Ms. Snell,
I would consider myself as level-headed as any of the members in this forum. I can assure you that if you, or anyone else, paused to really evaluate what is going on around them, you would feel compelled out of basic logic to become "prepared". While none of us have the crystal ball on what is coming, we all agree that bad days are ahead.
Everybody's idea of an "emergency" may be different, but we would all agree that an emergency exists when one's circumstances, outweigh their resources to successfully overcome that obstacle. I have changed a career of 25 years based on my strong conviction that bad days are ahead and I simply want to take care of my family and friends.
Good luck
....cj