May Goals

Do one small thing for your family preparedness this month.  Choose from the goals below, or even one from the past months if you like.

Home Storage

· Devise a plan of when/how to purchase home storage

· Learn how to make your own household cleaning supplies (visit ehow.com for suggestions)

· Take a couponing class to learn how to purchase home/food storage items for less (visit pricematchwithrachel.com or savvyshopper.com)

Fire Safety

· Complete lesson “Protecting Your Home Against Fire” found in the Family Home Evening Resource book for family night (available at lds.org > Home and Family > Family Home Evening > Family Home Evening Resource Book)

 

April Goals

Select one or more of the goals below to work on during the month of April.

72 Hour and Car Kits

· Take inventory of current 72 hour kits and make a list of needed items

· Set up a purchase plan for needed items for 72 hour kits

Financial Preparedness

· Put $5-$20 more a month in savings than you are now

· Read One for the Money with your family (Sept 2007 Ensign)

· Research, find, and enroll in a health insurance plan

· Research, select, and begin a life insurance plan

 

Great Shake Out

The second annual Great Utah ShakeOut on April 17, 2013 is now just four weeks away! Already more than 710,000 people people are planning to "drop, cover and hold on" and test other aspects of their emergency plans! You can help us involve 1 million participants throughout Utah by encouraging your employer and other organizations, your friends, and your family to register at ShakeOut.org/Utah.

March Goals

Choose one or more goals listed below to complete this month for your family’s Emergency Preparedness needs.

Emergency Plan/Communication

· Write/discuss/practice a family evacuation plan

· Write an evacuation list (see blog post “The Evacuation List” from June 2012)

· Discuss family communication plan in event of emergency

Food Storage

· Devise a rotation/labeling plan for your food storage and implement it

· Research long term storage options (lds.org/topics/food-storage, Daily Bread, store.lds.org, Shelf Reliance, Mountain House, etc.)

· Make a plan to save $ to purchase long term food storage

 

72 Hour Kit Sale!

Thanks to Rachel for finding this great deal on pre-made 72 hour kits from Family Storehouse in AF.  Please visit her website for information and to learn how to get your kit before the sale starts this week-end.

http://www.pricematchwithrachel.com/

February Goals

Choose one or more goals listed below to complete this month for your family's Emergency Preparedness needs.

Home Storage

· Make a list of what you would like in your home storage (i.e.: toothpaste, toilet paper, paper towels, soap, shampoo, deodorant, cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene, baby diapers/formula, etc.)

· Create a chart of how much of each home storage item your family needs over a determined period of time (somewhere between 3-12 months)

· Read ‘All is Safely Gathered In-Family Home Storage’ (link available on blog)

72 Hour and Car Kits

· Put together a basic car kit and get it in your car (see blog post “Winterized Vehicles” Oct. 2012 for helpful information)

 

2013 New Year's Resolutions

I am going to make your 2013 Emergency Preparedness New Year's Resolution easy on you.  Each month I will post 5-6 goals that you can choose from to improve your emergency preparedness.  Simply choose 1 and do it each month.  By the end of the year you will have completed 12 goals to better your emergency preparedness.  Now doesn't that sound nice?  So, here we go.

January 2013 Goal List

Choose one or more goals listed below to complete this month for your family’s Emergency Preparedness needs.

Financial Preparedness

· Create a budget that you will use on a weekly basis

· Update your budget weekly and share it with your spouse

 

Food Storage

· Take inventory of current food storage

· Make a 3 month dinner menu and create a list of storable ingredients

· Create a purchase plan for items you would like to add to your food storage and implement it

· Visit foodstoragemadeeasy.net and create your own goal

 

12 Days of Christmas - Financial Preparedness Version

This post is from back in 2009.  Although it may be a little late as the shopping season has already begun, perhaps you can still find some value in one of the ideas presented.  Enjoy.

1st Day - Pay your tithing.

2nd Day - Pay a generous fast offering.

3rd Day - Budget. Make a Christmas budget for each person you are buying gifts for (including extended family). Assign a reasonable amount to each person and then track what you spend on your budget. Make sure to write down what you buy as soon as you buy it so you don’t overspend. Follow your budget carefully.

When this Christmas is over total up what you have spent this year. Divide your total by 12. Put that amount (your total/12) in a savings account every month next year and let it sit until Christmas. Next year when Christmas comes around you will already have your budget funded and ready to go. It will take away stress and make your Holidays more enjoyable.

4^th Day - Keep it Simple. Remember that children are easily pleased. Don’t overdo it. One fun toy can make their entire Christmas memorable.

5^th Day - Be Practical. Kids get excited opening presents, even when it is a package of new underwear underneath the wrapping paper (see pictures at end of blog). Buy your kids things they need for Christmas. Things you will need to buy them anyway. Socks, underwear, boots, hats, coats, pants, shirts, undershirts, etc.

