Today we’re taking the discussion about bug-out bags to the average family. While bug-out bags (or GO-bags) are always mentioned when talking with those who are preparing for the ‘end of the world’ scenario, we’d like to talk about a common sense approach to preparedness.
CLICK HERE to read the transcript while you listen to the video.
Remember, we started this blog shortly after the covid pandemic sent us all into a weird world of masks, shots, social distancing, many losing friends and relatives, and our daily lives interrupted! As is usual, especially in America, folks rushed to the grocery store where you found empty shelves for toilet paper, hand wipes, sanitizer, etc. We were really confused that this rush for toilet paper (and more) occurred all over the country. This led us to consider how we might be better prepared and that, just maybe, average families needed a little help.
Now going on three years of major changes and upheaval in our lifestyles due to the pandemic, we’ve also seen entire communities uprooted by weather disasters and fires. That started us thinking, “What if someone knocked on my door and told me I had 5 minutes – or less – to leave my house. Would I have what I needed to grab available in a matter of minutes?”
Just One Thing!
This video discusses that idea and encourages you to start today. Do one thing – ONE – to begin your bug-out bag escape. Then just keep adding another item. Consider some of the following to get started:
Initial Considerations for your bug-out bag:
Copies of important papers in a waterproof container for all family members (Soc. Sec. card, driver’s license or ID, Passport if you have one, medical information, insurance info, bank info, possibly passwords to accounts, contacts)
Medicines for at least a week, ideally 30 days.
Cash – you’ll need this to buy things when you get to safety.
Personal needs: toothpaste, toothbrush, sanitary items, etc. Travel sizes would work in this scenario.
Phone and Charger
If you have children, you might consider a small item for comfort and maybe a game that can easily be put in a backpack and played quietly. A kindle filled with stories for kids and adults may also help. Of course, you’ll want to be sure to take the charger.
Water – in a moment’s notice you can’t carry a lot, but add a few bottles
Munchies – granola bars, etc that will keep everyone going until you find help
Flashlight and batteries
Let’s not forget our furry friends. Dog/Cat dish, food, water, leash or carrier, etc.
And we added DUCT TAPE and TRASH BAGS! Why? Well, Sam will remind you that “McGyver” could fix anything with duct tape. But seriously, you can wrap a broken arm or leg with a trash bag and duct tape to keep it in place till you can get help. You can create a temporary toilet using a trash bag and a bucket or a hole in the ground. Duct tape can repair a broken handle, a hole in a sleeping bag or backpack, etc.
As we share in the video, preparedness is just thinking ahead. We’ve seen enough to know that, “Yes, it CAN happen to us!” Whether a hurricane or tornado, floods or fires, or even a tree bringing down power lines. You may only be in an emergency situation for a day or two, but it could also be a week or more. Start today to plan ahead. What would you need minimally? What would your children need? What does someone who might be trying to help you need? Then start your bug-out bags, one for each family member.
You can make it a game for the kids. And now and then practice by grabbing the bags and heading to a park. This isn’t about being scared – but being prepared. Then … B. R. E. A. T. H. E. You may not have all the answers, but you’re thinking ahead and making plans. We’ll share more tips as we go along. But for now – let us know what your first item will be in your family’s go-bags.
Remember, a candle in the dark eases our fear. Knowing we’re prepared gives us a bit of that same security.
If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common sense approaches to sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word. Visit and like our youtube channel and our Facebook page. And sign up for our newsletter – the form’s on the HOME page. Share your thoughts with us on youtube or FB. Here’s to your peace of mind because you’re prepared!
In a chaotic world, it’s easy to lose our sense of self. We can often feel drained and wonder what, if anything, we’ve accomplished. We might find it hard to see the value of a day that seems filled up with … well, stuff! Join us on Sunday Snacks with Sam and Ellie as we discuss a way to appreciate the small things of the day and realize that it isn’t all just busyness.
If you like to read along, you can CLICK HERE for the transcript.
Sam shares the sense of overwhelm and feeling unaccomplished when she’s had a busy day or week. Yet, in reality, she lives fully and in alignment with her core values. Why this conflict? It was recently made more painful when someone mentioned that “Oh, you’re just a stay-at-home mom!”
