I’m back and feeling a little better… I had the opportunity to really vent my spleen with a friend last night. We didn’t come up with any global solutions to this DOOM but it helped to actually vocalize my concerns. He didn’t disagree and had nothing in the way of a rebuttal. It appears that we may all be feeling the same way. This situation looks bad but we have no choice but continue to plod on each day the best we can… It’s this, best we can, idea that I want to wrap this all up with, what exactly should we all be doing right now…

 

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   What are the things that we all could do to better our chances of a comfortable transition to whatever might come next? Several things come to my mind and they aren’t new concepts to what we’ve already been discussing here. It appears that we’re hitting the same nails so much that we can’t help but make some progress… That is, as long as we are actually taking action, if you aren’t swinging your hammer than you may not be experiencing the results you could have!

 

   First, what is your debt load? Is there payments in your monthly budget that could be paid off early? Maybe moving money from a savings account to pay these debts off early would be wise? No saving account, than have a garage sale… Find some extra money that is currently being held captive in that back bedroom closet. Clean house, simplify and raise some funds that can be put to better use. I speak from experience here, I am currently doing this myself. It’s not easy to see old treasures go down the road but if I want to keep moving in the right self sufficiency direction, sacrifices must be made. 

 

   The debts that I would focus on are the one’s that are for anything you want to have with you on the other side of whatever is coming down the pike. For instance, if you have a truck that is intrical to your plans for the future – get it paid off! Anything that could legally be taken from you should be your highest priority. You only own the things you don’t owe on… Homes are included in this equation…

 

  I have to offer a quick side note… PAY ALL YOUR BILLS – DO NOT BE A DEAD BEAT! I do not hold the opinion that it is ever alright to not pay your obligations. You signed on the dotted line, now you follow through and pay the bill. A time may come where there is truly no choice but that is an entirely different subject…

 

   Second, we all need to make some educated guesses at what will be valuable in the coming economy… This next economy will even probably still be in dollars. It’s the value of those dollars that I call into question? Holding dollars and banking on them not being terribly devalued would be fool hardy.

 

   What are the tangible assets that we could buy and hold to weather the storm that will certainly bring changes to our business as usual status. Possibly items that you will need to have anyway? This approach would give us the ability to avoid any downside risk. If you were going to buy that particular item anyway, where’s the harm in buying it in advance?

 

   These items could fall anywhere on the spectrum from food items to truck tires. There are things that every family has to purchase and if we can identify those and agree that they will only be going up in cost, why wouldn’t we make a strategic purchase ahead of schedule?

 

   Obviously, we can’t purchase all of the things we’ll ever need but there are things that will put us in a better position to be self sufficient. Does anyone have children? It seems that there are always shoes or coats that have to be replaced. Maybe my daughter was different than other peoples kids but I doubt it. Each of us will have a list that will vary from the next guys but it’s worth thinking about…

 

   So you say you’re already squared away in the hard goods department. What else might be worth considering? How about old faithful… Precious metals? I know we are all hearing endless advertisements for these on the radio right now… Do not buy these because you heard that so and so personality is doing it. Think it through for yourself!

 

   I do have some silver in the form of pre-65 silver quarters, dimes and half dollars. These are a hedge as far as I’m concerned! I don’t view them as an investment per say. Yes, I do hope they go up in value but that traditionally only happens in correlation with a drop in the value of the dollar. If we do experience an inflationary event and we will, these coins could provide for my family if it came down to that.

 

   Whether we see inflation or an entirely new currency, precious metals as a commodity or hard currency would be convertible to what ever the powers that be had come up with to call money. Many people own these same coins as a barter good and I see the value in this as well. We are all seeking options to keep ourselves ahead of whatever curve is thrown at us.

 

   Another thing that I believe would be a good idea to have would be any tools of your trade. Lots of tradesmen own their own tools and have this covered but others don’t. If you’re fortunate enough to have picked a career that will be valuable in a new economy, unlike myself – paper pushing desk jockey, than be sure to have the requisite tools to perform your skill!

 

   For example, a man I know is a union plumber. Great pay and with seniority he’s able to avoid many of the dirtier jobs. However, he works primarily in the commercial side of the business and has a truck with everything he needs provided… Great, of course your employer should provide the required materials but what happens if you needed to do plumbing work in the “grey market” or as a barter-able skill set? Will you have the required materials to complete the job? What about the specialized tools to do a difficult project?

 

   We would never be able to have everything that we might possibly need for any given situation. However, there are specific items that each trade requires that if stored ahead of time would allow 90% of the typical work scenarios to be done. In addition to the idea of being able to do the work, you would be storing a hard asset in the materials. Some items are sure to change as the technology does but rarely would an item become completely obsolete. Your back stock of tools and hardware could become very valuable if and or when the local Home Depot is being run by the Chinese government. Other trades people would surely rather deal with you than them or the Mutant Zombie Bikers they hire to work the customer service counter! Just sayin, its worth thinking about…

 

   Did you say to yourself, “What skills do I have to offer?” I thought I heard someone in the back of the class say something… You’re not alone! Our current economy is chock full of office workers like myself that will most likely not be replaced the next time around… I have lots of “Jack of all trades” type of skills but nothing that would qualify as mastered… I’m not being humble either, I’m taking a good hard look at what value I might be if the time comes to prove my worth… I have a selection of things that I will be pursuing as a means to make myself more well rounded and also could be used to fill voids in a future society. I’ll keep you all appraised as I progress in my new skills.

 

   Are there personal interests or hobbies that you have now? What about that “Bucket List” of to-do’s? Find something that would be of use to your neighbors and set about learning all you can. Buy the tools and a good home study course on how to achieve some level of competence. Go take a course through the local trade school… There really is no wrong answer to this, whatever you decide is going to benefit you, even if we miss the big flush I truly believe is in the works!

 

   I have read or heard more times than I can count from people like us, you know “Gun Nuts”. “After the collapse I’m going to find a farmer to hire on with as security”, sounds good, do you actually have the skills to be of service to said farmer? Personally, I have the tools but they’re of far greater value than I am… I don’t get out and knock the dust off like I should. Our shooting skills are just like anything else, they have to be used to stay in practice. If we aren’t doing our part the tool will only carry us so far. Don’t get me wrong, I think there will be plenty of “Security” positions available. 30 rounds of ammo in the general direction of the gate or only 1 from cover? Your choice but I say whatever skill or skills you choose, work on perfecting them now!

 

   Hopefully, these ideas will get you thinking. There’s lots to do, at least for most of us and time appears to be short. We will all certainly get less done than we would have liked but if we just start we’ll get more done than if we don’t start at all… Think all of this over and see what you come up with.

 

   Maybe you think I’m being dramatic and everything will work itself out. The government will get this economic hemorrhage under control and we’ll see the return of the weekly shopping trips to the mall. A new car in every driveway and ever larger homes for ever smaller families. Only time will tell but either way don’t waste the time you have waiting to see if you get to be the one to point and laugh at ol’ Prepper this time,  I might just be right?

 

 

Prepper