8/14/2011
As I read the headlines this morning that foretell a likely downgrade of America's credit rating, I could see that image of the cartoon people from airline instruction cards, bracing themselves for impact. We all need to prepare for a bumpy, economic, emergency landing.
So, what do we do?
I've lived through more than one economic downturn in my life, the most extreme of which were overseas. I had the cushion of hard currency as an exchange student and as an international worker; the people around me had the cushion of having prepared, put by (horded), and using their means frugally.
Let me say here that I really don't expect some post-apocalyptic nightmare scenario to materialize with people starving in their basements, having eaten their family pets, and killing their neighbors over stale croutons. What I do expect we could see is more unemployment, more uncertainty, inflation and possibly shortages of foods and durable goods.
It is possible we could see some Greek-style unrest in cities, particularly if drummed up by unions as has been the case in Europe. I’ll cover that in a later post if it looks likely.
More likely is a return of the Jimmy Carter era gas lines and popularity of cardigans in chilly homes and offices; peanut butter may again rise in popularity as a food staple. I see something we can survive and help others to do so if we prepare now.
This time our currency will be less of an asset since the dollar itself will take a hit. Gold and silver bullion can help a little (as I write, gold is up more than $20 since yesterday and silver is nearly $42/ oz). However, I wouldn't count on it since the US government has, in the past, made buying and selling precious metals illegal in times of great trouble (during the Great Depression, most notably) and may do so again.
Metals might help in the case of a complete breakdown of the economy and the rise of a black market, but it could also make one vulnerable to thieves. It's better to have less obviously valuable items available for selling or trading if things were to get really bad or to have on hand so you won't have to buy them in a distressed market.
First, buy what you will actually need and use. Underwear, socks, basic shoes, clothes with classic lines made of quality fabric, winter coats, hats and gloves should be purchased if you don't have them already in the best condition. If you can sew, patterns for classics and high quality basic apparel fabrics (thread and notions too) would be a good plan for long-term clothing provision (the same can be said for knitters getting in a supply of yarn).
Back up supplies of paper products, forever stamps, batteries, light bulbs, cleaning products, toiletries, pet-care, automotive and home maintenance products would also be wise to put by. An easy way to do this is buying 2 of anything that is at a good price whenever you can.
If you have bicycles, have them tuned up and be sure you have a helmet and gloves, tool kit, maybe even back-up parts. Other options you may want to consider would be a bike trailer, baby seat, pannier, or basket for transporting others or goods. As gas prices go up, having a reliable alternative means of transport will come in handy. Start taking occasional bike rides now to get in shape for when you need it.
Food is a little trickier since spoilage and infestation can ruin one's stocks and not everyone has a place for extras. Emergency Essentials, Daily Bread and other companies sell both freeze-dried foods in storable containers and equipment to put your own food into storage.
Canning is more readily available with supplies abundant every summer in the grocery stores. Kerr/Ball currently has coupons available on cases of jars as well as ones for pectin which helps if you are making fruit preserves. If you plan to can vegetables and/ or meats, be sure to read up on the processes involved and follow them to a "T" so as to avoid food poisoning. Make sure you have salt, sugar, citric acid and vinegar on hand to use as needed.
Grilling has recently become popular. If you have a safe place to store extra charcoal, wood chips or propane, you may need to turn to the grill as your primary means of cooking if power becomes limited or prohibitively expensive. If you happen to have a smoker, remember to use it if power goes out and you want to preserve the meat in your refrigerator or freezer.
This would be a good time to look into what gardening is possible for your family. For those with no yard available, look into community gardens or ask friends and family with yards if they would help you out. Elderly folks might welcome someone offering to garden for them in exchange of sharing the harvest. Other options for the dirt-challenged would be sprouting, 7-day gardens (more mature sprouts used as micro-greens in salads); container gardens on porches or window boxes and hydroponic indoor gardens.
Those who have yards might consider getting in some fruit trees this year. It will be a while before you'll have a harvest, but if you're going to live that long anyway and things don't improve you'll be glad you did it. Consider also berry bushes/canes, grape vines, rhubarb and strawberries grown in jars or patches. These may last year after year with good care.
Stock up on garden supplies, looking for mark downs at the end of the conventional gardening season. Keep in mind what you'll need; fertilizers, slug bait and other pesticides, weed-wrap, bird netting, stakes, mulch, peat pellets, etc. and find a good place to store them.
As the drought in the Midwest reminds us, we can't always count on rain to supply the water we need when we need it. Rubbermaid makes rain barrels that can be attached to downspouts to harvest water for gardening during dry spells. Gray water systems take bath and laundry water and make it available for re-use as well. Both of these options help keep water and sewer bills low, which is always a plus.
