Once he had collected all
Gold into government coffers, he
adjusted the price to its real
price of $35 per Troy ounce, and
made it legal to own gold again,
but citizens had to buy gold at the
new price fix....thus the government
made a handsome 69.33% profit overnight.
I started this thread because I really don't know what WILL happen WHEN the $ collapses. I used to think IF. Now that this health care fiasco will pass, I'm sure our economy is doomed. I have no faith that even if the GOP takes over the legislative branch in the 2010 elections, that they won't spend crazy or be able to turn it around. Also I believe all the scenarios posted could very well come true, at least some places, sometimes. Lots of BIG shots make Big Money legitimately in this economy, WHY are they just standing by while it's going down the toilet? There is money to be made from cradle to grave,who will prosper if the USA becomes one huge Katrina? Who will buy China's junk when we're collapsed?
I knew an old German who survived WWII and worked the black market, post-war.
Granted this was in Europe 60+ years ago, but he told me there were a few things moved like lightning: cigarettes, alcohol, toilet paper and...chocolate.
Don't underestimate the psychology of a SHTF scenario. Yes, people have needs, but in a culture that has been so focused on wants, your gain on small ticket "comfort" items can be huge. Not to say a case of 5.56 or 9mm would be too shabby to have.
Here is where my thoughts are. Which will do me more good and be worth more a 1 oz gold coin that cost me $1300 or $1300 worth of food, medical supplies, oil, house hold goods, and ammo. In my mind there is no choice. I have some silver and even a little gold but if I did already have my stock pile of the other stuff I would sell it right away and buy them.
If the SHTF for real, it won't matter what the currency is. If you need something, you're gonna have to just take it. If someone needs something of yours and you don't want to let it go, they are going to have to try to take if from you. Bottom line: If the shtf for real money and/or currency is not going to matter at all.
^ This, too.This is a great thread with much potential, I think. Probably worth 100 threads, in fact!
I think too often people hear SHTF and think of a "giant meteor hits the earth" type disaster. Katrina is a great example of a SHTF scenario, but that type of disaster tends to be regional, rather than national in scope. A natural disaster of that severity with a permanent impact isn't likely to hit Indiana, unless the New Madrid fault slips in a major way. Granted, we had serious flooding in southern Indiana just a couple of years ago, but that didn't result in the government collapsing, etc.
Regarding a financial collapse that would have a national impact, I think many on this board probably have an aged relative who can comment on what that would be like, based on their experience in the Great Depression. No doubt there would be much suffering and inconvenience, but I don't think the United States turns into Darfur because the Chinese stop buying our debt. The world may hate us and our way of life, but I don't doubt they will try to prop us up in some way so we can continue to buy their goods. If they don't, they are going to follow us down the drain eventually, especially the Chinese.
I recently read Stud Terkel's "Hard Times", and recognized some eerie parallels between people's observations about the Great Depression and our current time. Remember, things are never as good or as bad as they seem.