[mmasters]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mmasters', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '
')Exactly. Given that (money==debt==promise-of-future-work==energy) we will ultimately (how soon is anyone's guess?) enter into a deflation. Perhaps a deflationary spiral? When that happens all of our expectations built up during the increasing-energy regime will be turned on their heads.

--Decreasing energy==decreasing money supply.
--Things will be worth less (not more) in today's dollar.
--The opposite of inflation.
--Less money to buy things.
--Less trade.
--More indebtedness.
--Less power to the people.
--Less money.

Who wins? Those willing to accept labor for food. And who would that be? The landowners. The farmers.

[Subjectivist]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Subjectivist', 'M')y only stock invest is a small holding of Railroad stocks, they are the only long term way I could think of that food will be shipped long distances after the peak when oil is hard to get. The food grown here consumed in America is shipped by rail, most of the stuff put on cargo ships goes over seas and in a world of shortages that might no hppen an more so ship socks seem more risky to me.

[Paulo1]

@ WestTexas

re: "However, recently people who have followed some version of the ELP plan, either because of my recommendations, or based on their own evaluation of the present environment, have had considerable reasons to be glad that they voluntarily downsized. So far, I have not heard any regrets from anyone who downsized."

Amen!! While riding the bumps and thinking out our own assessments, restraints allowed us to sell out before the crash, move to the country, buy property on a great river, build up a farm and woodlot....did I mention retire?

O course we drive a Yaris and I run a 27 year old Toyota PU when needed. But when you are content where you are...who wants to drive anywhere? Actually, we were able to retool because we have always lived in a modest house and never bought a car on credit. We also don't carry a credit card balance...ever. Plus, we bought most things on sale and used flyers for shopping. I commuted on a bike for years. These are simple baby steps that work and we still live like kings compared to most of the world. As I read somewhere, "how thick does your steak need to be"?

By the way, great Delaware River series.

Paulo

[mmasters]

Researching the farmland thing a bit more it seems like the current uptrend is probably an uptrend that will peter out if not reverse in the next few years which is also around the time we'll see the first ETFs and funds come to market. I think it's a great investment on the way down the plateau as the demand will be constant if not increasing and the liquidity will only increase in the farmland space to cover increased costs, this would leave banks to be favorable if not generous towards farm investments which will have the side effect of artificially inflating the land. IMO the farms seem ripe for packaging up to market with countries like China importing much of what's in the US, why not give them or anyone market ownership of it would say the investment banker. The land may also crash too after first coming to market to allow the big guys to come into the farmland space before we hit the downslide. If that happens in the next few years I would bet the house on the farm so to speak.