No money to prep

[Brent S]

A pack of cigarettes is bad enough, but I see signs at the gas stations for a carton of them for over 50 bucks. It’s really insane to pay so much for something that kills you.

 

[Gazrok]

Just before the end of 2000, I bought about 6 cartons of cigarettes (at about $30 each).

I figured, what better barter tool if all the computers crashed? (for those of you who can remember the whole Y2K bug scare, lol)....

Think about it, it's a good that some people NEED or at least highly want, it's easily divisible, easily carried, etc. It's a pretty good trade commodity.

Ended up gradually selling them off to my smoker friends at a slight loss.

 

[Maverick]

I always thought spirit's to be a better bartering item given it's multi purpose but not easily transportable.

Here in Washington the cost of living is rising practically every 6 month. Even the lower end of the middle class are struggling let alone the poor. Housing, transportation, food, medical and taxes are not poor and retired friendly at all and it's starting to hit the middle class, housing alone is 157% above the national average. Washington is good for going in debt! the only good thing are the utilities one of the lowest in the Country.

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

I used to smoke a pack a day. That would cost me $9.16 here, every day. $70 dollars a week. That's a car payment!

Now I smoke a pipe or hand rolled, and it costs me about $30 a month. I still feel like that's a lot.

I don't want to give up all my vices, lol. Leave me something.

And yeah, the average apartment rent here is $1500, making $40 grand a year you can forget owning a home by the lake. Prices for food and gas get noticeably cheaper one county away.

I am counting the days until the daughter finishes High School, and goes to college. So I can move someplace I can pee off my deck. That's all I want!

Honestly, this condo stuff is crazy. We had a druggie alcoholic neighbor who would masturbate naked on his deck, I ended up having to take care of it (he moved). People sell drugs in the parking lot every once in a while, the cops are here at least once a week for domestic calls. And my wife assures me this a great place to live.

 

[Dani]

I would honestly have to move from a place like that. . . my main concern would be for your daughters safety. Turds doing that off balconies & drugs being sold in the parking lot. . . hoping everyone knows how to defend themselves and stays alert to their surroundings?

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

I go talk to people. That's all it takes, just polite conversation. The daughter is savvy enough, and honestly its not like Memphis. Its not gang related stuff, its just problem people who can be talked to, thankfully. I've only had one drunk who had to be manhandled off the property. I'm not really one to call the cops for something that can be taken care of easily.

Her boyfriend is a semi-pro boxer, lol, so that helps too. I trust him to watch out for her when they are out and about. And she carries pepper spray, and is smart enough to look around.

But yes, we are moving. I am getting old, I don't have time for the stupidity. There was a shooting at the mall last year, in the parking lot. It's past time to go.

Besides, I'm a rural river rat, this place is NOT my home!

 

[jontte]

I'm born in this city,5th generation,but my long term plans are to relocate and I've already scouted a couple of places..
in the time inbetween I prep,budget prep,take small steps,accumulate gear,learn or try to new skills...and hope there is time enough..

 

[Mountain trapper]

I always thought spirit's to be a better bartering item given it's multi purpose but not easily transportable.

Here in Washington the cost of living is rising practically every 6 month. Even the lower end of the middle class are struggling let alone the poor. Housing, transportation, food, medical and taxes are not poor and retired friendly at all and it's starting to hit the middle class, housing alone is 157% above the national average. Washington is good for going in debt! the only good thing are the utilities one of the lowest in the Country.

With the lucrative welfare system, housing subsidys, food stamps, handouts, etc, etc, in this country there really isn't any truly "poor" people anymore. Another problem is that most people seem to think they are entitled to live the good life, but without putting in the time and effort to achieve it. As I've always said; being poor shouldn't be comfortable.

 

[chihuahuasniper]

Good point on the first aid! Learning as much as you can not only helps with prepping, but these are skills that will help you and your family throughout your life.

Learn as many survival skills as you can. You can look them up on YouTube and then put them into practice in your daily life. A dentist or doctor with proper tools in a SHTF scenario is invaluable.