Are bug out bags a good idea? A respected Wall Street Advisor not only thinks so, but highly recommends that you get one ASAP.

SOURCE: Washington Examiner, Author Paul Bedard

Source: Marotta Wealth Management

A top financial advisor, worried that Obamacare, the NSA spying scandal and spiraling national debt is increasing the chances for a fiscal and social disaster, is recommending that Americans prepare a “bug-out bag” that includes food, a gun and ammo to help them stay alive.

David John Marotta, a Wall Street expert and financial advisor and Forbes contributor, said in a note to investors, “Firearms are the last item on the list, but they are on the list. There are some terrible people in this world. And you are safer when your trusted neighbors have firearms.”

His memo is part of a series addressing the potential for a “financial apocalypse.” His view, however, is that the problems plaguing the country won”t result in armageddon. “There is the possibility of a precipitous decline, although a long and drawn out malaise is much more likely,” said the Charlottesville, Va.-based president of Marotta Wealth Management.

Marotta said that many clients fear an end-of-the-world scenario. He doesn’t agree with that outcome, but does with much of what has people worried.

“I, along with many other economists, agree with many of the concerns expressed in these dire warnings. The growing debt deficit spending is a tax on those holding dollars. The devaluation in the U.S. dollar risks the dollar”s status as the reserve currency of the world. Obamacare was the worst legislation in the past 75 years. Socialism is on the rise and the NSA really is abrogating vast portions of the Constitution. I don”t disagree with their concerns,” he wrote.

In his latest note, he said that Americans should have a survival kit to take in case of a financial or natural disaster. It should be filled with items that will help them stay alive for the first 72-hours of a crisis, including firearms.

“A bug-out bag is a good idea depending on where you live even if the emergency is just power outages, earthquakes and hurricanes. And with your preparedness you will be equipped to help others who might be in need,” he wrote. “Be prepared. Especially because it keeps you from being scared.”

He provided a list of items and even a link to bug-out bags on Amazon.

It is interesting to me that as Hurricane Gustav neared, people watching TV just casually said “Well, they better evacuate.” Which brings to my mind a nagging question:

“Have YOU ever been forced to evacuate?” Rapidly followed by “How easy is it?”

I mean really, how easy is it to get the kids, family, pets, and all the gear necessary to leave for an unexpected event together and leave. I have never been forced to evacuate, but damn the headache involved is pretty stressful in itself for me. I also don”t live in Louisiana, but I do live in a state where there has been forced evacuations due to chemical spills, shootouts, tornadoes and floods.

First, how do you afford it? It can”t be cheap to just miss work, use extra gas, stay in a hotel, eat on the road, and pay for any tolls, medical emergencies, and whatever else you encounter during the hopefully motorized vehicular evac. That is if you have a vehicle road-worthy enough to make a trip somewhere out of state. How many of us have the sick days at work? What if you have a job where you simply cannot leave, and the rest of the family must leave without you, what then?

That”s a short look at the financial end. If it is life or death, and you must do it with what you have on hand I guess there is no choice. What about logistical concerns such as vehicle, gas, food, where to stay, where to go, who to leave, take, and whom to contact etc. If I were to pack up now tonight, I simply wouldn”t have enough clean underwear to begin with. Sounds humorous but its true. What would I do with my pets, plants, collectibles, valuables, trash, dirty dishes and so forth?

At the least I”d have a smelly place to come back to. With a hurricane or other disaster. you might NOT have a place to come back to. So with this reality plainly for folks to contend with, how do you not prepare?

The question is not easy to answer.

Image courtesy of Witthaya / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Back to financial concerns. Who has the money when life is hectic enough and filled with mini-disasters. My kid got sick, the car broke down, I”m late on the mortgage, I had to wire my parents some money, birthdays, it just never stops!

How many of us have life insurance? Health insurance? Car insurance? Investments or investment properties? We need to change our perspective on disaster preparation and begin to consider it a long term and low-risk investment. It”s really as easy as that. And it is just like car insurance; when you need it you REALLY need it and right now!

Example: A high quality tent is about $400.00 and I”m talking a four-season tent designed for three people. Basically the kind that houses people on Everest and on the Appalachian Trail. These tents can be lived in rough, hard conditions for fairly long amounts of time. A tent like this CAN be used to camp, hunt, fish, or use for the kids in the backyard. You can definitely use the tent, and still have it for emergencies. A long-term low-risk investment with the added benefit of “you can use it now.”

Let”s look at another example: Bottled water. Same thing as the tent. Durable design, safe, lasts a long time, can use it now or save it for an emergency. Need I go on?

It really is as easy as buying a few things when you have the cash. You can use a credit card if you want, but most gear is under $500 and this includes firearms. Why not save a little cash in the savings account, earn some interest and then get the money one day and buy some gear. No interest to pay this way. Some survival gear makes good presents too. Who hasn”t given someone a flashlight, Swiss army knife, or a pair of gloves as a gift sometime in their life?

