1 paycheck from disaster
It keeps popping up in everything I read. Americans in general are 1 pay check away from disaster. (I know not here on GB all of us are debt free and have always been so 
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1.2 Trillion in auto loans, every Tom Dick and Harry is driving a new monster 4 door truck costing 500 or more a month prior to insurance and fuel, upkeep Etc.
1.5 Trillion in student debt that many have no plan or means to pay back so technically it is in default regardless of if Uncle Sam counts it that way yet.
1.1 Trillion in Credit Card debt
I won't even count housing debt since at least it tends to appreciate.
Then add on State and local Governments, pile that on top of the Federal debt and the specter of SS and Medical, jump in with corporate debt and
How long can Uncle Sams printer keep churning money out at zero percent? The answer to the next recession by all the pundits is lower rates but just how long can that go on?
I think Uncle Sam barely averted a depression like collapse in 2008 and instead of doing anything to prevent a future fall out simply added fuel to the fire with cheap money extending the eventual collapse.
I know people have been spouting doomsday theories for every year but honestly can this financial boondoggle go on?
)1.2 Trillion in auto loans, every Tom Dick and Harry is driving a new monster 4 door truck costing 500 or more a month prior to insurance and fuel, upkeep Etc.
1.5 Trillion in student debt that many have no plan or means to pay back so technically it is in default regardless of if Uncle Sam counts it that way yet.
1.1 Trillion in Credit Card debt
I won't even count housing debt since at least it tends to appreciate.
Then add on State and local Governments, pile that on top of the Federal debt and the specter of SS and Medical, jump in with corporate debt and
How long can Uncle Sams printer keep churning money out at zero percent? The answer to the next recession by all the pundits is lower rates but just how long can that go on?
I think Uncle Sam barely averted a depression like collapse in 2008 and instead of doing anything to prevent a future fall out simply added fuel to the fire with cheap money extending the eventual collapse.
I know people have been spouting doomsday theories for every year but honestly can this financial boondoggle go on?
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We as a people do far too much keeping up with the Joneses. Our houses are too big, are cars are too big, and we "just have to have" toys like boats, snowmobiles, and RVs.
We as a nation do the same. Except that we are about to keep up not with the Joneses, but with Venezuela.0 -
I think any sane person with basic math skills would agree with you. My question is what can you do to prepare? I keep some cash but that will probably be devalued. I have a few silver coins but not that much. Is gold and silver the way? Of course enough weapons and ammo for personal use but maybe extra for barter. Buckets of beans and rice? Booze and tobacco?? I have good neighbors and we would probably work together I think. We live in the country and possess various skills and equipment. We also have wells that hand pumps could probably be fitted to. 0 -
I used to be a minor 'prepper' for many years. However, it eventually hit me that with my health issues, most notably my RA and back, that without my medication, I wouldn't want to survive a real, complete long-term collapse. I have enough of a lot of things to carry me much of a year, perhaps even enough meds for a while.
When I first got married (1990), I was fairly young, but invested a little wisely and owned our home completely by age 25 and had two rental houses. However, after blowing out my back in spectacular fashion, I ended up losing it all. Just as we were progressing, I hurt it again. We lived very frugally since even though I have toys, most of them are sound investments. We still owe on our house and just a little in student loans but in our late 40's now, we should be sitting decent (not a lot, just continue as we are) at retirement with or without social security. It is a little depressing to think where I would have been by now without multiple surgeries, years without being able to work, etc.
It really saddens me that so many people just can't see past what they want NOW!0 -
bambihunter wrote:I used to be a minor 'prepper' for many years. However, it eventually hit me that with my health issues, most notably my RA and back, that without my medication, I wouldn't want to survive a real, complete long-term collapse.
Yep same here. I have and extra 90 days supply of my blood thinner, Eliquis, on hand and after that's gone I'm a dead man anyway.
I guess in the mean time I would be like Rick and the guys on the Walking Dead out scavenging medicine cabinets in abandoned houses and looking in small towns for abandoned drug stores. :roll:
If I ever just run out of money, being an old geezer, all I'd have to do is strip off naked and walk down the road talking to myself and the nice people at human services would find some where to put me I'm sure.0 -
But, But, But, don't we all need the latest and greatest everything. You see them lined up for the newest iPhone when the one they have works just fine. Whats another $1000. It may have only cost $50 to make but they'll still buy one to keep up with their peers. Stop in to buy a vehicle and the sales people will wax eloquently about all the electronic gizmos that the car company makes the most profit on when you buy a deluxe version. Put in $200 in electronics and raise the price $5000. Before when you bought something you made it last but now you need the latest and greatest. We don't need to take responsibility because someone will bail us out. I love it when someone with the latest of everything complains that life is unfair and they are struggling financially. Dad told me almost 50 years ago that I better have at least 6 months backup savings and if I lost my job, I better not ask for a loan during that 6 months. Bob 0 -
I deal with tenants who live exactly one paycheck to next, balancing money to keep a roof over their heads. 0 -
Rocky Raab wrote:We as a people do far too much keeping up with the Joneses. Our houses are too big, are cars are too big, and we "just have to have" toys like boats, snowmobiles, and RVs.
