The Day That Turned Me Into A Prepper! Plus New Gear For 2024!  

I started college at 17. On my eighteenth birthday, I came home and saw my father dragging everything from my room onto the sidewalk. He said take what you want and the rest goes to the landfill. With that, I became homeless on my birthday. While some may see that as a tragedy, I now see it as the best day of my life. At this point I was on my own, I owed my parents nothing. I rarely spoke to them after that. I continued college, getting all the degrees I wanted. I got jobs and worked my ass off. I bought rentals and lived in my car, later I upgraded to a pickup with a canopy. I saved tens of thousands of dollars and bought series EE bonds, silver coins and certificates of deposits. Upon graduation I bought a 300 acre piece of property in Oregon and built my own home. Solar powered at a time when solar was in its infancy. I worked a couple of careers worth of time. I now live in a multi million dollar home. All thanks to my dad being an A-hole. You can do it too.

2007 living on $50 a week for family of 5. 2008 aquired a trucking company the day after oil hit $148 a barrel. Lived comfortably after but never forgot the lean days and worked our butts off the pay off our cattle ranch, equipment, cattle, vehicle and house.

I had a roofing company, and in 2008 the work just stopped. It was all I could do to survive. That lasted till 2009 and it slowly picked back up. I didn’t loose my house thankfully. But brother I racked up some debit. Having the IRS coming after you absolutely sucks, and is pretty scary. It took me several years to recover, but I learned some valuable lessons. One lesson being that if I don’t have the cash for it then I don’t need it. When the work came back I paid off all my debts first and bought land outright. Having precious metals to pay taxes is smart. During the Great Depression a lot of people lost their homes because they couldn’t pay the taxes.I am not rich by any means but the peace of mind that I own a few acres and can provide for a lot of my needs from my land is huge. Now along comes the Rona, and it is trending like things did before. The market is going to tank again. Focus on the things you can control. Eliminate your debt! Stock up on Food, water, medicine, have a means of self defense, and a plan. Thanks for sharing your story. Very similar story from southern Idaho.

Hi from England, just discovered your channel and thank you for the most genuine and authentic story that everybody should listen to. Don’t trust financial institutions, don’t take credit and only buy what you need not what others & media influence you to desire.

TLDW: (13:00) He was kicked out of his house after the 2008 crash. (21:50) From there he took a no-loans approach to personal finance. (29:50) He recommends renting instead of owning at first. (32:30) 6 months worth of food. (35:15) 3 years of property taxes worth of silver.

Hey man, really sorry about your situation. I have 99% similar mindset. Thank you for sharing and happy to hear you overcame all of it. Make more videos, I will enjoy every single one of them.

As a millennial who was in high school/college during that time I was totally oblivious to what people were going through. Your story was really captivating. Thank you for sharing. I learned a lot.

I miss North Idaho and Western Montana

My country went through financial crisis in the -90 and damage it left behind can still be seen in the elder generations. Happy new year despite the dark clouds in the horizon.

Brother, I was in the same boat as you. Your story sounds EXACTLY like mine. If I didn't know any better, I would have swore you were reading my BIO!!

I am sort of living it out now due to an injury. This was probably one of the best prep related videos I’ve seen with real world problems. Thank you for sharing your experience and giving advice.

Man those hard times are when we learn the most and it all happens for a reason and the outcomes seem to put me in a place better than I could have ever imagined

Gen Xer here, when I was 9, I had a complete off grid plan for animals, and food/ water source.. so fucking weird I ended up as a prepper at 40, now 57... glad I did... Bless you and keep spreading the truth.

Thanks for sharing. I can't stand all the corruption on all levels(especially in D.C.) . Glad you are back on your feet. You are a good man to keep on keeping on. But hey that's all we can do anyway. Stay strong.

Hey man just a quick comment about growing up in the 70's and 80's we used to live at the army navy store and took playing army to some serious levels down at the park digging foxhole cooking out hunting and fishing man those were some good times thanks for the reminder of the days growing up and Happy New Year watching from Summerville sc

I’d like to wish you all a happy New Year. I wish happiness to you, to your families and friends and whomever you love.

