Prepper’s Guide To Preparing for An Economic Collapse

A guide to help you protect your valuable assets in case of an economic collapse or theft

Table of Contents

Disclaimer

Summary

Introduction

A Realistic Picture

What Will You Find In This Report?

Chapter 1: The Basics of Preparation

Food and Water Storage

Illness Prevention

Eliminate Your Debt

Chapter 2: Protecting Your Assets

Hard Assets: A Safe Investment

Gold and Silver

Precious Metals

Chapter 3: The Essentials of Survival

1.             Stored Food

2.             Clean Water

3.             Shelter

4.             Warm Clothing

5.             An Axe

6.             Matches or Lighters

7.             A Flashlight

8.             Communications Equipment

Chapter 4: Going Tactical

Home Invasion Prevention

Prevention is the Key

Situational Awareness Is Important

Weapons and Training

Carrying a Weapon

Conclusion

Disclaimer

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including printing, scanning, photocopying, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright holder.

The Author has strived in every way to be as accurate and complete as possible in the creation of this book, notwithstanding the fact that he does not warrant or represent at any time that the contents within the book are accurate due to the rapidly changing nature of the subject.

While all attempts have been made to verify every piece of information provided in this publication, the Author assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.

Summary

Economic collapse of a society is a major concern for many, and it is no doubt a valid one. The economies of various countries have collapsed and the aftereffects have been grueling, to say the least. History tells us that the reasons behind an economic collapse range from continuous trade deficits, revolutions, wars, depletion of resources to hyperinflation induced by the government.

It may not be in the power of individuals to prevent this collapse, but they can take measures for their survival by learning techniques and preparing in advance for such a crisis. This guide will provide valuable information to prepare people to effectively deal with such a situation so that they can protect their assets, their loved ones and themselves.

Introduction

Some people may think that talking about an economic collapse is simply a waste of time; however, an increasing number of people are now beginning to realize that the likelihood of such a collapse is very high. This is especially true considering the troubled environment we live in, and this makes it necessary for all of us to prepare ourselves on all fronts to face such a breakdown.

How much people prepare for such a situation directly depends upon how much they believe a catastrophe is likely to happen. Catastrophes of all sorts can make life difficult; nonetheless, some types cause greater devastation.

If we glance at history, we can clearly see that even the slightest of disruptions can severely affect the day-to-day life of individuals, and those people who had prepared in advance had a greater chance of surviving.

Let us discuss a few things that can threaten our survival and cause an economic collapse. The following list contains incidents and catastrophes, and a single event or a combination of them can cause serious problems:

Natural disasters, including floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, solar flares, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and other geophysical events

A possibility of war, nuclear reactor meltdown, and radiation fallout

Power grid failure

Political revolution or anarchy

Civil war

Outbreak of diseases, for example bird flu and black plague

Problems with the production of oil (which is a lifeline of today’s economies)

Financial meltdown, such as debt crises, economic collapse, derivative and bond implosion

Any of the above listed scenarios (plus others that may not be on the list) can cause unrest not only on a local level, but on a national and perhaps even on a global scale. This unrest or uncertainty may extend for an indefinite period of time depending on how severe the collapse is.

One thing that is not included in the list above is the loss of job. Yes, you might lose your job which may devastate your family. It may not affect others around you, but it will cause severe economic problems for your family. This is especially true if you are among those people who live from one paycheck to another without any significant savings at all. Let alone savings, if you haven’t prepared for such an event by stocking up with bare-essentials, then you are going to find yourself in some serious trouble!

A Realistic Picture

Just glance at the list of events above and ponder it over for a moment. Any rational person would be able to clearly point out that at least one of these events can occur at any time during his or her lifetime. Particularly considering today’s economy, it would be accurate to say that it can come crashing down at any moment.

Not only that, but there are plenty of man-made catastrophes that are just waiting to happen.

The recent advancements in technology have led to an increase in the number of countries equipped with nuclear technology. Technology doesn’t always guarantee safety, and mishaps happen. No one can forget what happened at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine back in 1986.

On the other hand, chemical and biological weapons have also become quite easy to manufacture, and are now being made by a quite a few countries.

The oil markets are tighter than ever before as the demand for oil continues to increase at unprecedented rates. Unfortunately, the rate at which oil is supplied cannot be matched with the requirement for it.

We cannot forget the current financial state of the world economies. It doesn’t take long for an economy to come crashing down – beware!

Unless you take this situation seriously, you may end up in some really compromising situations.

