QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU JOIN
Understand the program before signing in.
These answers explain the household workbook, private access and optional cooperation.
Why does Family Self-Reliance currently support Microsoft Excel instead of other spreadsheet programs?
We currently support desktop Microsoft Excel on Windows because it provides the advanced formulas and automation Family Self-Reliance needs for dependable household planning and integrated operation. Google Sheets, LibreOffice, and Apple Numbers are not currently supported. This gives households one clearly tested setup to follow, with matching instructions and support. Compatibility with other spreadsheet programs may be explored in the future. For now, please use desktop Microsoft Excel on Windows for the supported experience.
Do I need to sign in to understand the program?
No. Home, Features, How It Works, Membership, FAQ and Getting Started are public. Downloads, full manuals, software updates, personal accounts, groups and administration require authorized sign-in.
Is this about predicting an emergency?
No. The approach is practical and optimistic: improve everyday routines, affordability and useful capability so your household can handle interruptions more confidently.
Do I need two years of stored supplies?
The six cumulative milestones include long-term service capacity, replenishment, maintenance and sustainable systems. They do not mean stockpiling two years of every consumable.
Does the workbook work offline?
Yes. Your household records and planning stay private and remain usable offline on the supported Windows setup. Keep the included Family Self-Reliance application files together and follow the approved setup instructions for automated features. Excel in a browser or on a phone or tablet does not run the program’s Windows desktop automation.
Do I need administrator approval to register?
Ordinary eligible platform registrations activate automatically after email verification when public registration opens. Public registration is currently closed for security and production acceptance. Joining another household or a private group still needs separate authorization. No payment or private access is granted by registration.
How long will registration take?
We target automated processing within 30 seconds under normal conditions, excluding the time you take to verify your email. Email delivery can vary; check spam and use resend if needed. We do not promise instantaneous delivery.
What if my verification email does not arrive?
Check the address and spam folder, then use Resend verification email with the same email and chosen password. Links last 24 hours. Start again after expiry. For an existing account, use password recovery. Duplicate registration never changes an existing account password.
How does the owner sign in?
The owner uses an individual administrator account and chooses a password through a privately issued single-use setup invitation. There is no shared default owner password. Initial administrator setup uses the controlled private administration procedure; it does not depend on the public request queue.
Must I join a preparedness group?
No. Household independence is the default. Group membership, platform eligibility and household roles are separate. You choose whether to participate and what authorized information to share.
Will others see my inventory or named skills assessments?
Those records remain private in your workbook. Detailed inventories, finances, medical information and named competency assessments are not automatically published. Group sharing requires an explicit preview and consent.
Is encrypted group sharing live?
It remains restricted. Candidate 2.3.0 has recorded engineering acceptance, but second-physical-device/provider synchronization and production approval are outstanding. The accepted 2.0.0 legacy summary exchange is not the encrypted candidate.
What happens if I leave a group or membership expires?
Applicable group or online access changes while private workbook operation and household data remain yours. Other groups have separate permissions. Previously downloaded or decrypted information cannot be guaranteed to be erased remotely.
Are there membership charges?
Billing is not active and no payment is collected here. Future paid plans are contemplated; no paid subscription is offered by this form.
Does a readiness score guarantee safety?
No. Evidence, usable condition, local hazards, critical skills and household review matter. The model is a planning aid, not a safety certification or a guarantee of outside help.
What should I do if my private invitation expires?
Use the private invitation-request page and select “Learning or account access.” The administrator can review the request and, when authorized, issue a fresh single-use recovery invitation. No account information is disclosed publicly.