[KoRn]

Unfortunately, many people that work for a living can’t AFFORD to ‘survive’ a depression.

We have taken measures, but are still far from where I’d like us to be. Need to store up some food and other items. We have LOTS of ‘hardware’, but firearms and ammo make for a crappy meal when one gets hungry. Some Gold and Silver would also be nice for high end bartering.

[Smokin' Joe]

We have taken measures, but are still far from where I’d like us to be

I don't know that I'll ever be where I'd like for us to be, in this regard. Progress, not perfection, and the list is ever growing, it seems. So, too are the number of people who will rely on me and my wife if the SHTF. More to pull weeds, in the garden, I guess.

[B4Ranch]

>>Need to store up some food and other items.<<

When did you first become aware of the possibility of serious declines in every aspect of the economy? Unplug the TV and cancel you cable service.

[Darnright]

>We have taken measures, but are still far from where I’d like us to be. Need to store up some food and other items. We have LOTS of ‘hardware’, but firearms and ammo make for a crappy meal when one gets hungry. Some Gold and Silver would also be nice for high end bartering.<

You’ve got the means to obtain food. Not just the commonly thought of game animals can be taken, but you can eat groundhog, raccoon, squirrel and if all else fails, possum (gag). Can you have chickens? They will survive on scraps and forage, plus they produce eggs you can either eat or you can use for barter. You need a rooster to protect your hens and to fertilize the eggs, making them even more valuable to folks wanting to barter for their own flock. You can raise chicks and keep the pullets, while raising the surplus roosters for the table.

In addition, with a little research you’d be surprised at how many native plants
are edible. Dandelion greens and the ever-present plantain can be good additions to the table.

[The Duke]

Beans and rice are quite nutrituous (although vitamins are still needed) ... and packed properly they can store up to 30 years at room temp.

A 5-gallon bucket packed with beans and rice can feed a person two meals a day for a month. You can pack a bunch of those buckets in a single day. It's a good idea to also have one or two pantries full of canned goods to compliment that, including some canned meat and spices to cook with the beans and rice.