Whenever someone declares something on the news that puts me a little at unease, I always go and buy two things (after all my other defensive expendatures): Booze and smokes. I figure if a gradual SHTF occurs, looting would be first. I want to have "barter goods" available in case of this. The folks looting will use their loot very quickly (usually in celebration of their misdeed). But then the source of these disposable commodities is dried up. People will have nic fits. People will want the bottle. I literally have a two cases of rum in my closet and over 20 cartons of a variety of light, menthol and full flavor cigs vaccum sealed in the garage. I dont smoke and like beer, not rum. Those are strategic commodities, enough to barter my way out of town if necessary or for a fuel gallons of go-juice (to use the Waterworld term for petrol). BTW: If one day, for some reason, everything is safe?! Party at my place! Whats your brand?
Rice is keepable and easy to make, not to mention cheap at todays levels. Vaccum sealing/suction is your friend.
Water filters are not so cheap, but can have good uses in non-SHTF concepts, like power outages.
Peterock: You are one of the few indicators of economic/political workings. Disposable income is a great indicator of economic strength. There are three things that mark a drastic situation in a country:
1. Disposable income: How is it being spent?
2. Price of bread/rice: Rising dramatically usually means falling economy, political strife coming.
3. Actions/training regime of local police and guard units: Higher activity means something.
I dont think you are a nutcase, thats my job!
Savage: Lets go get a beer sometime and swap politics!