Will society as we know it suddenly collapse? Maybe, but a more probable outcome is a delayed, slow breakdown of our modern society. High unemployment will cause families to burn through retirement funds and savings. Families will lose their homes to the banks they have borrowed from, and the slow and painful collapse of society will overwhelm our world.

Don’t believe it?

Americans are facing a poverty crisis, with almost 50 million citizens living below the poverty line, meaning they are surviving off of an income of less than $25,000 for a family of four.

More people than ever are not active in the workforce, with 12% of males between the ages of 25 and 54 unemployed. Over half of American workers are making less than $30,000! These numbers are not sustainable for a healthy society, and the decline of our modern world is inevitable.

Prepare for the worst.

Right now, families are in limbo, waiting for the unstoppable breakdown of society to occur. The only way to survive through the tragedies that are on their way is to prepare your family for the rough road ahead. Use these survival tips to be proactive and prepare your family for the economic collapse on the horizon:

1. Take advantage of government handouts now, but don’t rely on them for the future. If you plan on using social security to retire, you should have a plan b, as the government will most likely not have the funds to help you out in the future. Try to find side jobs to save extra money that can be used to buy goods to support your family during hard times.
2. Take a serious look at your expenses. People think they’re being financially responsible, but don’t understand how much money goes out the door every month on unnecessary items. It may be nice to get your hair colored, but it’s wasted money.
3. There’s no such thing as too much food, so buy as much food as you can and keep it in storage.
4. Use alternate forms of travel besides the car. In the future, gas will be unaffordable for the majority of Americans, so get used to not having the luxury of a car now. Consider switching to businesses close by that you can bicycle to instead of driving across town to see a doctor or go grocery shopping.
5. Grow a garden in your backyard, or if zoning allows for it, try raising chickens as well so you can start getting used to creating your own food instead of buying it in a store.
6. Every month, add a little extra towards your mortgage or debt payments. Even if it’s an extra $10-20 a month, this will help you pay down your principal and get out of debt quickly. In the face of financial crisis, you’ll be less likely to lose your home to the bank.
7. Have some extra cash? Think about investing in silver or gold, which has always had some worth throughout history.
8. Stay on top of your health by getting constant medical and dental check-ups now when it is still somewhat manageable. While we await the demise of our economy, get in shape now so you’re of top physical condition when circumstances are much more extreme.