this post was submitted on 31 Jan 2025
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I do not want this to be a political debate nor an opportunity to post recent headlines. However, in my opinion, this administration seems to be taking actions which history suggests may lead towards a near or total economic collapse. Whether you agree with this or not is irrelevant.

This post’s question is: If one were to have a concern that they’d no longer be able to afford common household goods or that mainstream (S&P, Nasdaq) financial investments were no longer sound, what can one do to prepare for β€œthe worst”? What actions could someone take today to minimize economic hardship in the future?

I would also like thoughtful insight from older adults to offer younger adults about how they should be better preparing themselves for an uncertain future, outside of current events or place of residence.

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[–] [email protected] 38 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

As another has said, strengthen your local ties. In the event of a collapse, we're all going to be affected in one way or another. I think the biggest thing is fostering a culture of cooperation rather the competition. That means avoid prepping, avoid emptying store shelves, avoid hoarding goods en masse in your basement or shelter.

I think a good first step would be to look for local mutual aid groups. Just Google your town or state + "mutual aid". These groups are already out there directly servicing those most in need, and are the most ready to spring into action when a disaster strikes (here is some testimony about mutual aid group action during Hurricane Helene)

Oftentimes these groups are open to volunteers or donations and will be active during natural catastrophes, and I'd imagine economic ones as well.

[–] [email protected] 39 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Learn how to cook, go on some camping trips. You'll learn a little bit of self-sufficiency and get a break from society.

Take care of your mental health. The first thing that breaks down in a disaster is usually your mental state.

Discuss your emergency plans with the people that you would be including in them. Know where you're staying if you need to hunker down and know where you're going if you need to leave.

At the end of the day if there's a full economic collapse there's not much you can do except survive and take care of yourself and those you love. A total economic collapse means your money won't be worth anything, your investments will go to zero, and your best bartering chip is going to be food/water over a chunk of gold.

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Do any vehicle maintenance you can now. Look up common issues for your vehicle and maybe buy those parts as they might be extra expensive due to tarrifs. If you need to you can sell them later.

Secondary used markets are going to be huge, so set aside anything you think people will want in the future. Buy an ebike just in case driving becomes too expensive. Download as much media as you think youll want because theyre trying to ban piracy sites and free options may dissapear.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

The free options will still be there. Banning a few pirate sites will make it less convenient for streamers, but bittorrent isn't dependent on those sites and tools like Tribler can find them straight off the DHT.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 23 hours ago

We'll see hopefully they have to play whackamole and keep having to go to court and waste their time.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Build a garden if you can, join community efforts like mutual aid, and form or join a union. We are strongest together.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 day ago

I’m going to say a few things about food and also assuming prices will go up and not quite reach an economic collapse:

Secure your food, learn to prepare cheaper, more plentiful foods in a way that is tasty to you (look to rice and beans). Consider purchasing or creating emergency food reserves. Consider purchasing more canned foods which can last for years. If you have freezer space, consider vacuum sealing food to keep them for longer.

Generally, look for ways to reduce extraneous cost and rely more on yourself and your immediate community. (This will be difficult to do, no mistaking it)

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago

Quit being poor, works 100% of the time.

[–] P00ptart 2 points 19 hours ago

Spend absolutely no money that you don't need to. This saves money for you and keeps it out of people's hands that don't need it. The faster the collapse, the more equal it will be.

I don't want to advise this, but I'm pulling all my money from the larger of my 401(k). (Keeping the smaller just in case it turns out I'm crazy, and if I am, I can always reinvest, with only some minor losses in time)

I bought a couple ATVs with trailers, with camo netting, working on filling those trailers with supplies and a lot of gas. I also bought an old jeep CJ7, with a trailer for the ATVs. Think lighters, camp stoves, portable solar panels, blankets, water filters, a good axe or hatchet, a couple knives, some emergency rations.

This is America. There's more guns than people. Make sure you have at least one.

The economic hardships, you won't be able to escape. When we lose hegemony/petrol dollar, it's likely to be the fastest collapse in history.

This is just a quick summary. Some of us have been planning for something like this for a decade or more. There's no way to be able to give you anything much more specific without knowing where you live or your current circumstances, experiences, or skills. But rely on any skills, training or knowledge you do have. Emphasize them and try to improve them. Make yourself a useful member of a rebuilt (small) society. I.e. growing, sewing, defense, engineering etc.

Whatever you do, do not give up. And be creative. Lighting a fire, and putting some seriously hot peppers in the fire can be a good area denial defense, light the fire and travel in the direction the wind is coming from.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (4 children)

Emigrate? ...or maybe stand for office.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 day ago (4 children)

Nobody wants us any where mate.

It ain't as easy as people think it should be lol

Best chance is finding some nice foreign person who loves you enough to get married and import you into their socialist paradise.

This tactic works better for women generally lol

Nobody wants a broke middle aged cuck haha

Edit: well this one triggered the bots lol

[–] [email protected] 2 points 21 hours ago

There's a market for anyone but mostly cishet femmes

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 23 hours ago)

or that mainstream (S&P, Nasdaq) financial investments were no longer sound, what can one do to prepare for β€œthe worst”?

Investors that factor in world markets would probably do okay as long as you're talking just U.S. economic troubles. e.g. right now VT (total world stock ETF) is weighted 64.70% U.S. market due to market strength. So in theory if the U.S. tanked and other countries have better markets for investing then the weights would shift to the other side and maybe being closer to 30% U.S. vs rest of the world's markets weighted towards 70%.

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