Topic: Economics
Time to Prepare for the Collapse Take the time to prepare for the coming financial woes.by Gwen Caldwell
(libertarian)
Friday, January 23, 2009
The financial stability of our country is in peril. Unemployment continues to rise. The housing market continues to fall. Banks are failing at an unprecedented rate. The stock markets are unstable, as is our dollar. Folks, the new regime in Washington is not going to fix this problem! No matter how many bailouts they want us to pay for, we are only applying a band-aid to a gapping wound in the financial jugular vein of this country! It will not stop the bleeding.
We have got to start facing the facts and preparing for the total collapse of our financial system as we know it. Start downsizing now! Get your pantries stocked with food, water, essential vitamins and medicines. Making these preparations now may not only save your life, but will ensure that your quality of life is not reduced in the face of economic disaster.
We can live for three hours in the cold. Have a back up shelter plan with a heat source.
We can live for three minutes without air. Have a first aid kit and EMT book for reference.
We can live for three days without water. Get a water filter system and store water.
We can live for three weeks without food. Stock your pantries.
Every person should have a bug out bag that contains at least these minimums in case of any emergency. A sleeping bag or blanket, tarp or tent, clothes line rope, fire starter, food for three days, water, a mess kit, a knife, a towel, a change of clothes with extra socks, outer wear for the season, first aid kit, flashlight and batteries.
When stocking your pantry always start by buying your staples first. Things like flour, sugar, oats, salt, oil and Crisco, rice, dried beans, lentils, pastas, nuts and dried fruits, etc. Then buy canned goods, starting with canned meats, vegetables, fruits, tomato sauce, soups, etc.
Then think about those every day things you and your family eat. It does no good to stock pile and store foods that your family won't eat. Buy things to season foods and enhance foods like bullion cubes, gravy mixes, spices and herbs. Buy condiments like ketsup, mustard, BBQ sauce, mayonaise and so on. Snack food and cereals. Hot chocolate mix, coffee, tea, Tang, and other water enhancers.
Be sure to consider any special dietary needs your family members have. If you have family members that have Diabetes for instance you may want to make sure you have plenty of cinnamon as it helps regulate blood sugar. Get stevia for a sweetener.
I encourage all of you to look around your homes at the things that you could liquidate right now to create storage space for food and that can create extra financial resources for stocking up on food. Quit eating out, avoid fast food and junk food. Eat popcorn, fruits and vegetables for snacks to keep your immune system built up and save money.
Think about those things that will disappear in a crisis and make sure you have them. Oil lamps and oils, batteries, diapers, camp stoves and fuel, guns and ammo, toilet paper are things that come to mind. Think about those things that might be good barter items in your area...get them.
I urge you to go online and purchase heritage garden seeds, so that you can grow your own food. Even if you live in a small apartment you can plant food in containers to help you suppliment what is in your pantry. Buy sprouting seeds and a sprouter. Buy canning jars, so that you have a means of preserving your food.
There are many excellent videos at www.youtube.com on sustainability, survival skills, long term food storage, growing urban gardens and so forth. Take the time to educate yourselves on these skills.
I believe that our time to prepare is short and would encourage all of you to do what you can now. I have already noticed that the shelves at the stores where I live have less selection and fewer items. It is not unconceivable that one day the shelves will be empty.
We will not be getting a bail out, be assured. Our bail out is how we prepare now and how well we do it.
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The views expressed in this
article are those of Gwen Caldwell only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Gwen Caldwell is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2009-01-23 16:58:26
Hi Gwen,
You've offered some great suggestions. I figure everyone should assess their own situation and prepare for their needs as they see fit. The point is to not be lulled into thinking tomorrow will be just like yesterday. That has been the case for half a century or more but it can't last forever. Can it?
I suppose some people may think it can...for a while yet anyways. No matter what happens, the things I've prepared for and the changes in my lifestyle they require have only been good for me. I'm more comfortable, more confident and more involved in local happenings and politics.
Hey Gwen,
I lived by this survivalist code my entire life and congratulate you on your short concise article packed full of meat with minimal fluff.
In times of "collapse" or, even in "good times" there's nothing wrong with being self sufficient and well stocked. Waiting for stores sales pricing and heavily stocking up on nonperishable and bulk buying is a no-brainer (as long as you have the space to store).
I confirm what you suggest is entirely possible and realistic as I've lived exactly this way for 20 years now and I consider my lifestyle to be as good or better than anybody I know. And, I do like to live high on the hog.
Also I'd like to add... If you have the space; plant fruit, nut and citrus trees. I own acreage and last year I planted about 25 different "edible" producing trees and this year I'm planting another 25 or so different ones. Variety is the key. These should provide me a tremendous quantities and varieties of foods for my household. And, plenty of additional food for bartering/trading/selling. All fresh and organic.
In the past I've indulged in Tang (way to expensive now) and Koolaid and other flavored water for refreshments. Next year instead, I should be able to indulge fresh lemonade, orange juice, apple juice, etc.
By the way, last week Walmart had 5lbs sugar for $1.99 so I stocked up on 300lbs. That will come in handy with lemonade, Koolaid and all other flavored water.
My wife when she first met me thought I was a bit nuts, but it didn't take her long to see the light. She is now well trained She now expertly scours the weekly store sales flyers carefully and knows exactly what to do a heavily stock up on.
Thanks Gwen, keep up the good work.
- Don
Very well put. I Like how you mention apartments, I live in an apartment and have my own rosemary, basil, mint plants in the windows. Been gardening in a community garden the past few years. Has paid off and will when our $ is worthless, hopefully I won't have to defend my garden w/ a gun.
Like how you mention apartments, I live in an apartment and have my own rosemary, basil, mint plants in the windows. Been gardening in a community garden the past few years. Has paid off and will when our $ is worthless
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