Back to Basics: Finances – Because Being Broke Is Its Own Apocalypse

In Episode 237, the final installment of our Back to Basics series, we’re talking about something a lot of preppers don’t want to talk about: money.

You can have shelves full of gear, barrels of food, and a bug-out plan that would make James Bond jealous—but if your finances are a mess, it can all fall apart.

Why Financial Preparedness Matters

Prepping isn’t just about surviving nuclear war or the next pandemic. It’s about surviving everyday life—job loss, medical bills, inflation, and recessions. That’s where financial preparedness comes in.

💥 Emergencies don’t care if you’re in debt

💵 Money gives you options, flexibility, and peace of mind🧠

A solid financial foundation supports every other aspect of prepping

Key Topics We Cover in This Episode

💸 What Is Financial Preparedness?It’s not just having money in the bank. It’s about having a plan, staying in control, and avoiding the chaos that comes when your financial life is in shambles.

🏦 How to Build an Emergency FundStart small—even $500 can be a game changer. We talk about realistic ways to build your fund without flipping your life upside down, and where to stash that cash for safety and quick access.

💳 Reducing Debt to Increase PreparednessDebt is a weight around your neck. We walk through how to cut it down, how the debt snowball method works, and why financing your preps is usually a terrible idea.

🪙 Diversifying Financial AssetsWe’re not giving financial advice, but we are talking cash on hand, silver and gold, crypto, and yes—even barter items like tools, ammo, and comfort goods.

⚠️ How to Prepare for Financial CrisesFrom job loss to bank shutdowns, you need a plan that includes income backups, budget pivots, and leveraging your preps to save money when it matters.

📉 Historical Crashes & Lessons LearnedWe look back at financial collapses—like the 1929 Crash, the 2008 meltdown, and the chaos of 2020—to understand what real economic instability looks like, and how to brace for it.

👴 Don’t Sacrifice Your Future for Preps TodayPrepping on a budget is smart. Draining your retirement account for 200 cans of beef stew? Not so much. We talk about how to balance short-term readiness with long-term financial stability.

Challenge for Listeners

This week, we dare you to take the first step:💵 Save $20 for your emergency fund📊 Track your spending for one week💣 Pay down one small debt

You don’t need to go broke to be prepared. But you do need a plan.

🎧 Listen to Episode 237 – Back to Basics: Finances now and take control of your future, one dollar at a time.

And remember… #StaySurvived