Security Audit Request
 

Just survived a 7% layoff at my company. While I still have a job, I'm feeling very vulnerable. Seeing the scary financial charts and how things are starting to fall apart in Europe only feeds my paranoia. So I'm asking my fellow GIMers for ruthless truth. I'd like a security audit of my current situation and what else I should be doing. Wife and I are in our late 50s.
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Current household income: $80,000/year. Wife is a certified nurses aide at a local nursing home. I am an Engineering Technician at a microwave cable company. Live in a rural area with lots of Amish neighbors and our $140,000 mortgage is exactly halfway paid off. House on 2/3 acre with well and heated by a well-water heat pump with working fireplace in the living room. Cars are paid off, a 2002 Camry and a 1992 Corolla, both running well. $3000 in the bank and $35,000 in the 401k. Three months of food preps. Two refrigerators and one meat freezer. One 454-magnum revolver/1200 rounds ammo and 6000 rounds of reload components. Wideband 12v digital shortwave 12vdc transceiver with a 12vdc solarcell briefcase power supply. One 6000watt 12vdc/120vac inverter (12vdc/5kw generator head pending). Ancient German Shepherd dog...

Re: Security Audit Request
 

Do you have any PM preps?

Have you thought about getting another younger dog?

I would increase the food preps personally to cover you, the wife, and dog (s) for at least a year but that's just me.

And maybe get a 2nd firearm that your wife can use if the situation arises where you both need to be armed.

I am sure there are others ideas that will come forth...

Re: Security Audit Request
 

Markt

You do need IMO at least 2 semi automatic pistols for each adult and at least one semi automatic rifle in a 30 caliber bore IE a 308 or 7.62x39, 30/06 3-5K rounds for Pistol and Rifle caliber.

Depending on where you live (AWB laws and or Coming new Federal AWB)

You may be use to a revolver more than a SemiAutomatic pistol but my recommendation for such would be a Sig Sauer P229 in 40SW, Or a Colt 1911 in 45 ACP or a clone of the same.

As far as your new rifles I would choose a FN FAL, or HK 91 or a clone of one of those.

If you need assistance in locating such firearms PM me I have sources of where to look.

Re: Security Audit Request
 

Re: Security Audit Request
 

Markt,

I'd say you're well ahead of 99% of the public out there. (The remaining 1% are the die-hards at GIM and like-minded communities.):biggrin:

Other things that you may already have, but not mentioned here:

A slew of rechargeable A and AA batteries, with a little solar recharger.

At least two winters' worth of firewood.

As mentioned, PMs, PMs, PMs,

Fully-stocked first aid kit.

On-site gas and/or diesel fuel storage?

With Amish neighbors, you should be in a great community and not have near as many headaches or security risks as the rest of us.

Re: Security Audit Request
 

If it is practical, I would look for any neighbors willing to sell food or other goods and start doing business with them, even if it is just a few garden veggies or craft pieces. For extra points, ask if there is anything you could do in trade for their goods. If nothing else, asking them for their advice on various matters would be a sign of respect and perhaps open a door or two.

Re: Security Audit Request
 

I would suggest getting your money out of your 401K. More than likely it wont be there in 6 months! What good is retirement money in the bank when you are starving to death in 1 year. You can spend a few hours at www.honeyvillegrain.com or www.beprepared.com and have a 2 year supply of most items. I agree on the guns, even thought I lost my pistol in a sky diving accident. I think alot of people will head for the Amish because they know they are not a violent people. Also, pick your best running car and get extra belts, oil , filter and what ever other little things you can find for it. If you can, go to an auction and buy a steer or baron heifer and have it butchered and can it! (take someone with you who knows cows) Buy canning supplies. If there is an Amish store in your area, they are usually cheaper for canning supplies. If you have not done it yet, visit Amish homes and see how their systems (as in water, kitchen ect) are set up.

Re: Security Audit Request
 

Markt -

During WWII, when the Nazi U-Boats were hammering American merchant ships in the North Atlantic, a curious anomaly was observed. When ships were sunk, the survival rate (of crew in the water) was far higher among beat up "older" deckhands than 18 year olds. Physically, the 18 year olds should have had a much higher probability of survival in those freezing waters than the 50-60 year old seamen.

What it boiled down to was that the will to survive, statistically, trumped the difference in physical abilities.

Not to say that we all shouldn't try to stay in good shape......

So, for Champagne Survival on a Beer Budget:

1.) The Will to survive.

2.) Figure out the least level of technology you can afford, manage and maintain. For example, you can have Coleman lanterns and stove, and a supply of those ubiquitous green throwaway propane bottles for a few hundred bucks, or you can have a house sized generator hardwired in, with 500 gallons of fuel, for 15 thousand bucks.

