Top Ways to Prepare for the Coming Economic Collapse

Source: http://epautos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16397

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the U.S. economy is heading for complete and total disaster. State and local governments across the nation are uncontrollably bleeding red ink. The federal government has accumulated the largest debt in world history. Every year we buy hundreds of billions of dollars more from the rest of the world than they buy from us. That means that we are getting hundreds of billions of dollars poorer as a nation every single year. Meanwhile, thousands of factories and millions of jobs continue to be sent overseas as American cities turn into post-industrial wastelands. Incomes are down, unemployment remains at depressingly high levels, and very few of our politicians seem to have any idea how to fix things.

Yes, things are really, really bad. So what are some things that we can all be doing to prepare for the coming financial apocalypse?

Well, the truth is that we all need to start becoming less dependent on "the system" ("the Beast"). If the economy does completely fall apart at some point, your employer is probably not going to take care of you. Neither is the federal government -- just look at what happened in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

In the end, you are going to have to take care of yourself and your family.

So are you ready?

Now is the time to prepare. If you wait until things totally fall apart, it will be far too late.

The following are 12 simple things that you can start doing right now to prepare for the coming financial apocalypse...

1. Become Less Dependent on Your Job
   
   Many people define a job as the state of being "just over broke." The truth is that it is incredibly difficult to become financially independent working for someone else. Now, the truth is that most Americans would not be able to survive without a job, but what would you do if someday you suddenly lost your job during a financial apocalypse? Now is the time to start investigating alternate sources of income and different ways to build wealth. Today it takes the average unemployed American over 33 weeks to find a job. You may not always be able to count on being able to get a good job, and the economy is only going to get worse over the long-term. All of us should be operating under the assumption that any jobs we now have will someday be taken away.


2. Get Out of Debt
   
   Some people disagree with this, but unless society degenerates into complete chaos or we experience Weimar Republic-type hyperinflation, the truth is that your debts are going to continue to hang over you wherever you go. Getting out of debt can be completely and totally liberating. It will give you much more freedom and will make you far less dependent on your job. In fact, it looks like a lot of Americans are already moving in this direction. It was recently announced that 8 million Americans have stopped using their credit cards over the past year. Why not join them? When things start really falling apart and it is incredibly difficult for anyone to get a job, the last thing you want is a huge amount of debt hanging over your head.


3. Reduce Expenses
   
   For decades, most Americans have been living far beyond their means. In the future, times are going to be really tough and we are all going to have to learn to tighten our belts. Do you and your family waste money right now? If you can eliminate that, you can live on a smaller income and you will have more money to invest in the things that are really going to matter.


4. Purchase Land
   
   Real estate is still priced too high in most areas of the United States, but the truth is that you don't want to wait forever to get your hands on a piece of land. If a "financial apocalypse" does happen, you don't want to be stuck in a big city with no place to go. You always want to have somewhere that you can "bug out" to. The U.S. real estate market is continuing to struggle right now, so hopefully prices will come down even more and there will be some really great deals available over the next couple of years.


5. Learn to Grow Food
   
   Another reason why you want to purchase some land is so that you will have somewhere to grow food if you need to. 100 years ago almost all Americans knew how to grow their own food, and most of them also knew how to raise farm animals. Today, relatively few Americans have those skills. A great way to begin is by starting your own "survival garden." If you are not already doing this, then why not start this upcoming year?


6. Find a Reliable Source of Water
   
   Water is going to become a very, very valuable resource in the years to come. It will be absolutely key for you and your family to have a dependable source of clean drinking water. If you do not have water, you will not be able to survive for long. In the event of an economic meltdown, basic services such as power and water may not be there. So be certain that you and your family have an alternate source of water to depend upon.


7. Explore Alternative Energy Sources
   
   This point is similar to the one above. Do you think that if a financial apocalypse happens that you will always be able to depend on the power company? The truth is that there is a good reason why so many Americans have been trying to go "off the grid." Without power, life gets really difficult very quickly. But if you are generating your own power then you won't have to worry about that.


8. Store Supplies
   
   In the event of a major disaster or emergency, store shelves are going to empty really fast. If supplies are disrupted on a permanent basis, you may have to get by on what you already have in your home. So do you and your family have enough warm clothes, personal hygiene products and medical supplies to last for an extended period of time? Hopefully your local stores will always be able to supply what you need, but we need to prepare as if that is not guaranteed.


