Hurricane Season Money-Saving Tips

With hurricane season in full swing, it is crucial for you to ensure that you and your family is safe and protected.

The cost of hurricane supplies, however, can be difficult to incorporate into a family budget.

So here are 6 key tips to help you prepare for storms without breaking the bank!

1. Start making ice now:

• Shoppers scramble for ice just before and after a storm
• Start making your own ice now, bag it, and store it in the freezer
• You can also fill plastic containers with water and freeze, just leave room for the water as it expands and cools

2. Stock up early

• Start stocking up on dry goods, bottled water, and other necessities now
• Buying a little each time you do your normal shopping spreads out the cost
• Avoid the last-minute rush when shelves empty quickly

3. Protect important documents

• Screenshot and email all important documents to yourself
• This can be home or renters’ insurance, pet medical records (you’ll need those if you need shelter during a storm)
• Place the originals in sealed bags or plastic bins to protect them from water damage

4. Prepare your home

• If you have shutters for your windows, use them
• It is a lot more expensive to recover when your windows break
• Be prepared for windows to leak too- place old rags and beach towels on your windowsills to prevent water seeping into your drywall

5. Prepare for boredom

• Charge all electronic devices before the storm
• But digital entertainment drains batteries quickly, and service is spotty at best after a storm
• Put together old-school entertainment kit for the kids: board games, playing cards, coloring books, a dollar-store flashlight…
• Thrift stores are good options for cheap fun

6. Plan ahead

• Having a plan helps us avoid costly mistakes, write out your hurricane plan
• Where will you go if a Category 5 is coming? How about a Category 2 that suddenly turns into a 5?
• Know the locations, addresses, and telephone numbers of emergency shelters near you
• List non-emergency phone numbers for utilities, hospitals, police and fire departments
• Write down the phone numbers of family and friends outside of your area

Here is a disaster supply checklist from the state and other helpful information: Disaster Supply Kit Checklist | Florida Disaster