The sad thing is that the banks and credit unions that caused the problems got massive bailouts. The taxpayers that paid for the bailouts were in some cases wiped out. The government only benefits those that finance the politicians campaigns.

Thanks for sharing. I graduated high school in 2009. I remember that time well. My family’s been in construction forever, I’m a self-employed carpenter. I’m always worried that the music will stop. As to your financial advice, it’s easy for people to buy 6 months worth of food but that food is worthless if you have nowhere to put it. The right thing to do is always the hardest. Debt collectors suck, I’ve had to just stop answering the phone before because of them. Happy new year, and thanks!

Hi Buddy this so rang true with me your story is so similar . I ended up homeless in 2012 I was living in my car until that got repossessed eventually I ended up in a shipping container and shed it was hell but today it is turned around I am anti establishment and now only look after my wife and kids and that is it . Well done on getting though it and happy new year . All the best Mark and Emily at Rooster Recovery

Definitely, our preps buy us some think time to build a better plan after an emergency situation.

Good chat! Here’s to a sustainable 2024!

That was really interesting to listen to. Thanks for sharing!

For the uninitiated and as a starter pack sure...those, as a GMRS transceiver are probably a good start. As a general class ham I will always advocate the VHF/UHF waterproof Bao's and encourage others to get their feed wet...so to speak. Some will encourage [strongly] the newer digital...as well as tell you that you should have nothing but Motorola's...due to the encryption. First, I can buy many Baofeng's for the price of one of the Motorola's, Icom's, or Yaesu's. Second, in my very rural area the analog's are still just fine. Third, there are ways to integrate encrypted communications without violating any "rules" of the FCC. To be clear, I would never advocate such a transgression...until "the day". I will likely be migrating to a couple of digital/analog HT's for the group within the year as a trial, but the likely greater value will be to add or more accurately integrate a Mesh network to your gear. I don't disagree that the digital's certainly add a layer of safety, but I would point out it will likely be much more difficult integrate the more complex usage of the digital's to one's "team". Some folks are challenging enough just to get them to keep their batteries charged...or understanding COMSEC. They just don't seem to have the interest! As for the little admin pack, it looks good from what I can see but I don't see a reason to switch from the Condor units I already have and are already will integrated into usage here. Ranger on...

Love a good story time on New Year’s Eve brother, I want to move to Idaho from SC one day thanks man

Thanks for sharing your story. There is little justice when it comes to banks.

As a 19 year old there’s a lot of good lesson for me in here thank you for sharing I’m sorry what you went threw but if it brings you any peace of mind this will help me a lot in life and hopefully many others my plan is to buy 75 acres(which is feasible in my area) and live in a camper until I can have a house built I do not plan on any loans luckily I have amazing parents that will let me stay until I can achieve that goal I appreciate the knowledge wish you the best of luck in life

And TY for Sharing your personal journey that many of us can relate to 😊

My parents went through the same thing except they were put into foreclosure. They received a $600 check from the lawsuit several years later from the lawsuit with countrywide. That company was doing some shady shit.

I love the cover photo l😂 I just hot four gas masks, but I was gona mention I got the baefeng uv9r pro it work under water it’s the same price I think on Amazon! Love your stuff Joe!

Me and my mate would catch a train to the town that had a army and navy surplus shop to buy survival/camping gear in the late '80's. You took me right back to that memory.

Prayers for you always! Amen

Great video thanks for sharing. Happy new year from South Africa

🔹GREAT VIDEO🔹 Greetings from Florida 🌴 4-3-24

Wow! Great video! You got me back on track. Slipped a bit but now I’m back to slamming my debt. Thanks

First time watching your channel and appreciate the video, topic and perspective. Looking forward to seeing more from your channel.

Hi, i live in Tenerife Canary islands Spain but i am swedish/Swiss, bilingual spanish/English, my wife is from Colombia and got plans to move to the west, USA or South America. Id love to do a Live" video with you ⚔️ just let me know and we will catch up 💪🛡️ 🙏🏻❤️🥋🥊

Thanks for sharing your story

I am going thru a similar experience with your story. I dont know how it came up on my feed but im glad it did

Amazing info here! Thanks so much for sharing

Happy New year you and your family... Mário Tadeu prepper from south Brazil. Thank you... let's go preppers.

