@Shel – Thank you for the insightful comment. Bartering is a great way to get the things you want… without paying Uncle Sam his cut.

@Paul – The verse you’re referring to is (I believe) Ezekiel 7:19. It seems to me that prophecy has already been fulfilled during the destruction of Jerusalem from 70-73 A.D. There may yet be a future fulfillment.

The best preparation is to listen to the voice of God and trust Him for all things.

Other suggestions:

–Don’t try to store up weeks or months of water. You can’t carry much water with you if you need to travel. Rather, get a portable water filtration system.

–Buy silver. It can be used as a medium of exchange if/when the dollar becomes worthless. I realize you can’t eat it, but it could be worth having some.

–Learn survival. Knowledge of how to find food, water, etc. will be extremely valuable in case of a catastrophe.

Ultimately, you can’t plan for all scenarios. We are limited in our ability to see. That’s why it’s so important to be tuned into the One who can see all things.

Revelation states there will come a day when the people throw gold and silver into the streets because it’s worthless.

If you live in the city, or a suburb, surrounded by people all in the same boat as you, if you are reliant on power that is generated off site for your daily existence, if you depend on the trucks running to stock the shelves so you can eat… what then?

I moved from the Gulf Coast of FL because Charlie scared me to death, and Katrina showed me a glimpse (on a very small scale in my opinion) of what could happen in a crisis.

I’m not saying any of this will happen, but I’m not saying it won’t either.

Silver is a good investment in terms of its worth in dollars. But you can’t eat silver, and you can’t heat your house with it.

Trust me, I wouldn’t have considered any of this if I hadn’t been sitting in my living room in 2005, newly married with my wife pregnant with our first child watching a Cat 5 hurricane headed straight for my front door on TV with only 15 gallons of drinking water stored up in case anything happened.

It was very sobering.

PFH

I’ve been speaking and writing for years on the idea tht money is just a means to an end (not original, but worth repeating). You can use money to buy things you like or donate it to help others–or you can accomplish those same goals through other means. In fact, an e-book I wrote all the way back in 1995, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant’s Pocketbook, shows how to travel, dine out, see entertainment, etc. for little or no money.

As it happens, I’m ushering for a David Byrne concert tonight. Instead of paying $70, I’m getting to the theater about an hour before I would normally, and showing people to their seats. Not that I can’t afford the ticket, but I actually enjoy most shows more if I’m working at them (and don’t feel ripped off if the show turns out to be less than stellar). I own a $5k Persian rug that I never would have bought; I bartered some copywriting for it.

Too many people see money as the end in itself. But money is only worth anything when you convert it to goods and services.

There were a couple interesting news items today. When Iceland’s government went bankrupt, it was big news. But nobody felt anything immediately.

That has since changed. Two months later and Icelanders are hurting. So much so that they raided their Central Bank. That would be like Americans storming the Federal Reserve.

Furthermore, an internal memo from a top Citibank analyst has been leaked. The memo poses one of two possible scenarios, both of which involve a complete financial meltdown.

For sources, look at my Digg profile under Favorites:

http://digg.com/users/rhealy

Most Americans assume we are just facing an ordinary recession. And they believe we can turn things around if we just work hard enough. This is blind optimism.

Of course, I could be a raving lunatic. Time will tell.

My parents for instance were successful in their goal of raising me to be a responsible adult and I am transferring this to our kids. Working in one organisation from 18 to age 58, my Dad brought home a decent pay pack, but no stress. We were a happy family, and now with a family of my own I refuse to chase money by working extra hours. Personally I don’t think it’s worth it. Instead I take the time to invest wisely, so I can grow what I’ve earned, without having to toil for it.

@Paul – I’m getting ready to invest in silver. I’m not investing in paper — I’m actually taking delivery of silver. Lots to say about silver… would take pages. In case you’re interested, you can read my article “How to Survive the Collapse of the American Empire.”

@Caleb – Hey, man! Haven’t heard from you in a while. Thanks for dropping by.

@Rob – I believe we are witnessing the collapse of the American Empire. As such, the dollar will cease to exist. There may be a new currency to replace it. Study what happened when the Weimar Republic went bankrupt. Or study what’s currently happening in Iceland or Zimbabwe.

@Tony – Hmmm…. if money were dirt. I’ll have to think about that one.

@John – Thank you. The question definitely puts a little different perspective on how you would react.

@Terry – Thanks for the comment. Love your example of the average size of houses and how they’ve grown over time… while family size is shrinking!

@DK – When the dollar is worthless, I’ll be listening to what God tells me to do. In the mean time, I’m investing in silver and acquiring some basic survival necessities.

@Perry – Thanks for the book suggestion. I actually believe the book of Revelation is nearly done. Although I believe there will definitely be some “labor pains” as we witness the transition to the Stone Kingdom.

@Nadin – Thank you for your comment. “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11,12)

@James – Unconditional love is indeed hard to find. It is rare. The only person who embodies it perfectly is Jesus.

@Jeremy – Interesting exercise! My solution to what I call “the blahs” was having kids. I haven’t experienced boredom since!

That’s exactly why I meditate everyday and learn to control my emotions.

One exercise that I’ve previously done but don’t much anymore (I really should more though) – is making myself as bored as possible ON PURPOSE, then trying to make myself 100% happy even though I’m bored out of my mind.

It’s pretty fun actually – and usually works.

Jeremy Reeves
http://www.controlbeatingcopy.com

I hear of this concept, “unconditional love”; I can honestly say I’ve never seen it nor have I experienced it from another person.
First year, torrid romances don’t count – I’m talking about long-lasting, personal and/or familial relationships.
What an “other-worldly” range of emotions and good feelings the lucky person who HAS experienced this or has it now in his/her life.
If anyone reading this has experienced
UNCONDTIONAL LOVE
tell me what it’s like… please.

( Great stuff, Ryan. Like you, I believe we will see the day when the dollar IS worth less than the paper it’s written on… we’re close; maybe we’re there, now and personally when the word becomes official, call me releived!)

I always enjoy what you write and this surely is something that came from your heart.

However, I always flinch when someone tries to define “true wealth” , “true happiness” etc. These “Truths” are extremely “relative” and attempting to “box” it is, IMO, meaningless.

* Money can’t make you happy.
Lack of money can can make you extremely unhappy.

* It can’t earn your children’s love.
Lack of money could lead to losing your children

* It can’t give you a sense of meaning.
Lack of it will probably devoid your mind of any meaning about anything.

* It can’t help you answer the great questions of life.
Well, I don’t know what are the great questions of your life – but use of money has been critical in answering (via research) of many many questions about our existence. On a less grand scale, it has been instrumental in providing answers to many of the pressing questions of my life.

But in all honesty, do I think money alone can answer any question that I may have? No and I don’t know what can either.

* It can’t give you self-worth or self-confidence.
Lack of money will easily and quickly steal the last ounces of your self-worth and self-confidence. Trust me!

Thanks.
Nadin

I would recommend reading The Long Emergency by James Howard Kuntsler. He offers a different outlook than most people think about. My wife doesn’t want to even think about the possibility. I’d rather prepare in advance.

As far as religious belief in Armageddon (what I suspect Ryan may be alluding to – and my wife believes is probably coming – when who knows) goes, money simply won’t mean anything then. Another medium of exchange will need to be created.

I think I’ll go turn the compost pile. :)