Things are getting bad.

Thank you for starting this topic. I see most of the replies have significant others, you are blessed. I am the only one to take care of me, and my 5 children. It's not easy. I am currently trying to find work (again). The only jobs I see or hear of, are part time only. I have even gone to apply for them, typically the job is gone by the time I get there.

I have been preparing (as best I can) for taking care of my children should a SHTF situation arise. Am I ready? Not really. The thought of things getting worse than they already are, is mind blowing.

I wish I had someone to help carry the burden with me of trying to survive in this time. Its very difficult dealing with it on my own. Quite frankly, it SUCKS.

Originally posted by Egyptia
reply to post by camaro68ss

 

I am deeply worried for everyone that is not the elite right now. Even making preparations seems like an overwhelming feat. One of the most frustrating things is that my husband does not see the severity of what is to come and lives like every day is just another day. No sense of 'something is badly out of balance' or internal anxiety because things are falling apart all over. So, I feel quite isolated in even making an attempt to prepare because it all feels impossible.

I sense there is an urgency to move away from the West Coast to begin with, not to mention survival supplies, food, water etc but he refuses to see the writing on the wall and take a leap in believing me. More and more we are surrounded by homeless people and a level of depravity and desperation. I am running out of ways to communicate just how bad it really is, to my husband who refuses to see the obvious. And, this too scares me.

edit on 27-7-2011 by Egyptia because: (no reason given)

edit on 27-7-2011 by Egyptia because: (no reason given)

What i did to educate my family was buy audio book on the subject. its turned around 95% of those i gave it to. Its really easy to forget whats hard to think about. who would want to worry. I would love to put my head in the sand and forget about it but my family needs me to worry so they dont have to.

if you need help on some books you can U2U me

In the event things fall off the cliff rather than slowly slide down the hill, Im in the process of selling off all of our accumulated possessions that are unneeded over the last 20 or so yrs, clearing out and fixing up our basement for relatives or friends who need to "bunk up". We certainly cant support and feed a troupe, but I dont see what else we can do for a just in case situation.
We had seen this coming a decade ago with a few of the insane policies and actions by the goverment, and have prepared and lived more of a prepper lifestyle for a while. I have NO idea how those of you who are just now starting could possibly prepare adequately.. since even now we are still lacking in a few areas. Not to be a downer, but so many are in this boat that I really have my doubts about some folks and families viability in a true economic melt down.

WIth what I do I have a little better view of whats going on already with those on that edge.. the food pantries are BARE and those who had never needed charity or help before are streaming in now. Previous wage earners are living in our park and dividing their kids up between relatives. SO to think that this is not already rolling down the hill for many is foolish. Ive seen people right here on ATS claim that nothing will happen. I hate to break it, but its already happening and those of us who deal with real people in real life see it with clear eyes.

Stay strong and vigilant.. help who you can and be careful of those who would take advantage. There are many out there.

reply to post by Advantage


What's really sad and bad is that I've seen this coming for ages, and prepared better than most, and was still run over by the state of the economy.

I'm going to lose most of my garden before it's ready for harvest.

Things that should have had some worth, don't. Niches I had hoped to take advantage of were overwhelmed with too many other folks with the same thought.

We're out of reasonable options.

I do know one thing, though: I refuse to go quietly starve in a hidden corner.

I've earned better from my country.

Originally posted by apacheman
What is needed is a return to the tax rates of the the era Republicans are so fond of: the '50's.

That will solve most of the problems we're having with the deficits.

edit on 27-7-2011 by apacheman because: sp

The 90% tax rates of the 50s were not enforced and easy to circumvent. High tax rates reduce domestic consumption. Just ask socialist paradises.

I feel your pain camero. Everything is getting tightened up round here. Money doesn't seem to go anywhere or do anything. We've been losing contracts and have customers go belly up on us for nearly a year now. It's looking grim.

This is a cracking idea for a thread. Supporting each other through tough times is an important thing. and forums like this can be an absolute pillar of strength when you're feeling rubbish. Just reading a few words of kindness can make all the difference. ( I was helped through some very bad times by some awesome people on another forum a few years ago, sometimes I re-read the thread and always end up bawling my eyes out, the kindness of strangers is wonderful)

Can I please make 1 little suggestion though. Please let your wife know how you feel, she loves you and she can also be there for you. You're in a partnership, and she is there for you so much more than we could possibly be. We can talk on here and help one another as best we can from written advice. But you can't actually cry onto our shoulder when you need someone to be there. And, please, don't get me wrong, because anyone would do the same as you, you want to protect those your love, and that's the way it always should be.Just try and remember that those you love are there to protect you too.

Peace be with you, I hope this whole sorry mess this world is in, miraculously sorts itself out. That goes out to all of us, cos we're all in this together.

reply to post by Egyptia


Just do the preparing yourself without telling him. Buy gold coins, long shelf life foods, scout for safe areas like local caves, etc., have a container of gas ready when you need to drive away suddenly, learn how to grow food, fish, catch game, etc.

reply to post by camaro68ss


I suggest teh documentaries Zeitgeist, Spin, and my personal favorite, Empire of the City/Ring of Power. Just tell them beforehand that they don't have to believe anything. Just watch it.

