Preparedness used to be something most people did by default. It has been too long since the Great Depression, and human memory is very short. The next collapse will be the "Greater Depression," and there will be no time for even quick studies. Either you'll be prepared and have better chances than others, or you won't be prepared and be screwed.

I hope my friends are paying attention and preparing. Time is running short. I'd rather be prepared in advance than not, and I prepare in a way that doesn't cost me money. In fact preparedness saves you money by being frugal, gaining skills that save you money, buying in bulk instead of retail prices, etc. It's a good life style that everyone should adopt!