This is one of my favorite bloggers: http://www.youroptimal.com/blog/2009/01/29/checklist-for-hard-times/ aka an optimal preparedness checklist
He has other good posts on everything from parenting to living with in-laws or
Atmospheric Water Generators.
There are four ways in which you can spend money.
You can spend your own money on yourself. When you do that, why then you really watch out what you’re doing, and you try to get the most for your money.
Then you can spend your own money on somebody else. For example, I buy a birthday present for someone. Well, then I’m not so careful about the content of the present, but I’m very careful about the cost.
Then, I can spend somebody else’s money on myself. And if I spend somebody else’s money on myself, then I’m sure going to have a good lunch!
Finally, I can spend somebody else’s money on somebody else. And if I spend somebody else’s money on somebody else, I’m not concerned about how much it is, and I’m not concerned about what I get. And that’s government.
– Milton Friedman, libertarian,
in a 2004 interview