It’s 2AM, the power’s out, and I’m standing in the dark with a flashlight, staring at my water heater like it’s supposed to save me. Every emergency guide says you can get 30-60 gallons of drinking water from here. They don’t mention the panic when you realize you have no idea how any of these valves work. I spent ten minutes wrestling with a corroded gate valve, terrified I’d break it and flood the basement. The garden hose I found was caked in dirt. The water came out cloudy, full of sediment. I let it settle, but I still couldn’t shake the feeling I was drinking rust and regret. No one tells you how fragile these backup plans feel when you actually need them. I thought I was prepared. Turns out, I was just lucky until now. #HomeBudgetFail #DIYDisaster #BrokeButCreative #Home