Keep a Go-Bag for the First 24 Hours, Not the Apocalypse

You don't need a bunker-grade survival kit. A small backpack near your door with: water, essential medication, phone charger, some cash, copies of key documents, a change of clothes, a flashlight, and a snack. This isn't for doomsday — it's for the fire alarm at 3am, the sudden evacuation order, the unexpected hospital stay. Most emergencies resolve within 24 hours, and having this bag means you leave with dignity and essentials instead of panic and nothing. It takes 15 minutes to put together and could save you hours of stress.