Here’s an extract from Reuters, reporting what happened in Greece during the summer of 2013:

When the political and economic systems of entire nations collapse, the consequences are devastating. Earlier this year pharmacies and hospitals in Greece were unable to provide lifesaving medicines due to shortages caused by a freeze in the flow of credit from manufacturers, to distributors, to patients. A collapse in the country’s economy has forced many Greeks to turn to black market barter economies and has left millions financially devastated, with no hope of finding an income stream for the foreseeable future.

The credit system of the entire country is in shambles. So much so that reports are emerging about food shortages and hunger within the Greek prison system, suggesting that serious problems in the food delivery chain have begun to materialize.

As Nigel Farage warned recently, we are beginning to see the rise of extreme political parties as a consequence of the total and utter desperation of the populace.

Today the news gets even worse. Greece’s Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) announced an emergency meeting to deal with what can only be construed as a tell-tale sign that this crisis is very rapidly reaching critical mass and may spiral out of control in the very near future:

Greece’s power regulator RAE told Reuters on Friday it was calling an emergency meeting next week to avert a collapse of the debt-stricken country’s electricity and natural gas system.

RAE is taking crisis initiatives throughout next week to avert the collapse of the natural gas and electricity system,” the regulator’s chief Nikos Vasilakos told Reuters.

RAE took the initiative after receiving a letter from Greece’s natural gas company DEPA, which threatened to cut supplies to electricity producers if they failed to settle their arrears with the company.

What Will You Find In This Report?

In this report, you will learn how to prepare yourself and your family for a possible economic collapse. We will cover the preparations needed for survival and will also shed some light on how you can protect your assets and defend your loved ones.

It is hoped that you will gain valuable information that may one day be the means of your survival.

Good Luck!

Chapter 1: The Basics of Preparation

Times are changing rapidly and in many ways for the worse. You see it in the media and you can feel it around you. There is no doubt that things are getting bad – the economy is in shambles and you know that it may give in at any point in time.

With all the dangers looming over you, there’s no better time to prepare yourself for what lies ahead. But where should you begin? What can you do to prepare for such times?

Preparing for an economic collapse is a daunting task, but once you begin to understand the basics of how you should prepare – the overall task becomes easier than you think.

In this chapter, we will guide you through the basics of how you should get started with your preparation for the inevitable.

Food and Water Storage

Food and water are the two most important things and they should be on top of your list. The best way to start is to make a list of all the essential food items and purchase as much as you can. Once you fill up your pantry, you should find a place to store your food. Just like you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket, you should not place all your food in a single place.

Storing food at different locations throughout the house is a wise thing to do – you really wouldn’t want to lose all your food supplies if someone decides to steal your food supplies out of desperation during an economic collapse.

The same applies to your water stores; it may seem a little paranoid to some, but it’s not. There should be no compromise on your food and water supplies. Don’t rely on your water line – it may not be there when things go haywire. Remember that you can live without food for three weeks, but only three days without water.

Illness Prevention

The growing number of immigrants has increased the risk of various diseases and sickness. This is because many people who emigrate often have built resistance to various bacteria and viruses. However, the people where they move to do not always have such kind of resistance and this makes them more vulnerable to developing diseases. Some of these diseases are extremely severe, such as Ebola.

This is why you need to plan so that you can effectively prevent illnesses. When a disease breaks out, it’s sometimes more dangerous to go to a hospital as you face a greater risk of being infected. Also, during an economic collapse, medical facilities might not be easily available. Even if they are, you have to be prepared for all possibilities. For instance, you may be trapped inside your home, say due to a snowstorm, then you need all the medical supplies at home.

That being said, you have to stock up with the most routinely used over-the-counter drugs as well as any prescription drugs that you might need for your or a loved one’s particular medical condition.

Not only that, but you’ll have to develop habits that keep you healthy. For example, wash your hands before you eat. Get plenty of sleep while making sure that you consume a healthy, balanced diet.

Eliminate Your Debt

This should be somewhere on the top of your list. It sometimes takes a lot of time to clear all the debt. Unfortunately, we do not have as much time as we think. Once you have stored ample supplies of food and water, think about getting over with your debts. The last thing you would want when things go bad is to be put into a debtors prison. And yes, this happens.

There are stories of collectors breaking into homes just to find people who owe them money. So the best thing is to have as little debt as possible. Pay off your debt, even if one step at a time, but do it.

Chapter 2: Protecting Your Assets

The golden rule is to keep some cash on you at all times and stash some in your house. The reason for this is obvious; ATM machines and bank systems would be offline if the electricity fails. Even if they aren’t, they may be out of cash. So the best bet is to NOT depend on technology in these circumstances.

