Inflation: A Slow Death To Avoid

The metaphor of slow starvation is fitting, as inflation gnaws away at a society's well-being, one bite at a time.

SHTF & SECURITYFINANCE PREPPING

8/30/20248 min read

a family sitting in a home watching tv waiting for their shtf food rations on a Coronet magazine

Inflation: A Slow Death Sentence Comparable to Slow Starvation

Inflation, often described as a silent thief, erodes the purchasing power of money, slowly squeezing the life out of a nation's economy and its citizens' livelihoods. Like a slow starvation, it gradually diminishes the value of savings, incomes, and overall financial security, leaving people struggling to afford even the most basic necessities. The metaphor of slow starvation is fitting, as inflation gnaws away at a society's well-being, one bite at a time.

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I’ve worked with countless clients over the years, helping them prepare for scenarios they’d rather not think about. I’ve seen families who thought they were ready only to realize they couldn’t stretch their budgets to cover the supplies they needed. Inflation is a force that can quietly erode your ability to stay prepared, and it is driven by mutineers in our government. Managing it effectively is as critical as knowing how to purify water or secure your home. Without the right strategy, even the best-laid plans can unravel when prices spiral out of control.

Imagine this: you’ve stocked up on the essentials—canned goods, rice, beans, first-aid supplies—and suddenly the cost of replenishing those stores doubles. What was once a manageable expense becomes a choke point in your budget. That’s the insidious nature of inflation; it doesn’t announce itself with a bang, but it can cripple your preparedness if you’re not ready to adapt. The ability to maintain your food supply isn’t just about having the right storage techniques. It’s about making smart financial decisions today so you’re not caught off guard tomorrow.

Water is another example. While securing a reliable source of potable water should be one of the first steps in any preparedness plan, the cost of filtration systems and storage solutions can climb quickly. During periods of inflation, these costs can become prohibitive, especially if you’ve waited too long to act. Investing in quality now—before prices surge—is not just prudent; it’s necessary. Waiting until the market tightens or demand skyrockets will leave you vulnerable, and in this game, vulnerability is a luxury you can’t afford.

It’s not just the essentials like food and water. The same applies to other survival items—batteries, solar chargers, tools, medical kits. Inflation impacts everything, and the effects are cumulative. The cost of a simple hand-crank radio might seem trivial today, but in a high-inflation environment, that same item could become an unexpected drain on your finances. And these aren’t just hypothetical situations. I’ve seen clients scramble to secure these items at the last minute, only to be faced with inflated prices that left their budgets in tatters.

Planning for inflation doesn’t mean becoming an economist overnight. It means understanding that preparedness isn’t just about physical supplies but also about financial readiness. Stockpiling supplies during times of economic stability allows you to stretch your dollars further, leaving room in your budget for unforeseen expenses. If you’re not planning for the financial prepping realities of tomorrow, you’re not truly prepared.

Over the years, I’ve advised clients to think beyond the obvious. A preparedness plan isn’t just about having what you need for a disaster. It’s about ensuring you can maintain those supplies as conditions change. Inflation is just one of many factors that can impact your readiness, but it’s one that too many overlook. The cost of inaction isn’t measured in dollars alone. It’s measured in the gaps that form in your plan, in the compromises you’re forced to make when your budget no longer aligns with your needs. And in a situation where every item in your kit could be the difference between safety and crisis, those compromises are unacceptable.

The Parallels with Venezuela

To fully grasp the destructive power of unchecked inflation, one need only look at Venezuela. Once one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America, Venezuela has been devastated by hyperinflation, which peaked at an astronomical 10 million percent in 2019. The Venezuelan bolívar became so worthless that people resorted to bartering goods and services. Shelves in grocery stores were empty, and basic commodities became inaccessible for the average citizen.

Venezuela's plight serves as a stark warning of how economic mismanagement, coupled with a reliance on printing more money to cover deficits, can lead to a complete economic collapse. The United States, while still far from such a catastrophic scenario, is on a concerning path. As inflation rises, driven by various factors including excessive government spending and supply chain disruptions, the value of the dollar is steadily declining. The cost of living is increasing, and the middle class is being squeezed tighter with each passing day.

The Risk of Food Confiscation During Martial Law and in Times of Crisis

In times of severe crisis, such as a widespread economic collapse or natural disaster, governments may resort to extreme measures, including the confiscation of privately held food supplies. Historical examples, such as the Soviet Union's forced requisitioning of grain during the Holodomor or the more recent food seizures in Venezuela, illustrate how governments may prioritize state needs over individual survival.

During a crisis, authorities might argue that food confiscation is necessary to ensure equitable distribution and prevent hoarding. However, this can leave individuals and families vulnerable, particularly those who have prudently stored food in anticipation of hard times. The possibility of losing one's food supply to confiscation underscores the importance of not only stockpiling but also safeguarding those supplies.

