The holiday season brings more than just festive cheer—it also shines a light on pressing global challenges. From political tensions to rising food costs, recent developments reveal critical issues impacting millions worldwide. Let’s explore the headlines shaping current events and their implications for our daily lives.
Rising Food Prices and Shortages
Shoppers are noticing food prices climbing to unsettling levels, with many essential items becoming difficult to find. Eggs, a household staple, are in particularly short supply. Reports from across the U.S. highlight empty grocery shelves and skyrocketing costs, raising concerns about food security.
In Michigan, a new law effective January 1 mandates retailers to sell only cage-free eggs. While some support the shift for ethical reasons, others worry about significantly higher prices. Consumers are already preparing for this change, with some joking about egg “smuggling” becoming a reality.
Meanwhile, retailers like Costco are experiencing severe supply chain disruptions. Locations in California, Washington, and South Dakota report an inability to source eggs, forcing customers to seek alternatives. Price hikes are also evident, with a dozen eggs at one store jumping from $2.96 to $3.99 in just one week. Many shoppers are now considering raising their own hens as a more sustainable option.
Other essential goods are also feeling the pinch. Items like butter, milk, corn oil, peanut butter, and tea bags are dwindling in stock, signaling larger supply chain issues that could grow worse.
Global Economic Turmoil
Economic instability isn’t limited to food costs. Around the world, governments and citizens alike are grappling with financial uncertainty.
In China, the government has injected three trillion Yuan into its economy to stave off a financial crisis reminiscent of the 2008 collapse. Their one-year bond rates, falling below 1%, mirror the conditions seen during the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. These moves highlight the desperate state of their economy, leaving many wondering how long such interventions can last.
In Europe, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss natural gas supplies. This meeting angered European Union and NATO leaders, who prefer limited engagement with Russia. The energy crisis continues to place strain on both diplomatic relationships and household energy costs across the continent.
Meanwhile, political turbulence in the UK adds to the global uncertainty. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party is rapidly gaining members, threatening the established Conservative Party. The movement signifies a growing frustration with traditional political structures, mirroring similar sentiments seen in other countries.
Aviation Complications in the U.S.
Even the aviation industry hasn’t escaped challenges. American Airlines faced a temporary grounding order after a software glitch disrupted their ability to calculate plane balance. This rare occurrence highlights how technological failures can quickly cascade into bigger problems. While flights resumed after an hour, the incident caused delays and raised questions about the industry’s reliance on software systems.
Acts of Kindness Amid the Chaos
Despite the challenges, uplifting stories remind us of the power of small acts of kindness. During the holidays, moments of generosity and connection have stood out as beacons of hope.
One story recounts a military service member at a Christmas party receiving an unexpected gift: an unconventional and “ugly” belt buckle. Years later, he thanked the giver for their thoughtfulness, sharing how the gift had come to symbolize the kindness of a stranger during a lonely time.
Another heartfelt memory highlighted a couple reunited during a blizzard decades ago, just in time for a Christmas proposal. Stories like these remind us that even in difficult times, human connection can bring joy and meaning.
Finding Solutions and Staying Prepared
If recent events have taught us anything, it’s the importance of preparation and resilience. As food shortages continue, families are stocking essentials and exploring alternatives like growing their own food. On a larger scale, questions about global economic policy and political instability beg for long-term solutions.
It’s also critical to stay informed. Governments, consumers, and businesses alike must adapt and respond to evolving challenges.
Conclusion
The world is facing significant challenges this holiday season, from food shortages to economic distress and political upheaval. Yet, even amid adversity, stories of kindness and hope remind us of what truly matters. As we navigate these uncertain times, staying prepared, informed, and compassionate can help us all emerge stronger.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
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