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The Unwanted Houseguest
In an Emergency
Unwanted houseguest - Being stuck with one is something to consider when preparing for an emergency.
If a major global depression - or some other disaster - strikes, realize that there will be many who are not prepared.
There will be lots of reasons.
Perhaps it was simply too depressing to think about.
Or perhaps it was too expensive, and besides, they probably reasoned, the government would always be there.
But the truth is, FEMA was incapable of sufficiently caring for people in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, and it's unlikely our government is any more prepared today.
Should you care for your fellow man, especially in times of crisis? Absolutely.
But that does not mean you should let them into your home? The answer I believe is a resounding no!
I would urge you to think twice or even thrice about letting anyone - even a relative - into your home.
You must get tough. I speak from experience.
My Story
About a year ago, an unwanted guest came to live with my mom on our property.
We were told he was in a difficult living situation with people who were unkind to him.
Would we consider letting him stay with us?
Mom had fond memories of him as a child, so we said yes.
At first he was grateful and quite nice, but then the demands came.
He wanted Mom to take him somewhere in the car everyday.
He wanted only certain foods and he expected Mom to cook them.
And he had a drinking problem and wanted his liquor every day.
The strain became too much Mom, who had health problems of her own.
Eventually this man began to threaten Mom.
She tried to keep this from me, but then one day this man physically threatened me.
I had small children, and I knew he needed to go. I ordered him to leave.
He said Mom's house was his house. He refused to leave, and that's when the real nightmare began.
Squatter's Rights
What I would learn, to my outrage and horror, was that if you invite someone to stay in your home or on your property, that
person will be allowed to stay put until you both file and get approved an eviction notice.
That can take up to 30 days, depending on where you live.
The police do not like to get involved in a dispute between homeowners and an unwanted houseguest and here's why:
Forcing someone out of a place of residence is likely to stir up violence, and the police don't want to do that.
That's why they insist you file an eviction notice instead.
You and your loved ones could be exposed to weeks of tremendous stress thanks to this unwanted houseguest. It's just not worth it.
Backed Into a Corner?
But what if a close relative comes and you feel you can't say no? Let them in, but set strict limits.
Here are some guidelines to follow:
Set a Time Limit
Right up front, set a limit to the amount of time an unwanted houseguest can stay with you.
Make sure they understand there is a limit to your hospitality and stick to it.
No Special Treatment
Do not entertain them. Do not make it fun to stay there. Do not wait on them.
Make sure they understand they are to do their own laundry and to pick up after themselves.
Do not turn your home into a bed and breakfast.
There needs to be sufficient motivation for an unwanted houseguest to find his or her own place to stay.
No Work, No Food
Make it clear to your unwanted houseguest that he is to earn his keep while he is with you.
If you live on a homestead, make them help you with the chores.
Make it clear they are expected to contribute to the family workload or no meals will be served.
No Alcohol
The abuse of alcohol can lead to anything from "minor" issues such as damage to your property to fights and abuse.
Plus, an unwanted houseguest with a drinking problem is less motivated to stay with you if you refuse to feed his drinking habits.
Absolutely No Drugs
Naturally the same goes for illegal substances, but more so.
If you knowingly allow an unwanted houseguest who abuses substances into your home, you expose yourself to tremendous risk, including losing your home, facing jail or losing your children.
If you discover that a guest is abusing illegal substances, ask him to leave immediately.
If he refuses, quietly gather your children, take them to a friend's home and then call the police and report your guest.
Better to be considered a "fink" than to lose everything you have. The risk is simply not worth it.
No Car Loans
Never loan your car to an unwanted houseguest in your home. Such habits, once started are hard to break.
Use the excuse that your insurance doesn't cover it. In most cases, it's probably true anyway.
More Helpful Information on Being Prepared
Learn to be prepared for any disaster, either natural or manmade with this helpful book.
Be prepared to survive any type of emergency. Here's how.
Every home should have an Emergency Supply Kit on hand as an important way of being prepared.
Here's how to build one.
You don't want to be unprepared in an emergency, but what if disaster struck today?
