Many on here have already figured out that what you see is just the beginning of our future reality. It is never coming back. Our future is to live in a super depression for the rest of our lives. It is not completely here today, but we are on the downward slide and the bottom is were we will linger.
The reason for this post is to express not only this reality, but also to express what I think a lot of people over look in their preps.
Knowledge is power. Knowledge is life. Knowledge is advantage. Books are the key to this. Yes right now we have the internet, but what happens when the lights go out or like in Egypt those in power just shut it off? Buy all the books you can get you hands on about everything:
Cooking
Preserving food
Butchering
Fishing
Hunting
Farming
Logging
Carpentry
Machinist work
Welding
Gardening
Gun smithing
Mechanics
Medicine
Herbal
Psychology
Blacksmithing
Concrete work
Electrical
Reloading
Alternative energy
Recycling
Trapping
Buy all the old Popular Mechanics and Popular Science Magazines you can find for $2 each or less.
Even if you do not need all of this information it is never going to hurt you to have it anyhow. You may also be able to trade or sell these books to others who need it when times are tuff. The main reason to have a well stocked library is so that you have the knowledge to repair and maintain life around you.
The next thing to think about are tools. You will need the tools to make the repairs. You are not going to be able to hire things done on a whim like you are used to. The problem with a lot of tools is that electricity may or may not be scarce. So hand tools are going to be a big deal. You can pick them up at yard sales, thrift stores and flea markets for cheap. You know the same places that you should be looking for books.
Hammers
Handsaws
Planes
Chisels
Squares
Levels
Tapes
Drywall tools
Concrete hand tools
Blacksmithing tools
Mechanics tools
Files (lots of Files)
Vise
Garden tools
Wagon or Wheel Barrow
Nails and Screws (lots)
Crosscut saw
Brace and Bits
Now if you have the ability to generate electricity then power tools should definitely be on the list as well. I think a person should at least look at 18V battery systems with an inverter that can be hooked up to the vehicle if nothing else. When I lived off grid, I kept my battery system charged by having an inverter hooked to the cigarette lighter and charged when I was driving back and forth to work or town.
Sawz All
Skill Saw
3/8 Drill
1/2 Drill
Drill press
1"x42" sander with a 6" disc
Welder
Torch
Nice but not absolutely necessary:
Table saw
Chop saw
Router
Table top Milling Machine
Metal Lathe.
Table saw
router
Now the more you know the less you will need. Such as having a rotary table with a Milling machine will allow you to not have to have a metal lathe. A drill press can also be used as a metal or a wood lathe in a pinch too. A skill saw can be used in place of a table saw if you build a set up for it. You can even arc weld with your car if needed and you know how. I have even seen cars cut in half with the same system.
The idea is to have as much knowledge in your head as you can and what you do not use every day you should have at your finger tips for quick reference. Then you need the tools to actually complete the tasks. The best thing about being able to fix or build anything is that your skills will be in demand and you will have something of value to barter with your neighbors.
Now finally a scrap metal pile and scrap lumber storage is going to be the next thing, because what good is the knowledge and tools with out the raw material to work with.
Just a few thoughts on my mind. Not a complete list by any means and I am sure there are other things you can think of and add to this list.
The reason for this post is to express not only this reality, but also to express what I think a lot of people over look in their preps.
Knowledge is power. Knowledge is life. Knowledge is advantage. Books are the key to this. Yes right now we have the internet, but what happens when the lights go out or like in Egypt those in power just shut it off? Buy all the books you can get you hands on about everything:
Cooking
Preserving food
Butchering
Fishing
Hunting
Farming
Logging
Carpentry
Machinist work
Welding
Gardening
Gun smithing
Mechanics
Medicine
Herbal
Psychology
Blacksmithing
Concrete work
Electrical
Reloading
Alternative energy
Recycling
Trapping
Buy all the old Popular Mechanics and Popular Science Magazines you can find for $2 each or less.
Even if you do not need all of this information it is never going to hurt you to have it anyhow. You may also be able to trade or sell these books to others who need it when times are tuff. The main reason to have a well stocked library is so that you have the knowledge to repair and maintain life around you.
The next thing to think about are tools. You will need the tools to make the repairs. You are not going to be able to hire things done on a whim like you are used to. The problem with a lot of tools is that electricity may or may not be scarce. So hand tools are going to be a big deal. You can pick them up at yard sales, thrift stores and flea markets for cheap. You know the same places that you should be looking for books.
Hammers
Handsaws
Planes
Chisels
Squares
Levels
Tapes
Drywall tools
Concrete hand tools
Blacksmithing tools
Mechanics tools
Files (lots of Files)
Vise
Garden tools
Wagon or Wheel Barrow
Nails and Screws (lots)
Crosscut saw
Brace and Bits
Now if you have the ability to generate electricity then power tools should definitely be on the list as well. I think a person should at least look at 18V battery systems with an inverter that can be hooked up to the vehicle if nothing else. When I lived off grid, I kept my battery system charged by having an inverter hooked to the cigarette lighter and charged when I was driving back and forth to work or town.
Sawz All
Skill Saw
3/8 Drill
1/2 Drill
Drill press
1"x42" sander with a 6" disc
Welder
Torch
Nice but not absolutely necessary:
Table saw
Chop saw
Router
Table top Milling Machine
Metal Lathe.
Table saw
router
Now the more you know the less you will need. Such as having a rotary table with a Milling machine will allow you to not have to have a metal lathe. A drill press can also be used as a metal or a wood lathe in a pinch too. A skill saw can be used in place of a table saw if you build a set up for it. You can even arc weld with your car if needed and you know how. I have even seen cars cut in half with the same system.
The idea is to have as much knowledge in your head as you can and what you do not use every day you should have at your finger tips for quick reference. Then you need the tools to actually complete the tasks. The best thing about being able to fix or build anything is that your skills will be in demand and you will have something of value to barter with your neighbors.
Now finally a scrap metal pile and scrap lumber storage is going to be the next thing, because what good is the knowledge and tools with out the raw material to work with.
Just a few thoughts on my mind. Not a complete list by any means and I am sure there are other things you can think of and add to this list.
I'm the tool collector here 
Dh is the tool misplacer ;lau
but good to know 
The state puts out a magazine every year with their hunting liscenses that you can get some great ideas from, also LOTS of web info on hunting that could be printed out.
