Anyone out there making preparations against a day you might have to fend for yourself for any reason?  I mean any reason:  from job loss to pandemic avian flu to asteroid hit on earth to war to terrorism to just breakdown of society to climate change from any cause, or any other reason?  I would like to hear from like minded people who believe, as I do, that it's better to be prepared and not need it, than to not be prepared and caught in a problem situation.  How do you resolve budget versus preparation, needs now versus what you may need later, living in the now ( and enjoying it) while still being able to feel secure about the future?