Surviving the Next U.S. Greatest Depression

In all of the panic I have been reading about in the news lately regarding peoples' fears of inflation, oil prices rising over $141.00 per barrel, mass layoffs, decreaing crops, higher food and gasoline prices, etc.....what seems to be easily forgotten is how we ever made it in the first place as pioneers of this great land we call ´`America.´`

In a rush to reopen the financial bombshelters, we have forgotten the most meaningful part of our country's and citizens' name: ´´Amer-I can.´` Can I? Can you? Absolutely! John Wayne could be heard in his many films challenging the enemies of freedom and the American way. He never lost his focus. He represented a compass for us all.

Why do we give up so easily today? Where has that pioneering instinct disappeared to?

I have decided to share some of my pioneering instincts wtih my country men and women. You certainly are guests at my table! I want to help out. Here are some ideas, so pay attention partners!

Here goes:

1) Turn over everything you want to buy and check the label. If it does not say ´`Made in USA, Made in America,´` DO NOT BUY IT.

2) Start working on creating a home business from a hobby you are crazy about. Chances are others out there are just as crazy about the hobby as you are. These hobbies turn into diseases and then businesses. (Mine did...with gold prospecting...a hobby, then a disease, then a book, and then a DVD. See Amazon.com under my name, if you don't believe me.) These small cottage industries turn out millions of dollars every year. Since 2000 I have made $10,000.00 on a part-time basis. You can, too!

3) Practice optimistic comments!

4) Work on smiling, not frowning!

5) Plan your trips in the car carefully. Make grocery shopping, visiting friends, going to the movies an ALL-DAY-EVENT. This will help you save on gas!

6) Create a budget!

7) Start recreational gold prospecting. The old timers did not get it all! In fact, more money was created from gold and silver prospecting during the Great Depression than at any other time in U.S. history.

8) Start saving metals for resale to recyclers. Believe it or not, they are also gaining in value and creating wealth for some people.

9) Start a seed bank at home and begin growing an indoor hydroponic garden or one outdoors with friend in a co-operative or in your own backyard.

10) Begin collecting things that would count as money in a crisis. For example: canned food that can keep for years in the basement; medical supplies; wine, beer, cheese, dried nuts, dried foods; ammunition, soap, nylons, etc.

11) Collect and then trade / barter only with silver, rather than gold, as tradeable bullion. Why? Be realistic. Who has change in a crisis for a $1,000.00 gold piece?

12) Consider living in community to share housing costs, etc.

13) Invest in people and experiences rather than ´`things.`´ Then, you will have lost nothing!

14) Stop believing that the money you have placed in banks can not be lost, borrowed, or stolen by Wall Street traders or other ´`banksters.´` Remember, though the feds have stated that your deposits in banks are insured up to $100,000.00, if that is true, then why is our government always out of money and where do you think it is borrowed from? Clue: Banksters and stock market traders.

15) Invest in your own and your childrens' educations. That can never be repossessed from you.

16) Learn as many trade skills as you can. You might be a teacher today, and the private school you work for be out of money tomorrow. Remember who fills the collection plates in a crisis? We do! Be ready to go to work as a locksmith tomorrow. And, print up business cards listing all your employable skills on them (mini-resume´s).

17) Build your own house, if possible. And, whenever possible, help your neighbor build his/hers. Remember the old barn-rasing days in America? Remember why children were let out in June for the summer? It was to help parents and others bring in the harvest! How will you help your neighbor? What if your barn or house burns down?

18) Learn how to plant a garden, bake a cake, make bread, raise chickens, sew, knit, crochet, can your own foods, make beer and wine, work with tools, chop wood, raise bees, etc.

19) Figure out how create your own electricity, hot water, heat, and light using a windmill, water wheel, heat pump, etc.

20) Thank God for His help and ask for more!

God's speed and good luck!

Sean T. Taeschner, M.Ed.