How to Meal Prep for Economic Collapse

 

The current (future) economic landscape is a whirlwind of unpredictability coupled with a heavy sense of hopeful antagonism. We want to feel like we are in a good situation so we enjoy the now, but remain relatively tame and frugal with our spending when we simply need to. There is an air of the compliance hinged around convenience and complacency. Who knows what the future holds? Sure we can listen to these economists and their models and figures, but can we really be prepared for a true economic collapse?

Build the bunker. Hunker down. Here comes a flood. Hell, we might drown. 

The ability for the mind to wander into destructive paths and worrisome storms is strong and alarming. Inflation breathes down our neck with every little purchase. We might not notice right away, but we start to feel that heaviness of swiping that card or handing over our dirty fiat to regular businesses. Like a frog in a boiling pot or death by a thousand cuts, it's the small things that tend to nip us in the heels and really ignite or anxious financial attention. It's those little treats we give ourselves that tend to add up in the long in. The pull of American every day decadence allows us to appreciate the fruits of our labor even if it comes in a coffee cup or an experience involving yoga and goats. We are in a transactional paradigm and each of our financial decisions hinge on catering to our needs and desires. 

Alas, we fill our places of residence with stuff that we may not use for awhile and stuff them in a closet somewhere where it can collect dust. Need a hammer and can't find the one you used last? You have the option to hop in your motorized vehicle and head down to the store to get a new one. When you come back, you may or may not find that hammer later on. Now you have two hammers. A luxury and a privilege in a society of convenience, comfort and commerce. 

The stuff builds. We may sell it. Give it away or donate it to someone in need. Our minds can get heavy and sometimes we make a sacrifice of objects we may be attached to. We may feel an emptiness or a void when we get rid of our so called stuff. We can pay attention to that or sit with it and it will pass or we can replace it with something else thus starting the cycle of stuff all over again. We have options and it all depends on how aware we are and how we comfortable we are with the discomfort of the subtle art of "not spending money." 

What you own tends to eventually...own you. 

Limits can be a good thing. Financial ones especially. Although there is a spot where no one wants to be in an anxious state or worry. Worried about the next meal. Worried on whether you are able to pay your bills on time. There is a multitude of factors that can contribute to financial stress. Debt becomes a type of saving grace with a snake bite as a tail. Sure, we can borrow more money, but that is more money we have to pay in the future. Interest upon interest. All of which most of us are not interested in unless of course you are on the lending end. Always Something to sell. The ability to ease your anxiety but getting a little boost in the meantime to mitigate some of the financial turns and tantrums. What a time to be alive.

Apocalypse? Ah, We can just print more money!

There seems to be a type of spiritual connection with being more financially conscious. Unfortunately we live in a world of fees, fares and no free lunches. Most of us leaving our humble abodes to get out and sociable relies on the ability to pay for things. Businesses want your business and whether that is your business to patron that business is up to you. Limiting your spending can allow the mind to be more creative and flexible in its pursuits to look at things that would normally be unconscious or inconvenient. And God forbid we become inconvenienced. We know how going out of our way or using a little extra elbow grease can rile us up like rats in the cage. Rats in the never ending rat race. 

Do I need this? Do I want this? Is me spending this money going to create a great memory or experience? What are some cheaper options?

Can we really be prepared for impeding doom? This grasping for relevancy and certainty is something to behold. It feels like that the sun could explode any day now. It would be too fast to notice. A flash and blink of the eye. Live in the moment they say. Well it is here. It is always here. It just matters on how we perceive and conceptualize it. And once we start conceptualizing "The Now" we miss it. It slips through our fingers like lukewarm water. The proverbial Now can turn to vapor in an instance. Poof! There it was and now here it ain't. Yes you did indeed miss "it "again. 

"You get really creative when you're poor."

How can people progress that are sinking in debt? It's expensive to live. It's designed that way. The whole economic system seems like it is almost propped up by bamboo shoots. There are cracks and it appears as if any moment it can collapse. But don't you worry, we have the duct tape to patch things up. There may be some little leaks, but can use buckets to pick up the drips. Hold on to your net worth or you might be caught in those vicious and invisible sticky webs. 

What are the first three letters of Assets? 

There's only so much we can control and the things we think we can control are less controllable than you think. It's a cause and effect chain that creates more cause and effect chains. There is a myriad of factors that brought you to where you are today. Some were your choices sure, but what made you make those choices? We rationalize our decisions after the fact. Whether good, bad or ugly. It's part of the process of living this life. We hold so tight to our identities because we desperately want the world to make sense. Uncertainty is a buzzkill and a whirling pool of anxiety. Comfort and convenience are our teddy bears. We cling to the blanket of security even if it is a little damp. 

Just sell the masses certainty and preparedness even if you know the house is going to burn. Certainty is a currency that keeps on giving. 

DG