We are in a time where the federal government is out of control, and both parties are working together on this. Within the next five years, the time will come where we will need to concentrate on Family, Friends, and Community to get by. There are some steps we can take.
1. Get out of Debt - Especially federal debt which includes mostly student loans and all these low fixed rate mortgage loans that get sold to Fannie and Freddie.
2. Get out of paper NOW - Transfer paper into assets. It could be precious metals, or paying off debt. It could be on anything that will be consumed over the next five years. Toilet paper is the first thing that comes to mind - LOL. Prices are going to skyrocket over the next 5 years.
3. Stop voting for the two mainstream parties, and vote for the best candidate. The lesser of two evils is still evil.
4. Learn trade skills - Using two thumbs is not a trade skill.
5. Keep at least three months worth of money to pay the bills with in the house.
6. Stock up the pantry and freezers with at least 6 months of food and rotate it.
7. Get to know your neighbors, and prepare for contingencies.
8. Make sure you have a clean water supply not dependent on govt water. A well is a huge plus.
9. Lower all of your mandatory expenses. The best single thing is to become more energy independent.
10. Have a Home generator, and other generators. Make sure you have enough fuel.
Just a little of what I learned growing up in Northern VT.
Shermann