Includes bibliographical references and index.

The time to plan for any crisis is before it happens--from shake-ups in the stock market to the next oil crisis to fires, floods, and earthquakes. Planning for the unthinkable and making smart money moves before and during difficult times requires an in-depth understanding of the many aspects of life in which problems can strike, and this resource will show you what it takes to make it should these situations arise. This guide discusses how you should position yourself financially in order to survive--and possibly thrive--during a regular economic downturn, a full-blown recession, or an economic collapse; addresses how to protect your health, and that of your family, as well as your home; offers practical advice for storing food and water, buying survival gear, and becoming more self-sufficient; details different transportation options, should traditional means fail, and offers practical advice on evacuating an area should things become unstable.--From publisher description.