There are so many ways we communicate with each other: cell phones, email, Facebook, Skype, e-news, mail, newspapers, television, etc. What if, in some worst-case scenario, cell towers and internet service are down and you no longer can communicate via phone or the internet (this frequently happens in major disasters). Communication is a vital prepper resource. It helps to relieve stress and anxiety knowing if help is coming, knowing what is being done, to know what dangers to watch out for, to feel connected in some way to the rest of the world. Start with a basic family communication plan. If you don’t know what a communication plan click on the picture above to learn more about it. After developing a family communication plan, next, develop a community communication plan.  There are three frugal ideas on communication preps below:  Bargain Hunting, UpCycle, and a DIY Project.

Communication Preps

Bargain Hunting

A preparedness radio is a useful addition to your emergency home supplies or your bug out bag. However, they can be costly if you try to buy one during a crisis or disaster emergency. Small radios can not only be used to listen to FM/AM radio stations for civilian updates some also have NOAA weather station alerts. Not only is it a good idea to keep a portable radio and extra batteries; but it’s also smart to have a list of all the radio stations in my area. This helps me to locate news stations quickly.  Here is the website I use to print off all my local radio stations:  http://radio-locator.com/

UpCycle

Instead of throwing away your old cell phone or giving it to your child to play with as a toy, upcycle that old cell phone into an emergency phone for your bug out bag or car emergency kit. Old cell phones can be used to take pictures and keep emergency contact information like addresses on them. It can always activate if you are really in a bind. You can even use it to get out of the city. If you have an old smartphone, use a free WiFi spot to download Google Maps. In Google Maps, search for the city you live in, then at the bottom of the screen, save the map offline. This allows you to use the map when you are not plugged into WiFi.

Old cell phones can also be a good decoy. Thief and robbery, unfortunately, happen even in a crisis. A street-smart rule is always to give a thief something because you are far less likely to get shot, stabbed, or beat up. So stash a couple of bucks, a granola bar, and an old phone in easy reach, keeping the higher value items well hidden.

DIY Project

Join a community! Whether it’s a nonprofit organization, a prepper group, or a well-organized church these groups are a great resource to provide aid and get you back on your feet. I recently just learned about a prepper group called ANTS. They provide aid to preppers that have gone through a crisis and are in need of supplies. Learning how an organized group or community provides aid amidst a crisis is one of the best prepper skills you can acquire. Read more about the Organization ANTS.

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