Editor’s Commentary: We often pass on videos and articles by Epic Economist for various reasons. Sometimes, they’re spot on with their analysis. Other times they’re a bit too “click-baity” with not enough useful information to justify publishing their often-outrageous headlines.
I came very close to passing on today’s video/article because it delves into fearmongering. While there are clearly reasons for being concerned about the direction of our nation, the failing economy, geopolitical threats, and our own anti-American leaders driving the country into the ground, it’s difficult to imagine people needing to hunt rabbits like Elmer Fudd (though hopefully with more success) because otherwise their families will starve to death.
Then, I remembered something that I often tell others. “Just because something would have been unimaginable a couple of years ago doesn’t mean it’s not a certainty to happen today.”
No, I do not think it’s a certainty that we will be driven into something as bad if not worse than the Great Depression in which the masses are fighting over ketchup packets to survive, but it would be imprudent to think that’s impossible. That’s why I decided to publish today’s AI-voice-driven Epic Economist fearmonger piece. We can hope they’re wrong. We can do what we can to prepare. But at the end of the day we might find ourselves eating squirrel or nothing at all so it’s better to err on the side of caution. Here’s Epic Economist…
On October 29, 1929, the U.S. stock market faced a devastating crash that resulted in the crisis that we know today as the Great Depression. During that period, millions of Americans lost their jobs, their incomes, and their homes, and countless families faced homelessness and hunger.
Some people survived because they started to plant their fruits and vegetables and raise animals to make their meals. But for many others, that wasn’t an option so they had to improvise with the ingredients they had available. Back then, the vast majority of Americans had to stretch every dollar and pinch every penny to get the most food for their buck.
Conditions were so extreme that desperate people started to do things that would be unthinkable during normal times just to have something on their plate. For instance, while some people only did this when it was roadkill, others actually hunted squirrels to eat.
Those were times when panic and desperation were rapidly spreading through our society, and some Americans had to fight to survive. Eating squirrels was not uncommon in the 30s. Beef was out of the reach of many struggling households, and chickens were kept alive so they could provide eggs, so options were limited.
People hunted, foraged, and learned to make the best of what they had on hand. Canned goods, flour, eggs, and milk sometimes were all families had, and still, they created many different recipes with humble food staples. Those who could eat twice a day were the lucky ones. Poor families only had one meal per day, and parents went hungry at nighttime so they could feed their children.
Even though this happened almost one century ago, the struggles of that time are still in the nation’s memory, especially because current economic conditions are becoming eerily similar to what happened in the late 1920s and at the beginning of the 1930s. Today, we have the most overvalued stock market in history.
The housing market is falling apart, with commercial properties setting off the downfall, the economy is slumping while consumer prices are still soaring, and thousands of companies have already announced mass layoffs this year.
To say that life has changed dramatically in the past few years is an understatement. For those who are fortunate enough to still have jobs, making ends meet is no more an issue than normal. But for those who have lost their income entirely, from now on, money will be a bigger problem than ever before. This, however, is not the only burden Americans are facing right now. Grocery stores and big-box retailers are reporting empty shelves for several staples once again, and every time we go shopping, prices are up again.
Although we genuinely hope that our population doesn’t reach the same levels of despair and financial ruin that American families faced during the Great Depression, there plenty of statistics indicating that we are headed to a historic downturn. That’s why we must learn from history, and get ready for the hardships before they reach us.
Even the UN is warning that a Depression-era famine will happen again, so preparing for the next economic and financial disaster is definitely a matter of survival. For that reason, we compiled some recipes that our parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents made back then out of nearly nothing.
The List
- Squirrel
- Desperation Pie
- Chicken Feet in Broth
- Meatless Meatloaf
- Garbage Mashup
- Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Onion, or Pickle Sandwich
- Mlikorno
- Egg Drop Soup (1930s version)
- Cooked Break
- Shoo-Fly Pie
- Navy Bean and Ham Soup
- Frozen Fruit Salad
- Spaghetti With Boiled Carrots and White Sauce
- Buttermilk Soup
- Johnny Cakes
- Potato Candy
- Stuffed Artichokes
- No-Toppings Pizza
- Poorman’s Pudding
- Rabbit Stew and Dumplings
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
Perdue Chicken had a problem with all those chicken feet left over after the chickens were processed. Then somebody mentioned how Asians considered chicken feet delicious. Problem solved. President Reagan talked about how delicious his mother’s “meatloaf ” was. It wasn’t until years later that he learned that meatloaf actually contained meat. His favorite dish was macaroni and cheese. The Greatest Generation.
– Sugar cookies
– Bacon grease for frying & flavor in anything
– Potatoes (fried, soup, etc.)
– Macaroni & whatever
– Oatmeal
– Cornbread
– Onions
– Dandelion salad
– Wild Berries
– Mushrooms
– Venison
– Beans
#conditioning
I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and we hunted (and ate) rabbit and squirrel all the time. I knew other families that ate possum as well. We didn’t because mom said it was “too greasy.”
Thanks for explaining what these things are to those of us that aren’t 100 years old…
/s
My mom and her two sisters were raised in Depression era S. Cal. They were poor and poorer. Their dad was a passenger train conductor but the routes were eventually cut by 75%. He picked up jobs being a painters helper and caught only about one train trip a month between LA and Phoenix. The sisters were between 10 and 16 years old. They were shipped out during the week to be “mommy’s helpers” to some of the families that still had wealth. They would go to those homes on Mondays after school and return home Thursday after school. They brought their earnings home to be used in the household. Their mom, my grandma was a Master at stretching the limited food money. Depression Spaghetti was great, spaghetti, tomato sauce (homemade) and a bit of cheese if they could afford it. On the weekends the desert might be a dandy treat of cold rice, milk sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. Most of us Boomers had parents that survived in these methods and we still know how to do that. We were fed Depression Spaghetti as a side dish I to our late teens and had the rice desert too. There were many others too, fried potatoes and onions were a biggy and delicious.
Kids today, 45 and younger will have zero idea……when it hits and it will. We keep the new modern 25 year food storage and plenty of bulk beans, rice etc. Be prepared by learning from the past, those people were phenomenal. Remember, there were zero government welfare safety nets back then …….zero.