9. Protect Your Assets with Gold and Silver
   
   The way that the Federal Reserve is abusing the U.S. dollar, it is only a matter of time before rampant inflation sets in. Even now, the U.S. dollar has already been seriously declining and precious metals like gold and silver have been shooting into the stratosphere. In the future, your paper money may not buy much for you at all, but if you have some gold or silver coins you can always exchange them for the things that you are going to need.


10. Learn Self-Defense
    
    Did you see what happened at stores from coast to coast this past Black Friday? Americans were literally trampling one another just to get their hands on some cheap foreign-made plastic crap. So what do you think is going to happen once these people have been without food for two or three days? Now is the time to think about how you will defend your home and your family from crazed looters. It is not a fun thing to think about, but unfortunately we are heading for times that will not always be pretty.


11. Keep Yourself Fit
    
    As Americans, we live such "cushy" lives. But when times get hard things will not be so cushy. In fact, the years ahead are likely to demand quite a bit of physical activity. So keep yourself in good physical condition right now. In the future you will be very glad that you did.


12. Make Friends
    
    It is really, really hard to "survive" by yourself. Those who will thrive the most in the future are those who will have a community that they can depend on. Americans are always at their best when they work together. Don't be afraid to reach out to your family and friends. In the times ahead the world will be a very cold place, and a little love and compassion will go a long way.

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Source: http://www.economiccollapsesurvival.com/economic-collapse-2010/

1. Have a store of food rations for at least a year for yourself, your family, and your community if possible. Obviously take care of your family first but. in the meantime, get out there in the community and help people wake up to the importance of getting prepared with non-perishable products (store-able food for food storage).This is where education comes in useful: an uneducated person will continue down the same path; an enlightened individual will make informed decisions during an emergency.


2. Keep being a beacon of light to your community. Find and share information: books, movies (video and DVDs, YouTube videos), websites, political forums, newsletters. You have a great resource in the movies section of this blog.


3. We must awaken to the global tyranny that is robbing us of our wealth and freedom. The inflation you are dealing with is a direct result of this tyranny -- it steals our wealth and then our freedom. And in order to survive it and stop it, we must purchase silver. I know I hammer this point, but it is that important. Let me paint a quick picture: The value of the dollar goes to zero. The middle class is robbed of their wealth. Society stops with all its functions: electricity, transportation, food shipment, etc… During this time people will be desperate; and if you are not prepared, you’ll be one of ‘em. This will be a harsh time, temporary, but harsh. And the best way to avoid it is buy cheap silver and sell high. (HINT: when everybody and their dog wants silver and everybody knows how rare it is and it is at least $1000 per ounce, and there are line ups outside of coin shops, and there is none to be found anywhere, that’s when you, because YOU already HAVE your holdings, sell it all and buy real estate)


4. Get your survival gear in order -- NOW. Disaster preparedness demands it. You can see a list of stuff you need in my Bug Out Bag article in the article section of this blog.


5. Be a good survivalist: Find a viable source of non-polluted water for your community. Without it you will die of thirst. This is an important criteria in survivalism as you may well be aware of, but have you found one? Does your neighbor know where to get good clean water? What’s your plan? You must have this in place before the poverty in America and the world reaches its climax. Know in advance.


6. Get seeds for gardening -- better yet, find a gardener in your community and make friends! Create mutually beneficial exchanges: such as, you provide the gardening space and the seeds in exchange for all the veggies you and they can eat. This is great security! (look into homesteading). Essentially, whatever skills you have, see if they would be useful in a survivalistic, self-sufficient, community-based scenario. If not, get seeds, lots of ‘em; and I guarantee, in exchange for them, your community will take care of you.


7. Get an alternative energy source: solar power is a great one.


8. Think of your safety. Self defense might come into play. Just something to think about. I care about the safety and welfare of my family, and so this is one piece of the puzzle.

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Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-10-Ways-to-Prepare-For-the-Coming-Economic-Collapse&id=3949306

How is the economy is really doing in 2010? Most people are unaware of what is actually happening. Don't be one of those caught up on the government's positive 'false sense of security' messages. We have given many accurate forecasts and messages to our members, but none could be more important than the major one at present: the collapse of the US empire.

You only have to look around at what is going on in your neighborhood and local shopping center to see that something is brewing. Yes it is coming! As government debt levels rise and treasuries failing to interest big buyers, these are warning signs that the economy is already in its first stage of collapse. The government are just keeping rates down to mask the effects.

