[Ludi]

Are things really getting so crappy I will likely be dead in two years?

Just having a heck of a time reconciling that with one of the best economic years I've had, this one, 2008.

I've tried asking my husband if this is rational, he doesn't seem to think it is.

He probably wouldn't even want me posting this thread. He's worried about me getting paranoid.

Just looking for some clarity.


thread with background info

[Ferretlover]

Look at it this way, Ludi. We are all going to be dead sooner or later. Even with your health conditions, you stand a better chance than most of the people in the world: You KNOW what is going on in the world, and are much better prepared than most.
Don't get paranoid. It's not worth the effort.

[mos6507]

I hope not, Ludi. Maybe take some time away from peakoil.com. Don't let people upset you so much.

[RedStateGreen]

There were people that Studs Terkel interviewed about the Great Depression that said, "I heard there was a depression but you wouldn't have known it at our house. Things were fine."

Everyone is going to have a different experience. If things are well for you now, count your blessings.

[Revi]

Think about it. A little economic recession or even depression isn't going to kill us. Have you ever been broke? Did you die?

I see it as a chance to get rid of a lot of stuff that was dragging me down anyway. Job, cars, stuff, weight, consumerism, security, status, money, etc. Let it all go.

What do you really need to live?

A warm place to sleep and food to eat.

Those things aren't going away in 2 years.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ferretlover', 'Y')ou KNOW what is going on in the world,

[eastbay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Revi', 'T')hink about it. A little economic recession or even depression isn't going to kill us. Have you ever been broke? Did you die?

I see it as a chance to get rid of a lot of stuff that was dragging me down anyway. Job, cars, stuff, weight, consumerism, security, status, money, etc. Let it all go.

What do you really need to live?

A warm place to sleep and food to eat.

Those things aren't going away in 2 years.

[Ludi]

Maybe it is time to take a break for awhile...

[3aidlillahi]

Yes, especially with Obama as President. You don't stand a chance at survival.

[errorist]

Being dead is boring. But... if things evolve and crisis escalates everything might get too interesting (entertaining?) and you might just want to be ... in boring condition.

Question is - what is the difference for you here wheter I'm dead or just left the place?

BTW, did this drama queen ROCCMAN? (the bunker-guy) die, left the building or got fired and has no more internet access?

[AlexdeLarge]

You are a good person Ludi. We are all facing turburlent times and the impact will hit all of us. But it will not be the end of things....just the start of a new beginning.

"So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

FDR’s First Inaugural Address


I had never really understood what the "fear" FDR was addressing in this famous speech. Those of us who have never lived through such times could, up till now, only imagine.

[Concerned1]

No Ludi, you will be very much alive and, if you can try not to pay too much attention to the Media and doomsayers, wiser. Don't let doomsayers and the negative centered Media strip away your happiness. Sure we're having a rough time, but that doesn't mean anything more than that. Even if everything fell apart completely, a worse case scenario, you'd see it coming from a mile away and have more than enough time to make a few adjustments. Listen, you only have one life, one chance to be happy and enjoy life with your husband. Why let people you don't even know effect your outlook? Enjoy your life!

[Northern_Pike]

Ludi,
Fear is a great motivator. Fear keeps you from stepping out in front of busy traffic. Fear can motivate you to make preparations that can see you through tough times. Ludi, don't let fear paralyze you. Rather, let that fear motivate you.

You don't have to do anything wild. Just take steps that will cover your needs should the normal outlets you use to meet those needs dry up. Take precautions that can fit into your lifestyle as you live it now. Just think of some of the steps as a few new hobbies. Make time for these new hobbies, even if it means that you must set aside some of your less useful hobbies for a while. After all, we can read Steven King, People Magazine, or even trashy romance novels after the crash, while we sit comfortable in the knowledge we are prepared for anything.

1) Shelter:
Do you live in a cold climate? Can you stay warm if the power goes out? This could be as simple as a huge stack of blankets that you need to snuggle into if the heat goes out. A good sleeping bag is never a bad idea. The Army type 4-piece bivouac type with the gortex shell and the nylon stuff sack is about the best value I have seen anywhere. You can sometimes find them used for about $250 or new for about $390. This is the best way to ensure you will always have shelter wherever you go. I have slept nights in one in the rain and in snow. Using the gortex cover you don’t even need a tent.

Do you have a basement? Find a dry comfy corner of it and keep some blankets or your sleeping bags there. Ideally much of your food supply and access to water can be found in this small area. This can be your fall back position. Perhaps you live in tornado country. Maybe you can ride out a hurricane there. Or, maybe you could spend a few weeks there waiting for the fallout of radiation to subside, or a nerve agent to disperse. Who knows? Make certain you can stay dry, warm, hidden, and protected there for an extended time if need be.

2) Water:
Do you live in a dry area? Can you maintain a steady supply of drinking water? Can you still get water if electric pumps fail you? Perhaps a solution could be as simple as a rain barrel full of water you could boil to quench thirst.

3) Food:
Ludi, you state that you have lately had one of your personal best economic years ever. Did you ever consider that stockpiles of food could be a good investment? It can provide a possible hedge against inflation, which is better than many regular investments are doing lately. Buy good quality food that you would eat normally, just stock more of it. Food is only an investment if it is good food that you would normally eat. Five years worth of "survival food" that you will throw away upon its expiration date is not an investment; it is a waste of valuable resources. Get the good stuff, use it, and rotate your stock.

