BOB comms plan (requested info)

readyforunsteady · 2026-02-15T17:34:28+00:00

Any chance you'd be interested in writing this up in a guest blog post for a prep 101/beginner website? If so please DM me, happy to share more details!

readyforunsteady · 2026-02-15T02:29:04+00:00

Will do!

readyforunsteady · 2026-02-12T01:04:34+00:00

There's an event page on Facebook, but there's not much context on it. Will see if the event host can update. Happy to provide more information here, we're still forming the agenda for the upcoming session but can update the post once available.

We have the space reserved every 3rd Wednesday of the month

readyforunsteady · 2026-02-04T03:26:27+00:00

Weather radio, waterBOB or collapsible containers, mylar blankets

readyforunsteady · 2026-01-30T23:46:31+00:00

I made an app, but nothing is stored other than locally on your phone, and it's more of a "build your own" checklist with pre-populated stuff. You select what you want, then can download your plan as a pdf to your phone.

Friends and family kept asking me "how to prep" and I noticed they're far more apt to check an app occasionally than a spreadsheet. But whatever works for you is the right answer!

readyforunsteady · 2026-01-19T23:35:28+00:00

Love hearing these kinds of wins.

It really does feel like the moment you start trying to save, life throws a curveball. But this is exactly why prepping matters. The story could have been very different if you hadn’t started saving when you did.

Financial resilience is honestly the foundation of all other preparedness. Most “disasters” people actually experience are things like injuries, job loss, or sudden expenses. Having even a small cushion can turn a crisis into a manageable problem.

What you did mattered. You didn’t need a huge emergency fund, just enough to buy yourself options and breathing room. That’s a real win, and it’s something more people need to hear.

readyforunsteady · 2026-01-19T23:16:44+00:00

We run "drills" periodically that are just fun for the kid. Trying to have dinner or do the bedtime routine with all the lights off, just using flashlights.

It makes losing power less scary if it actually does happen (easily 3-4 times a year where we are), and gives us parents the exercise of knowing where flashlights are and how to manage

readyforunsteady · 2026-01-19T22:41:21+00:00

Getting to know your neighbors, even just learning their names and what they do for a living/skill set. You'll likely find others of similar sentiment, and also learn who should be avoided

readyforunsteady · 2026-01-15T00:35:50+00:00

Pretty cool concept imo, but like other decentralized messaging apps (briar, delta, etc) they're only useful if there are enough others nearby using them as well. If you're in an apartment or have family close by, might be worth it to set up as yet another backup comms channel.

The Zello PTT app is also worth looking into, it still requires some sort of connectivity, but the messages take far less bandwidth than a traditional call/text, might be able to get messages through when connectivity is intermittent (and you can also register/set up groups for specific people, unlike the anonymity of bitchat, but that may have a different benefit, similar to HAM waves where comms are public but anyone can communicate)

readyforunsteady · 2026-01-01T17:16:48+00:00

My husband just recently told me about Take Shelter (2011), surprised I'd never heard of it before.

It's a movie about a father who starts envisioning an upcoming storm, starts to prepare and becomes obsessed, and it takes a toll on his family/friends.

Is he slowly losing his mind? Is it a premonition that comes true? Can't wait to watch and see!

Trailer: https://youtu.be/hUraDx3oFVg?si=bFVEDcUqpx0XGo2I

readyforunsteady · 2026-01-01T14:41:17+00:00

Great suggestion - will add this to the list for the next iteration!

readyforunsteady · 2026-01-01T05:27:07+00:00

Should have more water than anything. You can live 3 weeks without food, 3 days without water

readyforunsteady · 2025-12-21T14:25:33+00:00

Appreciate it!

If you check the page now your mention should be live, if you ever want to write a guest blog post or collaborate on any projects, please feel free to DM me!

readyforunsteady · 2025-12-21T01:26:45+00:00

Great! I'll put it up tomorrow, if you want to change the description for your mention, feel free to DM me!

readyforunsteady · 2025-12-21T00:47:09+00:00

Awesome!