Many people find themselves in awe at the truth of what is really going on and don't know how to prepare. With that being the case, we have helped many people prepare for what is coming and wish to share 10 quick tips with you so that you too can prepare for what is coming:

1. Be sure you educate yourself, and find resources in the library, and find out how people were able to survive during the last great depression era in the 1930's.


2. It is wise to clear the house so to speak. Pay off bills, debts, money owed to people. In difficult times it is always wise to have cash flow and be prepared, otherwise you could be in serious financial difficulty.


3. Find out what businesses thrive in difficult times. Some people have made a good fortune in the last great depression because people were desperate for a certain product or service. Don't stick your head in the sand; make the best of a bad situation. There is always opportunities no matter what the economic climate is.


4. If you look back, gold and silver has always done extremely well through difficult times, economically speaking. Exchanging your money for gold, gold bullion and silver is one of the smartest things you can do. It is a hedge against inflation and will save you from the massive hyperinflation that will be seen down the track. These have predominantly done well through times of recession or depression in the past.


5. Deflation can sometimes hurt stock prices. If you are heavily invested in the stock market, look over your investments. Keep those stocks that you feel will do well longer term-, and move some of your capital to gold and silver-based funds. These are becoming increasingly popular as people are starting to see the benefits involved and that the warning signs of a full economic collapse is clear.


6. Water is key. Make sure you stock up on food and especially water. There will come a time when water is a precious commodity. We need it to survive and use it in our day to day lives. Make sure you stock up on water in case there is a short supply, with food and other commodities down the track.


7. Prepare a first aid kit. If the emergencies wards are full of sick and injured people, you don't want to be unprepared. Have a first aid kit close by so that you can attend to a sick or injured family member and can support them until a medical professional can attend to them.


8. Two heads are better than one. Strong tight-niched communities are always better prepared during economic hardships. Get to know more of your neighbors and help them out. It has been one of the best survival tactics used since the beginning of time.


9. Grow a garden in the back yard. Not only is this food a lot more healthy and nutritious, you will save a lot of money building and growing stuff yourself.


10. Learn to barter. Normally there are problems with currencies during economic meltdowns, and huge fluctuations in the price of monies occur affecting the price of things. Learn how to swap, barter, bargain with people to get what you want. This can be a matter of life or death, so it is an important skill to have.

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Source: http://freedomarizona.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/survivalism-how-to-prepare-for-the-economic-collapse/

If this forecast holds true, and a major portion of our states file bankruptcy, there will be widespread panic, our state-funded services and programs will be closed down immediately, and confusion amongst political leadership and the citizenry.

Not long after the states file bankruptcy could we see martial law declared by the President of the United States as a means to bring order and peace. Those who are not willing to comply with the mandates of the martial law will be hauled off to FEMA camps and military bases throughout the United States.

How can you prepare for this economic collapse now?

Food

• Begin stocking up your cabinets, pantries, and closets with non-perishable food items.
• Purchase a portable camping stove in case your home’s electricity is shut off.
• Start consuming a healthier diet so your body isn’t dependent on the processed and junk foods we’ve grown accustom to.
• If your have the space in your yard, plant and grow a garden.
• Stock up on vitamins and necessary supplements to ensure you stay healthy in the next Great Depression.

Household

• Discuss emergency plans with your family, roommates, friends, and/or loved ones.
• Store a stockpile of hygiene items including deodorant, toothpaste, towels, washcloths, and toilet paper.
• Make sure you have a hefty reserve of bottled water on hand, stored in a safe place.
• Keep extra pillows, sheets, and blankets in your closets.
• Have at least one shotgun, rifle, or handgun, if not more.
• Ensure you have enough ammunition to defend yourself, your household, and your loved ones in emergency situations.

Community

• Get to know your neighbors.
• Know who you can and cannot trust in your local community.
• Gather together with like-minded individuals in your community, choose designated methods of contact, and choose a few leaders.
• Pick a safe house, where your community coalition will go in emergency situations.
• Pick two alternative safe houses, in case the primary safe house becomes compromised.
• In times of peace, continue to make your community aware of political, social, and economic dangers.

