Rethinking an Economic Collapse
It was not that long ago that the country of Greece suffered a devastating collapse of their economy. At the time, there was a lot of blame game going on but, at the end of the day, it was years of irresponsible and unrestrained spending that took them down. That, coupled with questionable accounting practices and misstated economic indicators left the Greek citizens befuddled and angry when the reality of a depression hit.
Could the same thing happen here? Not to be depressing but in going through my own thoughts as I answer the question “What am I least prepared for?”, I realized that it was time for a wake-up call and time to re-evaluate my own preps within the context of an economic collapse.
Looking back at what happened during or our own Great Depression, I have come to realize that an economic collapse, if it were to happen, would have the compound effect of combining all woes we so diligently prepare for into one huge mess – a mess that may take decades to resolve.
I worry about this, because, as prepared as I may be, I find it difficult to wrap my head around a mega collapse that will result in food and water shortages, power outages, civil disobedience, medical anarchy, and worse.
A global economic collapse, unlike a natural disaster which, as tragic as it may be, is a short term event, will change our lives forever.
Time for a Wake-Up Call
Back in 2012, Michael Snyder wrote about the lessons we can learn from the financial melt-down in Greece.
At the time, being a prepper in the United States typically branded you as an nut job. Now that preparedness has become more mainstream, I feel that we should review those lessons and take another look at the ramifications of an economic collapse.
Here are the 10 lessons along with my own thoughts as they might apply to an economic collapse in 2015 and beyond.
10 Reasons Why We Need to Prepare for an Economic Collapse
1. Food Shortages Can Actually Happen
Most people assume that they will always be able to run out to their local supermarket or warehouse club. Those of us that prepare, know better. It is those folks that do not prepare that we need to worry about.
2. Medicine Is One Of The First Things That Becomes Scarce During An Economic Collapse
When credit systems and distribution channels are compromised, medical supplies will not make their way to the local pharmacy. Any medicines and supplies that are available will likely be diverted for use by the power elite. Sorry to be such a cynic but we all know that there are privileged classes that have the power and the means to get whatever they want, even if it means denying the rest of the population with their fair share.
3. When An Economy Collapses, So Might The Power Grid
No money to pay workers and no fuel to fire the grid translates into no grid at all. Going without power for a week or two is one thing but going off grid for months or even years? We are a soft society accustomed to our comforts. Without the grid, our lives will be quite different than the life we live today.
4. During An Economic Collapse You Cannot Even Take Water For Granted
When the grid goes down, so goes the water treatment facilities that ensure that clean water flows from our faucets. I survived 12 days without running water. Do-able yes. Fun? Hardly, but I knew the water would come back on eventually. What if the water never came back on?
5. During An Economic Crisis Your Credit Cards And Debit Cards May Stop Working
Same thing. If the grid is down, our banking system will basically be down too. This means that credit cards and debit cards will be useless to transact business and make purchases.
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