In today's USA Weekend (Sunday newspaper supplement) financial advisor Jean Chatzky has an article about planning your finances in 1999. In the one tiny section about Y2K, after advising us to keep copies of our financial records, she says, "And though it may sound extreme, put some mad money in a drawer before 2000 rolls around in case ATMs shut down for a day or two." That's extreme? Sheesh. No wonder preparing for emergencies is seen as something only nutcases do.

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), December 27, 1998

Answers

Pearlie, it is "extreme" to walk around without blinders. It is "extreme" to notice and remember that disasters happen. Mt. St. Helens decimating vast tracts of Washington, Hurricane Andrew wiping out part of Florida, Mitch obliterating Central America, Kobe burnt to the ground, 6000 dead from earthquake/fires, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

To remember, think, research, prepare? "Extreme."
Black sheep morphing into wherewithallwolf! We are a threat to the hypnosis comfort blanket of the sleep-walking don't-rock-the-boaters. We are testimony that they cannot completely control Mother Nature or human nature. Beware us the awake; we are "extreme."

xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxx

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), December 27, 1998.

But notice that it was there, that it got its "own" little headline, and that it is appearing at the 'one year ahead" point.

No, its not what you or I would do - but it is present. Small steps - I wish they had been occurring last year.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), December 27, 1998.

It is extreme in a sense because the press has stayed away from the "put money aside" advice. I think this is because of pressure from the FED and financial institutions and their panic about panic.

So, having an article appear in a national newspaper and say in effect to put money aside because ATM's wont be working is very extreme and a gamble.

The real question is will paper money be worth anything substantial come 2000? Will "self-fulfilling" prophecy and actual circumstance and economic meltdown lead to an absolutel loss in confidence in the dollar and the fractional reserve?

I don't think so, not in 1999. I think that will happen sometime in mid 2000 or 2001.

Mike =============================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), December 27, 1998.