Money

• Save paper and coin money in a safe place in your house.
• Invest in a small or medium size safe to store your money and other valuables.
• Slowly begin withdrawing from your savings and investment accounts on a regular basis. Store this money in a safe location.
• If you can purchase gold, buy it. Gold retains the same value no matter how low or high the currency markets go.
• Stop paying taxes to save money and force government leaders to listen to the citizenry, the people who put them in office.

Further Reading

Read the survival documents at: http://www.textfiles.com/survival/

It’s better to prepare for the worse, and hope for the best.

Take Action

Remember the government belongs to the people and it’s our duty to ensure our rights and freedom.

Spread the Economic Collapse Newsletter [pdf] everywhere. Download. Print. Distribute.

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Source: http://listverse.com/2008/11/13/top-10-tips-to-prepare-for-a-depression/

There is a chance that the world could be heading in to a depression, so it seems appropriate to make a list that will come in handy should that eventuate. We all hope that it won’t be the case, but there is no reason at all to not be prepared just in case. Hopefully at least one or two of these tips will be useful to you all.

1. Get to Know Your Neighbors
   
   It is a very good idea to get to know your neighbors well – even in times of a normal economy. Your neighbors can keep an eye on your home while you are away, they can feed the pets, and they can lend you a cup of sugar if you need one! In the event of a depression they can be even more useful – you can create a small community where you can share necessities that one may have and others lack, you can set up patrols (if the situation were so dire as to need it), and you can even have shared meals which can help to keep waste and costs down.


2. Buy Metal
   
   If you have a considerably large amount of money, you will probably want to consider investing some of it in metals – such as gold and silver (though these are already seeing massive price increases). Of course, if you have a fortune you probably already know this, but it doesn’t hurt to remind people. In the event of a collapse of your nation’s currency, you will need a backup – and precious metals have been shown in the past to be an excellent one.


3. Stockpile Drugs
   
   If you regularly take medication, try to stockpile as much as you can. In a depression you may find that you can not afford drugs, or – in a worst case scenario, the drug companies may go under! Additionally, store up bottles of aspirin and other common over-the-counter drugs that we all tend to use from time to time throughout the year. As you use these drugs, be sure to use the ones that are the closest to their expiry date – to prolong the life of the others.


4. Save Money
   
   Right now. Begin saving as much money as you can. Cut down on all of your expenses (except debt repayment) and save every penny. If we end up in a depression, you are going to need it. This is also a good time to start thinking about selling any items in your home that you may not need. If it becomes very likely that a depression is going to hit, sell everything non-essential – that means the TV, DVD player, stereos, etc. I would recommend that you keep your computer (preferably a laptop in case you lose your home and need to move around) as it will come in handy when the depression ends.


5. Get rid of debt
   
   You should try to get rid of as much debt as you can right now. While you can pay your mortgage now, you may not be able to in a month – and as banks are feeling the pinch, they are not going to tolerate even one missed payment. This can obviously lead very easily to you losing your home. If you think the recession now is painful, try suffering it on the streets! This is a tip to help you cope before the depression hits. If you find yourself in an untenable situation and the depression has already arrived, forget this tip and read the bonus item carefully.


6. Move your stocks
   
   If you own stock, it is now a good time to consider the types of companies that are likely to do well in a depression – these are the companies you should move your stocks in to. The companies most likely to survive and profit are dry food manufacturers, diaper and toilet paper manufacturers, and any company making products that are seen as essential to survive. “Comfort” and “sin” stocks like cigarettes, alcohol, etc. are also stocks that do extremely well during bad times as people rely on them to blot out their suffering.


7. Learn a useful trade
   
   Some trades are more in demand during a depression than others. For example, a baker, a handyman, or an electrician should be able to find work during the worst economic downturn, but a change control facilitator may not. Invest in some good old fashioned skills now and not only will it help you survive a depression, it may well be a complete career change for you in the future.


8. Store up Food
   
   Right now you should be hoarding dried and canned foods. Also tablets for purifying water and other nice-to-haves like toilet paper, candles, and batteries. I know this sounds like preparations for a nuclear holocaust, but the effects could be horrifyingly similar. Keep all of your goods in a dry clean area. I would also recommend a book on the basics of cooking, so you can convert your flour to bread and perform other culinary miracles that require nothing processed or pre-packaged. This is a skill that will be invaluable whether we have a depression or not.


