Economics & Investing For Preppers

46 Comments

1. my wife is just thankful that i invested in soft tangible toilet paper.

   1. lol no kidding!

2. The Coronavirus will bankrupt many more than it will kill!

3. My best friend’s ex wife just called him last night while he was at my house and apologized for thinking he was crazy and apologized to me for getting him into prepping….she got to keep all the toilet paper! among other food and bullets and guns. Made my night!

   1. Wow. It’s a shame they ended up divorced and you have to wonder if their different ways of looking at the world contributed to them parting ways.

      At least she had the decency to apologize. You’re a good friend to be concerned enough about your best friend that you educated him on the risks of being unprepared.

4. For those who dismissed the coronavirus as being “just like the flu” and lost the opportunity to buy N95 face masks before they disappeared from shelves and the price skyrocketed, I received an email this morning from http://www.dhgate.com, a China based internet business. It has a wide array of masks of various types, including 3M masks. There will, of course, be a delay before they arrive at your door.

   I have ordered unrelated items through this company over the years and never had a problem.

   FYI, after hearing reports of what was happening in China, I decided that it didn’t bode well for the US. I ordered 100 N95 masks from a company on January 24, 25 SafeLife masks, made in the USA, for $8.95. At that time, the vendor had recently purchased a pallet of these masks for $300.00. I was told yesterday that if that same pallet was purchased by the vendor, it would cost $21,000.00.

   This is a clear example of where it pays to “panic early and beat the rush.”

5. “Fear batters the economy as U.S. death toll hits 26”
   That article was from the 10th, maybe written on the 9th, 8th?
   Washington State just had their 31st death attributed to Covid-19 as of this morning.

   Two different articles this morning spoke of rates of infection doubling every 6 days.

   Stay strong peeps. Stay vigilant. Prayer works.

   Ugh, just went over my list of medical stuff on hand. Just realized I do not have a simple thermometer. How could I miss this? Feeling kind of stupid right now.

   1. That is the problem for those who keep insisting that this is no big deal. We are in the early stages of this and to point to whatever numbers seem to make this no big deal is short sighted. The number of deaths is doubling every 5-6 days worldwide. In those countries where the virus started late that doubling is now taking less than that amount of time. One very conservative estimate I heard from and expert last night was over a million deaths from covid19. He admitted it was a low estimate so what if it is two or even three million die. Is it a big deal then?

   2. From your post: “Ugh, just went over my list of medical stuff on hand. Just realized I do not have a simple thermometer. How could I miss this? Feeling kind of stupid right now.”

      Go easy on yourself! This happens to all of us at one point or another. You offer a good reminder to all of us re: the need to visit and revisit lists (our own, and those written by others which add to the depth and breadth of preparedness thinking and planning).

      Thoughts from Frank and Fern posted a good reminder about filling in the holes: https://thoughtsfromfrankandfern.blogspot.com/

      …and our SurvivalBlog editors do a great job of helping with this here alongside other contributing readers. In addition to being individuals and independent households across the country (and abroad), we are also a community — and we’re going to do our level best to get through this as a community!

      Remain steady. Be safe. Stay well everyone!

      1. Agreed. And please keep in mind that your pile of other preps will provide quite desirable barter items to trade for most anything that you might have overlooked.

         1. Totally agree, Sir,

            Also, as a side suggestion – I have started keeping a “lessons learned” notebook and making notes of what I still need/want, what hasn’t worked as I thought and what is working.

            In the event this thing does “calm down” in the summer, I will be purchasing as many things as I can, in the event that some of the “experts” opinions are correct that it will come back worse than ever fall/winter here in the US.

            Not to downplay the severity of this, but we all talk about “practicing our preps”. That is a good way to look at this. Let’s view it as a “serious learning event” (albeit involuntary) so we can be that much better prepared for the future.

            1. That is a fine idea.

               OBTW: In addition to all the much-publicized warnings, people should get in the habit of taking off their shoes immediately and then washing their hands whenever entering their houses. Don’t track in Mr. Wuhan!

   3. When you do buy one, I highly suggest one that uses the ear. Of course it is not quite as accurate as the oral ones, but if you have to check your temperature often (like a couple times a day), it is much easier and quick. And about 20.00. Always can have the more accurate one on hand as well.

      1. Wow. It took 3 stores before I found the last one. (2 is one…).
         One ear model and one oral. Otherwise, sold out.
         I’m incredulous.
         Glad I’m fairly well equipped in most other areas.