Strategies for Hiding and Protecting Food

To protect against the risk of food confiscation, individuals should consider creative ways to hide and secure their food supplies. Here are some strategies:

Diversified Storage: Don’t keep all your food in one place. Store it in multiple locations, both inside and outside your home. This could include burying food in airtight containers, hiding it in false walls or under floors, or using attic or basement spaces.
Disguise Your Supplies: Store food in plain sight by disguising it as something else. For example, label boxes of food as something unappealing, like “old books” or “cleaning supplies.” Using decoy items can also mislead anyone searching for food.
Burying and Caching: If you have outdoor space, burying food supplies in weatherproof containers can be a good option. Ensure that these caches are in locations that won’t easily be disturbed or discovered. GPS coordinates or a discreet map can help you keep track of where your supplies are hidden.
Vacuum-Sealing and Dehydrating: Vacuum-sealed and dehydrated foods take up less space and can be easily concealed. These methods also extend the shelf life of your food, making it more viable for long-term storage.
False Bottoms and Compartments: Furniture, particularly heavy items like dressers and tables, can be modified to include hidden compartments. False bottoms in drawers or shelves can conceal food from plain sight.
Camouflage in Plain Sight: Incorporate your food storage into everyday items that don’t attract attention. For example, use hollowed-out books to store dehydrated food or stack canned goods in boxes labeled as something mundane, like tools or holiday decorations.

The Dangers of Relying Solely on FEMA for Aid

In the aftermath of a disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is often seen as a lifeline for those in need. However, placing all your trust in FEMA can be a dangerous gamble. If you rely solely on FEMA for aid, you might find yourself facing rationed food supplies, insufficient resources, or even the grim possibility of starvation. The reality is that FEMA, despite its best efforts, may not always be able to come to the rescue, leaving individuals and families to fend for themselves in dire circumstances.

The Risk of Food Rationing and Starvation

When a large-scale disaster strikes, FEMA's resources can be stretched thin. In such situations, food may be rationed to ensure that supplies last as long as possible. While rationing might sound reasonable in theory, it can quickly lead to malnutrition and starvation if the rations are inadequate to meet your daily caloric needs. Imagine being handed a small amount of food that is supposed to last for days—this scenario is not far-fetched during a major crisis.

Moreover, the quality of the food provided by emergency agencies may not always be up to par, potentially leading to health issues, particularly for those with specific dietary needs. The idea of relying on limited, government-issued rations for survival is a sobering one, especially when better options are available.

The Threat of Theft From Hostiles

In the chaos following a disaster, desperation can bring out the worst in people. When resources are scarce, some may resort to theft or violence to obtain what they need. If you’re relying on FEMA for food and water, there’s a risk that others, driven by desperation, might steal your supplies. This kind of lawlessness has been witnessed in numerous disaster scenarios, where survival instincts override societal norms.

When FEMA aid is delayed or inadequate, people may turn on each other, competing fiercely for whatever resources are available. The breakdown of social order can lead to dangerous confrontations, putting you and your loved ones at risk. Disasters often strip away the veneer of civility, revealing the harsh reality of human nature when survival is on the line.

FEMA May Never Come

One of the harshest realities to consider is that FEMA might never come. In cases where the disaster is widespread or access to affected areas is severely limited, FEMA's response could be delayed for days, weeks, or even longer. During this time, you could be left entirely on your own, struggling to find food, water, and shelter. This uncertainty underscores the importance of being prepared and not relying solely on external assistance.

Without FEMA or other aid organizations to rely on, Americans could find themselves in a survival-of-the-fittest scenario. Communities could fracture as individuals and groups fight over dwindling resources, leading to increased violence and further destabilization. The lesson here is clear: preparedness is key to ensuring your survival and protecting your family.

Preparedness: Food and Water Storage Solutions

To avoid the potential pitfalls of relying solely on FEMA, it’s crucial to have your own emergency food and water supplies. By taking proactive steps to store essential resources, you can better protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of starvation, rationing, and theft.

For food storage, consider options like those available at Ready Resource Supply. They offer a wide range of long-lasting food supplies designed to sustain you through any emergency. Properly stored, these foods can last for years, ensuring that you always have access to nutritious meals when you need them most.

Water is equally vital in a crisis. Without a reliable source of clean water, survival becomes nearly impossible. Ready Resource Supply also offers solutions for water storage, providing safe and efficient ways to store and purify water to ensure it’s drinkable when disaster strikes.

For a comprehensive approach to preparedness, you might want to explore the Emergency Essentials Bundle, which includes both food and water storage options, along with over 180 pages of planners and checklists to help you prepare for various scenarios. This bundle ensures that you have all the tools necessary to protect your family in times of crisis.