A Homeowner's Y2K Plan

1. Spiritual Preparation - Please strengthen the spiritual side of your entire family and community. Pray often so that you will be able to withstand any physical set-back or loss you might experience in the future.

2. Your Neighbors - Talk to your neighbors. Be neighborly. Discuss (not argue) about Y2K. I usually tell them: "You might prefer not to believe me, but for as long as I have shared what I am about to tell you, then I will have done my part..." Share with them the tips you get from this web page.

3. Food / Water - No one knows how long Y2K disruptions will last. It could be 0 seconds, one day, a week, a month...who knows. Personally, I'm preparing for a one-month scenario. Starting January 1999, I am increasing my groceries by 10% (water, canned goods, stuff you need if you decide to go camping). By October 1999, I would have set aside one months' worth of supplies. November and December 10% excess groceries will be for neighbors who did not prepare.

   If people prepare early, there's no need for panic-buying. Afterall, 10% increase in demand isn't too bad, is it? In addition, some Filipinos already have one-months' worth of groceries in their cabinets.

   Others are preparing for six-month disruptions and are now preparing dried food, solar panels, and other survivalist-related provisions. I guess the level of preparedness is a personal choice. Just remember the financial implications of your preparations.

4. Cash - The American Red Cross advises people to keep some cash. I'll probably end up pre-paying my January and February 2000 bills in late 1999 just in case companies like insurance firms, water, PLDT, and others cannot process collections properly. Credit card purchases will probably stop in October 1999. Bottomline is by November 1999, I want to be debt-free until February 2000.

5. Records - Keep copies of your birth certificate, land titles, contracts (marriage or otherwise), passports. Don't rely on safety deposit boxes in banks. If you have an ATM card, request for a certification from the bank regarding your deposits (perhaps in November 1999).

6. Physical fitness - Please exercise because the additional stress caused by Y2K might take you by surprise. If there is no fuel (because ships cannot deliver fuel to the Philippines...just a possibility, ok?), you might need to walk or bike if you want to move around.