SB-What If The Collapse Never Comes

Discussion in 'Financial Cents' started by survivalmonkey, Jun 28, 2010.


  1. survivalmonkey

    survivalmonkey Monkey+++

    What if the collapse never comes?*

    A reader asked this question in the comments*of*a recent post*. What if we spend all this time*and money*preparing for a collapse that never happens. Then what? We’ll have wasted our lives, he says.

    One example*given was Mel Tappan (1933–1980) -*Tappan was a*staple fixture of survivalist movement before his death at age 47. The commenter thinks, Mel wasted his life planning for a crash that never came.

    I doubt Mel would feel this way, but I guess we’ll never know.

    I’m sure a lot of people*have*abandoned the idea of preparedness when the crash failed to happen*within their*allotted time frame. This is*natural and I’ll admit*it’s happened to me more than once. Sometimes it’s difficult to stay motivated.

    When you think about it, collapse happens everyday albeit on a personal or*local level. Job loss can cause a personal economic collapse and natural and man-made disasters can be sudden and deadly*- these are*becoming common place.

    I see survival planning*as an insurance policy, nothing more.*

    How many*home owners have*paid insurance premiums for*30 or more years, yet*their home has never flooded or burnt? How many have dropped their policy only to have their home*destroyed by fire*months later?

    But what if*I spend all that money stocking up on food only to throw it out when it passes the expiration date? What’s that*you say? Why would you have to throw it out? You have to eat – don’t you?

    If you eat and rotate*you should never have to throw anything out.

    All you’re doing by stocking up is buying in advance and*when you consider the fact that you’re eating at last years prices, stocking up is a no brainer.**If you’re throwing food away you’re doing something wrong.

    If you learn to prepare food using basic staples, such as beans, rice and*whole*grains you’ll actually save money.

    By learning skills and doing things yourself, you not only save money, you gain independence*and a feeling of self-worth and pride in your accomplishments. This is valuable no matter what the economic or surrounding conditions.

    Survival planning and self-reliance*also has many health benefits. By raising a garden, hunting and foraging, you not only eat healthier, you get off the couch and get some exercise and again you save money.

    I don’t think a life including survival planning is a wasted life. There is no need to hide in a bunker or live in fear as some seem to think – it can be a lot of fun.

    What do you think? Is preparedness a waste of life?
     
  2. ozarkgoatman

    ozarkgoatman Resident goat herder

    Defiantly not a waist of time!!! Last couple of years have been very bad for us but we never went to bed hungry. [applaud] Nor did we stand in a line waiting for someone else to give us food. We had a large stash of beans and rice which goes nicely with furry things running around on the farm. We have expanded our green house so we have more to eat out of it in the winter. Things are starting to get better so we are starting to resupply. You never know when Mr. Murphy will kick it into over drive, and life starts beating you up from every direction.

    BWM
     
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  3. cdnboy66

    cdnboy66 Monkey++

    This is a really good question, but you should first define what a "collapse" can look like. I have been through a few personal ones, some I was prepared for, some...not so much.
    A collapse can come on a much smaller scale like job loss, or illness.
    Are you prepared to go from 2 incomes to one??
    Are you prepared to go from 2 people in the home who can pull their weight and help with the chores and parenting etc...to being a caregiver to your spouse because of a sudden disability??
    Accidents happen,
    I have been able to help someone else because of what I prepped for.
    I have had more confidence about the doom and gloom because I have learned new skills and am teaching the kids new skills.
    We have saved money from prepping and been able to help a few more people because of what I have learned along the way.
    Friendships have been made that are irreplacable.

    If the " collapse" never happens, then perhaps at the end of it all; My Father
    will say " well done".
    I strive for nothing else more.
    Here is hoping the collapse never comes and you are prepared for anything.
     
    Capt. Tyree and Yard Dart like this.
  4. fortunateson

    fortunateson I hate Illinois Nazis!

    Here's a list of reasons as to WHY it's not a waste of time for me:

    1. I enjoy it and "geek out" over things like making my own solar energy system and raising rabbits.

    2. My kids will learn the skills I'm learning and If TSHTF in their lifetime they'll be ready.

    3. The financial cost is minimal considering the other outrageous unnecessary things people spend their money on (like pleasure boats or luxury cars).

    4. Even in last weeks blackout, it paid for itself, not to mention the many ice storms I've lived through.

    5. Preps can come in handy even for life changes. Here's a funny but sad example:
    I have a colleague who's wife is giving him hell, threatening him with divorce, and taking half of what he owns and earns. He's tried to reconcile but she continues to terrorize him with threats. I suggested he counters with a threat to accept the divorce, but leave his six figure job, leave her with the mortgage and take about a 10 year sabbatical in a cabin in the woods somewhere. If he were a prepper, she'd know he means business![own2]
     
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  5. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    It's funny. i can remember my mom steering me to the other side of the street on my bike with training wheels whenever we passed Joe's house. This was 1976 and Joe was a survivalist.

    His house smelled like a surplus store and I always snuck over there when mom wasn't looking after me. Although they were my age, his kids seemed older to me because of all the things they could do. They were allowed to light fires and sharpen knives - always showing respect for both tools.

    Joe died still preparing for cold war hell but I bet his kids, who now have children of their own, took something away from a childhood of learning how to do things. I hope that none of my work in preps is ever needed. I'm glad to get to think and practice these scenarios while imparting just a little of it on to the next generation.

    My preps may go stale but I have to point out that my $350 gold and $5 silver sure have been 'worth it'.
     
