[vrwc0915]

Exactly, unless you have the physical resources to sustain your family for at least a 3 weeks with no outside help (Power, Food from the store, Ect) and the means to defend it you shouldn't be worrying about speculation. When the power goes out you can't sell your investments, your stock certs, if they even issue them these days, don't make for much warmth if your burn them, and you can't eat them. If you for some reason you couldn't liquefy your assets how long could you feed and shelter your family with what you have in your home right now?

[texaslil]

"...sustain your family for at least three weeks..."

Would you believe ten years? I'm reminded of a story my mother-in-law told some years ago. She said fabric for sewing was four cents a yard. Since we both sewed for our families, I exclaimed, "Wow, I guess your really stocked up on fabric." She replied, "Honey, during the Depression, no one had four cents?"