Community is a key aspect of preparedness. That said, bugging out isn't out of the question. Forest fires are a major concern here, and bugging out is part of planning for that possibility. But have a plan, a destination, and ideally a cache at a remote friendly location.
Debt is poison. Obligations like that restrict your opportunities until they are gone.
Fortunately, my area is a community that was platted in the 1960's; but it was too remote for easy development. So I have some hearty neighbors, that are just good country folks.
The local fire department is about a mile and a half away, and I have a 50 gallon tank that fits my gator. With the lake just over a mile away, and a 1600 GPH pump; refilling it is fast. One neighbor has a dually truck with a 500 gallon tank for it. Fire is always a threat, but with water and a chain saw; we should be able to stop it!
My bug out bag is the trailer in the picture, behind my truck.
You are 100% right on debt, it is poison that is always fatal! I started using cash, when they began tracking ammunition purchases; because I checked, and they were tracking my debit card purchases for everything! So I fired them...and I'm finding that a number of vendors give cash discounts, so it saves me money too.
Keep on prepping!
👍💗🙏📖🙏💙🤔👌🤠🎯