To build a lasting structure during ancient times, a sound foundation and solid cornerstones were required.  So it is today with prepping fundamentals.

There are five cornerstones of preparation:

1. Stock extra consumables
2. Collect tools and supplies
3. Develop useful knowledge and skills
4. Leverage existing safety nets
5. Establish a support group

All of these are necessary to create a robust preparation plan that can mitigate the affects of unexpected events.  Ignoring or over-emphasizing one will cause an imbalance that will adversely impact your ability to handle disasters.  Some people (myself included) have a tendency to focus on the first two and pay less attention to the rest.  This is a common mistake because it ignores the central importance of knowledge in preparation.  As Dr. Arthur Bradley writes:

Of the five, developing useful knowledge and skills is arguably the most important...The truth is most of us already have plenty of stuff.  Rather, it’s our know-how that is seriously lacking.

Simple but not easy…