6. No point in waiting a week, this is happening now. “Timber!”

7. BTW, I still think this is like the flu, and I bought my N95s months ago. I don’t see any big differences in the epidemiology of this bug over many others we’ve been exposed to. This is “novel”, so without a history of exposure to these particular proteins our resistance is a bit less. But this is a perfect example that we are still our own worst enemy. Poor hygiene practices on a social level are what make this contagion so active. It does make for a good study in statistics, when considering the morbidity rate is still single digits percentage wise, yet millions are expected to die as this progresses. Big numbers can be difficult for the layman’s mind to grasp. When dealing with a beach full of sand, it is hard to imagine the significance of a few bucketfuls. But when you talk about comparisions in terms of human lives, the perspective swings wildly the other way, even though the numbers don’t change.

   1. Benjamin, you pretty much hit the nail on the head IMO. People have no grasp of history so this seems like a huge event to most but it really isn’t when you compare it to other pandemics in history or even flu epidemics in our lifetimes. Everybody remembers Woodstock but almost nobody remembers the Hong Kong Flu unless you bring it up, yet it only happened the winter before Woodstock. And that killed a million people worldwide. These epidemics are fairly common throughout history so that’s another big reason why I have such a hard time buying into all the bio-weapons and escaped bio-engineered virus theories. As far as Mother Nature is concerned this is hardly a little blip on her radar compared to what she’s done in the past.

      Sure, I don’t want to be the first to get it and I fear for the old people in my life, but they are not listening to common sense and there’s not a lot I can do for them other than stock up on extra flu meds. The mortality rate numbers are all over the board so I don’t think we’ll have any idea until the dust settles. Even then, I’ll have my doubts until somebody does some serological studies in 2021, calculates what percentage of the total population was infected (including symptomless carriers), then calculates a death rate from that. We’ll never have more than just an educated guess at best.

   2. Thanks for this comment. Definitely agree. People should keep in mind that on average (2018 estimate):

      • 151,600 people die each day

      • 6,316 people die each hour

      • 105 people die each minute

      • Nearly two people die each second

      • 55.3 million people die each year

      It’s estimated by the CDC and published by Lancet that seasonal flu/influenza alone kills 291,000 to 646,000 people a year.

      Let’s keep it real here.

      The overall media response to this is just absurd, careless and irresponsible in my opinion. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of it was intended to distract from Biden’s dementia and a deliberate attempt to derail Trump’s otherwise inevitable re-election.

      I’m much more concerned about the total deaths from unnecessary aggressive military adventures by the Military-Industrial Complex. Masks? How about we bring the troops home from Afghanistan and Iraq?

      Either way, really enjoy all the comments on all sides here, though.

8. See, Folks are smart. Buy up all of the toilet paper, that way when SHTF, everyone can quickly clean it up. That is what toilet paper is for after all. No government intervention needed.

9. A heads-up,

   Ice Age Farmer is talking about POSSIBLE Declaration of Martial law by Monday….

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfdiMmQl06k

   ?????

   Through Drudge Report

   Trump to Declare a National Emergency

   https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-declare-national-emergency-speed-151931686.html

10. Wow, silver:gold ratio 104:1. Never thought I’d see the day. Everybody liquidating everything. It’s a long way to the bottom. PM’s gonna get real cheap here in a few weeks if 2008/9 was any indication.

    1. We should note that much of the PM’s are paper begin sold by the brokers, and investors attempting to cover margin calls. The bottom could be as low as 10,000, but it will take awhile before we get there. If Trump declares a State of Emergency on, or by Monday, it could be real ugly on Monday and Tuesday.

11. One thing to keep in mind for all of us is the bigger picture, and why we became ‘preppers’ or ‘Survivalists’ in the first place: we’re only halfway through March, and 2 1/2 months into 2020. Around the world, we’ve seen massive wildfires and floods, the possibility of nuclear conflict with North Korea and Iran, an economy that’s been on one of the biggest roller coasters in history, more over reach of government, and now a virus that no one has much of a clue of what will happen with it. We’re not even through the first 1/3 of the year!

    Preparing for things like this is what we do. The more you prepare, the less panic there will be. Take a deep breath, say a quick prayer, and keep moving forward. Understand, those of us here are more prepared than the general population to deal with whatever happens. Even if you’re new to this, and only have two weeks of food and water, that’s probably 10 days more than your neighbors have. They’re still thinking the government will take care of them, when we all know better.

    A healthy dose of paranoia is not a bad thing. Remember, if you’re paranoid, but wrong 1,000 times, you’re still alive. If you’re not paranoid, but wrong once, you or your family are SOL.

