Interesting article in today’s KSL News:
Learning to Live with Less

An awful lot of people are in deep financial trouble these days, and discovering that they simply can’t continue the lifestyle they have lived in the past. Unfortunately, most of them learn too late the folly of living extravagantly and not preparing for the future.

With the world in ever-increasing turmoil, businesses laying off employees at record rates, natural disasters increasing in frequency and severity, and too many non-solutions coming from clueless bureaucrats, everyone needs a safety net. We have been warned for many years that a time of scarcity was coming. Now it’s here, and all indications are that things will get much worse before they get better. Those who have prepared are those who will weather the storm the best.

If you’re one of the lucky ones not yet caught up in the crisis, it may be wise to look at your expenses and see if there are things that could be cut out in order to build up a reserve. You may also want to look at increasing your supply of food, clothing, and other necessities.

It’s time (and past time) for each of us to ask ourselves some very serious questions, such as:

How will I support my family if I lose my employment?
How could my family get through a cold winter with minimal fuel and electricity?
How long can my family survive on our stored food and water?
How could I obtain additional water in a long-term crisis?
What resources and skills could I use for barter in a pinch?
How could I work with family and friends to create a mutual support system?

By cutting down on unnecessary expenses now, and making real preparations for an uncertain future, you will not only be better able to handle whatever may come, but you will find greater peace of mind and be able to face life with a brighter outlook.