The rent house looks like we will close in early March, but we aren't counting our chickens until all the papers are signed. With the equity, we are going to pay off all our debt except for our current house, and put three months worth of salary into the bank as a safety net [steps 2 and 3 for Dave Ramsey followers]. We will continue to add to the safety net until we have six months. We are also looking at doing some needed chimney repairs, adding a small deck in the back yard, and buying a 3 or 4 year old "new" family car.
My question for the readers. What would you do with $10,000 for your families preparedness?
Keep Right On Prepping - K
Once you've taken care of the critical things like debt repayment and your emergency fund, why not treat at least some of that $10K as 'fun money' for a family vacation or treat? I think we often get so caught up in what's necessary that we lose sight of what's enjoyable, fun or relaxing. Those things are important, too. A sum like that could buy a week at a condo on the Gulf Coast for everyone, or another very enjoyable holiday experience; or it could be spread out over a summer to buy weekends away from home, perhaps at a river or mountain park, that sort of thing. If your family's into that sort of thing, it's more than enough to buy a small to medium-size used travel trailer, which could give you years of enjoyment - and also be a useful part of your emergency preparations, come to that.
ReplyDeleteJust my $0.02 worth.
Excellent points. It does seem that people forget to make memories with their money.
DeleteI think I would split it between the areas of food, first aid/hygiene, guns/ammo, and emergency sheltering. Of course $2500 in each area may not cover much a whole lot, but would be a good way to get things that are needed.
ReplyDeletePlugging the holes in preparations...I think in this political climate guns might get a little bit more than other areas. There is no telling when another ammo shortage will happen.
DeleteI would buy a building lot that was covered in old growth oaks. Clear it off completely tree by tree and add the wood to my firewood supply and then sell said building lot and buy another one :)
ReplyDeleteActually lan has been on our radar for several years. I've already told the wife that a portion of the old mortgage and utilities is gonna be set aside for buying some land in cash.
Deleteland, not lan
DeleteLook for a good used travel trailer. Great for vacations and for bug out.
ReplyDeleteWe've thought about that and don't really have a place to store it, or a solid vehicle to pull it.
DeleteWhen we had a little extra years ago, we bought a fixer-upper in a remote area not too far from home. We had many enjoyable weekends and vacations fixing it up and getting to know the locals in the small village. We didn't know what BOL meant back then, but it probably is now. Just looking could make a fun vacation, picnic baskets and all.
ReplyDeleteWe ideally want about 20+ acres for our new homestead.
ReplyDelete