6^th Day - Stay Home. Rather than going out and spending money for Christmas family activities, try starting new traditions right at home. Have a family game or movie night, make crafts together, bake Christmas treats, tell Christmas stories, sing Christmas songs, play in the snow, make up a game to play together. Make more memories with your family for free. The memories will last forever.

7th Day - Watch for sales. If you stay on top of sales, you rarely have to pay full price for anything. Buy things you know you will need when they are on sale.

8^th Day - Clip Coupons. There are many coupons available to print from home for food and holiday goodies. Follow our link to Savvy Shopper Deals. Set your location as Utah. Go to shopping wizard>grocery deals. Search your favorite stores for great deals. If a printable coupon is available for an item, it will be listed as a link under the item information. $1/one Desitin coupon link, for example.

9^th Day - Cut back on neighbor gifts. It is a nice tradition we have to share gifts and warm wishes with friends and neighbors during the Holidays. However, sometimes sharing a thoughtful card or short note can be just as meaningful if not more that giving a gift. Have a fun family night and make cards for your neighbors out of items you already have at home. Deliver the cards as a family and spread the Christmas spirit.

10^th Day - Don’t feel obligated. Remember this is a season of giving, not of stress or guilt. If someone gives you a gift, you don’t have to feel obligated to return a gift. Receive it with gladness.

11^th Day - Can you afford it? Don’t pay interest on credit cards. If you don’t have it, don’t spend it. Remember Elder Hales’ April 2009 Conference talk: “The first lesson was learned when we were newly married and had very little money. I was in the air force, and we had missed Christmas together. I was on assignment overseas. When I got home, I saw a beautiful dress in a store window and suggested to my wife that if she liked it, we would buy it. Mary went into the dressing room of the store. After a moment the salesclerk came out, brushed by me, and returned the dress to its place in the store window. As we left the store, I asked, “What happened?” She replied, “It was a beautiful dress, but we can’t afford it!” Those words went straight to my heart. I have learned that the three most loving words are “I love you,” and the four most caring words for those we love are “We can’t afford it.”

12^th Day - Do you need it? Again from Elder Hales’ talk: “The second lesson was learned several years later when we were more financially secure. Our wedding anniversary was approaching, and I wanted to buy Mary a fancy coat to show my love and appreciation for our many happy years together. When I asked what she thought of the coat I had in mind, she replied with words that again penetrated my heart and mind. “Where would I wear it?” she asked. (At the time she was a ward Relief Society president helping to minister to needy families.)

Then she taught me an unforgettable lesson. She looked me in the eyes and sweetly asked, “Are you buying this for me or for you?” In other words, she was asking, “Is the purpose of this gift to show your love for me or to show me that you are a good provider or to prove something to the world?” I pondered her question and realized I was thinking less about her and our family and more about me.

After that we had a serious, life-changing discussion about provident living, and both of us agreed that our money would be better spent in paying down our home mortgage and adding to our children’s education fund.

We hope at least one of these tips will save you from spending money on 12 drummers drumming to a partridge in a pear tree this Christmas! Happy Holidays, love Kevin & Kammi.

Emergency Food Drive Saturday

Remember all the great deals we got at Smiths last week?  Now is the time to share the wealth!  Please join in the food drive on Saturday.  Details below.  Thanks.

Add some coupons!

Visit coupons.com...
http://www.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=14505&zid=py13&nid=10&bid=110809113862db9fc8817214
for even better deals with the Smith's ad like:

Stove Top for $0.29  and
Jet Puffed Marshmellows for $0.45

Just to name a few.  There are also the great coupons for savings on any brand of milk and cheese.  Be sure to scroll to the very bottom of the list after the first time you print to print the same coupons twice.

Happy shopping!

Smith's Sale Extended

The wonderful sales at Smiths will now run through November 13th!  See the post below for sale prices.  Happy shelf stocking.

Stock up on Food for the Winter

A few years ago I came across a killer deal on canned corn.  It was about $0.30/can for Green Giant corn.  I thought that was a great deal for any brand so  I bought one case.  Then something happened.  I got hooked on Green Giant corn.  It is so sweet and yummy that I found I couldn't buy any other brand and enjoy it.

So, if you want to try what I think is the yummiest canned corn now is your chance.  The Green Giant veggies are regularly $1.49/can at Smith's but they are on sale until Tuesday (tomorrow!) for $0.49/can!  Please note the prices below are all the final price when you buy in groups of ten.  I was there today and there was still plenty of vegetables and cream soups.  Here are the great deals:

Green Giant Corn $0.49/can
Green Giant Cream Corn $0.49/can
Green Giant Cut Beans $0.49/can
Green Giant Sliced Green Beans $0.49/can
Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup $0.69/can
Campbells Cream of Mushroom soup for $0.69/can
Swanson Chicken Broth $0.49/can
Stove Top Stuffing $0.79/box
Del Monte Fruit $0.99
Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce $0.99
Marie Callendars Frozen Pies $4.49

Awesome prices for brand names!

