I wrote a post on the other blog (This week's sporkful, April 12th) about how the next few years look to me:
http://sporkful.blogspot.com/2009/04/shape-of-things-to-come-3055.html
I said I would get around to posting things that would help, and the good news of it all, but then I needed to start doing all this therapeutic self-exploration again, so I thought I would throw it in here, where it is probably more relevant.
Based on things that I have observed already happening, I predicted five trends that I think will last through the end of 2012. One is the bad economy. Individuals will be able to make some gains here and there, but I believe that overall the issues with unemployment, underemployment, and lack of affordability will continue. This will lead to an increase of despair, and also to more crime. In addition, people seem to be becoming sicker, and weather is getting more severe.
That does sound bad, but it is not hopeless. There are things individuals can do to mitigate the situation, and that is what personal preparedness is all about.
Weather:
The most basic emergency steps will help here. If there is a flood or fire, and you need to evacuate, having your emergency evacuation plan, communication plan, and 72-hour kits will help. If wind storms lead to a power outage, or ice storms mean that you can't get to the store, having your camping supplies, providing light, heat, and food preparation will help. If it floods enough to contaminate the water supply, but not to require evacuation, having water storage will help.
It is probably hardest to prepare for a heat wave combined with a power outage, but think about that type of circumstance, and what would help with your individual situation. Planning for things before they happen is the key.
Disease:
The short-lived hype about swine flu probably did a disservice to people, because it made a serious threat look completely overinflated, and may lead to a false sense of security. If you paid attention though, there are good lessons. They told us to cough into your sleeve or elbow (not the hands, which touch everything), wash hands frequently, and stay home when you are sick. Since the regular flu kills thousands of people each year, maybe those are just good steps to take anyway. Those steps will also help curtail the spread of other diseases, so these are some really good ideas.
It still worries me that people are getting sicklier--getting sick more often and staying sick for longer. At this point it is only anecdotal for me, but we are stressed, people are skimping on health care, and the average American diet is not healthy.
I am not the poster girl for good health, but I've got to try. Try to take care of yourself. Get in some exercise, to strengthen your body and to relieve stress. Eat more natural foods, with a more balanced diet so that you are getting your vitamins and antioxidants and phytochemicals. Get enough sleep, so that your body can repair itself, and again to relieve the stress. These things are not easy, but it's reasonable to make them a priority. Find a way.
Crime:
Well, we did just have a letter on protecting yourself from crime, and there were good tips and resources in that. Also, we need to take a stand for good. Partly, this is standing on the side of law and order, but also, when that crime is coming from despair it is a double tragedy. There must be something we can do here.
Despair:
This is a hard one, but there are two things that I have grown to feel very strongly about. One is that the only thing I really own any more is how I react to things. I have very limited control about getting a job. There are things I can do, but I have done a lot without it paying off, and I don't know when there will be a payoff. I do have control over how I act with that, and so I'm trying to be the person I should be with it. Still loving and kind and thinking of others. Not taking frustrations out on my family. Not giving up. Not taking things personally. It's hard, but it's necessary.
And if we are thinking of others, and serving them, then we can help their despair too. We will be happier if we are not always worrying about our own problems, but also spend time looking outward, and when we share burdens, they become lighter for everyone. Call someone, bake them a casserole, give them money, volunteer, whatever. We each have different means available, but I know we all have something to give.
Economy:
Okay, times are rough, but in my brief career as a tax preparer, I gained a new perspective. If you want to do something new, this may be the time. There are credits for buying a home. There are deductions for farms and businesses, and maybe you'll fail, but a regular job working for someone else has a good chance of failing too. Maybe you can at least fail splendidly, with self-determination. But make it something you care about--a business that matters to you or a home you want to live in. A lot of what got us here was greed--the adjustable rate mortgage that you expected to dump in two year when the value went up, and then it didn't, or stocks or things like that. Making money is necessary, but it can be a hollow quest. We need to care about more than that.
The two most important, basic preparedness steps are still having food storage and establishing savings while paying down debt. I know there are concerns that people need to be spending instead of saving right now, for the good of the economy as a whole, but do it right. Pay off consumer debt. If you borrow, do it for a house, or to start a business, or for education. Buy food storage. That is an excellent investment (it will only become more valuable, which is not always true for your mutual fund).
If you can afford it and want to simulate the economy, some expenditures will have more value than others. Like food storage, other preparedness supplies are a good investment.
For stimulating the economy, paying for services, like a massage or haircut, will usually go the farthest, because the service provider will turn around and spend that money again. It doesn't have quite the same turnaround when you purchase a manufactured item, and at least some of it should be spent locally.
Dining out or going to live performances may not have quite as much financial impact on the local economy, but it can still be helpful for the community in terms of building a social life, and in bringing yourself greater cheer.
There is one other neat trick that many of my cohorts should consider as a balance between saving and stimulating. It is called marriage. In the long term it reduces expenses as dwellings are combined. Two cannot live as cheaply as one, but two together should be able to live more cheaply than two separately. Also, you get new tax deductions.
That being said, in the short-term there is economic stimulation as clothing is purchased or rented, caterers are hired, maybe along with hair stylists, makeup artists, and musicians, and gifts are purchased.
Yep, marriage. I know I'm thinking about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment