Destiny Survival

            Have you tried any of the family activities I’ve shared with you so far?  Here are a few more for you to get the family in on.  Try one this weekend.

            This one’s a tough one, knowing how addicted most of us have become to our gadgets and computers.  Turn off all electronics for the weekend.  If that’ seems like too tall of an order, try it for a 24 hour period, then try it for the weekend a few weeks later.  Leave off your TV, computer, cell phone, iPod, and so on.  You know what the biggies are in the family.  Everybody in the family has to participate in this.

            Now, this isn’t a game you can just shrug off.  As has happened a couple of times over the past winters, the power was out for days and many folks were in shock because they didn’t know how to live without their precious  electronics gadgets.  Flooding and storms have knocked out power for many this summer, too.  How will you cope without air conditioning this summer or no heat in the winter?  Now is the time to think about it.  You know, I hear in the news that a lot of people can’t pay their electric bills, so the utility company cuts their power off.  I hope that doesn’t happen to you.  Take the opportunity to use this electronics free day or weekend to focus on other activities such as reading, playing games, baking cookies, gardening, or working on that certain project you say you never have time for.

            Our next activity is a different kind of challenge.  Have a "no spend" weekend.  How well can you and your family go for the whole two days without spending a dime?  It’s such a temptation to run to the nearest convenience store to buy a gallon of milk or those nasty cigarettes, but what if you couldn’t do that?  What if it weren’t possible?  What if banks were closed or unable to operate for some reason and you and everyone else couldn’t get to their money?

            Our last family activity suggestion today is also financially oriented.  Have a family council meeting and set a financial goal together, then brainstorm ways to reach your goal.  Whether it is a camping vacation, buying storage food and survival supplies, or paying off a debt, have the whole family get involved.   No reason the children shouldn’t be in on this.  This affects all of you.  Research the amount needed for your goal, then have everyone get busy on reaching that goal.  Do things like recycling cans, selling stuff on EBay, or mowing yards.  Get creative.

            I really would like to know how you make out when you try these ideas on for size with your family.  Don’t be afraid to leave a comment and share the good, the bad, and the ugly.  More next week.

Click here for part 3.