A stash of cash will come in handy, particularly in emergency situations. You never know, your next door neighbor might have some items that he’s willing to sell, and you need them. Nonetheless, cash isn’t everything and you cannot depend wholly on cash at hand.

So what is it that you can do to ensure your economic survival? Read on to find out.

Hard Assets: A Safe Investment

Yes, you read it right. Investing in hard assets is the best way to protect and safeguard your investment. You cannot trust storing your cash in banks as you never know when they may freeze your account, denying you access to YOUR money.

Just like you are stocking up with food items, make sure that you invest wisely. Hard assets generally hold their value, and they have a great potential to increase in value too. This is especially true when people don’t have them, but they need them.

So what constitutes hard assets? Well, to understand this, you need to start to think small. Apart from getting foodstuff, what else do people get from a store? What do they do when they cannot get it from a store?

What else do you need in your house, apart from medicines and food?

You will slowly start to come up with a list that would perhaps include the following items: firewood, land (yes!), well items and other similar indispensable items.

Gold and Silver

The very first lesson that you need to learn is that the only real money is gold and silver. Paper currencies have value only based on what the government decrees. When a government fails, the value of the currency can plummet. For example, World War I caused inflation to sky rocket to such an extent, that women used to go out with a stroller full of cash, but only came back with a loaf of bread or two. Scary, isn’t it? And this can happen anywhere!

History tells us that the US dollar has always been prestigious, thanks to the result of being backed up by silver and gold as well as a strong economy. However, it was in 1971 when the Bretton Woods Agreement was abolished and the dollar was no longer backed by gold and silver. This is when the dollar became a fiat currency and has been in the experimental stages ever since. From being the largest creditor nation in the world, the US has now become the largest debtor nation. Thus it is clear that fiat currencies cannot be depended upon when things go wrong.

Precious Metals

We previously talked about the importance of gold and silver, but there are some other precious metals available too in which you can invest. The platinum group of metals includes palladium and platinum and these are known to have a history too. All precious metals have an inherent value that holds, even when paper currency fails.

Just make sure that you invest in a variety of metals rather than investing everything in only a single type of precious metal.

Diversification is a good idea when it comes to choosing the form of precious metals to invest in. You can have all kinds of metals, but the fact cannot be denied that some will have a superior value over others. This is where liquidity comes in – it is the ease with which you can covert the metal into cash. For instance, recognition is a major factor and is linked with liquidity. So if you have a gold coin that clearly says ’21 Carat’, it would be easier to liquidate, as compared to any jewelry.

Chapter 3: The Essentials of Survival

In this chapter, we will highlight some of the most common things that you will need to survive an economic collapse. This list will help you figure out whether or not you are prepared for a collapse or a disaster.

1.       Stored Food

Food is something that you cannot live without. As we previously discussed, you will have to store ample amounts of food at different locations throughout the house. This food should preferably have a far-off expiration date. Canned food is suitable for long-term storage.

Unfortunately, as important as food may be, many American households cannot survive even a month with the supplies they usually keep. If you’re one of them, you will have to quit this habit and start to stock up.

2.     Clean Water

When things go wrong, you won’t be able to rely or depend upon your water line. This is why you should keep a few drums full of clean water. You have to figure out and plan for every possible outcome. Ever thought what you would do if water just stopped flowing out of your tap? Well, now you know what you should do to prepare for such an event.

Also, do consider getting some water purification tablets to keep the water clean in case your water becomes unsuitable for drinking.

3.      Shelter

You need a safe shelter, particularly during an economic collapse. Secure shelter is important because you might have to face some unwelcome people who would try to get hold of anything they can get their hands on. So you will have to ensure that your property is safe, secure, and ready to face any kind of fallout.

It’s a wise idea to stock up on some sleeping bags and perhaps even a tent for the time when things get rough, or when you have to accommodate a few relatives or friends.

4.     Warm Clothing

You have to plan for long term survival, and this means that you will have to face harsh weather conditions, including severe cold. Some warm, functional clothing will be needed. Lots of blankets and clothes for cold weather should be stocked up. This, however, will depend on where you live.

For example, if you live in Miami, it’s very unlikely that you will need clothing for cold weather. However, if you reside in New Jersey, that would be a completely different situation.

The aftermath of an economic collapse can be quite devastating. It will cause a lot of people to scramble for survival. Unfortunately, a lot of people will suffer due to a lack of appropriate clothing. Keep all this in mind when planning for this.

