Planning Ahead: Tips for Surviving the Unexpected

If something is truly unexpected, then, by its very nature, you cannot plan for it. There are some things that happen in life that you didn’t even know were possible. Those events cannot be foreseen. Those are the real catastrophes that leave you devastated for a long time.

The more informed about the possibilities you are, the less likely you will be caught off guard. The fewer things that are truly unexpected, the more prepared you will be. Here are a few more tips for surviving the unexpected:

Make an Emergency Plan

It doesn’t matter if you write it down on a piece of paper, or put it in an app on your computer or smartphone. What matters is that you write out an emergency plan that you can refer to in the event of an emergency. The reason you need to write it out is that the more rational parts of your brain are not firing in a crisis. You can’t count on remembering a lot of little details like URLs and phone numbers.

After an emergency involving injury, you will likely be prescribed medicine, some of which can be very expensive. If money is always a little tight for you, then you need to bookmark URLs such as Lowest Med for getting those necessary meds at a price you will be able to afford. If you don’t have comprehensive insurance, this little detail can make the difference in a lingering injury and a speedy recovery.

Your emergency plan should also include the name and number of a personal injury lawyer, auto insurance agent, and a good plumber. Don’t leave the aftermath of emergencies to chance. Think about all the possible things that might go wrong. And write down your plan for what to do and who to call. Your future self will thank you.

Insure Everything You Can’t Afford to Replace

Financial readiness is a big part of being prepared for the unexpected. And the best way to be financially prepared is to insure everything you can’t afford to replace. It goes without saying that your house should be insured – your house, and everything in it. The same is true for your vehicle. But those are not the only big ticket items in your life.

If you rely on your personal technology such as your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you need to be able to replace those at a moment’s notice. Today’s high-end smartphone costs upwards of a thousand dollars. That necessitates some form of insurance. If you have home-owners or auto insurance, call and ask if that covers accidental damage to items such as computers and smartphones. Credit card companies sometimes offer such coverage. But you have to ask. There may be an extra charge.

Practice

A fire drill is a way to practice so that you will be prepared in the event of an emergency. This is something that happens in schools and some businesses, but seldom at home where a fire is more likely. It is important to build up muscle memory because your actual memory is compromised during a fire. The smoke is disorienting. You may have trouble locating the door. Practicing what to do in advance might very well be the difference between life and death.

At the end of the day, your best protection against the unexpected is to expect more. Expect that you might suffer injury. And plan for that eventuality. Expect that big-ticket items get damaged or stolen. So insure them in advance. Expect that a house fire could happen. So practice what to do in such an event. In light of expecting the worst, remember to remain hopeful and appreciate the good things that happen, too. It can be too easy to get all doom and gloom when you’re always thinking about what could go wrong.