Remember you must buy any combination of 10 of these items to get the good deals.  You can also price match at Walmart and then you usually don't need to buy in tens. 

Happy shelf stocking!

Lindon Cannery Needs Missionaries - Part Time

Please see letter below:

Dear Subscribers,

We are way behind in finding missionaries for 2013. If you are possibly interested in serving at the Cannery next year, please send an email to wel-ca-lindon-wetpack@ldschurch.org . Please include your stake name.

We are needing around 10 new missionaries. Lindon Cannery missionaries serve for 1 year (Jan-Dec) for 2 assigned, 4.5 hour shifts a week (between 8-10 hours/week). We will only be working on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in 2013 and do not schedule production for the month of July. When needing to be gone on an assigned day, there are several other missionaries who do the same job you do so you can get substitutes and will be asked to substitute if needed.

This is an immediate request. First day of training is December 10, 2012. (No other responsibilities in December.) First day of production is January 8, 2013. We are down to the wire!!!

Looking forward to hearing from you! Remember to send to the email above. Do not reply to this email.

Teresa Hendrickson

Winterized Vehicles

I know I am not the only one that absolutely loved the snow this morning.  I was lucky enough to drive the kids to school during the 20 minutes that it was acutally snowing.  I must say I very much enjoyed (no, I am not being sarcastic) driving slow in the winter weather.  Ahh, I love winter snow.

But, this brings us to an important point in the year.  Time to winterize your car!

Last time we learned how to make a portable heater for your car.  Now I have a list of other essential items and suggestions to keep you traveling safe during the winter months ahead.

First of all see that you have what you need to make simple repairs or change a tire on the go.  You should already have these in your vehicle.  Items you want may include:

• jumper cables
• wrench
• pliers
• screwdriver
• spare tire - make sure it has enough air in it

Next, add some items for emergencies - the most likely being that you could get stranded in the cold.  Helpful items might include:

• portable car heater
• blankets
• gloves
• snow scraper
• flashlight
• batteries
• matches
• flares or reflective triangle
• first-aid supplies
• whistle
• old carpet strip or kitty litter for traction
• energy bars or other snacks
• card games or other entertainment

And a few tips during winter travel season:

• Make sure your cell phone is fully charged when going out -or- have some change in the car for phone calls (if you are lucky enough to be near civilization).
• Keep the gas tank in your vehicle at least 1/2 full all the time.  Then, if you are stranded you should have some time to keep the car warm by running the engine.  This will also help prevent gas lines from freezing.
• Keep a safe distance from the car in front of you.
• Brake sooner and slower than usual and turn slower when in slippery conditions.

Finally, how to effectively winterize your car to avoid being stranded on the side of the road.

Remove leaves, twigs and other debris

Check your tires' condition - put on snow tires if you have them

Check tire pressure

Check to see that all lights are working

Check your heater and defrost system

Have your brakes checked

Check your windshield wiper blades and fluid

Make sure battery is fully charged

Check the anti-freeze, which may not need changing (see owner's manual)

Get your emergency car kit and put it in the car

Check out this link to an interesting article from Get Gephardt about winterizing and driving in the snow:

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=22681029&nid=1105&title=gephardt-gets-it-winterizing-your-car-could-save-lives&s_cid=queue-16

Hope you found these tips helpful.  Now is the time to be prepared - before the disaster strikes.


 

Cozy Car in the Winter

I am already loving the cold crisp Fall air.  I am hoping this means a bundle of snow isn't too far away.  I can picture it now:

Sitting in my comfy chair in my bunny slippers, sipping hot cocoa and watching the gigantic snowflakes fall to the ground.  Getting snowed in would be so much fun!

Wait!  Unless you happen to be in your car somewhere not quite home yet.  Are you prepared for a situation like this?

To help us get prepared, I will post some simple instructions from ehow.com on how to make an inexpensive car heater should you be stranded for a long period of time. 

Now you can have a cozy car while you wait out the storm.  Storing bunny slippers and hot cocoa is optional.

Next week we'll get into other essential items that would be of value in this situation.

Definition

• A homemade car heater is a small device placed in your car that heats it up when your car has broken down. They can be used to avoid the excessive carbon monoxide produced by your car if you leave it on to use the heater, which may end up killing you.