Thanks for sharing buddy,I love the videos.

New subscriber. Great video!

Happy new year and keep prepping.

That was great sir! Happy New Year!

I loved hearing your story sir. Thank you for sharing……. I also learned too whenever “freinds” give advice……never listen

I've always been into the outdoors and liked the idea of being self reliant. I guess prepping was the logical outcome of the path I was already on. If I had to pick a particular event where I became serious about it, I would probably say the crash of 2008. I made it through okay, but I knew a lot of families who lost everything and it was definitely a wake up call for me.

New subscriber here, loved this vid. Best wishes from Scotland

Happy New Year Everyone !!!

That was awesome video on that subject

another questions: that 6 month plan... what are suggestions for the post-6month period? what are ideas for paid-labor during that 6 month period and after? i am looking for ways to increase my income now, let alone in a SHTF scenario.

This may seem silly compared to your story but nonetheless it's how I entered into the preparedness journey. Very simple. The power went out, our daughter was hungry and I couldn't heat up her formula. I took the powder and bottle to my parents, same town, heated up the formula on there gas stove, wrapped it in a towel and came home. Very soon after I bought a propane camp stove. We've only grown more stable from there. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

Absolutely Idaho! What a story. We were all fooled into the American Dream. That now only resemble a debt nightmare. We are making our move for land and community with good neighbors. Don't forget to seek and you will find him in the midst of it all.

I feel your pain brother about the corrupt mortgage system. I thought I was fine and dandy through the crash then out of nowhere the said I wasn’t paying my mortgage. Strange part was it was auto pay from my bank. Went to a lawyer and was told I would never win the law was on the banks side. The system is rigged and has been for years.

Happy New Year!

Hey man im from the Netherlands i just Started preparing iam building my bug out bag

Happy new year from germany 😊

Great topic . Glad you made it

The effects of the 2007-2008 housing market crash were really hard on a lot of us. The aftermath lasted some years.

Thanks!

Welcome to the community!

Great story, good lessons

I'm from Philly. We had I Goldbergs Army/Navy. I blew my allowance alot. Then I joined the Army.

Awesome video man im looking into getting a Ham Radio but i didn't know you need a license for them!! Thats some really cool new gear you got!! Hope you and your family had a great Christmas and a happy new year!

Nice video!

Welcome to the club.

У нас в России сейчас сложная ситуация. Тоже готовлюсь к непредвиденным обстоятельствам. По менталитету американцы всех больше похожи на нас поэтому часто смотрю на Ютубе как у вас готовится к таким ситуациям.

Happy new year

I started last year, I’m on a very very tight budget due to being disabled but I am building a pantry very slowly as well as accumulating some of the bare bones bug in gear.

hey joe, awesome n great vid n i will forever support you 1 million % , def. wanna talk more n i only have email here though , i am tracking down some stuff here too , LOVE talking gear n prepping bigtime , thanks n keep em coming , i love em all, > tom !

Good stuff. I'm Canadian prepper, not THAT guy. I got into this as my family was farm based.

Im jealous of your shelves

You better have a few hundred canning jars, rings and lids!!?

Just seeb this video and you mentioned not having someone to do the lives with. Would you even consider doing a live stream with Rookie prepper & just go with it ? it might help attracting other preppers as well.. Just my thought.

For anyone who is not doing Dave Ramsey s plan this is your sign to start! Changed me and my wife’s life forever!

trusting the banks is always a bad idea. banks are for profit businesses that are loyal to their shareholders not their customers. mortgages are financial tools for the banks, not for people. deregulation makes banks more powerful against the citizenry. - the financed life is the issue. the banks and marketing have convinced people to live on credit instead of ACTUAL ownership. - question: how do you "invest" then? how do you make more money then your personal labor?

facts bro !!!

