I do not want this to be a political debate nor an opportunity to post recent headlines. However, in my opinion, this administration seems to be taking actions which history suggests may lead towards a near or total economic collapse. Whether you agree with this or not is irrelevant.
This post’s question is: If one were to have a concern that they’d no longer be able to afford common household goods or that mainstream (S&P, Nasdaq) financial investments were no longer sound, what can one do to prepare for “the worst”? What actions could someone take today to minimize economic hardship in the future?
I would also like thoughtful insight from older adults to offer younger adults about how they should be better preparing themselves for an uncertain future, outside of current events or place of residence.
Felt that I should add a few notes:
Storing a small supply of luxury items for trade or making friends may be a good idea. Don’t set aside so much that you make yourself into a mark, just a small amount, maybe no more than a grocery bag full. Tobacco, booze, coffee, weed if it’s legal, and chocolate are all going to be big hits with a lot of folks, but you know your area better than I do and maybe you’d be better off having a special cheese stash or something. Use your best judgement. Get into this stash when you need a little something to make or sweeten a trade, or when you’d like to make nice with someone (pro-tip, give gifts with no expectations of reciprocity, but if it’s offered, don’t refuse. Instead of refusing, try to see that it doesn’t feel like the exchange of gifts wasn’t completely square. Not so much that someone feels ripped off, but enough that the transaction doesn’t feel complete. It’s a narrow window to thread, and just accept the exchange graciously if you can’t hit it).
If you’re worried about keeping your food garden low-key, there’s a number of plants that can pass as ornamentals that, while not staple crops, will still feed you. Right out the gate, pumpkins are, imo, really able to walk the line between ornamental and food. Corn can go with pumpkins here if you can pull off the fall aesthetic. Going into less conventional food sources, you can put clover, chives, and spring onions into your front yard and they probably won’t be meaningfully distinguishable unless you’ve got some HOA dorks up your ass. There’s also a number of clump grasses that will 100% pass as ornamentals but will also feed you. Look into the grasses that the native Americans depended on in your area; they’re a little too region specific and too many to get into here, IME. There’s also a pretty good selection of trees and herbs that can be treated as ornamentals, but will also keep you fed. Blueberries spring to mind, in particular, as their foliage is very handsome imo.