Originally posted by apacheman
reply to post by Advantage

 

What's really sad and bad is that I've seen this coming for ages, and prepared better than most, and was still run over by the state of the economy.

I'm going to lose most of my garden before it's ready for harvest.

Things that should have had some worth, don't. Niches I had hoped to take advantage of were overwhelmed with too many other folks with the same thought.

We're out of reasonable options.

I do know one thing, though: I refuse to go quietly starve in a hidden corner.

I've earned better from my country.

I hear you, loud and clear. Many many things happened that we never envisioned 20-25 yrs ago. Things we never dreamed would occur in this country. Somehow we thought that the citizenry would stand by us and others who were not inclined to accept these changes and actions.... they didnt. In fact, they turned on us as they bought into balloon loans for mcmansions and supported the hydra because times were temporarily prosperous with absolutely NO thought of the future!

One thing that screwed up some of the best planners and preppers was the false propping of the economy, market manipulation and the BS with the speculators driving everything in false directions. First time I noticed it personally was in the 80's. In your face flaunting of federal law concerning it was one thing we never envisioned would be allowed.. even promoted as good business... and it scrambled up timing of certain things that were being observed.. certainly a shock to many. Greed seems to have clouded some folks in power reason or foresight... and now its time for all of us to reap it for not forcibly removing this cancer well before reagan.. and Im not a fan of the demigod reagan.. for shame Seems I was alive when he was in power.. and he was no saint as his current sycophants/psychophants spout. Wanna get me on a roll, I can start frothing at the mouth that the death of this country started with Lincoln promoting big federal govt. LMAO!

Going to be a hell of a lot of so-called "collateral damage"... guilty as well as innocent. People dont seem to understand that being economically wasted doesnt necessarily have to entail mad max scenarios and zombie hoards.. to be just as painful. When Americans collectively felt that a stick and brick disposable house, a painted turd vehicle made of plastic and foreign manufactured parts and a designer purse were signs of "success" maybe back in the late 70's early 80's.. some knew we were in for a mess in the future.They spoke of it out loud and were laughed at. Surely American prosperity would never die.. right? My greatest hope is that since we are a very young country we can live through these growing pains.. and retake it. IF americans can break out of this left/right BS.. and learn some humility.

We too have lost most of our harvest.. crazy weather. Canning for winter should be pathetic this yr. I went to the farmers market locally and these nuts wanted 4.00 for a 1/2 lb of black beans and sweet potatoes for 1 buck a piece.. wtf... gold plated I guess. Gonna be a hell of a ride I predict.

reply to post by Advantage


Boy, do I have the first USA for you! www.google.com.ph...

Originally posted by eldard
reply to post by Advantage

 

Boy, do I have the first USA for you! www.google.com.ph...

LOL! Id prefer not to sink... well, literally.

Originally posted by camaro68ss
I just needed to post something. I’m just sitting here shaking my head in disbelief and frustration. For those that know a little about me I’m a manager in a construction company and I have to lay off another 4 people today. It’s getting really hard out there and I can’t take it.

I’m getting tired of these economic time, I know it’s not going to get any better. It seems like I’m laying people off every month now and our sales number are dropping. I see this whole stupid debt limit mess in Washington and they just don’t get it. They need to cut 1.6 Trillion now! Not 4 trillion over 10 years. Don’t these guys understand compounding interest and debt. It’s never going to get paid off.

I can barely cope any more but I must stay strong for my family. I’m the anchor and if they see me depressed or drained it’s going to scare them. It’s so hard to come home happy anymore with all the bad news. But I want them to live a “normal life” as long as they can because we don’t know when this “normal” will be taken away from us. That’s why I like to get it all out here.

I know what’s coming, an all out economic collapse. I just thought I could emotionally make it through better than I am. I can’t imagine how I would feel if I never started preparing like I did 7 months ago. How are the rest of you on ATS holding up? I would like to make this thread a lean on me type of thread. One where we can all come together, shear our stores and help each other through them. I need an outlet and I don’t want to start scaring my family but things look bleak for the United States and its economy.

You are "Lucky" you are still working. My husband has been in construction management for about 15 years, in early february he was layed off, work-force reduction. After all but maybe 2 laborers are left be concerned for your own job, when the quo is knocked out only place left is the management teams ranging from quality control which usually goes after superintendant which goes after project manager. In the management field they will hold onto a strong foreman who has good knowledge, and have him float the job until something changes with the finances, ya its a dirty cycle that creeps all the way up to the top.

One of my best friends' husband was in the housing industry...survived several layoffs, then got canned himself. Months and months without work...and of course, California wasn't paying Unemployment because THE STATE was out of money.

They eventually had to short-sell their dreamhouse and now live in a (tiny) one bedroom apartment...so small that the cat's litter box has to be in the living room closest.

But in a way they are lucky, because they have each other...family and good friends can certainly help you through tough times. What worries me is that EVERYONE will be going through tough times sooner than we care to think!

www.youtube.com...

