[Pixie]

Anybody here ever watch The Riches? It's got an interesting message. This family tries to go from being travelers (grifters, descended from Irish tinkers, living in an RV) to living in a big ol' house and masquerading as rich people. They discover that the more they try to HAVE, the more money they NEED to hold on to it. Their new big-time life is no better or worse than their former small-time life. No more honest, either, and a hell of a lot more work.

Personally, I hate always chasing the dollar. I'm tired of it, and I'm ready to power down. I don't feel like I'm giving anything up to do it in the short run, though I don't look forward to the die-off.

[Pops]

I’d guess that most folks who post regularly on this site and have actually made some Preparations/changes (whatever one’s definition) either:

Were doing such from way back.
Were looking for a new challenge.
Were looking for an excuse to do what they wanted anyway.

Personally I fit all three categories though I hope those posting here will leave some ideas for those following.


But to one of the original points about when things get bad:

My thought is things don’t need to get bad all over to make things bad at your house – they only need to get bad in your pay envelope.

[highlander]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TWilliam', 'Y')ou know, when I first learned about P.O., I about drove myself nuts wondering wtf I was gonna do to maximize my chances of survival. Eventually however, when I really started digging deep into how I felt about these things, I started to realize that you know what? I like my one-cup-a-morning-ground-from-whole-bean-gourmet-South-American-coffee. I like being able to drive (yes, DRIVE, but at least I have a 30-or-so mpg Toyota instead of a f#cking pig SUV) to the local megaplex for an occasional movie. I like being able to go to a store and buy the stuff I need (tho' my needs are certainly modest compared to most). I like toilet paper instead of a corn cob. And I like the fact that I've been able to enjoy these and many other conveniences, comforts and entertainments throughout my life in relative safety and with (relatively speaking) minimal effort.

While I did enjoy a more active and 'woodsman' sort of lifestyle in my younger days, the fact is that I've been suburbanized for so many years now that I don't know that I particularly want to return to that type of life, much less that I'm even still capable of it, and especially if it means doing so in an even more rustic fashion coupled with a constant need to look over my shoulder for approaching raiders.

So I've pretty much gotten to the point where I've said 'f#ck it'. I know where we're at, I know what's likely coming (I tend to lean towards Kunstler's 'Long Emergency' scenario), and I figure I'm just going to keep on living my life as I am now for as long as I'm able, and if it gets to the point where it's a literal fight to survive on a daily basis I'll probably eat poison or put a bullet through my skull, because frankly that isn't living anyway.

And besides, "On a long enough time line, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero."

So I say, screw 'preparing'; we're all dead eventually.

Please note however that I am not advocating a continuation of gluttonous consumerism...

[TWilliam]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('highlander', 'I') guess I don't get it. TW. If the only difference between two peoples lifestyle is the type of car they drive, why the vicious slam. overall Energy consumption has little to do with fuel used in your vehicle. Same to those with out a car who live in a sprawling town where their energy is paid for at point of sale.

[MrBill]

I watched a German made program on TV over the weekend about the rich & famous that live or have summer houses in the Hamptons. Houses that cost up to $30 million, and where it costs $100.000 just to rent for the summer. It was hideous. The Niveau Riche that are trying so hard to belong. While the truly Old Money want nothing at all to do with them. The plastic surgery, the designer clothes, the hype. All the class money can buy - not! I thought it was a really sad commentary on the wanna-be's. Everyone trying so hard to be something they are not. They can have it! ; - )

[dorlomin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TheTurtle', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Rambo', 'H')ow much time do we have left I don't know but I am not going to waste it living like a 60s hippy.

[Starvid]

Those people are all a bunch of spoilt upper middle class brats. Sure, they like the environment, but if you ask them to give up their Thailand vacations, Asia roundtrips, their Ipods, cars, liquor, consumer electronics, apartments, reliable highpaying job opportunities, 24/7 hot water and electricity, fresh fruit in wintertime... Well. They won't be happy.

They'll be screaming for drilling ANWR.

[jboogy]

Pops, I'll take options # 2&3 with the qualifier that PO awareness served as the kick in the pants to get me to actually do it.

Tbill wrote
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'i')t's been my observation that overall, driving an SUV - particularly a large one (think Cadillac Escalade or Chevy Suburban for example) - is usually indicative of an overall wasteful, consumption-oriented lifestyle.

[BigTex]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Starvid', 'T')hose people are all a bunch of spoilt upper middle class brats. Sure, they like the environment, but if you ask them to give up their Thailand vacations, Asia roundtrips, their Ipods, cars, liquor, consumer electronics, apartments, reliable highpaying job opportunities, 24/7 hot water and electricity, fresh fruit in wintertime... Well. They won't be happy.

They'll be screaming for drilling ANWR.

[MrBill]

Hey, careful Jboogy, my mom drives an F350 4x4 diesel with duallies. And she is a nice person. Just not very peak oil aware! ; - )