You can install an ac adapter on your motor vehicle to generate 120v. Your hot water tank is storage for water. If you heat with oil. You have access to that fuel.
Total collapse is unlikely, but if that were to happen, what will you need the most of? The willingness and ability to kill other human beings. Most don't have that up front, but they'll get there. Believe me, they'll get there. The lucky ones will die quiclky. I have no desire to live in a world like that, so count me out. Last bullet is for me.
How much would you need if there is a collapse? Enough for ass-less chaps and a plane ticket to Australia. If I am going to perish, might as well go out in style, in the way I always fantasized about it: <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_iRmOc10SMw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_iRmOc10SMw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>
Lord Humundous, just classic. A man I respect very much, Tim Morge, and a great trader, recently updated his forecast he gave us at Denver Trading Group several years back. He said we will go the way of Japan, most likely, since we tried to stimulate, a lost decade of stagnation. He also mentioned before you stock up on gold coins you might do better with more ammo since as soon as you hold up that shiny coin some is going to shoot if you aren't well armed.
Why would you want that? Are you saying you want to be arse raped by a bunch of mean gay men? You can count me out. But there might be other you might try here. By coincidence I am watching that film as I write this reply.
You really didn't get the sarcasm? What I like, to be clear, is his over dramatized role, Humugous or whatever his name is. That is it. No I don't want a melt down by any means. And no I don't want homos with ass chaps.
Few for a moment I thought you were serious. I think that it will be more like the first film. Most people won't like to the time the one you are talking about happens. It will be a lawless society with no police and people in cars driving around raping and killing people going to peoples houses and robbing knowing the police and the courts won't do anything. In England they have cut the Court by half its budget. Where are you based are you a boomer or like me just about old enough to understand what is going on but in a kind of limbo.
I think it is quite safe to say that the majority of people would wind up in "tribes", such as your entire neighborhood pooling together, so quite unlikely to be doing anything alone, at least for a long initial period. Gold/Silver would be basically useless to most, and as stated already, things like toilet paper and ammunition would likely be a highly desired tool of trade. We were without power for almost 2 weeks post hurricane Ike, it was amazing how our entire neighborhood came together, shared so much and all helped each other. There was revolving get togethers for eating, etc. I gotta run (could write all night), but the ones to worry about are not your neighbors, but the bands of have nots from outside areas, and that mentality even creates unorganized and undisciplined enemies to deal with. Love thy neighbor!
If you like that movie watch The Road very disturbing. I don't believe The Road or the movie 2012 is going to happen but I will agree with Tim Morge, a decade of no economic growth in US. The US won't become 3rd world in our lifetimes but the days of everyone owning 2 homes in the US are gone. Maybe we will become more European, with multi generational housing. I don't think it's bad at all. Homes in Europe, as you know are brick or concrete well built and sound isn't much an issue between floors. Grandparents take care of little kids and some Moms can stay at home.
I think this is a reasonable way to express it, but I'd recommend you inflate the number to about 400 oz of silver per month PER FAMILY MEMBER. It would not be an unbearably uncomfortable existence.