I've been in one hurricane in my life and it wasn't even a hurricane. We boarded up my house and traveled north to stay with family only to find out that the hurricane quickly turned into a tropical depression and fizzled out. Needless to say, there was no crazy raging hurricane and no crazy raging hurricane party.

Now, with Hurricane Irma's "cone of uncertainty" looming over Florida, I've actually had to do some preparing. It's scary because I'm living away from home (still with family but away from my house) and taking on a new job that started a week ago. It's like a test to see if I can actually handle being an adult living in Florida during hurricane season. Walking around barren Publix isles and gas stations make me feel like I'm living in an episode of "The Walking Dead". However, I've compiled my own list of hurricane preparations so all my first-time hurricane people can feel like they have it together without having it all together yet.

1. Water Hacks

You can't live without it, and you certainly can't go through a hurricane without it because you don't know how long you'll be without power or be able to get out of your house. However, when the media hypes up hurricane prep panic, grocery stores, corner stores, and drug stores alike will immediately run out of all water. Yes, even Trader Joe's. BUT, most often you can go to gas stations and take advantage of their two for three dollar deals on water bottles. It's not that 24 pack of water that you want, but it's better than nothing. Plus, you can also take advantage of filling recycled plastic bottles or those thousands of water bottles you have stored in your cabinet with either tap water or water from the fountain at work or school. It's a longer process, but better to be prepared.

2. PB & J Alternatives

The first non-perishable item that comes to mind for everyone is peanut butter. The second is bread. Those are cleared from store shelves just as fast as water is. However, whole wheat wraps and sandwich thins are great alternatives for bread. Can't find wraps or thins? Try bagels, rice cakes, or saltine crackers. There are plenty of other options for peanut butter, such as almond butter and cashew butter. However, these are typically more pricey. The easiest way to avoid this is to grab your food processor and some raw peanuts and crush them into butter. You can do this with any nut of your choosing, or even create mixed nut butter. It's more work on your part, but at least it's a bit healthier knowing that you're strictly blending peanuts and no added stuff.

3. Smart Snacking

It's okay to stock up on your favorite cookies and candy, but it's not the smartest alternative when it's day three of you not being able to leave the house. Try stocking up on nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, and trail mix. It's a great way to get protein and a great way to stay fuller longer when you don't want to use up all of your food. You can also buy fruits and veggies that don't need refrigeration, as well as canned fruits and veggies that don't need heating. You can always pre-cook several types of beans to have on hand for meals and snacks as well (hint: garbanzo beans are the best!).

4. Activity Time

Charging up portable chargers for cell phones and other electronic devices is a great idea so you can have activities on hand, but you should consider having other things on hand to do besides scroll through Twitter in case you need your phone for emergencies. Coloring books, magazines, board games, card games, books, knitting activities, and drawing pads are great ways to pass the time and spend time with others. You can always revert back to your childhood days and think up new games to play with your friends or family while waiting out the storm.

5. Kit Items

Most often for your first hurricane, you're not going to know right off the top of your head what to put in a kit and certainly not with a few days notice of preparation. First aid items (think band-aids, aspirin, and the like), mini flashlights (because your phone only lasts so long), trash bags, batteries, and your own personal medication and hygiene items are great to have on hand. As the years go on, you'll find that stocking up on this stuff earlier in the year pays off later.

6. Dogs and Cats and Other Friends

YOUR PETS' SAFETY IS JUST AS (IF NOT MORE) IMPORTANT AS YOUR SAFETY. Make sure you have collars on furry friends, as well as vet records, and be sure to stock up on food, litter, treats, medicine, and whatever else makes your friend happy. The storm is going to be scary for them, so make sure they are as comfortable as possible throughout this process.