Can you survive economic crisis?

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | March 8, 2009 | Drew Zahn

[Perseverando]

Booming preparedness industry says Americans are stockpiling

To some, the term "survivalist" conjures images of camouflage-clad men stockpiling freeze-dried food in a mountain cabin, but in the current economic crisis, the people quietly preparing to survive catastrophe may just be your next-door neighbors.

In his column in last month's Financial Times, business and technology expert Ade McCormack writes, "The world is in crisis and with it the world of business. Many of us have two plans. Plan A involves President Barack Obama performing some economic magic. Plan B involves a revolver, a vegetable patch and a subscription to Survivalist Monthly."

And while McCormack was writing with a hint of jest, dissent over the president's trillion-dollar spending approach to the economy has left many average, everyday Americans considering something looking suspiciously like plan B.

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Bill Heid of Survival Seeds, a company that sells "banks" of high-yielding vegetable seeds sealed for long-term storage and awaiting a family's need to grow its own food, says business is skyrocketing.

"It's been dramatic, nothing short of dramatic," Heid told WND. "The survivalist mentality used to be considered a fringe element, but now that economic times are such as they are, many more average, regular folks are adopting the same set of preparations."

Heid told WND what's most notable is that his boom in sales isn't coming from just the usual survivalists stocking up for a Y2K-like event.

"Ninety percent of our increase in business is new business," Heid said, "people who have never thought about surviving in case of emergency before."

[diamond6]

ping

[Wisconsinlady]

I was made a laughing stock when my extended family came over for Easter today, because they found out I have been stocking food, water and other supplies.

They too, questioned my Christian faith, quoting “the birds of the air” are being fed by God without sowing or reaping and He will provide. I know that he will, but how do we know He is not providing by putting it in our hearts to prepare?

[Wisconsinlady]

I also just bought some silver. Kennedy halves. I think Gold is too costly and in too large of units to be worthwhile for trading, what are your thoughts on that?

[Wisconsinlady]

Thank you for the list. I have just begun storing some things and had not thought of some of the things on your list. You mentioned the chickens, goats and garden. That is where I would be hurting. I live on a small city lot and could maybe do the garden, but I’m sure my neighbors would scream bloody murder if I brought home goats and chickens.

[justsaynomore]

Yes, absolutely!

When one of my friends brought up the “God is in Control” argument - I asked her how it was different than her buckling her car seatbelt, setting her home alarm, and for that matter, taking her children for well-child checkups and getting vaccines.

I believe God expects us to have common sense and prepping in this current environment is about as common sense as you can get. I realize the end result is still ultimately up to God but at least I will never have to look back and wonder why I didn’t do something when everything points to bad times coming!!

[Wisconsinlady]

I told them today that people laughed at Noah too when he built the Ark. I think they just don’t want me to take my eyes off Jesus; but I definitely don’t think I’m doing that. In fact, I feel closer to him now than ever.

I love my husband, children, and grandchildren, and will do whatever I can to protect them.

[blam]

"I also just bought some silver. Kennedy halves. I think Gold is too costly and in too large of units to be worthwhile for trading, what are your thoughts on that?"

Excellent move.

I have also begun to 'sock-away' six rolls of nickels a week. A nickel is 25% nickel (metal) and 75% copper. The metal in a nickel is worth more than a nickel and with hyper-inflation, even more so. And, regardless, it will always be worth (at a minimum) what you paid for it, a nickel. (small denomination too)