Gearing Up For An Economical Squeeze!

[shellyr44]

Has any one seen the special issue advertised from Back Woods Home Magaine? Some of the topics sound a little scary. One article talks about stocking up on guns and ammo before the November elections. I wonder why? Is there something that I'm missing here?

[Kshobbit]

Let's me think...we are in an economic recession. There are world wide shortages of essential grains. The midwest is once again covered by water. That means a lot of crops that will not be harvested again this year. I am talking the bread basket of the USA.
People can not afford to drive their cars. The minimum wage folks are hard hit here. They are the ones that are driving the old V-8 gas guzzlers. Have you noticed the prices and the lack of a good used 4 cylinder car for sale?
The prices on almost everything has risen rapidly. This ties in with the ever increasing price of oil and all the stuff we make with oil and it's byproducts.
I hate to sound so negative but things look bad.
Everyone should have two weeks worth of food, water and everything that your family needs to make it that long. That includes food for the dogs,cats, goats, poultry, rabbits, etc.

[Wolf mom]

Just two weeks? try six months....Then if you wind up out of work, or hurt, or, or, then you've got enough to fall back on.

[farmwife]

Yes, it is a scary year! It seems everything is wacked out! However, just do the best you can and know your neighbors. I think that will help too!

[wayfarin']

I think the best way anyone can prepare is to sit down and think about exactly how you can survive without electricity, petroleum, and tap water, then learn to shoot well

I see most survival/disaster preparedness plans center mainly around things returning to normal within a short time. Stockpling enough food for two weeks is only going to give you a little longer to think about what to do without electricity, petroleum, and water out of the tap.

Just have a good gameplan and put parts of it into your daily routine, then it won't so much of a shock when it becomes a necessity.

[Shinsan]

Any SHTF situation brought about by the cost or availability of fuel isn't going to be over in six months, let alone two weeks. The situation is only made a lot worse by the current failing of crops world wide, and the political climate isn't much help either. Add an out-of-work or severe injury/illness to the equation and it's easy to understand that 'prepping' is a wise move.
Most Australians feel that we are pretty much isolated from most of the world's problems, but in the end, the whole planet will be effected one way or another, which is why for the past 6 months I have been preparing for a long-term hold-out. We've stocked up on a 12 month supply of most of everything we can't raise or grow ourselves, and are now working at becoming as self-sufficient as possible.

[.netDude]

After reading the original post, I went to the Back Woods Home magazine site to check it out. And, I'm sorry if this is off topic, but is that guy Ayoob serious? I'm trying to reconcile this post with the article by that guy in the magazine and having trouble with it.... Don't get me wrong, I love having my 12 ga and wouldn't give it up, but those republicans that he is touting are the reason for the mess we're in! Wouldn't it be better to have an administration with a little common sense, that upholds the constitution, and voice your opinions with them?
Flame on.

[Jack T.]

Originally Posted by .netDude

After reading the original post, I went to the Back Woods Home magazine site to check it out. And, I'm sorry if this is off topic, but is that guy Ayoob serious? I'm trying to reconcile this post with the article by that guy in the magazine and having trouble with it.... Don't get me wrong, I love having my 12 ga and wouldn't give it up, but those republicans that he is touting are the reason for the mess we're in! Wouldn't it be better to have an administration with a little common sense, that upholds the constitution, and voice your opinions with them?
Flame on.

I haven't read the article you are referring to, but I have read a lot of Ayoob's stuff. . .and yes, if he wrote it, he means it.

Uphold the Constitution? Ayoob is primarily interested in the 2nd Amendment. . .and the Democrats have a perfectly *horrible* record of upholding that particular amendment.

[seedspreader]

Originally Posted by .netDude

After reading the original post, I went to the Back Woods Home magazine site to check it out. And, I'm sorry if this is off topic, but is that guy Ayoob serious? I'm trying to reconcile this post with the article by that guy in the magazine and having trouble with it.... Don't get me wrong, I love having my 12 ga and wouldn't give it up, but those republicans that he is touting are the reason for the mess we're in! Wouldn't it be better to have an administration with a little common sense, that upholds the constitution, and voice your opinions with them?
Flame on.

Like who would you suggest?

[DJ in WA]

Well, I may be crazy, but I'm looking forward to harder times. Americans have gotten soft. Some of my family are well overweight, and could die earlier with the excess intake of calories. Would be good to go a bit hungry. I try to emphasize eating what we grow, but they'd rather buy junk in the store.

Struggling more would give me more motivation to grow food - now I have a hard time when people would rather just buy stuff.

Others in my family have been motivated by higher gas prices to break out their bicycles and ride to work.

As I was coming home today, noticed a stream of F-350's pulling big camper trailers and boats heading out of town. I don't feel sorry for anyone yet.

