Prepare for winter now to avoid budget blow outs
Recently, wild weather hit many parts of New Zealand letting us know winter is on the way and the Debtfix Crew thought it was time to get planning to reduce the risk of expensive disasters.
When your neighbourhood is flooding or the power goes off for a couple of days, the last thing you need to worry about is how to pay for takeaways to feed the family. The Crew likes to ensure people have contingency money in their budgets for the unexpected and there has been a lot of unexpected during the last couple of years.
As well as budgeting for emergency money, there are some other things we can all do to lessen the financial blow when the weather or the world goes crazy.
What is risky around your home during wild weather?
Have a look around your home and consider what is likely to cause problems when stormy weather arrives. This could include trees that could damage your property if they blow over, autumn leaves blocking the house gutters and stormwater drains on your street, or a small leak in the roof that could become a major deluge.
Even if you rent your home, you should look at what could be a problem and let your landlord know. The Tenancy Services states: “Tenants must tell the landlord straight away if they are aware something needs to be repaired or maintained, no matter how it happened or who caused the damage.”
Who is the best person to prepare, maintain and repair before winter?
When planning what needs to get done, consider who has the talent to carry out certain tasks. If we can do jobs we like or can skilfully perform, we are more likely to get them done.
Make your to-do list a team effort, try to make it fun and give everyone a reward for knocking off jobs – even yourself.
Be prepared
You’ll need to stock the cupboards with winter essentials. Yeah – we know everybody keeps banging on about this, but have you done it? The people throughout Tairāwhiti Gisborne are experiencing flood damage and washed-out roads following their second huge storm in less than a year.
What food would you need if you were cut off from civilisation?
Have you stored at least three litres of clean water per person per day, for three days?
Do you have a decent first aid kit?
Can you arrange a backup supply of any essential medications?
Have you got a load of firewood ready?
What is your plan for your pets?
Have you got enough toilet paper and a bucket you can use as an emergency toilet?
Power outage solutions
We have become highly dependent on electricity and if there are long power cuts, you’ll need a strategy if you need to keep using your electronic devices. When wild weather is forecast:
Charge everything, including phones, tablets, laptops, power banks, torches, lanterns.
Make sure you have batteries for nonchargeable torches and a transistor radio if you have one.
Have a supply of candles and matches BUT make sure these are only used in safe situations. Burning candles should never be left unattended, used by children, when you’re incapacitated maybe due to serious illness, accident or a few too many bevvies.
Fill gas bottles for the barbecue, and other gas cooking and heating appliances that will work without electricity.
Get a grab bag sorted
A few essential items kept in an easily carried bag is an excellent idea, especially if you live in an area that is high risk for landslides, earthquakes, flash floods, or volcanic eruptions. When a storm is forecast and you don’t have a grab bag, get one sorted asap.
Check your insurance policies
In New Zealand the Government has EQCover, which provides natural disaster insurance for residential homes and land. You automatically have EQCover for your house and land if you have a current private insurance policy for your home that includes fire insurance, and most do. If your home suffers natural disaster damage, which is more than the EQCover limit, your insurer may pay the difference up to the sum insured.
Your contents insurance should cover any household items damaged during a natural disaster. You should check all your insurance policies to make sure they are up-to-date and provide adequate protection.
By taking a few simple steps before winter arrives you can save yourself money and stress. It is much cheaper to have emergency food in the cupboard that you can eat during a disaster or trim a tree now, so it doesn’t crash through your house during a storm.
The Debtfix Crew will give you control of your money and help you plan for wintery and wild weather. Contact them now to make sure you and your whānau cruise through the storms in style.