Be Prepared

No one would argue that our economy is in bad shape. There are many financial leaders who are warning of major inflation and economic meltdown. However it doesn't seem people are doing much about it.

We live in a country now where our money is not worth much more than the pack of bills you find in your monopoly game. China is buying gold at an unprecedented rate and telling their people to buy silver as investments. 1/3 of our debt is owned by China and we have a national debt in the trillions. These are just a few points to show signs of a coming collapse.

Our problem is pretty simple actually and it is interesting how the national cancer that is eating us alive is the same cancer that has and is ruining the lives of millions of Americans. DEBT. We pay for things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't know. The people did it with credit cards backed by the banking system, the government did it through the Federal Reserve. Money from thin air with no basis for value. Our banking system put us in this situation.

"It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning." - Henry Ford

To go all the way, greed is the core problem. We have forgotten how to live within our means. We are a consumer based, importer country making us extremely vulnerable and we are getting ready to take a blow below the belt and hit the floor.

Don't believe me? Ask some people who know. Peter Schiff who predicted the collapse of the housing and banking markets knows. People laughed at him in 2006 and 2007 when he painted a gloomy picture. Now you can see for yourself on YouTube that Peter Schiff was right. Watch what he has to say now about the future in a non-biased european TV interview.

In addition to Schiff and Ron Paul proclaiming warnings Gerald Celente of the Trends Research Group is just as open about the continuing financial failure of not just the US but also the worlds economy. He also has had many interviews in the past predicting what has happened in the last year and a half and predicts how present trends will effect the future. It's not good!

So now I jump on the wagon because I believe that just as it has played out in my personal life, you can't borrow more than you can pay back and credit/debt not kept in check will destroy. Four years ago we eliminated all of our credit cards and only use cash. While I am not yet totally out of the hole we have had four years head start than most and started before things got so bad. I say this to state that while I am not the authority on the subject, I can see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it's a train. A train that is blowing it's horn and saying "you better watch out and prepare". (I would encourage you to do some research yourself and find out the facts about our present economic situation)

We are looking at a bleak picture but we are here on this earth for such a time as this. If you are a follower of Christ like myself you realize this is just what Christ warned of in scripture. We have an opportunity to use these days for growing the kingdom. But we can't do that if we just sit by and don't respond in preparation.

A beggar can't give money to other beggars. Many Christians have the attitude that God will take care of them all the while not using the wisdom God has given us to help ourselves. Proverbs 6 speaks to being prepared as do other passages that instruct us to be wise with our possessions. Most people now can't imagine not having a grocery store with stocked shelves that they can go and purchase what ever they need. So there is little urgency to stock up since it can be accessed at any time. But what if you couldn't, or what if your $2 toothpaste was all of a sudden $6? And if the dollar bill in your pocket was only worth $.10, what are you going to do? How will you pay your bills? How will you eat? And this assumes you still have a job.

While as Christians our true home is in heaven, but if you go on a trip you are going to take supplies to survive and even enjoy that trip. You are on a journey here but God wants us to be wise. We see the pending crisis so do something about it. Again, I'm not the expert but I can give some advice that I am following myself and submit that you do the same. Even if nothing get's worse and we live in grand prosperity are you losing anything?

So what do we do? I have some simple suggestions. First, start a non-perishables supply. Here is a list of items that you might want to consider. If things get better and you don't have to have this supply to live then you will have less to buy later.

Secondly, get out of debt as soon as you can. Thirdly, make sure you have a way to protect yourself whether it's a bat, a knife or guns. If it's a gun make sure you have ammo. Why? Remember what happened after hurricane Katrina in New Orleans? You might find yourself needing to protect your assets. Fourthly, obtain some precious metals. Gold, silver, copper or the likes. You may find it to be worth more than your dollars in the near future.

And most of all have a plan. As Ben Franklin said, "By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail." Where do you want to be in three months financially? 6 months from now what do you want to have in your survival supply? Do you want to live where you are now? You should be thinking through all of these things. Don't spend your time energy and money on things you don't need. Make saving a priority.

Some may read my very lengthy post here and laugh at me just like they did to Peter Schiff and others may just discount my concern and advice as over-reactive. I can't do anything about that and believe me when I say that I hope I am wrong. But as H. Ruff said, "It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark." Don't wait until it's raining.