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Do you have a monthly prepping plan? A monthly prepping plan might be the perfect solution for those who forget to prep or those whose preps are all over the map, e.g., too much food, not enough water, little protection, a ton of information, etc.

I like the idea of a monthly prepping plan because it outlines a decisive plan of action while considering the need, timing, and season. For example, we know taxes are due in April in the US, and many accounts are renewed at the beginning of the year.

January is an ideal month to focus on financial preparedness. As we map out our goals and expenses for the year, it’s a great time to evaluate our finances, identify areas to save, and eliminate unnecessary expenses.

I begin my monthly preparation plan with financial readiness in January. Unlike the somewhat arbitrary assignment of August as National Preparedness Month—which I do appreciate—it’s important to approach our monthly planning with careful consideration.

Our Monthly Prepping Plans Should Be Unique

We all have different situations, risks, and goals and live in different areas. Here in S.E. Michigan, I have a few tornadoes and no hurricanes, and while it is possible, there hasn’t been a major earthquake in my lifetime. We do have plenty of cold and snow, our growing season is short but beautiful, and we are surrounded by the largest source of freshwater anywhere in the world.

My monthly prepping plan will look different than my buddy Todd’s in Houston, TX, in some ways and similar in others. The same but different.

Does A Monthly Prepping Plan Make Sense For You?

Would monthly preparedness steps with a decisive plan of action help with the big steps or more for the smaller things, like pantry items and food preservation? I’ve been doing this for a long time, so my plan includes mostly larger steps. However, I can see how some might want to include daily or weekly tasks for prepping steps in general.

A Monthly Prepping Plan Example

In the example below, I have taken my plan and added a few extras to give you an idea of where you might start. As I mentioned, your plan could look way different than mine.

Here’s an example list of major preparedness tasks assigned to each month of the year, considering seasonal variations:

January Preparedness Steps

January is a fun place to hit the year running. We’re well into the slow winter months and eager to make the best of a new year. January is also National Eye Care Month. I didn’t even know that, but this is typically when we update our glasses because my Flexible Spending Account (FSA) starts for the year.

• Reevaluate (Or build) my preparedness goals. Start with this Monthly Prepping Plan.
• Financial preparedness steps. Look at cutting costs, building up an emergency fund, saving or investing for the future (retirement, education, home, etc.)
• Order seeds if you haven’t already.

February Preparedness Steps

Did you know February was National Canned Food Month? Yep, buy, can, stock and rotate.

• Seed Starts. I start a lot of seeds inside during February and March, depending on the plant.
• Flood Preparedness. The snow will melt soon, followed by spring rains. What can you do around your home, yard, and outbuildings to prevent flooding? If you’re in a flood zone, what’s your evacuation and emergency plan? Having sandbags, checking drainage systems, and having flood insurance are important steps.

March Preparedness Steps

Did you know there was a National Sauce Month? Yep, and it’s in March. It’s also National Nutrition Month. There’s not much in the form of fresh vegetables this time of year, but home canning isn’t just for harvest time. Can up a bunch of sauces. Don’t forget to can up a bunch of bone broth.

• Garden Prep. Fun times. Get the ground and/or beds ready to work.
• Spring Home Safety Check. Winter can be hard on everything, including our homes. A walkaround and room-to-room inspection might be in order. Look for wear and tear & potential hazards.
• Replace batteries in Smoke/CO2 detectors, garage remotes, etc. – Daylight Saving Time starts Mar 9, 2025
• Tornado Preparedness Plan. Have a weather alert radio and know your area’s tornado warning system. Identifying safe rooms, practicing tornado drills, and having emergency kits ready are essential.

April Preparedness Steps

National Garden Month! Do I even have to say it? You know what to do, prepper.

Can you believe April is International Amateur Radio Month? It’s true, I read it on the internet. This is an ideal time to get that HAM license we’ve been planning for years.

It’s also National Alcohol Awareness Month, so stock up on your favorite alcohol. I like Jim Beam, if you were wondering. Got ya… It’s National Humor Month. 🤣

May Preparedness Steps

This is National Egg Month AND National Duckling Month. Sounds like this is the time to get those chickens.

