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Author: Gaye Levy

I grew up and attended school in the Greater Seattle area. After spending many years as an executive in the software industry, I started a specialized accounting practice offering contract CFO work to emerging high tech and service industries. Awhile back I abandoned city life and moved to a serenely beautiful rural area on on San Juan Island in NW Washington State.

These days I call Arizona home and am actively pursuing the purchase of a mountain retreat along the Mogollon Rim.

As you may have noticed, I am a bit of a glamourista but hope you do not hold that against. me. My bug out bag includes makeup and other items to make me look and feel good if SHTF.
12 Wellness Reasons to Include Elderberries in Your Preps

12 Wellness Reasons to Include Elderberries in Your Preps

Did you know that there are 7 species of Elderberry in North America? That makes them easy to locate and forage which is important because of their health and wellness benefits. Here are 12 to start with plus directions for making your own elderberry tincture and syrup.

Tipping Our Hat to the Next Generation of Preppers

Tipping Our Hat to the Next Generation of Preppers

It is easy to disparage generations other than our own but is that really fair? The current trend is criticize Millennials as being shallow and uncaring. But wait. Many of these young adults are responsible individuals that exude leadership in their own quiet manner. In this think piece, Richard Broome and I tip our hat to the next generation of preppers.

8 Things You Can Do Now to Promote Medical Self-Care

8 Things You Can Do Now to Promote Medical Self-Care

Medical self-care is not discussed very often on survival and preparedness websites. That said, taking responsibility for our own physical and mental wellness will go a long way to ensure your survival following a disruptive event, be it large or small. Here are eight things you can do now to promote medical self-care. Can you think of others?

The Top 10 Tips for Debt-Free Living

The Top 10 Tips for Debt-Free Living

Many struggle with debt because let’s face it, life is expensive. On the other hand, becoming debt free is like getting a get-out-of-jail card. Today I share my top 10 tips for debt-free living. Be sure to pipe in with others!

The Care and Feeding of Pressure Canners

The Care and Feeding of Pressure Canners

A pressure canner can be a prepper’s best friend and if properly cared for, will last for years. Here are some tips for maintaining and storing your pressure canner. With luck, it will become an heirloom!

Nine Reasons Why Adult Coloring is Important to Preppers

Nine Reasons Why Adult Coloring is Important to Preppers

Coloring for adults is not just a crazy fad. Rather, it is a way to bring balance and focus into your life during stressful and uncertain times. I am totally hooked and share with you nine reasons why adult coloring is important to preppers. Enjoy!

Survival Basics: Understanding and Making Your Own Desiccants

Survival Basics: Understanding and Making Your Own Desiccants

What are desiccants and how are they used? This article describes the differences between various desiccants and also provides instructions for making your own desiccant packets using common, readily available materials.

Every Survival Community Needs a Town Library

Every Survival Community Needs a Town Library

When it comes to building a survival community after SHTF, there will be room for all types, regardless of age, health, and financial status. One of those is the town librarian. Learn why every survival community will need a town library AND a librarian.

How to Control Lice in a Survival Situation

How to Control Lice in a Survival Situation

It is easy to think that without children, lice will never become your “enemy”. But what if you were in a grid-down, shelter in place situation? A lice infestation could happen. Learn how to deal with lice in an austere, survival situation, include strategies for getting rid of them.

Prepper Book Festival 11: Braving the Storms

Prepper Book Festival 11: Braving the Storms

Braving the Storms is the story of how ordinary people prevail in a post apocalyptic world. These are people who have lost loved ones and must rely on their own ingenuity to stay safe. This is a fantastic story about characters you will identify with and care about. Read the interview with author Kyle Pratt and enter to win one of 10 books up for grabs in a giveaway.

23 Ways to Be an Amazing and Awesome Prepper

23 Ways to Be an Amazing and Awesome Prepper

Do you have what it takes to be an amazing and awesome prepper? Here are 23 ways that will take you there and guess what? It is not as difficult as you think!

Is It Really Safe to Ingest Essential Oils?

Is It Really Safe to Ingest Essential Oils?

Is is safe to ingest essential oils? That is a frequent question among new users of essential oils and one that should be taken seriously. In the article, learn why I make a case NOT to take essential oils internally. At the end of the day, you be the judge.

14 Essentials to Help You Fix and Clean Almost Anything

14 Essentials to Help You Fix and Clean Almost Anything

When it comes to fixing and cleaning, we all have our favorites. Learn about 14 items that are useful to fix and and clean almost anything. This is a fun list but my guess is that you can think of others!

6 Surprising Lessons Learned from a Planned Water Outage

6 Surprising Lessons Learned from a Planned Water Outage

Not much is written about coping with a planned water outage. That said, often we know about water outages in advance. Here are 6 surprising lessons that were learned by BDS reader, Karen in Nebraska. I learned a few things as well!

12 Frugal Lessons From the Great Depression

12 Frugal Lessons From the Great Depression

Most of us are too young to remember the Great Depression but thankfully, many of our elders have passed on personal memoirs of the era and how they survived hard times. With today’s uncertainties, it is good to recall some of the frugal lessons from the great depression. Here are twelve.

17 Tips for Taking Charge After A Disruptive Event

17 Tips for Taking Charge After A Disruptive Event

Given that a disruptive event might occur without warning, what will do you do? Here are some tips and possible solutions to the “OH NO! What do I do now?” dilemma.