How To Survive If The Dollar Collapses

Living in America ^ | 3/4/11 | Even Keel

[Kartographer]

We all realize it won’t happen, but the dollar is very weak. That’s just a fact.

Anything I read about survivalism indicates to keep at least a few weeks or even months supply of food on hand. As far as guns and ammunition, I seriously doubt that one person can protect what they have if people are starving. This means a network of friends is needed. That way the things that you have can be shared and protected.

I do know many people will say they can’t afford it. A food item that costs $1.00 today could cost $2.00 or $3.00 or even more by mid summer. We should all know that gasoline which won’t even store well, especially now with the ethanol can’t really be stored in quantity for any length of time.

The interest on just about any investment is presently much less than the increase in the cost of food. Therefore, a few hundred in savings spent now, will increase in value faster than just about any investment there is.

[The Duke]

Here are a couple of YouTube links on the subject that I found particularly useful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_V-DZdfwjQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZkiU1fUtsE

It's important to use buckets that are "food grade". Buckets that are food grade will be marked "HDPE" or will show the number "2" inside the universal recycling logo. Also buckets made of polycarbonate, polyester or polyethylene will work.

The purpose of the mylar is to maintain the vacuum seal, the purpose of the buckets is to portect against rodents and/or accidental damage.

It's a good idea to use a "food saver" to evacuate air from the bags as you pack them (in addition to using the oxygen absorbers).

Packing 40-50lb bags of white rice and pinto beans is a very good way to start (low cost and excellent energy and nutrition - and if prepared properly quite tasty as well). You should also store back some vitamins to go with these.

Beans and rice packed in this way, and stored at room temp, can be preserved between 20-30 years.

And, dealing with water issues is even more important.

[cornfedcowboy]

I was amazed to find out how much flour one needs for a year supply. The amount will astound you! Look it up.

[The Duke]

You’re assuming that there will be clean water.

Speaking of which, the portable 'Katadyne' filter is amazingly impressive. It has a .2 micron pore size, which means the water it produces is classified as 'steralized'. It has other very attractive features as well. Here's a link: http://tinyurl.com/mt7ywz

Also, when it comes to purifying water, two things to research are rain barrels and calcium hypochlorite. HINT: Don't count on using fire wood to boil water for purification.

[GOPBlonde]

Thank you. This thread has been incredibly informative.

[mad_as_he$$]

Yes, Mrs. Mad and I have been going back and forth on how much baked goods one needs in bad times. She has been experimenting on the solar oven. Does not work well in our region for about 5 months out of the year. So we are looking at other alternatives. Biscuits in a Dutch oven is one option.

That said. when meals a simpler bread becomes more important. My Mormon neighbors have hundreds of pounds of flour in storage.

[libertarian27]

Ping to Manual

[snowrip]

I guess that I was speaking for myself. Given heirloom seeds, a clean water source, ammunition and staples like flour and sugar, I have the skillset to be able to survive for a very, very long time. I can hunt, fish, and live off the land if I need to. I can build, and I can farm. I heat with wood and would continue to do so, and can use it to cook without any problem. I have first aid and weapons training.

Tens of millions would almost certainly die, and that’s with only a 2-4 month loss of the grid. Disease and violent crime would run rampant, but the majority would starve or die from exposure. I hope we never see the day that any of this happens.