natural disasters

Contrary to conspiracy theorists' fears, the world did not end on Dec. 20 as predicted by the Mayan calendar. But that won't stop companies from capitalizing on the apocalypse! Our partners at LearnVest break down the disaster economy.

Watch out! There's a giant asteroid coming your way!

Just kidding. Maybe.

According to some interpretations of the Mayan calendar, [Dec. 20, 2012, was] supposedly the end of the world. But even if you believe that you'll live to toast a new year, you may be eyeing another apocalyptic scenario on the horizon:

• Economic collapse
• Environmental disaster brought on by global warming (you know, freak snowstorms, hurricanes, and flooding)
• Third World War and/or nuclear holocaust
• Rogue meteor
• The Rapture
• Zombie apocalypse
• We are definitely missing something here . . .

Welcome to the apocalypse economy, which can equip you with everything that you could possibly need to survive in the event that any of the above scenarios happen.

Related: Which Costs More: Preventing Climate Change or Dealing With Its Effects?

And as with any growing trend, there are entrepreneurs ready to help. What used to be canned food and the occasional Cold War disaster bunker has grown into a multimillion-dollar-a-year disaster economy that can supply you with a year’s worth of organic, freeze-dried food in your luxury bunker.

Seem far-fetched? Not to the people selling and buying these products.

The disaster market is hard to define, since many products needed for emergencies are normal things like flashlights and duct tape. But the owner of the Ready Store, which sells everything from backpacks stuffed with emergency supplies to portable toilets, estimates that this consumer market makes around $500 million annually.

That said, there are essentially two different types of disaster economies: the End-of-the-World sort and the Natural Disaster sort. Let us explain. Head to LearnVest for the full scoop on Apocalypse Inc.

Check out more from LearnVest:

10 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do by 30
The Power of Purposeful Thinking: How I Thought My Way Out of $60,000 in Debt
Become the Ultimate Wine Connoisseur in 4 Easy Steps
Widowed at 26: How Life Insurance Became My Lifeboat

Hurricane Sandy certainly left many East Coasters facing difficult financial situations. LearnVest shares the lessons that two people learned about money from the hurricane.

We apologize for forgetting to put "giant hurricane at high tide with storm surge" in our list of reasons you need an emergency fund. Our bad.

This week, as Sandy hit the East Coast hard, hundreds of thousands of people learned firsthand what it's like to live through a natural disaster, financially and emotionally. We sincerely hope that, like us at the LearnVest office, you emerged from the storm unscathed.

But with inclement weather seemingly on the rise — and politicians strangely mum about climate change — we not only walk you through the three steps you need to take to prepare before disaster strikes, we've got true tales from two survivors who relate the most poignant money lesson Sandy taught them.

Read and learn . . .

Although people have headed back to work now that Hurricane Sandy has blown over, there are some who are still working from home because their offices are closed or for other reasons. If you ever find yourself working during a power outage, here are some handy tips to keep in mind:

• Find an alternative power source. Always be prepared for any emergencies by investing in an alternative power source — like a power pack or solar charger. Make sure you have extra batteries on hand in your home for gadgets like your phone or flashlight. And if possible, try to look for places outside your home that will let you charge your electronics so you won't be drying out your power sources.
• Limit your usage. Prioritize what's important. Use your gadgets conservatively since you don't have a reliable power source.
• Communicate with your office mates. Keep your colleagues and boss updated on your situation, and let them know if you will be inaccessible or if you will be available only intermittently. If you are unable to work, notify them as soon as you are able. Keep an open line of communication so they aren't left wondering what you're up to.
• Stay comfortable. Above all else, it's important to be comfortable to be able to concentrate on your work. Stay nourished and hydrated with items you've packed in your emergency kit — nonperishable food items and at least one gallon of water a day. Keep warm by properly insulating your room and layering your clothes, and consider investing in a propane heater (but be cautious when using one!). Keep cool in a heat wave by making sure you're drinking enough water, taking cool showers, and more.
• Get out of the house. If your home situation is unbearable, find another location to work from, such as a friend's house or a public space that may have better heating or cooling.
• Keyboard your tablet. Use your tablet with a keyboard instead of a laptop. The battery life of a tablet is longer, so you can save your batteries for other uses.
• Seek out pay phones. Go old school and look for the pay phone that's closest to you. Try to rely on them for calls (if it's convenient) so that you're not burning through your phone's batteries.
• Find other ways to go online. If the Internet's down, you might be lucky enough to access it through your phone if you've signed up for a tethering plan with your carrier. However, that extra feature can be pricey and cost anywhere from $20 to $30 a month. If you really need to access the Internet, there are often public spaces you can go to access free WiFi at libraries or establishments such as Starbucks and Whole Foods.