There are a lot of positive ways you can prepare for the likelihood of difficult days ahead. Focusing on what you can do and how you can help others is possibly the most mentally and spiritual healthy response I know.
So, what do we do?
I've lived through more than one economic downturn in my life, the most extreme of which were overseas. I had the cushion of hard currency as an exchange student and as an international worker; the people around me had the cushion of having prepared, put by (horded), and using their means frugally.
Let me say here that I really don't expect some post-apocalyptic nightmare scenario to materialize with people starving in their basements, having eaten their family pets, and killing their neighbors over stale croutons. What I do expect we could see is more unemployment, more uncertainty, inflation and possibly shortages of foods and durable goods.
It is possible we could see some Greek-style unrest in cities, particularly if drummed up by unions as has been the case in Europe. I’ll cover that in a later post if it looks likely.
More likely is a return of the Jimmy Carter era gas lines and popularity of cardigans in chilly homes and offices; peanut butter may again rise in popularity as a food staple. I see something we can survive and help others to do so if we prepare now.
This time our currency will be less of an asset since the dollar itself will take a hit. Gold and silver bullion can help a little (as I write, gold is up more than $20 since yesterday and silver is nearly $42/ oz). However, I wouldn't count on it since the US government has, in the past, made buying and selling precious metals illegal in times of great trouble (during the Great Depression, most notably) and may do so again.
Metals might help in the case of a complete breakdown of the economy and the rise of a black market, but it could also make one vulnerable to thieves. It's better to have less obviously valuable items available for selling or trading if things were to get really bad or to have on hand so you won't have to buy them in a distressed market.
First, buy what you will actually need and use. Underwear, socks, basic shoes, clothes with classic lines made of quality fabric, winter coats, hats and gloves should be purchased if you don't have them already in the best condition. If you can sew, patterns for classics and high quality basic apparel fabrics (thread and notions too) would be a good plan for long-term clothing provision (the same can be said for knitters getting in a supply of yarn).
Back up supplies of paper products, forever stamps, batteries, light bulbs, cleaning products, toiletries, pet-care, automotive and home maintenance products would also be wise to put by. An easy way to do this is buying 2 of anything that is at a good price whenever you can.
If you have bicycles, have them tuned up and be sure you have a helmet and gloves, tool kit, maybe even back-up parts. Other options you may want to consider would be a bike trailer, baby seat, pannier, or basket for transporting others or goods. As gas prices go up, having a reliable alternative means of transport will come in handy. Start taking occasional bike rides now to get in shape for when you need it.
Food is a little trickier since spoilage and infestation can ruin one's stocks and not everyone has a place for extras. Emergency Essentials, Daily Bread and other companies sell both freeze-dried foods in storable containers and equipment to put your own food into storage.
Canning is more readily available with supplies abundant every summer in the grocery stores. Kerr/Ball currently has coupons available on cases of jars as well as ones for pectin which helps if you are making fruit preserves. If you plan to can vegetables and/ or meats, be sure to read up on the processes involved and follow them to a "T" so as to avoid food poisoning. Make sure you have salt, sugar, citric acid and vinegar on hand to use as needed.
Grilling has recently become popular. If you have a safe place to store extra charcoal, wood chips or propane, you may need to turn to the grill as your primary means of cooking if power becomes limited or prohibitively expensive. If you happen to have a smoker, remember to use it if power goes out and you want to preserve the meat in your refrigerator or freezer.
This would be a good time to look into what gardening is possible for your family. For those with no yard available, look into community gardens or ask friends and family with yards if they would help you out. Elderly folks might welcome someone offering to garden for them in exchange of sharing the harvest. Other options for the dirt-challenged would be sprouting, 7-day gardens (more mature sprouts used as micro-greens in salads); container gardens on porches or window boxes and hydroponic indoor gardens.
Those who have yards might consider getting in some fruit trees this year. It will be a while before you'll have a harvest, but if you're going to live that long anyway and things don't improve you'll be glad you did it. Consider also berry bushes/canes, grape vines, rhubarb and strawberries grown in jars or patches. These may last year after year with good care.
Stock up on garden supplies, looking for mark downs at the end of the conventional gardening season. Keep in mind what you'll need; fertilizers, slug bait and other pesticides, weed-wrap, bird netting, stakes, mulch, peat pellets, etc. and find a good place to store them.
As the drought in the Midwest reminds us, we can't always count on rain to supply the water we need when we need it. Rubbermaid makes rain barrels that can be attached to downspouts to harvest water for gardening during dry spells. Gray water systems take bath and laundry water and make it available for re-use as well. Both of these options help keep water and sewer bills low, which is always a plus.
There are a lot of positive ways you can prepare for the likelihood of difficult days ahead. Focusing on what you can do and how you can help others is possibly the most mentally and spiritual healthy response I know.
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