A Prepared Home.com

When I the weatherman forecasts that a winter storm is heading my way, I get my shopping done and run all of my errands.  Am I just a wimp and don’t like to brave the cold? Absolutely!  That, and I’m not a risk taker and I just don’t want to take the chance of being stuck somewhere in bad weather. Ready or Not #142: Prepared in the Car and at Home asks some vital questions to help you be prepared when you’re out driving in bad weather and even when you’re at home.

You know that it is going to be painful. It always is. I’m talking about the after-the-holidays, in-the-red, and credit cards gone-wild-and-out-of-control pain. Ouch!

Ready or Not #236: Keeping Track of Finances gives you an easy to use spreadsheet so that starting on January 1, 2012, you can start tracking your expenses and income.  That way, you will know how much money you will have to spend on Christmas presents next year.

In Ready or Not #141, I share my mother’s English Toffee recipe.  It’s easy to make and is absolutely yummy.  You create wonderful family memories when you make it together (and eat it together) as a family.

Enjoy!

It’s that time of year.  No, I’m not talking about the frantic shopping and wrapping. I am talking about the scheduling and the making of plans for next year.   You don’t have to plan out the entire year all at once, but it is always good to keep track of important dates ahead of time.

In Ready or Not #235: Scheduling Planner, I give you three different calendar spreadsheets of different sizes that will help you organize and schedule your life.

Don’t you just love gift cards?  I know I do.  It’s the perfect size, the perfect color, and nobody ever wants to re-gift them.  So when I received an e-mail cautioning me about buying gift cards this season, I was a little sad. Ready or Not #138: Gift Cards talks about the perfect gift that you can give to that special someone on your list that has great lasting value.

This is the season when you make a list, check it twice, and pay attention to children who are naughty or nice.

Ready or Not #234: Spread the Cheer gives you lots of ideas of gifts that you can give those loved ones who are on your list.  And, it makes you stop and think about the impact of your holiday shopping.

Ready or Not #132: Hurricane Ike provides observations from a letter sent to a friend from people in Texas who experienced Hurricane Ike. In turn, my friend sent it to my e-mail and I wanted to share it with you because it gives you a real life look at what can happen during an emergency if you have prepared yourself, and glimpse of what will happen it you don’t.

It is that time of year again – time to check your 72-hr kit. Ready or Not #130: Update Your 72 Hour Kit talks about people who had to leave their homes because of a fire.  It discusses the need to update it and provides  you the motivation to do it — and to do it now!