How Are You Preparing For The Economic Collapse?

[Jestgar]

Reading all of this worries me a bit.

I think this is more an exercise in "worst case scenario" than something to worry about. Keeping a stock of food at home is a good idea for a lot of reasons, but think the best approach was the "buy more when something's on sale" one.

You have time to plan, no point in panicking.

[Sweetfudge]

Reading all of this worries me a bit. As it is, I am having to work more just to cover the increase in food prices. I am spending close to $100 more a week on food than I was just a few months ago. For our family of 6 (all gluten-free/cf except hubby) I am spending around $900+ on food each month. It is killing us, and I don't splurge on much of the specialty foods. The only thing I buy is pasta (one bag a week), the occasional loaf of Kinni. bread, cf chocolate chips and Namaste pancake mix. I used to buy coconut oil, but I've had to stop b/c of the price. I do still use coconut milk, I can't totally give up the coconut! I also buy flours for my bread, but I have figured out that it comes out to around $3 a loaf, so that's not too bad.

My husband keeps telling me to get coupons.....which sounds great, until I go look for some. Most are for food I can't buy, and you don't get coupons for meat, veggies, fruit, potatoes, etc.

Don't know where I'm going with this, except to just vent a little I guess and add that I am worried, and need to start stocking up before it gets worse.

yeah, i wouldn't start freaking out just yet. i agree about the coupons - never find any for the things we NEED. do you shop at costco or sam's club? i know that is a great way to buy things you use all the time, and buy a lot at usually a cheaper price. another suggestion - i buy my flours at the health food store in bulk. it's a lot cheaper that way, and i just picked up a few of those 5 gal buckets with the screw-on lids to keep them in. it's hard, and not as much fun, but if you're worried about it, i would start finding ways to cut back. i know i have been the last couple months (just getting ready for the holidays).

[aikiducky]

What I'd recommend for anyone is that you also make sure your finances are "stocked" for at least a couple months ahead (even better, half a year), that is, that you always keep a couple months expenses worth of money somewhere that you can access easily. In case of unemployment, or a health problem or accident of some kind, or just the unexpected household expense (like repairing a roof for example).

Plus take the time to know what is going on with any debt you have, insurances, pension plans, etc.

Pauliina

[Sweetfudge]

What I'd recommend for anyone is that you also make sure your finances are "stocked" for at least a couple months ahead (even better, half a year), that is, that you always keep a couple months expenses worth of money somewhere that you can access easily. In case of unemployment, or a health problem or accident of some kind, or just the unexpected household expense (like repairing a roof for example).

Plus take the time to know what is going on with any debt you have, insurances, pension plans, etc.

Pauliina

great idea

[mymagicalchild]

I just bought some non-perishables that we would normally eat, and pardon my ignorance, but why would this 'economic crisis' cause the power to be out? I thought it was more of a stockpile issue and the fact that truckers probably won't be making deliveries to grocery stores due to high costs, etc....

I've been dvr'ing a lot of business programs on CNBC and Blooomberg for the last 2 weeks. I fast forward and listen to the interviews with guests I know to be knowledgeable.

Just watched Bloomberg's "Taking Stock" from Friday. Pimm Fox interviewed Mr. Sims, the Peak Oil Theory guy, and he said the problem no one is looking at is the gasoline inventory numbers just released that show supplies are at levels last seen in 1967. Because of the 2 hurricanes. He said we were only a few days away from the waiting lines shown in a few states on the evening news spreading nationwide.

Might not be a bad idea to have a little extra cash and a lot of extra food.

I really envy you folks out there who have land available so you can grow your own food. We moved into a city condo several years ago, and that's the one thing I miss: fresh vegetables from my organic garden! Self-sufficiency is its own anxiety medication.

The bailout might delay the rest of our financial problems. Can't stop them, though. What goes up must come down when it's gone too high. The bubble that's bursting world wide is the credit bubble. Soooo, I guess anything normally bought with credit is going to see hard times. In America, that's pretty much everything.

The MOST worrying thing to me about what is happening is my complete lack of confidence in our leadership. I've been there for some time, though, and I've accepted that I might have to figure things out for myself. Celliacs must be in a better position to adapt since we've had so much practice!

[one more mile]

I think that no mater what happens the next three years will be tough. My kid is in college so it will be tough for me even if the economy gets better. Currently I am trying to pay down my credit cards a bit, and move some of the debt to lower interest loans. Being sick the last few years do to not knowing I was Gluten intolerant I lived a little to much on my credit cards. Right now I am buying very little "stuff."

I do not really have room to stock food and filling a freezer is out of the question. Our electric seems to go out for a few days at least once a year. I do stock up on a few things when I have some space. All my nuts and flours are in caning jars to make sure no critters get to them.

I think more people will be eating the way we are if things crash. Less processed foods may be better for everyone.

I have also spend a little money on camping gear. I rent my apartment and do not have a lease anymore and am a little nervous about getting tossed out when things get tight.

Good luck everyone and hold on to your hats. It's going to be a bumpy ride!

One more mile

[dlp252]

Makes me really glad I refinance my condo a few months ago. I was able to pay off all my credit cards plus get some money saved. I've slowed down slightly in my spending, but that was mostly due other circumstances with my health.

I'll probably do a little stocking, but I have a small condo, and there just isn't room for much more stuff.

[debmidge]

Makes me really glad I refinance my condo a few months ago. I was able to pay off all my credit cards plus get some money saved. I've slowed down slightly in my spending, but that was mostly due other circumstances with my health.

I'll probably do a little stocking, but I have a small condo, and there just isn't room for much more stuff.

I don't want to put needless fear into any condo owner, but if you are on the Board

or want to get involved here's the issue: if/when condos are "repossessed" and that

unit does not get sold, read your By-Laws, but some By-Laws have a provision that

the remaining unit owners have to chip in more money to make up for that open unit's

Condo Association Dues and Taxes.

So this might not be a good time to purchase a condo if the By-laws have a provision

like this.

I learned this info from an investment person.

[mommida]

Has anyone heard of Web-bot?

It is a computer spider that searches the www. It was invented for stock predictions. It taps into the collective unconsciosness of people to make predictions. The Web-bot has predicticted a major incident for October 7, 2008. (I had originally heard October 5th) The event is said to be as dramatic to life as we know it as 9/11.

Weird.

It is wise to stock up on food when it is on sale and can be stored. Bad weather can happen at any time any where and basic resources should be on hand.

[confused]

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[plantime]

I live in farm territory, and all of the farmers are saying that the weather forecast for winter will be terribly cold. After last year's ice storms, I have been stockpiling food and drinks. I don't drive on ice or snow, so I need to have enough food to last in the event I can't get to a store for a couple of weeks. I think such preparation is necessary for any possible event. I will be increasing my stockpile of nonperishables to prepare for the possibility of food shortages.