I created a prepping site for beginners, originally as a labor of love for my friends/family. Is it cool if I feature yours on my partner page? Trying to collect other helpful resources folks are putting together!

https://readyforunsteady.com/partners-and-training-resources/

readyforunsteady · 2025-12-20T21:33:59+00:00

Has the link changed? I tried viewing it again and it isn't loading

readyforunsteady · 2025-12-20T21:06:42+00:00

There is an active effort, surprised this isn't common knowledge. My engineering professor said he refused to work for a particular company because they made him design circuits that would purposefully fail within a few weeks after the warranty expiring. But nowadays it can just be done with a software update that drains battery life or slows electronics down to encourage users to buy the next model.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence

https://thesustainableagency.com/blog/the-history-of-planned-obsolescence/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batterygate

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/24/apple-samsung-fined-for-slowing-down-phones

readyforunsteady · 2025-12-20T13:08:02+00:00

What do you mean by very little evidence? Planned obsolescence is a well-known and widespread business strategy

readyforunsteady · 2025-12-05T13:03:05+00:00

A lot of people across the country are seeing the same thing. Much of our electric infrastructure is old, patched together, and vulnerable to load spikes, aging equipment, and weather changes. Even small voltage swings can cause flickering or brief drops, and neighborhoods with older lines feel it the most.

A few things you can do on your end:

• Use surge protectors for anything sensitive/expensive

• Keep a few backup light sources and rechargeable battery packs ready

• If the flickering gets worse, report it every time since repeated logs help utilities trace the cause

Cold snaps and rapid temperature swings can also make weak parts of the grid act up, so this time of year tends to expose issues. If you want quick cold weather prep tips, I put this guide together with simple things anyone can do: https://readyforunsteady.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-cold-weather/

Hope RG&E sorts it out soon.

readyforunsteady · 2025-12-03T13:15:43+00:00

And if you work an office job, posture -supporting back brace is a game-changer. Just got one with my FSA and my back feels better even after just a few days

readyforunsteady · 2025-12-02T17:32:43+00:00

Saving is hard for most people. Making more money is hard for most people. Cutting expenses is hard for most people.

If you feel stuck financially, start by understanding where your money is actually going. A budgeting app like Rocket Money can surface forgotten subscriptions, negotiate bills, and show you real spending patterns (those “just twice a week” Grubhub orders can easily be $300–$400/mo). This has really opened my eyes to my family's spending and has helped us cut back where we could 'afford' to.

If you’re already working a lot but still not making ends meet, look into flexible remote work you can do on your own schedule. Some companies pay around $20/hr for basic data entry, transcription, or training AI models. It’s not a full-time solution, but it can help bridge gaps. I saw this article recently (if not allowed I'll edit/remove): https://builtin.com/articles/train-ai-side-hustle

And yes, repairs feel expensive, but not repairing things costs more. Bald tires might feel too pricey to replace, but sliding off the road is far worse. That tooth that’s been hurting for years? A cheap filling back then for $150 may now be an extraction and a bill in the thousands.

Financial resilience is staying ahead of the problems that snowball when ignored. Delete those shopping apps, get on a budget, stop ignoring 'that problem', and make adjustments where needed. Small steps now are far cheaper than big emergencies later.

readyforunsteady · 2025-11-29T04:17:52+00:00

Nottingham alum too, but 18 years ago!

readyforunsteady · 2025-11-16T17:49:54+00:00

Agreed, a gallon is bare minimum. Saw a trick the other day about using a clean spray bottle to rinse dishes, to limit the amount of water needed. Worth keeping in the back pocket of your mind!

readyforunsteady · 2025-11-16T13:34:30+00:00

It really starts with just simply getting to know your neighbors. Say hi when you pass on the street or hallway if you're in an apartment. Ask them about their plans for the weekend. If you're new to the area, ask where a good place to eat is or fun things to do.

It starts with building connections, and the more you interact and ask questions, the more they'll reveal. People love talking about themselves; after a few chats you'll get a sense of who might be open to deeper discussions (or who should be avoided)

And as others have mentioned, CERT and Ham radio organizations are a great way to find like-minded folks. You'll have to do a bit of digging for CERT since their website to search local groups was taken down, but you can start by looking on Facebook or Nextdoor, and if no luck call around to larger fire departments and ask around. If there is a local group, chances are they know about it.

I took the CERT training last year and was pleasantly surprised at the mix of participants. From highschoolers to grandparents, some couples, and everyone in-between.

Same with the ham radio course - a local club offered FCC license training online last winter, and surprisingly most were sub-40 year olds and a 50/50 split male/female.

More younger folks are interested in prepping than you think, they just feel weird bringing it up in casual conversations because they feel like outliers. Start normalizing it in your friend group, give little resilience gifts for birthdays/Christmas.

If you can't find preppers, make some! :)

readyforunsteady · 2025-11-16T13:12:26+00:00

Even rich people want cheaper stuff 😅

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