We as a nation do the same. Except that we are about to keep up not with the Joneses, but with Venezuela.
Yep... when I grew up people lived in modest houses, modest cars and a modest lifestyle.
And back then most women didn't work, they were stay-at-home moms and Housewives. Nowadays you got to parents working, but the problem is just what they're trying to keep up with the Joneses instead of trying to keep up with their needs, both long and short-term.0 -
Seeing I pads that cost a lot with folks on welfare in line at the grocery store. 0 -
I thought it was 5 hot meals away from cannibalism might be a wee bit longer for vegans (salads don't need heating ).
Ricci Wright - I forget what I was watching/listening to where they said bartering with ammo is stupid. Basically dude was saying you don't wanna get shot with your own ammo.
bambihunter - I bought extra cans and dry goods when I used to shop but the White Feather wiped out that stash. So I'm now like the grasshopper and not like the ant. Government will take care of me. Is this the right color green? So many choices now.
Smitty500mag - Rat poison will stretch your stash of blood thinner. Now which brand?
remingtonoaks - Paying for child care where both parents worked confused me. My bro in Tehas has thee kids. I would've thought the one that made less money should stay home and work but that was not their case. I guess one has to take in feeding them and have cash when they do dumbass things. But when they did dumbass things sure was entertaining to me.0 -
Ricci Wright wrote:....My question is what can you do to prepare?
Many, many years ago my grand dad said, "A man that owns a gun should never go hungry."
Even tho he is not alive today to explain that comment to me, I think I understand.
1. A man with a gun can hunt for food.
2. A man with a gun can barter it for food.
3. A man with a gun can take what he needs from others.
Lots of options there.0 -
The Gramps was so wise... So is the 2nd amendment...
"Ricci Wright" post_id=11101658 time=1560353654 user_id=361668]
....My question is what can you do to prepare?
[/quote]
Many, many years ago my grand dad said, "A man that owns a gun should never go hungry."
Even tho he is not alive today to explain that comment to me, I think I understand.
1. A man with a gun can hunt for food.
2. A man with a gun can barter it for food.
3. A man with a gun can take what he needs from others.
Lots of options there.
[/quote]0 -
As what others have said... At my age and health, I don?t really want to live thru a long collapse.
I?ve got enough food and water. Have a genset and LP. Several firearms and a few buckets of ammo.
No way though that I?ll survive a protracted outrage. And I don?t want to die slowly after my meds run out.
So - I may just load up and see about going out with a bang. Who knows...0 -
I am way out in the country on 39 acres. Gangs from Atlanta, or Charlotte, will never make it up to here. Might be some local bad guys I have to deal with.
I have a big stock pile of 5 gallon buckets of wheat, corn, barley and other stuff. Cases of corned beef and salmon.
Wood stove with a stock pile of wood, full propane tank.
Etc.
So if the S hits the F, Let The Games Begin. I am in good shape to hang in here for about a year, after that we will have to see what's what.0 -
worked my azz off since age 12 and have ZERO NONE NADA, NO debt for the last about 20 years...wore my body out getting there, and after 5 years of feeling guilty about sitting down during the day now SO WHAT !!!!.....own the big country home my grandad came to in 1919, a totally refurbished home in town and a refurbed lakeside home of 15 years in eastern Kansas.....the lake home has some minor small fixup to do then plan on selling it as i do not like the drive over and back anymore.. quiet area , high ground no flood danger, oak trees and lake only has anybody around on the major holidays...good catfish and crappie fishing 0 -
Ricci Wright - I forget what I was watching/listening to where they said bartering with ammo is stupid. Basically dude was saying you don't wanna get shot with your own ammo.
This is so true in a societal meltdown. The last thing you want to barter is guns and ammo. Consider this scenario. You trade a bolt action .22 and a brick of ammo for a dozen fresh eggs and 2 laying hens because you are hungry. The dude sets up outside your house and snipes your azz out the second you walk out of your house, takes back the chickens and whatever else he can. Its going to get ugly quick, folks. Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.0
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