[Farmerwilly2]

Originally Posted by .netDude

After reading the original post, I went to the Back Woods Home magazine site to check it out. And, I'm sorry if this is off topic, but is that guy Ayoob serious? I'm trying to reconcile this post with the article by that guy in the magazine and having trouble with it.... Don't get me wrong, I love having my 12 ga and wouldn't give it up, but those republicans that he is touting are the reason for the mess we're in! Wouldn't it be better to have an administration with a little common sense, that upholds the constitution, and voice your opinions with them?
Flame on.

Why flame? You wouldn't understand it anyway. Crossing my fingers you aren't old enough to vote.

[rambler]

Originally Posted by shellyr44

One article talks about stocking up on guns and ammo before the November elections. I wonder why? Is there something that I'm missing here?

A big plank of the very liberal side of the Democratic party is about total gun control - take them away from every law abiding citizen.

It is assumed the Democratic party will gain ground in the USA this election.

Since the ecconomy & crude oil & world politics can't be changed rapidly no matter what anyone promises us, they will be left with demands of change and little change will really happen.

Thus, many of the fringe far left things might come to be, as the party struggles to enact some type of change as demanded by the public.....

Look for guns to be much harder for the honest public to get ahold of.

--->Paul

[piglady]

Yes, "hard times" as grampa called them is for sure on the way. We all know of the horrible things this will bring on but I think there will be some positive changes too. Folks will no longer focus on getting a bigger house than they need or a bigger vehicle than they need. maybe more will get back to living debt free even if it's the result of filing bankruptcy. Travel will be a luxury so maybe small towns will grow and become self sufficient again so folks don't have to drive into the city for anything. Maybe families will once again help each other and draw closer since they must rely on each other. For sure there are more people gardening this year and maybe they will learn to can what they just grew. With grain prices you can forget buying meat at the store so maybe people will learn to raise their own even if it's just chickens and rabbits. Maybe there will be so little to share that even the lazy people will get off their duffs so they wont starve. Maybe traffic will be less, kids won't have designer sneekers (keds were just fine for us), folks won't throw out and waste half their meals, and we will stop going to fast food places. Maybe moms will learn to cook, hey maybe dad will too. Maybe there will be more important things to think about than getting involved in meth or other drugs. Maybe the county fair will mean something again. The changing times can be scary but who knows, it could be the best thing that ever happened to this country.

[stranger]

Originally Posted by .netDude

After reading the original post, I went to the Back Woods Home magazine site to check it out. And, I'm sorry if this is off topic, but is that guy Ayoob serious? I'm trying to reconcile this post with the article by that guy in the magazine and having trouble with it.... Don't get me wrong, I love having my 12 ga and wouldn't give it up, but those republicans that he is touting are the reason for the mess we're in! Wouldn't it be better to have an administration with a little common sense, that upholds the constitution, and voice your opinions with them?
Flame on.

i wouldn't blame just the republicans, both parties have had a hand in what is happening and it didn't just start this year. we have the best politions that money can buy, most were already corrupt before they got to DC.
better think about a years supply of everything or prepare to be standing in a government food line to pick up your bowl of rice that they get from china.

[stranger]

Originally Posted by piglady

Yes, "hard times" as grampa called them is for sure on the way. We all know of the horrible things this will bring on but I think there will be some positive changes too. Folks will no longer focus on getting a bigger house than they need or a bigger vehicle than they need. maybe more will get back to living debt free even if it's the result of filing bankruptcy. Travel will be a luxury so maybe small towns will grow and become self sufficient again so folks don't have to drive into the city for anything. Maybe families will once again help each other and draw closer since they must rely on each other.
we can only hope, but it won't happen in our lifetime, people are so lazy and won't do for themselves. they want the government to bail them out with our money



For sure there are more people gardening this year and maybe they will learn to can what they just grew. With grain prices you can forget buying meat at the store so maybe people will learn to raise their own even if it's just chickens and rabbits. Maybe there will be so little to share that even the lazy people will get off their duffs so they wont starve. Maybe traffic will be less, kids won't have designer sneekers (keds were just fine for us), folks won't throw out and waste half their meals, and we will stop going to fast food places. Maybe moms will learn to cook, hey maybe dad will too. Maybe there will be more important things to think about than getting involved in meth or other drugs. Maybe the county fair will mean something again. The changing times can be scary but who knows, it could be the best thing that ever happened to this country.

most will starve standing in a soup line waiting for the government to take care of them or get shot trying to steal what they need.
many moms will have to learn how to turn on the stove before learning to cook today.
I wore out many prs of keds, the worst part was having a cow step on your feet when wearing them. All your ideas bring back many great memories.
the people have turned the planet into a sewer so taking a bath in the creek would be out of the ? today. Do they still sell Ivory soap, the kind that floats?

