Brainpower
 

When the recession/depression hits, how are folks planning on making money? Figure our preps will only take us so far. The question is, how do you leverage your brain to survive and thrive in a slow-motion financial train wreck?

If your plan is to roll over and die, please start your own thread.

Re: Brainpower
 

I plan to shear sheep! :applause_

Re: Brainpower
 

The first step is to be able to save money by producing as much of your own needs as possible.

There will always be commerce. If your target demographic is the lowest common denominator your performance will be similarly low. If you cater to people of means who know the difference you will almost always do better.

Things will always trade at different ratios on different days, by all means trade them. If you trade an asset that is liable to decline in value then do your best not to be caught out of position as the price falls and then stabilizes.

Anything that turns relatively worthless basic ingredients into something good and useful will always be profitable.

Re: Brainpower
 

Hit man. :shot:

Re: Brainpower
 

Brainpower is useless in such situations. Clear that up now. What will get you through are your social connections and your reputation.

Step back from that for a second, as I didn't say WHAT connections and reputation. You could be connected through local or regional government, or through 3 generations of your extended family, or through your work contacts, it doesn't matter. But knowing those people will give you dozens of irons in the fire, because I believe you're speaking of a time when most irons fall through.

That leads to reputation. IF one of these many contacts happens to come up with something useful, would they think of you? Would they call you? Would they work to line it up at their end at risk to their own reputation? This means a few things: they like you and want to help you at no gain to themselves, they trust you, and they believe you're going to uphold your word and fill your promises if you take on the lead they've found.

I didn't mention if this is a social/hunting/business/violent crime contract at question. It doesn't matter. Both are the same.

You will need contacts all over, to solve your police problems, your tax problems, your law problems, your roof and heating problems, your security problems.

This brings life back to the basics, as these are the basics of morality: Don't take other people's stuff, and Keep your word. Once you have those nailed down, you have a free market and accepted contract, and the world can rebuild from there. Without them, nothing will work in 1,000 years, as you see in the history of some nations.

Forget about money. Focus on what you NEED to get, the THING and not the money you would need if you went to store to buy it. People will GIVE the goods away and share them in goodwill. If you need a bed, a blanket, wood, food, ask for the FOOD, the WOOD, and not the money. Money will be too scarce to get, no one will have it to offer, so forget about asking and focus on what you really need.

People lived generations without seeing $20 at once (1 oz gold coin from Abraham to 1900). They did things and traded things in the backwoods and lived long, happy lives. When money is once again a thing too scarce for most to have seen a $100 bill, we'll do the same.

Never you mind about money. Can't get blood from a turnip, so they won't even bother calling on you. Focus on what's real in life and leave money for the bankers.

TS

Re: Brainpower
 

TS:

While I don't totally agree with you that you can forgo monetary instruments, I do think you are absolutely correct on reputation as a form of capital.

Re: Brainpower
 

What shows a good track record for employment through depressions?

Government.

Re: Brainpower
 

taking over the black market

Re: Brainpower
 

:smokin: Absolutely. It will all come down to your wiseguys and your Respect on the street.

Re: Brainpower
 

I would say to have a lot of money . There will always be the rich upperclass.

So if you have platinum, gold and silver, currency and banker connections, you wont have a problem even if 90% the planet goes to hell.

This whole SHTF is for the poor people livin on scraps now in real time.

Hyperbole of depresssion and anarchy is for who?


Ya get out of debt and bail so long Brother. Been stupid for 3 years now?

Re: Brainpower
 

mountain guide. live near abundant resources

Re: Brainpower
 

So lets here your plan for acquiring more PMs--either by hook or crook.

Re: Brainpower
 

With my golden icepick I will give frontal lobotomies.