Preparedness for when

boultdj

Snap to the film.

GreyQueen

I'm feeling left out (no TV). What the heck is a 5 + 1 anyway ? (no TV since 1987):D

Goldiegirl

I've lurked a bit on this thread, but I feel compelled to post as I had a bit of a Light Bulb Moment this afternoon.

We were transferring some funds from one bank to another, so we can open some new savings accounts.

My transfer went through fine, but as my husband hardly ever uses his Internet banking, there were issues with setting up security questions and then he ended up having to phone the to get some details changed.

As I've always worked in banking, it's evolved that it's my role to do financial things. So when he had to talk to the bank, he found it really difficult to answer questions about the account and to explain what he needed to be done.

I do all financial things and all admin things, like writing letters. It's what I'm good at. My husband does the practical things, it's what he's good at.

BUT, what happens if the SHTF? If one of us was in hospital ( or worse )' the one left at home would find it very difficult to cope.

So, we're now going to make sure we 'train' each other on our roles. Mr GG will be paying the next bill online and writing his letter to the taxman, and I'll be rewiring that plug and adjusting the central heating timer.

We are good team, but we also need to be able to cover everything on an individual basis too

Goldiegirl

GreyQueen wrote: »

I'm feeling left out (no TV). What the heck is a 5 + 1 anyway ? (no TV since 1987):D

I think it's Channel 5 on an hours delay.

So, what started at 6pm on Channel 5, starts at 7pm on 5+1.

There are so many channels these days!

2tonsils

I am posting a picture of the latest weather map for the UK...the Uk is right under the red swathe that goes across the picture. It looks like the squalls may come over from Ireland, where it was very bad in some areas last night.

Stay safe folks, it looks like high winds, heavy rain,hail and thunder may be coming the way of the UK today. Tomorrow is the day the bad storms might hit with high winds, blizzards, rain and snow.

http://cdn.nwstatic.co.uk/gfsimages/gfs.20130131/00/03/hgt300.png

ClootiesMum

Lurker just popping head above the parapet for a minute whilst @ work
Firstly - thanks to y'all - great chat, information & lots to think about

But GoldieGirl - we're in the process of making a "housebook" - has all dtls of logons & hints for passwords (I know you're not meant to write them down but.....:o). House book is an A4 folder with dividers & cherap paper. Sections are utilities / insurances and other things that we need to check often..... Eventually there will be a section for DH & 1 for me - if the worst happens then will either of us be in a position to deal with the paperwork side of things - I think not. So section for me will have DH insurance dtls, phone nos, policy nos etc & the one for him will have the same for me. This is not fatalistic - just practical (& having 3 parents between us die in 3 years of sudden death, car accident & suicide makes you realise that sometimes the S really does HTF). Preparation, preparation & even more preparation......

GreyQueen

Goldiegirl, yes, excellent post about dual-skilling the household.

I used to be a CAB volunteer and would regularly see elderly ladies whose hubbies had just died. They were in such a muddle because they typically had no bank account in their own name; their pension went into a joint account which locked down on his death.

This mean that until they could open their own account and redirect their pension into that, the only access to cash they had was what was already on the premises/ anything family could spare.

And they often had let Hubs be the sole driver of the family car, so had a useless chunk of steel sitting there and no driver's license as proof of ID. I had clients who literally couldn't prove their name and address; no bank account, no utility bill, no driver's license, no passport. Nightmare.

So, I'd say as part of prepping, have your own bank account with your own income and transfer some to a "bills account" if that's how you organise your finances. Be on the utility bills. Think about having a passport, it works out as good ID for less than £10 a year. Heavens; when I had to sign on briefly in 2004, the JobCentre required to see my passport, as did my employer when I started work, and I am working in the same county as I was born in.

Equally, the domestic sphere needs to be transparent to the Hubs and to older children. Imagine Mum's in the hospital and no one can work the washing machine. And every adult or teen child, unless there are disabilities which render it impossible, ought to be able to run the household if the primary person is absent.

No one likes to think of their beloveds being ill or having died but it does happen, and it sometimes happens with no warning whatsoever nor time to adjust. So, the preptastic way is to plan ahead so at least the logistics won't be in the way of the truly important matters like caring for the sick or mourning.

On a happier note, I have purchased a new toy, half price on sale (£3) which is a rechargable LED torch from Millets, the kind with a squeeze function. It's a darling.

mardatha

This is why I stick with RBS who have a local branch. I wanted to change to theCo-op bank but it's online with no branches anywhere near us, and husband doesn't do online stuff at all. Can't train him as he's very dyslexic and would jsut get ratty as hell. I have a folder for insurances, with envelopes marked IF MUM DIES and IF DAD DIES lol - thought the family can't miss that!

katieclampet

This kind of information, especially having your own bank account and name on bills is also handy,just incase of separation/divorce. It made things much easier for me, a while ago when my circumstances changed, very unexpectedly. Being independent is much easier if you know what your OH did/does, and how to do it.

I have seen a trailer on Sky for a new programme, called Revolutions (I think) about a post apocalyptic diasaster, ?massive EMP hitting earth. Might be of interest to any preppers who like that kind of thing.

The weather here is awful, really cold wild winds and lots of rain. Pleased to be warm and cosy at home. Hope everyone stays warm and dry.

katie

pineapple

Us singletons are in an even more perilous position!
I have already given keys to a couple of people but am thinking it would also be a good idea to give an info sheet to someone who can be trusted - with details of everything from the dogs routine to financial/legal info and the whereabouts of documents.