The short answer is, just enough to pay the guards at the check points. There are two parts to the prepper economy as I see it. A store of food for emergencies when the power goes out in a storm (up here a week long power disruption is called a vacation), some cash on hand until the ATM's are up and running again, a source of heat etc. And no question about it, getting set up for all this costs money. In the Central Interior, except for the few urban areas, being prepared for these types of situations is a way of life. In rural areas a 150 mile round trip to a bank or supermarket requires planning. It must be admitted that our urban areas are no better prepared than those in the lower mainland.
In a serious meltdown I wouldn't want my assets tied up in paper currency, bullion, stocks, bonds, etc. You won't be able to access them, or find anybody who wants them. In Japan, after the war, treasured heirloom ceremonial kimonas valued in the tens of thousands of dollars and passed down in families for generations were being traded for a loaf of bread. I am not going to count on my pension. It is direct deposited, and if the power grid is down so are the ATMS.
If I were fleeing a disaster of major proportions, one that would have long term repercussions for the national economy, and ensuing social breakdown, I would be thinking barter economy. Liquor in mickey sizes, cigarettes, brass screws (ever try to make one?), fence staples, good tools, bandages, vitamin pills, sleeping bags good to -30, fishing tackle, ammo whether I know how to hunt or not, etc. etc.
Before this awful event I would be looking to purchase a 4x4 older model to save depreciation costs, with canopy. People in our area are starting to pick them up in the lower mainland relatively cheap because they do not meet pollution control standards for Vancouver. Packing up a car or SUV with the family and carefully stored supplies, unless you are fleeing a broken dyke, forest fire or chemical explosion at a local factory, or a chemical spill, would leave one totally vulnerable. To get off a highway clogged with panicked motorists you need off-road capability even to detour through a farmer's field which could potentially be flooded.
Other valuable trade items in a new economy: skills, muscle power to trade for shelter and food etc.etc. And above all a confident plan to reach a specific destination where I know I can put up a shelter (if I have not already done so), raise food, and be protected by other people I know. Building up a relationship through a network on the prepper sites is a cost free must. Helps you weed out the crazies who would klonk you over the head for whatever is in the car. Let's build ourselves a trusted network. It will be more valuable than gold.
So... smiling... the answer to your question is... none? If you can't trade it or eat it then it isn't worth much if anything. I completely agree. There are "things" we are going to need certainly... BUT... what will be most valuable will be skills and knowledge.
Wow! Well said by both. I'm new to the forum, and from the lower mainland living in a tiny condo, I do feel a little restricted by what I can stockpile. That said, it hasn't stopped me from prepping what I can and learning as much as possible, but I think you both touched on the most important part, surround yourself with like-minded people you trust who have complimentary skills to your own. I look forward to learning from everyone on here. Thx.
If you're not willing to get behind our soldiers, feel free to get in front of them.
Welcome pomojer. Look forward to seeing your active participation in these posts. A lot of people read these posts but never comment. But it is through preppers sharing their ideas that other serious preppers begin to get a "feel" for who you are, and then you will begin to develop a network. Enjoy the forums.
Well now. Gold. Silver. Diamonds.
How many and how much???? In WW2, gold and diamonds bought passage through checkpoints. The odd gun. Maybe even a roll in the hay. But as much turmoil as WW2 had, there was still order and an economy and for the most part some electricity. It was not a total collapse, unless of course the front lines were on your former front yard. I am not trying to piss any of our Vets off nor the survivors of that nasty war. But the expected collapse we may face, might not have safety nets like WW2.
If your gold and silver have just come out of your pistol mold and will be able to be reloaded for your .38/.357, then I guess you will need a fair amount of gold and silver. Business will be conducted at 1200 fps from a 6" barrel. Just kidding, of course. Silver bullets are for Werewolves. Gold ones for Zombies!
Precious metals have a place, to a certain point in a collapse, they well certainly hold value longer than paper money - which already is losing its value by the hours these days. But in the end you can not eat shiny stuff, can't drink it but you can shoot it. Sorry, just rambling, now. I better leave before you ask me to leave.
Mountainman.
haha oh mountain man you rock but i have a question anyone know about getting gold from computers is that a good way to get it to store or how would someone get gold the best way but also cheapest
Preparedness is like a condom , I've rather have it and not need it, rather than need it and not have it
panning!!
There is gold in them thar hills.....of recycled computers.
Duffman, I am sure there is a fair amount of gold circuits on circuit boards and thus in computers, but the amounts would be minimal without the ability to melt off the computer and only recover the gold. Probably not a backyard enterprise and probably hard on your health - from the toxic fumes from melting a computer.
Cheapest way to get gold - steal it. Don't get caught, it is illegal and they will throw your arse in jail.
Best way to get gold, I agree with Chilcotin, go panning. For goodness sake don't be doing in on somebody's claim. That's claim jumping and folks get mighty ticked off when they catch claim jumpers. They get almost as excited as ranchers who catch cattle-rustlers. You know tall tree & short rope, if you get my hint. Now placer gold, is found in the gravel on the bottom of creeks and rivers. Gold being heavy sinks to the bottom. Black sand almost as heavy as gold is a clue you are panning the right area. The black sand is magnetic, keep a piece of paper between the black sand and your magnet or you'll never get that crap off your magnet. Placer gold is not the ore source, so even places that were heavily panned in the old days may have some gold now. Usually, once the rivers get to low water after runoff, say August and September are some of the best times to go panning. Still warm enough to get out in the water and the water is low enough to get to some of them big rocks offshore.
Let us know which way you decided to go with this.
Mountainman.
sweet thanks guys a friend of mine told me about the computer thing was wondering what you thinked of it good info on the panning for gold is there anywhere i need to go to start a claim if say on vancouver island or lower mainland
Preparedness is like a condom , I've rather have it and not need it, rather than need it and not have it
Duffman,
There is a whole dog and pony show to go through to stake a claim - legally. You have to know the area and can find it on a map. You have to post your corner posts of your claim. You have to report the work and upgrades you do on your claim. You are limited on how big a cabin you can have on your claim. When you leave you have to remove the cabin. I am sure if you go to the BC Gov't website you should find the info. Look for Free Miners Licence. Gold panning. Staking a Claim. Being a gov't site you may need a ton of patience to get the info you need. Keep at it.
Mountainman.
PS - If you just want to practice your panning skills go to any provincial park and find a stream/creek and practive panning. Being a park you cannot keep any gold flakes you find, but you can get some real practice. You are not suppose to be allowed to stake claims in parks. Of course, their are some claims in provincial parks because the claim was staked before the park was established.
Oh Yah, The Fraser River held a lot of gold. Where on the mighty Fraser, that is something you will have to research. 🙂
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