Here are some tips on Fast Emergency Preparation
If you are thinking about being prepared by buying wheat in bulk, then you're likely looking for recipes.
Here's a Delicious, Wholesome Soup Recipe Using Cooked Wheat Berries
You don't have to grind your wheat berries to be able to enjoy them. You can cook them as a cereal as well.
Here's how.
Have you just bought a lot of wheat in bulk? Proper storage will ensure your wheat lasts for years.
Here are some Methods for Storing Bulk Grain
What if you haven't bought wheat yet, but want to? Where do you begin?
Here are some Tips on buying bulk grains
When thinking about emergency preparation, water is the essential first thing to think about.
Here are some tips on storing water
Wheat isn't just for breads, but can be used to produce a healthy vegetable as well.
Learn how to grow sprouts from wheat berries and other beans.
Do you have a drilled well on your property? You can get water from your well even when the power is out.
Learn about the deep well hand pump.
Having storable food on hand is a great way of being prepared.
Learn more.
Having people show up at your door is something to consider when preparing for an emergency.
If a major global depression - or some other disaster - strikes, realize that there will be many who are not prepared.
What will you do when they come knocking?
Read more.
Dehydrated vegetables are a real winner both for being prepared for emergencies and for cutting food costs, providing you with nutritional food with a long shelf-life and fantastic taste.
So why use these vegetables? Read more.
Do you have a plan for having a steady supply of drinkable water on hand should the power be off for months?
Most people don't like to think about it, but a little preparation now could be invaluable later on in an emergency.
Learn more.
Keeping lots of wheat on hand is one of the best ways of being prepared for any kind of emergency.
Learn more.
How to survive a depression?
We're either in the midst of the worst depression ever, or just a recession, depending on one's perspective, but all can agree that it's always best to be prepared for whatever crisis may come.
So here are four tips on how to survive any economic catastrophe.
No matter where you live, it's always wise to prepare for an emergency. Here's how to get started.
Learning economical ways to grow and store root vegetables such as potatoes will help you survive the most difficult times.
Learn how.
Stocking up on food is always a good idea, whether you're preparing for a large-scale disaster or the loss of a job.
But certain foods are cheaper and better for you.
Learn more.
Stocking up on food in case of either a personal disaster - such as losing a job - or a national one - such as runaway inflation or a depression -
is a crucial form of preparedness, but only if the food benefits you and your family.
Read more.
Learn to can your own garden produce, and you save money and become prepared for anything.
Learn more.
If you or someone in your family is dependent on prescription medications for optimal health or even survival, you'll need extra ways to prepare.
Read more.
Once you have enough water and food stored, the next thing you should think about are other emergency supplies, such as batteries.
But like food, batteries, must be used and rotated to ensure you always have a fresh supply on hand.
Learn more.
In an emergency, a good water filtration system will ensure your family will have clean drinking water even if the power goes out for an extended period of time.
With a good filtration system, you can capture rain water and filter it for clean drinking water.
Read this article before you purchase your system.
If you live in a city or town that fluoridates the drinking water, one of the best investments you can make for your health is a water filter that removes the fluoride.
Learn why.
Can bulk wheat seed be stored in an oxygen-free container and still be planted later?
Read my answer by Find out here.
Store your own grains and beans and you can make your own healthy Ezekiel bread.
Learn more.
An EMP bomb detonated in the atmosphere above where you live could throw you back into the early 19th century...or worse.
Learn how to prepare by clicking here.
With the uncertainty of the dollar, the best thing all of us can do is to start producing food and other goods locally.
Learn how.
If you're looking for an excellent source of storable protein, you can't go wrong with Quinoa.
In addition to providing a complete protein, it also provides lots of valuable minerals and is the healthiest food around.
Ready for some cooking tips?
Click here.
Learning to grow and then dehydrate your own food is an excellent form of preparedness.
Learn which dehydrator is right for you.
Purchasing and learning how to use a firearm is crucial for self-defence these days, especially if you live out in the country.
Learn how to acquire and use a gun by clicking here.
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