PREPARING against a financial/catastrophic crisis - SURVIVAL TIPS

[RRuth]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if we could get a discussion going on TIPS and STRATEGIES on surviving a financial/catastrophic crisis.

I was one of those people who had to call my mortgage company this week to find out whether we had a FIXED or ADJUSTABLE rate mortgage. Unbelievably, our zipcode has the HIGHEST foreclosure rate in the United States!

Some of our strategies are:

1.) Saving CASH (in case the banks shut down, or we lose access...)

2.) Stock piling on food and water (other emergencies could arise...)

3.) Placing ourselves on a TIGHT BUDGET.

4.) Taking better care of ourselves/health, as we don't need medical problems when the economy/money is TIGHT. (My family is walking more, being more active, and reducing stress.)

5.) Getting our lives right with God. (I don't worry about the future, as I have eternal security, and an advocate who knows my every need.)

I've noticed some changes in my family, since we've started this tight budget...

1.) We eat out less
2.) We realize we don't need half the stuff we thought we "needed"
3.) Less stress over finances.
4.) We feel better
5.) We seem happier...

How is that possible?

I've been turning the TV off more, and we've been sitting at the table more -- board games, family conversations, and the food is even better! (Homemade, carefully prepared, etc.)

Sobering thought:

Is this what America needs to draw closer to God? Trimming the fat? What does it take to get us to stop and think about what is really important in our lives? It certainly isn't money.

Many years ago when my husband and I were first married, we were always broke and having to borrow from his dad. Although we paid him back EVERY TIME, we became conscious of the fact that we didn't want to appear that we only called whenever we NEEDED something. So we made an effort to CALL FREQUENTLY, and not ask for money.

I feel this way about our relationship with God. Many Christians wait until they NEED SOMETHING before they pray. It is really important to establish a relationship with God that isn't always about, "I NEED"...

What is your family doing to prepare for hard times? Any pointers or tips I hadn't mentioned?


Ruth

[jereome]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if we could get a discussion going on TIPS and STRATEGIES on surviving a financial/catastrophic crisis.

I was one of those people who had to call my mortgage company this week to find out whether we had a FIXED or ADJUSTABLE rate mortgage. Unbelievably, our zipcode has the HIGHEST foreclosure rate in the United States!

Some of our strategies are:

1.) Saving CASH (in case the banks shut down, or we lose access...)

2.) Stock piling on food and water (other emergencies could arise...)

3.) Placing ourselves on a TIGHT BUDGET.

4.) Taking better care of ourselves/health, as we don't need medical problems when the economy/money is TIGHT. (My family is walking more, being more active, and reducing stress.)

5.) Getting our lives right with God. (I don't worry about the future, as I have eternal security, and an advocate who knows my every need.)

I've noticed some changes in my family, since we've started this tight budget...

1.) We eat out less
2.) We realize we don't need half the stuff we thought we "needed"
3.) Less stress over finances.
4.) We feel better
5.) We seem happier...

How is that possible?

I've been turning the TV off more, and we've been sitting at the table more -- board games, family conversations, and the food is even better! (Homemade, carefully prepared, etc.)

Sobering thought:

Is this what America needs to draw closer to God? Trimming the fat? What does it take to get us to stop and think about what is really important in our lives? It certainly isn't money.

Many years ago when my husband and I were first married, we were always broke and having to borrow from his dad. Although we paid him back EVERY TIME, we became conscious of the fact that we didn't want to appear that we only called whenever we NEEDED something. So we made an effort to CALL FREQUENTLY, and not ask for money.

I feel this way about our relationship with God. Many Christians wait until they NEED SOMETHING before they pray. It is really important to establish a relationship with God that isn't always about, "I NEED"...

What is your family doing to prepare for hard times? Any pointers or tips I hadn't mentioned?


Ruth

Actually turning off the T.V. is a good idea, you will be suprised by how much you actually need, when you dont see what the T.V. tells you what you need.