3.) Having figured out least level of technology, you can compare what you do have with what you don't have, and make a plan.

4.) Prioritize budget (both time & money) and execute.


One of the real weaknesses I see out there is what I call the Buy/Build disconnect. I see all these lists of stuff to buy, as if survival was as easy as the next trip to the the Survivalist Safeway. My first question is always "what do I need to build it or grow it and what do I need to maintain it." If I am unable to build it or grow it, do I need it; i.e., what are the alternatives.

This may sound pretty plain jane compared all those amazing wishlists out there, but my personal belief is that without a strategic plan - and, by the way, any good strategic plan includes multiple levels of response to unknown catastrophic events affecting your original plan - your ability to survive is severely compromised.

scyth

Re: Security Audit Request
 

I would add a pump shotgun and a small handgun you can carry concealed 18 hours a day.

Re: Security Audit Request
 

You need a plan A and a plan B. Plan A is to be followed if you get to keep your job this year and plan B is designed to help you if you loose it in the near term. Both of these plans should contain measures to ensure your basic needs (food, shelter, basic protection, buffert money etc) and a worst case scenario + mitigation plan.


Just my $0.02...

Re: Security Audit Request
 

The value of a pistol is that it might allow you to fight your way back to where your rifle is......so get one, or more, so that storage space won't be empty when you get there.

Get a wood burning stove insert for the fireplace.....whether you put it in right now or not, have it someplace you can haul it in and stick it in the fireplace should it come to that.....most fireplaces are net energy losses due to the heat sucked up the chimney as the fire dies down. Get at least a couple cords of wood and store in a shed....more if you can stand it. The insert should be the kind that stick out far enough to provide a cooking surface as well.

You may want to look seriously at your family budget. You make 80k, I assume your wife makes in the neighborhood of 20k at her job or better, so you're knocking down 100k between you....you don't mention children, but at late 50's, I'm going to assume that any kids are out of the household, therefore your house should be paid off and way more than that in savings ( which I would consider moving mostly to PMs )....even IF times were not looking crappy, you are looking at retirement in 10 years with not near enough to retire on. You're obviously not spending it on cars, the house sounds relatively conservative, so absent other info which is not posted about spending ( and you don't need to...this is just from the hip...you may have put 3 kids thru Harvard for all I know..... ), you might need to look at where the income is leaking away.....not being critical, just an observation.

Edit:

Reading your post again, I see where you said total household income is 80k, not what I read into it the first time.....sorry, my failure to read plain English....but the advice still holds....check the budget for leaks. That pretty much matches our own household income, and we are also in the same age bracket, and I know what we have done over the years heading into retirement age. One BIG area where we "came ahead" over the years was the LACK of mortgages due to building both the houses we've lived in ( previous and current ) ourselves, much of it 'pay-as-you-go', and thus never played the banker/interest game. That game plan doesn't do you much good at this stage in life, but younger folks SHOULD TAKE NOTE of how significant you can change your life by avoiding taking the rope bankers will lend you to hang yourself.

Re: Security Audit Request
 

I have to agree with Tn...Andy, you need to go over your income and outgoing $$.

Your biggest problem may be trying to keep your home.

You're sitting on $3k cash, which isn't very much. If you had to liquidate your 401k you would likely get about $20k-25k out of it.

This means in 12-18 months of unemployment you are facing foreclosure.

If I were you I would be saving, saving, saving. Saving cash and buying metals.

I agree with the others you need to add some firearms. A .454 might be great for WOW! factor but it isn't a practical defensive handgun.

Think about a short barrel shotgun, a smaller handgun your wife can comfortably use and a semi-auto rifle.

Re: Security Audit Request
 

More guns - two each of common caliber pistols/revolvers & shotguns, rifles if desired

Much more food - increase to one year if possible

Stored water supply - do not rely solely on the well

One or more new buddies for your "senior citizen" doggie - sadly, your current one is in sundown period, let him enjoy a new pal or two in his retirement years

Re: Security Audit Request
 

All the above is great advise. I feel a home that is paid for is the biggest single asset a person can have. You can prep for 20 years, but if your house goes to the bank you have no where to store all your preps.

Its peace of mind to know you truly "own" your house and property not the bank.

Re: Security Audit Request
 

It would also be a great idea to put that Home and land if any into a contract trust.

To keep it well insulated from any entity that would want to attach it or take it for any reason.

I say a trust instead of a Private Foundation as the IRS is not involved in a Contract trust but they are heavily involved in a Private Foundation.