www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Preparation for Economic Catastrophe

http://www.guardian.co.uk/oil/story/0,,2196435,00.html

Just wondering how many of you prepare for an extreme turn in the US economy or an extreme natural disaster?

I really try not to get too into "end of the world as we know it" (insert REM song here) claims, but at the same times a lot of things are going on in the world it seems that aren't good including oil production, and the fall of the US dollar.

Do any of you have preparations for such an event?

Nathan �Writing this from his secret bunker� Johnson

Well, I prepare by working in academia where it is much less likely that I will lose my job. Since my wife works in mental health, she won't lose her job either and might even have increased opportunities should the nation suffer economic misfortune.

Also, my investments are in mutual funds and so they can survive a short term depression.

Joe

I've always heard that alcohol was one of the few commodities that increased in demand during economic depression, but I suppose mental health would be the same.

That reminds me to start hoarding Vodka.

Their conclusions do not seem very credible.

Terry

Buy gold.

Ohh the world will end sometime.

We can depend on the Lord of the Universe to provide for his people when it happens. It still might not be pretty, but he isn't going anywhere.

Hopefully as someone who knows how to help people with out prescription drugs, I'll still be in demand.

"Here, Mr. Patient, dug up that weed over there, wash it off, cut it up, boil it, and drink the water."

Guns and ammo are always good to have on hand.

LL Bean has a flashlight and a radio that have a perpetual battery in them. You wind them up and they last for a number of hours. Then you repeat.

BOB

Love those flashlights and the lanterns, too. They got me through the last power failure with no worries about candle or lamp flames.

On a serious note, I don't see how we as a country can continue with over a 1/2 trillion dollar deficit. Something is eventually going to break.

I really like watching Lou Dobbs on CNN.
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/

He always talks about "Red Storm Rising", Outsourcing, and Immigration. Many people call him a "Protectionist", but he would say, "I am for Free but Fair Trade."

He really makes a point! If we allow the Koreans to import Kias into this country why can't we export Fords? Double standard?

Why would any Koreans want to buy a Ford?

Joe

Didn't Sears buy LL Bean or is that another outfit they bought, besides K-Mart I mean?

My family and I have been talking about this for some time. We are working to eliminate all personal debt (with the exception of student loans) by the Spring or Summer of next year. (God willing!) Since I work in the financial services market, my job is very susceptible to these issues.

I have friends that are big believers in gold. I'm starting to become a believer myself! You will want some hard currency that is very portable in the event that things go South due to a market crash. The fact that we are a target for terrorism also makes things a bit riskier as well. All we need is another 9/11, and we are in big trouble.

I am reading Thomas Friedman's "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" which is all about the phenomenon of globalization. It starts with the collapse of the Thai baht and its impact on the world economy. We are now so interconnected (and interdependent) that an event that 20-30 years ago would have meant little to us, can have a detrimental effect worldwide.

Jobs that are good to have include anything in the medical field and education.

Since we live in New England, my family and I have prepared small day bags that we can just pick up and take with us if we need to leave in the case of terrorism. My extended family and I have been working on a contact plan should something happen.

Anyway, just trying to be a good scout - Be Prepared!

Gordo

Sears bought Lands' End.