Turning your backyard into a garden wouldnt hurt.

If at all possible pay all of your bills.

Get a good gun, because this wicked generation has no problem killing others for a pair of shoes, can you imagine how bad it would be without food on the grocery store shelves?

Lastly stock up on NEEDS, verses gold. i.e. Dry goods such as beans are cheap and can feed a normal family for a while. But gold on the otherhand has a useless track record in depressions since the government just steals it.

Besides when someone is hungry enough they will gladly trade a 600 dollar bar of gold for a 6 dollar bag of beans.

[RRuth]

We had considered buying a gun. Yes, it is unfortunate that we have to think this way, but we live in town. Massive unemployment would place us at great risk for home invasion.

We too feel that stocking up on staples (beans, canned goods, powdered milk, etc.) are important. I've always kept a full pantry.

Anyone stockpiling gasoline?

[KnightErrant]

We had considered buying a gun. Yes, it is unfortunate that we have to think this way, but we live in town. Massive unemployment would place us at great risk for home invasion.

We too feel that stocking up on staples (beans, canned goods, powdered milk, etc.) are important. I've always kept a full pantry.

There are so survivialist groups, gangs more honestly, that are stocking up on guns and ammo, cause they figure that with guns they can get anything else they want from those who have food but no guns.

If you have a stock pile, keep it secret. Although if you are the only ones in your neighborhood not losing weight, your neighbors might get some desperate ideas.

[ddg1263]

There are so survivialist groups, gangs more honestly, that are stocking up on guns and ammo, cause they figure that with guns they can get anything else they want from those who have food but no guns.

If you have a stock pile, keep it secret. Although if you are the only ones in your neighborhood not losing weight, your neighbors might get some desperate ideas.

Dang!!:gangster

[tygerkittn]

We have a good stockpile of necessities. I've been dipping into my frozen foods to keep from buying groceries at these high prices, since I don't know if we could count on uninterrupted electricity anyway, but I don't touch my dry goods, or my frozen cheese and butter. It's the financial part I feel unprepared for. Does anyone know anything about finances?
We have two rental properties. If the stock market is going to continue tanking, can't you put property in your IRA? Could we use the stocks in the IRA to pay off the rental properties and put them in the IRA without penalty? Would the rental income then have to go into the IRA? (that wouldn't be too bad, since we wouldn't have the payment anymore!) If anyone knows, or has any advice, please PM me!

[RRuth]

What I've often wondered is about the banks. What happens to our credit/accounts when banks go under? What if that bank carries the note to our house? Car?

This is why we are saving CASH and tucking it away. Of course, like someone else mentioned earlier, BREAD my become more valuable than gold.

[Joseph The Carpenter]

The only debt I carry is my mortgage ( about 75% of home value), enough cash for about a year. Everything I need to live off the grid for several years. I live in the country so there are a few farms, plenty of deer and I am not to worried about gangs or starving hoards. I think if the banks failed they can not foreclose on everybodys house, the nanny goverment might not be that bad :lol2 . It will not be the same as 1929. But I am glad I moved out of new york in 1999, I would not want to live in a city, get out if you can.:hug

[mikalikat]

Question--can you freeze eggs or cheese? THis thread is a very timely reminder. I have been miserably irresponsible with money this year and it's time to snap to attention and start with these ideas. THank you all. And any help with the egg and cheese question would be huge!

[CelticMist]

I've not stockpiled gasoline, living in the city I think that would cause alarms to ring and not sure of the "city code" on that. Transportation will be resorting back to riding a bike.

I've been saving cash, got food that has a long shelf life. Gallons of water, in case the water source is cut off from us.

Reports from the media, when the banks go under they take your loan and sell it to another company. The debt will still be expected to be paid on time or one will loss their home, farm, cars, etc.

Are we headed for another "great depression"? :idunno

I'm like you RRuth, I fear not what the morrow shall bring for my security is in the hands of our Father. I do think we are too do our part and use common sense along with God's Word.