Well tie me to an anthill and fill my ears with jam, it’s National Preservation Month. Not to be confused with National Preparedness Month in a few months. Happy National Preservation Month! You got this—Get to it. Combine it with National Strawberry Month and make jellies and jam.

• Hurricane Preparedness. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th.^[1] Stocking up on supplies, securing property, and understanding evacuation routes help mitigate risks.
• Wildfire Preparedness. Wildfire season traditionally runs between May and November ^[2], but they just experienced a devastating December in California. Clearing brush, creating defensible spaces, and preparing evacuation plans are vital.

June Preparedness Steps

National Safety Month, Great Outdoors Month, and National Pet Preparedness Month. If you can’t find tasks in June, you just ain’t trying.

It’s also National Country Cooking Month, so up your home cooking skills.

July Preparedness Steps

July is the peak of outdoor fun and vacation time. It’s a perfect time to get outside and work on preps and skills—practice fire-starting, alternative (off-grid) cooking, water catchment, etc.

Well, shucks, it’s also Beans Month. Got them Mylar bags ready?

• Canning & Food Preservation – Month 1
• Get outdoors and start a new prep. Solar, irrigation, security, etc.

August Preparedness Steps

Here in Michigan, August is the best time to get outside and do stuff. I schedule camping and hiking trips starting in August, just as the blazing sunlight becomes less torturous.

• Back-to-School Safety. With schools reopening, focusing on safety measures like traffic safety, updating contact information, and discussing emergency plans with children is important.
• Canning & Food Preservation – Month 2 (Peak)

September Preparedness Steps

September is National Preparedness Month AND… Disaster Preparedness Month! It sounds like prepper month to me. I like to dig deep into my packs (Bugout, get-home, and EDC packs) and make improvements, updates, and inspections. I also tell everyone I see throughout the month that it’s Prepper Month and they should subscribe to Next Step Survival.

• Earthquake Preparedness. While earthquakes can happen at any time. Focus on earthquake readiness by securing heavy items and practicing drills.
• Canning & Food Preservation – Month 3

October Preparedness Steps

With the increased use of heaters and fireplaces, October is ideal for fire safety awareness.

It’s also Financial Planning Month and National Crime Prevention Month. Go over January’s Financial plan and secure your home and vehicles.

• Fire Safety Awareness. Checking smoke alarms and having fire escape plans are recommended. See: University of Texas at Austin Fire Safety Awareness
• Put back a little cash for Black Friday & Cyber Monday (November)
• Put back a little cash for holiday food sales (November & December)

November Preparedness Steps

Holidays, festive fall weather, and family overload make November a fun month but can also be demanding on our finances. It’s a great time to tighten our budgets and decide on spending limits before they get out of control next month.

• Holiday Safety. With holiday celebrations, focusing on safety around decorations, cooking, and travel helps prevent accidents and ensures a joyous season. Don’t forget about situational awareness.
• Winter Home Safety Check. Don’t forget the fire extinguishers.
• Replace batteries in Smoke/CO2 detectors, garage remotes, etc. – Daylight Saving Time Ends Nov 2, 2025

December Preparedness Steps

Dreaded winter is here. If you haven’t already, switch your cars and packs over for winter. Don’t forget that wool blanket in your truck or trunk.

• Winterize Home, Car, & Gear. Replace food, water, batteries in the cars, packs, and kits. Ensure vehicles are ready for cold weather with antifreeze, tire checks, and emergency kits.
• Winter Storm Preparedness. Preparing for power outages and ensuring heating systems are functional. Having emergency heat and supplies is crucial.

Call To Action / Next Step

Related Article/Video: Coming in a couple of days.

Next Step: Building YOUR Realistic Preparedness Action Plan.

Stay safe. Stay prepared.
Hawkins Out.

Sources, Citations, & Credits

1. ‌Center, National Hurricane. 2025. “National Hurricane Center.” Noaa.gov. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.
2. Western Fire Chiefs Association. 10/08/2024. “When Is Wildfire Season in the US? | WFCA.” WFCA, https://wfca.com/wildfire-articles/when-is-wildfire-season/

National awareness holidays credit: National Today – A pretty cool website.