Emergency Preparedness 

Prepare for the Unexpected: Our Series on Emergency Preparedness

Disasters assault our very sense of justice and can render us powerless; this can create a void in us that leads to poor financial decisions. 

In the wake of a natural disaster, the road to recovery might seem daunting, but making wise financial decisions can be likened to finding a light house for a sailor, like a beacon of hope in these trying times. It’s crucial to create an after-the-fact plan, no matter what the outcome of the event is, having a plan will protect us mentally, emotionally, and financially. These are areas where we have the most control, so while we have that control, let's use it wisely.

To avoid disease and danger, here are a few golden nuggets to consider:

• Stay Calm and Plan - Take a deep breath and assess your financial situation with a clear mind. Rushed decisions often lead to regret.

• Document Everything - Start documenting any damages and track all disaster-related expenses. This meticulous approach will be invaluable for insurance and potential aid applications.

• Prioritize Expenses - Focus on your immediate needs first. This is not the time for unnecessary spending. Safety and essentials should be at the top of your list.

• Stay with friends, if possible, rather than in a camp.

• Keep your living space sanitary.

• Use personal protective equipment when cleaning up debris. If possible, wear gloves, sturdy shoes, a hard hat, and a dust mask. Beware of electrical wires and hidden embers.

• Keep your daily routine as normal as possible. Your children need to see that you are calm and hopeful. Do school lessons, play, and spend time as a family. Do not dwell on news coverage of the tragedy, and do not take out your anxiety or frustration on family members. Accept help and help others.

• Acknowledge that disasters cause loss. Government and other relief efforts focus on helping people to survive, not on replacing everything that was lost. To survive, we need clean water, food, clothing, and shelter from the weather.

• Recognize and address emotional injury. This often surfaces after the initial shock has passed. Symptoms include anxiety, depression, and mood swings, as well as difficulty thinking, working, and sleeping. Talk to caring friends. Journal your thoughts and feelings often.  

You’ll want to keep a level head while facing these moments; always focus on the facts of the situation so you can objectively decide the best course of action. When troubles arise and we allow emotions to overwhelm us, we get distracted and put ourselves at risk of making rash decisions that will affect us and our loved ones detrimentally. 

This is a good time to establish a healthy mental fitness routine of looking for the upside of every situation we find ourselves in and adopting the mindset of owning our responsibility to decide on how we respond to events in our lives. 

PS: Managing your finances with confidence includes developing the capabilities to plan ahead of time for any unexpected event, and sometimes all of this adulting can create anxiety. That is why one of the major pillars of our program, SAPPHIRE DESIGN, consists of teaching you how to navigate money management from your mind with ease and confidence. 

Speak soon,
Christiane
The Green Wealth Legacy Team