5.     An Axe

An axe would be a useful tool, particularly if you have to gather firewood when all other sources of energy are not available or have drained out. This would be particularly true in an emergency situation.

6.     Matches or Lighters

What will you do if you have to start a fire to cook food or to keep yourself warm?

You would need something with which you can start a fire. Matches and lighters should be stocked in sufficient quantities.  For matches, you should ensure that you store them in a dry place to prevent them from absorbing moisture and going bad.

7.      A Flashlight

A flashlight is useful in those instances when the power supply goes off. The first thing that you will grab would be a flashlight, obviously. In the aftermath of a complete economic collapse, a flashlight will be more of a necessity than a luxury.

8.     Communications Equipment

You will need to have some equipment to allow communication between relatives and friends. Cellular networks and landlines may become inoperative following an economic collapse. Construct a plan that will enable you to get in touch with not only other people, but also emergency services (if they are available).

Also, when a crisis hits the country, you will need to stay aware of what’s going on out there. A radio is a great way to listen to the latest news, particularly a solar powered one as you may not have electricity.

Chapter 4: Going Tactical

The never ending debate over whether one should own firearms or not continues between pro-gun and gun control activists – some believe that when there are fewer arms in the hands of the public, there would be far less incidents of shootings causing deaths of innocent civilians. However, the other side believes that if people are equipped with firearms, they will be better able to defend themselves.

When we spend time to think critically on the after effects of an economic collapse, we can predict that people will lack for food, water and supplies when things go downhill, and at this point, it would be absolutely vital to defend your loved ones and your stocks of supplies. Hence, self-defense preparations are a necessary part of getting ready for an upcoming economic collapse.

Just look at the crime rates in low income areas, and it would be clear that hyperinflation or any kind of disaster usually causes the crime rate to go up.

Law enforcement agencies across the country recently told their citizens that they are not able to deal with all crime in a timely manner, and they recommended that all people keep the doors of their house locked and should remain prepared to defend themselves and their families if the need arises.

That being said, you cannot depend on 911 all the time. You cannot depend on them to get to your place and save you. This simply doesn’t work all the time. There are many situations where you have to step up and take control of the situation because of a number of reasons. It may be that help is not available for quite a while, or simply because the situation demands it.

Only recently, the city attorney of San Bernardino advised the citizens of California to load their guns and lock their homes simply because there is not enough money left for sufficient police protection. This year, the murder rate in San Bernardino went up by a staggering 50 percent and the city has gone bankrupt and was forced to lay off as many as 80 law enforcement officers. Unfortunately, San Bernardino isn’t the only city that is suffering from a lack of funds for public protection, and as sad as it may be – the economy is STILL running. Imagine what can happen if there’s an economic collapse and all hell breaks loose.

In a situation where every man is on his own, things can get pretty messy. When people have to scramble around in search of food and medical supplies, breaking into houses and stealing things can become very common. Human nature can be very dangerous, especially when survival instincts kick in. This is why it’s absolutely vital that you GO TACTICAL and protect yourself in every way possible.

Home Invasion Prevention

You are sleeping peacefully only to be awakened by a noise from downstairs. You wake up and learn that there are people downstairs. All of a sudden, your heart starts to pound like you have run a long marathon.

According to statistics provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 1 in 5 homes in the US experience a break in or an invasion. With such a great likelihood of a break in, and a possibility that this will increase following an economic collapse, you seriously need to ask yourself the following questions:

Do you possess the necessary training, skills, and weapons to protect your property?

Are you able to calm down quickly enough so that you can take control of the situation?   

Prevention is the Key

Preventing a break-in is far better than trying to control the situation after some people barge into your house. The more difficult you make it for a criminal to enter your house, the greater the chances are of them moving on. Below are some guidelines that you should apply to prepare for the worst:

Lock The Doors – While this is common sense, the majority of home invasions occur when people fail to take care of even the most basic precautionary measures such as locking the door. Just before you leave your house or prior to retiring for the night, check all the doors and make sure that they are properly locked.

Think Like A Criminal – Just for a moment, try to think like a criminal and search your house for weak points. Try to locate any points that may provide the thief a way in. Once found, seal those places to make them fool-proof.

Break In To Your Own House - Try to break into your own house to understand the places that can be used by the thief to enter your home.

Secure Your Windows – Windows are undoubtedly among one of the weakest points of a home. Double pained laminated glass can secure them and you may also consider applying a security window film to make the glass shatterproof – an added layer of security.

