I hear a lot of excuses in my line of business. The fact is, it is easy to find reasons why preparing is unnecessary or not possible. So, people often procrastinate or don’t do it at all.
I thought I’d share a few of the excuses I hear with you. In fact, I came up with a fun list of 5 reasons people give me why they don’t prepare. I hope you enjoy it!
Top 5 Reasons NOT to Prepare:
I also really hope you sense the teasing / exaggerated tone of the list. It is meant to be funny. But, while exaggerated, I believe there is a little of each of us in some of the lists below. I know that I still find excuses to do less than I should. Ultimately, the attitudes below make me nervous (n myself and others)! I want others to be self-reliant and prepared! I don’t want you (or anyone) to face a difficult time and wish you’d done more to be prepared for it.
So, read the list and have a little laugh and then go out and do a little more and help your friends find reasons to be better prepared!
5. “Preparing” is Too Overwhelming and Time-Consuming
I wouldn’t even know where to start. And I’m busy. I work full time and have kids and there just isn’t any time left after that and my tennis and favorite reality show! I can’t find any resources anywhere to help me even know what to do or what I need. I’m sure there is nothing like that on the internet b/c it is such a boring topic. Maybe I’ll get to it someday, but I’m just too busy today.
4. I’m sure the Government Will Take Care of Me if Something Happens
I mean, they are rich, right? I sure pay a lot of taxes, they must be. I’m sure they’ve got food & water stored away for all of us. That is their responsibility, right? I know people say they might not be able to get supplies to us for a while, but I’m not worried. I live half a mile from the city government building. I’ll be one of the first to be taken care of!
3. I Don’t Have Enough Space
You don’t get it, my apartment is tiny. I don’t have room for all that food, water, and supplies. I’ve got the TV and the elliptical and the sectional. There just isn’t room. I don’t want my bed on risers and I can’t add any shelves or cabinets to the walls, that just wouldn’t look right. There is no space anywhere. I know you say others have done it and you’ve got lots of tips, but I’m sure those won’t work for me!
2. I Don’t Have Enough Money
I just don’t have enough money to prepare. I have to pay the rent, buy food, and pay the utilities. Oh, and there is cable and my cell phone and I can’t do without my morning Starbucks and weekend movies. There is just no room in the budget to prepare. None at all. I’m sure there is nothing I could do to prepare that is free, right? And since I can’t buy anything, there is no use in learning any skills either. I’m sure skill won’t help me unless I also buy stuff, right?
1. Nothing Will Ever Happen To Me
I don’t live in an area prone to natural disasters. And both my job and my spouse’s job are completely secure. If there is significant inflation, I’m sure our incomes will increase to cover it. The power never goes out where we live b/c there are no natural disasters (remember?) and pipes never freeze because it never gets cold.
My kids are angels and don’t take risks so they never get injured. That is why I don’t need any first aid supplies. And it isn’t hot enough for things like heat stroke. I’m sure the grocery store has a full year’s supply of food, so I don’t need any extra in my house. I never forget to buy milk or eggs or anything else for that matter, so I don’t need to keep any extra in my home. Our water supply is plentiful. I’ve never gone without water. I’m mean, every time I turn on the tap, it just comes out! The plumber has never even had to turn it off for a repair. Oh, and our car is new. There is no way it will ever break down. I’m just sure nothing will ever happen to us!
I hope you are giggling just a bit b/c this was meant to be funny! We all find excuses at one point or another don’t we? What funny excuses have you heard?
My favorite excuse is the bible tells us not to worry. Which is just funny cause if they did just minimum prepping they would have less worry when money is tight one week. Some times people forget God told Joseph to prepare for famine. Preparing and fear are two different things.
I LOVE this Christina! I may just use it for a blog post title soon (and give you credit, of course!)
I hear these excuses from my family members, especially the “it’s too overwhelming to think about”. And I have one family member who has a lovely finished basement with tons of storage, but their family is just too busy. I have little room, but know how important it is to be self-reliant. Hopefully, I can help them in an emergency, but also point them to your blog someday. You’ve made it easier.
I LOVE that you would be willing to help them if needed Deb. Great attitude!
You are very right when you say there’s a bit of these in everyone. Just yesterday I was talking to my husband about increasing our water storage but not having the budget or space to really do so. Then it hit me that I could significantly increase our water supply if I just by TWO two liter bottles of seltzer water a week (something we use daily here, but typically carbonate our own) for less than a buck each, and refill them. They are small enough to fit in the back of a closet, and while they may not be the container system we really want at the moment, they are SO much better than doing nothing.
If someone who writes on the subject of Emergency Prep can get stuck on not one, but TWO of these excuses, then anyone can!
I agree! I find excuses ALL the time Andrea!