Materials

• You will need a roll of unscented toilet paper, six bottles unscented isopropyl alcohol, an empty metal can just taller than the toilet paper roll, matches, a 3 lb. coffee can and an aluminum pot wider than the coffee can. Store these in a large, sealed container in the trunk of your car.

Building Method

• Start by adding your toilet paper roll into the smaller empty metal can. Remove the cardboard core and any sheets necessary to fit the roll snugly in the can. Place this can into the coffee can and place this on the passenger seat floor. Pour several ounces but not a whole bottle of the alcohol onto the toilet paper and crack a window for ventilation. Light a match and throw it on the toilet paper. Conserve fuel by covering the can with the aluminum pot when your car is comfortably warm. Continue using your heater in this method until help arrives.

Read more: Homemade Car Heater | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_7980686_homemade-car-heater.html#ixzz27iAZp6w0

Even Easier Water Storage - the Caselot Sale!

Check out Smith's caselot sale.  It runs through next Tuesday, the 18th. 
http://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/Pages/default.aspx
Follow that link and click on the 'weekly ad' button in the top right corner of the page.  The caselot is on page 7.

During the caselot you can get a 24 pk of bottled water for $2.50!  Now there's an easy way to stock up on water storage!

I noticed there are a lot of caselot items in the store that I didn't see in the ad.   I saw brown and powdered sugar, brownie mixes, vegetables, fruit, mac n cheese, etc.  Drop by Smiths and check it out.

Also, on a great sale is Kraft Mayo and Miracle Whip.  When you buy 10 particpating items, they are only $2.50 each.  In addition, if you buy 10 quailifying Kraft items, you will get a $10 off your next shopping order coupon printed at checkout.  That makes each container or Mayo/Miracle Whip only $1.50.  Not too bad.

One more thing to remember, last year I was able to price match the caselot price on single items at Walmart.  I assume they would do this again if you take your ad in.  It doesn't hurt to try.

Have fun stocking your food and water storage!

Quick Water Storage

So far this year we have talked about food storage, 72 hour kits, and evacuation plans.  Next up is water storage.

For a quick and easy way to store water and build up a supply gradually, simple rinse out (you may use 1tsp bleach to sanitize if you wish) and re-fill any plastic container with the letters "PETE" on the bottom of the bottle with water.  Label the lid with a date and place it in your storage room.  Old water bottles, Gatorade bottles, and 2 liter soda bottles work well for this purpose.  Milk jugs and juice bottles are not recommended.

If your water has been commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine (not from a well), you don't need to add bleach to the water to keep it clean.  Just go ahead and store it.

It is recommended you rotate your self-filled water storage every 6 months.  However, water stored longer is safe in emergency situations, it just won't taste as good.

For more extensive information on water storage, visit: http://www.caltriplecrown.com/HarborHillsWard/WaterPurificationandStorage.pdf

Lindon Cannery Meat Canning

Read through the information from the cannery below if you are interested in canning chicken or pork at the Lindon Cannery in October.  There is one link for each day available to can.  You will need to purchase 5 cases of meat after canning so you may want to go in on cases together with some friends.

"We are sending out the links to the next family canning opportunity (Chicken Chunks & Pork Chunks) a little earlier than normal. The links aren't due to become active for scheduling until Saturday, September 8th @ 6:00 a.m., but you can click on the links and carefully read all of the instructions before that time. You will be accountable for everything said in the online instructions. "

You can see the day and date at the end of each link.

http://www2.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=meat_chunks_wed_oct_10

http://www2.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=meat_chunks_thu_oct_11

http://www2.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=meat_chunks_fri_oct_12

http://www2.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=meat_chunks_tue_oct_16

http://www2.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=meat_chunks_wed_oct_17

http://www2.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=meat_chunks_thu_oct_18

Yum yum Strawberry Jam!

It's jam making time! 

You can find strawberries on sale this week at Smith's for $1.25/pkg or at Macey's for $4.99/case (4 pkgs).  Haven't been to Walmart yet but I expect to see deals there too.  When strawberries are $1.25 or less, it's jam making time!

Please see my post from April of 2011 for complete instructions on how to make homemade yum-o strawberry jam (on the right hand side of this page click on '2011' then 'April').  It will take only 1 hour to make 4 - 16 oz cans of jam (plan 1 1/2 hours for your first time).

Please give me a call if you have ANY questions on how to make jam, cuz I love it!  We have gone 2 years without purchasing strawberry jam at the store, and you can too. :)

Stock up on Bottled Water

It's always nice to have extra water as part of your food storage and in your 72 hour kits.  If you need to stock up, stop by Smith's this week for this deal:

Kroger Bottled Water - package of 24, 16 oz bottles @ 5 for $10 ($2 each!)

Not a bad deal, so do something for your family's emergency preparedness and grab one next time you are out.