September is National Preparedness Month! Living in Southern California, this is my hot week, which means getting the notifications from the WatchDuty fire app I’ve linked here 😟 CalFire sent out Prepare NOW information if you’d like to take a look! They do an amazing job keeping us safe during fire season.
For my friends in hurricane-prone zones, September marks the beginning of peak season for hurricane activity. Here’s a PDF from Ready.gov to help you prepare in advance of a hurricane.
Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay
IRS Preparation
The IRS Press Room in a statement this week reminds us to prepare in case of natural disaster impacting your ability to file taxes. IR-2024-229, Sept. 3, 2024 — With the peak of hurricane season arriving and an elevated wildfire risk across much of the West, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to develop an emergency preparedness plan or, if they already have one, to update it for 2024.
The deadline to submit their third quarter estimated tax payment is Sept. 16, 2024, and disaster-impacted areas will have more time to file if needed. HERE is their information about tax relief in disaster situations.
Billion Dollar Disasters
NOAA reports that through August 8, 2024, there have been 19 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect the United States. These events included 15 severe storm events, 1 tropical cyclone event, 1 wildfire event, and 2 winter storm events.
As consumers, we feel the impact of accelerating weather-related disasters. Housing costs, insurance costs, loss of crops and livestock, and the costs for communities (clean-up, rebuilding efforts, jobs) are all impacted. The US Chamber of Commerce encourages proactive preparation. See their discussion and study findings HERE.
Source: ncei.noaa.gov/
Voting
58 days until election day in the US. In the US, it’s always a good idea to check your voter registration status in your state. Check yours I Will Vote
Voting while living abroad was something new to me when I moved to China. Most U.S. citizens 18 years or older who reside outside the United States are eligible to vote absentee for federal office candidates in U.S. primary and general elections.
In addition, some states allow overseas citizens to vote for state and local office candidates and referendums. For information about your state, see the Voting Assistance Guide.
Voting from abroad involves a process. Each year, submit a completed Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to your local election officials. IMPORTANT: U.S. citizens abroad must submit a new FPCA each year to vote in U.S. elections. Submit your FPCA at the beginning of the calendar year, or at least 45 days before an election, to allow ample time to process your request and resolve any problems. Once approved, your name will be put on a list of voters to receive absentee ballots.
This will: confirm your eligibility to vote and put your name on a list to receive absentee ballots for any elections held that calendar year. Send you a blank absentee ballot electronically or by mail. Complete and return the ballot so it arrives before your state’s ballot return deadline. If you have not received your blank ballot 30 days before an election, use the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot to vote.
I was able to submit my ballot to the US Embassy or US Consulate office near me. They would send it to the US via Diplomatic Pouch. To understand the ins and outs, here is a link to the State Department information.
Personal Prep
Mental prep is as important as practical prep, in my humble opinion 🌞 Checking on the preparation information from your community helped me understand what was in place for us, just in case. Knowing that has helped me map evacuation routes from home.
And, what if something happens if you’re not home? This is the time to make sure you know where to get information, have a communication plan if you’re separated from loved ones and pets, keep an emergency kit in your car, and have a plan! This is when having your important information organized so that you have access, is important!
Save the Date!
Prepare, prepare, prepare! So good for you and your loved ones!
Thinking about organizing important documents? Rachael, Barb, and I are hosting a free one-hour workshop on October 1st! Accountability (Rachael’s expertise), Reduce stress and anxiety (Barb’s expertise), and Important Documents (me!) will be covered as we focus on getting your $tuff together!
It’s a great time to prepare! Join us Tuesday, October 1st at 10am PT/ 1pm ET! Register HERE
Reach out via Email or Message me if you have any questions. For additional information about my work check out @ The Living Planner or @ The Living Planner.
Sharing this quote from Helen Keller today “Knowledge is love and light and vision.” Have a great week ahead – Lynn
#Can’tPredictCanPrepare #PlanfortheUnplanned