I'm new to the forum, and new at "preparing". Although I've been reading ETS for years, I never took any steps beyond preparing to shelter in place. Recently, I decided to get more prepared; both to shelter in place longer and to have things with me all the time just in case. Making a Bug Out Bag is the last on my list of priorities, because like you, I doubt I'll need it. I should say, the proaibility of needing a BOB is so low that I prefer to spend my limited financial means on other preparations, and only when those are in order will I revisit the issue of a BOB.

When I evaluated the things that could go wrong in my local area, the top disasters were: 1. Flash Flood, 2. Severe Storms (leading to Flash Flood). 3. Municipal Inconveniences (Dear Homeowner, Due to road construction in your area there will be no electricity from 1 am to 6 am on these days . . . ) and Mistakes (did we say electricity? We meant *water*), 4. Bad weather and bad roads in some other area of town, effecting the traffic on my side of town, making me wish I never had to leave the house. 5. Winter Ice Storms (rare), leading to downed trees, downed power lines, and shivering neightbors. 6. Grocery shortages, caused by any of the above.

I don't think Bugging Out will be necessary unless there's a fire. Since the smoke alarm goes off whenever I make bacon, I think it will wake us up with at least 60 seconds to grab our clothes and get out. Am I over confident?

I do have alot of stuff in my car. Folding saws, wet wipes, trash bags, extra clothes, mosquito repellent, first aid kit,etc. These are things I use on the job and they turn my whole car into a BOB.

Just my two cents