“Whatever happens, happens. If it’s as bad as some folks are predicting, I don’t even know if I WANT to survive it.”
There are so many possible scenarios, and you don’t have to plan to survive them all. I’ll name a few:
1) A nuclear exchange with China, resulting in lots of leveled cities and radioactive fallout throughout much of the country (probably the worst case scenario).
2) An full-up EMP attack that knocks out power and electronics (possibly as bad as the above, although you will live longer and starve to death, rather than radiation poisoning or thyroid cancer).
3) A limited strike/EMP attack knocks out part of this country (hopefully liberal areas), but leaves much of the country intact. Now you’re getting into situations that might be trying to live through.
4) A financial meltdown when China pulls the plug on us (i.e., decides to stop taking worthless money for their high-quality [like it or not] products). In this case, the dollar crashes, and prices triple for imports (and double for most other items) - but it is survivable for nearly everyone - the real question is how comfortable will you be (more on this later).
5) A local issue, such a hurricane, flood, earthquake. Again - most people survive, but the prepared people survive much more comfortably.
So those are a few scenarios. The financial meltdown is almost assured, given our trillion dollar deficits - it must and will happen. So I’ve planned for that, primarily - by having EVERYTHING that I can think of, from cars, to toilet paper, to plastic bags, to spare water heaters, in supply - for at least 4 years. Not to mention boatloads of various types of fuel, water collection, water storage, and water purification capability - and food. The list goes on - the intent is to get through it without having to join the masses carrying water jugs, for example, or begging for food - or not having a way to get rid of waste, if garbage collection breaks down. Those are my steps - not very expensive, overall, as most stuff will eventually get used. They should work for a financial meltdown, or a localized event. They’re probably not enough for a full-scale nuke or EMP attack, but I accept that. I may try for that capability in the future, after I retire, but for now, you know where I’m at.
Actually.... buying in bulk for stuff that you ARE going to use if you have the room to store it, not only saves you on the bulk discount, but on inflation.
I bought a boatload of TP back in '98 because I had a house full of wimmen-folks in the house and Dear Lord, you didn't want to run out. Got single in 2001, and that stack lasted me until 2011.
When I found out what the current price of TP was... I almost passed out.
I saved a LOT of money doing that bulk purchase. Same with my .22 LR bulk purchase when I got a great deal back in '98.
/johnny
Hey BobL: Good list.
What do you think would happen if Iran pops off a nuke over Tel Aviv or Jerusalem?
That is the one I worried about over the 18 months or so.