if the source of income to pay for it was 'depression-proof' in some way
'depression proofing' -- That is a subject I would like to see more discussion on.
I imagine a lot would depend on how that income is derived; also if I were paying mortgage of any substance I would likely want to sell out and rent, put the capital in something that would hold value for the immediate future, (stock, bonds treasury bills or what??)then for further down the line, perhaps gold land and infrastructure, a boat to sail away on, trade goods to carry on the boat??
I would imagine there are many on site that have great knowledge to confuse me with, please go ahead. Maybe I will be sent so far into quandryland that I'll figure 'to hell with it all ... it's the Gypsy life for me!!
BTW, on CBC 9pm PDT. news last night the announcer stated that Alcan was to become a larger company ... that it was being bought out by Rio Tinto!! (how is that for some sort of strange spin, it makes my top end wobble)
I wouldn't put money into stocks and bonds, except short term treasuries. In a deflation you need liquidity - cash and cash equivalents. Stocks are likely to tank across the board IMO, and bond yields mostly don't reflect risk very well at the moment so that many of them are likely to be defaulted upon. Owning gold has too many complications for most people, especially in rural areas. Owning it could be declared illegal as it was in the 1930s, which doesn't stop you from owning it, but does stop you from trading it without running very significant risks. IMO investing skills and equipment for self-sufficiency would be much better. Skills in particular are transportable.
Depression-proofing income is tricky, but in general terms one can be involved in selling high-end niche goods to rich people (low volume, high profit margin), provisions/equipment to the military, basic staples to the masses (high volume, very low profit margin), or peddling some kind of cheap escapism. Sadly things like selling booze do very well in difficult times, and security would be a sure bet for earning a living, although it would be risky in its own way. Any kind of middle-man role would not be likely to be a secure source of income.
Off the top of my head, the kinds of work I would imagine there would be a call for would be things like making 'disposable' goods last far beyond their short design life, repair work of all kinds, power systems engineering, basic health care, cheap entertainment, skilled farm work, working with draft animals, horticulture, fiber work or seamstressing. It may be possible to make a living organizing charities to look after the less fortunate.
GAIA Host Collective
'depression proofing' -- That is a subject I would like to see more discussion on.
I imagine a lot would depend on how that income is derived; also if I were paying mortgage of any substance I would likely want to sell out and rent, put the capital in something that would hold value for the immediate future, (stock, bonds treasury bills or what??)then for further down the line, perhaps gold land and infrastructure, a boat to sail away on, trade goods to carry on the boat??
I would imagine there are many on site that have great knowledge to confuse me with, please go ahead. Maybe I will be sent so far into quandryland that I'll figure 'to hell with it all ... it's the Gypsy life for me!!
BTW, on CBC 9pm PDT. news last night the announcer stated that Alcan was to become a larger company ... that it was being bought out by Rio Tinto!! (how is that for some sort of strange spin, it makes my top end wobble)
I wouldn't put money into stocks and bonds, except short term treasuries. In a deflation you need liquidity - cash and cash equivalents. Stocks are likely to tank across the board IMO, and bond yields mostly don't reflect risk very well at the moment so that many of them are likely to be defaulted upon. Owning gold has too many complications for most people, especially in rural areas. Owning it could be declared illegal as it was in the 1930s, which doesn't stop you from owning it, but does stop you from trading it without running very significant risks. IMO investing skills and equipment for self-sufficiency would be much better. Skills in particular are transportable.
Depression-proofing income is tricky, but in general terms one can be involved in selling high-end niche goods to rich people (low volume, high profit margin), provisions/equipment to the military, basic staples to the masses (high volume, very low profit margin), or peddling some kind of cheap escapism. Sadly things like selling booze do very well in difficult times, and security would be a sure bet for earning a living, although it would be risky in its own way. Any kind of middle-man role would not be likely to be a secure source of income.
Off the top of my head, the kinds of work I would imagine there would be a call for would be things like making 'disposable' goods last far beyond their short design life, repair work of all kinds, power systems engineering, basic health care, cheap entertainment, skilled farm work, working with draft animals, horticulture, fiber work or seamstressing. It may be possible to make a living organizing charities to look after the less fortunate.