    1. I think this weekend is going to be “interesting”. Definitely a good time to stay out of the stores…….. Have gotten lots of emails cancelling all sorts of stuff in my area, from recreation center programs to contra dances to St Patrick’s day music events. The people(unless totally living in a cave) will have figured out that something big is up and I suspect will hit the stores en masse this weekend. TP, masks,bleach, hand sani and wipes all gone but now it’s on to the food batteries and water. Plus beer and chips of course. And sadly, I have no chips. Salsa but no chips. Don’t drink beer so no problem there.

12. I have confidence in myself and fellow preppers. We will, with divine assistance, survive and help others survive.

    Disease or depression, being prepared with the basics covers it well.

    Carry on

    1. Yes sir. Were ready and good prepper neighbors are gold!

13. As I said to the wife, when talk of the Coronavirus first started. It’s not the disease that will kill you – It’s the stupidity and panic that will get you. No, I don’t have a stockpile of N-95 masks. It was on the list, but never got around to it – my bad. But, a collapsed economy is going to kill a lot more that the virus. Maybe I’m naive, or maybe just not that bright, but the fact that we could be looking at a world wide recession/depression scares me a lot more than the virus.

    Right now the shelves are still decently stocked at the supermarket, thanks to tens of thousands of containers being off-loaded from ships on the coast. Those containers were loaded when? Given that China’s production has pretty much been zero since January, what’s it going to be like in 2 months when there are no ships to unload, and none coming.

    What about the fact that Italy is in virtual lockdown. How long can their economy survive. Or Spain’s, or Greece’s for that matter. Crashing the Euro will send world money markets into a tailspin. A world without money for everyday transactions is almost as bad as the Zombies coming.

    I know that I’m preaching to the choir here. I know that this is one of the reasons that we prep, some of us more than others. But up until the last week, this has always been the thing we prepped for, but deep down, with me anyway, we never expected to really have to use them. I have had to admit to myself that I’m scared. Not for myself or my wife – we’re not sitting to bad – but for the world in general. What will the north american landscape look like in 6 or 8 months. For me, that uncertainty is scary.

    1. The Lone Canadian – you aren’t alone in your concerns but we will weather thru it!

       Just to give you a glimpse of my day:

       6 AM – normal routine, coffee, waking up and scanning headlines for overnight news.

       6:15 AM – Came across report Austin TX (Travis County) had reported it’s first 2 confirmed cases.

       6:30 AM – Already planned on going to a local Walmart to pick up a prescription for my better half at 8 AM (opening time), so immediately started a list of last minute purchases to make before “full lock down”.

       815 AM – Arrived at Walmart, parking lot not bad. Went in and picked up script. Started checking items (basically curious) – NO tylenol, Vit C, Vit B12, Zinc lozenges, Gloves, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, paper towels, baby wipes, any sort of rice, bulk pinto beans, canned meat items picked almost bare (only high $$ items left). Customers walking around with carts piled high with of various items, most wearing any type of mask they could purchase, some wearing any type of gloves they could get.

       I did come across a lady with a disabled daughter who literally had a “deer in the headlights” look. She was one of those wearing a regular dust mask and food service gloves. She was desperately looking for cans of potted meat. I started a conversation with her and could tell she was really desperate, had no previous prepping knowledge, was on a very limited income. I began to calmly give her more ideas of buying other foods – dried pasta, chef boy r dee, chili, peanut butter, breakfast cereal (dry and hot), etc. I could see the relief starting to fill her eyes. She thanked me profusely. I told her it wasn’t necessary and that we would all get thru this together. I made my purchases and headed for the checkout.

       Hardly anyone was using the “self-checkout”. The lines for 3 cashiers were 5 deep. I got in line behind a couple using one of the self-checkout lines. They were also stocking up. After 20 minutes in line, I was finally out of the store.

       The parking lot was beginning to fill up. Folks were whipping into parking spots and not just “normally walking” into the store. They were at a “brisk walk” as if late for an appointment. As I pulled out of my parking spot, there were 3 cars waiting for a parking spot on that isle.

       9:30 AM – Got home and unloaded the car. Checked headlines before going out to plant as much I could in the garden. Learned Gov. Abbott was giving a news conference at 12 noon and President Trump giving one at 2 PM (central time).

       12 Noon – Texas declares State of Emergency – 39 cases (up from 21 yesterday)

       2 PM – President Trump declares National Emergency

       Sadly – I’m expecting things to get really crazy in this area this weekend.