9. Relocate or buy an RV
   
   If you think you are in a job that is likely to not be needed during a depression, you should consider relocating to an area that has a lot of wildlife and land. If you lose your house, an investment in an RV now (not on credit!) could be your life-saver. You can drive it to a new town, find a private area where you won’t be disturbed, and park up while the depression rides out. Make sure you find an area where you can rely on plentiful fresh water and animals – which brings us to item one…


10. Buy a Gun
    
    If things get so bad that people begin to steal off each other, this will come in very handy. You can use it to protect your family and belongings, as well as to kill animals for food. And if you really are in dire straits, you can use it to rob someone else! (Okay – I didn’t mean that – we should all try to help each other out – not kill each other). A gun will be most useful in hunting so be sure to buy one that is practical for shooting birds and larger animals. You will also want to buy a book on how to skin, clean, and prepare wild animals for human consumption.


11. Bonus - Blow your credit cards
    
    Okay – this is going to appear very controversial – but this is about surviving a depression; this is a matter of living or dying. If you are about to go bankrupt, are out of work, and see no hope in the foreseeable future of correcting this situation, use your credit cards right to the limit to put yourself in a better position – whether it be buying food, or moving somewhere you might be able to find work. If we really do enter another great depression, you will have to be prepared to do things you would normally not do in order to ensure the survival of your family and yourself. Under any other circumstances, this would be a very very bad thing to do.

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Source: http://www.myloansconsolidated.com/2010/07/19/7-steps-to-survive-the-coming-economic-collapse-from-water-shortage-to-cannibalism/

You may deny it all you want just like the mainstream media and the government is doing. The truth is with the mounting national debt and annual deficit rising it is mathematically impossible for the US to not head for a collapse. The 7 deadliest sins the US has done are to blame for the coming collapse. These are “sins” that the government committed which the people now has to suffer from.

Many economists and successful international investors are warning the people that the worst is yet to come. Even though the stock market has shown an increase and the gold price has dropped to below the US$1,200 an ounce level, investors such as Jim Rogers and Marc Faber do not easily buy the good news. The have not changed their opinion. The ultimate economic collapse IS still coming.

Forecasters such as Gerald Celente has been warning the people and urged them to forget about hope and change and immediately switch into survival mode. What you can do now is to dream on and hope that the government is going to save you, or anticipate for the worst and prepare for your family’s survival through the coming economic storm.

If you think it is wise to prepare for survival, read on. Below are 7 steps for you to take:

1. Get rid of your debt and downsize

The reason why the credit crunch is happening in the first place is because Americans have incredibly out of control spending habit. Whether it is the government that is spending money on wars they can not afford or the individual that is living on luxurious lifestyle that they can not pay for, the spirit of greed and consuming is great there.

If you want to survive the economic collapse, you will need all the money that you already have now or will be earning in the future. You will not want to be using your money to make already rich people richer, such as your lender or the designer stores, while you struggle to get food on the table for your family.

Before the economic storm comes, which will be very soon, make sure you fight your way out of debt. Once you have gotten rid of all your liabilities, learn to live within your means. Cut down your spending and don’t throw your money on things unnecessary. As much as you can find ways to save your money, such as selling your car for something that is much more fuel-efficient, or using tools at home that are more energy efficient which will save you money in the long run. Here is a website I found informative to help you find ways to make your home more energy and money saving. Click here.

2. Spend your money on essential things

The video below shows an event not so long ago that should be considered as a “preview” of the coming economic collapse due to hyperinflation. Sit down with your family and watch the video with them together. Discuss with them what essentials you should be spending on when a collapse like that happens in the whole country.

A very informative video I have attached at the bottom of this post suggest that you spend your money only on essentials such as food, water, blanket, soap and duck tape. It is also a good idea to invest in a water purification system, first aid kit and fishing tackle. If you are paying rent for your housing, you might want to consider moving back with your parents and consolidate, share the cost of living and use less of what you are used to using now.

3. Grow your own food

There will be times when there is food shortage. It may also happen that food is available but there will not be any money to pay for it. What you can do now is start your own little farm to grow your own food. Can your food as much as possible and buy food that can be easily stored for a long time. If possible you may also consider living near a river or forest where you can fish or hunt.

It will be difficult for you to grow your own food if you live in the city. When there is food shortage people living in the farming states will be the ones who will survive. The people in the cities will most likely see food riot and violence amongst the people, fighting for food. Desperate measures may have to be taken during these times, so consider ways to protect your family.