Cash on hand is good too. You really need to have a little cash to grab for an emergency. Believe me, there will be a line at the ATM when you are evacuating the city in an emergency. Everyone will be doing the same stuff, so don”t be surprised when bottled water, flashlight batteries, and fuel is gone or tripled in price. There is always someone out there ready to capitalize on your misfortune, emergency or not.

For those of us without any extra funds: You can do allot by simply using what you have. If you have a suitcase, gym bag, or even a trash bag that you can use. pack it now. Put in extra clothes, blanket, shoes, kitchen knife, tools, canned food, jar of pennies etc. Just because you are broke doesn’t mean you don”t have the gear needed, you might have to search or be creative but what matters is that you pack it now.

In closing, although survival and disaster preparations are somewhat expensive it really pays to have the gear when you really need it. Ever have your car run out of gas in the middle of nowhere? Or gone to change your flat tire and realized you had no lug wrench? No car jack? No spare tire? It is easy to sit in an armchair and watch television and carelessly judge people and their choices. But when the person is you or your loved one, judgment could be very harsh. It could come in the form of needless suffering, hassle, or even cost one their life.

Basic Evacuation Kit:

• Backpack or duffel bag
• Bottled water, water purification pills or pump, container to carry water, and to boil water
• Lighter, matches, magnesium starter, cotton & Vaseline
• Map of state
• Identification, vehicle papers, phone numbers
• Cellular phone
• Set of good rugged travel clothes and shoes/boots
• Hat, jacket, gloves, sunglasses
• medications, medical kit
• Travel foods such as jerky, dried fruits, fresh fruits, chocolate, snacks for kids
• Camp Axe and folding shovel
• Tent
• sleeping bags or blankets
• camp mattress
• Flashlight, extra batteries, lantern, candles
• Toilet paper, paper towels, wash soap, towel, mirror
• Cash
• Radio and batteries
• Knife, can opener, eating utensils
• Camping or backpack stove, pots and pans for cooking, cooking oil, wash cloth
• Some form of personal protection: Mace spray, legal firearm, baseball bat. something!
• Automotive parts, spare tire, gas can, jumper cables, fix-a-flat, jack, basic tools

Disaster kits must be portable, water resistant, and ready to go. Place it in the trunk, by your door, in the garage, or in a closet by your entry/exit. Remember to keep it light, quiet, and pack essentials. Should not weigh so much that it cannot be carried for long distances on foot. Avoid military bags if possible, and make it something less obvious. Do not pack illegal items.

Copyright 2008 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

This is a sort of re-write of an older post on specialized items and ideas for your Bug Out Bag (BOB) or other survival kits. Sometimes we need to think outside the box, or plan for real life disasters that could happen during an evacuation. Obvious things like a flat tire could slow you down or not so apparent things like spare house keys for someone arriving after an event. Do you really want to leave your doors unlocked or have to break in to get a forgotten item? Other things are for counter-surveillance, repairs, or often overlooked items. Planning for the unknown is as important as planning for known hazards. Weather, chemical hazards, earthquakes and the like are more common scenarios….but what else can happen? Terrorist attacks, riots, psychotic gunmen, looters, even roving groups of refugees; many things happen that people do not plan for.

Please post your unconventional or specialized survival kit items as well. No illegal gear please.

• Spare Keys to Home, Car, & Work- It is really expensive to call a locksmith in the middle of the night, let alone a huge disaster or evacuation. Spare keys to home, cars, and businesses will save hassle, and possibly help someone arriving late or bugging out in a separate vehicle. Keep keys on person, hide them, or lock them in a special outdoor box.
• Fix a Flat- This stuff works pretty well. It isn’t the same as a spare tire, but it usually takes less time and gets you pretty far. It may just get you to a safer place to repair the tire or put on a spare.
• Camouflage Netting- Need to hide a car fast? Netting is much faster than using cut bushes and branches. Also works well to hide a tent, or other make-shift shelter. Why hide? Looters, beggars, bad-guys, the unprepared, etc may be out to take your stuff. This item isn’t for everyone, but those by wooded areas, or remote areas could benefit from this item.
• Digital Voice Recorder– Note ideas or routes during emergency, record message to loved ones (on route, important items, where things are, where you will go, etc), and keep a sort of journal of events. Usually they are somewhat cheap $30-$100 and fit in a pocket. They are about the size of a pack of gum. Stash it in a place only you and family members know about at home, work or cache site.
• Rechargeable Spotlight- Many of these recharge with a 12v lighter adapter, and use bright bulbs. Many are waterproof, and some come with the built in tripod. Have used these hunting, searching for addresses, and for signaling. Most are $20-$80.
• Night Vision- This can be anything from a hand held scope to a pair of military goggles. Night vision is cheap these days; you can find decent scopes online @ Cabela”s, Harbour Freight, and Wal-mart. Most run on regular batteries. Prices around $80-$1000 depending. Most inexpensive digital video recorders have built in night vision or low-light of some kind.