4) Supplies and Tools:
If something breaks can you fix it yourself? Ropes, glues, sewing kits, duct tape, and etc. can extend the life of many everyday items that might be difficult to replace in hard times. Gather useful hand tools as you can, saws, axes, shovels, etc. Get the best you can afford.

Carry extras of essential items. For example, don't just buy one kerosene lamp, buy several. Not only will you have spares in case of breakage, you may have a moment that needs extra light. For example, somebody hurt and a medical friend comes over the house to sutcher up a wound? Extra light would be handy on that evening. Or, perhaps you could trade extras away for valuables that you need at a future time.

I just recently tested a kerosene lamp with used vegetable oil. It worked just dandy! I had an old bottle of oil leftover in the fridge from cooking French fries a while back. I put some in the lamp and fired it up, bingo; my cooking oil now serves double duty. Oh yeah, stock up on lots of cooking oil too!

5) Skills, Income, and Contacts:
Know how to knit? Sew? Woodwork? Pottery? Crafts of any sort? Find a skill, use your talents, and learn new ones. Treat them as hobbies while your good times last, have fun with them. However, keep in mind that you can make good use of them should things get bad. Make good friends and trade partners, by all means. Just don't be too trusting. Please remember that desperate times create desperate people.

6) Defense:
Trust only those who you would trust with all your money and your life. Because if you tell the wrong people about your food stocks, and those people begin starving, you will have to defend your supplies or die trying.

Get a damn gun! Get a short carbine rifle or at least a handgun. Learn how to use it. Then make regular trips to a range to practice. Become familiar with the weapon. Learn how it works. Learn how to take it apart and put it back together. Practice it. See how fast you can disassemble it and reassemble it. Make a game of it. See who can do it faster, you or your husband. See if you can do it blindfolded. Study the schematics for the weapon. Keep the weapon clean, always.

Most modern weapons have a wealth of info about them on the internet. Almost all weapons have books telling more than you will ever need to know about it. Seek out advice and training from a local gun club. Make it a new fun hobby. You don't need to tell your new friends at the range you intend to defend your homestead with the weapon. Just enjoy the sport of shooting the same as most of the guys on the range will be doing. However, get a gun.

7) First Aid:
Having a good quality medical first aid kit is a must. Learn what you need in it to help you cover the widest possible range of injuries and ailments. Cater it to your level of first aid ability, and then work on improving your kit as you raise your level. Study, read, and take courses if possible.

That is about it. Most everything you need to survive is covered in those seven categories. Many other things that would make you more comfortable in an emergency situation will come to you, and you can add them as time goes on.

I am sorry if I, and guys like me with our doom and gloom messages, have scared you. Honestly, I am. My intention is not really to be such a mean bastard. I guess I actually think I am trying to help in my own "sick" way. You see, much of what got me out of idealistic thinking and into a realistic thinking, in regards to survival, was having enough fear instilled into me by various Army instructors. I developed enough healthy fear to make me want to get my crap together and all in one duffle bag. All this so that I may live through challenges that many people would not, and bring those that I love through it with me.

What ever you do, don't let fear make you hide your head in the sand. Instead, let fear be your greatest ally. Let fear motivate you to take action to protect yourself. Fit your preps into your life. Then live your life well and happy knowing you have the best insurance policy you will ever find. Being well prepared for that which frightens you washes away the fear itself.

- Pike

[ReverseEngineer]

Given your preps Ludi, its unlikely you will be among the First Dead here, and really its still unlikely most of us here on the board will be dead in 2 years.

Even if/when the economy shatters completely, there will be some type of Nationalization of the Food production and Transportation industries, and for a couple of years system inertia will keep the production apparatus functioning.

Imported products will disappear from shelves, the dollar probably goes the way of the Dinosaur, but some type of Martial Law will conscript people involved in the food production and distribution business to keep this moving somewhat. Soup Kitchens, Food Stamps etc will keep us generally fed for a couple of years I think.

There will of course be more and more social unrest, especially in the big cities, and by Summer 2009 one has to figure Chicago will be in dire straights, with the other big cities not far behind. If you lived in one of those places, I wouldn't lay odds on the 2 year survival rate.

Rural areas will be further impoverished, but I don't think they will blink out in 2 years. Give it more like 5-10 years in those neighborhoods.

It will be a challenging 4 years for the Obama Administration. How this spin down ends up being managed will be quite interesting. You should be around to witness most of it I think.

Reverse Engineer

[mos6507]

Why don't you just use your bible quote? It's more compact:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be (also) at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.

[ReverseEngineer]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mos6507', 'W')hy don't you just use your bible quote? It's more compact: $this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be (also) at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.

[mos6507]

Clarification, I was referring to Northern Pike's sigline, not you R.E.

[WildRose]

I'm thinking you will be here in two years, Ludi. You sound quite capable and knowledgeable. But try not to worry too much, or stress-induced illness will take you before anything else does. I think barring a nuclear conflict, most of us will be here in two years. And I don't think there will be a nuclear conflict anytime soon.

I see travelling by car as one of the biggest threats to the safety of my loved ones. A slowed-down way of life would be a welcome relief to me. We can always bake our own bread and keep busy at home, or at least within our communities.

My grandparents and parents were much poorer than I've ever been, and they always got by. My grandfather took odd jobs in the Great Depression and rode a bike to all of them.

Life is strange. Things usually happen when we don't expect them to. That's not meant to instill fear, but rather to put worry into a different perspective. We can't predict the events of our lives, even in times of prosperity and relative peace.

[Blacksmith]

Every day that you wake up and the sun shines on your face is like christmas.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ferretlover', 'Y')ou KNOW what is going on in the world,