I was a finance major in college at the time the mortgage crisis happened and it was not a surprise to me at all. And I see a similar thing happening right now. IMO, housing pricing right now is overinflated, I know that most of it is due to inflation, but part of it is because of the way that the realtor, mortgage, tax system and institutional investors are set up. My first warning about what is wrong with the system was when I found out that average inflation at that time was 3%, yet the average rise in cost of real estate was 4-5%. I literally laughed in the middle of class. The professor asked what I was I was laughing about. I asked the whole class if they saw a problem with those numbers. No one got what I was talking about. So I pointed out that those numbers were unsustainable. Similar to compounding interest, if the price of houses outpaced inflation, it was only a matter of time and no one would be able to afford a house.

Hey from a Canadian! Love your videos, you should try and do a collaborative video with Canadian Prepper!

Using your link to check out the radios. If they really come with the license and dont need programming, we will be buying them. Thank you for all the info. What is website for license?

Amazon will not deliver these radios to my address in Nebraska, anyone else have this problem?

I HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN ABOUT THAT ERA😮😮😮.

I've got my first cold in years and I've been paid my pension stay aware and alert we would be with the second hand crystals and its thought of.❤😊

My wake up call was probably covid when I couldn’t even wipe my ass cause there was no toilet paper I thought maybe it’d be a good time to just get prepared for everything.

Meanwhile I understood, that I was conscious the world is not stable was when I was like 10, when I would watch on TV at grandparents place, how little green men would assert power in Crimea and the whole Ukrainian ATO thing. At the same time my prepping mentor (channel Domowy Survival) understood, that even relatively stable countries like Poland are week, when he found out about 2010 Smollensk plane crash. At first he didn't believe, that state procedures would be so bad, that they've put that many VIPs on one plane etc., but were in fact faulty procedures. And if the state can't ensure safety even to the elites, then how can it ensure the safety of the masses? As I'm in the university I'm starting my own prepping journey, I'll soon buy some small stuff for it to sit in the backpack.

You do not have to pay property taxes unless the property is being used in a commercial capacity. Go read Article I Section 1 of the state constitution, and then read I.C. 63-3045A(1)(a). The attorneys are manipulating/grooming the tax assessors to falsify tax records in every county of Idaho, and that has to change with some lawsuits and criminal complaints.

Great live great advice. 🫡

I can’t eat silver so I don’t really bother with it. The home is biggest prep food and water next. The mortgage story was crazy. I never had this experience with banks. I still don’t trust them. I remember the risdic banking crisis back in the 80s. You can look it up if you’re curious. Knew people that lost a lot of $.

I think you are a good example of, If it's tooo good to me true?? I am older than you the son of parents that were born in the Depression. People don't know bad!! My Mother died a Millionaire and still had a full pantry and freezer!! Paid every bill with the attitude to not make bills you can't pay!! Only to raise Children that were under achievers even though they used what they learned in the depression to raise us. You can lead to water!!

We need to pay attention to the time lines of what he's talking about and what party was in office then and who is in office now. People are struggling now like they were in 2009. People need to wake up. I'm really not a political person. But people are struggling just as bad now as they were then.

Had a Very similar experience as you with your house. Unfortunately it's not unique.........

I had my retirement account stolen from a bank after my divorce. Had all my stuff set up at the new account, was working two jobs and raising kids, so it wasn't until I started moving money to start being safe for retirement, that I found out the money was overseas, and supposedly never invested. So they would give me the original amount, but not the interest that would have been close to a million dollars. So I basically have nothing for retirement because all the good years of investment are over. I have only been losing money, and only have a tiny bit left, at almost 60. I hired a lawyer and everything. The banks are so corrupt!!!

Life sucks but we keep trying.

What's the model of that Baofeng radio? Thx

I am moving to northern Idaho in a month or two. Without giving it all away, where in northern Idaho are you?

i do not borrow money, cash only

Get a radio license from the government, yeah, no thanks! If SHTF you think they will be chasing radio operators without a License? Great story though and definitely appreciate you sharing what happened to you.

Ok, look at different scenarios. What if something happened to your wife or kids. What do you do?

And you can rite some of that off because you have a business at home to

Living the dream....working 2 full time jobs....to buy stuff......that's not any good dream....

Heads up... getting a HAM RADIO LICENSE does gives a warrantless search just cause.