Even if you don't live within Hurricane Sandy's vicinity, it's always smart to prepare for any natural disaster given how unpredictable nature can be. Whether it be preparing for an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, or snowstorm, below are basic suggestions for what to keep in your disaster supply kit:

• Water. It's recommended to have one gallon of water per day per person or pet. You should keep at least three gallons each per person or pet at home.
• Food. You should have at least three day's worth of food. Concentrate on non-perishable food that doesn't require refrigeration or much prep and water. Consider cereal, ready-to-eat canned fruits, veggies, juice, and meat, energy-rich snacks like trail mix and granola bars. Remember to have vitamins and special supplies around for anyone with special needs, such as pets, babies, and the elderly.
• Medication. Have some extra medication on hand for times when disaster strikes and you can't leave your home to refill your prescription. Remember to also store over-the-counter medication like painkillers, antihistamine, calamine lotion, alka seltzer, laxatives, anti-diarrhea medication, sterile eyewash, and contact lens (if you use them).

Read on for more.

When it comes to natural disasters, it's best to prepare for the worst, then hope for the best: experts recommend storing enough emergency resources for at least three days. This includes food and drink!

Here are seven shelf-stable provisions that I recommend you have on hand:

1. Canned fish. This isn't just limited to tuna, but also includes salmon, herring, sardines, anchovies, and shellfish; it's rich in calories, protein, and healthy fats like omega-3s. Keep a manual can opener around for the good-quality stuff from Matiz España. Can't stomach those little metal cans? Try making a fresh homemade version.
2. Nut butters. Peanut, almond, cashew, and sunflower seed butter make for great sweet and savory plant-based protein sources given their extended shelf life.
3. Crackers. What else are you going to eat alongside peanut butter and tuna? Stock up on the most whole-grain, nutrient-dense crispbreads you can find, with a high amount of fiber and/or protein and low sodium (so you won't constantly be hogging that water supply).
4. Ramen. Instant ramen is delicious, whether there's an impending earthquake or not. Keep a box favorite brand (mine's Nong Shim Neoguri) around just in case.
5. Dehydrated fruits and vegetables. Where else are you going to get your daily dose? Have packs of dried apricots and bananas at the ready for quick access. Those dehydrated vegetables will come in handy for snacking — and those packets of ramen, too.
6. Sports bars. High-protein sports bars are easy to keep on hand, light and compact, and already preportioned. Get busy buying up your favorite.
7. Canned meals. There's nothing like sauce-laden comfort food to get you through tough times. Best bets: barbecued beans and ravioli.
8. Water! The most important provision of them all. Account for one gallon of H20 per person, per day. Drinking water tablets, for portable water purification, aren't a bad idea, either.

What foods are in your natural disaster preparedness kit?

Like many of us, Japanese-American ceramic artist Ayumi Horie felt overwhelmed and deeply saddened by the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan last week, causing 10,000+ deaths and nearly unspeakable destruction of homes, cities, and coastlines.

In response, she started Handmade For Japan, an eBay auction of handmade ceramic pieces that will raise money for Japan's relief efforts. All proceeds for the auction will be donated, and the sale runs from March 24 through March 27. The sale is listed through eBay under the seller ID "Handmade for Japan."

You can visit Handmade For Japan's Facebook page, which is available in English and Japanese, to preview items for sale. Horie writes, "The situation in Japan is still very unstable and we’re working as hard as we can to gather good work and reach our $25,000 goal."

Many artists, including Diana Fayt, whose piece is seen here, have already donated beautiful ceramic pieces for the auction. If you’d like to donate some of your work, please leave a message on the Facebook page or send an email to handmadeforjapan@gmail.com. And don't forget to bid on Friday!

Since the breakout of the August wildfires north of Los Angeles, at least 53 buildings have been destroyed, and 4,300 people have been evacuated. As of this writing, more than 12,000 homes are under threat.

While some families have been reluctant to leave their homes, in the end, your home is just a house. It's the nonmaterial things you fill it with — namely your family, pets, and memories — that make it truly a home. This is why I urge readers to listen to firefighters' warnings, and to leave their homes if a mandatory evacuation is issued. Your life is much more important than any piece of property, no matter how much you love it.


Want to know how to protect your family and your home from a wildfire? Check out these smart pointers from the City of Napa, CA's fire safety page:

• Maintain a "defensible" space around your home by clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around all structures.
• Clear dead leaves and branches to leave widely spaced ornamental shrubbery and trees.
• Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, rain gutters, and yard.
• Trim tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney and trim all dead limbs hanging over your house or garage.
• Cover your chimney outlet or flue with a spark arresting half-inch mesh screen.

To see the rest of the tips, read more