The last two years have wrought many changes in the financial sphere of life. From lost jobs and careers to rampant inflation, the financial bedrock of the world is shifting, and in massive ways, we’re not only in turbulent but in uncharted waters.
By now it should be abundantly clear that the pandemic has served as a catalyst to focus wealth into the hands of the very few, while destroying millions of small businesses across the world.
The psychopathic elites of society give themselves raises and tell us we’re “all in this together”, while the commoners must grapple with runaway inflation, insane costs of food and fuel, and a future that hasn’t looked so uncertain since before the two World Wars.
As always, I see the task ahead of us as one of collective transformation. The more we look for alarming statistics and dire financial predictions, the more we will find them – and it’s more critical than ever to not get stuck in a spiral of fear or worry. Instead, our very souls invite us to make proactive, conscious choices toward a hope-filled future.
The fact is, we’ve lived in a precariously crafted economic structure for quite some time, and it’s time to start rethinking the “party line” around money.
The old rules no longer apply, because they cannot help us build a sustainable future as sovereign, self-directed beings.
In 2018, the World Economic Forum (self-appointed “saviours” of the world) clearly stated their goal for all citizens of the Earth: By 2030, “You will own nothing, and be happy.”
This ominous pronouncement has been interpreted in many ways, but savvy economists and investors have been increasingly warning the public: It’s time to take a defensive stance, and start re-evaluating our definition of financial stability.
Rethinking not only the daily economy we participate in, but our ideas about wealth building, savings and investments, and even how we pay for goods and services, is necessary for us to thrive in the future.
In order to preserve a sovereign financial future for ourselves and our children, we must radically reassess our wealth-preservation strategies now.
Cashless Society and Digital Banking
The push to welcome increased levels of financial technology and do away with cash means that every cent will be tracked and traceable. No more birthday money tucked into a greeting card; no more gumball machines or lemonade stands for enterprising kids; no more cash tips; no more anonymous purchases.
Cash allows some privacy, while a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) – which governments around the world are working on – is a key component of mass surveillance in society.
Most alarming of all – our assets can be frozen or blocked, and debt and credit alike can be wiped out on a whim.
Apple Pay may seem convenient now, but we must recognize that these conveniences have a dark agenda behind them.
If all currency is digital, and there’s no record except the readout on an app or screen, those in power can easily implement a social credit system (already a reality in China) where your savings can be deleted because you spoke out against a government policy, or your neighbour doesn’t like the way you mow your lawn or put out your recycling bins.
When your interest rates and ability to be approved for a loan hinge on your freedom of speech, what we have is not freedom at all, but a travesty of such.
Rampant Inflation and Intrinsic Value of Goods
Inflation is controlled by the banking system, and it is a function of how much money is in circulation. Currently, 40% of all money in circulation has been printed by the Federal Reserve in the last 18 months. It’s worth noting here that the Federal Reserve is not in fact a federal organization, but a private one – and it has no reserves, either.
The reported, “official” rate of inflation is at 7%, but looking at the rising food costs, fuel costs, and shortages of material goods in all industries, many economists are insinuating that the actual inflation rate is closer to 20%.
Inflation means that your dollars do not stretch as far, while the intrinsic value of necessary goods and services remains steady.
This offers us the opportunity to assess the intrinsic value of the things we already own, from vehicles and real estate, to machines, appliances, and even medicines and foods.
It also suggests that the cost of all goods will continue to soar in price for the foreseeable future, making it harder for the majority of people to be able to afford those goods with ease.
Real Estate, Stocks, and Cryptocurrency
Even real estate, which has long been the top investment in terms of reliability, may soon be less stable due to proposed changes in tax laws, designed to prevent wealth transfer from parents to their children.
Typical homeowners are experiencing rapid increases in the value of their real estate, but once the property taxes are re-evaluated, a mass of foreclosures may result. Banks already own more houses than private homeowners, which benefits the banks – who prefer to be our landlords!
One way to protect against this type of property loss that might be worth exploring is to create a private land trust. This means that your home will no longer be a financial asset in the typical (sell-able) sense – but it also means that you have some protection against seizures and tax liens.
The stock market is experiencing record highs, but with economists predicting the largest-ever crash looming ahead, it’s also a volatile place to store your money.
The rise of cryptocurrency and NFTs offers a potential alternative, but it’s worth noting that digital assets – even decentralized ones – are completely transparent, and nothing is immune to hackers. The blockchain records every transaction perfectly and publicly.
FINTECH is the government’s version of blockchain technology – which is beyond the scope of this discussion, but worthy of further research.
Think Like a Prepper to Protect Your Assets
Gold and physical assets are likely to remain the most stable during times of rapid inflation, and so owning sustainable, long-term resources is a good bet.
Think like a “prepper”: Stock up on long term storage of food, alcohol, herbs and medicines, machinery, seeds, water and water purification resources, land and even livestock – these are all intrinsically valuable regardless of our volatile economy.
Protecting yourself financially in these times requires a willingness to think outside the box, and to make different choices than what may have seemed sensible even as little as two years ago.
When making purchases, it’s wise to consider the long-term utility and durability of a resource. Getting back to the basics of food, water, and shelter can be a guiding principle in our decision-making process regardless of whether we already own property. Another consideration is where to own land, or whether to stay in an urban area that is largely dependent on the traditional economy.
Things like soil improvements and livestock, digging a well, or building a pond may be pricey upfront, but these are all part of a long-term strategy of self-sufficiency that is largely immune to inflation.
Our priorities have shifted, and wealth-building and success look different now than they did previously.
It’s wise to avoid debt, keep using cash, own land and grow food, and to think long-term, off-grid, and sustainably to weather these times with grace. Create multiple contingency plans, diversify your assets, and above all, stay hopeful.
The future might be uncertain – but it’s only as bleak or as bright as we choose to make it.
