Being ready for emergencies is more than staying alive during wilderness mishaps, and avoiding those mishaps in the first place. Being prepared for stuff can really help during day-to-day life as well.

I've had a few minor "saves" recently that I'd like to share.

• Spare glasses -- Recently, The Marauder(*) accidentally broke Destructo's(**) glasses while they were playing. The spare pair ordered online came out and promptly solved the problem. I wear contact lenses every day, but I keep a pair of glasses on my nightstand, in my emergency kit, and in my laptop bag. Buying them online made it very affordable.
• Tire compressor -- Unbeknownst to me, one my car's tires has sidewall damage and a slow leak. I parked it with the sidewall damage at the bottom, the tire bowed a bit, and yesterday morning the tire was completely flat. The compressor I keep in the car kept me from missing a customer appointment.
• Cash -- It seems at least once or twice a year I'm parked in an unmanned downtown parking garage and the credit card system goes down. You either pay in cash or you wait until the credit card reader works again. If the ATMs are down, too, you've got a problem.

What other little things have made a big difference for you?



(* - youngest daughter)
(** - middle daughter)