Somebody embed?

reply to post by camaro68ss


Hey camaro68ss, greeting from accross the pond. what a great idea for a thread!!

I was an IT manager for 15 years until i was made redundant in 2009. It took me a whole year to find another job. I sent my CV everywhere but in that year I only had a couple of interviews. Then in 2010 i found a job helping young adults, from deprived backgrounds, find work.

I took a massive pay cut (from £37,000 a year to £20,000) but I loved it, great job that had so many rewards. Then it was announced that the Government was cutting the finding for our project. It wasn’t just the project that ended either; the whole company had to close down. There was simply no work out there.

I am now unemployed with 3 kids and a mortgage...

However, we have faced hard times before and always pull together... I have a very small garden but we manage to grow some vegetable and even keep a few chickens. OK, we can’t survive off of that alone but every little helps

The important thing for me is to not give up... I keep plugging away at the job market, i keep my garden productive, and play my guitar to relax. It’s important to keep the faith in yourself and not become absorbed into all the negativity in the world. Although sometimes that’s easier said than done.

Anyway, i wish you all the best and it’s a shame more people in business are not like you. When I worked in IT the other managers used to make jokes about laying people off and some actually seemed to enjoy it. The fact that it upsets you shows that you are a good man.

Peace

reply to post by camaro68ss


I agree with you but alot of people have had their head in the sand for too long and now are going to pay when the times get tough. The time to prepare is when times are good and now unfortunately it will be too late for alot of people.

I've gone without purchasing new cars or having kids in the event something like this would happen, hell even my computer is held together with duct tape since I won't spend money on a new one but when times do become extreme I should be ok but it was a big sacrifice.

I would like to ask those if raising families or taking vacations was worth it with what you know is coming around the corner. I've missed alot of that and sometimes regret it.

Originally posted by kro32
reply to post by camaro68ss

 

I agree with you but alot of people have had their head in the sand for too long and now are going to pay when the times get tough. The time to prepare is when times are good and now unfortunately it will be too late for alot of people.

I've gone without purchasing new cars or having kids in the event something like this would happen, hell even my computer is held together with duct tape since I won't spend money on a new one but when times do become extreme I should be ok but it was a big sacrifice.

I would like to ask those if raising families or taking vacations was worth it with what you know is coming around the corner. I've missed alot of that and sometimes regret it.

Im trying to take what vacations i can. I know things will not be the same down the road and now might be the only time you will ever get a chance to see or do what you always wanted to do. you never know when it all will be taken away.

I have two week of paid vacation left and knowing they might be my last im going to make sure they count. If you can take the time off do it. it might be your last

It saddens me, reading the stories that you all post in this thread.
I'm currently unemployed myself aswell, but that is because i have a spine, and form my own opinion which is not very helpfull when the employer does not like it.

What angers me is the fact that this is entirely due to bad regulation, bad politics, and massive fraud.

reply to post by camaro68ss


Hey, I know where your coming from. I will probably get laid off. I have a job at a retirement home, and SS isn't going to hold out forever..

But yeah. My Dad is riding boss for a plumbing company. he was talking to some electricians today, they said that if the union they are in told them that if they get laid off, they should find another career. The Union they singed up for has them so tight, that if they get caught doing electrician work for anyone else, they can take their license.

Well. It's getting bad. The only thing you can do, is not care about money. I am 17, could not care less about any money, what so ever. Opposite of my friends and family. Don't let them take advantage of you, but don't let some fake greedy substance put you in a rut.

I sympathize with you, laying people off sounds horrible. Just give really great recommendations, and maybe toss them what you can. I would float them some money, but that's just me. I couldn't care less about money.

Rough times are everywhere it seems and its easy to let them get to you.

About 3 years ago my father bought a mobile home and we put it on our property and he and my cousin share the expenses. To cut costs even more we share internet and the water. We ran our own pipes and wires all under ground. Then we use Vonage to save even more. I cook for both households.. all 7 of us! My husband our 2 sons, my father, my cousin and my brother. No dinner costs more than $10. or $12. to prepare thats the only rule we have. We have a big veggie garden for fresh produce and chickens for laying eggs. Ive learned every possible way to stretch a dollar when it comes to preparing food!

Here comes my venting part. I am the only one working and it drives me crazy sometimes. My father gets his social security as well as my cousin (she is Autistic) so they have a small cash flow, just enough to pay for their lights and car insurance and some necessities. My brother has been looking for work since he moved here in February and my husband has been looking for 2 years. There are just no full time jobs or part jobs or part time jobs to be found. So we cut lawns and collect scrap for recycling and cut out ALL spending for non essential items. Accept for the internet. That is everyone's main joy. I just get so stressed out carrying the burden of 6 people on my shoulders day after day, and if they do stop social security I have no idea what we are going to do since there is nothing left to cut out of our lives. My job is crummy but Ive been working for 4 years at an old country store 3 miles from my home, its not much when a family of 4 has to survive on $15,500 a year but we manage,but if it gets any worse I don't know what we will do.