4. Bond and unite with your neighbors – Cannibalism alert during food shortage

It is easier to buy locks and guns to protect your family during desperate times when there is food shortage. But what lasts longer and keeps your neighborhood safe long enough for you and your family is to bond with your immediate community and unite to cooperate and watch each others’ back. Crime rates will increase during this time and you might want to ally with your neighbors to defend your neighborhood from criminals instead of shooting and killing each other for food.

Be also forewarned that because of food shortage and starvation, cases of cannibalism will also emerge. History teaches us that great famine and starvation has triggered people to feed on each other.

• Between 1315-1317 in Europe, it was a period of great famine marked by extreme levels of crime, disease, mass death and cannibalism.
• During the Starving Time between 1609-1610, colonists in colonial Jamestown in Virginia resorted to cannibalism as the food supplies diminished.
• A group of American pioneers, known as the Donner-Reed Party, who set out to California between 1846-1847 was stuck in a winter of starvation and hunger, causing some of the settlers to resort to cannibalism.
• Between 1920-1921 during the famine in the Soviet Union, hunger caused its people to eat each others flesh which eventually led to a widespread cannibalism.
• If you read the Bible in the Book of Isaiah chapter 19, you will also see that famine has caused the Israelite to eat their own daughters and sons.

The best thing you can do is bond with you neighbors and watch each others back. What you want to avoid is fighting and shooting each other instead of fighting criminals and cannibals.

5. Prepare your first-aid kit

Put together a basic first-aid kit for emergencies. Include bandages, pain relievers, cold packs, and alcohol, and keep the kit in a secure place. You will never know what will be and will not be available in stores during the economic collapse. Knowing that you have your first-aid kit ready in your home, will give you a peace of mind.

6. Sell everything that is unnecessary

If you look around you and pay attention to the things that you have bought and are sitting in your home, you may realize that there are a lot of things that is and will be unnecessary for you to keep. What Americans have in their possession is usually way more than what they actually need. In the coming greatest depression you will come to a point that all you really need is to have food on the table. Nothing else will matter.

While things are still bearable, sort out the things that you don’t need that is in your possession, sell them and exchange them with things that you will need the most in the near future during the economic storm.

7. Exchange your paper money for more valuable assets

The US dollar is losing its value and at some point in the future it will be only worth the paper it is written on. Although you still need to keep some cash in your hand, it is important to invest in precious metal such as gold and silver but also in vegetable seed and commodities. Personally I prefer to buy physical gold or silver but it is also necessary to invest in your own garden to grow your food.

I have found an excellent video that sums up the 7 steps above in a 1-minute video. Watch it below:

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Source: http://therejoinder.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/a-patriots-survival-checklist/

As the global economy teeters toward the abyss, patriots and Christians from the freedom movement are preparing to get dug in for the long haul. Here is my and Bob Chapman’s (International Forecaster) checklist for doomsday survivalists (as we’re called).

1. If you’re in the stock market, move your assets out of there and into Gold and Silver commodities. If you feel that this is too panicky and extreme then you can move 65% of it into the metals and the rest in a combo of Treasury Bills and Swiss Franc Government-backed bonds.
2. You may want to keep only operational money in the banks for payment of bills, utilities etc. Otherwise, get it out of there. With the Fed recent rate cut this morning at 50 basis points, you’d be better off stuffing cash into the “Mattress Account.”
3. Get dehydrated foodstuffs and canned goods. One website here, is a good start.
4. Obtain a good First Aid kit. Family size is necessary. I shop at camping outlets for propane, blankets, backpacks, batteries, shortwave radios, flashlights and more. Radio Shack and Home Depot are good for supplies too. Cannot forget my favorite store, EMS. (Eastern Mountain Staff)
5. Plenty of ammo and a good Rifle. 308 Winchester with a good scope will suffice. A .45 caliber pistol should get the job done as a sidearm as well.
6. A Bible, Koran or whatever source of spiritual strength that will guide you through the tough times.

If your country's economy is sinking and there are many signs that might point to a full blown monetary collapse, how would you then prepare to survive the inevitable problems that accompany an economic disaster? Always remember: as one thing leads to another, an economic downturn could possibly lead to anarchy (confusion, chaos), a government in disarray.

http://www.survivalblog.com/
http://zombiehunters.org/forum/
http://goldismoney.info/forums/index.php
http://www.survivalistseeds.com