setting up the business and the costs of running it is of great importance. You need to make sure that you understand the costs of everything else. The same applies with woodworking. Some people assume that woodworking is an easy to start business, with such a mindset; you will not get the returns that you would want. You need to fully understand the costs that are involved.

One thing that will greatly determine the type and even costs of the materials is the kind of project that you want to engage in. You need to have a specific project that you know will have an easy market. With this in mind then you will be able to know the kind of tools that you need.

When it comes to tools, make sure that you only go for the best tools that are durable and at the same time will give you great service. Getting the right tools at a good price will need you to compare the prices. Different shops will come with different prices. You need to find a shop that will offer you with the best prices for the quality products. Searching online for your tools is a great idea. Due to the high competition among the online shops, you can now easily get a shop that will give you a good discount on every product that you purchase.

With woodworking, you will obviously need materials for your projects. With this in mind, you need to know the kind of material that you want. If it is the lumber, plywood and other materials like sand paper, it is important for you to list all of them down. Make sure that you compare the prices as in the case of tools. When you get the best prices then you can make your purchase. It is important that you stick with one woodwork supplier for you to get opportunities of getting a discount.

There are also some online software that will help you get a rough estimate on the startup costs and more. You need to be sure of the materials that you want. Get good plans that will aide you in knowing the right material to get. Always operate within your budget. You should know that woodworking comes with various plans and projects and thus you will find something within your limits.

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The Importance Of A Business Plan

If you are going out on a long journey then it is important for you to have a roadmap that will see you safely reach you destination. With this in mind, it is important for you to also consider having a plan which is more or less like the roadmap that will get you to achieve the business goals that you set right from the start. With a good business plan, you are able to describe and identify your business goals in a clear manner. Many business plans will have the income statement, the cash flow analysis and the current balance sheet. With the plan, you are at a better chance of allocating resources more properly. Keep in mind that good business plans will carry all the information regarding your business.

There are many places where you will need to have your business plan. For instance, if you are seeking a loan from the financial institutions for business purpose, you will always need to have a business plan with you. The lender takes their time to go through the plan to see if what you are planning to do is viable and if it is, are the returns worth the loan? They will check the goals and objectives, the money needed, the location, and more. With the plan then they can comfortably give you the money if they find your plan to be a great idea. Remember that this is just an example of where you may need to use your business plan.

On a more personal note, you need to have a plan that will help you know where you are from and where you are heading. You need to time and again review the plan to be able to know what you have achieved and where you are still lagging.

Some people will review their plans quarterly while others may do so annually. It is important that you always set time to review your business. If you have a defined strategy that you have been using, you need to review it so that you can be able to tell if it is working or not. You can discard the strategies that are not working and embrace the ones that work. It is the comparisons between the milestones achieved and those not achieved that will determine if your business is on the right path or not. Know that the business plan is your foundation in business and thus you need to have the right one.

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Start From Your Garage To Save On Rental Costs

With these hard economic times, finding something that you can do to see you earn that extra money is great. Woodworking is one of the most loveable arts that you can engage in. Many people love woodworking and they just take it as a hobby. Nonetheless, you have to know that there is high demand for good woodwork projects. The woodwork projects that you can get to do will vary from toys all the way to household furniture.

If you are just starting up, then you will want to cut on costs. One best way to cut on costs will require you to get a cheap workshop. A great place that will see you save on the rental costs is your own garage. Yes, you can transform your garage to be your workshop.

Having your garage as your workshop has many advantages and the one that is most obvious is that you are able to save on costs, at the same time; you are able to work from home, which reduces the pressure of having to go to your workplace each and every day.

As you work from your garage, there are certain things that you need to consider. One of the most important things is that you need to know that you will not be in a position to make more bulky wood projects for you are limited by space. Working from your garage also means that you need to use small tools that will not produce much noise that will disturb your neighbors. Know that huge power machinery usually comes with a lot of noise that will disturb other people.

There are so many things that you can get to build from your workshop. One best project that will utilize the space that you have is toy projects. Toys will not take a lot of space in your workshop. They also will not require any use of power tools. There are so many other small projects that you can do right from your garage; you just need to have the plans.

The internet is one of the best places that you can get to have the woodworking plans, source for small projects that will not take a lot of space. As a beginner, starting from your garage will give you a better chance of making profits that will allow you to get a bigger rental workshop as the business expands.

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