• Set of basic hand tools- Just get a selection of pliers, hammers, screwdrivers, and other hand tools. Most of us include a multi-tool of some type, but real construction grade tools can make a big difference. Hard to replace a drill, socket set, or crowbar with a multi-tool. Many times just getting a bunch of spare tools from the garage will suffice. Usually due to weight, this type of addition to a kit is for vehicular use, but not always.
• Binoculars, monocular, spotting scopes, etc- Self-explanatory but the ability to see far away is pretty advantageous. You can get cheap binoculars starting around $12 and go up from there. Rugged rubberized or armored sets are better, especially those that come weatherproof.
• Directional Listening Device- These are illegal in some area’s so check laws. Basically this is a sensitive listening device to hear things far away like animals, bad guys, etc. There are also heat sensing devices, blood tracking lights, etc that are more specialized for counter-surveillance preparedness. These types of items vary greatly in price and can be easily found online.
• Car Battery Jumper Kit- This is usually available at Sears and other hardware or automotive stores. Basically it is a 12v battery that comes with built in cables to jump  a dead car battery. Very handy! Also some models come with hazard signal, radio, spotlight, and power inverter. The power inverter is very hand to power communications equipment, recharge batteries, run power tools, and the like. Usually these run $60 and up.
• Insulated Coveralls- Carhartt makes this type of clothing, so do many manufacturers. What I really like about these is that they quickly go on OVER the clothes you are wearing, including boots. Fast to put on, warm, and usually somewhat weather-proof; this is a great addition to your kits. The only downfall is the bulky nature of the clothing when stored. Being able to don your coveralls with out getting undressed will save time. Usually they sell these in camo, brown, and black. Some are reversible as well. Many brands are out there and start at $20 and go up.
• Laptop Computer- These are very important for communication, news, and storing personal info. Spare batteries are nice, but expensive. Strangely, many accounts during Katrina show people ONLY able to contact family by email instead of cellular or land lines. Great for watching movies, and other entertainments especially when children are there. You can get used or refurbished laptops for anywhere from $150-$400.

• Pets & Pet Food- Don’t leave your little buddies behind! It may take a while to get back to rescue them. Bring food, water, etc. Dogs will be handy for carrying gear and some are good for an early warning system. Dog backpacks are available so Rover can carry his own food and treats. There are also rubberized dog boots for paw protection. For smaller pets you may need pet carriers…especially to board any type of transportation other than the family car.
• Misc. Personal Necessities- Can’t live without your special neck-pain pillow? Orthopedic devices for daily function? Can you only use certain soaps, lotions, or other hygienic agents? Seriously, many folks need specific items to be able to function on a daily basis. Personally, I have a few that would make my time a mess if I were bugging out without them. This also includes things like spare contact lenses, spare eyeglasses, prescription medications and the like. I have a buddy that gets migraines and if he doesn’t pack his meds, the stress of an evacuation could render him helpless and/or useless to his family.
• Map books, GPS, State Maps, Recreational Maps- Get these things now before you need them. If you intend to bug out to another city or state, get maps to these areas. Plan out an escape route, then plan a 2^nd and 3^rd. Map these on Google Maps or the like, and give copies to family. You can also keep them in your car, in your safe or safety deposit box at the bank for others to claim later. GPS is very convenient, fast, and cheap but keep paper maps as a back up. I like to coat maps with waterproofing, or have them laminated. Some companies sell pre-laminated map books as well.

Keep this gear with other emergency gear to grab fast. Keep near the door, in a car, or cached for emergency access. Other survival kit basics such as food, water, shelter, signal, fire, and defensive gear should be kept there as well.

The Wild fires in CA are a good example of needing to go in a moments notice. Some things cannot be taken, or are too bulky….Home fire safes are good for family pictures, jewelry, and important documents such as ID, wills, deeds, and other banking information. If you live in a fire danger area get the highest fire rating possible. Most quality safes are rated for a 1 hour burn time. Cheap safes are only rated for ½ hour. All safes should be screwed down, or bolted to the floor to prevent easy removal by a thief. Keep safes hidden or low-profile in the home.

Copyright 2009 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

Recently because of the “Doomsday Preppers” series, the Walking Dead and other reasons I have been re-vamping my BOB”s and other kits. I decided I wanted to update my pack to a 5.11 Rush 72.and lo and behold! I find a video with a guy that used the same pack but really did an excellent amazing job not only equipping it but making a 3 part series and PDF explaining the kit in minute details!

5.11 Rush 72 Backpack, Bug Out Bag by Urban Prepper:

Its funny how the are coincidences like this when you are on the right track. You start to run into things that make your project easier, fall in line with your thinking, and help you on the way.  Hope you enjoy the series as much as I did! My hat is off to The Urban Prepper who not only did an outstanding job with this video, but has many video reviews, and product suggestions.