[Pond, James Pond]

I'm by no means an expert, but based on the advice I've read here before, it sounds to me like, first and foremost, you need to know exactly where you stand legally about use of lethal force where you live.

You need to know what actions on the aggressor's part justify lethal force becoming a viable option. You need to establish what "stand your ground", "duty to retreat" (if that is the right term) or "castle doctrines" exist in your state.

If you have family, you need to agree with them what they would need to do in an emergency: which room to go to, and what to do there. If you have a partner, are they armed too?

You need to decide which part of the house is vulnerable and which part of the house can be easily defended so that you can hold out until help arrives.

If they see that you are alert in the first place, they are less likely to choose your home. If they encounter resistance, they are less likely to stand around trying to complete the robbery.

In addition you may want to consider home security of some sort: automatic lights, or even an IR camera that will show anyone walking toward the house. I doubt these things would break the bank, and they'd give you an additional level of warning.

Above all, just be vigilant and reach a state of mind where you'll have decided what to do if the worst were to happen, before it happens. I don't envy your situation of feeling like you may be a target, but you've had a "shot across the bows" by it happening to a neighbour, so continue take that opportunity to prepare as you have already started by seeking advice here.