So there are alot of smart people here with a wide range of opinions. I think discussing our the current political leadership in the western world is a waste of time. Let's discuss surviving them and living thru the hyper-inflation. Anyone have any thoughts? Anyone ever talk to a German who lived thru post WWI? How bad was Brazil back in the 70s?

What hyper-inflation would that be? We're looking at outright deflation right now.

The hyperinflation that comes when the feds try to print enough money to pay for the trillions they're obligated to pay in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security to the baby boomers who are now approaching old age. Those obligations make today's overspending spree look like childs play.

Bluelight,

"...Anyone ever talk to a German who lived thru post WWI?.." WW1 Started June 28, 1914 and ended November 11, 1918. In order to be of any age that would allow any memory, let's say 4 yrs old, that would make anyone that lived thru WWI 95 years old!

Good luck finding anyone that is (A) alive (B) doesn't have alzheimer's and (C), wait, I can't remember C.........

CFK

Fear not. Since we have deflation today, we can blissfully discount the possibility that unfathomably huge amounts of deficit spending and printing money willy nilly while at the same time launching a full scale assault on business could possibly have any effect on the value of our money tomorrow.

I_am_sancho,

We must think alike See my second post under What would you do to make a terma even better?

CFK

(Message edited by copperfieldkid on March 06, 2009)

here is a great documentary called I.O.U.S.A that deals with the obligations.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=iousa+full+movie&www_google_domain=www.google.com&emb=0&aq=1&oq=IOUSA#

Come on smart people, dumb people, anyone who can type - is there anyway to survive or even prosper in a hyper-inflation scenario? Phoenix, all those obligations can be defaulted on easily. Cat you can believe there is deflation all you want. That's not the question I put on the table. CFK, my grandfather faught in WWI. Just not on the German side.

My current line of thinking is to borrow as much money as I can at fixed rates and buy quality items that I won't be able to afford someday. So I need a new car to drive to work, normally I would look at an Accord/Altima/?. Now, I'm thinking about buying a MB CLS instead and keep driving my '04 Altima. I've already covered my roof with solar planels. Now my house is energy self-depended for the next 25 years.

Bluelight,

Is your Grandfather still alive? I bet he has some stories to tell! There are very few WWI survivors worldwide left.

I believe individuals that lived thru the Great Depression years later are the source of economic horror stories and experiences. I have not met anyone that lived during that period that it did not have a profound affect. Spending habits, savings philosophies,etc were changed for life. Deep seated financial fears never fully went away. Good luck with your posturing efforts

Having owned several Mercedes Benz I can assure you they are fine automobiles, expensive but certainly well engineered. My SL was the favorite among women hands down.

CFK

(Message edited by copperfieldkid on March 07, 2009)

Seeing as the US has never experienced hyper-inflation and the economic variables are absolutely not forecasting anything of the sort, I wouldn't worry about it at all. But, in a hyper-inflation environment, you don't want cash at all. Fixed debt is good, as far as assets, things that are easy to move, easy to deal and always needed. Booze, cigarettes, jewelry, stuff like that.

I wish you were this alarmist before you took that hooker to Foz da Iguazu. You can forecast hyperinflation 10 years out but couldn't figure out that a garota who wouldn't fuck you in Rio was not the right one to take on a trip? Now that's what you should look out for

CFK, you too.

The US experienced hyperinflation during the civil war.

Garden variety inflation in the 1970's resulted in very large percentage moves in oil, gold, silver and many other hard assets or commodities.

CFK - My grandfather wouldn't talk about the war. My grandmother 15yrs younger had much to say about the 30s. Its the license/insurance that is going to kill me I think.

Cat - I try to learn from my mistakes

Cobra - actually there were 2 times. The first was during the Continental dollar. The second was post Civil War I think. Which from what I've read, JP Morgan convinced the short sellers of the day to stop. There is actually a theory out there that is based on this. The theory goes that all it takes to turn this market around is to re-instate the uptick rule. Basically eliminating the short sellers from the market. Since the powers that make the rules haven't, this sell off is wanted.

So CFK, can you tell us some personal stories from the Civil War? If it is still too painful, we will understand.

Bluelight, load up on gold and ammo.

Azguy,

I missed that one, and even missed the big one, WW2.....I have the dubious distinction of being the first Baby Boomer, what an honor! [Respct,respct,respct as per Aretha]

My initial misconceptions as to why I get blamed for everything are now confirmed.

CFK

I might of been a decade or 2 early but it's sure looking likely after this past week. 11 years of prepping I'm as ready as I can be.

You don't get hyperinflation with a global recession. More like deflation at this point.

Cat you're anything but on point.
Print and give away trillions and more dollars chase scarce goods which is inflation. But don't listen to me - there was a great article on the topic in Forbes today

Today I paid $8 for a roll of toilet paper. I think it was a good investment.

Keep betting on that deflation Cat, it'll happen right after fiat is burned to the ground

$8! WOW those paper companies are making buck