Get your finances in order
Get out of debt
- This is the most important thing you can do.
- The less you owe and the fewer places you owe money, the less you can be manipulated.
Have cash on hand
- Keep two to three months worth of expenses on hand in cash.
- Do not live month to month.
- Keep enough money on hand to be flexible.
- Find a safe place to keep things.
Copy important documents
- Keep copies of documents.
- Keep copies of contracts and agreements.
- Make a copy of your passport.
- Renew your passport BEFORE they start using biometric ID.
- Make copies of your credit cards and ID.
- Know how to cancel credit cards quickly.
Invest expecting the worst
- Save if you can.
- Buy physical gold; it is a hedge against inflation.
- Buy physical silver. Gold & silver are real money.
- Keep gold in your IRA.
- Buy gold and silver stocks.
- Consider cashing in most stocks & bonds.
- If you invest, invest in commodities, companies that make real things and pay dividends.
- Be conservative when investing; expect the dollar to loose its value over time.
- FDIC insurance is not a guarantee.
- Your pension may not be there.
- Investment accounts could vanish.
- When stocks, bonds, and the dollar go down - gold & silver will go up.
- Invest in education – classes and skills training.
Cut entertainment
- Stay home and save on gas, food, and tickets.
- Cut out sports and lessons for children.
- Become involved in neighborhood activities.
- Create entertainment within walking distance of home.
- Start activities that don’t cost money and are near you.
- Be more involved with school and churches near by.
Stop buying alcohol
- Save money.
- Brew your own.
- Drinking is a luxury.
- Have more useful time in the evenings.
Quit athletic clubs
- Save the money you would pay for dues.
- Save on the gas to drive there and back.
- Get your exercise in the garden, or your bike, and walking.
Don’t give expensive gifts
- Make something by hand.
- Just send a card.
- Make a handmade card.
- Make a meal instead.
- Give your labor.