On this episode of Money and Change, we cover essential preparedness and economic shifts affecting your wallet. We discuss critical safety measures for severe weather, including tornado safety tips like cracking windows to equalize pressure, and the minimum standard for emergency water storage—three gallons per person per day. Plus, we highlight the utility of GMRS radios for emergency communication. In financial news, we look at the rising cost of living, from gas prices potentially hitting $4 a gallon due to geopolitical tensions, to how soaring food costs are leading major fast-food institutions like Wendy's and Byron's Kitchen to close locations. Learn how consumers are becoming "value seekers" by shifting to private labels and bulk buying. Finally, we break down personal finance strategies, including the $27.39 Rule to save $10,000 in a year, the importance of an emergency fund, and key updates on US debt and new tax breaks for car loan interest.