Lighting – Lighting is important. While it is true that post collapse the electricity grid may be down, you should still have the lights in place – perhaps you will have a generator at your disposal!

Situational Awareness Is Important

It is vital that you are aware of what’s happening around your home. Here are a few ways to increase your situational awareness:

Look Out – Before you proceed to enter your house or your garage, always look around and inspect the surrounding area. Is everything normal? Do you spot any suspicious people? You really wouldn’t want to be surprised by someone who makes the run for your door when you open it!

Neighborhood Watch – This will get even more important in a post-collapse situation.  You should be aware of all the people who live around you, and should also be able to recognize their cars. You should automatically become suspicious of any unfamiliar faces or vehicles that may be lurking around in your neighborhood.

Change Your Routine – Criminals have a habit of observing their victims for a period of time before they strike. They observe, to note the schedule of their victim: what time they go to work, which route they take, and how they go about doing their day-to-day routines. It’s always a good idea to randomly change your routine every now and then whenever possible. Following an economic collapse, you should be more cautious in this regard.

Weapons and Training

Being equipped with the correct equipment and the skills needed to operate a weapon, can mean the difference between life and death. Being equipped with a gun doesn’t always guarantee your safety, but it does increase the chance that you will be victorious in protecting yourself, your family and property.

We believe that having a gun is a very important thing, especially when preparing for an economic collapse. History tells us how things can go from bad to worse following an economic collapse and riots and mobs become widespread and common. In such scenarios, you need something to help you defend yourself when attacked.

Having a gun is no doubt important, but the following points are even more important than just simply ‘owning’ a gun:

Understanding which gun you should choose for defending your home

Understanding how to use the weapon appropriately and safely

Training to use the weapon so that you do not get rusty when the time to use it arrives

Ensuring that each member of the household is aware of what should be done in case of a break in

With that said, you should make sure that you spend some time to learn about guns and get training from professionals. Also, you should make things very clear to the members of your household so that they know what to do when faced with a home invasion.

Carrying a Weapon

In the period following a collapse, it will be very common to face all kinds of threats. The outdoors will generally not be a safe place anymore. This may necessitate the need for carrying a weapon whenever you go out or are travelling from one place to another.

When society collapses, the security situation will vary from one place to another. As you travel from one area to another, you will have to keep an eye out and be ready to face any troublesome situation - your self-defense is your number one priority.

Let’s assume that an economic collapse has occurred: should you carry the weapon openly or conceal it? Well, this would depend on two factors:

Are other people carrying them openly?

How is the law and order situation where you are?

You will be in a better position to determine whether or not you should carry a weapon openly when you answer the above two questions. Don’t forget that carrying a weapon openly –particularly when there is no apparent reason – only draws unwanted attention towards you. The best thing to do during a post collapse situation is to keep a low profile; however, you should be able to defend yourself when the need arises.

If people are not yet carrying weapons openly, then you should conceal it too. It will only make people assume that you have something important on you and that’s why you’re protecting yourself. This will only put your life in danger.

On the other hand, if the time has come when people roam around flaunting their weapons, then you should do that too just to send out a message that you’re ready to face anyone!

While travelling through a danger zone, it is advisable to keep your weapon in a position where you can quickly access it and defend yourself. It doesn’t matter whether you conceal it or not; however, showing your weapon in this scenario may help to ward off many of the troublemakers from approaching you in the first place.

Also, it is recommended that you get your handgun license now when things are in working order. It is possible that even after a collapse, the law enforcement agencies continue to function – and you wouldn’t want to get caught with an illegal weapon.

Conclusion

The famous American television screenwriter, Gene Roddenberry, once said:

“Nuclear warfare is not necessary to cause a breakdown of our society. You take a large city like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago— their water supply comes from hundreds of miles away and any interruption of that, or food, or power for any period of time you're going to have riots in the streets.

Our society is so fragile, so dependent on the interworking of things to provide us with the goods and services that you don't need nuclear warfare to fragment us anymore than the Romans needed it to cause their eventual downfall.”

The possibility of an economic collapse is greater than ever. The United States has become the largest debtor nation and the economy could collapse at any moment causing the population to struggle for survival. An economic collapse can be caused by a number of factors – on a larger scale, it could be caused by a natural disaster that leaves severe devastation behind, or it could result for a particular individual from loss of a job.

Regardless of what causes the economic collapse; it’s wise to be prepared for it in advance when you have the means to do so.

Using the information provided in this guide, you will have a greater chance of surviving the aftermath of a collapse. Don’t take this lightly, and do everything in your power to prepare thoroughly.