How to be Prepared for EmergenciesThere has been a lot of talk in international media, some in Aussie media too, where some governments are recommending people have food and other supplies. Given all the natural disasters and even random events that can happen in Australia, it is worth it to be prepared. How to be prepared varies depending on the situation e.g. bushfires vs major storms have different requirements. There are some basics you can do such as have a 3 day pack ready to go. As a start, you could get a bag with 1 change of clothes per family member, some water and snacks and wipes. In an emergency, something will be better than nothing. Store some extra food, water and sources of light such as candles with lighters or torches with spare batteries etc. Buy one extra can of something you use regularly, or a pack of water, one thing each time you do a grocery shop. It is much easier than trying to buy heaps at once. Buy and store what you eat and use normally and remember to rotate it. Organise paperwork so you can easily get important documents if you need to leave. If you are likely to be in areas that flood, keeping one of these keyrings to break the window, cut the seatbelt etc. Pop a mini torch in everyone's bag e.g. attach it to your kids school bag like a keychain. Use these tips to get discounts on everything to help you get set up too. There are some tips here for how to handle some emergencies and obstacles. Don't stress about things. Instead, decide what you can do this week or on your next pay, then the next and the next without making ife harder for yourself. How to Handle Big ExpensesBig expenses can be anything from your mortgage or other debt payments jumping due to interest rate rises, a larger electricity or gas bill, insurance increasing, having a car accident, a medical issue, losing your job or having hours reduced so bills pile up etc. Firstly, contact the company you owe money to and see if you can negotiate or make a payment plan. Set up a way to track your money such as the app WeMoney and look for ways to set aside money for emergencies. Here are some tips to handle some of these: How to afford educational expenses How to afford medical expenses 10 tips to reduce the cost of babies (because even with planning, this can be more expensive than people expect). How to survive on one income What I Am ReadingIn terms of being prepared, here are a few books to help. The Urban Prepper's Guide: How To Become Self-Sufficient And Prepared For The Next Crisis Discounts For You!Check out the freebies and discounts on offer this month. The Thrifty Issue CommunityFor more and to connect with others check out The Thrifty Issue Facebook group, Facebook page, Instagram, Pinterest. |
Tips to make and save money, especially for Aussies. How I am clearing $59,973.72 worth of debt,As featured on ABC, Nine and Channel 7. Sign up for weekly tips plus freebies and discounts.
The Mental Load For starters, everyone needs to read this comic called "You Should've Asked". It hits home hard for mums and also makes it easier for others to understand. Too often, the women carry the bulk of the mental load and no one realises. Read this article on how to reduce it and make life a bit easier. Next get a copy of Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much To Do and read it. It is an excellent solution for so many and has been recommended in numerous...
How to Create and Stick to a Budget Unless you've grown up being taught about money, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start and what to do. With the way the world is at the moment, more and more people are scrambling to try to learn and get control of their finances. Even if you know a lot about money, sometimes it just feels hard. Expenses are outweighing income in many families and it feels hopeless. When it comes to creating a budget, a lot of the advice from the past might not feel...
How to Reduce All Your BIG Expenses Coming to the end of the year can be stressful with big expenses rolling in such as bills, groceries increasing, rent or interest rates changing, not to mention the school holidays, gifts, events etc. Here are some tips to reduce all your big expenses and hopefully give you some breathing room in your budget. How to save money on housing/accommodation How to make your home pay for your mortgage How to save money on groceries 18 tips to reduce your groceries...