Suppose you found yourself with a windfall between $10,000 and $20,000.
Given how rapidly events seem to be moving and the possibility of widespread economic and social unrest, what would you invest it in?
This question was raised by one of my email-friends. The amount is not enough to create a secondary bug-out location which is something he/she kind-of craves. What would YOU invest in?
Precious metals? Training? Off-grid power generation? Food production? Water? Seismic sensors to detect uninvited intruders. Stoves that burn bundles of cash? Bars of soap? Seeds? Fertilizer?
Personally, I would lean toward beefing up my storage set-up with an eye toward security and multiple-decade durability.
To know what to use such a windfall on one must first know what one has and what one needs. Only then can proper decision making occur. The time to learn these facts is before the situation becomes urgent.
ReplyDeleteFood and related items would be the top for me, the rest of the sh*t (even on your list) is worthless. Been sitting on AG/AU for 20 years, ain't worth poo. Food and Pb and the things to throw the Pb. Forget the rest. BobT
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on the training is that one or two adults who can throw Pb have limitations. Others who might join the life-boat could benefit from training as could original people in life-boat with regard to squad-level coordination of throwing Pb.
DeleteSquad training would be great. Individual training to establish a baseline, but squad ups it to the next level.
DeleteIt depends on many things- does that friend live in the city? Buy a good, used (not a used-good) "Yoder Toter" Ford van for a way out and a home on wheels.
ReplyDeleteAre they out in the sticks? have a well dug, or a cistern installed. They could have a larger fuel-oil tank, or propane tank set up to get them thru the winter.
There aree too many options as there are not enough specifics to show what is needed.
irontomflint
I am not at liberty share any details.
DeleteUse rule of threes to identify any holes in prep priorities - three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food, or however it goes. Then start solidifying and layering bad guy detection and defenses as needed.
DeleteStaples, core supplies for homestead protection, health and cleanliness supplies. A solar power system may be a good solution as long as it supports your critical loads but it is a sign there are resources at the location that can't be masked from the air.
ReplyDeleteIn most emergencies, cash is very handy. I'd use about a quarter of the money on long term food storage and a little ammo. I'd keep a quarter as physical cash and put the rest in a bank account earning interest.
ReplyDelete#1 Generator(s)
ReplyDeleteHouse repairs, roof, windows, plumbing, secure doors, generator, firewood, maybe a vehicle repair, spare vehicle or upgrade.
ReplyDeleteSouthern NH
Excellent suggestions, and like Gremlins - we advise going long in shotguns and canned goods. If they are out in the boonies - a way of pumping water if the electrical mains are out.
Delete1. Pay off high interest debt. If money is left over:
ReplyDelete2. Emergency fund of 3 months living expense in a FICA or Fed backed Credit Union. If money is left over:
3. Generator + a few stabilized cans of ethanol free gas and some extension cords.
4. Emergency fund of 6 months living expense in a FICA or Fed backed Credit Union. If money is left over:
5: Vacation/fun split with adding to investment accounts.
Thanks for posting. This is a question we should all be answering every time we have a 'windfall' be it $100 or $100,000. In engineering school we called them gedankenexperiment - thought experiments.
ReplyDeleteA green house. And an electric chainsaw and a solar panel to charge it so I could make firewood without everyone around knowing I'm doing it. Generators are only good until you run out of gas and running it , and the gas, makes you a target. ---ken
ReplyDeleteSolar/wind setup if he's rural enough for it.
ReplyDeleteThen, (or maybe first, depending on his situation) security upgrades.
Gold below 2k/oz is a steal. Considering the hyperinflation that is coming.... stores the current value and is portable, off balance sheet.
ReplyDeleteSecure your arms and ammo needs, then get some more.
Solar power - you can do an emergency use setup for a few thousand.
Is your car in tip top shape? Fix it now. 4 new tires is $1k.
When was the last dentist visit? Putting off implants or crowns, not anymore!
Could you invest in a source of future income? Tools or skills? I'm shopping for a small sawmill b/c I live on some wooded acreage.
The dentist visit is a very good point. Better at the dentist now than pulling it out in the shop with the vicegrips next year. My granddad used to say he'd rather get a tooth pulled by the dentist than by the blacksmith. ---ken
DeleteThey've been saying that about gold forever decades, in fact, and yet it stays at more or less the same level while the dollar fades into worthlessness....so gold must be devaluing as well and as fast as the dollar.
DeleteA large solar generator with expansion battery, a few security cameras, buried cistern extra 1000 gallon propane tank.
ReplyDeleteI would create a budget first, with the categories that he deems most important to his situation. My category suggestions might be:
ReplyDelete1. Resolve any health / dental issues with long-term implications.
2. Pay off high-interest debt
3. Lay in emergency cash
4. Lay in additional food supply
5. Lay in additional life-sustaining off-grid capability (generator, water, solar, etc)
6. Improve security coverage
7. Improve 'Get-out' mobility / capability.
8. Lay in additional ammo / fire power if needed.
I haven't seen it up there but bills never stop, and even in a SHTF scenario there is going to be some kind of .GOV- ineffective as it is.
ReplyDeleteLiving in S. Texas-
I'd pay off the F-250 and I'd be debt free.
Probably get some kind of solar for the well and charging things that need charging, and if I had enough left- get and fill a 1000 pound propane tank.
Storage room is expensive as can be, probably the most expensive thing you can buy.
ReplyDelete1. You can buy shipping containers pretty cheap
2. Maximize your current storage by getting rid of crap you don't need
Late to the party (Work - The curse of the Blogging Class) but making a list as above and categorizing to different areas has always worked for me. Situations are different and listing things out can help.
ReplyDeleteOne note: Books. Buy books, either books for things you will need or books that are likely in danger of being banned.