2. Stockpile food and water. We did this for Y2K, so the memory of hoarding provisions is still fresh in my mind. Tuna keeps well, as do dried fruits and vegetables. From experience, I can tell you that large bottles of water become algae-ridden in about three months, so stay away from those. Pay particular attention to the shelf life of your canned goods. You don't want to get botulism by eating something past the recommended freshness date. Really smart people will learn how to urban garden and can their own provisions, in the likelihood of the local Kroger going belly up.
3. Withdraw money out of accounts, like money markets, 401K or stocks. If the speculators have nothing to play with, maybe they'll find a real job. Some say that the banks are still a safe bet, since the FDIC insures those accounts for up to $100,000 (double that for spouses with both names on the account), but I'm not buying into that fairy tale anymore. Hello? Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation? I might as well buy a lottery ticket. Once money is in hand, dig a big hole in the back yard (or in your basement crawlspace) and put the money in a weather-proof locked container. DON'T tell anyone, especially your children.
4. Put your gold and silver away. Yes, even the white gold and the ancient and ugly silverplate you inherited from your granny. When our currency is worth nothing, you will need something to barter with. Don't forget the fillings in your teeth. In fact, treat them, well... like gold. Now is the time to have a qualified dentist take them out, before an hungry looter does it for you. Stash them with your other valuables.
5. Get in shape. A fit physical condition is vital in the New World Order. After the world collapses, be advised that your dollars aren't going to be worth the paper they are printed on, and all the credit companies fold, you may not be able to purchase gasoline. Not only that, but getting the car serviced might be difficult with everyone out of a job. In this case, strong legs and the will to transport yourself using your own God-given energy would be a check mark in the plus column. According to Zen Habits, this can be done with the minimalist approach of little or NO equipment.
Article comments
1 - J Kevorkian
10. Keep a cyanide pill handy in case all else fails.
2 - Joanne Huspek
No sh**, Jack.
3 - Ruvy
Joanne, listen to old uncle Ruvy. Lay up some gold coins and a troy scale for when the shit hits the fan in America. You'll need both when those hundred dollar bills are worth toilet paper. Heck, when the shit hits the fan, the toilet paper will probably going fro $100 a roll!
Shabbat Shalom,
Ruvy
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
It's never too early to tie a tie around your forehead and use colored Sharpies to designate war paint. As evidenced by Charlie Steiner.
5 - Jordan Richardson
I've already decided that I'm going to
keepstart selling crank.6 - jamminsue
Excellent, Joanne
7 - Joanne Huspek
I guess I can use those hundred dollar bills when I run out of Charmin. Recycling at its best!
8 - Dr. Juliann Mitchell, PhD
I can always count on something entertaining from you Joanne.
9 - Silas Kain
As a side bar to all this money chat a question for one of you. During the fall of Hussein, many unscrupulous American soldiers aided by American oil executives and some security company which shall remain nameless smuggled millions of Iraqi dinar out of Iraq. There became a black market in America for the Hussein issued Dinar which landed in the hands of politicians, public officials and their associates. These "capitalists" invested hundreds of thousands of American dollars making the aforementioned smugglers wealthy. So back to my point. What will the ultimate value of the pre-Sadaam Dinar be when the dust settles? Will they increase in value against the dollar? I thought that any currency issued by an Iraqi government previous to our occupation was completely worthless. But knowing our government and its corporate sponsors, I have to pose the question. Any ideas, folks?
P.S. Perhaps Congress should impose some type of tariff on these Dinars and enforce payment of the same to the Treasury. Yeah, like that'll ever happen.
10 - Joe
Silas Kain: You can buy Nazi currency for about a buck anywhere in Germany. Why do you think the pre-Hussein Dinar is such a gold mine? Mine is just an interesting bookmark.