[Kshobbit]

The two week supply of goods is for any local natural disaster, flood, tornado, earthquake, etc. I was trying not to scare the original poster by my own grim thoughts of what is going down. The SHTF could happen but more than likely we will slowly sink to it.
I have noticed that no matter how well prepared we might think we are, that things are happening beyond our comprehension or worst nightmares. I do not plan on any help from our bloated corrupt govenment regardless of political party. I am not looking forward to what is going to happen. Millions of poeple are going to die and there won't be a thing I can do about it. A very sobering thought for all.
If it was just having people walk or bicycle, or garden,or do with less,it would be acceptable for me too. I envsion the end of the world as we know it. How can you be ready for that?

[fishhead]

Don't get suckered into thinking that the Democrats are the only politicians who want to take guns. There was a thread recently about some unpublicized changes in ammunition regulations that would severely restrict access to shells. It was from the Republican Congress.

Congress has been too busy looting and giving themselves pay raises to look up and see where this country is headed. Now we've got so many preventable crisis facing us that I'm pessimistic about this country for the first time in my 50+ years. FIRE THEM ALL in November regardless of party.

[stranger]

Originally Posted by Kshobbit

The two week supply of goods is for any local natural disaster, flood, tornado, earthquake, etc. I was trying not to scare the original poster by my own grim thoughts of what is going down. The SHTF could happen but more than likely we will slowly sink to it.
I have noticed that no matter how well prepared we might think we are, that things are happening beyond our comprehension or worst nightmares. I do not plan on any help from our bloated corrupt govenment regardless of political party. I am not looking forward to what is going to happen. Millions of poeple are going to die and there won't be a thing I can do about it. A very sobering thought for all.
If it was just having people walk or bicycle, or garden,or do with less,it would be acceptable for me too. I envsion the end of the world as we know it. How can you be ready for that?

people aren't going to like what the world will be like when this is over, but they could get a general idea and a good wake up call if they just looked back at what happened to Germany and Russia and other parts of Europe from WW1 til about the end of WW2 even later for Russia,They should get a good look at thousands running around the streets starving with no place to go, no wood or coal for heat ect.

[Mostie]

I haven't read the article..yet...but I will after I make this post- however, I agree with what was said by someone up there (yes, too lazy to scroll back up, haha) about people in our country becoming too 'soft'- I think what it amounts to, is the middle class in our country would be considered almost 'rich' in a lot of other countries-and so-so-so many don't really know how to tighten their belts, because they've never really had to before- where I work, we have several employment/wrongful termination attorneys- it's my job to do intakes, and we get them from not only Michigan, but other states as well- along with the usual wrongful terminations that are legit, I've been getting a lot of calls lately from people who are thinking they WILL be terminated, and I'm telling you- people are in a panic about it-- I get the impression so many times that a lot of people really believe that if they get into a good job with a good company, it's like 'cradle to grave' so to speak- and it seriously isn't like that, not anymore- my husband has worked for a well known medical company for 10 years now, and his job will more than likely be ending at the end of the year- the company, and not just his...situates itself in such a way that the bottom line is high profit for the company, and, well-sad to say, employees in any company are expendable and easily replaced-I realized how badly I don't want to be dependent on much of anything, when I see so many who are SO dependable on their jobs- of course, it's absurd to think that a person doesn't need money to live in this world, but at the same time it's frightening to hear them when they call, be so hysterical about the prospect of losing their job, and everything being dependent on that job- the lifestyle they have aspired to, etc.-and having no idea how to 'downsize' or anything else, because most people haven't had to, up until now-

We recently had mega-storms where we are, and although the area we live in at the moment won't admit it (because they set off the tornado siren 5 minutes after it had left our area), we had a tornado that, literally, went right down our street- my daughter and I were at the grocery store (of course, stocking up, 15 minutes before the stupid thing hit and the electricity went out for a week, lol-I'm telling you, there wasn't a cloud in the sky 10 minutes before that hit!) and my husband couldn't even get the window closed, the wind was so high- they high-tailed it down to the basement- it literally ripped trees up by the roots, tore peoples decks off the back of their homes, tore a couple of roofs off, etc.- and of course, the electricity went out- now, I don't have a generator- but the entire week of no electricity just made me somewhat disgusted with myself- and I swore it would never happen this way again (I felt like Scarlett O'Hara, out with that rotten carrot in the dirt, lol)- I was irritated at myself for not being ready for a situation like this- but being from California, I honestly had no clue- well, I do now!

The only thing I can see that a person can do, with things gearing up to be the way that they are obviously going to be, economy-wise, is be prepared- be informed, do the best you can do, and learn what you need to learn in order to get through- and don't panic, lol~

[Mostie]

One more thing I forgot to add...my youngest son, who is 12, and my grandson, who is 6--had no electricity for this last week (i.e; no nintendo, no cable, no dvd's- you get the picture), and it was interesting to see how quiet things were as they played cards, drew pictures and made up stories, etc.- instead of griping about being bored with a zillion games to play, and arguing over it- I kinda liked that!