Back in April, as governmental shutdown was looming, I wrote an article entitled "Who Will Bail Us Out?" and I noted that "With lost jobs, diminished incomes, decreased purchasing power, and rising prices (especially on food and fuel), many of America's middle class have slipped into the ranks of the working poor...." With financial crises reported around the globe, I grow less optimistic regarding any significant economic recovery in the near future and I cannot help but consider the possibilities of economic collapse and strategies for surviving it.
When cost of living increases and wages remain static (or are even reduced), there is less disposable income which affects quality of life, impeding necessary purchases, and curtailing the ability to prepare for a long term crisis. Hyper-inflation will exacerbate this and American households that already struggle from paycheck to paycheck could rapidly be thrust into the squalor of "Hoovervilles" reminiscent of the Great Depression in the event of economic collapse and the disruption of traditional safety nets provided by an already overloaded system. Sadly, their more affluent neighbors would often be unlikely to hold on for more than a couple of months longer.
As difficult as times already are for many families, now is a prudent time to prepare for a serious economic crisis if you have not already began doing so. In the event of such a crisis, necessities like food and shelter could be difficult to acquire and maintain. I have always believed in keeping plenty of food on hand and having a pantry well stocked with non-perishables. This practice, which I inherited from grandparents who lived through the Great Depression, has enabled me to easily withstand inconveniences like power outages and inclement weather; it has also allowed me to address unforeseen expenses by not having to make weekly visits to the grocery store. In order to better prepare in the face of uncertainty, I have steadily increased the amount of non-perishable food that I keep on hand and I have become quite mindful of sales, promotions, and coupons that extend my purchasing power. I have also simplified my lifestyle to better stretch my hard earned dollars.
Lately, I have focused upon purchasing non-perishables that are modestly priced, have a relatively long shelf life, and lack the bulk of canned goods. Such items include Ramen noodles, instant potatoes, powdered gravy mix, muffin mix (the type that only requires water and can also serve as pancake mix), powdered milk, rice, dried beans, oatmeal, grits, and boullion cubes. Perhaps not sufficient as an exclusive diet, such foods are filling and only require water to be prepared. They can be served by themselves, used in more complex recipes, and accompany meals to stretch the supply of other foods.
In the event no crisis should arise, these foods will be consumed in due time and do not represent a waste of resources. Since these non-perishables are more easily carried and stored in confined spaces than more bulky canned goods, options for mobility, whether by foot or vehicle can be retained. Mobility allows you to more easily quit an area that has become inhospitable and shelter is as much a requisite as is nutrition if this option is employed and compromise could be necessary. While I enjoy camping, taking to the woods and pitching a tent does not represent a suitable, long term scenario for survival for me. However, a tent will cover basic, short term needs for shelter and they are especially useful where low cost, primitive camping is permitted. I once knew a fellow who lived comfortably in a tent in a modest campground through a southern winter after being confronted with a sudden bout of domestic bliss.
In contrast to a tent, a motor home or a camper trailer can provide more comfortable and convenient mobile shelter over a longer period of time while offering amenities including air conditioning, provided that electricity is available. Last year, I bought a 1972 Pace Arrow motor home that is in remarkably good shape and I have been getting some work done to it in order to use it. Originally purchased with short and long term camping in mind, I have begun to regard it as a survival vehicle that could provide living quarters and access to a more attractive geographic area in the event of a disruptive crisis.
I do not view the Pace Arrow as a bug out vehicle to be used in the midst of chaos. It is just too big, slow, ungainly, and fuel hungry for such an adventure. However, I do see it is a strategic option since it will integrate into camping environments in which many already live full-time at low cost. This is part of my justification for increasing my supply of non-perishables that store well in confined spaces for significant periods. The motor home is not a panacea by any means but it is the ultimate in a portable shelter equipped with a fully stocked kitchen that could provide useful options if we are presented with a severe crisis.
None of us possess a crystal ball that reveals the future and some regard preparedness as the height of paranoia. Economic collapse has been forecast many times over and, as of yet, we have fortunately avoided it. Even if such a disaster is not forthcoming, contingencies for surviving situations filled with doom and gloom allow for smaller crises and inconveniences to be taken in stride. Your non-perishables and mobile shelter can be just as useful for a sudden fishing trip taken in response to an impromptu visit from the "in-laws" as it is in avoiding the ramifications of a full fledged emergency.
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