Extreme Measures in Tough Economic Times

April 18th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under • by tisha

When times get tough, the tough get going. How often have you heard a statement like that? It is a play on words that bad_economy is made to show the mettle that some have in dealing with difficult circumstances. And, we have plenty of those right now.

There are signs that some are taking extreme measures to change their lifestyle in order to live simply, better and away from the effects of the economic ‘storm’ in which we find ourselves. You can classify these people as ‘survivalists’ because they have made changes in their living that promote the very term. But they have not always had this philosophy and indeed do not necessarily embrace all of the tenets of a ‘survivalist’ mentality which includes a hate for government and a hoarding of guns, etc.

One of the traits of this group is that there is commonality in what they once were and have given up in making these changes. There is a general withdrawing from mainstream living that includes these moves.

Shunning of a Credit Lifestyle. Most of these people are tired of being pawns in the game of credit and debt and have opted to remove themselves from that system. Not that they do not believe in paying back their debts, but rather, they are trying to reduce their reliance upon credit, debt and the mindset of ‘keeping up with the Joneses.’
Their mentality is that they are doing what they have to in order to survive. And, along the way are finding that it is a better lifestyle that what they had before. There is less stress and easier living.

Simplifying their living arrangements. Some have taken the approach of moving away from the cities and towns and to more rural locales which affords them the opportunity to get closer to nature and benefit from its many offerings in such exploits as hunting and fishing. You will find that they are good at things like cutting their own wood for their fireplaces and stoves which heat their houses.

Their utility bills are cut to the bare minimum. Their reliance on vehicles has dropped so that not only do they use them in more of a utilitarian fashion, they also go from multiple vehicles down to just one.

Growing their own food. Gardens and related food activities such as canning have become important to them. Having animals that produce food for them is important as well.

Reviving self-reliance practices. Among these people you will find a growing trend towards sewing their own clothes, and shopping at local thrift shops. They learn very early where to buy things that are cheap and even start bartering with other people instead of paying cash.

All of this is acceptable as long as you do not shun responsibility and commitments that you made in the past. People who try to remove themselves from the system will find that this is a difficult thing to do. Their credit score will drop dramatically and their history will become blotched with actions and items that raise red flags. So the advice is that if they plan to try to get back in at some point, it will be a difficult situation from which to recover.
Reducing stress and increasing self-reliance are good things, but you do not have to take extreme actions in order to embrace and practice those activities.