Are you ready......

Source: techcrunch,com

• Are you out of college?
• Do you have a job?
• Do you own any valuables?

If you answer 'Yes' to 2 out of the 3 questions above, then the next question is: Are you ready?

Huh! Ready for what?

Ready for potential situations whose description begins with 'God forbid.....'. Now, this is just a phrase, but it is ourselves who can thwart many a undesirable situations if we were well-equipped, well-prepared for them. We can only control so much, but despite that, we forget to do tasks, we misplace/lose things and sometimes it's just our bad luck.

Wait. I still don't get it.

Let's back up. Have you ever lost your wallet/purse or had a scare of losing it? The wallet/purse alone is the single most valuable thing we carry with ourselves, but ironically we are the least prepared to deal with it without panicking and going through motions to get things in order. There are numerous other factors beyond the purse/wallet that can go wrong, and hence the point is, are you ready to deal with minor to major disasters and do you have all your important contact numbers at one place for quick access?

Here's a quick list of important contact numbers that you should collate, and keep them readily accessible:

1. Lost/Stolen/Hacked Credit Card - Your card company's loss/theft number
2. Lost/Stolen/Hacked Debit Card - Your bank's loss/theft number
3. Phishing - Bank/Credit card customer service/complaint numbers
4. Lost Phone, Billing Problems - This is ironical, but still, your service provider's customer care number
5. Insurance cards - Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, car insurance etc - Provider contact numbers
6. Car/Motorbike License - Your regional motor vehicle administration office number
7. Passport/Visa - Nearest embassy, consulate of your country, and the foreign country's immigration office (if living outside your country of citizenship)
8. Personal urgencies and work - Boss' number, immediate coworker/s number/s
9. Personal emergencies and personal life - Two to three contact numbers of close ones, relatives, friends 
10. Car/Motorbike breakdown - Roadside assistance number

This is just an outline of situations where you would find yourself calling for help, and it would be immensely helpful if you had this list prepared and backed up elsewhere other than the phone and purse. May be on your computer. Or may be share the list with people you trust for quick access.

Because, unless it is a meteor strike, you can always shield yourself from a lightning when the sky is stormy, by taking the necessary precaution. You cannot avoid the lightning, but at least can deal with it better.