The economy tanked again yesterday, and predictably, the blogs and news articles overnight were full of people urging on the rush to gold.
Preparedness takes many forms, and while gold is certainly a safe haven when currencies are unstable, a collapse in the global economy can result in a shortage of many things besides just a gold backed currency. Everyone knows the basics: water, food, shelter, fuel, medicine and first aid supplies. Those basic necessities have become the mantra of survivalists and other prudent individuals.
Gold prices may be up, but silver is still the neglected red-headed step-child, and there are numerous other opportunities out there. Many different types items are useful to stockpile, not simply for their utilitarian purpose, but also for the fact that they can be used for barter. Some are obvious, like silver coins and ammunition. Others are not.
Remember the children’s book “Everybody Poops“? Well, it’s true.
Consider the lowly roll of toilet paper. When was the last time you went to the store and priced some of this stuff? It’s expensive! And yet, in the Western world at least, it’s pretty much the standard for cleaning up after taking care of business. Backpackers, hunters, world travelers, and soldiers all know just how precious a roll of quality bathroom tissue can be when supplies are scarce. The only drawback? Storing it takes up a serious amount of space, but it’s one of those items you really can’t have too much of if you have the room.
Why is something like toilet paper so important to us? For Westerners, and Americans in general, it’s one of those things we need to feel clean. Fresh. Revived. Other items such as soap, razors, toothpaste, shampoo, cologne, cosmetics, and fresh undergarments and socks are not only necessary for proper hygiene, but they are also incredible morale boosters. And all of them have long shelf lives.
If you’ve already got the basics of food and water stockpiled, consider some of the other items that you use every single day. You’d be surprised how many of them we consider essential to healthy living.