This is a pretty spiffy scenario. About #4 of my list of probable events (after snowstorm, earthquake, and disruption of personal income through job loss or injury). A great test of my preparation for this!
What is your first move?
We have a major grocery store in a lightly populated area on the edge of town, about three miles away from our home. Kind of out of the way. It'll take awhile for things to get dicey there - other stores much closer to the masses. My first move is grab the stash of emergency cash, go there, and check out the situation. If it's as calm as I think it will be, I'll hit the on-site ATM and attempt to suck all the money out of my bank accounts before they're frozen. Then I'll continue with a run to accumulate all the food I can get - preferably the canned food, over-the-counter medical supplies, tampons for the women, and toilet paper. If I can buy it on plastic, great. If not, I'll spend the cash while the store is still taking it - 'cause you can't eat greenbacks.
How dependent are you on US Dollars?
Life would be pretty tough without US Dollars, but it's "doable" for us. We've stocked up on the three B's - beans, band-aids and bullets.
Do you have barter items available?
Yes. No booze, cigarettes or coffee for personal reasons. But lots of beans, rice, salt and toilet paper set aside for this very purpose. Also have a few socks of junk silver coins acquired decades ago, although I'm not too sure that will get me much in this scenario.
How long can you hold out?
If it's just my wife, me and the dogs - 2 years if we're careful and keep a low profile.
How many others could your 'afford' to take in?
Local family for sure. We've actually made some provisions for doing so, although that 2 year hold out period I mentioned would likely drop to a year worst case.
Would you take in anyone?
As a personal choice, the wife and I have planned for the possibility. But, realistically speaking, it depends: do I know them, can I trust them, can they contribute something?
Can you defend what you have?
Within certain limits, yes. If a squad of 50 refugees from a Mad Max movie show up, it's not likely. If we're talking a few looters or thugs, our odds are better than average so long as the local family is gathered here.
What next?
Five things, all done as soon as possible. First, get the local family gathered in. Second, get all the gasoline I can. We have some socked away (we stabilize it and rotate it), but we would probably go through what we have on hand pretty quickly. Gasoline for the house generator and to fill up the vehicles. Because I'm pretty sure the power will shut down shortly after the dollars stop flowing. Third, fill the basement window wells with sandbags. Fourth, board up the tops of the window wells as well as the windows in the basement and on the ground floor. Fifth, check in and help with organizing the neighborhood emergency preparation group.
What is your first move?
We have a major grocery store in a lightly populated area on the edge of town, about three miles away from our home. Kind of out of the way. It'll take awhile for things to get dicey there - other stores much closer to the masses. My first move is grab the stash of emergency cash, go there, and check out the situation. If it's as calm as I think it will be, I'll hit the on-site ATM and attempt to suck all the money out of my bank accounts before they're frozen. Then I'll continue with a run to accumulate all the food I can get - preferably the canned food, over-the-counter medical supplies, tampons for the women, and toilet paper. If I can buy it on plastic, great. If not, I'll spend the cash while the store is still taking it - 'cause you can't eat greenbacks.
How dependent are you on US Dollars?
Life would be pretty tough without US Dollars, but it's "doable" for us. We've stocked up on the three B's - beans, band-aids and bullets.
Do you have barter items available?
Yes. No booze, cigarettes or coffee for personal reasons. But lots of beans, rice, salt and toilet paper set aside for this very purpose. Also have a few socks of junk silver coins acquired decades ago, although I'm not too sure that will get me much in this scenario.
How long can you hold out?
If it's just my wife, me and the dogs - 2 years if we're careful and keep a low profile.
How many others could your 'afford' to take in?
Local family for sure. We've actually made some provisions for doing so, although that 2 year hold out period I mentioned would likely drop to a year worst case.
Would you take in anyone?
As a personal choice, the wife and I have planned for the possibility. But, realistically speaking, it depends: do I know them, can I trust them, can they contribute something?
Can you defend what you have?
Within certain limits, yes. If a squad of 50 refugees from a Mad Max movie show up, it's not likely. If we're talking a few looters or thugs, our odds are better than average so long as the local family is gathered here.
What next?
Five things, all done as soon as possible. First, get the local family gathered in. Second, get all the gasoline I can. We have some socked away (we stabilize it and rotate it), but we would probably go through what we have on hand pretty quickly. Gasoline for the house generator and to fill up the vehicles. Because I'm pretty sure the power will shut down shortly after the dollars stop flowing. Third, fill the basement window wells with sandbags. Fourth, board up the tops of the window wells as well as the windows in the basement and on the ground floor. Fifth, check in and help with organizing the neighborhood emergency preparation group.
