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Don’t Get Crushed When The World Goes Sideways
An Action Plan for Enduring and Surviving Four Years in a Turbulent World
I have a dismal and pessimistic view of the future. It wasn’t always the case.
Studying economics, experiencing the less than ethical practices at various tech and finance companies and working on disruptive technologies that can displace humans didn’t give me confidence for a utopian future imagined in science fiction films.
The next few years is going to be rough. Not maybe. Not possibly. Will be.
You’ve seen the signs.
Climate disasters hitting harder each year. Cities looking like scenes from Mad Max or Escape from New York. Prices climbing while paychecks shrink. Politicians more interested in social media and PR wars than fixing anything.
But here’s the thing — you’re not helpless. You just need to be smart about it.
I’m not talking about building a bunker or stockpiling freeze-dried garbage. I’m talking about practical steps that normal people can take to stay stable when things get shaky.
Get Real
The world isn’t ending. But it is changing, fast and hard. Here’s what we’re actually dealing with:
Climate change isn’t coming — it’s here. Every summer breaks records. Every storm hits harder. Insurance companies have bailed on Florida and California.
Think about that.
The people whose job is calculating risk are saying “nope, too risky.”
Civil unrest isn’t just for history books anymore. We’ve seen what happens when people get desperate enough. It’s not pretty, and it’s not going away.
The economy? It’s like watching a drunk try to walk a tightrope. Might make it across, might not, but it’s going to be nerve-wracking either way.
The stock market is reporting oscillating booms, but people on main street are feeling the pinch of rising prices across all goods and services.
So what do you do?
Why I Stopped Chasing Money and Found Happiness
By Samantha Plavins
The Smart Money Moves
First rule of not drowning: Get to high ground before the flood.
Start with your money. The dollar’s been doing the limbo — how low can it go?
Here’s your playbook:
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Keep enough cash for 6 months of expenses. Not invested. Not in crypto. Real, boring cash in a boring bank account. When things get weird, cash is king.
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Spread your money around. Different banks. Different types of accounts. Mix of stocks, bonds, and yes, maybe some precious metals. Not because you’re a doomsday prepper, but because you’re not an idiot.
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Pay down debt like your life depends on it. Because in uncertain times, it might. Credit card interest is a luxury we won’t be able to afford much longer.
Next….
Location, Location, Location
Where you live matters more than ever. Ask yourself:
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Can my area handle extreme weather?
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How stable is the local government?
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What’s the crime rate trending like?
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How’s the water situation?
I’m not saying move to the mountains. But maybe don’t buy that beachfront property in a hurricane zone. Or that cheap house in a city that’s cutting its police force.
I’m not saying move to the mountains. But maybe don’t buy that beachfront property in a hurricane zone. Or that cheap house in a city that’s cutting its police force.
Essential Skills 101
Forget coding bootcamps. Here are the skills you actually need:
Basic repairs: When things break, fixing them yourself will be a superpower. Learn your way around tools.
Food skills: Not just cooking. Growing food. Preserving food. Knowing what’s actually worth stockpiling.
First aid: Real first aid, not just band-aids. When emergency rooms are overwhelmed, handling minor emergencies yourself matters.
Community building: Your neighbors might be annoying, but they’re your first line of support when things go wrong. Learn to work with them.
The Health Factor
Healthcare’s already a mess. It’s not getting better. Here’s your protection plan:
Get healthy now. Yeah, I know, boring advice. But being healthy is cheaper than being sick, and that gap is growing.
Stock up on prescriptions if you can. Have backup plans for critical medications.
Learn preventive care. Basic nutrition. Stress management. Sleep hygiene. The stuff that keeps you out of the doctor’s office.
The Power Play
Energy independence isn’t just for hippies anymore. Power grids are getting shakier. Prices are getting higher. Solar’s not just for tree huggers. It’s for people who like having power when the grid goes down.
Batteries aren’t optional anymore. Get good ones.
Learn your power priorities. What actually needs to run when power’s limited?
Navigate and Embrace Change
Simon Sinek
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The Food Factor
Remember 2020’s empty shelves? That was just a preview.
Start a garden. Even a small one. Fresh food’s going to get expensive.
Learn to store food properly. Not just stockpiling, but rotating supplies so nothing goes to waste.
Know your local food sources. Farmers markets. Community gardens. Places that aren’t Walmart.
The Community Shield
Here’s something preppers get wrong: Lone wolves die. Packs survive.
Build your network now:
Know your neighbors
Join local groups
Have friends with different skills
Build relationships with local suppliers
You don’t need to love them. You need to be able to work with them.
The Information Game
Information’s going to be crucial. But most sources are garbage. Build your intelligence network:
Multiple news sources, across the spectrum
Local news and information
Direct sources when possible
People you trust on the ground in different areas
Learn to filter out noise. Everybody’s got an agenda. Learn to spot it.
The Legal Angle
When systems get stressed, laws get weird. Protect yourself:
Keep important documents safe and accessible
Know your rights — really know them
Have legal contacts before you need them
Understand local laws about self-defense, property rights, and emergency powers
The Work Plan
Jobs aren’t as stable as they used to be. Plan accordingly:
Multiple income streams
Skills that work offline
Side hustles that could become main hustles
Emergency work plans
The Mental Game
This is the part people skip. Big mistake.
Crisis isn’t just physical. It’s psychological. You need:
Stress management techniques
Clear decision-making processes
Support systems
Ways to stay positive without being delusional
2025 Action Plan
Pull out your field notes or calendar and starting jotting this down.
This Week
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Start your emergency fund
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Check your insurance coverage
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Make copies of important documents
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Start learning one practical skill
This Month
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Get a medical checkup
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Start your food storage system
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Make your evacuation plan
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Begin community networking
This Year
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Get serious about health improvements
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Build your resilience systems
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Develop your skill sets
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Strengthen your community ties
The Bottom Line
Look, nobody wants to think about this stuff. It’s more fun to pretend everything’s fine.
But everything’s not fine, and pretending won’t help.
The good news?
Most of these steps make sense even if things don’t go completely sideways. Being healthy, skilled, and prepared isn’t just disaster planning — it’s good living.
The time to act is now. Not next year. Not when things get worse. Now.
Because here’s the truth: The people who survive and thrive in tough times aren’t the ones with the biggest bunkers or the most guns. They’re the ones who saw what was coming and got ready in smart, practical ways.
Be one of those people.
The world’s changing. Make sure you change with it — on your terms, not in panic mode when you have no choice.
Check out the Risk and Resilient 2025 Series of posts to help get you through these turbulent times.
Source: medium.com
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