Ellie shares a bit of history that women have experienced with both the ‘Oh, you’re just a stay-at-home mom” vs “I can have a career, husband, children, and do it all!” (Some things never change…) She also gives us a few words of encouragement with a simple moment of reflection.
Your efforts do matter.
Stopping at the end of the day to consider that busyness, asking if it aligned with our core values, and taking a moment to be grateful that we could do those things, may just be enough to switch off the “I’m not enough” self-doubt that we sometimes feel.
We didn’t mention it in the video, but we would also add: SMILE! Look around your home and at your family, consider your job or business if you have one, and SMILE! After all, isn’t that the purpose!
If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common sense approaches to sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word. Visit and like our youtube channel and our Facebook page. And sign up for our newsletter – the form’s on the HOME page.
As we growled about Punxsutawney Phil and springing ahead this weekend with the beginning of Daylight Saving Time, we also celebrated the signs of spring on this week’s Sunday Snacks with Sam and Ellie!
Photo by Michael Anfang on Unsplash
Sam talks about her love of purchasing spring peeps – yes, she loves seeds and plants, too. But there’s just something about the fluffy butts of peeps that causes her family to want to tie her hands when she visits Tractor Supply. Ellie, on the other hand, shares the anticipation of the first sounds of the peepers – the cheery music of those little tree frogs.
We discuss moving from winter to spring – what we love and what we won’t miss. We’ll debate spring trimming and pruning, and even the joys of having your children discover they love your gardening hobby almost as much as you do!
DISCLAIMER: Ellie made an incorrect statement re: trimming in the fall or winter vs spring. She shares the following: My memory is not exactly accurate. In western NY State Spring comes later than Maryland and usually fast. Most of the farms had acres of grapes and fruit trees. That’s why they often started trimming and pruning earlier.
If you want to enjoy reading along while you watch the video, CLICK HEREfor the pdf file. (It will open in a new tab). In the meantime, enjoy a snack with us!
Peepers Announce Spring Is Here
Oh yeah, and speaking of those peepers, have a listen. These tiny little tree frogs are absolutely delightful. Along with fireflies in summer… well, just love the music and beauty of Mother Nature!
Between us, we have over 100-years of experience – and Sam’s only 39 40!
If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common sense approaches to sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word. Visit and like our youtube channel and our Facebook page. And sign up for our newsletter – the form’s on the HOME page.
Good morning and welcome to Sunday Snacks with Ellie and Sam, where we’re definitely awake this morning. We had a good brunch.
Today we’re going to be talking to you about changes in 2022, because we’re ready. Oh, my word. It’s been a mess for two years of crazy!
SAM: I’m Going to go cuckoo.-kachoo like, it’s not going to be okay. I’m already going to a therapist to deal with some of the stuff, you know?
ELLIE: Yup. Yeah. Well, you know, we’re supposed to be getting like what four hugs a day or something to be healthy. Think of all the people who haven’t had hugs in years, I’m going to give you a hug. (Sam gives Ellie a hug). I’m trying to get a little more energy back by taking a little part-time job I have in an antique store. And just, you know, hopefully with spring getting outdoors a little bit more.
But we’ve developed habits over time. I mean, if we can change a habit in 30 days, what have we changed in two years?
SAM: You know, I’m currently moving three cubic – no four cubic yards of mushroom soil around my yard. That’s a lot of work and so I’m physically active. I’m doing all those things now. For me for 2022, it’s all about that mental cut the fat, because that’s just how it has to be because it’s not sustainable for me to just keep living in this heightened state of panic and fear and just God-awful pandemonium.
Ellie: In that grip of, of being hypervigilant about everything, we also, I think, discovered parts of ourselves and they don’t have to be positive parts, but if we can acknowledge those parts, then we know we, we now have clues as to what to use to improve in 2022. The things we learned about ourselves, and even though they may be negative, are still things to bring into a positive 2022, because we can look at those and say, okay, that didn’t work well. I don’t need to keep doing that.
What lessons are you carrying into a more positive 2022? Share with us on our FB page.
Between us, we have over 100-years of experience and Sam’s only 39! If you enjoy our life hacks and simple common sense approaches to sustainability and everyday life, please spread the word.