       I realize this is very “long-winded” as they say here in Texas, but my point is, we can expect things to get rough, probably for the next 3 months (if we are lucky). With the expanded testing authorized by the President, I fully expect to see cases within the US to skyrocket next week as the numbers become available. This is not absolutely because of the spread of the virus. It’s due to the number of testing we can potentially do compared to the cases that previously “were off the radar” due to lack of testing.

       I believe we all share your concerns with the supply chains. It is inevitable. However, we must rely on our preps, rely on each other, help our neighbors and communities as we can. Above all, we must rely on the Lord. HE is our protection, counselor, and provides us with the guidance and wisdom we all need.

       Take care, stay calm, stay alert. We will make it through this!

       1. Lisa: Thanks for that. I know in my heart that we’l make it through. I’m very lucky in where I live, and who I’m married to. My wife was in town yesterday and was listening to some of the women talking at the local bank. (I live outside of a small rural town of about 450) Everybody was already looking at what we could do as a community if things got bad. Communal meals at the Agricultural Hall. Making sure the seniors were looked in on to see if they needed anything. This isn’t big government planning. This is just your average rural Canadians getting ready to pull together as a community. And my wife is definitely my partner in prepping. It couldn’t get much better.

          Having been sober for over 20 years now, I know that our Lord has always been there for me. He kept me alive through the stupid times and has always guided my life since – when I would get out of the way and let him. But I sure wouldn’t mind if he sent a little more wisdom my way.

          Maybe it’s a good night’s sleep, or maybe it’s just getting out of his way, but today is a new day. Things will happen as they are supposed to, and I just need to remember that I can’t control the world, or the way it reacts.

          1. Amen Lone Canadian! I agree a good night’s sleep helps everything. I actually feel more calm and focused today than I have in a while. I think it was the “uncertainty” that was getting to me and while there is still a lot of uncertainty on the way things will turn out, it’s like a “switch has turned on” – this is the way things are, we will carry on and Lord willing, overcome!

             As to your lady, a good partner in life is always one of the best asset’s a person can have!

14. We are blessed to live in the greatest country on earth. I still have a a bumper sticker I created 20 years ago that said “The USA: God’s Gift to the World”. We will survive and prosper if we believe this and live the Ten Commandments. It may not be easy. Ronald Reagan said “Trust but verify”. I say “Believe but prepare”. Even bought some stock today of a company whose P/E was less than 1. Cheers!!!

    1. Guardian, America has a generation that knows only of living with perpetual wars waged by the U.S. Military on foreign soil. Millions have been murdered, maimed and displaced by these wars. How do explain to this generation that today’s America supports Christ’s principle of non-aggression?

       1. Do you mean when he told his disciples that two swords were enough?

          How about when he told the evil leaders it would have been better if they had been drowned?

          Or the two different times he trashed the farmers market and overturned money changers tables in the Temple, made whips, and whipped them until they were driven out of His Father’s House?

          How about the old testament demand to Defend The Widows and Orphans? That means actively and literally, not a figure of speech, to me.

          How about when he actively drove demons out of people?

          I know Jesus wants us to defend the His church, I do it now as a Sheepdog at the doors of our church.

          Your non-aggression assertion could be clarified. I submit He wants us to be very aggressive, as in Mathew 28, and be prepared for his prophecies in Matthew 24.

          God Bless, and keep the snow shovels handy over there.

          1. Defense and offence are 2 different things. Pacifism is different from the non-aggression principle. I fully support having the most powerful military and intelligence possible, but only to be used for self-defense purposes.

             OK and maybe kicking the moneychangers (Federal Reserve) out of the temple (Constitutional government) just kidding… sort of…

             Seriously, drone striking non-combatants without due process of law is not ethical in any way, IMO. Prrrretty sure Jesus wouldn’t be cool with that.

15. I, for one, am happy to see people beginning to have common sense pantries. Makes my community safer. I’ve had months of TP already on hand, so have at it. The problem I saw with Y2K was the complacency that crept in when the world didn’t fall apart. The world rarely falls apart. Happy family time as we collectively remember those whom we live with. Break out the cards and hot chocolate.

