What is the point of prepping?

Some of my friends ask me what the point of all this prepping is.  They tell me that if we are facing an economic collapse, then isn't it pointless to prepare for it?  They point out that any supplies I stock up on would either be used up in a few months or that they would be confiscated or stolen.

Of course they are correct in the estimation that anything I have stockpiled would eventually be used up.  Whether or not they are confiscated depends on how visible my preparations are.  I would not make any of my extensive stockpiling public knowledge.  As to it being stolen, well that is one good reason to harden your homes defenses and to get yourself some items for self protection.  A good firearm will be invaluable in the case of a total collapse.  Those who have been through monetary collapses like those that happened in Argentina, Zimbabwe and the former Yugoslavia can attest to the necessity of guns for self protection.

Still there are those who repeatedly shake their heads when I mention prepping for disasters both natural and man made.  I suppose those who have a fatalistic attitude are not the kind of people who like to prepare for the worst.  I have always had the belief that you should hope for the best but prepare for the worst.  One thing I do not recommend is to go it totally alone in your preparations.  You should make strategic alliances with other like minded people.  You may be uncomfortable with the idea of a Survivalist Group and I can understand why you might feel ill at ease with the idea.  The media likes to paint a picture of those who believe in being prepared as kooks, alarmists and just maybe a bit dangerous.  After all the government currently is of the opinion that people who stockpile food and supplies are possible terrorists.

Instead of thinking of your group as a survivalist group, it may be better to think of it and refer to it more of a mutual aid group.  If the subject comes up with people you may want as part of your group, it is usually much safer to refer to your group as preparing for natural disasters and possible terror attacks.  This is the acceptable kind of preparation that even the US government recommends.  Keep any conversations about economic collapse, hyperinflation, guns, gold, etc to those who you are sure about.

The point of prepping is not just to survive.  Survival is just the first step. The idea is to survive the initial shocks and then to go on to thrive as an independent community.