  6. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    No single society truly lasts forever. Indeed, it may seem so if only looked at in the respect of a single lifetime, but over the course of history we have learned that all societies eventually crumble. Preparedness is a way of life that has been forgotten to many; since the industrial revolution, people have become increasingly dependent upon governments and technological innovations to make life "easier". Only the wise will tell you that anything worthwhile is that which has been labored for and serves a purpose of functionality. The disposable lifestyle many now live has cheapened the definition of life to the point at which common sense and practicality have taken a back seat to popularity and conformity. Only a powder keg brimmed with stark reality will break this illusion --and when it does, the unprepared will shriek with disbelief as their fragile existence dissipates into the annals of yet another tormented tome of history.

    Trust in government, trust in media, trust in complacency, trust in that which is "easy" makes not a wise man -it beckons for the rejuvenation of principle and the reordering of philosophical strength at the core of every living being.
     
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  7. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it
     
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  8. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Oh come on, you can do better than that! [booze]
     
  9. UGRev

    UGRev Get on with it!

    I think he was agreeing with you. We dug our own pit with all the tech we rely upon and it will be our undoing.
     
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  10. hippiechick

    hippiechick Monkey+

    Hi, I'm a new member and this is my first post. I agree with the statements above. It's great to prepare because life throws you things...illness, divorce, job loss, electricity goes out, etc.
    I was raised by preppers. My parents taught me at an early age to garden, raise animals, save seeds, use herbs and how to make due, be frugal and be prepared these are skills I now use and teach my child.
    For me being a survivalist is simply a way of life not a waiting game for some big event.
     
  11. bnmb

    bnmb On Hiatus Banned


    AMEN!...I agree...They say "what if it never happens"....and what if it does? Wasting my life??? So, it's better to sit in front of the fracking TV and watch all the garbage and propaganda??? That should make my life complete and my soul fulfilled? All the news of tragedies, deaths, crime and wars would make me feel better when i go to sleep??? Geeeeeezzzzz....
    Guys, I tried to watch CNN, BBC and some other news channels for few days, just to see what's going on...never more! I'd rather read some nice survival and preparedness books, or even contemplate the meaning of life....heck, I'd rather wash the damn dishes! No more TV...and no one is going to tell me what I read or watch or eat or drink or how I spend my money AND MY LIFE...Even if it is wasted, IT IS MINE to wast!
    Preparedness and self-reliance also changes your way of thinking...We were all born slaves to the "government"...apparently no government in the world wants to acknowledge that they are here to serve the people, and NOT the other way around! A survivalist at least thinks FREE!
    Sorry for the rant, but I always get upset when someone tells me something like: "You're crazy, nothing is going to happen, everything will be as it was before, instead of stocking food, buy a new car or something!"...well THAT is exactly what I don't want!

    Time to shut up....
     
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  12. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    I know ;) I was stating that Melbo can be more poetic than that.
     
  13. bnmb

    bnmb On Hiatus Banned

    ROFLMAO!....poetic...Good one...

    Reminded me of a joke...
    A husband is hit by a car and taken to a hospital. They phone his wife and tell her that he's in a bad shape and maybe dying. She gets to the hospital and sits by his bed...He asks her: Why were you so late?
    She says: When I arrived here, I noticed that I forgot my wallet at home, so the cab driver said to either give him a blo. job or to sing him a song...
    And husband asks: So, which song did you sing him....
    She says: Do you really think that I was in any mood for singing, while you are lying in a hospital like this?!?!?

    :D
     
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  14. Gray Wolf

    Gray Wolf Monkey+++

    Preparedness is a way of life. It's not something that you "do", it's something that you "are". Most people do not realize that most of the time we have the power to turn emergencies into inconveniences. We do this when we choose to be prepared.
    No electricity? Emergency or inconvenience? If you have propane lights, kerosene lamps, flashlights and batteries, Coleman stoves and BBQ grills, it's inconvenient.
    Without any means of cooking, lighting, and heating, it's an emergency.
    No electricity means gas pumps and ATM's are not working either. And when was the last time you went into a store that did not rely on scanners to price the goods you want to buy? No electricity means that it is unlikely that you will be able to buy the goods you need. Inconvenient if you already have the essential stuff you need, emergency if you have hungry kids and no food in the house.
    Blizzard shuts down the highways for 4 days? Guess what? In 3 days the shelves in the grocery stores are devoid of food. (BTDT) Emergency or inconvenience?
    If you choose to not be prepared, you are choosing emergencies. I much prefer inconveniences.
     
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  15. bnmb

    bnmb On Hiatus Banned

    And AMEN again...(although I'm an atheist... :D). VERY nicely put!
     
  16. UGRev

    UGRev Get on with it!

    oh.. hhaha. so you're calling him out on his mad, poetry, skillz. Gotcha :)[boozingbuddies]
     
  17. SLugomist

    SLugomist Monkey++

    Survivalist means you deny emergencies. What the un-prepared exalt as an emergency the prepared(survivalist) exalt as just another day.

    I love the statement" Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency on my part"
     
  18. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    EXCELLENT!! Nicely put.

    [beer]
     
  19. BAT1

    BAT1 Cowboys know no fear

    It will come, this system is eroding quickly. Just think of all the fine patriots we have talked to doing it. That's worth a lot these days.
     
  20. Ytka

    Ytka Monkey+

    I don't prep for any one event, just general prepping. If the country makes a turn for the better, economically and ideologically, then I still have the satisfaction of knowing I'm doing the best I can to ensure my family can get by. We've already had several small scale events that our preps have made much easier. If nothing else, I know I'll never have to be one of those people that is rushing to the grocery store the first time the news mentions snow.
     
    chelloveck likes this.
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