16. Some thoughts, If this gets really bad where will all the bodies be buried and by whom. I guess the morticians will be the only ones making a good living until they catch it and die. Who will be doing the job then?
    I saw a trendy Restaurant on the news last nite. The wait staff will be wearing gloves specific to each table. Tables have been separated to 6 feet apart. Where will they continue to get gloves and how will they be disposed of in order to avoid creating a potential repository of the virus. Burn them? Transit can cause more spreading of the virus.
    I see the transmission of the virus to be most viable through our currency system. How do we stop this? UV light may kill the virus. Probably use of the debit/ credit card swipe/insert would be best. How do we keep the key pads on the machines sterile. Personally wipe them off with Clorox wipes we each carry before using them? What about the handle on the gas pump we have to use to keep driving. Same as above?
    So now we are supposed to cough or sneeze into our Elbow. Instead of Handshakes we use the elbow bump. I suggest we cough/sneeze into our left elbow so we can elbow bump with our right. When someone coughs or sneezes near us do we immediately back up 10 or 12′ and how does that area get sterilized afterward.
    Just some thoughts to ponder. My wife has a CPAP machine which has a cleaner which uses ozone/O3 to kill bacteria on the mouth piece. Does it also kill viruses? If so the travel industry needs to use large ones to sterilize their planes, trains, and cruise ships. UV light is also a viable option for sterilization of surfaces. Why are these not in common use in the above as well as hospitals and every where else where contagion is possible.

17. Just kind of random or passing thought on the oil shale industry going toes up, but this could present a good opportunity for one with some resources to pick up construction equipment at fire sale prices and potentially turn a profit if not keeping for their own use. I think a half way decent backhoe would be a boon to any retreat property.

18. I think today’s youth will pickup some good sanitization practices that will last their lifetimes
    I remember my Grandmother washing the top of her pop can before pouring it into a glass (drinking from a can was crude to her ). Not having seen this done before I asked why.
    Her reply was telling me about the flu of 1918 when she was 14 years old. As long as she lived her house was spotless, you could have moved the refrigerator and eaten off the floor.
    I would not recommend you do that at my house , unless you want to thicken up the gravy!

    1. I’ve spent a couple decades telling my teenage students to cover their mouths when coughing and sneezing along with other sanitary practices. The most common response was “I can do what I want.” Or “You can’t tell me what to do.” I’m going to be at home, so no longer have to endure unsanitary public behaviors. Very happy that we will be returning to sensible public behaviors…I hope anyway!

19. March 13, 2020
    SGT Report
    Supply Chain Crisis
    https://youtu.be/G0MCiRggtyA

    Even if one believes that this is only flu bug, it is also a Black Swan Event.

    1. Live streaming now.

       Chris Martensen
       Disruptions Triggered By The Coronavirus Are Now Exploding Everywhere
       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWEakkc_xxs

20. Montana Guy,
    I won’t even pretend to come close to JWR’s knowledge of the bible but in Matthew 10:34 Jesus said “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” I think we have been naive in trying to end the never ending violence and spread of terrorism in the Middle East. I think Jesus knew we couldn’t just stand and tolerate the work of the devil. In John 3:8 he says “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the work of the devil.” While our politicians may not have been using the bible for guidance, they knew the devil when they saw him.
    We are still the greatest nation that ever was. We have saved millions of lives in countless wars and only took enough land to bury our dead.

    1. @Guardian and Wheatley Fisher: Amen! So grateful to have “family” like you.

       -your sister in Christ

    2. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:12

21. Thank you GritsInMt. Wish I could be in the Great Redoubt

22. Additional thoughts for y’all’s (<< is that a real word? why yes, yes it is) consideration: One of the things I did some time ago, was to identify LOCAL resources, a local rancher and local farmer, for meat, milk, eggs, grains, in addition to growing as much as possible. For those in big cities, such as New York, L.A., S.F. Bay Area, etc., outside your city limits are small ranches and farmers. Although it's too early for local produce in the northern areas, many of them have meat and other items. See if you can find one that delivers or meets you half way or find out where they drop off. I would not buy anything that is way over priced. I think that demonstrates a dishonesty. My local rancher (local is at least 1-2 hour drive away) raises beef, pork, chicken, and has milk with which I can make butter and cheese etc. As far as the toilet paper craziness, it's instructive and I think a few generations, who have not listened about preparedness, will remember this for a lifetime and be more prepared in future. (As an aside: I'm frustrated with Ice Age Farmer. I think he's making people panic worse, and his conclusions from news items that are cherry picked without the full U.S. supply context, in my humble opinion, are painting a total apocalyptic picture. I could be wrong because God's plans are not my plans. But, I think things are going to calm down. I think the markets are going to stabilize. I think people are going to learn from this current panic. Wake up calls are good for us.) Just my opinion.

Comments are closed.